Uploads from raf_kiss

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:49:29 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

The pico do Papagaio seen from the boat arriving at Ilha Grande. It is the almost shark fin shaped tip on top of the mountain in the middle of the picture.

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:47:44 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

The sign at the start of the trail indicates it takes 6-7 hours to do this hike (up and down) so be prepared and bring enough water and food.

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:47:36 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

The trail has various small obstacles like this fallen tree. I couldn't help wondering if it was the weight of the large bees nest (the big ball shape in the foreground) that brought it down.

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:47:21 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

At the foot of the parrot-bill-shaped rock that sticks out of the forest on top of the mountain. The last 500m of the hike - climbing up this rock - are the toughest, so don't waste all your energy on the way up :-).

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:47:03 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Dois Rios beach and Ilha George Grego on the south side of Ilha Grande

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:46:56 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Lopes Mendes Beach on the south side of the island. According to some, this is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches of Brazil and a great surfing location because of the Atlantic ocean waves. It was also the favorite beach of Brazilian F1 hero Airton Senna...

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:46:52 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

"Saco do Ceu". One of the bays on the north side of the island. Since the waters of the Atlantic ocean come from the south, all the bays and beaches on the north side of Ilha Grande are blessed with warm and calm waters.

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:46:49 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

The village of Abraão, seen from the pico do papagaio...

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nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:46:46 -0700

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Despite several of these signs along the way, the trail is confusing at some points, so if you're not an experienced hiker, I would really advise to do this trek with a guide. (me, for instance :))

Afternoon hailstorm in Volta Redonda - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 06:57:57 -0800

raf_kiss posted a video:

In the region where I live (Volta Redonda is in the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil) , it is quite normal to have a tropical rain/ thunderstorm in the late afternoon after a warm day. Usually these storms last anywhere from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours and can be very intense. It is not often that there is also hail (granizo) involved, like yesterday... Giovanna, my 6 y/o stepdaughter saw this for the first time...

Another blockage...

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:59 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Tufted Capuchin monkeys

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:49 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Tufted Capuchin monkey

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:38 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Tufted Capuchin monkey

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:32 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Tufted Capuchin monkey

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:24 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

At one point, I heard a lot of noise in the trees and when I stopped to see what it was, there were at least 10 of these Capuchin monkeys "closing in on me". Looks like they were as curious about me as I was about them :-)

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:11:14 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Small waterfall on the way

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:10:52 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Fallen tree...

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:10:33 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

The clean-up crew hasn't passed here yet... Maybe next time...

Spiders...

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:10:20 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Countless spiderwebs spun across the trail were an indication that I there were no other people on the trail at that moment...

Effects of the rain

nobody@flickr.com (raf_kiss) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:10:13 -0800

raf_kiss posted a photo:

Every year, the rainy season starts in October - November, and the first serious rains of the season always cause trees and other vegetation (worst of which is bamboo) to uproot and cause blockages on the trail. I was lucky that I had my machete with me. I had to hack my way through a few sections.