Ilha Grande is without a doubt one of the most perfect places I have ever seen. You would think that it would be almost impossible to spoil. Yet somehow, this guy managed to turn an idyllic day trip into a nightmare.

On our second day on Ilha Grande we bought tickets for a day trip that took us on a lagoon and bay hopping tour of the island. As part of the trip we were promised a stop for lunch but the crew waited until we were halfway around the island (and tired from sunbathing and swimming) to tell us that we would not eat until 4pm. (The boat was full, including some parents with tired and hungry young children.) The crew also insisted on shattering the tranquility of the island by playing Brazilian and European pop music at almost deafening levels.

I don’t want to dwell too much on what happened. But I do want to warn anyone who goes to Ilha Grande to take care if they book one of the day trips aboard a schooner.

I am sure that most companies operating on the island are very good. So don’t be dissuaded from taking these trips. But do stop into the information office in Vila Do Abraao and ask the very friendly Amelia Wiccamel for a recommendation before you buy a ticket.

P.S. Just for the record, I don’t blame the guy above. He was just doing his job. And Benito and I (especially Benito) managed to make his day equally nightmarish with our constant complaints. But whoever runs this one particular company really does not care about the quality of your day.

Tomorrow: A Happy Ending.