Feet in the sand
NEAR TAIBA, PARACURU AND COMBUCO
Around the World Restaurant and Inn • Eco-Odge Inn • Waves, Kitesurfing, Kitefoiling, Wingfoiling • Events (Pre-Wedding, Wedding, Birthday)
WE GO KITE
Our history
Nowadays it's very easy to travel. There are many means of transport, but in my opinion, to better explore countries and for the comfort of the whole family, the most suitable option is a motorhome. On board you have everything you can imagine: TV, stove, refrigerator, microwave, hot water in the shower, beds, bathroom, etc.... Just check that the engine is working properly and hit the road.
Our journey began on May 21, 1996. We left Fortaleza, via Brasília, for Miami in the United States, after selling everything we had in Gijoca (house, guesthouse, etc.). In Miami, we bought a motorhome, that is, a fully equipped truck. A real home, even more so than some houses! The engine is a Chevrolet diesel, 1982, 8 cylinders, automatic transmission, 4 batteries, a 4500W propane gas generator, which allows for 15 hours of autonomy with air conditioning. The living area is very well thought out: 3 beds to accommodate 5 people, wardrobes, bathroom, shower with hot water, sink, toilet, kitchen equipped with stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, extractor fan, 2 sinks and ample cupboards. And there's more: tinted windows with mosquito nets and a fire alarm. It was in perfect condition. Now that we are equipped, the adventure can begin! Crossing 18 countries: USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. It was 75,000 km, 140,000 liters of diesel, 200 liters of oil, 52 hours spent at border checkpoints, and only one flat tire! What a marvel!
We've reached the southernmost city in the world: Ushuaia.
We climbed to the highest point on the continent's border in Bolivia, isolated in the Andes Mountains at 4,670 m.
We crossed war-torn borders in Peru and Ecuador. Military convoys were blocking the roads. The colonel honored us by visiting us inside the motorhome when we arrived at the border. He found our adventure quite interesting.
We traveled alongside the military on the roads of Colombia to avoid conflict with the guerrillas.
We had problems at the Panamanian border because of our dog, which we got in Canada. He was quarantined, even though he had all the vaccinations required by law. They are very strict about animals, even too strict!
We had the same problem in Chile. We were only missing a document from Peru, stating that the dog was in good health. The documents from the other 10 countries were of no help! We had to go back to Peru and force open the door of the Ministry of Agriculture, which was locked because the employee didn't have the key.
Many memories, many photos, films, and truly, a unique adventure that we want to repeat again and again.
In 2007 (March to May), we repeated the adventure on the Australian continent. During the long flight, we made a stopover in South Africa for a safari in Kruger Park. Another unique experience: walking among wild animals such as lions, giraffes, panthers, elephants crossing the road in front of us, rhinoceroses, hippos, baboons hitting the car window, birds, etc... We slept the night in a loggia surrounded by monkeys in an area protected by a fence over 5 meters high, to avoid unpleasant encounters with jaguars and lions! It's worth visiting. The children loved seeing the animals in their natural habitat.
A few days later, we continued our trip to Australia. Renting a motorhome there is much cheaper than renting a 4x4 in Brazil! We traveled along the east coast from Sydney to Cairns. We snorkeled in the world's largest coral reef: the Great Barrier Reef, where we saw a huge variety of fish in clear (and somewhat cold) water. We were surprised to find numerous birds on the roads, such as cockatoos, lovebirds, parakeets, black parrots, and many other beautiful birds! The Australian people are friendly and hospitable, similar to Brazilians!
In 2010, we went to France because the children wanted to see snow, as they had never seen it before! We skied in the Southern Alps. Dylan loved it, but Lana didn't like the cold!
In 2012, we continued our adventure to discover a new continent: Asia. We stayed in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Wonderful countries where a sense of security remains. There are no walls or fences. They don't like thieves and greatly respect tourists, where everything is planned to satisfy them quickly. The cost of living is very cheap. Unique landscapes and architecture. We rode elephants, a symbol of Thailand, where they are highly respected.