Paraty – French BBQ and “La Cucaracha” cat.
Ok! Mamangua is great but humans are social creatures and need more than dingo to talk to.
Music
We sailed to Paraty town and on the way met good friends of Olivier anchored off the beach just before Paraty. To our delight we were asked to join them for a BBQ. What a treat – Fresh steak – medium rare, on the bed of rice with green salad, followed by cheese and Italian tiramisu desert. That is what I call luxurious. We have met the Sailing Cat who could sleep on the beach than jump in to dinghy and come on board. He co-owned the yacht and acted in dog capacity checking on all intruders. There was an extra advantage we were told; having him meant no cucarachas on board.

Pirates of the Paraty

We have arrived in Paraty on the 31st March. It was Easter and it turned out that all local bars and restaurants had WIFI connection. First, you go to the reputable place (recognizable by the prizes and typical bon ton clientele) ask if they have WIFI. This is usually follow by affirmative – “Of course, we have it, sir”. Than you ask what is the Password? This is given to you with no objections. Than you sit down open your laptop, iPod, iPad, or OrangePad (local fruit of the swindle market) order your beer while trying to connect – only to be told that the WIFI is temporary (last two years) out of order – follow by 10 Euro bill for your 25gram pitiful glass of piss.

There’s A Awful Lot Of Coffee In Brazil yet one Espresso at 4.50euro.

We had a lot of shopping as we were going to non-stop sail for next few days. Carrying the supply on the way back to the boat we have stopped for coffee in one of the local bars. Two espressos set us back nine euro (sorry did not feel like tipping the waiter). By the way it was clear to me that pirates and Frank Sinatra go hand in hand.

Pirates lined-up to get unaware tourists for “A ride”

Easter in Brazil

Both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday were spent either on boat or wandering streets of Paraty eating in Kilo-restaurant where the food is sold per kilo rather than quality – but at least you do not get ripped off. Paraty is a typical holiday town and judging by the restaurant prices – well overpriced.
It made much better sense to by lots of lovely fruit and vegetables at the local markets and stuff ourselves senseless on board rather than try sleazy bars or restaurants downtown.

Olivier departs for Rio on the bus

On the 4^th of April Olivier went back to Rio to pick long awaited Wind Generator from his friend who has brought it from Europe.
During his absence more boats from France arrived – but there were no more French BBQ’s. One of the boats consisted of Philip on his yacht AZAD which I have met in Rio.
Hi had brought with him his girlfriend and apparently they took long time getting to Paraty. It was simply explained that they stopped on every nice beach on the way there. Not blaming them as the only beach we visited was flooded with rain.
I personally think there were some other reasons beside beaching.

Return of Pink Panther

Olivier returns with his new Turkish Friend ( wind generator ). Celebrating with ACAI in local sugar palace. We promised ourselves to feat it and go – would it work????
Waiting for the northerly wind 
Sorry sight – lovely « enjoy » sitting, doing nothing, and as the famous proverb say:  » no money – no problem, no work – no problem, no women – no cry, NO WIND – BIG PROBLEM ».

Drink my passion fruit – Cachaca

Tonight we have all the local yacht crew (all French) for an Apero. Somehow – maybe it is my name all crews got the notion that I am the best Cachaca drink maker in Southern Brazil. Normally the said drink is made of distilled sugarcane liquor mixed with squashed limes (do not confuse with
Limy’s ). It is very heavy in alcoholic octants and since we have came across passion fruits we started adding them to this cocktail. To make matters short all our guests asked for re-fills and some were spotted still circling their boats by early hours of the morning singing La Marseillaise in Polish (wonder why?).

The Cachaca Special

Sailors with brollies!!!

In the evening we went out to the local bistro for good bye evening with Philip and his girl.
Pleasant evening and some rain to see us out of the bar. The girl would not move without the umbrella so Philip went back to their dingy to fetch it and Olivier borrowed one from the bar owner. The streets were flooded because of high tide the rain drizzle and two best sailors in Atlantic walking to their “dingo” full of rainwater under one seriously broken brolly. What a sight,,,

Off we go

It’s morning low tide but we take some fuel and off to the south.
Weather could not be better. Sunny day with little breeze slowly turning in to steady 15 knots northerly.  
Ideal conditions together to our next destination in about 3 day and nights of continuous sailing. We set the watch at 4 hour intervals.

