Arraial d’Ajuda – Belmonte – 80 km ^67
A leisurely four-kilometre descent brought us to the ferry port, where a barge
ferried passengers and cars across. By then we had experienced numerous kinds of
crafts across countless rivers. Still, the sight of the overloaded barge didn’t instil a
great deal of confidence. Once on the opposite bank, our route continued past
palm-filled beaches with bright yellow plastic chairs.
As if one river crossing wasn’t enough, we came across another river where a barge
operated. On the opposite side, the road wound through a dense forest and past
remote beaches to Belmonte.
In Belmonte, a skipper approached us, offering us a ride across the mangrove
swamps to Canavieiras. A fee was negotiated, and arrangements were made to
meet at 8 o’clock the next morning (dearly hoping his craft would be seaworthy).
Our abode was a basic guesthouse at a budget price, and one couldn’t complain
about the lack of facilities.