Mission accomplished!

And so, after nearly two months of travelling, my feet are resting on Swedish (snowy and ice cold) ground. Due to some problems with hostels, lack of ideas of new places to visit, and general God-I-can't-stand-two-more-weeks-with-you (we blame the rain and bad tempers. :)) we rescheduled flights and headed home. It feels odd, but somewhat nice. Its fucking freezing though! I swear, today while I was out shopping (not a word!) my lipgloss froze stuck on my lips. Funny, when I was bathing in sunshine at Copacabana just, like, yesterday. When we landed at Arlanda, Emma counted that we had just experienced a 40 C drop in temperature. Nice. Not.

We've managed to see and experience a great lot during this trip! Some interesting facts and statistics:

Number of countries visited: (In order of arrival, including transfer flights) 7 (Holland, France, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Germany)

Number of airports we've been at: 10 (Arlanda, Schipoll, Charles de Gaulle, Galeão, Islas Malvinas, Salgado Filho, Santos Dumond, Congonhas, Guarulhos, Frankfurt City)

Number of hostels and hotels stayed at: 24 (including two nights at bus, two by on a plane and one at a airport)

Sights visited: Copacabana, Ipanema, Christo Redentor, Maracanã, Iguassu falls (both Argentinian and Brazilian side) The Obelisc in Buenos Aires, Houses of Parliament in Bs As, with the balcony where Evita held her speech to the people, The cemetary in Recoleta, The Flag monument in Rosario, The Aqueduct at Ilha Grande, The ruins of the Lazareto Prison, Ilha Grande itself, and most beautiful of all: Lopes Mendes.

Kickettes I met: RedGirl (hopefully this list will grow!)

Its been amazing, and I can't wait to next trip, whenever and wherever that might be, but I'm longing to get back to Paris. Next trip possible in reality is me visiting the English Kickettes, I'm going to Liverpool and Manchester sometime in March, and maybe somewhere south as well.

Anyway, talking about something completely different, I'm thinking of creating another kind of blog, with like a Lonely Planet guide, only with just shopping. Clothes, shoes, accessoires, make up, those sort of things... Any ideas? I want people to share their own little secret shops, hidden away where all the tourists can't find them, the best budget shopping when you want to "stock up", and everything in between. The reason I though of this, and I'm sure it already exsists, is that I could have needed one while I was away! Sometimes you are just lost and clueless, and don't know where the best shops are.

So please, help out! :)

Heaven

*Hums* On the first day of christmas my true love sent to me...

I'm totally convinced that Nando sent over all his spanish hotness to Ilha Grande, because now we've had sunshine for two days and I'm in heaven, for sure. Its amazing how everything seems so much more beautiful just because of some sun. But now I've realised that this is where i belong. Yesterday I stood in the ocean with lukewarm water to my waist, and though of how weird that was, in the middle of december! Jeez. I got burnt of course, as I always do as soon as I peak out my nose out of our chalet, but it was so worth it! Lying on warm sand, drinking juice, eating some fresh grapes, go down to get a little wet, and then back to sunbathing. It doesn't exactly make it worse that we have a self-service ice cream bar just above the beach. MY GOD. I'm terrible, I blend every flavour I like together, and then I get all icky, since I eat like a tree year old...

Speaking of which, yesterday I was so tired of the bad weather we've been having, so I stayed in the water and bobbed around like a baby, all happy. Weee! Emma laughed at me, all she does is to dip herself and then she's done. Boooring. :) I've tried that, walking down to the water looking gracious and nymphlike, but I always end up squeeling and jumping through a wave. Fun! :D

Zzzzz...

