Sunday, January 11, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Ilha Grande
After an overnight bus to Sao Paulo and sometime to figure out our buses at the MASSIVE Sao Paulo bus station, we took 2 more buses to Angra dos Rios, where we would be able to catch a ferry to Ilha Grande. Apparently there are only 2 or 3 ferries to the island per day and we didn't think we would be able to catch one but we lucked out and caught a 7 o'clock ferry which nobody knew about.
Ilha Grande is one of Brazil's largest islands and it still has a very island lifestyle, there are no cars on the island and no bank machines. One of Brazil's top beaches - Lopes Mendes is on this island which we visited and can be easily accessed by hiking to it from the main town. The center of the island is green lush rain forest and you can hike to almost any part of the island, though some take longer than others. You can also take boats to various beaches and lagoons. Katie and I did half and half. We took a boat to Lopes Mendes which is honestly one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The sand is white and soft and squeaky. I have never encountered squeaky sand and neither had any of the others we were with. Essentially, when you walk on the sand it squeaks and makes a noise very similar to wet sneakers on a tile floor. It was such a novelty for all of us gringos. The beach also stretched for kms on end. On the trek through the forest back to the pier (even the boat doesn't drop you off right at the beach, you have to work if you want the most beautiful beaches!) there are tons of monkeys. We saw 2 different kinds, a smaller one - which we would later find to be quite common in Rio de Janeiro, and a larger black one.
On our second day, we hiked to a beach with black sand. This was pretty cool and we wrote the word Brazil in the sand (which you can see in my photos). We also found a natural swimming pool of fresh water which we went swimming in. We also hiked on the other side of our hostel to a beach more known for snorkelling but didn't end up going into the water because it was too "chilly". Yeah we were just being idiots.
And on our last day we went to the Blue Lagoon. This was stunning. The snorkelling was amazing. Kates and I saw this crazy water snake or eel that had neon blue slash green dots and a super long nose horn thing. I also saw a "rock fish" (thats what I'm calling it), lots of clown fish and various other types that I'm not sure of. And the water was so calm and refreshing. On our boat trip with all the other kids from our hostel (whom we had made friends with the previous night around a table of many beers - the small island isn't really known for the nightlife) we blared Bob Marley and had of course, more beers, which were sold to us by vendors in little canoes that came right up to our boat. It was a great day and a hard life! The boat trip also included three more beaches but the lagoon was definately the highlight. Most of us also had exceeded our amount of time in the sun and so we skipped the last beach. It was the perfect day.
After 3 days on the island we decided to move on...next stop Rio de Janeiro! One of my most anticipated cities of my entire trip!!!
Ilha Grande is one of Brazil's largest islands and it still has a very island lifestyle, there are no cars on the island and no bank machines. One of Brazil's top beaches - Lopes Mendes is on this island which we visited and can be easily accessed by hiking to it from the main town. The center of the island is green lush rain forest and you can hike to almost any part of the island, though some take longer than others. You can also take boats to various beaches and lagoons. Katie and I did half and half. We took a boat to Lopes Mendes which is honestly one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The sand is white and soft and squeaky. I have never encountered squeaky sand and neither had any of the others we were with. Essentially, when you walk on the sand it squeaks and makes a noise very similar to wet sneakers on a tile floor. It was such a novelty for all of us gringos. The beach also stretched for kms on end. On the trek through the forest back to the pier (even the boat doesn't drop you off right at the beach, you have to work if you want the most beautiful beaches!) there are tons of monkeys. We saw 2 different kinds, a smaller one - which we would later find to be quite common in Rio de Janeiro, and a larger black one.
On our second day, we hiked to a beach with black sand. This was pretty cool and we wrote the word Brazil in the sand (which you can see in my photos). We also found a natural swimming pool of fresh water which we went swimming in. We also hiked on the other side of our hostel to a beach more known for snorkelling but didn't end up going into the water because it was too "chilly". Yeah we were just being idiots.
