Riding south last year I had Ushuaia as a goal. Crossing Colombia from Cartagena, I kept to the west through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia (blog at www.simongandolfi.com). Though without a plan, I did feel a sense of direction. Heading back north this year, I am commited to Brazil. I keep looking at the maps. The country is so vast. Frankly, the vastness scares me - as if entering a huge swamp. How do you find your way out? I read and it gets worse: so many MUST SEES! Aged 74, I don't have unlimited time. I can't leave Ushuaia until early July and have promised to reach my daughter's home in Duchess County for Christmas. Freezing weather to freezing weather! I think that I can deal with the cold and OLD MEN CAN'T WAIT. I need help with Brazil. I want to visit the Jesuit colonies in Bolivia then cross into Brazil. I do want to visit the Honda factory in Manaus - birthplace of my 125 Cargo. My main passions are colonial architecture, shrimp and leisurely conversation. My hates are large cities and slithery dirt roads. What routes would travellers with experience of Brazil suggest?

Simon,
Where are you now?

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Robson Giovanni Parisoto.
Fortaleza dos Bruxos Moto Grupo
Visite: http://fortalezadosbruxos.blogspot.com
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Jaborá, SC - Brasil
Fone: +55 (49) 9104-5536
GPS: 27° 10.445' S 51° 44.107' W

Simon.

My favorite are natural wonders, especially water, but as a teacher of Architecture I do like colonial style stuff. And of course I love just talking to people, so Brazil is great in that area! With the shrimp I can't help you as my only travels in Brazil had to do with the interior, but I can recommend a few places:

Bonito - one day southeast from Corumba, Brazil/Puerto Suarez, Bolivia and two days from Foz. An incredible group of underwater caverns and rivers, clear water and huge fish. This was recommended by the Brazilian aduana people at the border as the "most beautiful place in Brazil".

Foz - Yes, when the crowds are there it seems a bit like Disney, but look past them and it is fantastic. Forget the Brazilian side, stay on the Arg. side in Puerto Iguazu. It is an old colonial city.

Sete Quedas - Rio Verde, Mato Grosso - a very simple, yet warm resort beside a series of 7 waterfalls and natural pools.

Vila Bela da Santissima - A wonderful little town with alot of black heritage. It sits just below the Jungle plateau that Coronel Percy Faucett, the surveyor of the Bolivian/Brazilian border a century ago described in his journals. picked up by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as the inspiration of his "Lost World".

Manaus - There "old feel" and the architecture is AMAZING from the rubber boom times. Food is great too!

See some descriptions and fotos of these places in my blog at Around the Block 2007 |

Happy Travels, Toby (charapa)

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http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'