browsinaboutonabike.com
  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
7/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, UY to 20 km past Antonio Joao, BR

D91, T6, Av15.86, Max 57, tot 28212, 2670

Head winds from the north and a wet afternoon

Well an extra day was had in PJC, yesterday morning was wet, it did take much for me to change my mind.

Groceries were bought and a good supply of Reals were taken from An ATM.

I do not want to get caught short of cash here.

I studied a little Portuguese and wrote out some phrases I use a lot, like can I put my tent on your property or to that effect.

These were to give to Blanca to translate from Spanish to Portuguese.

I packed things, for the morning. My panniers are very full with extra food and lots of good Brazilian coffee.

This family had been so good to me me, they always had friends around who were always chatting. They fed me well and gave me good local knowledge about the town. My stay here was a pleasure to say the least.

The morning was good and dry but still overcast. My last Guaraní were changed and I headed to Migration in PY.

That was easy, then onto BR Federal Police who issue visa, they had computer problems so I left my passport with them and went to have a couple of Empanadas.

Arriving back, a local Paraguayo who knew his way around Brazil gave me some good tips for the route north.

The Police disappointingly only gave me 60 days on my visa.

Though, they did say I can get it extended at any Federal police station.

Once on the road a head wind greeted me, it was nice to be riding just pushing into it at 10km was all I could do.

There was no shoulder on the road and many trucks were using it.

Most were very courteous, many people in cars were speeding big time and passing in some crazy places.

Never before have I seen Toyota Hiluxes travelling at such speed. Many were doing in excess of 140km/hr i guessed.

Most trucks were stock truck, their distinctive smell left in their wake.

A large anteater was seen on the side of the road. Unfortunately. it had met its fate here. They are indeed a unique animal. Near the spot was a patch of bush. Otherwise most land is cropped or grazed.

My blood is still not right, two little wounds on my leg wont seem to heal. Not wanting to take more antibiotics I am going to leave them for a bit longer to see what happens.

The road was smooth and through rolling hill country with large sections very flat.

Maize was growing on the better flat land and cattle were grazing almost everywhere else .

A group of Emu like birds were seen running across a paddock as I approached.

Running out of  water a stop was made at a fruit inspection station, just a small shack really.

Twenty minutes was spent here chatting with the three people in charge. The girl understood Español .

They topped me up with good cold water.

It was an easy 13km to Antonio Joao, here fruit was bought and eaten, also a couple of empanadas.

Just out of town it started raining, putting my coat on was not really necessary as it was quite warm.

From here it continued. The road descended for some 8 km which was great as it kept warming up.

At about 1730 it was getting quite dark. I had toped up all my water in A. Joao so I was in a position to camp anywhere.

There weren’t to many spots as it was all fenced.

Then coming down a hill was a kind of roadhouse come restaurant. I pulled in and asked if I could pitch my tent out the back. A tent interestingly here in BR is called a cabaña.

 They were great and put me under the eaves of a house alongside the restaurant.

I bought some food there out of goodwill. .

Eating at the bar, a few travellers pulled we all had a chat, in Pot, Eng and Esp. Very enjoyable. I am trying to find as much out about this part of Brazil and the roads here as I can.

Again, like many South American countries many roads shown as dirt are now infact asphalt, they are all going through a huge road improvement program.

 By now, a dry northerly had picked up after the rain. My gear was dry even before I went to bed.

Warren the owners son came over for a chat. Talking about the birds he said they were called Ema,s, makes sense to me! He is 23 and never been to the coast, like Australia, BR is a huge country.

It is interesting, he understands little Español and I a little Portuguese and yet we both worked out what we wanted to say and understood each other.

It’s great, maybe as time goes on with a little Portuguese and my existing Español, it might be not so daunting from a communication point of view, afterall.

It was great to be under shelter, overcast conditions with possible rain, have been forecast for the next few days.

8/6/2014  20 km past Antonio Joao, BR to Bela Vista, PY

D53, T3, av15.94, Max44, 28265, 2714

Overcast morning with rain for the rest of the day.

Arising early, a gale was blowing out of the northeast.

The stove was taken around the other side of the building just so the flame would not get blown away.

The sore on the back of my calf is getting worse, I broke up an Amoxyloin tablet and rubbed the powder into it, in the hope this may work  on the now 10c piece size infection..

Warren was not up when I went to say goodbye, another woman was there, they had not yet opened up the restaurant.

Off in the distance to the west was the sound of thunder at 0830 in the morning.

The wind here was getting sucked into the low pressure, the clouds were rather darkish out there.

Once on the road, it didn’t take long to forget about the ach in my leg.

Some 15km down the road a car stopped, three people got out to talk to me, I too had stopped.

They were from Dourados here in Mato Grosso Do Sul. Their trip was taking them to Pedro Juan Caballero to buy electrical goods .

These encounters always spur me on especially when conditions are a little trying.

The road was the normal black strip in a huge undulating landscape. It was up gentle hills and back down again. It was enjoyable riding.

