If you would like to view more of Jim’s photographs, please visit his flick photostream.

 

Jim says:

 

“4am in José Bonifácio Beach, Paquetá Island. The burnt gases from the REDUC refinery form clouds in the background.”

 

I was curious about Paqueta Island and did a little research. I found out from Wikipedia that Paquetá Island  is an island in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. The name of the island is a Tupi word meaning “many shells”, a reference to the plentiful shells on the island’s beaches. The island is an auto-free zone, so travel is limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages. Paquetá has twenty baobabs, a type of African tree – the only ones in Brazil beside the Baobà in Passeio Público in Fortaleza. One of them is called “Maria Gorda” (Fat Maria), which residents kiss for luck.

 

Apart from the eyesore of the REDUC refinery, it sounds like my idea of an idyllic island. I would love to enjoy a stay there. I imagine the island is quite peaceful, with the ban of cars. Living in the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham, means that it is very rare not to hear the sound of a car, lorry, taxi, bus or the sirens of an emergency vehicle.

 

I wonder if the trees in the photo are two of the twenty baobabs trees on the island? How lovely the islanders have named one of the trees Fat Maria and kiss it for luck!

 

I hope the selection of photos is inspiring you for your4am picture on the 4th April