Sana Brazil Motorbike Road Trip North East

Posted on by exploramum

 

Sana Brazil Motorbike Road Trip North East

We are now on the 3rd day of our Road Trip and on our little 50cc motorbike we call “Dozer”.

Our host has suggested we go to Sana, an area with beautiful rivers, tributaries, and waterfalls. We have also been advised to visit some awesome places in the nearby towns. As she goes to work before 9 a.m., we have a fairly early start.

I have to say that our host had some great ideas. She writes a note that describes who we are and our mission, asking well-wishers to point directions to us rather than telling us since we do not speak or understand Portuguese.

We note which Route number (a bit like the USA numbered motorways) we are to travel on. Alas, they fail to put up signs on these roads. So we turn and travel away up a road out of town.

First, we stop a guy on a bicycle and show him the map. He promptly blabs off a string of directions, completely ignoring the fact that we have no knowledge of the Portuguese language! He, however, realizes this and we all laugh it off. So he shows us the direction by pointing towards it and off we go.

We are quite not sure if we are on the right road or if we have missed the right turns. I have to watch the rear view mirrors for trucks and buses and hit the side verge or stop as they come along. It is not wide enough and so they really cannot overtake unless I do this. Regardless of this, I realize that some drivers still try overtaking other trucks on this road.

We stop at a little town and realize that the man we show our note to can’t read. However, he finds a lovely lady who can’t read and she points us the route to take.
Unbeknown to me, this road is about to become an Auto-piste. Soon we will have to pay a toll to use it. We again make a stop and by luck find a man who speaks some little English. He tells us to make a turn after 13 km. The good thing is that the Auto-piste has a wide side lane with no bumps and so we can safely ride along with no problems from traffic.

We reach Casimiro de Abreu. Here we thought there would be places of interest. But we find none really. We do however get people pointing us in all sorts of directions.

We stop at a Self-Service Restaurant for lunch. There a man tells us he will guide us to the road to Sana. We just need to follow his car. He is great. We go over the main road, and soon find a road heading north. Instantly the temperature cools and the vegetation changes to lush green. We travel quite a way, and finally, reach the turn-off.

We go through a main-gate with an arch. We then head to Sana and have no idea it is so far, or that the road is terrible. Well, it is not a road. It is a rock & stone path – hardly a road.

It is a kidney shaking experience, where my arms ache from hanging on. We get to the town and it is pretty.

We head on for the waterfalls. Somehow the lock for the motorbike won’t work. I also note that although I have no fuel gauge, we are pretty much out of fuel. So off we walk to find the waterfall. Nearly all the shops are closed.

We go down a path that is barely wide enough for a car. The rocks on the road are so bad – I have passed a few tire businesses – now I know why!

We find the swimming waterhole – near the small cascade, and get ready for a swim.

We carry our helmets and clothes. First, my son slips on the rocks – no matter how careful we were – oh no – his knee – the skin has all shed off – again! Next just as I am telling him to be careful, down I go! I look down – the camera is no longer!

Oh dear – thank goodness for Travel Insurance – but this is a very good camera. I have a backup waterproof camera but the flash has died on that, so we head back.

We ask 3 people the directions we should take to get to a gas station. Everyone points to a different direction. We then learn that there is no gas station in town – yipes!

So we pull up at a small garage for motorbikes. Three men stand around and tell me I have no fuel – no kidding! I hold my ground and finally, one goes off and finds some. He brings back a 2 Litre Coke bottle. He charges me 10 Reais – now normally I can get 4 liters for less than this price, but frankly, I am just grateful. The alternative we had was to push the bike 40 km to the nearest station. So I smile, pass my money, and head off.

It is nearly 3.30 pm and we have a long ride back. But at least I know the way. We get fuel in the main town and we head home. Quite an interesting day! Glad to be staying with a lovely family.

Questions and Comments
  • Have you been to any South American state before?
  • How do you find their culture?
  • What Fascinates you about Brazil?
  • Do you know of the amazing Sana in Brazil?
  • What memories do you have from the place?
  • Do share your comments with us below.

 

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