Florianopolis

28.10.2010 - 01.11.2010 33 °C
View Our Round The World Adventure on Del-Linda's travel map.

We were in two minds whether to do the bus journey down here, as it was a bit detour from the direct route to Foz Do Iguaçu. We don´t think we had fully recovered from the food poisoning and we were a bit down after the great time we had in Ihla Grande with our new friends, so we almost went straight to Foz Do Iguaçu since we were unsure about Florianopolis. However, a great decision was made as it has been our favourite place so far.

Florianopolis is a city that is half on the Brazilian mainland and half on Ilha De Santa Catarina. The beaches on the island are amazing, which makes it a popular holiday destination for South Americans. We had three great days at beaches, each day the temperature being 32-33 degrees. One beach is very popular with surfers and the waves here are massive. Great fun getting battered by the waves although the currents were rediculously strong so we had to be careful.

One day we were sitting on a pier eating our lunch when a penguin swam out under out feet! Believe it or not (Linda didn´t believe me at first) but apparently they come here in the colder months before heading south once it gets warmer. We don´t think the others in the hostel believed us until we all saw another a few days later, having a great time swimming about in the cool water out of the 30-odd degrees heat.

When we arrived here we realised it was nicer than the previous towns / cities we had been to. It seems more european here, and from the houses and cars here it is clear that it is a far more affluent area. We have been very lucky with our hostel. It is more like a home than a hostel and the owner, Roberta, is one of the nicest most helpful people you could meet.

We are also lucky to meet lots of others at the hostel as we have all had a great time. We met a really nice couple from London, Rob and Cassie, who have also just began their round the world trip, another two girls from London, two French girls, a crazy Italian-Brazilian guy who ended up entertaining us for a few days, and a couple from Sao Paulo - the guy looked like Ronaldo (Brazilian Ronaldo and not the Portuguese diamond-encrusted speedos Ronaldo).

We went to a Samba nightclub with Rob and Cassie one night, which was good as we hadn´t seen any Sambo since being here. The locals love to dance! We all had a huge bbq and caipirinha party one night. Our Italian-Brazilian friend, Riccardo, cooked all the meat in the traditional Brazilian style which is miles better than our burgers and sausages back home. Had a great party and ended up going out in town where we ended up chatting to a Brazilian guy called Elton John Santos!

We have had a really great time here, mainly because of the people we have met along the way. Heading off shortly with the two girls from London, Izzie and Megan, to our next destination. Another 14-hour bus journey awaits!

Posted by Del-Linda 02.11.2010 03:24 Archived in Brazil