Day 25 - Amazonian Geniality Deeper in the Jungle

Today, we had late departure from Porto Velho as we made our way to pick up the motorcycles from the shop where new tires and new oil were installed. 

The road was more or less the same up until now.  Farms, ranches, fires burning, cattle, haze ... and oppressing, humid heat. The big difference is that today it all felt way more empty ... fewer cars, no towns or villages, greener and wilder.

Humaita, our destination for the night, proved to be a very pleasant surprise. With only 50,000 people, it definitely feels smaller, more welcoming, and livelier.  We walked to the pier and saw a school band marching around town, lots of people and families walking around, lots of trampolines and bouncy castles set by the river for children, and small bars and small restaurants everywhere.  Apparently this is a big area for Acai so we saw a lot of Acai juice places too.

We found a nice store that sold native Brazilian chocolate bars that also had cappuccinos.  Carolina and her friend were our servers and sat down with us to talk a bit more about life in Humaita.  

We learned lots of interesting facts. Looks like Malaria is very rare around here but Dengue is very common.  And, looks like the reason people do not swim in the Madeira river is because of alligators, piranhas, and electric paralyzing fish.  Good enough reason for me : )

Humaita is another small Amazonian village that felt like a happy place.  People around here are not used to seeing weird looking out-of-town foreigners that do not speak Portuguese walking about ... but are curious, engaging, and ready to talk and help.  

It is beginning to feel we are getting deeper into places visitors do not normally go.

Again, the excitement of the unknown and the presence it creates is palpable. All senses are on.

Tomorrow, we have a long day. 400+ km, all dirt.  Our first full day of dirt with our new Pirelli Scorpion Rally knobby tires. It show be fun!

Getting ready to leave Porto Velho from the shop where new oil, filters, and tires were installed.  It was already 100 degrees and humid.  Hot!

Borracharia in Brasil means tire repair - in Mexico it means big drunken party : )

Arriving to Humaita, deep in the Amazon

Welcoming poster at our hotel. Amen!

A school band performing in the streets

Action.

A typical house around these parts

The main church in Humaita

A view of the Madeira River as it makes its way to the Amazonas River

The Madeira River is 50 feet below its peak which is reached in February

A bar perched on one of the banks of the river

We found a place for cappuccinos and Carolina and her friend explained why people do not swim in the river - crocodiles, piranhas (although they don't eat people apparently), and big paralyzing electric fish. Valid reasons I think.

6,000 km so far!