My final couple of days in South America gave me time to sample the delights of Rio before returning to the rain and cold of London. Yesterday I ventured into the north of the city to the Quinta da Boa Vista. It’s the former residence of the Emperors of Brazil, now turned into the Museu National. It’s a fine old building and the park was full of families enjoying the weekend sunshine. The park is next to the Maracana Stadium. They play something called Futebol there. I don’t know what it is but everyone seems obsessed with it here. All the taxi drivers want to know what my team is. Luckily there was not a game on or I wouldn’t have got near the place. Today I spent my last full day exploring the Pão de Açúcar commonly known as the Sugar Loaf. It was fantastic weather with not a cloud in the sky and the views from the top were absolutely stunning. The Cable Car takes you in two stages the 396 meters from Sea level and from the top you can see the whole of Rio laid out before you. From here Rio is surely the most beautiful city in the world with wonderful clear water surrounding vast tracts of Rain forest clinging to mountainous spikes and the city squeezed in the middle. A fantastic way to end my trip in a wonderful country.

Back in Rio de Janeiro state if not quite the city. In Petropolis, a resort town high in the mountains. It is where the citizens of Rio used to come when the city got to muggy. Apparently it is still the home of the Brazillian heir to the throne, Dom Luiz Gastao de Orleans e Braganca. Haven`t seen him yet, but I did see the tomb of his Great Great Grandfather, Dom Pedro II, in the Cathedral. It is a lovely little town set amid some wonderful scenary. Very relaxing before I hit the chaos of Rio

Caught the bus down to São João del Rey yesterday. It`s an old colonial town built in the Gold Rush in the 17th Century, full of old churches. Today I took the local bus to Tiradentes, another colonial town about 10 miles away. It`s set in magnificent countryside below the wonderful Serra de São José mountains. Spent the morning wandering around the town and then did a trek up into the hills for some wonderful views over the town. Part of the trail was on an old stone road built by slaves to link the colonial city`s with Rio, the then capital. Boy it was hot up there but worth it. Plunged straight into the hotel pool when I got back. Cold but refreshing.