Cruise on the Amazon

21.10.2013 - 23.10.2013
The Journey: Macapa - Belem (by ferry- 502 km).



The capital of the region of Amapa is Macapa, with 368 thousand inhabitants,


One of the main attractions is the Castle, built in 1782 - Fortaleza de São José do Macapa. Stones for the construction have been brought from Portugal.


The fort is one of the largest in Brazil.


And the city of Macapa is crossed by the Equator.


An entire complex has been built on the Equator, here on the first floor is info for tourists, then you can watch a short film about celebration of the Equator in Macapa, and there is also a souvenir shop. But no tourists are seen within half an hour




Macapa is located on the north shore of the Amazon River and there is no connection by land with the rest of Brazil – The Amazonas is in between, and again it was time to start looking for the ferry using option.

These are several companies who transport trailers between Macapa and Belem and to have two small vehicles with was said not to be any problem but many did not want any passengers on board. In short, after an one-hour long search we were lucky to find a barge that was leaving on the same day, they were ready to take over both – the cars and the passengers, and food was supposed to be in the price as well.
GPS S0 00.112 W051 12.010


The trailers are placed close to each other and spare pace with the size of two trailers will be left at the first end of the barge.




Then you can drive on board.


Another hour of waiting until the rise begins and then off we go.


A tow pushes the barge further on.




A view from the captain`s bridge. All together there should be place for 35 trailers, with 7 ones side by side, and this way 5 lines, but this time there are also a couple of smaller vehicles.










The ticket price includes two meals a day. The tug that pushes the barge has all the conveniences, including showers and a kitchen. Dinner is a five a clock and breakfast - in the morning.


In the restaurant of the ferry. The main course for both evening and morning, of course, is "Rice and Beans". In addition the chicken and a salad, and manioc, etc.

Like everywhere else in Brazil the food is well prepared, and there it is enough of it. Early in the morning there is a large thermos of coffee in the kitchen and a freshly baked big cake.


Sweet treats consist of healthy Açaí palm fruit drinks, there is probably about 5 liters of it in the refrigerator.




At the stern of the ship there is a grill.


And another important room, with a shower


Between in the middle-standing trailers there was left empty space of about one meter wide.


Sunset in the Amazon.


Darkness comes quickly, as usual, near the Equator. The barge moves in the dark, thanks to the navigability, but attention will also be paid to safety.

A member of the crew is at the front of the barge when it is dark. Why ? There are pirates in this area – was the response. Fortunately this crew has not been in contact with them, but always should be ready for everything. However, the night passed peacefully.


The river here is like the main street in town, all the traffic and all the life functions along the river. There are a few houses by the river.


The whole villages...


Sawmill...




The people get around in boats























This is not the main harbor, but a lot more remote place




Having reached Belém the barge will be slowly maneuvered closer to the shore, and fixed with ropes to the quay.




By 12 o`clock we have got our cars off the barge. The river-crossing of this time was 502 kilometers and lasted 43 hours.


GPS trail on the map .


In Belem it is necessary to visit briefly car service as one detail needs replacing. The entire procedure takes about twenty minutes, and the price is 30 Reais (9.80 euros). I had the necessary detail with me.


Very likely it was the original, from 1987, and it lasted 390 thousand kilometers. Certainly it would have been in use a lot longer if I had not driven for the last three years along Africa and South America. Well, let`s see how long the new piece made in Argentina will withstand.

Belem is a great city with a population of two million, an area of 1070 km2, but more about it in the next post.