Original subtitles

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- Our journey will take us along part

of the Brazilian coastline,

beginning at the Tropical Island of Honey,

with its miles of beaches and lonely lighthouse.

We then cross some of the last remaining

Coastal Atlantic Rainforest,

one of the most endangered landscapes in the world.

Along the coast is Iguape, a town that predates

the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century.

Over the centuries, the city of Santos has grown

into the biggest seaport in Latin America,

as well as a major resort.

Ubatuba is a playground for the rich,

with luxury villas on its headlands, as well as

superb beaches and waves for keen surfers.

Our journey ends at the historic town of Paraty,

once rich from gold mining, and now

a much loved, preserved, old colonial town.

At the mouth of Paranaguá Bay,

where it meets the Atlantic Ocean,

is Ilha do Mel, meaning Island of Honey.

Its miles of beaches and picturesque walks,

as well as its isolation,

makes the island a holiday paradise.

Part of the appeal, no doubt,

is that access is controlled by a passenger boat

with a set limit of five thousand people

on the island at any one time.

The Northern half is a wild ecological preserve,

the perfect place to go exploring.

Meanwhile, its Southern end is dotted with tiny villages,

with only the gently lapping waves for company.

At the very Northern tip of the island

is a lonely lighthouse that has been

aiding the passenger ships along

these Atlantic shores since 1872.

It was actually built by a British company

using materials transported over

10,000 kilometers from Scotland.

After almost a century and a half,

it's still fully operational.

Sadly, for visitors, it means

the tower isn't open to the public.

But that certainly doesn't deter walkers

making their way up the steep headland

to take in spectacular views of the bay.

There's one visitor attraction on this island

that's really quite unexpected.

Butted up against the base of a cliff

is the Fort of Our Lady of Pleasures,

Fort Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres.

The battery was built in the second half

of the 18th century by order

of the governor of Sao Paulo.

Its prerogative walls to protect the entrance

to the Port of Paranaguá, not only from enemy vessels,

but also from pirates eager to seize shipments of gold.

Renovation of this historic site began in the 1980s,

and today it houses a museum in the Garrison Buildings.

We join the mainland at some of the most

pristine and deserted beaches in Brazil,

along this seven kilometer stretch of coastline.

Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

and part of Superagüi National Park.

Tourists are welcome to enjoy these beaches

that are only really accessible by foot

across the densely wooded coastal plains.

In the midst of such stunning beauty,

it's easy to forget we're in one of the most

endangered landscapes in the world,

the Atlantic Rainforest.

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It's one the Earth's most diverse forests,

which once covered more than 130 million hectares.

But 500 years of human development

has seen almost 88% of this beautiful

and unique ecosystem vanish.

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Also known as Mata Atlântica,

it comprises a unique series of ecosystems,

which have long been isolated from the forest's

larger and more famous neighbor, the Amazon Rainforest.

This complex network of saltwater estuaries

is considered to be one of the most important

breeding grounds for marine species

in the South Atlantic.

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We are flying over the Lagamar Cananéia State Park,

which was established as recently as 2008,

and it certainly has its conservation work cut out.

Researchers have so far identified almost 2,000

critically endangered species.

To the East of the park, on an island in a lagoon,

is the old town of Cananéia.

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Despite its small size, its significance

to the history of Brazil is immense.

The site goes back to the very first expeditions

to the new world by the great explorer, Amerigo Vespucci.

The town was established in 1531,

making it one of the earliest

European settlements in Brazil.

What we see today, however,

was mostly built in the 1800's.

And since then, people have used ferries

to travel between Cananéia,

the mainland, and other islands.

Over the centuries, the town has developed a distinctive

culture, from its regional dance, the lively fandango,

to the highlight of the annual Feast of the Sea,

where local restaurants showcase their

freshest and finest seafood dishes.

Surrounded by Atlantic Rainforest,

Cananéia is a very popular place to visit,

and new houses and hotels welcome

the ever-growing number of tourists

who wish to experience this historic town.

At the delta of the Iguape River,

and protected from the Atlantic Ocean

by the island of Comprida, is the town of Iguape.

One of the oldest cities in Brazil.

In fact, it may date back even to before

the Portuguese officially discovered

the country in the year 1500.

It's also one of a handful of places along

the São Paulo coastline to retain its

colonial architecture from the seventeenth century.

This originated from a gold rush,

bringing an influx of wealth and treasure hunters

to this once sleepy village.

Indeed, the very first Brazilian coins

were minted here in the 17th century.

Many of the houses are painted in primary colors

and cluster around the main square of St. Benedict,

which is overlooked by the towering

18th century basilica.

Built of stone, and mortar-made with whale oil,

this extraordinary Catholic church

was completed in 1856,

after 69 years of construction.

To the North of Iguape is the 85,000 hectare

Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station.

It was back in 1958 that parts

of this rainforest was first protected.

But much of the area was still under threat

by a company who, in the 1980s, wanted to build

two large nuclear power plants.