And on our last day we went to the Blue Lagoon. This was stunning. The snorkelling was amazing. Kates and I saw this crazy water snake or eel that had neon blue slash green dots and a super long nose horn thing. I also saw a "rock fish" (thats what I'm calling it), lots of clown fish and various other types that I'm not sure of. And the water was so calm and refreshing. On our boat trip with all the other kids from our hostel (whom we had made friends with the previous night around a table of many beers - the small island isn't really known for the nightlife) we blared Bob Marley and had of course, more beers, which were sold to us by vendors in little canoes that came right up to our boat. It was a great day and a hard life! The boat trip also included three more beaches but the lagoon was definately the highlight. Most of us also had exceeded our amount of time in the sun and so we skipped the last beach. It was the perfect day.
After 3 days on the island we decided to move on...next stop Rio de Janeiro! One of my most anticipated cities of my entire trip!!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Crossing over...
into the land of the Portuguese, gorgeous people and sunny beaches...
Or so we thought. We arrived in Florianopolis after 3 buses. The last one that was over 3 hours delayed due to the massive amounts of flooding in the south of Brasil. We arrived on Ilha de Santa Catarina. Our hostel is called Tucano Hostel. I have to say this because they are probably the best hostel we have stayed in. Not only are the two owners incredibly nice but they were helpful and friendly. I love this hostel and Marilia and Caio. We stayed at Lagoa da Conceição. We found out that many of the people in the hostel could not leave the island because of the flooding and mudslides.
Essentially we were stranded on the island. No buses were arriving and none were leaving. Our bus was the last to arrive and on our drive in we saw :
- an overturned tanker
- many houses flooded to their rooftops
- flooded farms
- 1 mudslide
Luckily our island was spared from over flooding, though the lagoa in the center of the island was definitely flooded and the northern end of the island apparently had more mudslides.
Because no one was allowed to come or go, we settled in for several days of cloudiness with sunny breaks.
**Unfortunately my camera broke and we have no photos of this beautiful island but I am returning so I will get tons of photos**
Our first night, I decided to go with some hostel-mates to check out an authentic Samba club. It is located at a nearby sand dune beach. Because it is still low season, only the locals and people who live year round are on the island. It was a small joint and it was packed...on a Sunday! The live Samba band was incredible. And this nice older lady saw my incapability to dance Samba and gave me lessons. Shaking your hips the way they do is very hard. But it is a great dance and a lot of fun. And the best dancers have a nice booty to shake. Unlike other dances (ie Tango) Samba can be danced solo, though others do dance with partners. This was to be the beginning of many Samba parties in Brazil!
The next day because of the clouds, we decided to rent a car with 2 guys to tour the island and check out all the beaches.
The South is less developed and at the tip is a small fishing town and beach. The beaches on this island are all millions of kms long, perfect sand with gorgeous greenery or sand dunes behind you.
The North has a few small towns, with lots of Portuguese influence (as our Portuguese friend told us) and we saw a shrimp fishing town, an oyster town etc. These towns by the way are literally one street, barely a town. But in the very North it is super developped and the rich Brazilians have their massive beach houses here. Such vast differences all about 15 minutes drive from each other.
Our spot on the Lagoa is in the center of the island with a nice little "downtown" and close to the beaches so its not too developped and not too empty either.
We also went into Florianopolis to do some shopping for CHEAP Havianas (the flip flops that EVERYONE wears) They cost about $25-$35cdn or more in Canada. Here they cost $5-$10cdn. Bought myself a pair....when in Rome...
Speaking of doing the local thing, Caio, our hostel owner, introduced us to caiprinha's made with love by a Brazilian. After going all the way to the north of Brazil, I have to say that his were honestly the best. Katie got a lesson on how they are made and will probably take it home to Canada to introduce this fantastic drink.
The recipe:
- cachaça - Brazilian whiskey made of sugarcane
- limes (mashed to a pulp for the juice)
- sugar
- ice
On our last day, the sun came out and with some fellow hostellers, we took surf lessons. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!
