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Ola from Ilha Grande
So hope?everyone is okay?? Last time we posted we were on our way to the Christ the redimer on Sat 19th May The big guy was pretty impressive, we took a taxi up the top of the mountin which cost about 35R$ each (about 7 quid each) which was cheaper when we did it through the hostel.? The ride took about 30 minutes and the taxi driver agreed to meet us after an hour or so up the top.? The views were really cool although not as good as Sugar Loaf as it was slightly hazy and there was so many people (bloody grings!!).? Still we couldnt leave Rio without going.
We had a relaxing night as we had to be up at 4.30am to catch a bus to Mangaratiba which is the main area to catch a ferry to Ilha Grande.? We managed top get up in the morning and jumped in our taxi which took us to the bus station.? We went with a guy called Alex who was from London and on his travels before he started Uni.? Really cool guy who we have nick named the Colonel as he refuses to speak anything but English and if they dont understand (which they dont) he speaks slower but louder or puts his head in his hands and groans.? We were in the taxi at about 5am going to the bus station and we were going through some really dodgy areas! Its true that cars dont stop at red lights at night in case of being robbed which was fun! We got to the bus station, got off and all eyes were following us gringos with our massive back packs. All was well though and after a bit of hassel from the guy who operates the ticket barrier, we got on the bus trouble free. The journey took about 1h30 and was quiet relaxing (apart from the group of guys we saw being held up with machine guns by the police and the aftermath of a car crash with people sitting round covered in blood! Anyway, we got some sleep as we were tired and when we woke up we were in the mountains covered with mist! We arrived at Manaratiba with it drizzling and an hour to spare before the 1h45 minute ferry to Ilha Grande. We sat down in a coffee shop looking out to the fishing port covered in mist waiting for the ferry. Really spooky but beautiful.
The ferry was really rough but peaceful (if that makes sense). We arrived on the island at 10am(ish) to be greeted by jungle, beaches, a small village and people hassling us to stay at their Pousada (guest rooms). We were warned about this and was told it was the only grief we would get. Alex had meet a guy at the Lapa street party from two days before who recommened the Jungle hostel. We asked a guy to take us there (about a 10 minute walk with backpacks) and he raved on about it all the way! What a Sh#t hole!! It was just some guys extension on his shack with no doors or lockers, although to give it to him there was real jungle (and cats) just out side his door! Even the cats couldnt sway Leanne so we asked to be taken to somewhere where there were other people. The guy was cool and said he had just the place. We were taken 5 minutes down the road to the Over Nativa pousada which was really legal (cool in Portuguese). Loads of people there and really nice (and cheap dorms). Me, Leanne and Alex shared a 4 bed dorm for 15R$ a night each, which is not even 4 quid!
We dumped our bags and explored straight away, admiring the beaches, the jungle and the mountins even in the drizzly conditions. We ate at a nice cafe, headed back and chatted to some girls, an English girls, a Dutch girl and an American girl. We watched Grays Anattomy and all made plans for the next day. The island is about 200km around so its pretty big. Most of it is jungle and there are treks you can do to different beaches and high points. We chose to trek to Lopes Mendes (rated as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world (check google) which takes about 2 hours through thick jungle, although there is a slight path and some signs. We set off at 11am (Monday 21st) and walked 10 minutes before we entered the vegitation. It was really hot and wasnt long before we started to sweat. I whipped out my pen knife and carved away to make some walking sticks for all or us as they came in so handy as it was a bit wet from the day before. Whilst walking we saw big spiders, a snake and loads of massive ants. It was like watched a nature program! It was dark and humid but within the hour we broke through the jungle at a peak around 250 mtrs high and the views were the best we have ever seen (photos will be on there soon), secluded beaches, bays, more mountins, more jungle and clear skies. We trecked on after loads of photos and after stopping for water and bread breaks and walking across beaches that looked like no one had ever been to, we hit the final path to Lopes Mendes. We paid 5R$ for a boat back to save walking 5km in the pitch black mountin jungle and headed to the beach. We hit the beach and it was so exilirating as we had been trekking for over 2h30 and were gagging to chill out in the sun. The sands were pure white and the sea was crystal clear with a good surf. We started swimming and catching rays and within 45 minutes the wind picked up and the sun said good bye!!!! We braved it out for 30 minutes but then knocked it on the head and tried to catch an early boat at about 4.30pm. We arrived at the dock on a tiny beach and jumped on the boat home along with about 20 other people. As the wind had picked up the water was really rough and we were being tossed everywhere. Me and Lee enjoyed it but everyone else was gripping the sides. but the views were amazing and we could see how far and how high we trecked. So then we got back had some dinner and watched more Greys anatomy with the girls who are so nice. Anyway today we have had a really lazy day... doing nails and stuff.... Lee has been learning how to make bracelets by Joanna the dutch girl and then we just mooched around the shops later. a really nice day. we are staying 2 more nights and then moving on and we have treated ourselves to a double room with a balcony.... Nice!!!!!! We love you all and shall be in touch soon x x x x
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