Room with a view

Open Atlantic – what a view!!! 
Big serf and consistent wind at about 15 knots drives us south towards new destination of Ilha de Santa Catarina and its main port Florianopolis.
Flying in the south direction at average of 10knots. No land in sight  murky day but the wind too direct behind us pushing us further from unseen land.

15 Knots Landing

Today at 4,30 in the morning we beat the record. Enjoy went at 14.9 knots. For the sailing vessel it is a lot and the feeling of sliding off the waves with a bit of surfing quite excellent. Pity the hour was so early and we could not see much. By about 15.00 we got to the Club de Yates next to Marina Blue Fox on Ilha Catherine.

Florianopolis first visit

The first impression was rather disappointing. A few streets with usual European shopping centres. The Town Centre consisted of lots of little boot stores selling mainly rubbish.
Huge bus station and couple of bridges joining Catherine Island with main land. Both apparently too low to let our boat through. There were some lovely yellow churches and a few post colonial buildings (yellow). Somehow I could not find even one pretty postcard at newsagents. Well it isn’t always that the name pairs with the contents.

Jungle ski adventure

Good thing arriving from the « chat » with the locals was the info relating to the possibility of getting on foot and bus to Paraty – an old little port few hours sailing from Mamangua.
Music
To get there we left the “dingo” on the leash in someone’s backyard and set of on foot across mountain towards Paraty Mirim. The clime was not so bad but getting off on the other side proved my best skiing abilities. No chance for carving as the mud too slippery following week of non-stop rain. The new ski technique consisted of a slide from one tree to the next holding to anything within grasp for dear life. Couple of wipe-outs later we arrived in the middle of nowhere.

Mamangua from the Jungle above.

One closed church, beer kiosk and unmarked bus stop, that’s it.

There was a white horse, untied waking about and eating some sea grass, between two goal posts next to the beach. Not a soul in sight. Half an hour latter some people started appearing – good indicator of great event -ARRIVAL OF THE BUS TO HELL.

Bus ride to hell

Buses, as you might have noticed, are the only financially acceptable forms of transport in Brazil.
I have (touch wood) never suffered from the sea sickness but the ride on the bus through the jungle nearly change all that. The so called road was simply dried riverbed where yet another cousin of Ayrton Senna was trying to make a local dentist some clients by knocking our teeth out in record breaking time. How on earth these busses last for a year of such a “service” is beyond me. The family of local Indians have joined us at one of the “onibus” stops all dressed-up for their annual trip to the “Big City” of Paraty. First glimpse of Paraty town was rather short as we had to catch the creasy ride back. The bus managed to bring us back in one piece to our middle of nowhere and we were glad to be in our quiet bay of Mamangua.

Taking picture??? – mission impossible.

Sittin’ On The Dock of the mamangua Bay

I was convinced that good old Otis Redding must have got inspiration for his hit by simply sitting by the Lost world of Fundo do Saco do Mamangua and looking up to the 1200 metres peak covered by the dense forest doing nothing in particular.

XANADU – restaurant

Just opposite our “parking spot” there was some wooden structure with a big white banner hanging up-front. Using our best field glasses we could just made-up the name DADIDO. Driven by curiosity we explored it in a “dingo” who jumps over some huge (unmarked) rocks sitting right outside it, so to arrive in the weirdest restaurant ever.
A few wooden tables sitting on the wooden terrace on huge wooden pillars covered partially by wooden roof with a proprietor with a wooden leg and the wooden parrot seating on his wooden arm, selling some wooden models of the wooden boats used locally to transport wood from the woods nearby. That’s what one calls living with nature.
The fish served there was delicious as it was fresh and prepared in front of us. Drinking water to top-up our empty canister was excellent and free. Strongly recommended. While having our second pint (bear not water) we were told that at the end of the bay there is an entrance to the hidden river leading to elusive waterfall (Cachoeira in local).

WOODODIDA restaurant

Muddy Waters adventure

Next day met us riding our “dingo” penetrating dense mangrove forest at the very top of the Mamangua bay. The tide was high and we went in to virtually every accessible opening (so common with sailors) yet finding only dead ends as if the anchor was placed there preventing us to go anywhere further. After a few futile attempts we had to retreat (lol) as the tide was beginning to slack and we can get stranded there for hours in increasingly shallow water. It was a Mad adventure in very muddy waters. On the way back we had decided to visit one more place called Praia do Curupira, and guess “Watt”?(see next chapters)

Lost world of Mamangua rain forest.

