Without a phone or GPS, I was mostly flying blind all day. It is interesting how the senses go on full alert when you don't have the security blanket of your phone. The presence of the world is more real and you begin to notice more of it. The passing of time also slows down ... strange.
The ride today had three things that made it very special … lots of impossible tall and steep hills, lots of turns around those hills, and navigating through two big national parks.
After starting the day with your typical haze and thermal inversion, things cleared quickly and we were riding an area with lots of hills and curves. The road kept going straight East so it went straight up and down impossible tall and steep hills, instead of going around them. Very enjoyable when you are standing up … like riding a magic carpet.
Today, we had 5 flat tires, the truck wore out its brakes going up and down those hills because it was so heavy … broken motorcycle on the trailer, 10 pairs of tires, and extra gasoline for today’s long stretch in case we didn’t find any.
After 220km, we did find some gas and a pretty respectable little restaurant were we had lunch. The Portuguese around these parts is very different ... my brain refused to decode what the ladies in the kitchen were saying so they invited me into the kitchen to serve myself.
Riding through the areas designated as national parks was also very special. Seeing what this whole area was like before the ranching began explains why this area is called the lungs of the world. The road at times became very narrow with the vegetation of both sides closing in and the canopy almost forming tunnels. Hypnotizing.
Chuck and I arrived first to Itaituba, our destination for the night and went to explore the town. Chuck and Rebecca (with a very swollen ankle and no lateral strength) made it before dark also. And, the rest arrived after dark as a strong storm with strong winds hit Itaituba. All safe.
This week Brasil is celebration its 200th independence day anniversary and celebrations are starting. Today, they had a big stand with a bunch of dignitaries and all the schools in town doing a big parade. Big loud bands, bouncy castles everywhere, food stalls, people with their families … the small children and their costumes were the best.
We had a great chicken parmigiana dinner at a restaurant with a balcony overlooking the street where the parade was passing by. A great way to end a very tiring and long 3 days in the dirt.
Tomorrow, we do not ride. Time to try to fix everything that is broken.
Jhoner enjoying his early morning coffee
A nice way to start the day
Another day in paradise
Oops
5 flat tires today!
Searching for gasoline
Beautiful Amazonia Lilly pond
Some of the fallen trees on the road
Having a good ride
Chuck and I having some food and drinks by the waterfront in Itaituba
The waterfront in Itautuba with the docked ferry on the left
The Independence Day parade - children everywhere!
The Itaituba pier
And the Independence Day parade is on
The storm is coming - looks like a tornado is forming
The truck finally made it - late at night, covered in dirt, with no brakes
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