Ilha Grande is a tropical island off the coast of Brazil which has been designated a nature reserve. No cars are allowed so to get about you hike or go by boat. It's very beautiful , with mountains, lagoons, more than 100 beaches and wildlife.
We arrived in paradise to the thunderous pitter patter of the tropical rain - alternatively this is commonly known as the 'Wix effect'. Everytime we plan a sun sea or sand trip, Uluru, grand canyon, palm cove, piña del rio it always rains... Yes even in the desert.
Undeterred we have been going to the beach anyway and working on improving our pale european skin tones.
This is a beautiful island, but not likely to be so much longer - the cruise ships have found it and the island does not have the infrastructure for the sanitation or rubbish - it only got electricity recently! Some of the locals are struggling with mass invasion over the summer. Fortunately we are here late season as independent travellers so both avoiding the ships and welcomed by the locals.
We remain ever hopeful of more sunshine but to be honest the place is a tropical paradise and who can complain sitting in a beach bar with the sea lapping at your toes sipping a cervesa !