17 to 29 of July

I can't describe how it feels to be back on the beach, alive? My body aching after 15 days of just driving. It took us 3,200 km and 4 countries to go from the pacific Ocean to the Atlantic and now it feels like it was all worthy! We are thinking of staying in Brazil for 3 months... let's see how we go!

The coastal road, from Pruibe to Rio

As always we stay on the beach. This time Peruibe. A very quiet small town with a long and flat promenade, perfect for bicycle!

We took a small ferry to get to Guaruja, I can't really say that I love this place. All I can see is buildings in the very nice promenade. But apart from the "morros" that framed the landscape, you could think you are anywhere in the world. I know it used to be a nice and quiet beach-holidays place but it has now being transformed in a big city... shame. The thing we really liked around all this area is the fresh fish! Lots and lots of market stalls with the freshest of all prawns!

All along the road, on the coast, we see plenty of "condominios". Some of them exquisite, so rich...but most of them just nice houses enclosed in a big compound. We did a detour and entered a huge one. Well, the houses on the beach to die for... but we were on a walk across the stones in the shore and after the tide... well, we just couldn't find our way back.!

What really separates this coastal road in this country from all others in the greenery. The bushes are so lush. There are these exotic fruit plants everywhere and tall beautiful palms.  

We stayed 3 days in Paraty. A very different place. So cute! With the white old buildings, the colourful house doors and the big cobblestone. It was a Portuguese colony that has only been "open" to general people about 60 years ago when they built the road from Rio

We took the heavy hearten decision to skip Rio during the Olympics to continue north. Such a pity! We had plan and dream about participating for such a long time! But the increase instability in the world, the recommendations of not being around huge crowds can't be ignored. Security has always being a priority and we don't want to be in difficult or ugly situations. So, Rio...will see you in a few months!