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Itacare the back way
We had some intermittent showers to cool us down, but when we got to the coast it was sunny. We left the 101 traffic and went east on the 251 to Ilheus and then north on the 001 to Itacare.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...d099b589_c.jpgitacare 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/...75e7c07a_c.jpgitacare 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This was once a small fishing village, but since the road was paved it is mobbed with tourists. There are however many pristine beaches if you get off the beaten track. This was just a reasonable stopping spot for us on the way to Salvador. To really enjoy it here you would need to stay 4 or 5 day. Many of the nice beaches are 70 plus km off the road. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/...f22abe03_c.jpgitacare 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/...83f59e70_c.jpgitacare 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/...475405a5_c.jpgitacare 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/...c805429e_c.jpgitacare 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...6eeeeda8_c.jpgitacare 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...ce7ec354_c.jpgitacare 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...6702f0f1_c.jpgitacare 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Salvador
We got up today to pouring rain despite it being bright and sunny outside, only in Brazil. But unlike Vancouver where this would last for days here it usually lasts less than 30 minutes.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...a40216f2_c.jpgDSC07230 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We planned to go up the coast to the “ferry boat” to Salvador. This is 225 km, but we were told it would take 4-5 hours and it did. This was a combination of traffic, poor road conditions, towns with cobbled streets and lots of speed bumps. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/...b607fab7_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.14.23 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...3af8fe27_c.jpgSalvador 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...20001103_c.jpgSalvador 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Salvador
One delay was where a bridge was washed out. There was a diversion, but in the northbound section someone had not made it with a tractor-trailer and he had just dropped the trailer. This was an issue for the busses trying to get past. The issue for us was that the southbound lane of the detour was pretty steep and muddy and the drivers did not want to go that way. The route was one lane but cars from both directions were causing a jam. Finally the bus drivers got out and started direction traffic and we finally got moving.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...08a1bc42_c.jpgSalvador 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/...a7d079dc_c.jpgSalvador 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr In one of the towns we came upon a religious precession with everyone dressed in white. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/...e915a91e_c.jpgSalvador 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...642ac200_c.jpgSalvador 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/...25cca900_c.jpgSalvador 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/...f8d3d25b_c.jpgSalvador 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/...e3626d1d_c.jpgSalvador 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...0fded125_c.jpgSalvador 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
"ferry boat"
We arrived at the dock in time for a quick snack and then loaded for the 50 min trip across the bay. It is about 10$ per bike for the crossing.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...00e97b0d_c.jpgSalvador 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...a9a427b9_c.jpgSalvador 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...2cfbcbaf_c.jpgSalvador 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...a9b396f4_c.jpgSalvador 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...2e798f24_c.jpgSalvador 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...f9c7fe4c_c.jpgSalvador 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...34c7e77d_c.jpgSalvador 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The local kids all climbed onto the top deck and then leaped off as we sailed away.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...8a574e10_c.jpgDSC07253 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8579/...ef45a6fb_c.jpgSalvador 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...53c4b89c_c.jpgSalvador 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/...4fb0686f_c.jpgSalvador 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The crossing was calm and the breeze was awesome! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/...15be60eb_c.jpgSalvador 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...5ff73a48_c.jpgSalvador 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...63b06854_c.jpgSalvador 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
There is live music all over the city every night. There is a great place near the cathedral called the Cantina de Luna where we liked to hang out.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/...0a3608ec_c.jpgSalvador 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...151595e3_c.jpgSalvador 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Capeoira
Salvador was one of the first English colonies in the early 1500’s and was English Brazil’s first capital in 1549 and until it changed to Rio in 1763. It was the main port for the country and the center of the slave trade. It was one of the largest cities in the New World. 80% of the population is of African descent and this influences the food, music, and dance. It is the birthplace of Brazil’s Capeoira, which is a mix of dance and martial arts.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/...158e3c70_c.jpgSalvador 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...7a1be568_c.jpgSalvador 70 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...d0746b0e_c.jpgSalvador 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/...f6f89559_c.jpgSalvador 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/...6735a270_c.jpgSalvador 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...64063555_c.jpgSalvador 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...1324acc9_c.jpgSalvador 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We were carefully informed where we could go day and night to be safe. The incidence of crime and violence here is significantly higher than Sao Paulo and Rio. Despite that in the day we walked freely all over and no one gave us a first look let alone a second.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/...b1986d8b_c.jpgSalvador 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/...b35ecbfa_c.jpgSalvador 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...a4546cc6_c.jpgSalvador 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...8a4d434f_c.jpgSalvador 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...e99e42ce_c.jpgSalvador 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/...30fe7a18_c.jpgSalvador 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The old city is a block of cobbled streets with restaurants, bars, shops, churches, and museums. There is an elevator to connect the upper and lower sections of the city.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...38f69264_c.jpgSalvador 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...f58b09b3_c.jpgSalvador 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...c42eafa7_c.jpgSalvador 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...0048b69f_c.jpgSalvador 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...5a6945c6_c.jpgSalvador 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...f8605948_c.jpgSalvador 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/...59851e35_c.jpgSalvador 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7538/...878f65f7_c.jpgSalvador 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...df208472_c.jpgSalvador 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...3ffe8d3f_c.jpgSalvador 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The cathedral. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/...94b5a43e_c.jpgSalvador 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...0f407863_c.jpgSalvador 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/...a2f4daf3_c.jpgSalvador 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8659/...a3f84495_c.jpgSalvador 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...8a9311f0_c.jpgSalvador 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The church of Sao Francisco was built in 1708, but the first on this site was built in 1587. The courtyard is covered with Portuguese tiles and the baroque church is covered in gold leaf.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7535/...b45692ee_c.jpgSalvador 94 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/...de18f652_c.jpgSalvador 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/...6183efdd_c.jpgSalvador 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/...8fbf0ca8_c.jpgSalvador 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7574/...54af30af_c.jpgSalvador 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/...90eea075_c.jpgDSC07354 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...636025e6_c.jpgDSC07353 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/...1cb440e2_c.jpgDSC07365 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...dcec175a_c.jpgSalvador 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/...fbc9abfd_c.jpgSalvador 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7548/...0c5aa55e_c.jpgSalvador 85 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/...ce8818d7_c.jpgSalvador 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...6b24e51f_c.jpgSalvador 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...77cbe70a_c.jpgSalvador 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/...13240fda_c.jpgSalvador 91 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Tonight we returned to our favorite bar on the main square and they had a guitar vocalist and a percussionist. The only issue was there was a film crew from what looked like a talk show holding up the evening. The two ladies next to us were singing all the songs. The owner of this place is a super host.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/...e3caecc5_c.jpgSalvador 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...112a8f09_c.jpgSalvador 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...979bc252_c.jpgSalvador 113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...01df3480_c.jpgSalvador 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...aca4f824_c.jpgSalvador 107 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/...d76c6326_c.jpgSalvador 106 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/...2729d050_c.jpgSalvador 108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/...186e65bc_c.jpgSalvador 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...56f86aa9_c.jpgSalvador 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...b2b1e9e5_c.jpgSalvador 110 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Lencois
Time to get off the coast and back to the mountains and Lencois in 417 km. We drove west and a bit north to Feira de Santana, which will mark the northern limit of our riding in Brazil. Dan was making sure the spot was on the “spot”. We then continued southwest on the 116 and then west on the almost deserted 242.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...b6e74a55_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-14 at 10.24.50 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...af7739ae_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Lencois is 12 km on a paved road from the 242 and has cobblestone streets. It is a colorful small town that is situated in a small valley adjacent to the Chapada Diamantina national Park.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...92ce298c_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...6ea9f12d_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...cc3a8f63_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This park is a must see destination if you are in Brazil. This is a great base for exploring the many natural wonders near here. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...f368fe83_c.jpgIMG_0120 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...3821242e_c.jpgIMG_0122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/...7ecd5491_c.jpgIMG_0119 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Arriving at the hotel late afternoon we could see across the town to the “natural” waterslides on the hillside. There are also lots of small dipping pools here. The rock formations are incredible.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...4919488f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...8b18b80f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/...901592d7_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...95b97a44_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/...94e16cef_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...6b32ee0f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...ee4393e0_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/...4abf20fe_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/...98b3d865_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7506/...2957c091_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/...c4579f5b_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/...4df6c269_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...76e2530f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8637/...0d2b6764_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...01c93d1d_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/...2ba86d7d_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...205b0f1b_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/...422356be_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Most businesses in the town are hotels, restaurants, and tour offices.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/...ba655170_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/...8cd35b91_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...65beff7a_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...2df888c5_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Fumaca
Feeling ambitious we got up early to tackle the 12 km roundtrip hike to the Cachoeira da Fumaca, which is the second highest waterfall in Brazil. To get there is an 80 km drive. First you go back up to the BA 242 and west to the cut off south to Palmeiras. The pavement ends here and there is a good dirt road the last 26 km to the trailhead.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...20d440ab_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-14 at 10.29.10 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...cbced5b9_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-14 at 10.29.54 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...c704d874_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...9a065f86_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8604/...4d39ed10_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7480/...4eb19c41_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Drive off the road up the unmarked path. There is a good place to park the bike at the checkpoint. There is no entry fee.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...4e2dfa27_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Take lots of water with you as the first hour is straight up and the hot sun is killer. The next 45 min is flat walking to the top of the falls. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7531/...e502086a_c.jpgIMG_0125 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...a3447561_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-14 at 10.30.13 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...4f22b7ba_c.jpgIMG_0124 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...703ffaed_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/...6b3dd893_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
fumaca
The water coming off the cliff starts to vaporize and when the wind blows the water actually “flows” up the falls. This gives a smoky effect, which gives the falls it’s name.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/...a744a408_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/...5dabf1d9_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...9f949bc3_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Dan was brave enough to sit on the rock outcrop with the 1200 m drop below.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...e2b6d4fc_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...33df87bb_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/...fac9d3fd_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...256165cd_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
After an hour or so admiring all the viewpoints we headed back. The water actually flows up at times with the wind.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/...7d941b54_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 59 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...9048934c_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/...11f4b9c0_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/...00a124a3_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/...5d60534f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7467/...1092a422_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Gruta Lapa Doce
