Ilhabella

Today we were in port on the island of Ilhabela, Brazil. This island is in the Brazilian state of Sao Paolo, and is considered an archipelago.  Most of the island is protected under the UNESCO biosphere reserve, as it is home to toucans and other rare birds, capuchin monkeys and various other exotic species of animals and plants. The island has more than 400 waterfalls, mountain peaks running up to over 3000 feet, lush vegetation and many fabulous bays and beaches to explore. To call it beautiful (as its name suggests) is an extreme understatement! 

We anchored off the coast and tendered in to join a short island  tour along with a trip to the Toca Waterfalls. Our guide, Juliana, did a wonderful job of showing us the sites. She explained how the island has been home, at various times, to the indigenous Brazilian tribe, the Tupinambas, the Portuguese in the early 1500s, who set up a military installation and a small fishing village on the island, and a host of pirates, such as the British Thomas Cavendish, who purportedly made off with Portuguese treasures from the mainland and buried them around the island. 

Juliana first took us through Nossa Senhora D'Ajuda church, a very quaint and lovely blue church set on a hilltop overlooking the town.

We then had a long drive around the island on our way to the waterfalls. 32,000 people call this island home full-time, but the population swells to more than 100,000 with tourists and Sao Paolo residents who build second homes here. It is easy to see why. Words, and even pictures, cannot do justice to the beauty of this place. 

The waterfalls were lovely as well. As falls go, they weren't particularly large, but they cascaded down several tiers and the set-up was very conducive to bathing in the many pools created by the various levels. 

We were told to wear bathing suits in case we wanted a swim, but we chose not to get wet. Karen dipped her feet in and walked about a bit, although the rocks were quite slick. 

It was a long morning of touring, and we were ready to get back to the ship for a nice coffee/tea break before afternoon stretch class. We then had dinner and attended a unique illumination show put on by the Crystal dance ensemble entitled "Imagine."  We were all instructed to be in the lounge and seated before showtime, as there would be no late seating and the room would be completely dark. This was because the show was made up of the dancers' costumes, which  lit up in different colors and patterns. Very sophisticated choreography and imagery. Unfortunately, we were instructed to take no pictures, as it would have distracted the dancers and the audience. 

Off to bed. Good night everyone!

David and Karen