Paranaguá Bay, Ilha do Mel - Etape two

Yesterday (19th May) we spent the day in Ilha do Mel (Honey Island), Nova Brasilia area. Ilha do Mel almost blocks the entrance of the huge Paranaguá Bay and it is a 40 minute ride on a little ferry from Pontal do Sul where we are. The majority of Ilha do Mel is an Ecological Reserve and the bit that are inhabited tries not to disturb much the natural flora. The houses, restaurants (lots of them) and pousadas (motel type accommodation for tourists) are simple timber constructions built in amongst the vegetation. A narrow path meanders between them and links all the beaches around the area. The beaches are beautiful. Like Australia they are big and not crowded. The waters clear and warm. The bay side beaches are very shallow and flat and the sea side one, Praia de Fora has some waves and people surf in it. Yesterday there were over 1000 people on the island and only the restaurants were crowded. There are a limited number of people that can be on the island at same time (5000) and a large board on the pier at Pontal do Sul shows how many vacancies are still available. According to the locals during the peak season the Island is always full. The place seems to be mainly frequented by families and young people and both in the ferry and island they were very well behaved. Soccer was on the TV in the afternoon and I think only foreigners were on the beaches. Brazilians were all crowded in the restaurants cheering for their teams.