Day 3 - Road Trip North East of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on a little motorbike

We are now on the 3^rd day of our Road Trip ...

on our little 50cc motorbike we call “Dozer” because it’s brand is BULL.

Our host has suggested we go to Sana – 

- an area where there are beautiful rivers and tributaries, waterfalls, 

and some places of interest in the towns near-by.

As she goes to work before 9 a.m., we have a fairly early start.

Our Couch-surfing host has had a great idea. 

She writes a note which describes who we are; that we don’t speak Portuguese, 

and for her to point us in the direction to go – not to ‘tell’ us, as we won’t understand.  

The flip side is the reverse – in case we get lost coming home.

We note which Route number (a bit like USA numbered motorways) that we are to travel on.

Alas, they fail to put up the notices of these roads.

So we turn and travel a way up a road out of town.

First we stop a guy on a bicycle, and show him the map.

He promptly blabs of a string of directions -

- completely ignoring the fact we have no knowledge of Portuguese!  

Then he realises, and we both laugh.

He points, and we head off.  

But we are unsure if we are on the right road, and we need to turn or not.

After a while we are going up and down hills.

I have to watch the rear view mirrors for trucks and buses, 

and hit the side verge or stop as they come along.  

It is not wide enough for them to pass me with on-coming traffic -

- though some try even overtaking other trucks.

We stop at a little town, and realise the man we show the note to can't read.  

But he finds a girl and again we get pointed in a direction.

Unbeknown to me, this road is about to become an Auto-piste. 

Soon we have to pay a toll - 

- we again show our note and get instructed to pull to the side. 

A man comes along who speaks some English and tells us to turn in 13 km.

But the good thing is the Auto-piste has a wide side lane with no bumps, 

and we can safely ride along with no problems from traffic.

We reach Casimiro de Abreu.

Here we thought there would be places of interest.

But we find none really.

We do however get people pointing us in all sorts of directions.

We stop at a Self-Service Restaurant for lunch.

There a man tells us he will guide us to the road to Sana.

Just follow his car.

He is great.

We go over the main road, and soon find a road heading north.

Instantly the temperature cools, the vegetation changes to lush green.

We travel quite a way, and finally reach the turn-off.

We go through a main gate with an arch.

We then head to Sana, and have no idea it is so far, nor that the road is terrible.

Well it is not a road. 

It is a rock & stone path - hardly a road.  

It is a kidney shaking experience, where my arms ache from hanging on.

We get to the town and it is pretty.

We head on for the waterfalls.

Somehow the lock won't work for the motorbike -

-  I also note that although I have no fuel gauge, we are pretty much out of fuel.

So off we walk to find the waterfall.

Nearly all the shops are closed.

We go down a path that is barely wide enough for a car.

The rocks on the road are so bad - I have passed a few tyre business - now I know why!

We find the swimming waterhole - near the small cascade, and get ready for a swim.

We carry our helmets, and clothes.

First my son slips on the rocks - no matter how careful we were - oh no - his knee -

the skin has all shed off - again!

Next just as I am telling him to be careful, down I go!

I look down - the camera is no longer!

Oh dear - thank goodness for Travel Insurance - but this is a very good camera.

I have a back-up waterproof camera but the flash has died on that, so we head back.

We ask 3 people the way for gasoline, and get pointed in different directions.

We then learn there is no gas station in town - yipes!

So we pull up to a mechanic for motorbikes.

Three men stand around and tell me I have no fuel - no kidding!

I hold my ground and finally one goes off and finds some.

He brings back a 2 Litre Coke bottle.

He charges me 10 Reais - now normally I can get 4 litres for less than this price, 

but frankly I am just grateful.

The option is pushing the bike 40 km.

So I smile, pass my money, and head off.

It is nearly 3.30 pm and we have a long ride back.

But at least I know the way.

We get fuel in the main town and we head home.

Quite an interesting day!

Glad to be Couch-surfing with a lovely family.

Day 2 exploring Rio Das Ostras, Brazil - travels by an Australian Mum and her son

Our host, had to go to work. 

School for her son only starts at 1 p.m.  

So we had a walk with the Grandma, and her Grandson to the local Bird Park.  

This park is set up to help rescue birds, and any injured birds can be re-established 

into a natural environment.  

There were lots of mosquitoes.

Fantastic Bromides and other plants can be seen.

We saw many gorgeous butterflies or all shapes, colours and sizes.

Our friend had heard there was snakes – he was frightened.  

So with encouragement from his Grandma, and my son, he was brave and went through.

No snakes – and hardly a bird to be seen.  

My son fell over and hurt his knees.  

One was quite bad, so we hobbled him back home.

