Arrived in Ouro Preto and the town is in pre Carnaval stage. Very busy and road closures and detours. Found our campground and walked in to town after 5pm. as it is very hot.

Again lots of history here. We visited one mine and as the entrance fee was 25 Reales I said in German to Norbert that I did not want to pay such a high fee ($10) as I have seen many mines before.

To my surprise a very Brazilian looking young man said in perfect german that this mine is well worth a tour as this mine did not use any explosives and it is a guided tour. Turns out he was born in France, mother German and father Brazilian and owner of the mine. So Leo Linke (his name) did the tour with us and translated for me. Thank you Leo Linke. The streets are very steep and to go from one site to the next is like doing the Grouse Grind and add 39+ degrees, and at the end a 3km. walk back to camp. 

Tomorrow we will drive to Rio, as we were invited and given tickets to the famous Carnaval in Rio Parade by Thibaut whom we met at the waterfalls. Or friends Andre and Marcia who are Brazilian and live in Toronto went to great lengths to find us a place in Rio where we can park the Blue Wonder and sleep in it. No small feat in Rio. Thank you Andre and Marcia for without your help we would not have been able to go. Amazing how things work out. So off to Rio tomorrow Feb. 14th.

Hugs to all 

Norbert and Greti    

Pictures to follow.

Just to show the dimension of the door,

San Joao del Rei

Ouro Preto 

Spectacular views

Yes we did walk this in 30+ heat

Leo Linke our translator at Mina Du Veloso

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From Paraty we drove to Angra dos Reis and gave the town a short visit, Norbert remembers the bay from the late 1960's but in the past 48 years it has changed. There are now 2 nuclear power plants and a 3rd. Under construction. The views of the islands are beautiful but many of the beaches are not open to the public. 

We then went to Volta Rodonda as we were told that we could get our propane tank filled there,

not so, we were sent all over town but could not find a filling station. So on we went to Barbasena where we found a level parking for the nite. Today we went to Tiradentes, a very historic mining town, with lots of antique stores and artisan work. If it was not for the cars, one would feel transported back in time. Had lunch and in that small restaurant met one man from California and 3 young ladies from Portland Oregon. The girl from Portland was surprised to see us as she was told a few days ago of a camper that drove all the way from Canada.

On the drive out of town a car passed us and a girl waived her Canadian drivers license and jelled "I am also Canadian". We are now in São João del Rei, another historic mining town with a big university and famous for its Churches. We are parked on campus with permission of the faculty. Did the walking tour of the tourist spots and are now ready for a good sleep. Our next stop is Ouro Preto.

Pictures to follow

Hugs to all

Norbert and Greti

We went just a little further and turned around, 

The islands before Angra dos Reis

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Not only humans seek refuge in a church,

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Marco and Pricillia showed us the special places around Barro Uno and we spent a nice morning together, too bad it was cloudy but the views were spectacular. Thank you Marco and Pricillia. 

Our next stop was Praya Pauba, very small, not even on the map but a fantastic beach. There we met Yvonne, born in Brazil and speaks perfect Swiss, German and English. Yvonne was so kind to invite us to her home for a shower, could not get to her house with the Blue Wonder as her driveway is the steepest I have ever seen, so she took me in her car.

Then on to Paraty where we again had a perfect spot right at the beach and next to the pedestrian only part of the historic town. Got WiFi from the french restaurant even after hours. As we drove in to Paraty a gentleman stopped us an offered us help if we needed translating, he is from Alberta and now lives in Rio.

We did a boat tour of the surrounding islands, then had a wonderful meal at Allan's the french restaurant. There we met another overlander originally from Farce who departed from french Guyana and are traveling with 2.5 year old Naia. After breakfast with Allan we headed for Cumha which is on the original gold road, ( estrada real) we were advised that the road is in poor condition, but after the roads in Peru we thought how bad can it be, so we went. Had to turn around after 25 km. it was that bad, but as a reward we found a waterfall with good pools for bathing, there we met Thibaut and he invited us to Rio and offered us tickets to the Carnival Parade next Sunday.we will see if we can make it there. It will be hard to find a secure place to park, let alone camp.