From Palmeiras we rode back to the BA 242 and then further west to the road to Iraquara in 31 km. This is the “city of the Grutas and Cavernas”. A cave has no exit whereas a grotto has. We decided to visit just one, which is the largest and most popular Gruta Lapa Doce. Luckily our guise Sergio spoke English very well.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/...44f012b0_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.17.34 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/...f65fe4c4_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/...61ea3cbe_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr These are African killer bees that have a hive in these Stalactites. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...558f3d2b_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The opening of the cavern is massive and there are numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7491/...a116d8f4_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/...801a12a0_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/...943cc660_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...5a71378c_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...4c3370f3_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...d1a50a6f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 79 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7566/...a3785eef_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 80 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/...693da1d7_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
A number of them take on interesting forms like the thinker, a lion, or chandeliers.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/...ee603910_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/...1087b913_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/...bf58d588_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...7957e066_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...e76b000b_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/...ec60a924_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...aff2b2f8_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/...c22d25e4_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...1e55897f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 94 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The exit is a much smaller opening about a km away. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/...01114667_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 93 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr A well deserved steak dinner and some beer! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...0b19eec7_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
off road
We had asked about the route directly from Lencois to Andarai, which is 33 km off road instead of going around on the paved road 85 km. We were told it was a very bad road and so of course we had to do it. It is not on the GPS of course as it is really more of a 4x4 track, which is perfect for quads or mountain bikes.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...e64c93a0_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 96 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/...7ecd5491_c.jpgIMG_0119 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/...bc3f0a0d_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 157 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/...99381758_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.24.15 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Initially it is a dirt path, but there are some rocky steep up and down sections.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/...b671e72d_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/...f09a72ae_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 100 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7562/...8c722596_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/...59e2d97a_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 107 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/...05cf675e_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/...350f794f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/...c0f0b813_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 116 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7513/...645247ee_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 117 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
There are lots of water crossings, but only a few were real rivers.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/...1a98a0fc_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 110 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...80b21bbd_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/...a2f5d252_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 103 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7571/...277fbe4f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 105 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/...4d986ec7_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 106 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/...2cd11182_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/...836d1aa3_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/...228cfa83_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...8d807915_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 114 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...64af3fe2_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 115 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/...891ba8cc_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 120 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We did come across a deadly coral snake and I was stupid enough to try to get a close up shot.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/...dba4b575_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 135 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...693c8109_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 122 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...f25f2125_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 123 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...8fb8020e_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 124 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...89f12724_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 126 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...0deb3440_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 128 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...630b3386_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 130 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/...aafa7651_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...ae5d31e6_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 133 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/...81938233_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 134 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
About 2/3 of the way it starts to get sandy and the road is deepish sand in parts. About ¾ of the way there is a river crossing with several hundred meter of deep sand. Luckily there is a nice waterfall and swimming spot here to cool off.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/...29523363_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 137 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...9b83f25a_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 138 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/...9359198c_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 139 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7549/...271444a6_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 141 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/...d9459b28_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 142 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7521/...eab4c698_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 140 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...34aeb3c2_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 143 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/...a4fdebf8_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 146 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7476/...f99afaf9_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 147 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...1e7d422d_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 148 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...4ce33e7c_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 149 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7478/...d9a15d4a_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 151 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8664/...9fd22e11_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 150 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...26a0e785_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 152 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/...c73bd1ba_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 154 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/...ea0845de_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 156 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...4afc81fd_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 158 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/...4748052f_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 159 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
After the last river crossing there was about a km of deep sand to navigate and then suddenly you’re back on a nice dirt track, which dumps you on the paved road a few km from the town.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/...a4b9a74e_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 160 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...8b187de3_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 161 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7504/...1a0b4a81_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 162 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8660/...3010c4d7_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 163 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
From here you continue south 40 km to the dirt road and 25 km east to Poco Encantado.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/...b34f6bf2_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.32.46 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/...2a626fb8_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 164 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/...361e309a_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 165 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7574/...6480f838_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 166 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Poco Encantado
This is a cave with a large opening letting light shine on the mineral pool inside, which creates a striking blue color. To see this you hike 80 meters down into the cave.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/...fd7ab40b_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 167 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/...957ae0d6_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 168 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7474/...1fa642f4_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 169 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7556/...affb6edc_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 170 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/...bcdd5b47_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 171 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The pool is 41-68 meters deep and the “beach” is bat guano. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/...dd690eed_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 174 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7486/...2c300f01_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 177 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...235c2a77_c.jpgDSC09784 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8569/...8f3042e4_c.jpgDSC09786 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/...f034100c_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 176 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Poco Diabo
Then we had to back track 140 km on the paved road towards Lencois. Just 10 km past the road to Lencois is a small restaurant; where there is parking to access the Poco do Diabo. This is a small falls with a nice swimming hole.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...ed8e42ef_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.34.09 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...a85803af_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 181 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7507/...a85803af_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 181 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/...a04f2dc4_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 183 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7485/...d35022ae_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 186 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...a2474f27_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 184 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/...3497d88b_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 185 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/...98252ac3_c.jpgchapada diamanina Lencois 187 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Barreiras
Today was just about making miles and we booked it 470 km west on the BA 242 to Barreiras. We found a decent hotel and hid from the heat.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/...21806e1c_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.36.14 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7556/...e3e73815_c.jpgFILE2057 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/...5f5076fa_c.jpgFILE2030 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Calvacantes
Today we planned another 425 km west and then south to Calvacantes near the National Park Chapada dos Veadeiros. After getting to Luis Eduardo Magalhaes we looked at the map again and decided the 62 km direct off road route would cut off about a 100 km from the paved loop, which is the route the GPS liked. This would not be faster by a long shot, but was an adventure.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/...d22038ab_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.38.01 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...c41b270d_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.38.52 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/...fabf0049_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 5.39.11 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
60 km of sand road
The fist 1 km is paved and then the “road” becomes dirt and then mostly sand for the rest of the 60 km to near to Taguatinga. I must say we were pretty happy to see the pavement since driving 60 km in sand at 34 degrees is HOT.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/...83e655fe_c.jpgDSC07629 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/...7ffd7c81_c.jpgcalvacantes 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/...41830e13_c.jpgcalvacantes 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...15fbb0ae_c.jpgcalvacantes 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...32c8d9ab_c.jpgcalvacantes 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/...47457f7f_c.jpgcalvacantes 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/...a06fb512_c.jpgcalvacantes 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...1d2324f5_c.jpgcalvacantes 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/...dfdffb6a_c.jpgcalvacantes 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/...ded1f615_c.jpgcalvacantes 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/...1a4b3652_c.jpgDSC07631 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8591/...47298986_c.jpgDSC07632 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...db60abb7_c.jpgcalvacantes 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/...b71d5867_c.jpgcalvacantes 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/...103e3782_c.jpgcalvacantes 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
100,000 km post
Well it finally happened our journey has rolled over into six-digit territory on our way to Calvacantes Brazil. What a grand adventure it has been so far. So many great memories and still so so much left in the world to see. 200,000 kms we are coming for you.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/...cf87cc3527.jpgScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 6.17.33 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...147eb4cf_b.jpg!00,000 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7543/...7c866e6f81.jpgDay 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/...00c1a7225c.jpg100k kms by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/...c3e5d39e3a.jpgDoodle Map by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
It is so cool to see the rain pouring on one side of the road, while you are in sunshine.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/...4a30921f_c.jpgcalvacantes 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/...16590ed0_c.jpgcalvacantes 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/...780eb1c7_c.jpgcalvacantes 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Santa Barbara
We arrived after an 8 -hour day to a very cozy B&B run by the lovely Martha in tiny Calvacantes. She gave us a run down at breakfast about where we should go in the National Park.
