First Stop in Brazil

After two days at sea, we have arrived at the port of Ilhabela on the island of Sao Sebastiao. Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world and borders on all South American countries except Ecuador and Chile. After discovery by Americo Vespucio in 1502, the earliest settlements were military outposts to protect the island from raids by buccaneers who waited offshore for English, Dutch and Portuguese ships. The Portuguese established sugar and coffee plantations in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Much of the island's rainforest is protected, home to ocelots, several species of primates, birds and butterflies.  The Cabras Marine Sanctuary preserves the home of colourful coral, an abundance of sea life, and underwater shipwrecks.  Multiple white sand beaches circle the island.  The 80 miles of coastline, calm waters and strong winds give Ilhabela the reputation as Brazil's "National Capital of Sailing."

We took a van trip to the Toca Waterfalls located on an old sugar cane plantation.  The three main cascading waterfalls drop 52 metres (164 ft).

The temperature was 27 C (80 F) and very humid.  After returning to the town centre,  we walked along the waterfront in search of cold beer.