We arrived that morning around 7am at Floripa's rodoviaria. The city of Floripa is built half on the main land and half on the neighbouring island of Santa Catarina. I was told of beautiful beaches there so hence our decision to go there but what I didn't realise was that where we were to stay wasn't in the city but on the coast of the island, as are many of the other hostels and accommodating there. Not a problem but not what I was expecting. I was expecting city beaches. After two local buses we had arrived the town of Barra do Lagoa and to our hostel, Barra Beach Club. The location of the hostel was amazing, close to the town bus most importantly with an amazing view over the ocean. The beach was just there, a handful of steps away from the front gate. Ideal. It was low season when we got there so there wasn't too many around. In fact I'd say there was 20 people at the beach the first day, a beach that stretched some 15km's they say. The weather wasn't too bad either, not as wan of course than further north but enough for some lounging at the beach. 25degrees in winter, you know how it is!

We ventured into the neighbouring town of Lagoa do Conceicao for some grub. There they have an abundance of coffee shops, shops in general but nothing where you could get a meal. Well we could I suppose, eventually we did, but there was only one we saw open. Even Michael Fassbender had problems. Yes, that's right, Michael Fassbender was on hollers there with his big boobed girlfriend, we met them in a havaianas shop. I recognise him but had to do a double take. I eavesdropped on his every word to see how Hollywood stars go about their business. He was in the market for a new pair of flip flops as he had his fathers ones on him that time which he had taken from him two years previous and was in need of a change. He also bought other shoes there totalling 80reais which he paid by MasterCard. I left none on the conversation untapped! What?

The next day we decided to go for a hike which was located at the other end of the island, some one and a half hours away. Just gives you an idea of how big the island is. The little fining village of ..... Something, can remember its name... Lets call it Roscommon for pig iron, had old boats moored on the beach, fishermen tending to their days catch and an empty beach to boot. Most importantly for us, it was the starting point for the 1.5hour trek to he beach of Lagoainha do L'este, a beautiful hike through the forests that lead down to the beach. From the top of the hill, it offered commanding views of both the beach we were headed to and eh, Roscommon. Eventually we arrived to a pretty much deserted beach. We stayed 3 hours there and I think I counted 8 people who we there that day. Fantastic. The beach was similar to Lopez Mendez on Isla Grande, perhaps it didn't have the palm trees but what made it better to me was the fact that you could actually get into the water without being crushed immediately by humongous waves!

Back at the hostel, the management made a massive effort each and every night to put on dinner for their guests. The food was scrumptious and a welcomed treat with not having to leave the premises and paying a very reasonable price too! Copious amounts of beers and caipirinhas later it was time to call it a night.

Day three on the island involved more exploring, this time closer to home. As the hostel was on the beach, the pathway in front lead around the bay through trees and fields to a rocky point on the island, a nice location for swimming, snorkelling (visibility was crap) and some nice photo ops which was I glad for. Boredom there soon set in and we decided to hop on the bus back down he road to the nearby beach of Praia Mole. Mo, mo, mol, mole, moley, moley, moley. Nice to mole you!
This beach was famous for its surfing, not that I'm able to even stand on a board but I wanted to check it out all the same. I took one of the body boards from the hostel and as I was leaving got some tips from one of the 'dudes' there. It's an on shore this he said, left hooker that, watch for the rocks, cowabunga dude and away you go. Wha? It was a nice beach, the waves were great however, I paid Ho attention to what your man said or I'm just s***e on all accounts with any type of board, it took less than 30mins of the oceans beating to send me back to the sand dragging my board behind me. Feck it, back in I went, this time without the board and splashed around, trying to jump over waves crashing and what not. Far better craic!

Later that afternoon after all the splashing had subsided and some of us were tuckered out, it was time to head back into Floripa and to get on get another bus, this time to a place called Foz do Iguazu. The Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls!