I love Brazil, it’s an assault on all your senses, from the smells to the sounds to the sights. It’s also a full blown assault on your wallet, especially when the world cup is on. Although we knew it wouldn’t be cheap so I can’t complain, but I do feel a little like I have a target on my back.

Brazil’s hilarious as it grinds to a halt when theres a game on, let alone when Brazil are playing! We had asked for something in the room and were told it would be delivered when the game had finished, no “would you mind…?” just “no” for a moment it felt strangely Parisian. There was absolutely no one on the streets either as the bars and restaurants were crammed with people. I don’t think any nation on earth could be as football mad as Brazil, the atmosphere is amazing because of it.

So the other day we were leaving Salvador for the little island of Boipeba, out in the middle of nowhere which, with enough luggage to sink a small boat became a bit of an undertaking.

Taxi to port: Check (30mins)

Ferry to Bom Despacho: Check (1 hour)

Coach to Valenca: check (1 1/2 hours)

Speedboat to Boipeba: check (1 hour of hanging on)

Boy to carry luggage in little wheelbarrow that was bigger than him: check (15 minutes)

Tractor for last 4 kms through flipping rainforest: CHECK! (15 minutes)

And after all that…we finally arrived at a little slice of paradise in the middle of nowhere at Casa Bobo a little eco resort. Right now we are all sat on our bungalows veranda listening to crickets, and other animals that if I were walking down an alley late at night and heard the same sound I’d turn around and walk the other way but it’s ok here as we are in the middle of nowhere… But despite the strange noises it really is beautiful here, it’s all little bungalows with wooden walkways and low lighting.

Now some people might say that eco is synonymous with the guilt ridden green excuse to extort wads of cash from unsuspecting mugs like me, and they’d be right of course, but now that we are here I can see why people love it so much and it really is worth every penny.

So after a lovely dinner of pasta with lobster we sat on the veranda looking up at the night sky which was filled with stars, more than I have ever seen anywhere. And once again I realise how incredibly lucky we are to be able to be here together…Although I haven’t seen the bill yet so in four days time it could be a completely different story!

Oh and on a final note anyone thinking of travelling to Salvador, take note, everything seems to cost 20 Reais:

Excuse me, how much move my luggage 20 meters when I could have done it “20 Reais signor”

Excuse me signor taxi driver how much to drive just around the next corner? “20 Reais”

Excuse me how… “20 Reais”

You’re starting to see the pattern? That target’s getting bigger and bigger, and as long as we keep ravelling with half the world in our luggage I fear it can only get worse so as soon as possible we will be unburdening ourselves of as much “stuff” as possible. You should have seen us today, it was embarrassing, we looked like American tourists.

Right I have to go now and spend the next half hour chasing a bloody mosquito around our room with an eco slipper!