After the craziness of Rio at Carnaval, Tracy and I headed inland to the cooler, calmer highland town of Ouro Preto. This old mining town was once the richest place in the New World, but when the gold dried up all that were left was the beautiful buildings and the deliciously cooler climate. We spent 2 wonderful days wondering the cobbled streets and visiting the old baroque churches built with gold money and suitably decorated. With our batteries recharged, laundry done and overnight bus tickets in hand, we headed back to Rio and down the coast to a tropical island full of beaches and forested hills. Ilha Grande's beaches were stunning and visiting them all the more rewarding given that the best are only accessible by hiking over the lushly forested hills. The beaches were all
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