Asalem - Ilha Grande
1-) FIRST PAGE
ASALEM
Seaside hideaway, Ilha Grande - Rio
the sea to one side
the thick Atlantic Forest to the other
the ideal place for you to enjoy the sensation of living in Brazilian nature.
2-) PAGE – OVERVIEW
ASALEM is situated directly on the spectacular Bay of Abraão. With the sea to one side and the thick Atlantic Forest to the other, ASALEM is the ideal place for you to enjoy the sensation of living in Brazilian nature.
The proximity to the ocean offers rare and intimate glimpses into the lives of sea creatures such as starfishes, crustaceans, school of fish and turtles. The forest brings frequent visitors, like monkeys, squirrels, fireflies, blue butterflies, as well as a wide variety of distinguish tropical birds.
ASALEM is deliberately rustic, relying minimally on electricity, in favor of the magic of candlelight and gas lamps. There are nights so clear the Milky Way can light your walk along the forest path.
Help us choose fresh fish for our dinner, brought by local fisherman directly to our private waterside sundeck. The land also boasts fruit from our own trees, as well as the herbs and vegetables for sumptuous and healthy meals.
Enjoy our collection of photography and Brazilian art books. We also host events that enrich life at ASALEM, such as lectures by visiting writers, artists, and cultural thinkers.
But perhaps best of all, you're welcome to do nothing. The environment we strive for at ASALEM is one of personal sanctuary and respect for the island’s environment.
3-) PAGE - ACCOMODATION
Asalem offers 4 comfortable suites with mezzanines. It’s doors and windows open side to side, floor to ceiling. Hammocks and mosquito nets are provided. The room’s front yard is decorated with Japanese style white rocks and it is strategically placed at height facing the calm Bay of Crena and Abraão.
Asalem is located inside a State Reserve. Environmentally friendly, we are engaged to preserve the natural resources as an effort to protect the island.
Neither water nor electric energy is delivered by the government to this area. However we have our own spring water resource, we offer gas heated showers, and alternative energy such as solar power. Energy is limited. We relay on gas lamps and candlelight, which bring a romantic and relaxing atmosphere to Asalem.
Still aiming at a better environment, we have a biodegradable garbage system. And yes, we do recycle our garbage.
We recommend bringing:
- flash light
- mosquito repellent
- sun block
- rain coat
- sweater for chili nights
4-) PAGE - EAT AND DRINK
Each day’s menu is inspired by a combination of the freshest ingredients of the season and the guests’ desires. Our intimate size makes it possible for you to discuss and plan your meals with the cook according to your tastes as well as schedules.
Help us choose fresh fish for our dinner, brought by local fisherman directly to our private waterside sundeck. The land also boasts fruits from our own trees, as well as herbs and vegetables for sumptuous and healthy meals.
Breakfast (included)
Our breakfast is a visual and tasty delight, with a variety of tropical fruits, as well as hand-picked fresh juices, home made jams, natural herbal teas from our own yard, and other must tries that will start your day healthy and joyfully.
Lunch and Dinner (prices vary)
Just a sample of our gastronomic home-taste pleasures.
- Shark in coconut milk sauce
- Eggplant lazanha.
- Chicken in onion crème sauce
And must tries deserts like vovo’s pumpkin with coconut pudding.
Cocktail and specialties
Relax with house-specialty caipirinhas and cocktails made from local cachaças and hand-picked fruits from our land, such as mangas (mango), pitanga, tangerines, goiabas (guava), mamão (papaya), jaca (jackfruit), young coconut, lime, and more. Also available is a selection of beer and wine.
5-) PAGE - RATES & RESERVATIONS
Reservations will only be effectively confirmed by previous payment of 50% of total staying.
Price includes: Accommodation and breakfast. Transfers from in and out - Abraão’s pier to Asalem. Use of kayaks, canoe, art books, games and other features.
Price excludes: Lunch and dinner. Boat rental, hiking guide and massage.
1 Person US$40.00 R$120,00
2 People US$50.00 R$150,00
3 People US$65.00 R$190,00
Reveillon 7 nights package = US$920.00 R$2.670,00
Carnaval 5 nights package = US$650.00 R$1.890,00
Our Taxi Boat service is designed to take you to beaches within Abraão and Abraãzinho beaches. Charges are 5 reais daytime per person/one way (10 reais minimum nighttime).
All prices are subjected to changes at no previous announcement.
Remember that in the island there is no banks, neither exchange offices. We recommend to exchange money at the airport. We also suggest friends to come for one or two weeks. If you come for a couple of days you will probably feel very sorry taking the ferryboat back.