Ole, me and Emma (The Norwegian! :D)

Well, If I had anything interesting to write, I would. But it won't stop raining and I'm bored as hell. Its very pretty here, but NOTHING to do beside sunbathing and swimming, and neither feel very appealing right now. The most exciting thing that happened today was that I got my clean laundry (Yay, dry clothes!), that the adorable little dog that lives at our hostel slept in my bed, and that I managed to guess what time it was down to the exact minute without having looked at the watch the entire day (16:23, btw). That's kind of what we do here. We play cards as well, that was fun the first four days. We've had one quite sunny day, but I spent that sitting on the beach feeling utterly miserable since Emma was talking on the phone with her boyfriend right then. For TWO hours. I felt so terribly lonely. I've cheered myself up by buying some earrings and a beautiful tunic though. Hopefully I'll be able to wear it soon!

On our way to the internet...

Life is slow in the jungle of Ilha Grande, and Oh if it could only be some sunshine! I haven't been

dry for days...

Rosario in pictures

Glossy hair! (we we're bored a rainy day..)

Emma slept with her feet outside the bed...

Sooo we've left Rosario now, and the very last day the weather was really nice, so I managed to get some pictures of the flag monument and such. We spent our final day in a park, resting in the sunlight, reading and just relaxing. At night, we finally got to meet RedGirl, which to me was one of the best and funniest things abotu the trip so far! We went out, to a fab place called Madame, and partied all night long! Yay!

New targets!

Due to some not-so-nice weather, its not cold but not enough sun to spread out on the beach, we've been staying in and planning where to go next. finally we've decided, Christmas will be back on Ilha Grande, hopefully with better weather and more sun now, after all, summer is here! (How weird isn't that btw?! Yesterday my dad e-mailed me on how it was -5 C home and at lest 5 cm snow, and that one of the cats was furious when he had left him outside for one hour. Apparently he had been meowing angrily for half an hour or so when he finally got in. :))

The Itauna beach (Our Pousada is marked out)

Our destination for New Year is now Saquarema, a surfers paradise outside Rio. Judging by the pics we've seen its beautiful, and the Pousada terribly cute. And you can go horsebackriding! How I miss my horsie, but he is living La Dolce Vita at Stromsholm, one of the finest Equestrian Centers available in Sweden right now. My friend who takes care of him is a student at Uni there so she took him with her. No reasons to complain for him! I hope the horses in Saquarema looks healthy though, so I won't feel bad.

Today we are finally meeting RedGirl! I look forward to it, I want to meet every Kickette possible!

Boooring

It's raining. Malin is bored. I tried to log onto Kickette, but computer is pissy and keeps shutting down. No fun at all. Can't handle all the fun with Kickette I guess. :/ We have been walking around Rosario, but due to bad weather, haven't taken any pictures yet. we saw the flag monument, and Che Guevaras house, the first was interesting and the second boring, but maybe that was since we only walked pass it. Maybe more fun inside? Ah who knows.

At least I have a good book to read, but I read really fast so that won't last long. I still haven't found many bookstores with english books in, but I'm working on it!

My stomach will kill me soon though. Breakfast here isn't exactly what I'm used to... Its croissants, coffee, tea and some cereals if you're lucky. Almost all juice tastes like soda, without gas. Bleh. I miss fresh orange juice, milk chocolate, Müsli with "fil" (don't know the english word for that, its dairy anyway) and raisins, eggs (boiled, perfectly soft), full grain bread with ham, cheese and peppers... Sigh. Of course I could go out and buy most of it by myself, but when breakfast is included you don't feel like spending more money.

Oh yeah, talking about spending money... Anyone not interested can scroll past this, but I'm bored and I'm going to list what I've bought so far. :)

• Hawaiianas (navy and gold, with peacock eyes on)
• One pair of gold earrings
• High heeled shoes, patent
• White sundress (transparent, I can wear it with a bikini though)
• Grey tube dress
• Red party top
• Blue dress (Quite short, draped, party dress)
• Two pair of silvery earrings
• Speakers to my Ipod
• Some clips for my hair, one black, basic and one with some bling. :)
• Eyeshadow (I realised only mascara was to basic for me, hehe)
• Silver shoes, high heeled
• Black pants, the sort that ends by the ankle
• Blue vest
• Hot pink mini shorts, yay! (Ahem, beachwear... we joked about that I should wear them with high heels and a bra when we were going out though. hehe)
• Blue t-shirt
• A teenyweeny mini Boca shirt
• Nail polish
• Guidebook (boooring)
• Brown trousers
• Navy trousers
• Silver, flat pumps

And a new bag to carry everything in...

