Ilha Grande is a very laid back and relatively undeveloped back packer sort of island reached by ferry 90 mins from main land. it has 102 beaches and we have tried a couple. The minibus ride from /rio was a roller coaster of a ride weaving along at breakneck speed bouncing up and down at the back and dumped at a rundown pier where we had to jump on a small boat via a large tyre and then just sit and wait til someone came to drive the boat. Not sure it was the official ferry we expected and there were certainly no facilities and nowhere to buy lunch. /i eventually found out where the loo was from the crusty bow legged old salt that turned up but couldnt close the door as there was no way of opening it again but he didnt seem interested as he passed by readying the boat to leave. /the island is pretty idyllic and yesterday we had a beautiful sunny day on a wide sandy beach at Lopes Mendes which is in the photo jumping the waves until the life guard came and put up black flags which we took as a bad sign safety wise. We had to hike thru some rain forest to get to the beach from where the boat dropped us. The guide book says there are no facilities and take plenty of water but enterprising locals have set up stands selling food and drink already. Today we hiked to a closer one but it has become very cloudy and humid. /luckily the beer is ice cold and the exotic fruit juices are intensely flavoured and cooling too. Last night we had a fantastic meal at a wooden table on the sand listening to the lapping waves, mellow with caipirinha cocktails, which knock you out in the nicest way. /the fish fillet was layered with caramelised banana and fried leeks, shrimps, melted cheese and who knows what else and all wrapped in a banana leaf to cook. /delicious. Tomorrow we move back to the mainland and Paraty and hope the weather holds. Have regained phone access on the island but internet access difficult to find, slow and the keyboard is worn out so have to guess what the keys are.