The first stop was the Kalunga village of Engenho. This is one of the settlements where African slaves escaped to and their descendants now live. They were almost totally isolated until about 50 years ago. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/...1c5f21de_c.jpgcalvacantes 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is 25 km up a good dirt road to the checkpoint where you must pay the park entry and hire a local guide. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...2195f9d7_c.jpgcalvacantes 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/...6026d173_c.jpgcalvacantes 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...bdaf284d_c.jpgcalvacantes 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/...3279e38a_c.jpgcalvacantes 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/...98640871_c.jpgcalvacantes 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/...37050715_c.jpgcalvacantes 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
A new Brazilian friend
On the way up the road at the Mirante or lookout we met Humberto a Brazilian riding from the south of the state. He fractured his leg two months ago so is riding is a walking cast “ for protection”! It was great to spend the day with him especially as he spoke perfect English.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/...20133151_c.jpgcalvacantes 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...93b8c17a_c.jpgcalvacantes 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...cf15b82f_c.jpgcalvacantes 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...2c8ef3ef_c.jpgcalvacantes 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We all drove the 5 km up the dirt track to the trailhead.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7490/...735c5446_c.jpg2015-01-18 11.34.24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8592/...35018d9c_c.jpgcalvacantes 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7473/...510bd723_c.jpgcalvacantes 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...3c72d702_c.jpgcalvacantes 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...0546ea45_c.jpgcalvacantes 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
From here it is a 1.7 km walk to the Falls of Santa Barbara.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/...d8ef3aa3_c.jpgcalvacantes 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/...f912b7c8_c.jpgcalvacantes 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/...34c5ee25_c.jpg2015-01-18 12.10.32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/...748ccc40_c.jpgcalvacantes 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The first small pool we visited just for photos and then hikes further on to the large falls to swim. The water is crystal clear and really that color.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...ea0979b9_c.jpgcalvacantes 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...176cabc0_c.jpgcalvacantes 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...90eba8e1_c.jpgcalvacantes 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/...a3accf3d_c.jpgcalvacantes 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/...6ce6cc0b_c.jpgcalvacantes 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/...bc9e28e4_c.jpgcalvacantes 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7511/...c17c6610_c.jpgcalvacantes 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7559/...928dc4bd_c.jpgcalvacantes 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Capivara
Driving back to just past the village is another dirt track to the Capivara falls. This is a bit more of a hike down to the falls, but well worth the effort.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7498/...0546208b_c.jpg2015-01-18 15.33.40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/...833384fc_c.jpgcalvacantes 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/...5a943ea1_c.jpgcalvacantes 74 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/...f11fa55f_c.jpgcalvacantes 75 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...648d2413_c.jpgcalvacantes 76 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/...0339675e_c.jpgcalvacantes 84 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7482/...a401332b_c.jpgcalvacantes 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7466/...cb2ed0d2_c.jpgcalvacantes 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/...d78c1dc2_c.jpg2015-01-18 15.29.24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/...8df2086d_c.jpgcalvacantes 77 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/...77a37b02_c.jpgcalvacantes 81 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...7ebcf60d_c.jpgcalvacantes 78 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7556/...6971179c_c.jpgcalvacantes 79 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/...1edee3aa_c.jpgcalvacantes 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/...3329298b_c.jpgcalvacantes 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7480/...66032190_c.jpgcalvacantes 83 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...47e0fc09_c.jpgcalvacantes 82 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/...8358053c_c.jpgcalvacantes 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...7ecc2c1f_c.jpgcalvacantes 94 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/...a05455d1_c.jpgcalvacantes 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/...6e5f54c6_c.jpgcalvacantes 100 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Finally back to decent wifi
We were very happy to receive an invitation from Erick and Danielle in Brasilia and so we made our way there today a short 311 km to the Capital.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/...4a826db0_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-01-20 at 6.31.29 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/...86f8538b_c.jpgFILE2828 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/...73435c51_c.jpgFILE2840 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Brasillia
Danielle and Erick are supper hosts. They fed and housed the bikes and us. One of the best things was the amazing job their washing machine did on our very dirty suits.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/...6f7a430a_c.jpgDSC07741 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This is a very unique city as it was totally planned and then was built in 5 years. The Capital was moved here from Rio in 1960. The design planning was as the result of a contest and the layout of the city is an airplane shape. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/...267e0821_c.jpgbrasilia 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/...93e39186_c.jpgbrasilia 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/...f8971588_c.jpgbrasilia 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/...58bbc3e7_c.jpgbrasilia 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/...c19a8c43_c.jpgbrasilia 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The city itself has sectors so that like business are together. There is an industrial sector, hotel sector, and residential sector. A huge man made lake surrounds the tail area of the plane. This is the sector with all the hotels.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/...6a58a199_c.jpgbrasilia 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/...886ab0b8_c.jpgbrasilia 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/...393a43a2_c.jpgbrasilia 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We dropped the bikes off at BMW Motorad Munique, which is the new dealership in the city. They have a detail service and our bikes need it badly. We were even happier when they did the amazing cleaning job “as a gift to us”! They are really trying to build a great relationship with the riders here in the city. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8607/...16ec7b93_c.jpgbrasilia 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Erick took us on a tour including taking in the view from the famous TV tower. From here you have an overview of the city structure, parks, and architecture. You can see the multibillion-dollar soccer stadium that was built for the world cup and will now just sit empty.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/...8a7fc401_c.jpgbrasilia 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/...8b463666_c.jpgbrasilia 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8679/...1aec4545_c.jpgbrasilia 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/...343fe011_c.jpgbrasilia 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/...a593219d_c.jpgbrasilia 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/...05d645d5_c.jpgbrasilia 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/...def630c2_c.jpgbrasilia 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/...27f26374_c.jpgbrasilia 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/...2a60b4f4_c.jpgbrasilia 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/...bf789438_c.jpgbrasilia 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We also checked out a number of the Oscar Niemeyer buildings here including the Cathedral and the iconic National Congress building.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/...28eb9a5c_c.jpgbrasilia 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/...87f4ec33_c.jpgbrasilia 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7411/...8db6a8af_c.jpgbrasilia 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/...beb01eaa_c.jpgbrasilia 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8567/...e707b81c_c.jpgbrasilia 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/...e4f002cd_c.jpgbrasilia 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/...0ac26704_c.jpgbrasilia 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/...b80302db_c.jpgbrasilia 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/...7e8d684e_c.jpgbrasilia 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The president lives less than 2 km from the congress on a road that only accesses her house. Despite that she takes a 12- man helicopter to work.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/...156c7bb0_c.jpgbrasilia 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We also had a culinary tour of the city and tried all kinds of great new things. I lilke the Caiprioskas here just a bit of crushed fruit at the bottom for your vodka. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/...214db1cd_c.jpgbrasilia 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/...0c84c726_c.jpgbrasilia 36 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/...c36966a4_c.jpgbrasilia 37 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/...6be502ac_c.jpgbrasilia 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Brazil would be our perfect riding country if it were not so hot, but we started the day today with a double rainbow and so that’s pretty close to awesome anyway. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/...cce4da59_c.jpgbrasilia 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Kite surfing
Thanks again to Erick who dropped us off at the airport for our flight to Fortaleza. We were sitting on the fully loaded plane ready for take off when they announced we all had to get off as the air con was not working. Surprisingly like they said another plane was found and an hour later we were loading again. Driving thru the not so nice side of Fortaleza away from the airport we were again glad we flew instead of drove the 10 days to get here. The north is not like the south of Brazil. Here it is less sophisticated, much poorer, and there is garbage and rubble all over.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/...1fe7d22d_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-02-12 at 3.55.38 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The tiny town of Cumbuco is 45 minutes from the capital and is visited almost for the sole purpose of kite surfing. The town itself is not nice and is covered with stray animals and there piles of garbage and rubble everywhere. The wind however is strong and steady. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/...75d5aa69_c.jpgIMG_3402 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We had booked to stay at the 0031 Boutique Hotel. This is an awesome oasis in this grubby town. The gardens and pool are 5 star. We had a view of the sea and the dunes and were only a short walk from the beach.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/...c72fd65a_c.jpgcumbuco 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/...e485bcf3_c.jpgDSC09850 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/...1726913e_c.jpgcumbuco 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/...9e21fb6d_c.jpgcumbuco 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/...55dca562_c.jpgcumbuco 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/...aa0cdaf1_c.jpgcumbuco 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The weekends are very busy here with tourists. The have all these Donkeys to ride that are decorated with henna.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/...b0b7ca27_c.jpgcumbuco 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/...eeb931ff_c.jpgcumbuco 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/...cd49f9c5_c.jpgcumbuco 21 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/...e06c5483_c.jpgcumbuco 88 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Sand Dunes and Seafood
We hiked out on the dunes for the sunset. The local kids are good sand boarders.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...d0739b9b_c.jpgcumbuco 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/...4dfbe233_c.jpgcumbuco 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...6aa0c06c_c.jpgcumbuco 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/...80fef075_c.jpgcumbuco 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...7e08ee79_c.jpgcumbuco 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...7e16a404_c.jpgcumbuco 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8573/...94f8139d_c.jpgcumbuco 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/...0204d84d_c.jpgcumbuco 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/...434d0b2b_c.jpgcumbuco 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/...c645e603_c.jpgcumbuco 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/...27c7cf6b_c.jpgcumbuco 41 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/...18b0362b_c.jpgcumbuco 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/...9b6cd416_c.jpgcumbuco 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/...e2a8d2a8_c.jpgcumbuco 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/...5b5cc577_c.jpgcumbuco 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...94e5b8b7_c.jpgcumbuco 45 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8664/...d4194650_c.jpgcumbuco 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/...b36d6724_c.jpgcumbuco 42 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The 0031 also had a great restaurant with incredible seafood. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/...984f9d15_c.jpgIMG_3395 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/...16118d63_c.jpgIMG_3398 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
As a n00b to this site I must say I'm very impressed with the mileage you two (3?) have done so far, & I wish you the very best of luck with your travels.