Our host had suggested we explore Rio Das Ostras.

 So armed with a map, we headed off on the motorbike.

First off was the black lake, known by the locals as "Coca-cola Lake".

Alas my son fell over again right here.

The locals helped him and got us water to wash his knee.

Next we stopped at a lovely little beach Costa Azul, with a whale.

 We then rode the motorbike around the back streets and found a lovely fishing area.

The river was filled with fishing boats of all colours.

Next was a ride along the beach and the other side of the river.

Rio Das Ostras is near the area that has huge growth for the Oil and Gas industry.

So it is quite advanced and clean as a small city.

Here you can imagine people sun bathing in the Summer.

A lone man rests in the grass hut.

There are a few fabulous buildings that are painted.

Rio Das Ostras has a large jazz festival each year.

We had just missed it by a week.

I love the whole graffiti art.

Grandma is loving life in this painting!

My philosophy on life too.

We ended the day with a ride along another part of the river.

Here we could see the city bridge.

It was time to head home as the sun was setting.

We had enjoyed our exploring.

Motorbike ride to Rio Das Ostras - the start of our journey to explore more of Brazil

We have been house-sitting the last few weeks just north of Rio de Janeiro.

I had expected to stay the full two months, but the situation changed, 

and it was more remote than we anticipated, along with no-one in town speaking English.  

The result was loneliness for me, and a good rest for my son.  

That, and catching up on all his “school work”.  

This was mainly because we were dragging books around, and they were too heavy. 

So he had a goal to finish them all. 

The prize – Minecraft on my computer (yikes what was I thinking?).

So, we decided to go and see the towns nearby.  

We had heard good things, though overall it was hard to find what was worth seeing – 

- there seemed a general lack of information – that, 

and the fact they declare it to be a Brazilian ‘Winter’ here.

So when the invitation came to stay with a Mum, who had a 9 year old son, 

and they spoke some English, we decided to go for it.

We were fortunate to be able to store the main bags we had. 

I went to the local grocery store and selected a plastic fruit crate.  

Then, with a steak knife, I carved bits out so it fitted snuggly around the seat of the 50CC motorcycle.

A few stretch straps later, and we had a very local looking bike. 

  It helps not to stand out.

So on the Monday morning, I loaded up 2 backpacks, a little bit of food and water, 

some spare fuel, and secured it all firmly.  

We were limited in what we could bring, and having only hand washed for the last 5 weeks, 

we selected a mix of “going out” and “throw out” clothes.
  

By 8.30 a.m. we had commenced our journey.  

First stop was to check the pressure on the tyres.  

Then we rode along a back ocean road.  

After about 3 hours, I ached.

We were only doing a maximum of 40 kph, and often less.  

The route I had selected was to avoid the highway.
 

We got a little lost in one town, but were pointed in the right direction.  

Brazil uses route numbers for their roads – a lot like USA. 

But they don’t display them as signs.
So this caused some confusion.  

About 4 times we asked directions. 

Finally, we came to a road that travelled between the lakes (there is a row of lakes) and the sea.  

The cross winds were quite strong.  

Most of the scenery was boring.  

Not what I anticipated.  

I felt frustrated as to date we hadn’t seen a lot of the ‘wonder’ of Brazil.

We stopped off in a little town for a ‘bum break’.  

Some juice and crackers went down well, and a walk around.  

Fortunately there was an unlocked bathroom, so that came in handy.

Hitting the road again, we then passed what looked to be salt lakes or fish farming.  

There was some lovely pink flamingos, and that was great to see in the wild.

We were both quite excited. 
Sand dunes seemed to sculpt themselves on one side for many a mile.
Then we saw a traditional Brazilian plantation home.

We then found we had missed having a rest in a pretty town with a river, 

so shortly after we found an open church yard. 

There was shade and a place to rest.
So a little more food and juice, 

and again we were able to use the bathrooms.

Soon after we hit the touristic towns.

We filled up with gasoline ($3.50 US filled the tank) and stopped at the information centre. 

We were armed with maps and information, and we had a little ride around.

By now it was 3 p.m. 
We only had to be in Rio Das Ostras at 5 p.m.  

I had read about a small town that has some historical homes, 

so decided we would have afternoon tea there. 

We found a lovely old church on the corner of the river and the sea. 

Along the side was a small restaurant.  

The owner spoke English, and was a lovely guy. 

We had a drink, and my son enjoyed an ice-cream.  

Jorge, the owner wanted to give me a gift of his café’s t-shirt, 

and so we promised to return at the end of the week. 

It was a nice break, and we were already feeling this area had interesting places to explore.

We arrived at our host’s home pretty much spot of 5 p.m.  

Her very young Mum was there to greet us.  