Boca Juniors

The cemetary in Recoleta

The grave of Evita

"House shopping"

Right, so I have some options here:

The Brazilian Embassy The French Embassy, front

French Embassy, back (I loooove this one, can I have it? Please?)

Otherwise, I'll make do with a tree house in this enormous tree at Avenida Alvear. Right next to Hermès.

Buenos Aires

Yesterday we had our sightseeing day, we walked through town to Recoleta, to visit the cemetary where Evita, among many other celebrities is buried. We expected something close to how a cemetary looks like in Sweden, a lawn with memorial stones. When we walked in, I got speechless. In front os us were streets, with beautiful little temples, almost. It was breathtaking, beautiful, but spooky at the same time. All was silent, except for people wandering along the streets looking at the graves, mrumuring silently to another. In some of the graves, you could see the coffins inside. In some, they looked like new, lying on a shelf of stone, with candles or a picture. But some of the older ones where terrifying, we even saw one with a hole in the coffin!
Evitas grave was very pretty, in black stone, with a memorial plate of all the family members resting there, and people had left flowers, but sadly, this was of course the grave with most people, which kind of ruined the eerie feeling you got at most of the other graves. we had the unfortune of going there at the same time as some babbly italians. They were quite annoying.

The walk to Recoleta was fun though. We found ourselves at Avenida Alvear, apparently, this is where the action is. Lots of designers, Emporio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, ( I was *this* close to drop down dead) and, last but not least, Hermès. I even saw the Kelly and Birkin bags! *Hyperventilates* Emma wouldn't let me in though, I wanted to buy a scarf...

I've been houseshopping to! Will send picture to Fernando so he'll know what to buy. I got so in love with one house, it was gorgeous. Then we walked around it, and realised it was the French Embassy. It seems like I have quite some taste! ;) The Brazilian Embassy wasn't far behind either. One of each please Nando!

We've been productive today, went to the busstation and bought bus tickets to Rosario. My spanish works well, I felt like I had lost much when we first arrived but it came back rather quick.

Computer is behaving like an ass right now, will post pics when problem is solved.

Moving

A quick update, not much has happened, but we have now left our group and moved to another part of Bs As, Palermo. Yesterday we went shopping, fun fun. Will come back with full list of what I bought. Hehehe...

This sunday we are going to watch Boca Juniors, hopefully when they win their title! I bought a teeeenyweeny footballshirt yesterday, with number ten on. Ahem. But its so cute I couldn't resist, and they didn't have any other numbers. the colours are divine of course. ;)

The day after, monday, we head for Rosario, beware RedGirl! ;) We are expecting first class guidance and inside info on all the hotti... I mean the interesting, cultural places. *shifty eyes*

Buenos Aires

Above: Malin and Emma at the tango show.

Waiting for our ferry to BA. Ole, the hot nrowegian, is the one with a cap on. :)

Our last move with our group has been completed, we are now in Buenos Aires, after a quick one night visit in Colonia, where I didn't get access to a computer. No pictures from it, but it wasn't THAT much to see. Very pretty, and the Posada where we stayed was cute, with the rooms named after flowers, but since it was raining non stop we didn't do or see much of it. Went for ashort walk though, and I think every male habitant we met tried to chat me up. The blonde hair har finally started to make a diference. Tehehe...