However, the plans were withdrawn in 1985,

and a campaign was launched to protect

even more of the forest.

Even with state protection, there is an ongoing

problem with the illegal harvesting of Heart of Palm,

which is the inner core of young palm trees.

As it's an expensive delicacy, many local people

are drawn into this illegal activity

which is also hard to police in such a vast area.

One of the most well conserved areas in this Rainforest

is the mountain range, known as the Juréia-Itatins.

Located on the Southern coast of São Paulo,

this state park features a number of remarkable mountains.

One of the high peaks is also

the ranges' most distinctive landmark,

with its steep protrusion.

It's traditionally been seen as the regions' ultimate

challenge for daring climbers who, if successful,

have gone on to achieve local fame.

Though it's the most recognizable summit here,

it's far from the only beautiful rock face

in the Atlantic Forest.

Many resting peaks rise in a variety of picturesque shapes

from discontinuous mountain ranges

which were formed 16,000,000 years ago.

As we make our way out of the dense green of the Rainforest,

we find ourselves descending towards the coast

and a long stretch of resort towns.

The first of which is Paraíba.

In Tupi, the language of the native Brazilians,

Paraíba means River of the Shark.

Despite this ominous name, however,

the city is a modern popular destination

for travelers who come for the unique mix

of urban luxury and rustic mountain vistas,

both set against one of the longest,

most immaculate beaches in all of São Paulo state.

And one of the most striking images along this stretch

is the mammoth Mongaguá Pier.

It's a favored destination for surfers,

as well as fisherman.

This platform is the largest concrete structure

over water in all of the Americas.

As it stretches 400 meters into the sea before forming

a protracted "T" with a 100 meter long arm on each side.

Mongaguá itself is known as the Princess of Beaches,

and features 13 kilometers of open sea

for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing.

The town of Samaná resides in Praia Grande,

one of 15 counties considered spas

by the state of São Paulo.

Another popular resort is the small town of

Vila Caiçara, which, along with its gorgeous beaches,

offers virtually every water activity

a traveler could desire.

On the headland, by Praia Grande,

is Fortaleza Du Itaipu.

Designed in 1896 to protect the Portacentos

to the North from enemy vessels,

this stronghold is most famous for an encounter

with a much more puzzling site.

On November the 4th, 1957, two sentries

stationed at the fort saw a circular orange light

descending in the night sky.

The two guards then felt an intense heat wave

and their clothes caught fire.

Despite a joint investigation by the Brazilian Army

and the United States Air Force,

this U.F.O instant remains unexplained.

Over this hilltop ridge, is Santos,

the largest city on the São Paulo coast.

Built on an island, this thriving metropolis

was once the primary gateway for thousands

of immigrants who came to Brazil

in search of work in the plantations

and for a better life.

In 1546, a Portuguese nobleman, Brás Cubas,

founded Santos for its natural harbor,

and today it's grown into one of the largest ports

in Latin America.

Back in the 19th century, this harbor was known as

the Port of Death because of the widespread outbreaks

of yellow fever, for which the city became infamous.

Today, yellow fever is much less of a threat,

and the Santos port is a picture

of modern infrastructure and efficiency.

Ably processing 2,000,000 container units

into and out of the city each year.

Santos is Brazils leading port for container traffic,

and the international terminal is responsible for 25%

of all shipping containers that enter the country,

and 32% of the nation's foreign trade.

The ship will be unloaded and loaded

in less than 24 hours.

And because the terminal is close to the harbor entrance,

it means vessels can be back at sea in even less time.

Over 2,000,000 containers a year

pass through the Port of Santos.

One of the most popular ways of getting in and out

of the city from the Eastern suburbs is by ferry,

as a bridge is not feasible due to the height it would have

to be to allow big ships underneath.

In a typical day, the ferries will transport

25,000 vehicles across the 400 meter river.

In the city's historic center,

a many fine old buildings, and they don't get

much more significant than the Museum of Coffee.

Brazil has long been the world's largest

producer of coffee, and from 1922 until 1957,

it was here at the coffee exchange in this building

where coffee barons came together to determine

the daily price of the bean crop.

The exchange was converted into a museum in 1998,

and today visitors can view a large collection

of photographs and memorabilia that illustrate

the pivotal role coffee has played in the shaping of Brazil.

Unlike many old cities, Santos' cathedral is relatively new,

and was only begun in 1909.

It is still unfinished, though the church

opened its doors to worshipers in 1924.

Designed in the gothic revival style,

with a huge dome above the transept,

the cathedral entrance is watched over by the figures

of St. Peter and St. Paul.

It's been estimated that the building

will not be completed for another 43 years.

Today, Santos is an important holiday resort.

With hotels and apartments

lining the five kilometer beachfront.

In fact, the seafront has a claim to fame,

as it features in the Guinness Book of Records

as the longest and largest beachfront garden in the world.

Leaving Santos, we follow an inland waterway

to the popular town of Bertioga.

