A hike and football on the beach
Day 12 Fri 10/9, Ilha Grande (Villa Abraao)
Today I was an honourary Irishman. Went hiking out to the Praia Lopes Mendes with 3 Irish girls. Ran into more Irish folks (from Rio) before the start of the hike.
It was a tougher hike than the one to Dois Rios, but a more enjoyable one. We passed through 2 beaches before reaching the beach that people claim is the best beach in Brasil. I imagine they mean the world when they say that! It was lovely, but I dont know if it qualifies for the best beach in Brasil. The beach at Lopes Mendes is bigger than Praia Lopes Mendes, but scenery wise, it didnt have too much of an upper hand over Dois Rios.
I finally got to play football on the beach! 2 Dutch guys from the hostel, a Brasilian and I played 2-on-2. India doesnt have a good football team while the Dutch were WC finalists this year. It did show on the field as the Brasilian surely was the best player and I the worst! The first game, I was teamed with the Brasilian (Sao Paulo native) and we won. The second game was a tie.
Enough time for an apple, a unintended dip in the water and it was time to head back to the village, to get back before it turned dark. The hike back was fun, challenging at times. The last 10 minutes of going downhill to the village was the toughest bit of hiking I have done here!
Dinner at the hostel again; the ubiquitous beans and rice makes its presence again. Potato/carrot salad makes it a bit exotic! I am on track on my blog entries and it is time to head to bed a happy man after a fabulous day in Ilha Grande.
Tags: Travel
Damu