Camping Sitio Recanto da Lagoa
Last night’s camp site, at Sitio Recanto da Lagoa, was a really social place. We had a nice flat spot and the camp was very busy. Many people stopped to try and talk with us. Poki and her map provoke so much interest. Some spoke some English, others we managed to communicate with, somehow.
On the Road
We headed in the direction of Florianopolis on the BR101. It is a dual carriageway and very busy. There are more Argentinian registered vehicles than Brazilian. We presume they are here on vacation, as many have roof top boxes or chairs/tables strapped to their roof.
On one occasion we came to a full stop, thinking there must have been an accident. As the traffic edged forward, we realised it was a queue for a toll. I think we passed through 6 tolls today, most were 2.40 reals. At two there were long queues which took us 10 minutes to pass. 2.40 rials is 31 pence. All this delay just for 31 pence!
After our first hold up we noticed a queue on the opposite carriageway. This wasn’t a toll. A truck had jack knifed and deposited its load of bricks all over the carriageway. Fortunately, we weren’t going that way.
The scenery was varied. In flat areas, acres and acres of rice. Brazil is the world’s 10th largest exporter of rice. The hilly areas are forested and there are some bananas growing. There are a lot of exits to close by townships.
It would have been nice to have had lunch in a restaurant, as cheese and tomato rolls or sandwiches are becoming a bit monotonous. We passed several very large fast food restaurants with packed car parks. They didn’t tempt us. We turned off at a sign for Gaivota. Well, this is a Catholic country and on Sunday everything was shut. There was a nice looking undercover arcade, a bit like Eat Street in Rotorua, for those who are familiar with Rotorua . Sadly everything was shut, though.
Dennis pulled into a supermarket by the motorway which was open. I purchased the usual rolls and we had lunch in the car park. So much for a nice restaurant lunch. To make matters worse, the rolls were probably cooked on Friday. Hard as rocks.
Strange plant growing in supermarket carpark.
It had been a very hot, muggy day and by mid-afternoon the rain started. It is technically rainy season here now. We’ve been very lucky for the last 6 months with very little rain. Now, however, this may be about to change.
Tonights camp.
Tonight we are camped at a quiet little camp, run by an elderly couple. Nadja, the wife, seems to be in charge. Nadja was very welcoming and we are now set up on a large, flat grassy area, which we have to ourselves.
That’s not quite true, we are sharing the grass with a Shetland pony, some scruffy hens, at least one of which must be a rooster, as he has been practicing crowing – hopefully not to perform at 4am. There is also a flock of guinea fowl. They obviously objected to the big green Poki monster parked on their grass, as they made the most awful squawking racket. I didn’t know guinea fowl could make so much noise. Fortunately, they have got over it and disappeared to the other end of the paddock.
Other campsite residents.
We were sitting in Poki sheltering from the rain, which is intermittent, coming and going, when the Shetland pony, which had been tethered, suddenly broke its tether and careered around the paddock like a thing possessed. Strange animal life here.
Once again today, we were advised Florianopolis will be horribly busy. We are just over 100 k’s away. We will probably drive through tomorrow, have a look around, but not stay.
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