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Ilha Grande is an island south of Rio de Janiero. We took a bus from Paraty to Angua and then a boat across to Ilha Grande. The boat was about two hours and it was such a hot day that carrying our backpacks in the heat became very stressful. The trip across to the island was BEAUTIFUL! Clear water, little islands dotted around, mountains in the background - it was just unreal.
When we arrived (along with tons of other backpackers) we just stood for about 5 mins in amazement at the islands beauty. Once we found our hostel we headed straight out to explore. There are no cars on the island, or cash points and everyone is so chilled out that the atmosphere is just one that cannot be put into words. It is a place where i could of got very very stuck.
On our first full day the sun was out in full force and after a local ladies recommendation we caught a boat for 20 Real (about 6 pound) to a beach called LOPES MENDES. This is one of the top ten beaches in the world. After the boat got to the beach, we had a 25 min walk through the forest to get to the beach. Once we got there all three of us screamed in excitment! White sand that felt like talcum powder and clear blue water. The beach must of been at least 5 miles long and despite there being a few people there it looked like it was totally secluded and it felt like we were the only ones there!
After finding our plot (the most beautiful we could) we ran screaming into the sea not realising how strong the waves were. At one point i was sitting down just staring out into the open ocean when a wave came and knocked me over - i rolled 4 times through the sand getting sand everywhere and swallowing a lot of water - i managed to eventually find my feet and emerged from the sea looking rather messy!
I have been putting on factor 50 sun cream on since we arrived - not messing around as the sun is so strong and me being as pale as i am it is totally necessary! Although i had been lucky with the sun so far, at Lopes Mendes i got burnt really bad. My entire front wad red raw so i spend the rest of that evening feeling rather sorry for myself. Even when we went out for some beers and met some locals, they were laughing at how red i was.
On our return from this stunning beach, a storm hit the island. This was no regular storm -it was directly above us and was a bit scary if im honest. The rain was so heavy - it flooded our room! My entire backpack which was on the floor was drenched through along with a lot of other stuff. The hostel owners really didnt seem surprised and moved us to another room - bit of a mare!
Once the rain stopped - about 5 hours later we ran out for food and drinks (thought we were going to have to eat our emergency rations there for a second haha)! We met some local boys called Andre and Christiano who seemed very sweet - they worked on the island during the summer months. We later went to a party at another hostel and met up with some of the boys from paraty - i was still feeling very sorry for myself being so red and all!
The following day it rained non stop all day long! no joke! we were stuck in the hostel! Thank g-d some irish boys arrived who kept us company. We took the opportunity to catch up on our UNO time as there was nothing else to do. The owner did get very narky with us which was very strange - she was angry that we had stayed in all day! hmmm!! So if you ever had the pleasure of going to paradise (ilha grande) do not stay at Mita Virgem hostel haha!
As the island is so small the storms sent the island into darkness. We had no light and no water which made life rather difficult. We went out for dinner with torches and really did need wellington boots as there were so many puddles, but instead i had my trust flip flops which insisted on making me slip everywhere!
We had wanted to stay longer on the island but the rain was expected the entire weekend to we made the decision to leave and head for rio - despite us not seeing the lagoons on the island which are meant to be incredible! Suppose it gives me an excuse to go back one day!
We left Ilha Grande at 9am and expected to be in Rio by early afternoon - this did not happen. Once off the boat where i met more Israelis and scared them by talking back to them in Hebrew (always amusing). Once off the boat we had to get money and get a bus to the bus station which proved an interesting excursion. When we eventually got the bus station, we found out that all the buses to rio were booked out until 3pm! grrrr!!
Kate and Lorna are able to sleep anywhere and at anytime apparently and as i am not able to share this I have been making some fun friends on buses. On the bus to rio i made friends with 5 israeli guys (they really are everywhere) who invited us to rent an apartment with them but as we´d already booked our hostel we couldn´t, but it would of been fun!
And so the adventures of Kate, Sian and Lorna continue in Rio.....
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