Brazil in April

After suffering a miserable 40 (I'm not exaggerating) days of rain and grey skies in Northern California during the spring of 2006, stepping off the plane in Sao Paulo brought a sigh of joy.  We met clear blue skies, a sultry 75 degrees, and lush tropical vines and flowers everywhere.   It was the Friday before Easter (a holiday) and my cousin was there to pick us up at the airport and transport us to Ilhabela, the beautiful island) a resort getaway for well heeled city dwellers about 3 hours outside of Sao Paulo by car and ferry.  

A view of Sao Sebastiao from the car on the way to the ferry

After meeting up with my family, we had a fantastic lunch (the big meal of the day in Brazil) at a hip seafood restaurant called "New York".  We enjoyed hearty piles of fresh calamari, shrimp, and fish on the open veranda overlooking the sea.

Sunset on the Ilhabella, the Beautiful Island.