We arrived in Rio!

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After approximately 26,000 miles of traveling around the world during the last 4 months, we arrived in Rio. Now we are figuring out our next venture. :)

Los Angeles ---> Tokyo ---> Kyoto ---> Tokyo ---> Beijing ---> Xi'An ---> Beijing ---> Hong Kong ---> Macau ---> Singapore ---> Ubud, Bali ---> Bingin Beach, Bali ---> Padang ---> Mentawai Islands ---> Padang ---> Singapore ---> Hanoi ---> Halong Bay ---> Hanoi ---> Da Nang ---> Hoi An ---> Hanoi ---> Bangkok ---> Chiang Mai ---> Chiang Khong ---> Pak Ben ---> Luang Prabang ---> Siem Reap ---> Kuala Lumpur ---> Phuket ---> Ko Phi Phi ---> Railay ---> Surat Thani ---> Ko Tao ---> Chumphon ---> Bangkok ---> Cairo ---> Madrid ---> Rio de Janeiro

Last stop - Madrid

Even though Madrid was not part of the inicial plan, it was a perfect place to celebrate the success of our trip. It felt like no city on earth is more alive than Madrid, and this is one city that carries a simple message: enjoy life! We hope we can carry this moto to our life in Rio.

Ko Tao

Boat from Surat Thani to Ko Tao

We selected Ko Tao (cheap PADI certfificate paradise) in the Southern Gulf as our last beach stop in Thailand. It is a small and laid back island as beautiful and less chaotic than its famous neighbours (Ko Samui and Ko Pha - Ngan). It was a perfect place to relax on the beach and enjoy dinner on the sand...a great way to wrap up our Thai Beach tour and slowly prepare ourseselves to our trip back to reality.

Railay (or Rai Leh)

Rai Leh is a gorgeous isthmus around the corner from Krabi and Ao Nang, but it feels oceans away. Hiding behind a layer of limestone cliffs, we found it one of the most stunning locations in Thailand. The beach is a super mellow place, free of transport or stalls selling knock offs, with emerald waters and psychedelic sunsets. : )

Rai Leh is also famous for the hundreds of excellent rock-climbing routes up the surrounding cliffs - another amazing dose of adrenaline in our trip.

Phi Phi Leah

Ko Phi Phi Leah is a satellite island that remains uninhabited, and is protected on all sides by soring cliffs. The water is translucent and two gorgeous lagoons make this island's interiors an unbelivable place. The movie 'The Beach' was filmed here, so you get the idea ;)

Ko Phi Phi

Despite the tragic tsunami that swept through Phi Phi Don in December 2004, this island is incredibly beautiful. Ko Phi Phi Don is actually two islands joined by an narrow isthmus with Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam beaches on either side. We stayed in Hat Yao (also known as Long Beach), which is accessible by boat or by a 30-minute hike from the village. The views from Phi Phi Leah, perfect swimming water and white sand are a hard combination to beat.

Phuket, Thailand

Back to Thailand....Now exploring the south...

We headed to Phuket to start our Thailand beach tour.

We stayed in Kata and managed to stay away from the resort type of crowds commonly present in this tourist magnet island. We rented a bike to circle the island and at the end Hat Kata Yai and Kata Noi were our favorite beaches! Plus, if you get lucky, both can offer some decent surf sessions and beautiful sunsets.

An afternoon in Kuala Lampur

We made a stop in Kuala Lampur and decided to check out the city's main attraction - the Petronas Towers.

Cambodian friends

No wonder why Angelina Jolie wants to adopt them all...

:)

They are the smartest kids we ever met...truly amazing! Most of them speak more than 5 languages, and know A LOT about several countries in the world (including Brazil's capital). It was really nice to hang out with them.