Dois Rios

... my alarm waked me up at 1:30 AM!!! It was time to do a night hike up to Pico do Papagaio to see the sunrise 982 metres above sea level. The guide said: Be at the office at 2 AM and of course nobody was there when I arrived at 1:59 AM -> I will never learn it ;-) 2:15 AM the guy showed up and around 2:35 AM the whole group consisting of 2 Chileans, 1 Briton, 1 German, the Argentinian guide and me started the hike. The German girl Franzi was the first compatriot I met on my trip. The guide led us through the Atlantic Rainforest in the dark. Everybody had a torchlight around the neck and a walking stick in the hand. After 2:45 hours we arrived at the top of the Parrot peak and the timing was perfect. Just after some minutes one could see the first sunbeams on the gorgeous scenery. Then finally the sun showed up and it was magnificient. After 1,5 hours we headed down again and I arrived at the hostel at 9:30 AM, perfect to eat the free breakfast. After a short rest I decided to hike to Lopes Mendes beach. The signs read 3 hours to get there, but as I had my broken in hiking boots on and still some energy I arrived at the best beach on the island (apparently the 3rd best beach in Brazil) after 1,5 hours. Then I chilled at the beach and took a water taxi back to Abraao. After quite a while (the boat had a technical problem) I got back and had dinner with Rodrigo. Several beers followed until I got to bed exhausted from this long but awesome day.Read more