This resort, along with its neighbor,

Riviera de São Lourenço, is hemmed in

by the Restinga de Bertioga State Park,

which is part of the Atlantic Rainforest.

The word Restinga means a spit of land

at a distinct type of coastal tropical

and subtropical broadleaf forest.

The park is roughly 9000 hectares

and was only established in 2010 in order

to prevent the gradual buildup of resorts along the coast,

where some of the best beaches in Brazil can be found.

A hundred kilometers along the coast is the

Archipelago of Ilhabela, just off the mainland.

Officially named Ilha Do São Sebastião, or,

St. Sebastian Island, Ilhabela has a permanent residency

of fewer than 30000 people.

But it's such a popular travel destination

that during holiday months the number

of people on the island more than triples.

A much loved sailing center, it offers several regattas,

and is a divers paradise, with over 50 shipwrecks,

filling the waters around the island.

The name Ilhabela means beautiful island,

and with its volcanic peaks, golden beaches,

and tropical jungle, hosting more than

360 waterfalls, the name is certainly appropriate.

In 1985, it was classified as part of the National Heritage,

and along with a few outlying islands,

they were incorporated into a protected state park,

which is home to 800 types of birds,

180 amphibians, and 131 mammals.

On the East side of the island is the largest

of Ilhabela's 41 beaches, and one of the most

secluded and beautiful, the Praia de Castelhanos.

The best way to come here is by boat,

or a long trek through the jungle.

But once here, the sea offers keen surfers

the islands biggest waves.

Before the Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci,

named this place after St. Sebastian,

the indigenous people called it Ciribai,

which means tranquil place.

Ahead of us is the Ilha Anchieta, also known as

Pig's Island and Devil's Island.

This is a dazzling landscape preserving

natural history as well as a sinister secret.

With the entire island protected by state laws

that prohibit hunting, fishing, clearing,

or any activity that could harm the environment,

coves on Ilha Anchieta, like this one,

at Praia do Sul, offers some of the cleanest

waters and most pristine beaches anywhere in the world.

But tucked inside the serene beauty

of this island lies a dark secret.

It was on this spot at Anchieta Prison

that the worst riot in the history

of the Brazilian Penal System occurred.

In 1952, a group of well-organized convicts,

including some of the worst criminals in South America,

killed the warden, and more than a dozen guards

before taking weapons and ammunition

from the armory and sailing away from the island.

Led by a 22 year old murderer, known as the Blond Devil,

388 prisoners reached the mainland

where they terrorized nearby towns.

Brazilian police and military mounted

the largest manhunt in the country's history,

and in the end, almost all of the prisoners

were recaptured or killed, with a casualty total

rising to over a hundred.

Soon after the incident, the prison

and the entire island was abandoned.

Across the bay from Ilha Anchieta

is the resort of Ubatuba, on a peninsula

set against the backdrop of the peaks

of the Sera Delmar.

This is a place of luxury villas,

and it's become one of the finest playgrounds

for some of the wealthiest people in Brazil.

A week-long stay in one of these houses

can run you close to $10000,

but the views they afford may well be priceless.

Straddling the tropical capricorn,

Ubatuba is one of the most favored

resorts in the state of São Paulo,

and welcomes over half a million visitors

to its sandy shores in April and May every year.

With golden beaches along a shimmering coastline,

it's easy to see why so many tourists

flock to this ocean paradise.

And if you've come to Brazil in search of waves,

you couldn't find a better spot.

Ubatuba is recognized as the Surf Capital

of São Paulo state.

As we work our way towards our final destination,

we cross the Southern edge

of the Serra da Bocaina National Park.

The park was established in 1971,

and covers an area of a 104,000 hectares of unbroken

Atlantic Rainforest between the states

of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Along with preserving a multitude

of endangered plants and animals,

Serra da Bocaina also provides a source of crisp,

clean drinking water for much of the surrounding population.

On the other side of the mountains

is the magnificently preserved

Portuguese colonial town of Paraty.

Located on the green coast and

the bay of Ilha Grande, it dates back to 1667

and is both the southernmost and westernmost town

in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

After the discovery of the world's richest gold mine

in the mountains of Brazil in 1696,

Paraty served as a port for exporting this

precious metal to Rio de Janeiro

and then on to Portugal.

As a result, the town became a commercial success,

and the wealthy built churches and fine houses.

However, its glory days didn't last long.

After the 1720s, as the gold began to dry up,

Paraty started to decline.

In the 19th century, the local economy

revived with the coffee boom, but it was not until

the coastal road from Rio was extended here

in the 1960s that a new era of tourism began.

As a result of the slow decline

over the previous two centuries, much of the town's

colonial architecture remains unchanged,

and today, only foot traffic and bicycles are allowed

on the famed cobblestone streets

in the historic central district.

Motor vehicles are only permitted here on Wednesdays,

and even then, only for deliveries,

while horse-drawn carriages are still

a common sight throughout the town.

Paraty has now become a success again,

and is a fascinating piece of colonial history,

tucked away along the Brazilian coastline.

A perfect place to end this journey.