On this page you can find some photos from Ilha Grande, a small island situated about 4 hours travel south of Rio de Janeiro. This tropical island, with about 3000 inhabitants, has a unique mix of emerald hills, white beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
We stayed for 7 days in the city Vila do Abraao, in a pousada called Bahiana's House. This house was operated by Josef, a local businessman we were told about from some other Norwegians before we arrived on the island with a boat from Angra dos Reis on the mainland. The pousada had three nice hammocks, and although the standard was basic, it was very cheap, and more than OK for a shorter period.
Vila do Abraao, the main square
On our way to Ilha Grande
Pousada Bahiana's House
Vila do Abraao
Main port on Vila do Abraao
Boat trip to Praia Lopes Mendes
On the way toward Praia Lopes Mendes
Praia Lopes Mendes, claimed to be one of the best beaches in Brazil
Elected by The Guardian in 2009, as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches of Brazil. Lopes Mendes beach is 3 km of very clear and thin sand and crystalline clean waters
Local fishermens
Morning coffee
Snorkeling (and caipirinha) trip with the Black Pearl !
Josef, our excellent host
The local booze
And the booze-maker. Make me another caipirinha, thank you !
Shrimp barbeque
Seafood delight !
The british girls are getting drunk ..
The local police ..
Ilha Grande
Coleocephalocereus fluminensis cacti
A green island
Palm trees
A small creek near Vila do Abraao
Yucca or Astelia?
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Most likely South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea)
Tawny-striped Longwing (Heliconius ethilla)
Sara Longwing (Heliconius sara)
Golden Silk Spider (Trichonephila clavipes)
Josef warned us about toxic land snails on Ilha Grande. This is the invasive Giant African Land Snail (Lissachatina fulica)
Some bird species observed on Ilha Grande:
Greater Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus)
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Masked Water-tyrant (Fluvicola nengeta)
Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea)
South American Tern (Sterna hirundinacea)
Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus), not 100% sure, very poor photo
Greyish Mourner (Rhytipterna simplex), possible, very poor photo