The Sun is for Everyone, the Beach is for Those Who Deserve it.

Reciting my favourite quote from City of God, obviously I got to Rio expecting to be hanging out with Rocket and Li'l Zé, playing beach volleyball and swigging non-stop caiparinhas. Anyway turns out someone didn't think I was too deserving of the beach, because it pissed it down with rain except for one or two glorious days, which I spent lazing on Ipanema Beach watching the hustle and bustle go by.

There is definitely a lot to do in Rio, but concerned by the rain, I squeezed all of the major sights into one day. A visit to the famous Cristo Redentor and Sugarloaf Mountain were as breathtaking as I expected, and I also took a trip to the Lapa Steps, or Escadaria Selarón, only to be greeted by the great man himself working on his never-ending masterpiece love letter to Brazil. We hung out for a while and I picked up some tiles signed by the Chilean artist, and paid homage to Snoop and Pharrell (check it out mofos).

Still searching for the City of God, I had emailed a guy from the Rocinha Favela who conducts tours through one of the city's most famous shanty towns. I have to admit I was nervous, not really knowing what to expect, but the area is actually well developed, with houses 4 or 5 stories high and a lovely neighbourhood camaraderie. Everyone knew everyone, and the residents were pleased to welcome visitors, telling us their stories and all about their lives. It was a fascinating experience and I'd definitely recommend taking a tour. Our guide Zezhino lives and works in the Favela, having founded a local DJ school with the money he makes from the tours.

And so it was time for home. After meeting up with friends from Bolivia on my last night, I was ready.

After my flight being diverted and a slightly tense air strike in Portugal, I was met at Heathrow by my best buddies, and a new generation of friends: Phoebe D, Harry B in utero and O'Malley to be. It was as if no time had passed at all. I made it home for my friends' wedding, and just in time for a crazy heatwave in London. I'm back at my old Stokie gaffe, with a new job and generally just being able to enjoy life, with the added novelty of pickled onion monster munch and not having to put toilet paper in a bin.

I guess all that remains is a few massive thank yous. To my family and friends, who were always on the other end of a Skype call when I was feeling happy or sad and for welcoming me back since I got home and making me feel like only 5 minutes had passed instead of a year. To friends old and new I've met along the way, for making me laugh, cry, drink, dance and for sharing this adventure with me and putting up with my neuroses. And to the World - for being closer to my doorstep than I could ever have imagined before.

Thanks for keeping up with my blogging.

Until next time,

Paul Vinnie McK xoxo