Day 3 - Flying east/southish near to the coast and the City of Curitiba
 
The flight with Brazilians version of easy jet, 'GOL' wasn't too bad and we got an amazing sunrise as we reached Curitiba . We managed to see some of the landscape below, mainly forest, rivers and more forest below the red haze; it was just wicked, even on valium! Finding a cheap hostel in Curitiba was hard, only one was mentioned and they wanted extra money off us to become members so we eventually found a business hotel that was cheaper than the hostel! We had to wait 3 hours for the room so sat in a café almost asleep sharing a coffee till our room was ready.
 
The next 2 days in Curitiba weren't really of the sight seeing variety but more admin rubbish trying to decide what we were doing. More rubbish was going on with the flat and our maintenance company and after looking at the good ole bank accounts the realisation that we needed to go home not stay hit and we both felt pretty rubbish to say the least. However a master plan was had, thankfully Brazil was pretty up there re taking card so we worked out that, although it unfortunately meant staying in pricier places sometimes and eating in more expensive places now and again because they took card, it meant we could free up cash and not go home. Result! Plus we heard that the bus station took card too which was a life saver. So we then tried to work out our plan of action as what to do for the next 3 weeks, we desperately wanted to chill for a week somewhere but the weather forecast everywhere was grim! We also wanted to do the Amazon our final last dream but flights just to go 4 hours away were over 600 squid and that was with the cheap airline, but as my mum always says, you may only ever do this once so master card it was and all was booked! Not sure how we pay this card off but hey ho, worry about that one when we get back!
 
Curitiba is renowned for being quite a cosmopolitan city and the best one for 'living standards' and architecture in all of Brazil . We weren't in the best bit so walking into the city was pretty grim and at times we didn't feel that safe but the main street and plaza was nice, shopping precinct lined with flowers and trees etc.. So I think this was the area they were describing. We had fun eating in the local cafes trying to suss out what the food meant. Our first attempt we just pointed to an 'x' as it was described, x with salad, x with bacon ....... And yes we guessed it right as the guy served us a burger, yuk!! But it was 50pence and that was all that mattered!! Also they seemed to eat these large egg shaped breaded stuff so I watched as a local, bit the top off, poured ketchup in at intervals and ate, weird or what but we had to try one! It was basically the gluiest potato texture ever with a chicken mix in it but it was 20p and filled you up. These cafes and the pizza style pasty things they eat became life saviours for cheap food for the next 3 days plus we found our first ever cheap Chinese too so for one night that made a change. We were both pretty hungry most of the time though which didn't help too much re feeling rubbish but it was good to lose some pounds ha ha! Wandering around the square and cathedral was cool whilst waiting to sort our PC out again, and also confirm travel plans as we had decided, despite the weather that we would do the famous Brazilian train journey to Morretes and then on to 'Ilha do Mel', Honey Island. Again everyone was SO friendly as finding information about this place was very difficult and a lot of hours had been wasted searching the net . The travel website at the top of the page was our life savers and the lady took us for coffee and helped us with everything, thank you again ........!!
 
Finally Saturday had come which meant we could finally get the train, listed as one of the most spectacular in the world but definitely the best in all of Brazil. Thanks to Alex and Dave who gave us this as a b'day present (thanks again Mr and Mrs C!!) so on my 34th b'day I would be undertaking this amazing experience of sheer drop gorges, spectacular jungle scenery, hair raising high bridges and the best of all......................... 13 TUNNELS!!! What had I let myself in for!! Finding the office to book tickets was fun too, we went to where we thought it was where the security guard got out this old scribbled bit of paper with English and Spanish on which basically said 'wrong place' but eventually we found it at the back of the bus station and all was sorted......As it was my b'day tomorrow too, Ads bought me as a pressie a Twix Mc Flurry so I was in heaven, it is amazing how when you are travelling something that would be so small and menial at home means a hell of a lot out here!! A wicked b'day present which didn't last long, thanks Ads!!