Leaving Florianopolis
We thought about whether we should stay another day on the island. It is actually Santa Caterina Island, but the city of Florianopolis encompasses Santa Caterina Island, the surrounding small islands, as well as being partly on the mainland, so it is all referred to as Florianopolis.
Afluence on one side, lesser accommodation on the other.
Despite being packed with tourists and traffic it was an attractive place and we enjoyed it. While on the beach we decided to have a drink and sit and people watch. There are certainly all shapes and sizes, mostly squeezed into tiny bikinis.
I tried the national drink, the Caipirinha. I think there are different versions, but mine was with pineapple. It consisted a large plastic beaker full with cachaca, pineapple and ice. Mostly cachaca. Cachaca is a liquor distilled from fresh sugarcane. It was quite potent and I’m sorry to say, the flavour didn’t appeal to me much.
Driving North
Once again it was a very hot and muggy night and even more so this morning. We decided we would head north in the direction of São Paulo and Rio. This part of Brazil is very heavily populated and the traffic accordingly, is also heavy. We continued north on the BR101. We need to see São Paulo and Rio, but it isn’t pleasant driving on such busy roads, so we’re trying to get them done speedily. Then we can head off into more relaxed country areas.
Along the coast are places with many tall tower blocks. One, Balneario Camboriu really took us by surprise. It is apparently a very popular holiday spot for South Americans. In terms of residents it has a population of only 150,000, but this swells to over 1 million in the summer. The city houses some of South America’s tallest buildings. At 294 m (965 ft) the twin towers Yachthouse Residence Club are the tallest buildings in Brazil. The city has the nickname of the “South American Dubai”.
We stopped at a small cafeteria for lunch. It specialised in fish dishes. The owner wasn’t very pleased when we said all we wanted was a pastie. He was promoting some elaborate specials with fish, salad, rice and a number of other accompanying dishes. We didn’t want such a huge meal, so had shrimp pasties.
Bad Weather
It seems to be the pattern weather wise now. The nights are hot and muggy, the mornings the same and cloud builds up in the afternoon. By mid afternoon it was looking like rain. Not just a shower, as in previous days, but a deluge with accompanying thunder and lightening. We were travelling in the outside lane of the dual carriageway and huge waves of water were being thrown over the barrier from the opposite carriageway when large trucks passed. We retreated to the inside lane as our visibility was being compromised by the sheets of water.
Curitiba
Tonight we are camped in the city of Curitiba. It is a city of nearly 4 million people. However, it doesn’t feel so crowded. Although there are some blocks of apartments, it doesn’t have the sky scrapers which are prevalent along the coast. It is famous for its efficient urban planning and many green spaces.
Before we reached the city we climbed for a considerable distance. The surrounding area was forested and many of the trees blooming with purple flowers
I found the campsite on iOverlander. Google Maps uses the GPS coordinates provided by iOverlander to locate the destination. Sometimes it isn’t 100% accurate in terms of delivering you to the door. Tonight was one of those occasions, we couldn’t see any camping when we had supposedly arrived and were turning around in case we had come too far.
A lady pulled in beside us and asked if we were looking for the camping. She beckoned us to follow her. We drove around the block and the camp was behind where Google Maps had deposited us. She just happened to be the camp owner.
It’s a very mixed camp. Several old buses and caravans that look like permanent residents, an old VW campervan and some new campers. I don’t think there are any tents. It has a large, well equipped kitchen and dining/lounge area. It also has some horrid bitey, sandfly type insects that set about our legs while we were putting up the tent.
Although it is in the city it is a quiet area and now it has rained, it’s cooler. Fingers crossed we will have a better night.
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Hi Dennis and Jen, Brazil is one place I would love to go to. I have a friend from high school who is Brazilian (lives in NZ). She is from Angra dos Reis, on the coast south of Rio. Brazil looks like a magical place, jam packed full of culture. In my mind, so completely unique. I’m loving the blog. If you get a chance, please let me know how the national dish tastes! (feijoada).
Hey Logan, how appropriate that you should talk about Angra dos Reis, as we are only a day or so away from it and Jen and I were discussing places to visit. Parati, which is right next door, is on our schedule. Stay posted…:) Hope you are all enjoying life in Portland.
Will check out your dish suggestion too..:)
Best from us.