Mick the Brit living in Mizzoo....beer |
Quote:
Thanks a lot. Yes Daniel and I were pretty stoked the day we passed 100,000 km on the trip so far. We just arrived in Madrid to start our European adventures! Cheers Sara |
Daniel was able to rent gear from Kiteline on the beach. He did not ship his own kite gear here due to the 60% duty charge to “import it”. Then he could spend the next 10 days riding the wind.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/...d34b4041_c.jpgcumbuco 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/...8d52b5ba_c.jpgcumbuco 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/...5e51f88a_c.jpgcumbuco 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/...fe45fce8_c.jpgcumbuco 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...bc414ca2_c.jpgcumbuco 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/...e7648ec8_c.jpgcumbuco 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Luckily he only needed a friend to launch and catch his kite! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/...7b65dddd_c.jpgcumbuco 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/...22d6ec76_c.jpgcumbuco 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/...6044ffbe_c.jpgcumbuco 51 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/...06814692_c.jpgcumbuco 62 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/...45a8425a_c.jpgcumbuco 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
During the week the beach was deserted.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/...9a194571_c.jpgcumbuco 54 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/...31a88da5_c.jpgcumbuco 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/...ff910a9a_c.jpgcumbuco 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/...a5deec30_c.jpgcumbuco 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr It was a lot more crowded on the weekends, But Dan got a brand new 2015 kite and harness to use right out of the box. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/...983fa698_c.jpgcumbuco 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/...e7751fc8_c.jpgcumbuco 59 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/...9cf75ddc_c.jpgcumbuco 61 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/...6c098ba9_c.jpgcumbuco 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/...14cec86a_c.jpgcumbuco 64 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/...ba53296c_c.jpgcumbuco 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/...1c6ca434_c.jpgcumbuco 69 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/...e1831fec_c.jpgcumbuco 71 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/...d6731940_c.jpgcumbuco 73 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/...67d9ecd1_c.jpgcumbuco 87 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
One of the local attractions is a buggy tour of the dunes. We did this with our Slovenian friend’s Šanin and Goran. If you want a good ride ask for one with EMOTION.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...1f23eb86_c.jpgcumbuco 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/...c8d7db7e_c.jpgcumbuco 92 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/...97600885_c.jpgcumbuco 89 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/...2004f23d_c.jpgcumbuco 99 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/...82003719_c.jpgcumbuco 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/...c158f335_c.jpgcumbuco 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/...074106e9_c.jpgcumbuco 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/...080e2fb3_c.jpgcumbuco 104 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
On our last day we headed to the lagoon for the day. “The Slovenians” were taking lessons with kite pro Dave from Kitebud. He is an awesome guy. He may charge more than the others, but he will have you riding in half the time.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/...9cdc2bfe_c.jpgcumbuco 109 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/...52689290_c.jpgcumbuco 110 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/...1a7dd589_c.jpgcumbuco 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/...337ea464_c.jpgcumbuco 112 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/...10f4fd8c_c.jpgcumbuco 113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/...352c2191_c.jpgcumbuco 114 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/...2d3789a9_c.jpgcumbuco 144 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/...cf8815b1_c.jpgcumbuco 145 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/...0c28211c_c.jpgcumbuco 147 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We loved our time with good friends from all over the world at the 0031 hotel. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8680/...a128c606_c.jpgcumbuco 149 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The amazon
Our 2 1/2 hour flight from Fortaleza to Manaus was at 10 pm and we landed and were finally at the hotel at 1 am.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/...b970e9e7_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-12 at 3.56.19 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The hotel has an amazing view of the Rio Negro, which is the largest left tributary of the Amazon, is the largest blackwater river in the world, and one of the world’s ten largest rivers by outflow. A blackwater river is deep and slow moving thru forests with swamps or wetlands. The water is transparent, acidic pH, and darkly colored and looks like tea because of the tannins in it from the rotting vegetation. But this also means NO BUGS!! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/...5f1dafe6_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/...27bde535_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/...5e39baefd0.jpg450px-Negroamazonrivermap by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We were picked up from the dock by motorized canoe and delivered to the Clipper ship “Premium”. We had our welcome talk and a tour of the ship.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/...e643dc74_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/...3b40ccd0_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/...2fef8a3c_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Heading up the Rio Nego we were followed by a storm that luckily never caught up to us, but it gave us some amazing rainbows. The sunset over the river was very colorful. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/...0ef82917_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/...bb330596_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/...f6c7892a_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8592/...fe8fd03f_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/...32c3c525_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The first night we set out in the canoes with high-powered spotlights. The guides used these to scan the jungle for the “red reflex” of eyes. Doing this we found all kinds of things including huge poisonous frogs, caimans, snakes, and birds. The sounds of the night jungle are incredibly loud and we were happy to be safe in our boat.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/...12326de6_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8611/...78191dce_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This morning were woken up at 530 to see the sun rise and get out to see who else was up. The reflections of the jungle on the black water are incredible. We saw lots of birds including toucans, macaws, ibis, hawks, parrots, and parakeets. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/...4ccd594a_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 40 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...af8d8bc2_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...def78a77_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 52 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/...bac80cdf_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8564/...aaf7a6e0_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 55 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr These crazy birds build their nests in trees with wasp’s nests for added protection from predators. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/...82913978_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 60 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
After breakfast we did a 2.5-hour hike thru the jungle. Here we saw all kinds of medicinal trees and plants. There were these crazy foam beetles and a small bird spider (a big one is 50 cm). Then it was time for some swimming from the boat. This was very good exercise, because you really had to give it just to stay where you were in the very strong current.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/...fa68d9fa_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 63 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/...1d2c8f74_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 68 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/...dcd061b1_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 72 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This after noon we explored the Anavilhanas Archipelago, which is the world’s largest fresh water archipelago of river islands. It is about 100 km up stream from Manaus and where the river becomes 27 km wider. The preserve has over 400 islands and extends over 90 km of native forest. Here we again saw the incredible reflections in the black water and tons of birds. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/...f59d10cd_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8578/...47681e8f_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 101 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8626/...83ddebe1_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 97 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8596/...b6f9de56_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 98 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8646/...92af37b8_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 95 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/...387b7e84_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 99 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8664/...f3ddc894_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 86 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We also found an egg-eating snake because we saw a large bird trying to pluck it from a tree for a meal. Sara spotted a wild Passionflower hanging over the riverside. There are also a huge number of orchids and bromeliads covering the trees. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...830be8f2_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 90 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/...bd963caf_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 102 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
On our second morning we were again up at 530 in order to go Piranha fishing. They live at the rivers edge in the flooded areas and we used chunks of steak for bait. We tried several locations without much success, and then actually bush wacked to get into a new spot. Our boat driver Roberto is a local and not only did he catch all but 3 of our 15 fish, but his were also 4 times the size of ours. Sara did catch one too! You can see why these guys can do some damage.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/...50e05f45_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/...7d61589b_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 111 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/...bfe91e40_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 113 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/...aabb0c0a_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 114 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/...7bb51ed4_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 108 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
After breakfast we moved down river to visit an island that has an indigenous community. They were very friendly and the Chief welcomed us. His wife then showed us how they process the manioc or cassava they grow into Farofa (a toasted manioc and flour mixture that Brazilians eat with every meal and looks and tastes to us like sawdust) and Tapioca (cassava starch extracted and formed into flakes or balls).
