Ilha Grande or Isle de Grande as I like to refer to it, was in many ways the opposite of Rio. Breathtakingly stunning and completely relaxing. After finally arriving on the island we booked into our hostel which overlooked the beach. Later in the week we attempted our first dose of camping. We soon learnt that leaving food out in front of the tent overnight was not a clever idea, as we discovered a sea of ants covering the area around our tent when we got up in the middle of the night for a pee. I soon took charge of the situation, destroying an entire fleet of the blighters with a combination of feet stamping and insect repellent.
We took a five hour marathon trek across the island towards a beach located on the other side. The beach was located just off a ghost town. Apparently a Prison once operated there so a mini town was constructed, now all completely abandoned. Interesting huh?
We’re gradually becoming more sociable and meeting some interesting people and some annoying losers. One guy decided a conversation about the Holocaust would be a good ice breaker...apparently numbers of the dead were exaggerated...it was actually 5 million not 6 million. We thought he was missing the point. Luckily we found a great couple from Argentina (who we later discovered aren’t a couple) who brought us on the trek. I tested the water a bit whilst we were on neutral soil, and brought up the Falklands. That went down like a lead balloon. Luckily we made a good impression on them and are meeting up with them in Buenos Aires for a tour of the city.
Despite the traumatising ants and getting lost in the pitch black on another trek through the jungle Ilha Grande left a great impression and we were sad to say goodbye. Next stop: Paraty.
Kisses and hugs
Mitch
(pic: me on the Dios Rios beach after our hike)
