For us, a marathon effort on the road, today. Everything aligned for us. Being in a hotel, and having a good night’s sleep, meant we were on the road by 8.30am and with little habitation along the way, made for largely uninterrupted travel. Uninterrupted, that is apart from speed cameras in 40 and 60kph zones in the middle of nowhere, and the countless, mindless speed bumps.
Having had my moan, I have to say, the driving conditions are good and the countryside providing continual enjoyment. Brasil is vast and in the countryside, its a time for great industry. Combine harvesters are everywhere cutting huge swath’s of apparently dead vegetation, though I’m sure they are soybeans.
Grain storage.
New plantings of soybeans and sugar. There is virgin jungle which generally indicates indigenous enclaves. The road, older sections damaged by huge trucks, why not use the existing rail networks which lay in disrepair? The same applies in our country! Governments not governing?
As we track further west there are no road toll booths.
Are there fisheries in the rivers?
While towns are far apart, some are huge and prosperous looking. We note many work gangs at the roadside in orange overalls. Could they be inmates doing good work for their country? If so, an excellent use of resource and a positive benefit to the participants and their human rights have not been violated..:)
The mood of the sky is changing. In the distance a concentration of black cloud and obvious rain. We wonder if the road will take us around or through it? We find out soon enough but arrive as the rain is abating. It has reduced the temperature a little and I’m sure farmers will be enjoying seeing their newly planted crops being given a dousing.
Another time zone?
I mentioned conditions were perfect for a long drive. Also we appear to have driven through another time zone. The sat-nav suddenly gifts us another hour. At 3,30pm by our watches, it’s time to decide where to camp. But the sat-nav says its only 2,30pm. Obviously not so many campers travel through these parts as campsites are rare and expensive. The decision reaching Campo Verde, is to find another hotel. iOverlander lists this hotel and we find it on the main road, unimpressive from the outside but the rooms and facilities are immaculately clean and attractively presented. For the price it is unbeatable. Poki is backed up one step away from the back door.
The limit of our journey westward is only 150k’s away at Varzea Grande, where we will drive south then east into the area known as the Pantanel in the Matto Grosso. What we find and experience there, will be for the next episode.
Worldsafari.ca
Sarah, Tim, Charley & Jaxon have reached Panama in their Mercedes camper, from Whistler in Canada. It’s taken them 100 days. They now face a very uncertain future with regard to shipping the vehicle to Cartagena in Colombia. Shipping is hopelessly congested around the Canal which does not have enough water in it to allow a fast transit. Though I’m not sure why that should cause a problem as Cartagena is on the Carribean side of the canal? Perhaps they will enlighten us?..:)
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Whats all these hotels, I will send you a couple of “harden up” pills.
Enjoying your travels.
Laughing…oh boy knock-out pills would be appreciated! Jen about to post with details.
We’ll be home soon to inspect your home handyman, handiwork!!! …:)