I was confused as to who she was.  

I thought her mother had left (I knew she had stayed the previous week).  

Then a cleaner appeared.  

The people we were staying with and I had only communicated by computer, 

so I was trying to remember her face.  

I couldn’t speak Portuguese.  

I was hot; a little sun-burnt; tired; dusty; smelly (well so I thought) and generally flustered.

Soon our host came home.  

She had her son with her. 

The boys hit it off straight away.

We could speak.  

I had a shower. 

I unpacked.  

It all felt good.  

We sat and talked around snacks and an evening meal.  

It was a lovely start to our time in Rio Das Ostras.

In Summary – we went approx 200 km. 

Fuel cost was approx. $7 US or a little less.

The motorbike had cost me $2000 US approx. which included the cost of the 2 helmets, 

the first service, and a lock.  

Over 60 days this works out at $33 a day – not bad.  

And that is if I don’t even sell it at the end – which I am sure I will.  

If I sell it for only $1000, then it has cost us about $18 a day to be independent.  

Quite a good idea for those of you travelling around South America. 

Also note; in Brazil a motorbike 50CC or less need not be registered – so now paperwork hassles.

I am so thankful for the open home and wonderful people we are staying with.
Such lovely people!

Marica, Ponta Negra, Barrio - lakes, ocean, small towns and villages just of north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ponta Negra (Black Point) is a cute little town off the Gringo trail.

We have actually been staying here the last few weeks (my blogs are behind).

It is quite traditional as far as a Summer vacation coastal town.

But here it is now considered winter.

There is a small square with exercise equipment in the centre.

My son loves this.

There is a lighthouse at the end of our road.

On weekends you can get coconut water.

Many a bar is along the coast - people love to drink beer, and eat here.

As long as you order, you get the chair, and sometimes the umbrella for free.

I love the local houses.

So many have a Brazilian lad on the porch.

You can just see her top right here.

This is one of the local fruit vendors.

He is here every day.

A local bike adds to the rustic feel.

People spill out onto the streets on weekends, when there is a celebration.

People gather at the end of the day along the river for a beer.

Near the local lighthouse is a rocky area they say you can often feed the turtles.

Unfortunately we just smelt dead fish!

The local guys build in their Speedo's....classic.

Love the rubber gloves.

There are some any great houses - it is hard to show them all.

This has a great cacti collection.

One of the local soccer fields.  Love the garbage birds lined up.

Houses are so colourful.

We saw this guy every day.

I think he is the local scrap collector.

Rain or shine he was out there.

He always greeted us, and we would beep our horn at him.

Another house with the Brazilian lady on the porch - she gets around.

Near Marica, the locals huddle for a beer by the lake - it is raining this day.

We see this bike parked in front of a bar.

Next day he is miles away up the coast selling vegetables.

We have fun on this rainy day as a beach buggy drives for shelter.

Love the umbrella!

We enjoy a joke as we ride along next to them.

It is all quiet in Winter - even though it is still warm.

the lake near Marica is deserted.

Every town has a little church, and this is by the Marica lake too.

More of the lake - it would be lovely with people in Summer.

In a nutshell - we are lonely - big time!

Fishermen stand in the lake with their nets - these guys are just finishing - nothing!

Morning drinks at the bar - there is always one hanging around.

In the next town, this guy comes out on weekends with his fruit.

The coast is lovely - but again - there is no-one around.

Finally this Sunday we find a small cafe / bar.

We stop for some pasti - a pastry with cheese or other filling deep fried.

Ahhh - here is a vegetable salesman - remember his bike in the other town?

My son makes some friends on the beach.

It is amazing how they communicate.

Next thing we are invited for drinks and food at the local party behind the bar.

This guy was funny - he just wanted to kiss an Australian...the crowd roared with laughter.

He fed us well - chicken, garlic bread and other goodies.

Next thing the kids are lined up for ice-cream.

Some-how I feel we have gate-crashed a party!

It was one of the highlights of our stay.

The crowd were from Rio - but they welcomed us as friends.

A couple spoke a little English - we had fun!

This is my favourite house - it is down the hill from where we stayed.

This little chapel? is in a private yard by the lake.

It has "cute factor" written all over it I think.

Here are a few of the local fishing boats.

The walls of the river are lined with them -colourful !

This is the main church in Marica.

It is really packed on a Sunday and has a square nearby that has many outdoor music events.

I love these people - I joke I am so lonely and no-one will talk to me!

As we go to say good-bye to Ponta Negra.

I will miss driving or walking by the river and seeing the locals have a chat.

It is a very relaxed town.

Here by the river - we saw a hummingbird and a kingfisher tonight.

A great end to our stay.