Who has found the electrical BULB?

Great American scientist Thomas Edison was apparently not the first to invent the light bulb. It was an Englishman Humphry Davy who invented it but the person who founded it on Praia do Curupira was our Great French explorer Olivier Courtois.
The electric bulbs grow on trees and in the jungle can get to the incredible size of 60 WATTS. This we have found on our escape from the MUDDY WATERS. (by the way Watt is yet another famous name – simply the title of the album of the English band called Ten Years After – see “I’m going home”)

Rio Bravo e Vegetacao

We had a second go at our Didoda or Dadido host the same evening. By the time we had polished our third “Original” our Portuguese becomes Fluid or was it fluent. NOW we KNOW better. Avoiding the hidden rock, few fish nets we ride our Dingo safely to enjoy and pump him up for a good measure.

“Walk on the Water” by ApologetiX (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lAh7P8kNYI)

Oli-gators, anna-kondas and paranohas

With a touch of headache we get on dingo first thing in the morning and (as the tide was at the low ebb) we get stranded in the middle of the bay.
Miraculously Olivier manages to Walk On the Deep Purple Water and finds a “shallow water diver” to ask directions to the Cachoeira. How could one have missed that? A simple set of Gaol !!!!! Posts. (after all we are in Brazil).
Hurray!!! We found the entrance and follow up the river with an incoming tide current. Well. I know it is not an Orinoco but next best thing.
Final leg we had to puddle. I kept mine (leg) in the dingo preferring not to call it the “last leg I had”. Did not trust Olivier when he assured me that the Alligators are not in Brazil (but Caymans are not only inhabitants of some far away islands of the same name, are they?). Nor did his explanation that all the local caymans were eaten by anacondas and anacondas vanished simply as the piranha had them, could persuade me to get my “leg over” the dingo – side. The final argument won, however, all mentioned beasts were eaten by tiny mosquitoes which are breeding in Brazilian Jungle thanks to the sponsorship of John&John’s Son, who in turn, are specializing in skinning humans there, by charging astronomical sums for mosquito repellents.

Na(igra)da Cachoeira = waterfall = Cascade

What an achievement; – we get there by mistake.
There was a banana tree forest so we got out of our mosquito infested dingo (what happened to the good all fleas??) and tried to knock them (not the mosquitoes nor the fleas) down but the bananas which turned out to be far too green for consumption. We have concluded that they would never get ripen on our boat ( c’mon we are not that bad – spelling wise). Best to ask local growers if they can sell us some.
Lacking three or four pints of “official” we were lost in translation again. Disregarding all efforts of the farmer or (watch dingo – I am still not sure which one) we picked a bit of passion (fruit) laying on the ground and followed THE SOUND.

The Waterfall;- sorry “the waterfall” turned up to be just a little fall of the 
water from rocks but the reassuring knowledge that nobody was up the river allowed us to drink the water, bathe in it and so on. Some of the blue butterflies flying around were as big as my palm and I bet they feed on flowers surrounding the place, various fruit of the forest and definitely on mosquitoes (though I have still applied generous coat of mosquito repellent armour upon my naked body – thanks John&John’s Son). Olivier has commented that he is going to invest all his money in to developing another Brazilian brand of repellent as a sure business venture.

Local Blue Oyster Club (Olivier’s Temptation)

Never ending choice of colours and architecture (Something to do with Portugal I think)

To our surprise, one morning we had a visit from the local fisherman on his boat.
Surprisingly, he did not come to complain about us treading on his “Waterlogged Football Pitch” nor scaring his “hunting pelican” but to offer us some Oysters that he picked that morning. Olivier could not resist and bought a dozen.

Waterlogged pitch

Local football fan looking at the pitch – must be Brazilian football supporter or fishing pelican.

In the evening Olivier has admitted that those were the smallest oysters he ever had and promised to investigate the possibility of setting Oyster Farm in Brazil in the future.

Yes and the Oysters are from the Mamangua Fishing Club and you do not need soup spoon

Raining Cats and Dingos

We are settling in the famous Marina Pinda (nothing to do with Polish word pinda ). It is surely quite surprising to stay in the marina surrounded by the beautiful beach with no person around. It could be due to the end of season – or might be that people here do not like rain?

Most of the day we have spend trying to find parts for the dingy which slowed down to a crawling speed and was making some howling noises. We should really call it a Dingo.

Next few days

Rain and more rain

Mainly work on boat and its electrical system.

