(^96) Praia Stella Maris – Praia do Forte - 64 km
At the guesthouse were two Polish guys competing in the Brazil Ride. They had
been to South Africa to ride the famous Cape Epic earlier in the year. Being cyclists,
they were intrigued by our adventure and chatted for quite a while.
The road was kind to Amanda, and we slinked into Praia do Forte without any
incidents. Still, it was surprising to find such a touristy place. Praia do Forte was a
tiny village well known for its turtle conservation. Curio stalls selling turtle
paraphernalia lined the streets. Unfortunately, guesthouses jacked up their prices
accordingly, and it took riding around before locating the least expensive of the
bunch.
Praia do Forte – Baixio - 78 km
The route was flat, but Amanda found the heat debilitating. She felt faint and
unsteady but, following a few rest stops, managed to continue. The people of Brazil
were incredibly kind. While resting at a petrol station, a kind gentleman befriended
us. He presented us with a lovely pair of silver earrings. His card indicated he was a
jeweller. How kind of him.
Though hot, little option remained but to continue, and eventually we found a
turnoff to a beach. Not knowing what to expect, we biked the eight kilometres and
discovered the tiny fishing settlement of Baixio. A ground-floor room along a sandy
path from which we could access hammocks and a pizzeria was precisely what was
needed. The pizzas we ordered were surprisingly good, thin-based accompanied by
heaps of toppings - my favourite. Amanda passed out under the not-so-useful fan
and stayed there for the remainder of the day.
leana
(Leana)
#1