Eventually the roads in and out of the island cleared up and we headed north to Ilha Grande. One of Brazil's larger islands...
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Puerto Iguazu
Finally managed to drag ourselves away from the amazing city of Buenos Aires to go see Iguazu Falls. We arrived around noon and headed to our hostel which looked more like a resort with everyone lying around by the massive blue pool. It was hot so we quickly joined them for the rest of the day.
That evening the hostel had a big BBQ and a Brazilian show. Our first glimpse into samba. The women were amazing hip shakers. It was also our first taste of the Brazilian drink Caipirinha (though definately not the best).
The following day we woke up early to see the falls on the Argentinean side. You should also see it from the Brazilian side as well but we didnt end up going. We arrived right when the gates opened. And headed straight to Garganta del Diablo (Devil´s Throat). This is the biggest waterfall of all the waterfalls. The bridge out takes you right on top of the waterfalls and you can feel the water and mist on you. Most everyone was drenched by it. Also there has been a lot of flooding in the area and the bridge was apparently closed off for a bit so we were lucky.
There are 2 hikes to do, a lower and upper circuit. And a boat ride. So it was a full day at the falls. Also whenever people findout you are from Canada they want to know how it compares to Niagara. Well the second part of the falls are stunning. Iguazu is set in the middle of the rainforest. The greenery is so lush and beautiful against the waterfalls. And Iguazu, I believe, is taller than Niagara. Both hikes take you right on top of the waterfalls. The upper circuit obviosuly to look down and the lower you are standing right at the bottom with great views to the top to really appreciate the sheer magnitude of some of these falls. One of the view points is right at the bottom of one of the bigger falls and you have to just run out get soaked, get your picture and run back.
On our hikes we also saw big lizards, ant eater type animals but no monkeys =(
The boat ride was all of 12 minutes long. But it was SO MUCH FUN! We got lucky and got the front two seats and the boat takes you into the waterfall slash under the waterfall. It was like one big amusement park ride! Again we were drenched. Seems to be the theme of this post.
Luckily we had a gorgeous day so drying off was no problem. This post really doesnt do the Falls much justice. Wait for the pics I promise they will be worth it.
That evening the hostel had a big BBQ and a Brazilian show. Our first glimpse into samba. The women were amazing hip shakers. It was also our first taste of the Brazilian drink Caipirinha (though definately not the best).
The following day we woke up early to see the falls on the Argentinean side. You should also see it from the Brazilian side as well but we didnt end up going. We arrived right when the gates opened. And headed straight to Garganta del Diablo (Devil´s Throat). This is the biggest waterfall of all the waterfalls. The bridge out takes you right on top of the waterfalls and you can feel the water and mist on you. Most everyone was drenched by it. Also there has been a lot of flooding in the area and the bridge was apparently closed off for a bit so we were lucky.
There are 2 hikes to do, a lower and upper circuit. And a boat ride. So it was a full day at the falls. Also whenever people findout you are from Canada they want to know how it compares to Niagara. Well the second part of the falls are stunning. Iguazu is set in the middle of the rainforest. The greenery is so lush and beautiful against the waterfalls. And Iguazu, I believe, is taller than Niagara. Both hikes take you right on top of the waterfalls. The upper circuit obviosuly to look down and the lower you are standing right at the bottom with great views to the top to really appreciate the sheer magnitude of some of these falls. One of the view points is right at the bottom of one of the bigger falls and you have to just run out get soaked, get your picture and run back.
On our hikes we also saw big lizards, ant eater type animals but no monkeys =(
The boat ride was all of 12 minutes long. But it was SO MUCH FUN! We got lucky and got the front two seats and the boat takes you into the waterfall slash under the waterfall. It was like one big amusement park ride! Again we were drenched. Seems to be the theme of this post.
Luckily we had a gorgeous day so drying off was no problem. This post really doesnt do the Falls much justice. Wait for the pics I promise they will be worth it.
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