Soon the descent on the profile map was reached, this was a nice 5km downhill.

Near the top The rumbling of thunder had turned to rain. Pulling over everything that I didn’t want wet was put in panniers, i.e. my camera and speakers. I pulled out the Go Pro to shoot in the rain.

Well it started coming down big time. At times, the road ahead was visible for only a few hundred metres I had my tail light going.

By the time I got to Bacaja it had abated somewhat.

Here a drink, some oranges and empanadas were enjoyed. Further on from here another front passed over me.

This time the rain was heavier.

Luckily, all my gear is now in large plastic bags within each pannier. I got these from China Shopping. They will have a life a lot longer than most bags from there I feel .

The rain was reasonably warm so there was no point in wearing a raincoat.

I was totally drenched, at times there was surface water all over the road.

Being Sunday, there was little traffic.

This rain did not let up for at least an hour. There was lightning and  thunder mixed in with it.

At one point, some lightning was uncomfortably close, the thunder was almost simultaneous and gave  me quite a scare.  In this situation, I speed up considerably.

My mind drifted to thoughts of being hit by lightening. Unlike in a yacht my speed was hopefully fast enough to distance myself from this threat.

Like a yacht, my bike was a piece of metal out here in the middle of nowhere.

That huge thunder clap was thankfully the storm bading farewell as they often do with one huge crack to say, “See you next time baby”.

Knowing I was nearing Bella Vista in PY, the turn off was taken when reached. It was a gravel road I had taken, it lead into a village.

I asked a woman in a car where the road was to the border. She kindly led me there in her car.

I was back on asphalt again. It was a descent into town and a left turn in town took me into PY without any border problems.

Asking a guy he told me of a hospedaje.

This was booked. I was feeling pretty dodgy. Coming along the sandy road my rear wheel was rubbing on the brakes.

After things were unpacked, another broken spoke was observed. My supply is getting low. I must be doing something wrong when replacing them .

I knew some of the spokes had different tensions I would see to this when replacing it .

On my computer, I have a scanned copy of a book “The bike book” A great English publication..

I read the procedure of replacement and truing carefully.

It is ultra important to follow the existing pattern of the spokes. This had been over looked, two were over instead of under the adjacent spoke.

This was sorted and much time was spent getting all the tensions equal whilst truing it .

I am using DT Swiss spokes that are as good as impossible to get here. With only 3 left, this had better work.

I finally succumbed to the annoyance of these infections and popped an antibiotic. I will take the for 8 days instead of the 3, up until now.

The need to get rid of this problem once and for all is urgent.

Lunch of chicken was enjoyed in town .

The town, very small is prosperous due to Brasileros buying goods here. They accept Reals and Guaraní.

A good hot shower was enjoyed and a movie watched.

My body is not in perfect working order, occasionally I feel nauseas. It is this infection.

The temperature here is about 25 degrees and only cools to about 15 in the night.

The room had only a sheet on the bed and one to sleep under .

9/6/2014 Bela Vista, PY to Jardim, BR

D90, T10, Av16.41, max47, 28335, 2804

Overcast, no rain

A good nights sleep had been enjoyed after a bowl  of soup and the movie.

My body felt alot better, the antibiotics work very quick, this time I will do the full eight days course.

Getting up, the urge to visit the loo arose, in  no uncertain fashion I might, grabbing my toilet paper, a quick trip to the out house was made. It was occupied. Focusing, things were held under control.

 After half a minute, the occupant was making no sounds of having finished his visit.

I was desperate. Something had  to be done and quick.

The yard was enclosed and all concrete. A “free ranger” was totally out of the question, had someone come along, it would have been beyond embarrassing. Not to mention the clean up.

There was a bucket in the yard, this was fetched, knowing there was no water in the outside taps, yesterday, it had been noticed that water  had accumulated in a plastic bowl in the  rains. This was hurriedly poured into the bucket and a rapid somewhat awkward retreat made back to  my room and privacy.

This had been a close call.  Some time ago when fishing in Alaska  from a friends  boat we had always used a bucket with just a little water in the bottom for our ablutions, it works a treat, floating the produce, so as to keep the bucket clean.  

This knowledge had averted a potentially unenviable situation, it was just a simple case of slipping into the  loo unseen with the bucket, this  was done.

Needing some more antibiotics, a trip was made into town to get some. A better AR brand was bought.

Bread and tomatoes were also purchased.

Riding out of town, a stop at the border was made, the decision to go to PYC to enter BR was a good one. There were no federal Police here. I would have been unable to get a visa.

Ruta 60 was taken, on my map it is shown as dirt but was infact asphalt. It was a bit rough in places but very little traffic was using it. This was so nice after the last couple of days.

In future I will try to locate  these secondary roads between these towns. In the Mato Grosso here there are not to many roads and the main ones are very busy.

The weather was holding with overcast conditions, the cloud was high  which was a good sign. Importantly there was no wind.

It didn’t take long to get into the old rhythm.

The country here is vegetated with the Cocos Palms and most vistas contain the grey Brahman cattle.

