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Ihla Grande - The Big IslandFeb 24, 2007
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Main beach downtown
Get a room!
Main harbour in the evening
| We were really looking forward to Ihla Grande, our final week of the trip, some chillout time on the beach, relaxing, not having to watch our backs. Unfortunately every other tourist that had come to Brazil for the carnival had the same idea. So when our ferry docked at the port, it was tourist central and not as tranquil as hoped. It took Sam about 3 days to realise that Ihla Grande actually meant Big island, which it is. Very beautiful with areas only accessible by boat or hiking up and down through the dense canopy forest. Highlights: Self serve ice cream shops, ability to try as many flavour as you wanted, put in the desired amount, and to add all sorts of toppings. Of course it was paid for by weight. And you always ended up getting more than what you had first anticipated! Sam also found a shop that did ultra thick thick shakes that went some way to correct the weight loss achieved during the first half of our trip. Heidi found a great beach restaurant on the first night where we sat down for some great food and drink. The host took us under his wing which is a nice way of saying that he decided what we were going to drink regardless of our preferences. Heidi asked for the bill and he came back with an innocuous looking coconut caipairinha that was strong enough to melt your lips, throat and everything else it came into contact with. Apparently the secluded beach called Los Mendes is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Brazil. It is only accessible by 3 hour walk, and by boat, which still leaves you a 15 minute walk away. Thankfully the long sandy beach stretched quite a ways, giving all the post carnival goers a chance to unwind in piece. We spent 3 days doing small walks around the island, returning to the main town in the evening for Caipairinhas, fish stew and cakes served from mobile trolleys that are pushed around the street by the vendors. There are no cars and no major roads on the island so goods are transported by people. We decided to take off a day earlier to give us a little more time in Paraty that was likely to be a little quieter. |
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