From Colonia we went by ferry to BA. I thought I would die. Seriously. I got so seasick, think I used like 15 bags to throw up in. Yummy. In the end it was worth it though, Buenos Aires is THE most beautiful place. I just love it. It is apparently known as "Paris of Southamerica", and I who loves Paris with all my heart can do nothing but agree. I want to stay here, for all my life if possible. We'll stay here for at least a week so I'll post pitures soon. there is lots to see!

Yesterday we went to a tango show, with dinner. It was amazing, with a three course meal. It was called Complejo Tango, very good, visit it if you're in Buenos Aires. We also got an one hour lesson, complete with a certificate. I got so smitten, I've now decided to take lessons when I get home. the show was fantastic, told teh story of Tango in five spectacular dance numbers. I looooved it. One pair was really really good, our group joked where we sat "why didn't we get to learn that?" when they did a difficult lift.

Giggle

Now we're in Montevideo, kind of dirty but really nice! Everyone is friendly and nice, and I can understand what they are saying, which is nice for a change. My portuguese isn't really up to par, I can read it but when they speak, I'm lost. We went out partying like mad with the group yesterday, Emma and I were back at the hotelroom at 4:30. Yay! We had free entrance, amd the drinks were, as almost everything here, very cheap. You have to forgive my bad math here, I have lots of currency rates in my head right now and might be wrong, but I figure three large drinks went for 10 US$. Thank you! Emma is terribly hung over right now, but I feel fine, I think I have a fast absorbation (is that even a word?) or something like it.

I get very pushy when drunk though, so I made some moves on Ole. Don't know if he is that interested though, we'll see, but Trey said that he thought Ole thinks I'm cute, which is something at least. We went out for some air and he held my hand, which was terribly cute, but not so much to build up hopes for. But he said earlier that he always takes it really slow when going into relationships, and we danced a lot, so maybe, I don't know. I'll take it easy on this one. I can still like him as a person, he is so sweet and nice.

Our club was fun! Great music, mostly salsa and such, I loved it! I hate to dance to techno, it bores me to death. The guys can move for sure, but I found no one cute on our club, sadly. Danced with one who was nice and a great dancer. Out on the streets there were lots of hotties though! The kept whistling and screaming after us when we walked through town, I guess it was the blonde hair. :)

My camera has been dead for soem days, we've been on bus and then I forgot to charge it, bare with me!

Salto

Howdy folks. You'll have to excuse me, I promise this is the first and only time I'll type a blogpost while drunk. Okay, not THAT drunk, but I've had two vodkas with 7 up so now I'm "funny", in the words of Ole and Raimo, his friend. :) He's sitting by the computer next to me btw. Malin is not just funny, but happy as well!

We're in Salto now, which is basically a hole in the ground on our way to Montevideo. The hotel is not much to be glad about, but its only for one night and tomorrow we head for Montevideo and the party! The bus trip was okay, I ended up sleepign using three seats on my own. Credit for that. I have no pictures to show right now, basically because there hasn't been anything fun to photograph yet. Pomise to come back with party pictures or something like it later, like, tomorrow or the day after.

We went to a spa today, it was okay but kind of shabby. They had termal baths, but who wants to bathe in 55 degrees when its 37 in the air? Just no. No no no.

I spent my night with Ole, Raimo and Trey, from Australia. We drank beer (The guys) and vodka 7 up (me) and had a great time. Talking about guys/girls differences, can it be funnier?

Argentina

It's a beautiful day...

It's been great weather for days now! I love it. The day before yesterday we went to Paraguay, before the Iguassu falls, forgot to mention that. We were there only for a couple of hours, but I figure I can put in on my list of countries where I've been. We went to some sort of market, it was greta, but lots and lots of people practicallt throwing themselves on us to try and sell stuff. Mainly socks, which was odd since it was hot, hot, hot outside... No one would have wanted to put on thick socks, surely?

