Morro De Sao Paulo

I had read about a deserted paradise island in the north of Brazil called Morro De Sao Paulo and desperately wanted to visit there. Nikki and I boarded a little wooden boat no bigger than a fishing boat along with 50 or so locals. As we sat waiting to depart, men filled the colourful little boat with fruits, vegetables, meat, fresh fish, bottles of beer and just about everything else you can find in a supermarket. We sat squashed between the chaos watching and listening to the mayhem as the boat prepared to leave the port. Women breastfed their babies, children curiously ran around in what little space there was, and old women shared snacks and gossip. Our journey started slowly along the calm, gentle water through the surrounding jungle-covered islands. Twenty minutes later and the sea became rough as the rain came down rapidly, causing our little wooden boat to fill with water and everyone becoming wet and even more uncomfortable. As we arrived in sunny, pedestrianised Morro De Sao Paulo, we were greeted with taxis; men carrying wheelbarrows with ´taxi´written on the sides. Morro consists of a small village leading onto 4 small beaches appropriaely named 1st beach, 2nd beach, 3rd beach and 4th beach. Each beach is surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and the rocks in the sea have formed a natural tranquil swimming pool of crystal clear water. This would be the perfect paradise island if it weren´t for the upper-class hotels, swanky bars and restuarants not to mention the numerous tourists, volleyball games and ongoing beach ping-pong. Not quite the deserted island I was expecting. The best part of Morro is a bar just past the village, perched on a mountainside and hidden away by palm trees. It overlooks a quiet beach and the bay where the little fishing boats are docked. With hammocks, comfy cushions and tree swings, this is the perect place for a post beach caipriniha and the only place on the island where you can view the sunset.