Ilha Grande

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Our hostel (Mellow Yellow) organises express transfers to Ilha Grande but that's if your one of the lucky 10 to sign up early. We decided to make our own way here anyway otherwise we never would have got there which was fine - apart from some delays. For example, our boat breaking down soon after leaving the port, only to return for another boat to bring us the distance (in the pitch darkness) which took about 2.5 hours. Not enjoyable. Overall an 8 hour experience.

Our first day included a boat trip to the blue lagoon which I'm not one to criticise but I have to say wasn't great. The following days trip to Lopez Mendes - a beach considered one of the best 10 in Brazil was very enjoyable. Less time on the water and more time lapping up the rays, frisbee, was fantastic. We've come here with James & Dylan from NZ and it's alot of fun hanging out together :o) We're all as mad as each other.

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Our priorities here are to relax and detox so our nights have been kept relatively quiet. That said, we've had a few each night but my advice would be is if you want to party, then bring the party (and the party goers at this time of year) with you.

The following morning we spent a few hours on the beaches around the hostel (the weather has been fantastic) before embarking on our journey back to Rio. This time we did it in style. We chartered a speed boat for 160k (not too bad considering we got 80k back from our breakdown boat) and thoroughly enjoyed the 30 minute trip; all sitting in the back drinking a bottle of rum & coke while the driver sped along. We timed our connecting bus journey to perfection and were on the road, drinking our other bottle of rum haha, for the 2.5 hour journey back to Rio - for our last weekend of this RTW adventure..