Brazilian “Cargo – Tango”

Decision has been made. Thanks to Southerly winds we have decided to do a bit of Brazilian Tango. You might recollect that in the first leg from Rio we made decent distance to Sao Sebastian in 48 hours (two steps forward).

Now we take one step back towards Rio, as Olivier is expecting the wind generator to be delivered there in ten or so days.

Loads of Cargo ships around – but they are all from China – not from Turkey.

Flying Dutchman club of Ilhabela

We have tripped over our feet and as the wind died down in the middle of the day and we found ourselves circumnavigating Ilhabela. Little that we know, in the bay called Saco do Sombrio were we planed to stay overnight on anchor the light appeared.

To our dismay there was a little bar (surprise, surprise) run by the Ilhabela Marina Club. No choice there, little 1kg fish and chips with our last bottle of “Chablis” and we are ready for ber

Long live Chablis

One bird with two stones

Set off at around 9am. There is very little wind and we have to motor the first part of the day. Well why not some fishing. The bite is an artificial fish and the line to withstand a fish up to 15kg (two stone). Flock of birds took interest in our bite. Brilliant dive by one of the blind ones, ending in hooking the poor old thing.

Quick action and we have managed to unhook and let him loose. Than (too late I suppose) we say – but what’s wrong with Margret de Canard for dinner? 

The seabirds are black not white – must be something to do with South being North there

Averaging 10.5 knots

The promised wind did arrive right at noon (that is when the sun is in the north). We put the sails up and in virtually no time were doing some 10 to 12 knots. Visibility very poor and lots of cloud with thunder. By 21.00 we got in a vicinity of Ilha Grande.

Decided to take shelter in a very well protected bay of Mamangua. Few lights but quiet sea – scrambled eggs and of to bed.

 Yet, the sun goes down in the usual West – Now tall us: WHICH DIRECTION THE BOAT GOES?.

Branch at Tiffanies.

New day found us dozing till ten in the morning. We have lifted the anchor and went down the Mamangua bay. To our port we have noticed little fishing village on Praia do Cruzeiro. The only place looking like being alive was of course the local bar. A few patrons already in attendance so why not to join in for a chat. Fish (probably frozen since the Ice Age days) arrived on the bed of rice. Washed down with couple of « originals » light conversation with a couple of aborigines and siesta. Who needs Tiffanies ?

Panorama of Praia do Cruzeiro

 Loch Mamangua and Nessie.

The same evening I have noticed that we were joined by our friend from Scotland. Nessie had a little holiday and obviously visiting the Brazilian relatives. Her close cousin Anaconda is having her nest near by, so I was told by our friends at Tiffanies. Judging by the size of the fruits such as AVOCADO ( 1kg each) nobody noticed the rather large size of our Loch Ness monster – anyway she is considered as rather shy, and as not in the habit of swallowing the locals, she is left to eat all large oysters.

One needs table spoon to eat Avocado with in Brazil

I am not sure – was this the Avocado tree?

Hello all,
Musique
May I first introduce myself:
My name is Wlodek as in « Vodka ». I am originally from Poland but have lived almost all my life in England. Now, I live in France devouring the best of food and company. My French language still leaves plenty to be desired.
Recently, by way of mutual friends I found out about this beautiful adventure of Olivier and his beloved Enjoy (though sometimes he addresses her in some other words).
Sailing for me is the next best thing to French food and English weather, therefore I did not hesitate to join the « Enjoy » for a while to see if I am worthy of her.
You, devoted readers of this blog, no doubt know that the initialisation of this trip began at least a year ago. The first stage of the trip was accomplished by « flying » over the « pond » (as the Americans would say) in 17 days…of which 4 were dedicated to fishing.
The »Enjoy » had a nice little rest in Rio de Janeiro and so has Olivier. Nevertheless, the call of the sea prevailed and at 21h00 on the 14th March my own voyage began.
1st day – Arrival
Ok, I was 5 minutes late from Paris to Urca beach mooring, but thanks to the local cab driver whose name was Antonio Senna ( brother of Ayrton Senna ) or something like it, we have made up most of the lost time.
2nd – Meeting new Friends
Following a proper French breakfast, Oliver introduced me to his friend Philip who travels the world on his own on the fine 43 foot yacht called « AZAD ».
We got an account of all the local gossip, then exchanged a few opinions on the recent local events taking place in the bay of Urca beach. SHOPPING TRIP the usual but visit of the Inca Catholic Church in the middle of Rio was quite something.
In the evening we popped in to our neighbours’ and as it happened stayed with our wonderful hosts Olivier and Patricia for the rest of the evening.
That evening will go in to the history books as « The Camembert Evening » . For bringing it in good order from France I have nearly landed myself the equivalent of the « French Order of the Empire ».

