Nathans Travel Blog

Firstly I just want to say sorry for not blogging for a while. I will try to do one every 3-4. Shout out to mo really missing you mo. Any way !!!!!!!!!

16/06/2014

We woke up our first night at picasso flats was nice, we had been thinking that since we were at the fifa 14 soccer world cup we should buy a ball. So mum, aniva and I set out on an adventure to find a soccer ball, we walked about 1km down the road in 35C. After returning without a ball we left to the beach with a beach ball that I won at duty free. The waves were about 2m tall and would knock down any human in its path, the waves were fun to dive under and cool to body surf. We then went home to watch Portugal play Germany, Germany won 4-0. Then my dad and I went to try find a soccer ball again this time we went in the other direction this time we had much success we found one soccer ball, one pump to deflate ball to make it fit into a bag and lots of police. Dad and I hurried down to the beach to play a quick 1v1 game I won 15-0. Then all of us watched U.S.A play Ghana U.S.A won 2-1.

17/06/2014

The waves were big but not as big as yesterday, the waves today were more powerful but were only 1.5m. On the beach we started a game of soccer this time mum and aniva joined in. After the beach mum and aniva went shopping while me and dad went downtown to the fifa fan zone but before going there dad wanted to go see this fort.On the very tip of manaus it can see any one who comes by sea into the harbour and the only other way to get to it is by walking along the flat sand witch means if you come by foot you can be easily spotted and shot, but when we got there it was close we walked all the way around by the time we came back it was still shut. We read the sign it read during fifa world cup open from monday till friday from 10am until 3pm, but all of that was in portuguese. We then returned to fifa fanzone the match on was boring but there was other mini games. One mini game was like the clown game you throw the balls down and see if you can get the lucky number, if you do get the lucky number you go in the draw to win tickets. After we returned back to the mall that we watch U.S.A play Ghana this time it was Brazil vs Mexico. Unlike last time this time it was full, we had to sit in a restaurant that has its own little box for you to watch tv they had the game on so we went quickly to get a table it soon filled up. The game had started but the funny thing was that the tv outside were about a second in front so if the was a someone nearly scored we would go oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhh then they would go ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh about a second or two latter. The final score was 1-1 , we then walked home and slept.

18/06/2014

We had to get up at 7am so we can go buggy riding witch was so much fun our driver was Castello. To see all the fun we had see photos for more detail).

19/06/2014

We had to get up at 3am to go to the airport, we then flew from Natal to Brasilia then from Brasilia to Manaus. The flight from Brasilia to Manaus was very bumpy and made me feel sick. After we landed we caught a taxi to hotel roma, we will be staying here for 4 day and going to U.S.A vs Portugal. I want U.S.A to win. We then watched some tv and went to sleep.

20/06/2014

It was hot walking through the zoo after seeing turtles, otters, crocodile and other animals, we got an icecream. Then caught a taxi to another zoo where there were monkey, puma and other big cats. see photos.

21/06/2014

Waking up early I got changed and sat down at the free breakfast. Dad told aniva and I what we were doing today, he said that we will get picked up by the tour guide then taken to the dock to get into a boat to see the meeting of the Negro river and the Solimoes river which turn into the Amazonas river. We did all that and alot more so check out photos. We then went to a shopping mall to buy face paint.

22/06/2014

It is sunday and the market was full of people, we were looking for a U.S.A shirt for Aniva and I and portugal t-shirt for Mum and Dad. Once we had found what we we're looking for we bought the t-shirts and then went back to the hotel. Mum painted my face then we went to U.S.A vs Portugal. Before the game I had my photo taken about 20 times and was on tv and we weren't even in the stadium. In the stadium I was on the big screens multiple times so was Aniva, Dad and Mum. The final score was 2-2.

23/06/2014

We woke up early like every other day that we leave a city, the time was 5:00. Mum and Aniva we're confirmed on the flight from Manaus to Recife but dad and I we're wait listed on the flight. We waited in line and if there we're other seats we would have them. 1 and a half hour mum and aniva had gone through security and we're waiting they said that we had seats but by now there was not much time till the plane left so we ran to our gate and made it just in time. We landed at 12:25 and caught a taxi to Pouto de Galinhas a 30 min drive from the airport.

24/06/2014

Waking up to the noise outside I got up and ate breakfast, we went to the beach played with the soccer ball. When we got back it started raining again.The rest of the day was not so fun and would be boring to read and I'm not saying that every thing that I do write is interesting, I just dont think its worth writing thats why some days I right lots and other there is one line. Hope every one is having a good day or had one!

