Nothing indicated in the morning that today would be the first really adventurous, difficult and critical day of the journey. I had located a small village just off the highway and decided this to be today’s destiny at about 300 km from Macapá. I got quickly out of the city and continued on what I considered to be one of the best asphalted roads I have driven in Brazil. Furthermore the nature was panoramic, was extraordinary, was beautiful and it was just fun to drive with no traffic whatsoever. I did not believe these conditions, especially on the far northern end of the country. I drove, enjoyed and did not think much further.

When it was about time for the village to appear, without warning or signal and out of nowhere, the asphalt stopped in the middle of the rainforest and as far as I could see red gravel road. After every hilltop you were expecting the beginning of the asphalted road again, but kilometer by kilometer passed and no change, the opposite, the road had some enormous potholes, muddy parts, narrow parts, small wooden bridges, furthermore no contact, hardly a car around, no village, nobody to ask. 50 km, 70 km, 100 km and no asphalt. The only thing that was for sure was the direction, I was going right, but had passed now my stop for today and I had to continue. I did not see a turning for my village in this jungle and I am sure there was none.

After some scary bridge repair work I came to a restaurant, had a drink and asked for gas, just in case. I had 10 liter reserve in the trunk but did not want to use if there is a chance to buy. The answer was no gas, but maybe in 10 km. Another stop, no gas and I considered the option to fill my own 10 liter reserve, opened the tank and asked a pick-up driver to borrow me his hose. After a small talk he assured me that there is another 60 km of gravel and 50 km to get to the border. My computer said I had gas for another 150 km, so I cancelled the refill and continued.

After 60 km the asphalt appeared in the same way he had disappeared and after another 50 km the border city appeared. I made it; after some critical driving and gas speculation. The ferry would go the next day in the morning and I still had to organize some money and fill the tank. I came to the gas station and looked after my reserve as the car started to get smelly a bit and there it was, a small hole in the reserve tank and I had lost about a liter in the trunk. I asked for quick help and the assistant opened the tank, laughed at me and told me that there was no tank lid. I had forgotten the lid at the last restaurant in the jungle. My head had been somewhere else. I do not know if my head was with the road conditions, the reserve tank, the smell of gas in the car, with the border controls, the ferry costs, back home with friends and family. I miss all of you that I know for sure.

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.

The assistant filled the tank and he resolved the lid with a kitchen towel wrapped in a plastic bag and stuffed in the tank entrance. I asked for a used parts dealer and went straight to him and about five minutes later I had a new lid, even with keys to lock, which I did not have before. I hope that I will get some sleep tonight.

For a small understanding of the days travel, I have included a Google Earth map. The red pins mark the locations I have stopped and taken pictures. At the bottom of the page you will find a link for all the pictures I have taken. The link will open in a Google+ Album.

Please click on map to enlarge!!!

See map and distances / Siehe Karte und Entfernungen / Ver mapa e distâncias / Ver mapa y distancias

0 km                     Macapá

115 km                 Porto Grande

140 km                 Ferreira Gomes

215 km                 Tartarugaozinho

280 km                 Amapa

565 km                 Oiapoque

Please click on “View Album” to see pictures in a Google+ Album.