3rd – Lunch at Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club
Lay in bed a bit longer than usual. Philip arrives at 10 and we all set to work on a few problems on the boat of Olivier’s friend Paulo. He is member of the yacht club of Rio. Navi lights repaired and working, we were invited for a lunch in the club house (few minutes dinghy ride from Urca beach). The day being very hot (40 C) we accompany the local food buffet with a few cool drinks (no wine in sight). All this followed by the first real siesta. The evening ending with a Brazilian adventure film staring J P Belmondo with the pink Cadillac in green stars.
4th – Departure South
Start of the day with a proper French breakfast and supply shopping trip to the local grocers.
Big lunch at local bistro starring the usual trio and some crowd from Brasilia France and Poland join in.
Apparently Olivier got « Hero of the Empire » medal for rescuing some Polish woman in distress the previous week. Evening: the additional crew arrived in form of Benjamin and Pierrick. The run started at 21.00 on the 14th March when we went around the Sugar Loaf Montaigne and took direct south along Copacabana beach. Wind mostly north to north – east took us out of Rio vicinity and by 1.00 am the Corcovado has despair from our sleepy eyes.
5th – Passage
Lovely run of 24 hours with the full sail brought us by midnight to the vicinity of Illa Bella. The lighthouse mentioned to be seen for 15 sea miles never showed from the direction we came (heading 255). It is obscured by land and two little islets on the way: can become an obstacle to avoid at short notice ( This is an official warning).
Le film : De rio à ilha bella
6th – Fishing and arrival at Ilhabela.
The sunrise found us approaching the Ilhabela island from the Atlantic site so we can go around it towards the San Sebastian canal. There is a natural reserve at the very tip of the island yet further one can throw the line and try some fishing. Yes, we did almost catch it. A monster, at least 50cm, with a huge mouth was nearly landed but before we could reduce speed by reducing the sails, the line broke. This meant to put us off sailing but I am afraid the fish lost the contest and we got quite satisfied by having its cousin for dinner. That evening we saw our new crew off to go back to Rio.
7th – Hat Trick.
The transport on our side of the island is limited to two prehistoric buses running some undefined route between the ferry port and Villa . Our place of moorings is situated close to the former.
Last night Olivier left his new hat on the bus returning from the ferry port. You should have see his face when we found it lying next to the driver on the bus we took today for a trip to our favourite « Restaurant » in the mountains. What luck.
It rained silly all day – no wonder, start of the rainy season here. Visibility zero at sea as well as inland. Major repair done inside (the GPS working and at easy access). Closing the evening with fried eggs and another comedy on the video.

Dimanche 3 mars 2013 – les îles cagaras en famille !
Musique
Embarquement sur la plage d’Urca, dans la matinée.
Nous rejoignons Jacques Olivier, sa maman et son fils Philippe.
Départ pour les îles cagaras, aidés par le vent! Mouillage magnifique! Corentin a même réussi a s’endormir dans la cabine avant …avant que Jacques ne le réveille, dixit Pauline !
Notre tentative de pêche est un échec, déception d’autant plus grande qu’un bateau voisin, remonte des poissons en grande quantité! Axel, du haut de ses 6 ans, juge que Jacques-Olivier aurait du approcher son bateau des rochers…
Nous avons tous passe une très bonne journée et Jacques a enfin pu mettre les voiles dans la baie de Rio !!!!
Merci beaucoup pour cette belle journée et, BON VENT …. Benjamin, Estelle, Axel, Pauline et Corentin

