Ilha Do Mel

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Trip Start May 31, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Jun 01, 2009 Next
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  Ilha do Mel, State of Parana, Brazil
Saturday, June 21, 2008

After the coldest, yes, coldest bus ride of my life we arrived in Cruitiba a very interesting but working class city in the south of Brazil.  It is mainly a city built around farming with many German,Italian and other European immigrants in the city.  The weather here is a lot like Calgary in the fall getting warm during the day when the sun is out before the temperature goes way down after the sun disappears.

The next day we took the Serra Verde express train from Cruitiba to Morretes a small town near the ocean. The train goes over 67 bridges, through 13 tunnels as it descends from 1000m above sea level to the coast in 75km with some very spectacular views of the mountains. 

After a bus and ferry we arrived at Ilha do Mel a small tourist island that is very quiet.  It is a small island but has lots of beaches that were completely deserted this time of year.  We walk around the island and played in the water.  It was a very nice way to spend a few relaxing days.

There are small caves (Grutas) on the southern tip of the island.  Legend has it that the caves are inhabited by mermaids.  Our walk to the caves was relaxing and a gorgeous way of seeing the island´s beaches, flora, and fauna.  The way back was more exciting - the tide came in and we ended up getting back after some amateur bouldering (and yelps of ´Calvin grab me´).  We saw lots of birds, turtles, crabs, and of course, the dreaded dogs.  :)

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