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Day 237 - Wednesday 14 May
Everybody keeps raving about this place called Ilha Grande, so I've decided to check it out and see what the fuss is all about.
As its not much more expensive and saves the hastle of walking around Rio on my own with my rucksack I booked all my transport through my hostel. The minibus was supposed to pick me up at 10am so I'd had to get up early after only a few hours sleep. However the minibus was 2 hours late and only arrived at noon which was a bit annoying, especially as its a glorious day outside. After a coule of hours driving we arrived in a small town called Angra dos Reis, where a boat was waiting to take us over to the island.
I quickly checked in and watched the remainder of the Uefa cup final, before going for a little exploration. I really like the place, it reminds me of Phi Phi except without the bars and nightlife. Like Phi Phi they've also banned all cars and motorbikes from the island, so the only way to get around is to either walk or take a boat which
is kind of nice.
As theres not really any nightlife to the place, I spent the evening having a few drinks with the people i'm sharing a room with.
Day 238 - Thursday 15 May
Breakfast was an absolute nightmare. It should have been really picturess sitting by the beach listening to the waves and looking out at all the fishing boats, but there were millions of flies everywhere. They kept flying in my drink or landing on my food. In the end I had to abandon it.
Yet another sunny day, so I decided to take a 2 hour hike through the jungle to Lopez Mendez beach. Many people claim its the best beach in the whole of Brazil. The hike throught the jungle was quite hard and I was sweating buckets, but it was well worth it. I saw some monkeys, loads of butterflies and even the giant ants carrying leaves back to their nest. It was like the discovery channel.
After about 2 and a half hours, I finally made it to the beach. It is a nice beach and there werent that many people on it which made it even better.
However it goes dark here just before 6pm, so I had to leave after only an hour in order to get back before dark. I could have taken a boat back but im a glutton for punishment. Luckily I just made it back in time. There was just enough light to see my way through the jungle. Another 5 minutes and I could have been in trouble.
Once again after it had gone dark there wasn't much to do but after all that walking I was pretty knackered. So after a short rest, I joined my roommates in the bar.
Day 239 - Friday 16 May
After yesterdays experience I decided to give breakfast a miss and had a lie in instead. Its so expensive to get your laundry done here in Brazil. Everyones charging 2 quid a kilo, which is about double what i've paid anywhere else in the world. However i've already worn all my clothes twice now and there beginning to smell. So I bit the bullet and decided to handwash them all. Russ gets Pa to do all his and reckons he saves quite a bit of money that way. I washed all
my clothes for about 80p.
I'd planned to do another jungle walk to an old derelict prison a few people have recommended to me, but after yesterdays walk I just wanted to have a relaxing day instead. Theres another older prison just 15 mins away from the town, so instead I went and had a look at that one.
With it being another sunny day, I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun changing my travel plans as I read more of my guide book.
Most people left this morning, so it was really quiet tonight. The bar was deserted so I just stayed in playing on the PSP. At least Ive saved myself some money.
Day 240 - Saturday 17 May
I'd been thinking of leaving today but that would have meant missing the FA cup final. As i've got time on my side I decided to stay and watch the game. What a rubbish game I needn't have bothered, but at least its sunny so I got to spend another afternoon sitting in the sun.
More people left today and it really is quiet tonight. I could hear some
live singing going on at the other end of the beach, so I went to investigate. Not sure what it was as obviously it was all in Portugese but by the pier there was a whole orchestra and a few people taking it in turns to sing. The whole towns turned out to listen so with nothing else to do I joined them. I think it was the local church as every so often somebody would shout out Hallelujah. Whoever they were they were ok and complemented the surroundings.
Once the music had finished I sat overlooking the sea listening and watching the waves gently hit the beach. Again I've found a place I like but its time to move on.
Day 241 - Sunday 18 May
I got up to get breakfast and there were no flies around today. I wonder where they've all gone. Its also an absolutely gorgeous day, its almost a shame to leave, so I took advantage of my last half an hour and sat in the sun looking out to sea.
I've been to a few small islands on this trip but sadly this might be the last before I
head home. With a touch of sadness I made my way to the pier shortly before ten to catch a ferry over to Mangrateba. From there I managed to catch a minibus to Rio. Incedently by doing it all myself rather than using a travel agent I got back to Rio for only 35 Reis and saved myself about a tenner. That will help the budget.
I had to wait just oven an hour at Rios bus station but I managed to get the three o'clock bus to Campo Grande. Its a 21 hour journey and there were no tvs, music or anything. After finishing my book, using up a whole battery life on the PSP there wasn't much to do but knock back a valium and turn in for the night. Its only half nine, what a party animal I am.
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