When in
Curitiba I heard about an island called Ilha do Mel (Honey Moon island) quite worthy to pay a visit. So,
as a good stroller I decided to check it out. There were 2 ways to reach the
island. First heading to Paranaguá then take a boat. But, to reach Paranaguá
besides go through the normal way (road) also was possible to go by train. By train was 110km passing through the
biggest rainforest reserve (Mata Atlântica) in Brazil on a 125 years old rail
in 3.5 hours trip to reach Morretes (old historical town) to afterwards go for
more almost 1 hour through normal way (road) to reach Paranaguá. The best part
was, I could jump off the train before arriving Morretes to trek for more
couple of hours to reach Morretes.
I still had
plenty time, no rush. Of course I picked up the alternative adventurous way. I
Went to the bus/train Station in Curitiba and bought my train ticket for the
following day early in the morning.
 |
| Curitiba train station - Departure: Curitiba x Arrival: Morretes |
Guess what?
The following day was gray and cloudy. Then I realised I was trapped. Anyway, I
took the train pointing to adventure. Tic-tac… tic-tac… tic-tac…
chooooooo chooooooo! ‘Smoke going up the sky’. Amazing feeling I got.
 |
| Tic-tac… tic-tac… tic-tac… |
‘Smoke
going up the sky’. Amazing feeling I got.
 |
| choooooooo chooooooo... |
…
Oh no! It’s
getting foggy. And I couldn’t see much of the biggest rainforest reserve. Such
a shame!
 |
| Bridge on rainforest in a foggy day |
Once it was
foggy and I didn’t see much that I supposed to see, I felt trapped. I paid
thrice to go by train and it took twice the time made by bus. Nevertheless, I
couldn’t jump off the train to trek, because the rain, fog and low visibility.
Too risk getting into the jungle alone in these conditions. Anyway, I arrived
in Morretes.
Morretes is
very old small town. Now a days, very famous because its restaurants which
serve typical regional dish called Barreado (meat dish). The city has many old
preserved mansions, a church, a square, a river crossing the city and the
restaurants. Very small city, but relaxing and beautiful though.
 |
| The river crossing Morretes city with restaurants on the right side |
 |
| One of the bridges which connect the city |
 |
| Square |
 |
| Restaurant |
 |
| Other bridge which connect the city |
From there
I decided to head north to another small city called Antonina on the coast, 30
minutes away by local bus.
Antonina is
one of the oldest population in Paraná state, today a city, quite small though.
Around 20.000 people. The city has a main “avenue”, old buildings, restaurants,
fishmongers and a dock on the bay which leads the atlantic ocean.
 |
| Spy crows |
 |
| Dock of Antonina |
 |
| Antonina bay |
 |
| Even it was cloudy and I started to rain, it was very warm |
 |
| Antonina seen from the dock |
 |
| Fisherman |
 |
| Myself strolling Antonina city |
 |
| Old building - Atlante Inn |
 |
| Restaurants and bars |
 |
| The main "avenue" of the city |
Even it was
relaxing I didn’t stay. It started to rain when I was there, so I left to
Paranaguá.
I arrived
in Paranaguá at night and there was no boat leaving to Ilha do Mel. The next
boat was leaving the following morning at 9.30. I had to sleep over.
 |
| Paranaguá seen at night |
I tried to
find a place to set my tent and sleep, but I didn’t find any good spot. I went
to the hostel in front of the deck where the boats depart.
After a though day I deserved, or at least, I
felt I deserve some luxury. Hot shower, comfortable bed and some pleasures of
life as red wine and chocolate. Then I had a shower (it wasn’t hot and the
register was giving shock to whoever tried to close it) and went to the market
for groceries (Bread, cheese, chocolate, red wine, fruits (loads of them),
biscuits, pasta, sauces and big gallon of water. I bought all these supplies to
take with me to the island. I was going to spend 2 days & 1 night).
I had nice
homemade food cooked by me and went to bed hoping to wake up with a bright
shining day. I didn’t sleep well, at all. The mattress had a canyon on it.
Wherever I lied I turned to the middle. Fucking hell.
At least it
was a wonderful shining day when I got up.
 |
| Bright shining day in Paranaguá |
- A ticket
to Ilha do Mel, please.
- Return?
- No, just
one way. Thank you. (It costs 16 reais)
 |
| Boat departing to Ilha do Mel |
You know what, I’m going to steal this boat and
become a pirate…
 |
| Fake pirate |
“Shit! It
didn’t work well. It’s better find a good place and appreciate the landscape.”
- Everybody
on board? Start it up!
 |
| Fish boats |
 |
| Paranaguá seen from the boat departing to Ilha do Mel |
Ilha do
Mel, here I go!
 |
| Yes, I found an excellent spot on the boat |
To be continued...
