Parati and Ilhabela–Phil and his buddies–Monday – Sep 11, 2006
Another great day. During a tour around the Parati harbor and surrounding area, we spot a sea snake up close, which together with the cold water, discourages everybody from wanting to swim. The beautiful little town lies at water’s edge backed by high hills covered over in thick verdure of an amazing variety. Sandy beaches lined with coconut palms give the place the feel of a remote paradise, which it surely is.
Before leaving, we take a tour by van to an old sugar cane farm that also makes cachaca, the jet fuel that only a few days before, took us all to the mat. In a rare moment of good judgment, the hangovers still in recent memory, we decline to sample their offerings. The farm was once a private zoo filled with wild animals of all sorts, now gone. Its stone building still housing the farm’s simple operations are a time warp. A water wheel fed by a rushing stream still powers the presses that squeeze the juice from the cane.
Leaving Parati, we arrive at Ilhabela (beautiful island) just at sundown, in time to locate an anchorage just off the dock of one of the town’s several yacht clubs. The hydraulic crane that lifts the tender from Indigo’s deck has developed a problem, so the captain calls ashore and arranges for a local water taxi to pick us up and take us to town. Right away, we all like the place. After strolling along its main street into the town square, we have light appetizers at one restaurant and a main course at another next door. The town is clean, its building all well-painted in pleasing colors, and its shops stocked with upscale merchandise. It has waterfront parks and lots of shade trees. Locals wander about on a lovely evening. Phil