The last day in Bombinhas was surprisingly tiring. Mark and Feng got a stomach bug but I was spared—homecooked fish 1, restaurant burger 0.

Mark recovered quicker than Feng who passed out in bed for a few hours. We spent the evening together watching a storm developing, doing laundry, and dealing with short power outages.

We checked out at 10 a.m. the next day, bracing for the drive ahead, 80 kilometres of traffic jams to Florianópolis. At least we had three pillows, so Mark and I were able to sleep comfortably in the car for a while.

Foggy and steamy at Praia dos Açores

We finally arrived in Florianópolis around 3 p.m. Technically, it was a bit late to go to the beach but we couldn’t resist. It was hot, like really hot, a feel-like temperature of 42 °C according to my phone.

By the time we got to Praia dos Açores, the sky was no longer blue and the hills around had disappeared in the fog. It was still very hot and it didn’t rain so we stayed until late despite the lack of sun.

Hot and sunny at Praia do Matadeiro

The next day was more typical—a perfect beach day, hot and sunny, just a bit cloudy. Of course, we went back to Praia do Matadeiro, Feng’s favourite.

Stormy at Praia Mole

Last day, last beach. We vaguely considered going to Moçambique but instead, we stopped at Praia Mole, on the way.

Praia Mole is the first beach we discovered on Ilha de Santa Catarina back in 2009. It’s not the best spot because the waves and the current are strong but there’s another fun beach hidden behind, a clothing-optional one—Praia da Galheta.

And so we hiked to Praia da Galheta under a beautiful blue sky. No, Mark wasn’t traumatized by the nude beach, once again, nudity isn’t inherently sexual…

It turned stormy once we arrived and we got completely soaked. The hike back through the muddy jungle was a fun challenge.

And now it’s 1 a.m. and we’re all sad and moody because we’re leaving the island tomorrow. We gave the bodyboard and the football away. Feng and I have just offered the three pillows to homeless people.

I’d better finish packing…