Ma maman et mon fils philippe m’ont rejoint a bord pendant 10 jours,
voici leur journal:
Jeudi 28 fevrier
6h30 nous voici a rio le choc thermique de -2 degres a 32 degres
Traversee de la ville pour la baie d’Urca au pied du pain de sucre, nous sommes dans le bain.
Journee de repos. Le soir nous sommes invites chez des amis d’olivier a un diner bresilien a Ipanema, retour risque a 5 dans un taxi.
vendredi 1er mars, depart a Iguacu « les grandes eaux » plus de 200 chutes devallant au coeur d’une vegetation tropicale.
Les cascades se jettent les unes dans les autres, tantot en de larges et hautes cataractes deversant des trombes d’eaus dans un vacarme assourdissant, tantot en de minces filets percant au travers le manteau vert.
Visite du parc des oiseaux, une merveille des papillons appivoises multicolores, des toucans plus beau les uns que les autres, petit tour en helicoptere au dessus des chutes bresiliennes.
Chutes bresiliennes ou argentines ? Faites les deux, spectacle inoubliable. Merci a notre guide eugenio pour sa gentillesse et l’excellence de son francais.
Samedi 2 mars: soir,ouf, recuperation de l’annexe a Charitas, retour sur le bateau, mon instrument de torture.
Dimanche 3 mars , depart en bateau aux iles Cagaras qui font face a la plage d’Ipanema, avec un jeune couple et leurs enfants.
Tentative de peche sans succes a la grande deception d’axel, le bateau voisin faisant une peche miraculeuse de rougets.
Lundi 4 mars, visite de Rio: cathedrale metropolitaine, le quartier de Botafogo et le must ascension du Corcovado … en bus.
Mardi 5 mars, repos au iate clube de Charitas, piscine et farniente , la chaleur est accablante.
Mercredi 6 mars, rencontre de suzy, la princesse de Niteroi, qui nous fait vister le moro de Niteroi, petit cafe glace et marche aux poissons que nous choisissons pour notre dejeuner au 1er etage.
Merci a toi Suzy.
Jeudi 7 mars: le jardin botanique, veritable havre de verdure au coeur de Rio.
Vendredi 8 mars: retrouvailles avec philippe, rencontre au Cap vert sur l’ile de brava. Une derniere douche au Iate club de rio, puis depart en taxi vers l’aeroport de galeo
Ouf …. les vacances sont finis

Alors que je suis entrain de préparer mes bagages pour mon voyage au brésil, je reçois une demande express de mon beau-frère d’embarquer un colis pour un navigateur rencontré à Rio.
Musique
Le monde des amoureux de la mer est petit et soudé, d’autant plus entre français et sudistes !
C’est ainsi que nous voici partis avec un petit bagage supplementaire de…37 kgs…
Ainsi, ai-je entendu parler de Jacques Olivier.
Notre premier contact fut à l’aéroport de Rio aux premières heures du jour où après de maintes péripéties ( dues à la neige) et de grandes négociations, nous avions finallement atteri
Malheureusement sans les bagages !
Il aura fallu attendre plus de 48h en pleine période carnavalesque afin de récuperer nos biens et …, le moteur.
Après tout, 3 semaines à attendre cette pièce, le marin n’ était plus à quelques heures près!
Finalement, tout est rentré dans l’ordre et nous avons eu la chance de voir le moteur réparé et de passer une journée sur ce bateau « fait maison ».

C’est à Ilha Grande que nous avons retrouvé Jacques Olivier avec son ami Michel et son amie Catherine. Coïncidence, nous étions tous les 4 dans la même pousada et avions même dîné côte à côte la veille.
Réveil aux aurores pour les vacanciers que nous étions (7h30 tout de même) et après avoir fait le plein de victuailes ( la cachaça pour la caipi, l’ananas pour le dessert et les patates ), nous voici partis.
Nous avons découvert les côtes d’Ilha sous un grand ciel bleu et une mer d’huile. Après l’apéro au milieu de la mer, pause déjeuner à Pousso où nous en avons profité pour nous baigner dans ces eaux claires. La balade digestive nous a mené à la plage de Lopes Mendes : 20minutes de marche sous la chaleur a bien failli avoir raison de nous mais cela valait le déplacement ! Nous sommes arrivés sur une plage immense aux allures de carte postale : sable blanc, eau turquoise et,bien entendu, chaude, sans oublier les vaguelettes.
Malheureusement le soleil se couchant tôt, après la sieste il a fallu retourner à notre navigation. Courageux, nous sommes retournés au bateau à la nage mais j’avoue que je ne faisais pas la fière, l’eau s’etant un peu assombrie. Il était temps de préparer le dîner et, Jacques Olivier et Michel, en parfaits hôtes, sont partis à la pêche aux moules 
( Catherine, Dimitri et moi sommes restés à bord – Ah ces parisiens! ). Au bout d’une heure, les 2 compères étaient de retour avec des moules dune taille défiant toute concurrence (10cm de longueur….On savait bien qu’au brésil tout était surdimentionné…) . Retour au port d’Abraão avec une pointe de vent qui nous a permis de sortir les voiles, une quinzaine de minutes. Dîner dans le port au milieu des autres bateaux avant de regagner notre pousada où, exténués par cette belle journée nous nous sommes endormis en quelques secondes.
Un grand merci à Jacques Olivier pour cette magnifique promenade et ces belles rencontres.

