Anchieta Island – Brazil
The island was in view since the early morning hours, but we reached our anchorage as breakfast was being served.
Named “The Pointy Island” by the Tupinamba Indians who inhabited this piece of paradise before the Portuguese arrived, Anchieta is a small island with a rich history and lush vegetation. In the mid 1930’s the island was renamed Ilha Anchieta after one of the most important Jesuit missionaries in Brazilian history. Turned into a state park in 1973 with the goal to protect the natural and cultural resources, Anchieta is visited by many Brazilians that come across the channel to take advantage of this peaceful island.
The early name referred to the two peaks we could see in the early morning mist as we rode the Zodiacs to shore. The more energetic folks elected to partake of a long walk that took us to the east side of the island. Even though the skies were cloudy the trails were in excellent condition since there has been no rain for the last few days.
Others chose to accompany the guides on a walk around the ruins and learned that the prison was first built in 1902 and closed in 1955 after a bloody rebellion occurred a couple of years earlier. Walking among the abandoned cells now overgrown with lush tropical vegetation helped us to understand how challenging life must have been for those imprisoned here.
Prison Bay, where the Endeavour anchored, is a lovely setting for kayaking and many took advantage of the perfect conditions and spent the morning floating about. Looking from afar the beach and the ruins looked more like a resort than a place where over 400 prisoners were kept.
The afternoon was at sea and the chance to rest was welcomed by all. The last few days were full of activities and as we set deck looking at the endless ocean we realized how lucky we are.
The island was in view since the early morning hours, but we reached our anchorage as breakfast was being served.
Named “The Pointy Island” by the Tupinamba Indians who inhabited this piece of paradise before the Portuguese arrived, Anchieta is a small island with a rich history and lush vegetation. In the mid 1930’s the island was renamed Ilha Anchieta after one of the most important Jesuit missionaries in Brazilian history. Turned into a state park in 1973 with the goal to protect the natural and cultural resources, Anchieta is visited by many Brazilians that come across the channel to take advantage of this peaceful island.
The early name referred to the two peaks we could see in the early morning mist as we rode the Zodiacs to shore. The more energetic folks elected to partake of a long walk that took us to the east side of the island. Even though the skies were cloudy the trails were in excellent condition since there has been no rain for the last few days.
Others chose to accompany the guides on a walk around the ruins and learned that the prison was first built in 1902 and closed in 1955 after a bloody rebellion occurred a couple of years earlier. Walking among the abandoned cells now overgrown with lush tropical vegetation helped us to understand how challenging life must have been for those imprisoned here.
Prison Bay, where the Endeavour anchored, is a lovely setting for kayaking and many took advantage of the perfect conditions and spent the morning floating about. Looking from afar the beach and the ruins looked more like a resort than a place where over 400 prisoners were kept.
The afternoon was at sea and the chance to rest was welcomed by all. The last few days were full of activities and as we set deck looking at the endless ocean we realized how lucky we are.
