At the lighthouse of São José do Norte there is a sign indicating the zero point of BR 101, the famous national highway that crosses the country from north to south. Actually, it starts in Touros – RN, and ends in this beach in Rio Grande do Sul, exactly where the Patos Lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean.
I was already expecting paradise like beaches in Ilha Grande, and it all came true when I saw that emerald green sea, exquisite vegetation and pleasant temperature. The best is to go trekking heading for fantastic hidden beaches, or full of tourists who came by boat. This is not a big problem, for whoever comes by boat does not stay long and it will be a desert beach again.
In the hottest months of the year, Isla Martillo is the home of 2 species of penguins, Papúa and Magallánico. They come to reproduce, and the youngest ones to change their plumage. These young penguins are rather ugly and have missing feathers. The island is full of nests, which are holes in the sand surrounded by plants. I had never thought I could see so many penguins on a landscape like this.
Morro de São Paulo is among the most beautiful islands I have ever been to. There are coral reefs with colorful fish, palm trees, white sand, warm water and trails. What most caught my attention was the sudden change of the tides. It happens several times a day, changing the view.
On our last day, a boat ride to spot some humpback whales. In the up and down swing at the sea, we caught a female diving after its calf. Beautiful and unforgettable.
The Cayos Cochinos are a group of small islands that seem to be flooded. Cayo Largo del Sur is in the southeastern end of Cuba and comprises several islets, where you can have a boat tour and go diving. It is paradise! I had never seen such green water and thin white sand before. I went diving in a transparent salted sea with colorful fish, coral reef and a shipwreck – all this in pleasant temperature.
Islands in Lake TITICACA (navigable lake with the highest altitude in the world, 3827m), made of totora reeds. Very old communities live there and use totora as food, house, boats and handicrafts. The funny thing is that when families have an argument, they draw an imaginary line on the island and each group stays on one half.