Bon Vent.
Blandine et Dimitri

Rio de janeiro le 16 janvier 2013
Musique
Départ 6 Heures de Urca,
arrivée 13 heures à Las palmas (ilha Grande) soit 31 heures de route Absence de Vanessa
Arc en ciel Petit retour pour chercher l’appareil de photo de JO
Pluies la veille, pas de courses et absence de provisions sérieuses à bord Ouverture du spi pour 5 mn
Pb avec la chaussette
Montée au mat de JO
Choc sonore, panne moteur
Re-panne moteur définitive En fait le moteur marche mais pas le propulsion On continue sans propulsion mécanique
Plongée de JO, retour blessé dans le dos par les « bichos » qui s’attachent à la coque
Aucun vent
Bon vent arrière
Pluie et vent Jacques Brel
Orage, éclair, choc sonore, perte du GPS Caipirinha, patates et oignons L’homme de Rio Vent et pluie Pâtes sauce tomate
Vent à 30 nœuds
On affale, beau travail de JO
Fin du vent brutale aux abords de Ilha Grande au moment de passer un cargo
Courant et clapots, ancre à 30 m
Presque dépannage, ouf, le vent est revenu
Vent de terre bien costaud Approche de l’anse de Las Palmas
Re-panne de vent
Pousse-pousse avec l’annexe, ça marche, merci JP
Retour du vent, vent du large cette fois
Quelques bords pour entrer dans l’anse On tire des bords pour aller mouiller au fond de l’anse Travail de pro, le moussaillon progresse
On mouille un peu loin , 10 m de fond
On plie les voiles avant d’aller à terre Le glissoir de la fermeture éclair de la grand voile a disparu On utilise quelques bouts et tendeurs
Déjeuner paisible Prato feito et bière Sieste de JO pour clore le déjeuner On se sépare JO vers Enjoy ou JP le rejoindra, Michel vers Rio via Abraão I enjoyed.
Merci JO
Merci a toi Michel pour ce journal de bord tenu impeccablement !

Ca y est decollage de la baie de rio pour aller plus au sud vers ilha grande.
Musique
Pas de vent et surprise enjoy ne depasse pas les 4 noeuds!
filet ? probleme moteur…. et non la baie de rio est tellement polluée que la coque est couverte de coquillages………… plus de glisse !!!
Plongee a ilha grande avec benjamin et son beau frere, pour le nettoyage de la coque.
Je retrouve ricardo et diana les argentins pour passer le nouvel an les pieds dans le sable a siroter les caipis …
Francois Xavier, sarah et leurs amis nicolas et audrey me rejoignent a angra pour passer 4 jours a caboter autour de Ker lha grandec ( la meteo est bretonne !), puis retour a rio
Paulo , societaire du iate club de rio, m’aide a trouver un mecano pour reparer le guindeau.
j’attend l’equipage de la mesange noire, et une meteo plus clemente pour rejoindre ilha bella, environ 150 miles aus de rio, ou dois me rejoindre le cousin pour un we bateau sans sa famille ….

Ca y est anne est parti, c’est bizarre de retrouver le bateau tout seul …
Musique
je me surprend presque a parler tout seul !
Un grand merci a ma super grande soeur pour ces 4 mois passes ensemble ….
Ma prose ne sera certainement pas aussi bonne !
Bon heureusement plein de nouveaux amis, qui nous ont invites moi, jean paul et son fils (qui m’ont rejoint au mouillage du iate club de rio) a passer noel a buzios.
J’ai laisse le bateau 2 jours pour retrouver un lit qui ne bouge pas ! et un petit paradis au bord de la plage avec de nouveaux amis lisa, serge, michel, vanessa et bien d’autres …
Le reveillon est tout a fait francais: canard, confits , foie gras et meme cepes, girolles et du brie !
Retour le 25 au soir a rio ou le concert gratuit gilberto gil et stevie wonder nous attend sur la plage de Copacabana
Voila , il serait temps de reprendre la mer, sinon je vais devenir carioca …
Joyeux noel a tous