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/...6e41cbd3_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 119 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...0e7997cd_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 141 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...a8d13c1c_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 145 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...bbcff1df_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 148 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Some of the local schoolteachers had a pet tapir and several pet macaws. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/...3f7a5311_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 124 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...60a22a2f_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 133 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/...6ac3661d_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We also saw the Acai palm trees that grow here in the north of Brazil. These fruits are 80% nut and the flesh is just about 1 mm thick. This explains why Acai is so expensive. The nuts are dyed and made into jewelry and handicrafts. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/...5082f4da_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 144 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...0885edcb_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 160 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
After lunch we were supposed to go swimming from the beach, but the rest of the guests had voted to go to the “swim with the pink dolphins”. This was an added expense of 50$ and was not worth it. You did not swim, but 10 people at a time stood on a platform in the water while the staff lured the dolphins with fish. Very touristy trap place that we would not recommend. They also keep these massive fish in pens and you can get them to the surface with a fish on a rope. The sound they make when their jaw clamps down is incredible. We did see quite a few pink dolphins from the boat and the canoes, but they are never up for long.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...444e06b7_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 162 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/...de360c52_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 176 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...931bf31d_c.jpgDSC00756 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/...0177cf4b_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 164 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/...807d9c48_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 174 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/...abab069e_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 182 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...900f39e9_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 179 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
This afternoon we went into the Rio Ariau area, which is much more populated with wild life. Here we saw many Squirrel monkeys, sloths, hawks, egrets, ibis, toucan, and macaws.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/...f38b1e40_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 185 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/...a67242cb_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 209 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...00c694f8_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 215 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8614/...7d3e83a5_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 186 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We wandered into marshy area until we could not go further because of the dense vegetation. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8645/...b35ed9a0_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 221 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...a8e03178_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 217 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The ship met us where it had docked near this crazy jungle hotel. It had 7 towers, but 2 have collapsed. On the net its 600$ a night to stay here! They sunset was awesome from the deck with our gin and tonics. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/...3625187f_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 223 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8581/...8c66bc7b_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 224 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8586/...6a104c34_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 226 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Today we travelled closer to Manaus as we are headed to the “real” Amazon and the meeting of the waters. This is where the black water of the Rio Negro and the white water of the Amazon meet. They do not mix for over 11 km downstream. This is due mostly to the high clay content of the white water, but also due to the slower speed of the black water.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/...535e58ef_o.jpgimages-5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...907dcc48_o.jpgimages-4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8624/...e9b902fa_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 270 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/...cc9d1a12_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 266 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr On the way there we took a short walk in to see the giant water lilies. They bloom white and at night and stay open 1 day. Then they close and re-bloom the next night pink and then they die. The walkway we came in on can be at water level or be just under it in the high water of July. This is a massive ceiba tree. The lilies are just starting to grow, but they will eventually fill the entire lake. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/...3b1208bd_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 227 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8654/...9ac9b9af_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 233 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/...0c53dbbf_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 247 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8569/...b6c341c0_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 244 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr There is a ton of birds here including herons, hawks, and tree crawlers. This guy spent quite a while to kill this fish he did not want to swallow alive. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/...c89eeb76_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 249 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...70466721_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 250 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8682/...203b8542_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 255 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Manaus is a city of 2.5 million people and cannot expand anymore on the north bank of the river due to flooded area, a protected area, and an indigenous reserve. They just completed the Manaus Bridge from old Manaus to new Manaus. The road goes 100 km south and stops.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/...68d51b57_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 278 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/...102c4290_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 276 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/...7c128aa4_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 274 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...5c3b801c_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 312 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/...5cab362b_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 306 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...58f0e9b4_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 299 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We did stay 1 night in the city and this was mostly to see the famous Opera house. It is so humid here they keep the books in the shop in a vending machine. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/...a3458a43_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 283 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/...d3912e2a_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 279 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8679/...c62f072f_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 280 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/...809c93c2_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 291 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...2faf88ec_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 287 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr They were preparing for a carnival like party in the nearby streets, which looked to be mostly heaving drinking. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/...125acd37_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 308 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/...b393454d_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 307 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/...04b57083_c.jpgmanaus-rio negro-amazon 309 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
South to Uruguay
Arriving back to Brasilia we were an hour late, but our friend Erick was there to meet us. His wife Danielle had also prepared a special meal for us. We are really hoping to connect with them when they are in Europe this summer. Erick saw us off this morning by taking us on the back roads to avoid the bad traffic. We were sad to say goodbye!
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/...160114c9_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-12 at 3.57.40 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/...9f686cb6_c.jpgrio verde 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...b73e93c1_c.jpgrio verde 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Today we start are just over 2800 km journey south to the border of Uruguay. We have until February 16 or 8 days before our Brazilian visa runs out. If we over stay it is just 8 Reals or about 4$ a day, but we have to have the bikes in Buenos Aires at Dakar Motos on February 23 to get the shipping organized before our flight to Madrid February 28.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/...0f7812ff_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-03-06 at 8.30.13 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The first leg was the 1330 km to Bonito and we planned for 3 days. Today we went 453 km south and west to Rio Verde. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8614/...95ea42f3_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-10 at 5.57.46 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The road before Goiana is quite good, but it is a 4 lane divided highway and so we did a bit of detouring to get off it and onto the secondary roads. Much of this day was dodging potholes, but that can be fun. The added benefit is there is almost no car or truck traffic. The scenery is lush and green with huge tracks of farmland. The sky was covered in black clouds and you could see the rain pouring down almost everywhere. Dan’s route managed to steer us clear of all but one 5 min douching. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...f3b2668e_c.jpgrio verde 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The town itself is not much to speak of, but we found an ok hotel on the highway. The only thing nearby was a huge mall and so we took in the food fare and the air con. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8588/...ae0af086_c.jpgrio verde 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8628/...2e9e430c_c.jpgrio verde 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Campo Grande
When we went to bed it was pouring, but we woke up to clear skies. We had a big day planned today 639 km south and west to Campo Grande. This was again initially on a 4 lane divided road, but after 90 km you turn south to the secondary roads.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8680/...f866c180_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-10 at 6.06.24 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr At about the half way mark we stopped for gas and a break in Chapadão do sul. While we were getting ready to leave Ricardo drives up on a small bike and says HI! He has a BMW 800 and wanted to show us their really nice moto clubhouse. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/...bae44b75_c.jpgcampo grande 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8642/...7a06a241_c.jpgcampo grande 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8567/...0fcf58f5_c.jpgcampo grande 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The scenery here is hilly with many huge corporate farms with soybeans, sugar cane, and corn. One farm had so many combines parked outside we though they were selling them. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/...cf97a232_c.jpgcampo grande 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Continuing south the road gets like Swiss cheese and this combined with a long day and the heat was annoying. We did have one 5 minute drenching to cool us off. It is so cool when you see flocks of macaws and toucans flying across the road as you pass. We arrived to the hostal in Campo Grande about 5 minutes before a very heavy rainstorm began. Of course this is Brazil and so 45 minutes later it was sunny. There is this totally awesome gourmet burger place called “Contiener” up the street that is in a shipping container of course. Try the traditional sausage or Maracuja it is delicious. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...ba3f925e_c.jpgcampo grande 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/...069e2f62_c.jpgcampo grande 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/...fee8e24e_c.jpgcampo grande 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Bonito