13/06/2014

On the 13th the skies were clear there was no clouds in the sky, praia de futuro was full of sounds of the waves crashing on the beach and people trying to sell thing, we went for two swims then ordered crayfish again like last time we were here. Then we went for one last swim the waves were about as tall 1 to 2 meters tall and very very powerful. We hopped in a taxi and drove back to our apartment. After we went to a restaurant and watched the football it was the Netherlands vs Spain Netherland won 5-1.

14/06/2014

We’re at the fifa ticketing center finding out how bad brazilian lines are. We have been here for 2 hours and had contemplated leaving several times. We finally got out back to the apartment in 2:30 hours time. Today we're going to the uruguay vs costa rica. The game was fun the stadium was huge geting there was easy but getting out was different there was 10,000 people trying to get on the bus everyone was pushing and pulling. We finally got home safely.

15/06/2014

We have to drive for about 8 hours today from Fortaleza to Natal. On the way there we spotted pumpjacks witch get oil from the ground and cati as big as trees. 8 hours latter, we have finally got here we're going to find our flat we're staying in for 4 nights and then to the shop to buy food and water.

9/6/2014

My Dad and I were walking down San Cristobel mountain when we spotted a short cut, we quickly took it but that was not the wisest decision as it was muddy and steep we carried on anyway. Suddenly I found my self sliding down the mountain in this bog like mud, my pants got a bit dirty but at least we had our very own tour guide, Mr Stray Dog. Our tour gide had been very hepful and would wait for us when he got in front too far but the most helpful thing he did was decide which track to use when there was a fork. Well I guess he did a good job because I'm not still on that mountain. The rest of the day was easy apart from the crazy cab rides and the underground metro, then there was also a cool interactive museum (check photos) . Then we went on the funicular (watch video).

10/6/2014

I woke up, the time was 4:00am. We had two flights to catch, one from Santiago to Sao Paulo and then Sao Paulo to Fortaleza. We arrived at the airport on time then my dad, Mum, sister and I went to our gate number 21a. After being there for 10 min they moved us to gate 20a then to 18a, then after that back to 21a. We finally got on the plane and sat on our seats. My Mum and I watched the same movie at the same time. We watched Playing for Keeps. Then I slept on the second flight. When we arrived, we caught a taxi that drove us to our apartment. We are staying on the14th floor. It has a very nice view (check photos)

11/6/2014

We went into town and later to the Praia do Futuro beach. On the beach we were allocated a table. At this beach, people from eveywhere come trying to sell you things like table cloths, wooden carvings, hammocks etc. There was one lady about 81 to 85 years old who was selling sunscreen and body lotion. Every time she came to sell something to us, which happened about 10 times, she would touch my face and stroke my hair.

12/6/2014

The opening game of the World Cup was about to happen. The time was 1:30pm and there was 3 hours and 30 min left until the World Cup kicked off but all over Brazil people were closing their shops and shutting down stalls. We had just been stand up paddleboarding and even they were shutting down. Dad had bought me be a Brazilian shirt with the number 10 which is Neymar's number. About 3 and a half hours later, we were sitting down in a restaurant right in the front of the tv. The game was between Brazil and Croatia.The match was close, but  the Brazilians had more possession. Then right as the clock ticked 11min into the game, the Croatians made a break down the sideline and crossed the ball into the middle of the penalty box and a Brazilian defender tracking back kicked it into Brazil's goal. The restaurant went silent. Then number 10 Neymar scores and the restaurant erupts but its still only one all and in the 71st minute, number 10 Neymar scores from a penalty and again the restaurant erupted with celebration. One minute into extra time, Oscar seals the deal for Brazil with a goal in the bottom corner.

Tomorrow we will not do much but watch some soccer and go to the beach.

Yesturday at 6:00 am me, my mum, my dad and my sister jumped out of bed to catch our plane to Santiago. I quickly got changed and threw my bags in the back of the car.

After we had driven 30 km to the airport we arrived to see that the lines were full and moving very very very slowly. We thought that we would never get on that plane but 2 hours later after playing handball in the airport line and being expolsive tested multiple times we made it on the plane late but on. It was said to be the hardest part but that was yet to come.

On a ten and a half hour flight to Santiago Chile we were served meals and snaks along our 10 hour long flight. I watched 3 different movies on the plane !  They included Robocop, Oceans 11, The Express. We arived in santiago and past all of the security and made it to the arivals desk which was full of people from taxis companys trying to get you to use them.

We then made it to my Dad and Mums friends house. As the time was 5:00 am the sun was nearly up but we had not sleept that night. Today we went to a museum we saw all diffrent types of art - see the photos.

Thanks for having us to stay Tim, Sarah, Olivia, Jamie