After 45km, it was decided to stop for lunch. Here, bread and salami with onions and tomato were savoured, along with a great fresh coffee and some sweet biscuits.

This was just like riding back in Peru. In the pattern again, lunch at about 50km  for an hour and ride till late.

The sun actually came out, it gave an indication  of the potential humidity  here.

Riding on, some people were seen picking oranges from trees in their front yard. I yelled out  to see if i could buy some.

Leaning the bike against a solitary small roadside tree I wandered  in to talk to them.

They were all about my age, four of them. A woman sitting in a plastic chair, a man up a homemade ladder propped into the large orange tree, another woman picking an adjacent tree with a scoop on a pole and a fourth guy putting the booty into  plastic tub. 

The oranges were wrinkled and  didn’t look much but had loose skins and were easily peeled. I offered some money but they said just have some.

It was a relaxed atmosphere in their midst we chatted, me in Español they  on Portuguese.

Peeling my first orange whilst sitting on the edge of the deck my taste buds were blasted by the sweetest most juiciest orange flesh I have encountered in all my time here.

Sitting there chatting, seven of these tree ripened delights were consumed. While we were chatting the house cow and some of her mates came over to check us out. Unnoticced she found  a bag of Mandioca leaning against hte fence and started  helping herself.

Once spotted she was moved on very promptly.

It truly was a situation that only cycling can offer.

Sitting here with these rural Brasileros chatting away in two languages and just enjoying the afternoon sun, low in the sky across the north bound road,  with animals in company and  just the best oranges being enjoyed as much.

They said I could take some with me. Needless to say this was done.

Still riding in pastured land, further up the road, native vegetation was encountered on my right.

A bird noise was heard from the canopy of a roadside tree. Here up in the lower branches was a Toucan feeding, I was quite amazed, what a beautiful bird and to be so close to it.

Now that their call was known , a watch for them  was kept every time a similar tree was passed, more were seen. This for me was something special to see these iconic Brazilian birds.

Nearing the edge of this native vegetation another treat was experienced, as I approached, two red and blue Macaws flew from a roadside tree. Unreal .

It is amazing how big their wingspan is.

Out here on this little used road, the two most typifying birds of tropical South America were spotted, I had been spoilt in a big way.

From here, I stopped at Boqueron for water.

Talking with the teenagers that gave it to me, conversation got around to the world cup.

They are all a little concerned about their team and feel Croatia will not be a walk in the park. This is not the first time Brasileros have told me this.

Loaded with water but in no hurry to camp, the late afternoon warmth was being enjoyed.

Two men on bikes were accompanied for a few kilometres.

Leaving them, it was getting late, my rear light was switch on in the fading  light, it is getting darkish now about 1630.

At one point a roadside community of homes built from plastic and any other water proof material were seen for about 1km. There were cooking fires burning and people washing in a creek.

Passing this, it was now pretty much dark. Having been in this situation before there was still no need to get anxious. I needed a good private campsite.

Most land was fenced. Coming across a track i stopped to investigate, it was ideal, little used and private.

The  bike was pulled off the road.

Whilst checking it out, the two guys I was riding with spotted  me as they  rode past.

Shit, the only campsite seen and people knew I was there. I had to leave, it would have been impossible  to sleep. They  could have easily told someone  I was there.

It was now dark, some 4km up the road the lights of Jardim could be seen, I still kept looking for a site, al laws fenced.

It was to be another night in a hospedaje, arriving in town i asked around and found a place on a side street.

Sometime was spent in a little pharmacy where they said I could drink water from a chilled complimentary water bottle they had.

They owner showed me the room, it was large but looked like someone had just moved out, the hot water didn’t work. I tried to get him down on price but he would settle for no less than R30 that’s about $A15.

I took it. My options were limited.

Going to boil water it was found my Resistencia had ceased working, the element only warms. 

I have had this for nearly a year, it is used in all lodgings to heat water to save  on fuel .Tomorrow I will have to try to find a new one.

I really can’t do without one of these. It is so convenient for boiling water. It saves me a lot of stove fuel.

A cold shower was endured and a movie watched after a great tuna pasta concoction.

I slept fully clothed, not wanting to offer any possible bed bugs a full banquet. The pillows even had the smell of the previous occupant.

Oh well such are things one has to endure. It was raining outside I was dry and cosy.

Really it was all good .

Blanca and Celestino phoned me for a chat and to see how I was. They are such nice people.

Just reflecting on the day, having seen the Macaws and the Toucans, feelings of elation saw me fall asleep.

The person who occupied the room prior to me definitely wasn’t female!

PictureBlanca and Celestino, such wonderful helpful, humorous and friendly people.

PictureFirst night on the road, great of the owners to have me under here.

PictureReady to roll into Brasil, federal police station Punta Pora. Unfortunately with only a 60 day visa. Though able to extend it at any Federal Station

PictureHeading back to Bela Vista, PY for cheap accommodation, wet as a shag!

PictureRoadside trees had these guys in their branches.Ruta 60 Mato Grosso Dol Sul

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