BRAZIL

Crossing into Brazil from Uruguay was the easiest border of the trip.  There were no lines, no corruption, and no inspections.  The Brazilian officials just looked at the passports and took a few minutes to issue a vehicle import permit.  From there Pat and Debora headed north and spent their first night near Pelotas on the shore of Lagoa Dos Patos.  They swam in the giant lagoon and cooked a meal on the tailgate, then strolled around town at night before climbing into the back of the truck to sleep.  In the morning they cooked breakfast in the same fashion then sat drinking cups of coffee in the car and watched locals passing by on the beachside walkway.  About 1 out of every 3 people turned their heads in confusion and awe when they noticed the front California license plate.

MOUNTAIN TOWNS

CANELA

GOTHIC CHURCH

After driving north past Porto Alegre, they headed up into the hills winding their way through beautiful lush jungle scenery.  The next stops were Gramado and Canela, two charming tourist towns with prevalent Scandinavian influences.  Pat and Deb slept in Gramado then toured both towns the following day admiring the European architecture, then they returned to the coast with their sights set on Florianopolis.  By afternoon they were crossing the large bridge over onto the island and soon parked for the night in one of the little surf towns on the southern end.  They visited several beautiful beaches in the morning.  One involved a hike for several miles through the jungle before arriving on an isolated stretch of sand where the wild surf offered Pat some thrilling rides on his belly.  After hiking back to town, they bought lunch at a beachfront restaurant where Pat got his first taste of Brazilian buffet.  Then they made their way north along the island to the famous Praia Da Joaquina where Pat got his first view of a beach full of Brazilian butts.  They spent one more night on the island, visited a few more beaches and towns, and then crossed back to the mainland where they did more of the same as they headed north along the coast.  

FLORIANOPOLIS

SHORT HIKE TO THIS DESERTED BEAUTIFUL BEACH

FISHING BOATS

Satisfied with their beach adventure for the time being, they drove inland again to check out a town called Blumenau.  There they visited its Germanic Village and bought delicious ales from the brewery (their first "real" beers since San Diego U.S.A.).  Next stop was Ilha Do Mel, a small island off the coast requiring a short ferry ride from the town of Pontal Do Sul.  They left the car in town, hopped on a boat, and headed for the island where they hiked around visiting attractions such as the historic fort, jungle villages, and more beaches.   

LAGOA DA CONCEIÇÅO

BLUMENAU

FIRST DELICIOUS BEERS IN A WHILE

Next came the city of Curitiba where Debora had friends who offered them a place to stay.  Andrea, Andre, and their son Ian spoiled Deb and Pat rotten with delicious food, drink, showers, and a bedroom (their first in 35 nights since Bolivia).  With such great company and accommodations it was hard to leave, so they stayed for 4 nights enjoying their stay.  Before they left, Andrea, Andre and Sirley contacted a journalist friend who offered Pat and Debora an interview with the Curitiba news station Record TV regarding their long journey.  The offer was accepted with excitement.  They also got to visit the Record TV studio and transfer selected video from Pat's camera to add to the story.  On their last day in Curitiba they conducted the interview and then left for Sao Paulo after saying goodbye to their gracious hosts.
interview for the brazilian TV channel Record Parana

ILHA DO MEL - HONEY ISLAND IN THE SOUTH

WITH ANDRE

ANDREA, IAN AND SOME YUMMY SOUP

On March 4th 2011, after 147 days on the road, and about 24,500 miles on the car, Debora and Pat entered one of the largest cities in the world, Sao Paulo.  At about midnight they rolled into Debora's hood in the Zona Leste where her family had been waiting 6 years for her return.  Her mom and little brother were the first to greet them at the door of the apartment.  Hugs and kisses ensued, and many more preceded over the next few days as Debora's many family members welcomed them with Feijoada, Caiprinhas, BBQs and more.  It was Carnival as well, so everyone was on holiday.  This marked the end of Pat and Debora's adventure of a lifetime.  

P.S. Well kind of... there are still a bunch of  loose ends to tie up.  But THE ROAD-TRIP is officially over.  There will however be at least one more post to come.

CHAMPIONS' CARNIVAL PARADE

SIRLEY, DEBORA AN RAQUEL

BREAKING OF THE DAWN