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.

Took the local bus out to Pampulha in the north of the city. The whole district is set around an artificial lake so it has a relaxed feel to the area. Visited the Zoo in the morning, which cost a massive $R2, about 60p, take note London Zoo. Mind you the infrastructure wasn`t absolutely top class. The Ecological park next to the lake had its own menagerie of creatures wandering about in the open, including some pig like things and very cute monkeys. Later want for a walk around the lake and came across a traffic jam heading towards the football stadium. Bus after bus filled with chanting enthusiasts. I don`t know who was playing but they certainly took it seriously.

Staying in Belo Horizonte, which means beautiful view, and it certainly lives up to its name. It has a lovely setting amongst the hills. Flew down from Brasilia yesterday with Gol, the easyjet of Brazil. Which was very efficient so bang goes that comparison. The woman next to me was enormous, I think we needed to take on more fuel. Got the bus up to Mangabeiras park today for some wonderful views over the city and lots of hills to walk up

Caught the bus up to the National Park in the outskirts of the city. Had a good walk around the park but didn`t see any of the rare animals that were supposed to be around. Walked back to the City Centre but got caught in a storm and got soaked, even with my brolly. Passed lots of Oscar Niemeyer buildings. and visited the tomb of Juscelino Peretti. Now back in the hotel drying out.

Brasília is a very strange city, a cross between the South Bank Centre, Milton Keynes and the University of East Anglia. It certainly has plenty of green spaces but not many facilities for the pedestrian. Things like pavements are in short supply. Spent most of today wandering around the monuments. Walked down into the centre of Brazilian Government, past the congress and the Presidents office. Visited the modern museum, but I think there was an exhibition from Primary schools around the country, judging by the bric-a-brac exhibited. There are some wonderful buildings in the city, the Cathedral is spectacular, but there are some hideous ones as well. The row of Ministries reminds you of a Southwark Council Estate.

Spent the last two days pottering about Buenos Aires and recovering from the Antarctica trip. It`s a bit of a contrast of temperatures, 32 degrees here at the moment, and I have had to shed several layers. It is nice to be back in dry land, at least the bed has stopped appearing to move now. Spent some time in the nature reserve by the River and then walked the parks around Palmero. Fly back to Brazil this afternoon so better start practising my Portuguese again. My vocabulary is now up to four words!

Awoke at 5am to find us already well down the Beagle Channel. The pilot had come on board at 4am and we had an incredibly smooth return to Ushuaia, 18 days since the departure. We all had to leave the ship by 9 as it was due to leave for another three week cruise that evening. It was a fantastic experience and I highly recommend the trip to anyone.

Had a rather bumpy ride over the Drake Passage, one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the world. With plates sliding across dinner tables and chairs playing dodgem around the observation deck. Still all in all we didn’t have it to bad. It’s a long journey, taking two and a half days to cover the 10 degrees of latitude, from our last position off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsular to the relative safety of the Beagle Channel. Previsions are beginning to run out, the fresh fruit ended a few days ago and, disaster, there is no more Hot Chocolate. As we neared Cape Horn the wind eased and we had a fantastic last few hours on the ship with a glorious sunset illuminating the small island on which Cape Horn is situated. As we sailed about 20 Albatross’s were following the ship including four wandering ones, the masters of the skys.