Vitoria & Ilhabela Today we sailed into the rather confined harbour of Vila Nova da Vitoria, which was first colonized on Whit Sunday May 1535. Some say it resembles a miniature Rio because of “its geography and scenery: a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills with cliffs jutting out into the ocean, pristine beaches and an impressive bridge, the two-mile-long Darcy Castelo de Mendonza Bridge”. The city of 300,000 today occupies an island, just off the mainland coast. It was moved there by the early Portuguese settlers to provide better protection from attacks by the local native population. The town name comes from a Portuguese victory over the Indians of the area. The island itself is situated in a relatively poor agricultural zone but has succeeded because of its port. This section of Brazil, the Esprito Santo,
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