We arrived in Nova Friburgo on Wednesday lunchtime and since then have been busy doing all sorts of things!
Day one we went and visited the Milk Bank (Banco do Leite) at the maternity hospital and the country club before heading to `Happy Hour` at the home of one of the Rotarians where there was food, ping pong, darts (until I broke the dartboard - it was an accident - I didn`t even touch it!)and merriment!

On Tuesday morning the team had some rest time and so our hosts very kindly took us to see one of the best oceanic beaches in Niteroi. We ran on the beach, swam and sampled the coconut water that everyone has been telling us to try - it was very refreshing.

We went back to Sandra's for a delicious fish lunch before heading to the Grael project which is supported by Rotary.

Today we visited the University of Niteroi (UFF) seeing the language school as well as LATEC and the computer science school. Afterwards we went to the University Hospital and were taken around the human milk bank which is supported by local Rotary Clubs. As part of this visit we also saw the neo-natal unit.
Tea was taken with the staff at Cultura Inglesa (an English language school) where we had a warm welcome. The banana cake was delicious!

Sunday afternoon we went to the Statue of Christ - the Corcovado in Rio. Our driver, Mauro dropped us off at the bottom and we bought tickets to go up in the tram. We spotted a sign offering a 20% discount for Rotarians and their families - we didn´t have our real badges but showed them our trip badges and they accepted that so it was an added bonus.

The tram goes around the mountain winding its way up slowly and stops at a couple of points so that the trams coming down can pass safely. The final section of the climb is very steep.

Wow, what a weekend!

We arrived at District Conference on Friday evening and watched the flags paraded in to `Chariots of Fire` - it reminded me of the Olympic Opening Games Ceremony without the torch but each club bringing their flag in to a round of applause!

Then it was time for some food and socialising where we saw lots of the Rotarians from clubs we had already visited and also met some of the Rotarians we would be seeing over the next few weeks. We also met the RI Representative from Argentina -Juan Pedro Torroba - and lots of other interesting people.

Would you believe it? The same time as we arrive in Niteroi it started to rain.
Our reception once again has been first class and I am being accommodated by Sandra and her husband Kleber. Katie and Ruth are also in the appartment.

This was our second presentation and was at another House of Friendship. My host family, Renato and his wife and Grandson came to the presentation with us. The rest of the team were already there when i arrived but we were still early enough to set up ready.

We met many members of the Cabo Frio club, and some members came from the Buzios club who we had been with earlier in the week which was lovely.

Last night we did our first presentation at Casa de amisade (House of Friendship) where the RC Araruama met! It all went really well and the presentation was well received by members of the club - they were very impressed by our Portuguese!! Thank you to the RC Araruama for their warm hospitality and the great programme that they had organised for us!!

We're back in Araruama after an overnight trip to Buzios. The visit was a welcome change of pace after our previous few hectic days. We got to enjoy the beach a little, and to sample the most excellent sea-food and BBQ. It wasn't all rest though, pulses quickened when the kite plummetted into the water, and had to be rescued in a daring operation - photos coming

Woke up bright and early to a beautiful sunny day on Lagoa Araruama! Plenty of coffee and chocolate cake for breakfast after last nights caipirinha! Mauro (our friendly bus driver) took us to our first stop of the day - RC Araruama's Headquarters! There we met the District Governor Elect - Luis Spitz and other Rotary Club member who would be our guides for the day. From here we headed off to the Escola Politecnia where college students and adults learn electronics, travel and tourism, nursing, health and safety in the workplace, architecture, and computing.