Day 160. Wednesday 5th February. Fro Camping So Trailer, Curitiba. to Hotel Estori Garden, Registro. 187k’s from Sao Paulo.

It’s been a fairly enjoyable day, apart from goddam roosters crowing from some ungodly hour!. They have a menageri going on at the camp site. Two big pet rabbits, a three legged brown sheep, countless hens, chicks and roosters all wandering amongst the campers vehicles. The night was much cooler, less humid, and we slept reasonably, though my eyes look like p… holes in the snow..:).

Departing camp.

Having set the sat-nav to Sao Paulo, just under 400k’s away, we left the camp at around 11am. Drying the Caranex out from last nights rain, took time. Within a couple of k’s, found a massive, what looked like a warehouse, but with supermarket trolleys outside. Investigating, thinking it was a Costco like establishment, requiring membership to shop, we were told, not so, shop away!

An hour later we left with a trolley full of stuff and costing a fraction of what we have been paying. Finding space for it in Poki the only real issue. We were unable to buy liquid body wash or boxes of tissues. It doesn’t appear they have such things in Brazil.

The road, the BR 116, similar to the BR101, is a dual lane motorway, which is mainly for trucks. Driving generally is very good, Truck drivers and motorists courteous, though they do come up behind you, when in the passing lane, like you are not there and remain a tissue width from your rear end till you pull over. The countryside is lovely. Dense jungle both sides of the road and for Kiwis, you know the Toi-toi that we thought was native to NZ. Not so.

We are noticing a pattern. You will recall our experience the other day with a car recovery truck, well, it happens all the time. Cars, trucks, motorcycles pass us, then allow us to pass them and they are simply enamoured with our vehicle. Many toot and wave. I agree with them, she’s an amazing vehicle in every way…:)

Accidents.

There are very strict road rules and on tricky winding or curvy sections, the speed limit is reduced to 60kph and speed cameras deployed to enforce it. Yet, there are still accidents.

I recall commenting much earlier in the journey about smaller trucks, usually single rear axle’d, that drive like lunatics. They obviously have powerful motors for their size and push over 100kph, when the maximum speed for them, is 80kph. Anyway, one such truck was being very aggressive.

A little further on, all traffic was halted. This very truck had gone into the back of another and the driver was squashed against the back of the cab. People were trying to pull the front out to recover him. I very much doubt he could have survived it. I said to Jen, “did you see him”? “I closed my eyes she said!!! Women!!..:) Reflecting, our air jack might have been the answer in the absence of the ‘Jaws of Life’

Trucks. The flatbed trucks here have a peculiar stance. The rear suspension seem to be jacked up. I’m not sure the objective?

Camp for the night.

I’m afraid we are heading into the wet season. By 4pm, with the sky looking threatening and still a couple of hours or 150k’s from our intended destination, another camp, we decided to shout ourselves a treat and get a hotel room. So, for R265 or £36.50 we have an air-conditioned room with a jacuzzi, and breakfast thrown in.

Were still not sure how we will deal with Sao Paulo. Population 20 million!!!! That’s for tomorrow. Meantime, I’m tired and it’s time to turn the light out. Night all.

Footnote.

Thanks Bob McKey, for your English translation of a comment we were unable to translate.

Here it is translated :-

“Good morning!!! I would like to know how you were treated at Camping Catavento? And what is your opinion about the campsite, how were you received by the owners? Why didn’t I understand the comment? Waiting for a response”

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