In Brazil they’re fond of a buffet restaurant. You weigh your plate after serving it & your bill is decided by the weight. This particular spot in my small surf town is owned by a butcher’s family, so there is always fantastic meat options (which change daily). A steal at £4.50.

Spending the day in the city of Florianopolis. No surf for a little while, due to idiot here getting an infected cut on his foot, which is in a miserable state. I’m staying in a safe environment - the local craft beer pubs (of which there are many). Pleasant feel to the place.

On my way to dinner last night in Florianopolis, I heard music in the distance. I followed to find a house/techno rave kicking off at 6pm in the city streets, which went on throughout the night. Highly unexpected, fantastically wild & I’ve taken mild kicking as a result today.

I had a bit of a shock when this fella walked towards me in a rural part of Santa Catarina island. My slight panic reduced when he marched over to a tree & started chopping off fruit.

The calendar has been kind to me this year, a 4-day weekend over for my birthday (Sunday). Due to time zones and doing a half day today, I also finished work at 9am = a 5-day weekend. I’m having 2 days in the local city - Florionopolis, 2 day nature retreat & final day surfing.

Birthday morning. I treated myself to 2 nights in an AirBnB on the edge of the rainforest, by a beach in the very south of Santa Catarina island, where the road runs out & becomes trails. Today I’ll be hiking, swimming, then drinking wine in the hammock. Awesome views.

I hiked down to the very southern tip of Santa Catarina island at the weekend. About an hour after the last road ran out & it became trails, I came across a small collection of wooden huts, which had been built in a remote spot. One of the owners was selling beers & fried fish.

An eventful 24 hours. I got bitten on the arse by a person’s dog while walking last night. Only a nibble, but I ended up having to visit multiple hospitals to get precautionary vaccines today for rabies & tetanus. I have a phobia of needles, so can’t say it was a great day out.

Some of the beaches on the eastern side of Santa Catarina island are among the nicest I’ve seen anywhere. This particular one stretches north for about 13km from the surf/fishing village Barra da Lagoa. Behind the beach is dense forest, followed by big forested hills behind.

Last few days in Brazil. I’ve had a wonderful time here, but done much less exploring about than I usually do while travelling. I found a spot, loved it & focused on surfing. Looking forward to new adventures now, heading to Europe briefly, then on to my home from home - Georgia.

A little edit from the past 4 weeks in Brazil. I planned to only be on Santa Catarina Island/Floripa for 2, but it will be closer to 5 when I leave on Friday. Really enjoyed my time here.

I spent the afternoon hiking through the rainforest surrounding Lagoa da Conceição, to a village which is only accessible by hiking 2 hours or by boat. Seriously impressive place, with a number of waterfalls along the route & plenty of wildlife/birdlife, including many monkeys.

One of the many monkeys I spotted today near the shores of Lagoa da Conceição.

My final sunset on the surfing coast of Santa Catarina Island in Brazil really delivered. My first South American stint is nearly over, highlights include Argentine Patagonia, Chile as a full package (particularly the surfing coast near Pichilemu) & this current Brazilian island.

Brazil it’s been a blast. The people here simply seem to have a joy for life, their natural disposition is to smile, to laugh & be friendly. A lot live actively, but let their hair down at any opportunity. Lots of folk live their lives outside, but easy when it’s this beautiful.

Cheers Florianopolis, thank you for being wonderful. Quite a commute I have ahead for my sister’s fiancé’s stag do - Florianopolis to Inverness isn’t quite the easiest route. Flight one of four.

The approach to São Paulo. A heck of a lot of concrete & a very big place - a population of 11.8 million, with Greater São Paulo increasing to more than 20 million.

Landed in Lisbon in the early hours of this morning & have 48 hours to kill in Lisbon, before my next flight to Scotland. It’s a city I’ve been to quite a few times before, but always enjoy how many pretty sites you can see in easy walking distance.

Brazilian islands to Scottish Highlands transfer complete. That was a long few days - 4 flights in total, rounded off with a 5am departure from Lisbon to Inverness, via Amsterdam today.

First stomp around Inverness & the access to nature is wonderful. Straight out of the city centre, there are some lovely trails down the river.