Today we rode south and west 304 km to the eco-adventure capital of Bonito. The route surface is pretty good for the most part. Today again we saw tons of toucans and macaws flying overhead.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...d9ef18f6_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-12 at 4.04.28 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/...8fe17613_c.jpgFILE2920 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The town is very touristy, but with only Brazilians. We did not see any other foreign tourists here. This is likely because accommodation here is very expensive and the “tours” are outrageous. You must do any activity here on a tour and with a guide. That said there are about 30 options. We decided on rafting and rappelling. The big attraction here is river snorkeling with the usually crystal clear water it is like swimming in a fish tank, but at this time of year in the rainy season the water is not clear. Most of the attractions involve travelling long distances from the town and transports are wow expensive (70$ to the rafting location). The drive there is only 12 km down a pretty good dirt road. The river is slow flowing and there are 4 small waterfall crossings. This is pretty much what we in Canada would call a “float”. It was fun, but not worth the price of 45$. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/...2c035cd2_c.jpgbonito 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/...c897482e_c.jpgbonito 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/...ab252c5c_c.jpgbonito 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/...89915383_c.jpgbonito 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We had also organized to go rappelling at the Boca da Onca (mouth of the jaguar). This is also very expensive at 200$, but this is a day trip with a 3 hours jungle walk past 12 waterfalls, 4 of which you can swim in and then the repel 90 m down the largest waterfall. As you have to book for everything here the only time we could get was 8 am. We were told to leave the hotel at 630 to go the 59 km. We did leave a bit late because we wanted to have some light for driving on what we were told was a dirt road. It was raining and so we were happily surprised to find that the first 48 km was paved. The dirt road the last 10 km had some pretty slippery sections and 11 also very slippery cattle gates.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8660/...ea01aa32_c.jpgbonito 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We arrived to the farm, which is in a beautiful setting only to be told the rappel was canceled due to the bad weather. We decided that the price was too steep for a walk in the jungle and they gave us a full refund. On the way back the rain had let up, but one driver was obviously going too fast and crashed the car at a cattle gate and blocking the exit from the park. We could squeeze by, but no one in a car can get in or out until it is towed. While we were riding back to town I saw 3 huge shadows on the road beside us. These were 3 blue and red macaws just above our heads. Now we have a whole day to do nothing. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/...1963fdd0_c.jpgbonito 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...7ffefebc_o.jpgimages by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/...c9baf1eb_c.jpgbonito 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Itaquirai
Heading out of Bonito we back tracked 70 km west to Jardim and then south to Itaquirai after 463 km. The terrain is rolling hills and huge farms. We had some brief showers, but no real rain. This is a one-horse town, but surprisingly it had a pretty good hotel. For dinner we found a guy grilling skewers of meat on the side of the road.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/...e22868ec_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-02-16 at 6.59.13 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8681/...cc45b09a_c.jpgFILE3140 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/...06c79bf0_c.jpgFILE3136 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/...dc745b62_c.jpgFILE3110 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...a9f6fa28_c.jpgFILE3073 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Sao Miguel d'Oeste
For 6 of the 7 hours we were riding today it POURED rain. We were so glad to arrive in Sao Miguel d’Oeste after 483 km. At times it was raining so hard you could barely see where you were going. Without our pin locks it would have been impossible. In one particularly low spot on the highway the water was very deep and a car was actually flooded and stuck. This very bad weather did not change the Brazilian driving style of excessive speed, driving on your back tire, and dangerous passing. This made for a very challenging and stressful day. The most painful was when you got stuck behind trucks doing 30 km /hr because you can not see to pass because it is raining so hard and often drivers here for some mad reason don’t put their lights on. Luckily this was the same town we stayed in on our first night in Brazil and so we knew where to find a hotel, which is no easy task here as 2 of the 3 are in residential areas. The rain finally stopped when we were about 10 km from the city.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/...6e1c3d1c_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-02-16 at 7.04.31 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/...30c7e921_c.jpgFILE3267 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/...96e31b0c_c.jpgFILE3258 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/...c80ce6de_c.jpgFILE3246 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/...e4ccfd36_c.jpgFILE3237 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...65f1f900_c.jpgFILE3163 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
San Miguel dos Missiones
Today’s 387 km to Sao Miguel dos Missiones turned into 590 km to Julio de Castilhos, but at least it was sunny. This was because in Sao Miguel all the hotels were completely booked. This was the first time in 3 months that we were asked if we had a reservation. It is a Sunday night, but this is Carnival weekend and so a “holiday”. This meant we had to press on. There were tons of local bikes coming and going on this “route of the missions” in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8652/...cce55940_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-02-16 at 7.54.25 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/...b38d59fc_c.jpgmisionnes 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...1c01e917_c.jpgmisionnes 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We only planned to visit the best-preserved and largest Jesuit mission in Brazil in Sao Miguel. This 1745 red stone church ruins is a UNESCO site.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8578/...23471a34_c.jpgmisionnes 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...080e9a57_c.jpgmisionnes 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/...72f44136_c.jpgmisionnes 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8581/...0d92fbc0_c.jpgmisionnes 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...5453e8de_c.jpgmisionnes 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/...557c6ed7_c.jpgmisionnes 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/...f2dd5d52_c.jpgmisionnes 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8657/...ba1eac5a_c.jpgmisionnes 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...ff4d9704_c.jpgmisionnes 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8622/...95e98acd_c.jpgmisionnes 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/...912062e7_c.jpgmisionnes 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/...28d287f6_c.jpgmisionnes 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We backtracked almost 125 km and there were no places to stay as far as Cruz Alta. Well there was one sketchy place there called Hotel California, but if you know the song we could not stay there for obvious reasons. Plan B was to keep going south another 133 km to the bigger city of Santa Maria, but luckily we came across a decent hotel on the BR 158 after 70 km in the small town of Julio de Castilhos. We drove into town to find some dinner and got lucky on the square where there were some food carts making really good “burgers”.
The closest we will get to Paraguay. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...db321e23_c.jpgpunto del este 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
The sun was not out today and it was only 17 degrees when we left. It did warm up slowly all day to about 30 by late afternoon. We rode south and west and arrived after 304 km in Bagé about 1230. Almost everything was shut for Carnival, but we finally found an open restaurant with good frango asado (grilled chicken).
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/...8b812383_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-16 at 8.07.15 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8612/...4efd39c4_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We then made it for the border of Uruguay 66 km south. Here you actually cross into Uruguay before you hit the Brazil town of Aceguá and Brazilian immigration. It is in the Federal Police building that is on the left hand side of the divided road and so you have to drive past the building and u- turn to get back there. They will want you passport and the entry paper you got when you came in. They check you have not out stayed your 90-day visa and then exit stamp your passport. There is no bike import paperwork for Brazil and so the bikes can just exit.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8678/...79848cee_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/...e4ba74fd_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8580/...067ce51e_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
From here drive past all the duty free shops and there will be a sign that says Migration Obligitorio with an arrow to the left. Here again you have to drive past and u-turn to migration. Here they want your passport and bike title and they will entry stamp you passport. There are several cambio guys here to get rid of your remaining Reals that you did not spend on gas at the BR station on the other side of town. The building next door to immigration is the aduana and we were told to go there, but since it was closed we were told to drive 1 km down the road. Here there is a booth with a stop (pare) sign. We rode up on the bikes and he just waved us thru. Well we will have to try tomorrow at Chuy, Uruguay to get our import papers.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8598/...8d82d478_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8573/...64c35ee8_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/...5c8d274a_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/...98b1596e_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/...10f37232_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8573/...8f9eb2cb_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/...654b26a4_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/...777f13d5_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/...f9553b97_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/...d2fe5e00_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Welcome to country number 18! After crossing here the first town is Melo in 60 km. We arrived here in early afternoon after 426 km. It looks a lot like mid-Argentina here with lots of wind over the rolling hills. We checked in at the first hotel we found since we were really bagged. We were so tired we skipped dinner and went to sleep at 8 pm.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/...45f3225e_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...d9702f17_c.jpgmelo Uruguay 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Today we had a short 310 km to the east coast at Punta del Diablo. First we headed 265 km east and south to the Uruguayan town of Chuy. It is weird because you never leave the country on highway 19, but despite that when you arrive in the town you are on the Brazilian side of customs. This made it very easy for us to go into the aduana here to get the TVIP we could not get yesterday. They did ask for our insurance documents, which luckily we had proving our monthly VISA payment for the insurance we bought in Argentina covering also Brazil, Bolivia, and Uruguay. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/...a84a7de8_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-02-19 at 7.53.47 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8585/...4b0a8070_o.jpgpunta del diablo 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Then it was a short ride to Punta Del Diablo and our hotel Diablo y mar. From here it is a 400 m walk to the beach and another 500 m to town. All of this is on good dirt roads. We stayed 2 days here to get some rest.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8637/...ec9ceb65_c.jpgpunta del diablo 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/...079515fd_c.jpgpunta del diablo 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/...89d0a25f_c.jpgpunta del diablo 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
