Imagine red, sandy streets full of holes. Heat, dust, and high humidity. This is Oiapoque, for many years the northernmost township of Brazil. It looks like real frontier town. But the people smile here – not like in the French Guyana.
And I found in this exotic landscape a real jewel – it is small Floresta Hotel located on the riverfont. I stay there paying just 70 reales for a/c room with full breakfast. In the reception I found charming Melissa who speaks fluent English and is very helpful (I am not strong in Portugeese).
In the bank there is always long line but finally I recognized that this branch does not change money! And the mafia of money changers pays only 2,90 for 1 euro (official rate is 3,12). That´s the charm of the outback!
You can see many so called hotels here. Inside there are color ladies waiting for the one-night, paying partner from the other side of the border…
Who knows about river Oiapoque?? From the hotel terrace I have a great view of the river Qiapoque – It is biger and more powerful then Vistula – the biggest river of Poland. Long pirogues are sailing up and down. Some of them carry people who are mining gold in the streams – illegally. But in the town you can buy and easilily sell the gold – the price is around 67 reales per 1 g.
Tomorrow I plan to go south – to the equator by the only, muddy road. They say it is 600 kms and it will take 11-12 hours. New adventure awaits me! Keepyour fingers crossed please!
