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Other entries in Ilha do Mel

Island of Honey

Our twin torments of bad weather and rowdy Brasilian school kids came back to haunt us big time on Ilha do Mel. After our disaster with the weather at Paraty, we had one last chance to get some quality beach time while in Brasil, and we chose Ilha do Mel as the best place to do that. We even allowed 5 days to give ourselves maximum opportunity for this.

For the first two days, it was wonderful. Ilha do Mel is a tiny island off the coast of Paranagua, with no roads, therefore no cars and a couple of tiny villages with sandy tracks and very rustic accomodations to stay in. We had good weather and due to our midweek presence the beaches were deserted. (Though unfortunately not quite as nice as those on Ilha Grande).

All this changed on the Thursday however, with the commencement of a long weekend and with it the arrival of a harem of school kids staying out our Pousada. Cue a downgrade of room, rowdy parties all weekend, a full restaurant everytime we tried to eat, big sleep loss and it also coincided with three days of rain!! Penny attempted to ask Camp Leader and Camp Mother (who seemed to have no control over little ratbags) to get them to tone it down, but this really did fall on deaf ears.

It couldnt have gone more wrong - but for me it was an interesting insight into Brasilian culture. We seemed to be the only foreigners around, and it really showed what a party existence they lead here. Life is all about first having a party, second playing football, and a distant third comes actually doing any work! Even with our visit to the lighthouse there was a huge pack of locals there with drums, smirnoff and lots of singing and chanting. The rest of the world, everyone just goes to look at the lighthouse.

After a wet and long weekend however, we were quite pleased to be leaving.

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