Reservation and more information:
Email: asalem@brazilphotobank.com
Phone: 55-21-9673-5331
6-) PAGE - HOW TO GET THERE
From Rio, take bus at the station Rodoviaria Novo Rio from COSTA VERDE company to Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba. The bus trip to Angra takes 2 hours and a half, and to Mangaratiba takes 2 hours. Bus departure is around every hour or so.
We can also arrange a van or cab to pick you up from the airport or hotel in Rio and take you to Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba, where you will take the ferry. The prices are:
Sedan (up to three people) = US$110.00 R$290, 00
Van (up to 10 people) = US$124.00 R$320,00
15% plus if bilingual driver.
From São Paulo, take bus from REUNIDAS PAULISTA company to Angra dos Reis. Bus departure four times a day. Contact us or REUNIDAS PAULISTA for schedules.
If you rather drive your own car, there are many parking lots near to the piers of Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba. We help arrange reservations, but even during holidays there is always parking spaces available.
Ferryboats to Ilha Grande leave from either Angra dos Reis, or Mangaratiba. The length is 1 hour and 30 minutes (21 km) departing from Angra and 1 hour and 45 minutes departing from Mangaratiba (23 km). - Ferry Schedule Departure.
When arriving in the village of Abraão, we will pick you up with our motor boat. But if you prefer to walk, Asalem is around 25 minutes seaside walking from the village of Abraão. From the pier, just go left along the shore all the way to Crena Beach. Asalem is best described by been between Abraão and Abrãozinho Beach.
Feel free to contact us for more information.
7-) PAGE - ABOUT THE ISLAND
lha Grande, Big Island, is an unspoiled paradise 2-hour drive south from Rio de Janeiro. Waterfalls cascade from jungle covered mountains into an emerald ocean that surrounds 107 white-sand beaches. Discovered in 1503, it has 193 sq. km of Natural Park where no cars and roads are allowed.
Take a boat to Saco do Céu, Sky Bay, a little bay which received its name because on new moon nights the sky reflects in its water, giving the impression that the stars are floating.
Explore Dois Rios Village, a two hours walking from the main village Abraão, to the other side of the island. Besides its prime beach with two divine rivers, there you can sense the battle won by tranquillity visiting the remains of Brazil's most notorious penitentiary, The Devil’s Caldron, encompassed in the tendrils of the island's weeds.
Another most to visit is the beach of Lopes Mendes. It has been recognized by many notable travel magazines to be within the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. It is the largest of the 107 beaches scattered throughout Ilha Grande. Surveying the three kilometers of thin white sand, it is the "Mecca" for surfers.
Lagoa Azul, The Blue Lagoon, Gruta do Acaiá, Acaiá Cave, Pico do Papagaio, Parrot Peak, Cachoeira da Feiticeira, Witch Falls, Cachadaço Beach, Aventureiro Beach are just a feel of many other places to adventure.
The pleasant village of Abraão, just a couple of minutes boat ride from Asalem, or 20 minutes walking path seaside, is the "welcome" village of the island. There is shopping stores, fine restaurants, a church, pharmacy, internet café and nightlife.
With the penitentiary destruction, many are now looking to experience its landscape--untouched by civilization. Strict laws and years of learning from the example of other resorts have shaped Ilha Grande into an organized and responsible tourism. Its hydrographic system is the only one in the state of Rio where the current runs from its genesis to the ocean without human touch, providing water absolutely free from pollution. That purity emanates throughout the island.
8-) PAGE - ABOUT US
Asalem is owned by the California resident Laura Consulter since 2002, and managed by her son André Cypriano together with his wife Bianka Cypriano.
André Cypriano has been traveling to Ilha Grande since he was a teenager, adventuring with friends into forbidden areas looking for the best waves to surf. As the years progressed, he became attracted to the island's history, and as a photo documentarist ended up being the only person authorized by the governor of Rio de Janeiro to spend days photographing inside the most infamous penitentiary in Brazil's history, known as "The Devil's Caldron." Located inside a State Reserve in the island, the penitentiary was closed with the building being demolished in 1993, eight months after Cypriano photo documented it. With this project, Cypriano has been a recipient of the first place in New Works Awards - promoted by En Foco in N.Y. (July 1998), as well as first place in the 1999 Mother Jones International Fund for Documentary Photography. "The Devil’s Caldron" book was published by Cosac & Naify in 2001. Its portfolio has been exhibited in Brazil, USA and Europe, and is represented by the galleries Latin Collector in New York City and Scott Nickols Gallery in San Francisco.
More about "The Devil’s Caldron" book
(Picture of the book)
