When we had our motorbike shipped on the 14th October from Panama to Brazil, we did not realize, that it would take nearly 3 months for it to arrive in Salvador da Bahia. That is why, most of our travelling through Brazil was done by bus and air, except towards the end, from Salvador to Paraguay.
Our first destination in Brazil was Manaus, from where we boarded a riverboat going west along the Rio Solimoes to Tefe. The sustainable development reserve “Mamiraua”, was a good place to start our adventure to the Amazon and see the protected flooded forests and the indigenous people living there. Accompanied by guides, whilst trekking, we spotted many mammals, birds, pink river dolphins and caimans.
Fortaleza did not impress us, but it was a good starting point to reach the wonderful coastal destinations to its west. We liked Lagoinha, a very scenic beach lined with cliffs, dunes and palm trees. Jericoacoara, or “Jeri” was one of our favourite places, with Its towering sand dunes, deserted beaches and cactus covered cliffs. The Pedra Furada, a rock
arch by the sea was very atmospheric.
The Delta do Parnaiba, the largest river delta of the world and the Parque Nacional Lencois Marahenses, a coastal desert of vast shifting dunes, were a must on our itinerary. Sao Luis, with its colonial buildings and ceramic tiled houses was an old slave port which still has a large black population.
Olinda, the old capital of Brazil (UNESCO World Heritage), a very charming old town with beautifully restored colonial buildings and colourful houses, had stunning views to neighbouring Recife. We enjoyed staying in Maragogi and Japaratinga, two authentic fishing villages south of Recife, with clear turquoise water and natural pools near the reefs. Whilst waiting for the arrival of our motorbike in Salvador da Bahia, we experienced its rich African influence, lazed on its beautiful beaches and strolled in its well restored old town called Pelourinho. The Brazilians say: “God made the world in six days; the seventh he devoted to Rio de Janeiro”. Well, a little exaggerated, but it is a very scenic city, with tumbling green mountains, sugar loaf hills and snow white beaches. The rest of our trip along the Costa Verde, we travelled by bus on the coastal highway 101 to the colonial settlement of Parati, the prettiest town that we visited in Brazil. It was fun spending Christmas on the Ilha Grande, an un-spoilt island covered with tropical forest, sticking out of an emerald sea. On our 3’200 km motorbike journey from Salvador da Bahia to Paraguay, we passed the capital Brasilia, then drove through extensive farmland, untouched forests and savannahs.

Itinary
Manaus, Tefe, Nationalpark Mamiraua, Tefe, Manaus, Fortaleza, Paracuru, Langoinha, Paraipaba, Gijoca, Jericoacoara, Camocim, Parnaiba, Tutoia, Barreirinhas, Lencois Marahenses, Cabure, Sao Luis, Caxia, Fortaleza, Aracati, Canoa Quebrada, Recife, Olinda, Porto de Galhinas, Maragogi, Japaratinga, Aracaju, Salvador da Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, Angra dos Reis, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Oliveira dos Brejinhos, Anapolis, Brasilia, Rio Verde, Campo Grande,
Ponte Pora

Preparing the BMW for shipment to Brazil