Anyway, I bought an amazing, draped, blue dress, quite short, but it will be great for partying! I got a discount as well, don't know how that happen but you won't hear me complain! ;)

Yesterday we went to the Argentinian side of the Iguassu falls, it was very nice, wandering through rainforest and looking at waterfalls. today we leave for uruguay, Salto to be exact. not looking forward to the bustrip, just hoping we will have a similar bus as the last one...

Iguassu Falls

Iguassu from the air!

Our helicopter

From left: Me, Malin Hug, Tove, Emma

The bustrip went much better than I expected. Didn't get to sit next to "my" norwegian, but maybe thats the best. My best friend (Emma, btw) was quite ill yesterday, nausea, so I took care of her. Not a hard choice to make. I wouldn't ´put some "maybe" guy over her, never.

We had a nice bus though, large, comfy setas and some sort of support for the legs. Felt first class! I didn't sleep like I would have in a bed, but it was okay and I wasn't as exhausted as I were after our flight here.

The hotel standard till now has been very high! I imagined shared dorms, but we've been staying in real hotels, and driven around in a van with air-con. Not so very adventurous, as I thought, but oh how I like it! I'm very fond of anything comfortable. :)

Today, we visited the famous Iguassu falls, which gave name to this blog as well. It was spectacular. Stunning. I can't find proper words to describe it actually. Emma and I payed for a trip over the falls in a helicopter. I've never been in one, and the flying itself were as exciting as the view! :) We got to sit in front with the pilot, so cool!

And almost even more exciting, guess what? I took a picture of my Norwegian for you all.

He is called Ole, pretty huh? Lives in Oslo, 29 years old, works as a Business manager. He is lovely, I don't know if there is something, but at least, he always lights up when he sees me, which makes my heart melt. He is nice, easy to talk to. He listens! Imagine that. And remembers. I've talked about that I want to be a lawyer before, and when we were supposed to fill in forms for the bus trip, someone joked and said that everyone should fill in "doctor" or "lawyer" in the "profession" box. He told me that I should pick lawyer then. Tiny detail, I know, but guys usually don't listen that carefully when you're just blurting out things because you just want to talk for as long as possible, right? I might fall, sigh.

To the right...

Picspam from Ilha Grande

One of the cute beaches

View from the jungle! That is some lovely colour. :)

Our "Pousada", view from the chalet

Dining area

Our chalet

We've moved to Paraty now, and tomorrow we head for Iguassu falls, 24 hour in a bus. I WILL sit next to "my guy". No matter what. The norwegian... Yesterday was just lovely. I sat head to head with him at the resturant, and at night, we sat in a sofa watching Rush Hour 1 and 2 till half past two in the morning. And talked. About everything. He is just lovely. I might fall for this one. This morning, we shared a chair at breakfast because there wasn't enough space. He felt so warm...

I refuse to talk about that, or him in general with my friends though. I don't want to jinx or ruin anything.

Sunshine

Sorry for the lack of photos, the computer on this island won't accept the camera, sorry. Will be back with photos when we leave then.

Today it's been hot and sunny, we left our chalet in the morning and headed out in the jungle in search for abeach. Had to climp through some quite rough terrain before we found a cute little beach. (pictures later, promise promise)

I got terribly sunburnt of course, but luckily, it doesn't hurt much.

Yesterday we went out on a restaurant with the rest of the group, I sat face to face with the cute norwegian guy, he was really nice, but my friend ruined everything for me when she said "God you're so obvious!" After that I almost didn't dare to speak to him.

The entire group was going on a boat trip today, with barbecue and caipirinha, but none of my friends wanted to go so I ended up not going either. Pity, HE was on it, and when I ran in to him just now he was really drunk. I could have made a move. But thanks to that, not going on that trip, I felt depressed all day. Have barely said a word, and my friends thinks I'm behaving really bad. I just don't know what to do. I feel so terribly lonely. I want someone as well. Someone who cares for me, that I can feel the same way about. But it seems kind of hopeless. I even miss my asshole of a boss. Or, at least being close to him. Feel secure for a while.

