Headed off south about 10am. As we got to the little town of Mostardas,
back on the yellow road, we got EC washed B$60 (A$25) finally got all
the dirt off the last month. We had meant to clean her before our
stay at the Sheraton but did not find a wash place.
Not sure if we’ll cross on ferry today or not. A camper passed us with horn blaring so assumed the guys from yesterday. As we arrived into Sao Jose do Norte we passed about 40 trucks parked in the middle of the street. Probably awaiting the ferry. We asked at a garage where to line up. The guy spoke quite good English so that made it easy. He showed us the line and we were told the ferry would be 2 hours. We got in the line and John started cooking lunch. The other camper parked 4 cars behind us. They had gone to the bank but the machine was empty. Seems like the cost of the ferry should be R$33. We only have R$107 but if bank is empty I guess we just hope. A young guy in the car behind us was very interested in EC and we chatted for a while. He was adamant that the roads in Brazil are the worst in the world. I tried to say that we had been on far worse in South America and a lot in Australia are not paved but he didn’t seem to agree….
We are getting the feeling that Brazilians are not proud of their country. Very unsafe, Lots of crime, roads of very poor quality; really quite strange… The slice of Brazil that we have seen exhibited impressive agriculture and friendly people.
We were half way through cooking lunch and needed to embark on ferry. A quick pack and drop lid, pay our R$100 (yes I forgot we were foreigners) and onto the ferry. It was interesting that two ferries were in; one for cars the other for trucks. Strange that all the trucks we saw in town were not on the truck ferry. Our car ferry was full but I don’t think the truck ferry was. Both ferries were driven by a tug lashed on alongside. Interesting. Once we were outside the small harbor the tug let go its stern warp and swung around so it was now going forwards and we were facing forwards. However, as the tugs bow was just a little in front of EC I needed to close my window so I didn't get wet. Finished cooking stir fry and we ate our pork curry rice and stir fry on the way across the inlet; about a 30min trip.
After the crossing to Rio Grande we found a bank, had to do a big circuit as no parking near by. Got some more cash as down to A$3. Then wondered out to the start of a breakwater channel that extends over 3.5km’s out into the ocean. There is another one on the other headland. There was no road on this side only rail so we sat on the beach watching numerous cars become bogged in the sand. Did the dishes and put EC to bed properly. It appeared that two guys make their living in helping the unwary out of the sand. Not sure what they charge but while we were there they helped about 4 cars out.
South again. We
needed to travel on the main highway with all the trucks but soon got
onto a white. Within the first 100m we started seeing wildlife.
Birds of all types some we were familiar with some we were not. A few
capybaras and one with 4 teenage.The road became a track then just grass but raised above the water. Lots of bird life we just kept stopping and at 5pm after 18kms we came to a shut gate so camped there the night. A lovely quiet night , surprisingly with no mosquito.