So, for some reason, my iPad is not getting along with the wifi router, therefore I’m writing this blog on my iPhone. Which means it’s going to be a short one. With limited photos. I’ll try to post some more when my iPad and the Internet become friends again…

Anyway, yesterday we left our comfortable bungalow of Paraty for the rugged beauty of Ilha Grande. Ilha Grande has only recently become a tourist destination. Up into the mid-1990’s, it was still a penitentiary. Ilha Grande means “big island” in Portuguese, which means the only way to get here is by ferry, catamaran, or schooner. Taking the schooner worked out best for our schedule, but this meant throwing our luggage and ourselves (almost literally) on board. This area doesn’t have the same docking facilities that we do in the US.

We left for Ilha Grande onto the beautiful blue-green waters. But we soon learned that the crystal blue waters could also be rather choppy! We proceeded to spend the next 2 hours riding the rough waves, as salt water splashed everywhere. Me, not being a boat person, just hung on for dear life. Thankfully, we made it to Ilha Grande in one piece.

While staying here at our pousada, although with quite wonderful service, Ro and I have realized that we’re a little TOO close to nature for comfort. Being among nature means being among LOTS of bugs. But somehow, we’re surviving. Don’t get me wrong, though, it is absolutely gorgeous here. We just have to get used to the fact that we humans are not the only living beings on this island.

Now, on to today! Today, we introduced Ro to the Lee Death March – the extreme hike we seem to do every vacation. It was a 6.6 km hike to a beautiful beach (supposedly). This hike took us through the island jungle, up to a great view of the island, and across 2 beaches. It was beautiful! Though humid. My favorite line of the day from my dad: “I’m sweating like Iguacu Falls right now!” Although my parents and I are used to hiking and the San Francisco hills, Floridian Ro is used to flatlands. Needless to say, this was her first, and very well may be her last hike of all time. Her last hike with our family, at least.

But we were rewarded at the end with beautiful Praia Lopes Mendes. It’s apparently supposed one of the top 10 beaches of the world. I haven’t been to a lot of beaches, but this does rank as one of my top. It was covered by fine white sand that has the consistency of flour and kind of squeaks when you walk in it. The water was crystal clear, but… cold. Like San Francisco beach water cold. Like feet going numb after 1 minute cold. Thankfully, the 70-80 degree weather on the beach itself made it very easy to warm back up.

I knew that hiking 6.6km back to our pousada was not an option (especially not for Ro), so we opted to take a schooner ride back. Boy, this was an adventure that rivaled yesterday’s schooner ride. Except instead of rocking up and down, this schooner was rocking left to right, making me think we were going to tip over! Thankfully, once again, we survived. I’m only one week into my trip and I already feel like I’m kinda adventured-out. Europe is going to be quite boring compared to this. 🙂

I’m also schooner’ed out as well, but we have one more schooner ride to take – back to the mainland and then onto Rio! Our story will continue there, provided we make it out of the last schooner ride alive. To be continued, I hope…

View from our pousada – sunset over Ilha Grande