September 7,

We were up and about – my knee felt good and it was a decent, cool day. So we had our javas and breakfast Muesli, yogurt, and an apple. Once we finished, we readied and set out by 1100. We set out to drive some of Santa Catarina island.

We started from our place, of course, which is along the northern coast in the city of Jurere (this is the actual town we are in). Jeff had set a route that basically went east and down most of the east coast. Within the first half hour we saw horse riders in town. What fun! As we weave in and out the town sprawl, the forest/jungle areas were more noticeable toward the interior of the island. Along the coast though, it opened up and the trees had been cleared leaving room for the horses to roam in fenced areas and we saw quite a few horses with and without riders.

Then we came to a lake – noticed on the map, it was very large and actually a lagoon Lagoa da Conceicao. There were all sizes of boats on it, parked and some sailing. Some small sailboats were in a group with people about, Jeff thought it was a class – people learning to sail! We saw sand dunes and also islands in the lagoon… islands in a lagoon on an island in the ocean! HEE-HEEE! Anyway, we followed along a bit with the lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other, going up and down some hills, with one hill more massive and a steeper climb, making Jeff have to downshift. At the top of this hill was a viewpoint. We pulled over to get a gander. We had to pay for parking and there were shops here of course. But it was a good viewing area of the huge lagoon with towns scattered along its shoreline and the everpresent forested interior. Anyway, I guess I was in a shopping mood and bought a pair of Amethyst earrings; then we bought some good looking chocolate. We paid 5 BRL ($.98) for the parking, left, and continued on our route.

We decided to stop for lunch at a restaurant on the lagoon side. Men were on the road side waving menus for various places to draw us in. We chose Gela Guela Bar and Restaurant, and had the Salmao Grelhado Pratos (Plate of Grilled Salmon) for two. It came with rice, beans, fries and salad. As we waited for our food we watched a couple of beggar Black-crowned Night Herons, and Seagulls waiting for some vittles to be tossed their direction. The herons were bold, so it was clear that they were routinely fed. Anyway, our food came – which was great – we ate and we took in the views. We each had a “no-added sugar” juice: me a pineapple; Jeff a lime. We paid 206.47 BRL or $40.43 then went back into our Fiat and continued on.

Next, we saw hand gliders and parachuters catching the breeze. We continued and came along the oceanside for the last bit of our venture. There were much bigger waves in the ocean down here, fitting as this is the part of the island where surfers come. We went until the road basically ended. Then we returned back to Jurere by 1600. The weather was holding out and my knee was good, so we decided to go out to Fortaleza de Sao Jose da Ponta Grossa. Along the way we saw Capybaras!! That was cool and unexpected! We arrived and paid 30 BRL to park.

We paid 20 BRL ($3.92) for my entry. Jeff was free since he’s over sixty. We entered, taking in the vistas and overall fort layout. According to placards – with English translation! – this fortress was built starting in 1740 by the Portuguese and built irregularly – on three levels. It is part of a “defensive triangle” with two other forts on two other islands, which you can see in the channel distance. Also the placards stated that these forts faced a Spanish Invasion in 1777, and that this particular fort was abandoned in early 19th C. It fell into disrepair, but in 1939 was listed as a National Heritage Site with restorations started in 1976 of the chapel, and 1991 the remaining buildings. The inside of the Chapel was nicely done. We enjoy forts, and this one had up to 31 cannons at its heyday.

We left and went back to our place and settled in. We had a snack supper of cheese and wine…very nice day!