Ilha Grande

We've moved again, surprise surprise. :) Ilha Grande is a paradise island, for sure, but it just won't stop raining! Not that fun, but what to do? Life gets quite boring here though, not much to do beside sunbathing and swimming, neither feels tempting right now. Sigh. This island disappoints me! No just kidding, its really beautiful, and we got this awfully cute chalet, which I will post photos of later. I forgot the cable to the camera. Good girl Malin.

It was quite cold tonight, one of us claims she "sweats like a pig" and so the air-con were on fullt blast all night. I had one practically see-through blanket, and when I woke up, my friend, who I shared a bed with (cozy cozy) was practically covered in every other blanket we had. I guess she thought my blanket was warm. WRONG. My how I'm gonna cuddle her tonight, if it will remain this cold.

The norwegian remains awfully hot though. Perfectly highlighted, messy hair, nice body, cute smile, tanned skin, and some stubble. Just grrr. Sadly, we don't hang out much with the rest of the group. I'll fix that!

We have some more days here, I hope for some sun! But my friend and I will return, pray for better weather! Its so very rainforest-esque.

I saw the vid of Nando in the Sportman cologne ad btw. I almost peed my pants on the spot. My Iker he is hot...
"Feelin' hot, hot, hot..."

I'll post pics of me with water to my knees on a street in Rio, Copacabana later. Worth to see!

Rainy!

Right, nothing here is done by half it seems. I wish the baby diseases of this trip could just END and let me have a good time. Is that really too much to ask? Lucky its only been like three days and we have lots to go! We moved to Copacabana today, to a lovely hotel, with real beds and a lovely bathroom, it is pure heaven. BUT. Our group of four were separated. Not two in each, NO, we have three people in one room and my best friend was left alone with a girl we haven't met yet in another room. And I feel totally insecure and left alone! She is like my safe spot, that i can hold onto when theres downs. I'm such a baby. But of course, its only for one night, and she'll stay till bed time.

I love this place though. Right now, its pouring. Raindrops the size of footballs, and yet its not cold! Lovely! We have walked to an internet café, and I'm soaking wet, but whatever really. :) I love how tropical it feels, and it feels like we've been here forever already. My food problem is sort of solved, I do have problems with nausea at home as well, due to stress. Makes me grumpy when I can't keep food. But I try to avoid the things I know makes it worse, like milk and too much sour things and such.

Tomorrow we will leave for our three week trip, it feels exciting and fun! The reason we moved to a real hotel is because the trip takes off from there. Some of the people we will travel with are already here, I laid eyes on a hot guy, and guess what? He is Norwegian. Sigh. So much for the exotic brazilians huh?

I look forward to Ilha Grande, I have a feeling it will be calm and nice, to sooth my nerves a bit. This 'best friend has a boyfriend' gets to me more than I want to. He keeps leaving comments on our shared blog, and it makes me want to scream at him to leave us alone. I feel so stupid for this, that I can't accept him, my friend thinks its because its A guy, but to me, really, its because its THAT guy. It feels so wrong that he is so much older. And a selfish part of me thinks he takes her away from me. He seems sweet though, I hope it feels better when I get to meet him, for the sake of my friend, I don't want to hurt her, and she gets sad when I don't talk about him, or ask her questions and so. I'm working on it, it just takes some time to get used to the thought. Its been only me and her for so long now.

Tonight, there will be a meeting about the trip, it will be nice to see who we are travelling with!

When we arrive to Argentina, we will try to get some football tickets as well. Our aim is deffo Boca Juniors vs whatever really. I'm very fond of Boca Juniors, they bare my colours and my beloved spanish techer, who also sort of got me into football, with his love for Atléti, have talked about them a lot. I hope to get to see them.

The pics, which I do not know how to put together nicely, is from Botafogo, where we lived at first.