Jana came to our place at about 10:30 when we were just
sitting outside enjoying the view of the beach and planning the rest of our
trip. We said our farewells and she made her way to Soa Paolo and Berlin after
being away since August.
Ilha Grande is known for its natural beauty and forest walks
so we decided to take a walk but first we needed to extend our stay for a
night, have a beer and get some lunch. We managed to sort out the extra night
and then made our way to get some food and beer. We finally managed to find
Original e Brahma (a beer that had been recommended many times but is difficult
to find). It was definitely one of the better local beers but that was the
highlight of the meal. We had burgers but they were very disappointing. We then
set off on our walk.
There are more than a hundred beaches on the island and most
are accessible via boat taxi or walks of varying difficulty. We decided to do
an easy walk in a loop just outside the town to see the Aqueduct, Lazereto
ruins and Praia Preta. The aqueduct was built in 1893 and is still functioning
and is used to take water to Abraao. The Lazereto ruins were built in 1884 as a
farmhouse. It was then used as a stop over for European immigrants due to them
coming to Brazil with cholera. In 1940 it was then used as a prison until 1953.
Praia Preta actually means Black Beach. This got its name from the minerals
that are deposited onto the sand from a little river that joins the sea at the
beach.
After the walk we made our way back to the house where we
caught a nap in the hammocks before making our way to the local for a beer
where I am now enjoying the scenery while updating my blog... All I need now is
to find a way to keep this position and make money while sitting here...