Thanks for taking the time to post such detailed info. I'll be there this time next year.

Nice one.

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ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

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I've just posted a video to complement my original post showing the road conditions on the BR156 as well as sharing information on how to organise a boat from Belem to Macapa.

YouTube - Brainrotting Extras: Crossing Amazon by Boat: Belem to Macapa & Road Conditions on BR156 Oiapoque

easyg, you did well with 40 Reais for the ride to French Guiana.

I got them down to 50 Rs for everything, but when I showed up with the bike they wanted an extra 30 Rs. It took 5 guys to lift the KTM into and out of the canoe and that extra 30 Rs paid the extra hands. However, the guys took great care with my bike and I appreciated that so I thought it was money well spent.

80 Rs was still a bargain as the proper ferry wanted 200 Euros, fixed price!!!!!!! Wow, 200 Euros for a 10 minute ride with a moto..............insane! So, I quickly started chatting and bargaining with the guys that drive the motorized canoes.

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200 euros???? I took the barge, not the launchas, and I believe I paid 30 or maybe 35 euros. It sure wasn't anything close to 200. Maybe they had no one else going when you were there, or maybe that's the car/truck price.

Whatever, you're across. I'm going to try to find a street map of Cayenne later to see if I can remember where the insurance agent I used was located. I sure don't remember the name, but I think I might be able to direct you to him.

Always something, right? Probably you don't want to hang around forever in Cayenne, but the Devil's Island trip and Space Center are worth a look.

enjoy,

Mark

Thanks Mark. I will be here for a while anyway as I have to wait until Monday to collect my passport from the Suriname Consulate.

Space Center and Devil's Island is on my list for sure.


Met up with Drad as well. Great guy, for a Canadian.

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Mmm. My condolences if you're really hung up until Monday. They used to give same-day service--is that over and done?

Alright, here's my best wild guess about the agent I used for insurance: On either Avenue Pasteur or Avenue Voltaire, just to the east of Blvd Jubelin, on the north side of the street. Note that I'm not at all sure about this, but that's the best I could dredge up out of my sludgy memory banks. I also came across a little scrap of paper which reads "Ca2P Courtage/29 Ave Voltaire," which might be significant....or not.

Where'd drad get his insurance? The country's only a couple of hours wide, and as best I recall no one demanded insurance from me until I got to the ferry to Suriname.

One last piece of unsolicited advice: try not to arrive anyplace looking for lodging during mid-day, since most places seem to close up shop during the hot afternoons. There's nothing quite like having nothing to do, no place to go, and no secure parking while wearing full armor in 99.9% humidity.

enjoy,

Mark

No more same day service for Suriname. They hand you a form telling you when to pick up your passport and tell you not to even try to come before that date and time. They were all quite testy and unfriendly at the consulate. I waited for 4 hours, then the lady didnt like the way my photo looked so she said I had to go get a new one (the previous one i got at the same place this morning) but she said I had a grin on my face and that was not acceptable. So, with a smile and a merci, I did what she asked and came back, only to wait another 2 hours to just hand her my new photo. Another hour after that she attached the photo to my paperwork and told me to wait. So, right before the consulate closed at 2 pm, I was invited to pay 140 dollars for my visa. No cash, only MC or Visa accepted, and she sent me off with a scowl. Strange stuff.

There seemed to be quite a few unhappy people waiting around at the consulate. I thought it was interesting.

A very polite British guy had been there for 2 weeks trying to get his visa with no luck. For some reason, they didnt like how many countries he had visited previous to Suriname. He got quite some entertainment from watching what happened to me throughout the day.

Ah, Ca2p. Yes.They dont sell by the month anymore. All the places now only sell by the year and its about 800 euros for a policy. Several places say that they used to sell by the month a few months ago, but not anymore.

I will figure out something.......

All the same, thanks for your help Mark, truly appreciated.

Vince

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