There is the large Santa Theresa National Park 10 km north from here. There is no entry fee. You can visit the mirador tower, the beaches, the fort, and the gardens. There are at least 5 different camping areas with hundreds of campers set up for the Carnival holiday.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/...6d34ca7c_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-02-19 at 8.49.17 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/...2fbfec06_c.jpgpunta del diablo 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/...5d40b319_c.jpgpunta del diablo 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/...42040cc2_c.jpgpunta del diablo 14 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/...852e1bba_c.jpgpunta del diablo 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/...7836de2d_c.jpgpunta del diablo 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/...90784716_c.jpgpunta del diablo 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...e9cd1de9_c.jpgpunta del diablo 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8680/...08813ca0_c.jpgpunta del diablo 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/...96294487_c.jpgpunta del diablo 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/...c325b994_c.jpgpunta del diablo 50 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We then rode south again and west 188 KM to Punta del Este.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/...d5531dae_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-02-19 at 7.55.10 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr This place is where the rich and famous live and vacation. We had a hotel at the neck of the point and so from the end of the road you could look at the water on both sides. This was also just a few blocks from the “hand in the sand”, which is a monument to the drowned. Also just across the street from here is the Burquebus station where you can buy your ferry tickets from Calonia to Buenos Aires. We had decided to try to get to BA a bit earlier to see our friends and to take the 3-hour ferry from Colonia instead of riding the 600 plus more km to drive around on the toll bridge. The only issue was that we could only get tickets for the 530 am sailing in 3 days time. We walked around the town to take in the sights. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/...00a4a356_c.jpgpunto del este 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/...e60894c9_c.jpgpunto del este 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/...2dbf9f41_c.jpgpunto del este 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/...43297502_c.jpgpunto del este 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...abf7ae28_c.jpgpunto del este 6 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/...77e530e7_c.jpgpunto del este 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/...b2c9d8b8_c.jpgpunto del este 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/...82819724_c.jpgpunto del este 10 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8584/...83d24fb4_c.jpgIMG_3436 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8660/...024b9c95_c.jpgIMG_3434 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Calonia del Sacramento
Today we rode 304 km west and north to Calonia del Sacramento. We left under black skies and had intermittent rain, but it was sunny for our arrival. We had a hotel in the old city and also just a 5 min drive from the ferry terminal.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8592/...573fef1c_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-03-05 at 7.37.45 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We toured the old walled city, with the sea wall, lighthouse, and city gate. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/...1795c4eb_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7648/...7b287d25_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/...b74e7283_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/...8541fd05_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8745/...f02bbbb1_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/...bbfd10e1_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8580/...3bb7da43_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr For dinner we headed just down the street and out in front of the place we were going there was a loaded BMW! This would be the first traveler we have met since we arrived back at the end of October. Jorge was a great dinner companion and we hope to get lots of advice from him for Europe. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8738/...acbde6d7_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7632/...c81f4ec9_c.jpgcolonia del sacramento 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Ferry to BA
Getting to bed late at 11 pm we were kept up all night by the outdoor concert in town that was still going strong when we set out for the ferry terminal at 4 30 am. At the dock you must stop at the gate and show your ticket. They have staff to direct you from here and wave you along to the second gate where you are directed to park to the left in front of the line of cars.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7651/...2599b65f_c.jpgsalida BA 1 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr From here you head back and to the right to the building with the big “check in” sign. Go up the stairs and to the Burquebus check in. They will look at your ticket and give you boarding passes for you and the bikes. The next step is to go all the way to the other end of the hall to a desk on the left. Ask here for the Aduana. An official will come out and take your TVIP from Uruguay. Then head back the way you came and follow the signs to Migration. Here you get your Uruguay exit stamp and Argentinean entry stamp at the same desk. Then you must go upstairs to the passenger waiting area. Ask an official to direct you across the walkway, down the stairs, and left and back out to the parking lot. They load the bikes first and they will strap them down. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8627/...35b4e072_c.jpgsalida BA 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7649/...685d481d_c.jpgsalida BA 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7653/...38e71983_c.jpgsalida BA 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Head upstairs and get a reclining seat and then use your ticket to get a juice and media Luna! https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8571/...1a75978e_o.jpgimages by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr We slept most of the way there. It is a nice view as you arrive into downtown BA. It was incredible how they dock the ship stern first and then bow thrusted it sideways in-between two other ships docked there. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7655/...cbc63fb8_c.jpgsalida BA 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You exit off and follow the line of vehicles to the right. Here they are checking Argentinean vehicles for customs. You will be waved ahead to a small area to park. The aduana office is on your right as you go there. Walk back to the office and give the officer your passport and title. They will prepare the Argentinean TVIP. |
sand roads and flat tires
From here we were headed to Tigre to meet with our friends Pia and Ramiro. We planned to go 120 km north from there to his families’ farm for an asado. The map is approximate since the dirt road from the highway is not on Google maps.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/...bf22dba5_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-03-12 at 7.47.35 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr The last 20 km is a sand/dirt road, which luckily for us was dry since Ramiro says when it rains just the top layer gets wet and very slick. We camped out overnight by the river after quite a few beers and a lot of meat. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8601/...e157c5d0_c.jpgsalida BA 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/...b0cf8476_c.jpgsalida BA 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/...09bbb981_c.jpgsalida BA 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/...f5f38f99_c.jpgsalida BA 13 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8723/...77bde153_c.jpgsalida BA 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Leaving on Sunday late morning Daniels noticed a problem just after we left the dirt road and we pulled over to check out his rear tire that was totally flat. The Heideneu is so stiff that even at 120 km per hour it ran pretty well. That said we pulled out the pump and put in some air. We did this or used a gas station about every 20 km to limp back to Bella Vista where we could change out the tire in Pia’s dad’s shady backyard and not in the blazing 32 degrees on the side of the road. There was no puncture or tire damage, but a small hole in the tube from wear. Then it was time to use their power washer to try to get off the red mud of Brazil that dries like concrete. Sara had to scrub the suits with a brush to get it out too. |
Dakar Motos
Today we headed 35 km away to Dakar Motos to arrange the last details of the shipping. Sandra and Javier are awesome. The arrival there to us was even more sweet than getting to the sign at the end of the road in Ushuaia. It was such a long time coming and such a big goal to mark the end of our tour of the Americas. Here Sandra will organize all your paperwork for the shipping and give you detailed instructions for the procedures.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7605/...c8d08f4a_c.jpgsalida BA 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/...b52c218c_c.jpgsalida BA 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/...de3a1367_c.jpgsalida BA 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7654/...42c505ea_c.jpgsalida BA 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
shipping
When we arrive to the cargo terminal there were 3 others with bikes bound for the USA and the UK. The procedure went so smoothly it was awesome. First the Dakar agent meets you at the importation gate where there is parking in the shade and he gives you the documents you need for the bike.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8735/...fd8fd6d3_c.jpgsalida BA 30 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8697/...3f2a7586_c.jpgsalida BA 31 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr You then drive over to exportation and check in at the booth with your papers and passport. You then follow the series of officials and are directed to the far loading bay to put the bike on the scale. This is not for calculation the cost, but for airline information. You are then directed to the next secure bay where there were palates set up for each bike. The official then inform you of how to prepare the bike. We had to remove the mirrors and wind screen and let some air out of the tires. They did not look in the panniers, but we were told to remove all non-motorcycle specific items, like camping gear. This is a new rule because people were showing up with bikes piled with stuff and the shipping cost is by volume not weight. Initially the rule was nothing but the bike and empty panniers, but the airlines have now agreed that parts, tools, and riding gear are part of the bike. We also left our rain gear, heated jackets, and tarp. That said, if they looked in the pannier and refuse to allow anything you must be prepared to part with it. We did not send our tent and camping gear. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8731/...c78a9f3f_c.jpgsalida BA 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8712/...a62a8bc3_c.jpgsalida BA 33 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8707/...429e113b_c.jpgsalida BA 34 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/...ac652204_c.jpgsalida BA 35 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr Once the bikes are verified by customs they are wrapped in cellophane and marked for shipping. In the end they prepared all 5 bikes in about 2 hours. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/...ec077013_c.jpgsalida BA 39 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/...869281e0_c.jpgsalida BA 38 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7614/...fdb8b3f6_c.jpgIMG_3439 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Navicon
