Day 162 - Another flat Tire

(Ursula) I had a restless night's sleep. Heinz and I suffer from diarrhea; unfortunately, Ute's condition hasn't improved either.

We took the necessary steps to address the issue. We disposed of the suspect drinking water from yesterday and disinfected the tank using chlorine tablets. Meanwhile, we must boil the water before using it or opting for tea and coffee. This may be challenging due to our dwindling cooking fuel supply.

As we reached the border between Amazonas and Mato Grosso, we encountered an officer dressed in gym shorts and a white undershirt conducting a car inspection. We were uncertain about what he was searching for, but everything seemed in order, except for the fact that we had yet another flat tire.

The vulcanized seam of the inner tube had come apart, but luckily, we found a replacement at a nearby tire shop. This marked the fourth flat tire in just three days, a testament to the rough terrain and the potential presence of construction debris on these dirt roads. Or was the debris placed purposely?

Today's drive seemed long. The landscape became hillier, resembling La Grand Sabana in Venezuela more than the lush rainforest. The road was riddled with potholes and corrugated sections that sent vibrations through our bodies with every bump.

We were relieved when darkness fell, and we finally located a place to spend the night. It was a welcome opportunity to stretch my aching limbs!

Travel Stats: 129 miles - Expenses $1.20Read more