So far Brazil has been tops, the scenery, vegetation, beaches, all is stunning and the people wonderful. We are now parked at a Shell station and the nuclear power plant of Angro dos Rais. 

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti

 Pictures to follow.

Fisherman in Paranagua but will also take you to the different Islands

Harbour Paranagua

Everything grow on everything Marretes 

Morretes our nice camping spot.

so many different plants on one Palmtree

Morrestes

abundance of flowers

Our fafrite camping spot on the river in Morretes and free

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A topical downpour in Brazil 

Marco and Pricilla who prepared the best Crepes 

Some of the friendly Brazilians on the Ferry

Ferry

exotic spices and candies

Drove from Curitiba to Paranagua, did not stay long as it is a main shipping port and busy and smelly. Then went to Morretes,where we found a nice spot along the river and decided to call it a day as it is very hot and humid. What a lovely town with lots of cobblestone streets and historical buildings. Met Marcia who lived in Florida USA for 15 years and spoke fluent english. She had seen our camper parked in Paranagua where she works and was surprised to see it parked close to her house. She invited us to her house to use WiFi and we had a nice visit. That nite was a heavy rainstorm, next morning the river had doubled in size. The flora and fauna is   incredible, here in Brazil everything grows and it grows on everything.

Our next stop was Itanhaem where we camped at Camping Club Brazil. It was cloudy and the beach empty. Today we had heavy rain all day, heavy traffic and again flooded roads.

Took the ferry to  Bertioga, only a 15 minute crossing. Everyone on the ferry came over to talk to us and take pictures, Bruna, a university student spoke very well english, and did some translating for me. All wanted to see the camper inside. Even met an exchange student from New Brunswick, she also was surprised to see a BC plate and the Canada flag.

Now we are parked at a Shell station across from a food fair where you can get all kinds of food from different parts of the world.

Marcos saw our camper and came over to talk to us, he had spent 3 years in Australia and is fluent in english. He and Precillia have a crepe stand at the fair. For tomorrow we are invited to his home and he will take us to see the special places there. Again but not surprising anymore, how open and friendly people are.

Hugs to all. PS Pictures to follow when better WiFi

Norbert and Greti 

 San Francisco Do Sul has many historic buildings, with narrow streets and no place to camp.so as we walked the town we fount a place were thy were renovating a house that has a very big, fenced in parking at the front. So Norbert asked the workers if we could park there for the night, and no problem, we could stay for as long as we wanted for free. Lady luck sure shines on us, thank you. 

We are now in Curitiba with secure parking of a Hotel were we pay 30 Reales ($6.00) for 24 hours and can sleep in the Van. We are one block away from the International bus and train station and all shopping, in the centre of town. We booked a night bus to Foz Du Iguaçu and from  there took  a local bus to Porto Iguazu in Argentina and visited the Falls on the Argentinian side and stayed in a hotel there. Next morning per Taxi to the falls on the Brazil side. There is always the question which side do you like better, my honest answer is thy are both awesome. The brazil side was very crowded but we did get to all the important spots. Took the night bus back to Curitiba and arrived at 5:30 am. The

Blumenau

our new friends in Blumenau, thank you Charles for you help with my email.

San Fransico do Sul

Our private camping spot in San Francisco do Sul

night busses are semi sleeper, and you can stretch out well to sleep. I have to mention that the public toilets in Brazil are the best so far on our whole trip, very clean with toilet paper and soap dispenser and paper towel and no smell.

If one judges a country by its very friendly people, super clean washrooms, fantastic beaches, interesting history and natural beauty, then Brazil is high on the list. 

Hugs to all

Norbert and Greti

PS. Thank you all for the Birthday wishes for Norbert.

Just added some extra pictured to catch up.

Beach in Florianapoles, old and new.

Tourist office in Joinville, very helpful staff.

The bananas are so heavy that thy keel over,

Curitiba, again Norbert gets asked how he drove from Canada to Brazil.

Garganta del Diablo, Devil's throat. Iguazu Falls



Yes it was crowded but still impressive

old town Curitiba

Curitiba

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Which bus to take?

Interesting bus system, you pay at the entrance of the tube to get on the bus.