Day three of the procedure is to go downtown to the Navicon office to pay the shipping fee and get your waybill. From our friends place in Bella Vista this was a 50-minute train ride, a 20-minute subway ride, and a 20-minute walk for us, but luckily our appointment was at 1030. When you arrive at the Navicon office Giselle will meet you on the first floor and give you the shipping bill. The fee must be paid in cash at the bank next door and you should pay in Pesos bought on the blue market (12.9:1) since you will be charged the official rate (8.7:1) if you pay in USD. You then take the deposit receipt back to the 7 Th floor and receive your waybill. If you have not been able to exchange your USD for Pesos yet there will be several cambio guys hanging out on the corner near buy. We had changed our dollars for this huge stack of 100 Peso notes. The final cost was 2800$ US or 31,098 Pesos all in for the agent fees, airfreight, and taxes landed in Madrid from Buenos Aires.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7621/...a0cb5c65_c.jpgsalida BA 44 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7653/...074995aa_c.jpgsalida BA 46 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/...82813859_c.jpgsalida BA 47 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8684/...46537a49_c.jpgsalida BA 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/...f98e3101_c.jpgsalida BA 49 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
goodbye Argentina
On our last day in Argentina we went to Tigre for breakfast at a trendy spot and then hung out at Pia and Ramiro’s house on the delta. For dinner we headed back to Martin’s in Bella Vista for a goodbye Parilla.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8741/...e352842a_c.jpgsalida BA 57 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7611/...f689e869_c.jpgsalida BA 66 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7653/...09190f28_c.jpgsalida BA 65 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8620/...143270ff_c.jpgsalida BA 67 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Summary of the Americas and 18 countries in almost 24 month and over 100,000 km
Summary of the Americas and 18 countries in almost 24 month and over 100,000 km
Part 1 June 22, 2012- May 1 2013 1. Canada (BC, Yukon, NWT, Alberta)- This is our home and our favorite country. The beauty of the wilderness is incredible. The forests are full of wildlife and we were thrilled to be treated to a rare sighting of the Porcupine caribou herd on our return trip from Inuvik. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7646/...72b35f35_b.jpgDSC00766 (24 of 458) by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 2. USA (Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana) There is just so much to see here in the USA you could spend years. Highlights for us included the Gravelly range road in Idaho and Montana, riding the dragon in Tennessee, and the incredible landscapes of Utah. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7594/...4328a6a0_b.jpgCamp site off the Gravelly - Version 2 (60 of 458) by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 3. Mexico (20 states)- Our three months here were not enough. Stay away from the coasts and visit the Colonial cites and pueblos magico of central Mexico. The drive to Calakmul is certainly worth it. You will not be hassled, robbed, or killed here despite what you will be told by everyone you tell that you plan to cross Mexico. Highlights include the amazing people and the food, which is the best in Latin America. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/...0bda22b2_b.jpgAduana (114 of 458) by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 4. Belize- After so much hype it just did not live up to expectations. If we were to do it again we would skip it and spend more time in Mexico or Guatemala. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/...e3614e8e_o.jpgBelize 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 5. Guatemala- This is the place you should allot most of your CA time. There is stunning scenery, a vibrant culture, and amazing food. Be sure to visit Sumec Champey, Nebaj, and Tikal. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/...ee7bdaaa_b.jpgDSC06583 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 6. El Salvador- There are so many cool places to explore in this small, but awesome country. DO NOT BYPASS! It is well worth the visit. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/...8384e0b1_b.jpgFr Gränsentill Santa Ana, Salvador 062 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 7. Honduras- We opted for the double border crossing in a day and only rode the 200 km between El Salvador and Nicaragua. The only unsavoury event of the entire trip was here at the Northern border, where we were forced to pay 10$ per bike for decontamination that costs 2$. The decontamination office was closed, but a large group of men surrounded us and demanded the payment. We figured pay and get out of there. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/...773cb57b_b.jpgborder Honduras 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 8. Nicaragua-The north of the country has some great mountain riding. Driving up to the edge of an active volcano, a trip to Ometepe and a few days kicking back in San Juan del Sur make the country well worth the visit. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/...22d56368_b.jpgmatagalpa to managua 23 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 9. Costa Rica- HMMM well we have been here before and seen most of the eco sites and so I think this visit was a disappointment since the riding here is not that interesting and there is little in the way of cultural experiences. Our visit this time to Costa Rica was about relaxing beach time. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/...a630c8ce_b.jpgNuevo Arenal 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 10. Panama- There are some great mountain roads here, but there is little culture outside of the expat life. I would visit Bouquete and El Alton de Valee. Both sides of the canal are certainly worth a visit. It was a highlight country for us since we finally met up with our Scottish friends Gino and Fiona and made new friends with Pia and Ramiro from Argentina. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/...bf8c2a68_b.jpgpanama city 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Part 2 Oct 25, 2013- June 25 2014
Part 2 Oct 25, 2013- June 25 2014
11. Colombia- Perhaps our favorite country in the Americas after home. The people here are supper friendly; the riding is great and the scenery stunning. After enduring the prices of Costa Rica and Panama we found Columbia a really good value. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/...c56c60ed_b.jpgBarichara 58 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 12. Ecuador- in a word EPIC. This is a riding mecca and a do not miss! Venturing into the Andes Mountains you can experience both the incredible scenery and the vibrant culture. The .55$ a liter gas makes it all that much sweeter. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/...e2def95c_b.jpgel corazon 48 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 13. Peru – A love – hate story. The coast of Peru on the Pan Americana is thousands of km of sand, wind, garbage, and chicken farms. Many places look like sets from a Mad Max movie. South of Nazca it is better, and Cusco is stunning. The riding in the mountains on the 3S and 3N is incredible. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/...0afea74a_b.jpgperu mtn 4 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 14. Chile- For us the north of the country is take it or leave it. The real jewel here is Southern Chile and the carretera Austral. There are unforgettable days of riding on gravel roads past snow capped peaks and emerald glacial lakes. A highlight for us was the 9 hour trek up and down at Torres del Paines. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/...2512db33_b.jpgtorres del pines 53 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 15. Argentina- Patagonia is very beautiful, but this country is much more beautiful in the north around Salta and the Alto Plana of Antofagasta de la Sierra. The WIND is unreal. There are several cultural things that make this country a challenge including the siesta, the currency, and the Argentinean way. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/...a3f1935c_b.jpgthe end of the road 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 16. Bolivia -The cities of Sucre and Potosi are very picturesque and the Salar de Uyuni is mind blowingly awesome, but the rest of this country is much less appealing for a lot of reasons including the altitude, the very reserved people, and the volume of garbage everywhere. Several of the top ten highlights of our trip are from this tiny country. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/...12d681f2_b.jpgsolar de Uyuni 32 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 17. Brazil - This is a massive and very diverse country. The people are incredibly friendly and outgoing. Our favorite states were Santa Catarina, Minas Gervais, and Bahia. We were helped and hosted by fellow riders here on a regular basis. The 3 months we spent was just not nearly enough time. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/...db60abb7_b.jpgcalvacantes 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr 18. Uruguay in a word tranquillo. https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/...77e530e7_b.jpgpunto del este 8 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
Madrid here we come
Getting up at 5 am again we were so glad to get a ride to the Airport for 6 am check in. We had a 6 -hour flight to Bogota and then a 10 -hour flight to Madrid.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8679/...b9ed040f_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-03-05 at 5.52.07 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7612/...6b2d2f68_o.pngScreen Shot 2015-03-05 at 5.51.05 PM by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8696/...25d88f2e_c.jpgMadrid 3 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
This got us into Spain at 7 am! There are fixed price taxis from the airport into the city at 30 Euros. We arrived to the hotel at 8 am and dropped off our luggage. We had 4 hours to kill before check in and the first 2 were painful. The last 2 were much better once we fueled up on coffee and breakfast.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8743/...8ed5aeff_c.jpgMadrid 4 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8564/...69700430_c.jpgMadrid 5 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/...3da6388e_c.jpgMadrid 9 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
After a 4-hour powernap we wandered around in this very beautiful city up the Gran Villa and to the Plaza del Sol. This is one of the best known and most visited [laces in Madrid. This is the km zero and center of the radial network of Spanish roads. Here is the Peurta del Sol or sun gate in the city wall surrounding Madrid in the 15 Th century. There is a Statue of King Carlos III on horse back in the center. Here you will also find the most famous symbol of Madrid, which is a statue of a bear eating from an Arbutus tree. The legend is that the cities original name was Ursaria (land of bears) because of the large numbers of them found in the Arbutus forests nearby. Also here are a huge number of people with crazy costumes who want you to pay them to get a photo with them.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8752/...cbbffab6_c.jpgMadrid 11 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7631/...383d7655_c.jpgMadrid 16 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8742/...f6b6c6cb_c.jpgMadrid 12 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8636/...29026896_c.jpgMadrid 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/...a16a4a91_c.jpgMadrid 17 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
We continued walking down towards the Plaza Mayor and past shops selling sweets, baked goods, and all kinds of deli items. The square itself is large, but entered thru one of 9 small arched gates. The bronze statue in the center is King Phillip III.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8746/...9dc904c1_c.jpgMadrid 18 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/...676f70ab_c.jpgMadrid 22 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7584/...0cdc115b_c.jpgMadrid 19 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8689/...6f74e511_c.jpgMadrid 20 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8561/...00f248b3_c.jpgMadrid 24 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/...2b025fd2_c.jpgMadrid 29 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8707/...37c8ee9c_c.jpgMadrid 25 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8688/...8ffa5c7a_c.jpgMadrid 27 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7584/...00e13695_c.jpgMadrid 28 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr |
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