So I made the last part of the trip solo and had a good time of it. I could have made the drive from Sao Luis to Belem in two days and one night but I found myself trying to stretch out every last bit of the drive. I didn’t want the time with Coco to end. So I found a random dirt road on the map…one I was sure would slow me down, and headed for it knowing that it would delay me enough so that I would have to spend one more night with Coco before arriving in the city.
It was almost dark and I had been on this dirt road for an hour and had seen no safe place to pull off and park for the night. I was beginning to get a little perturbed when I caught myself and decided to think positive, I took a deep breath and visualized myself finding a spot that would be suitable for parking. And I swear, not 30 seconds later I saw a smaller dirt road that split off the larger one I was on…a promising lead. So I turn down the road which is flanked on either side by rows and rows of palm trees that evidently used to be a palm plantation but that had been neglected, allowing the jungle to begin retaking what was rightfully hers….
And at the end of the road…I find the PERFECT spot to sleep for the night! The most random thing ever to find a big well kept soccer field in the middle of nowhere! Literally the nearest house must have been a kilometer away and the nearest town another 5 kilometers! So that is how I found Coco’s final camping ground…
So I spent a pleasant night alone. Made myself a caipahrina, lit some candles, put on some music and cooked a nice dinner. I thought about all the things I would miss about life on the road in Brazil, the sunsets, the roadside fruit, waking up to see a new landscape everyday and just the thrill, the feeling of being a foreigner behind the wheel in a strange land, its almost as if you are doing something forbidden, something incredible. I also thought of all the things I would not miss, the speed bumps, the mango fibers in my teeth, the sweat, the mosquitoes. And so it was…my last night in Coco.
I made a little video documenting the occasion…not so riveting so feel free to skip it but for those who want to watch it here it is….
From day one I made a rule that everyone who rode in Coco, even if it were just for one kilometer, had to commemorate the occasion by adorning themselves with tiger ears and a clown nose. I mentioned in a previous post that I often stopped to pick up random locals on the side of the road who flagged us down thinking that Coco was a transport vehicle. The locals we picked up were given a choice if they wanted to participate in our “photography project” or not…all but one or two agreed and everyone sported the gear with big smiles, probably wondering how their day had taken such a strange turn to find themselves wearing a clown nose in the back of a Volkswagen bus full of gringos. These people along with friends, couchsurfers, and other travelers who I randomly met on the road were those lucky enough to float (and bounce) down the highway on Coco’s steel haunches. Without Coco I probably would never have met or come into contact with most of these people. And so, a farewell to Coco from all of her friends….
Tchau Coco!
And so, I cruised into a Belem on March 2nd, my final port of call, where a new “adventure” of registering Coco at the Department of Motor Vehicles and passing her off to her new owners would soon begin.
The Scenic Route Through Life 
Thanks for sharing. I could actually imagine the last night, being inside the van with you looking for a suitable parking spot.
Good bye CoCo.
Travel on,
Guri
Thank you Jordan for the pictures, the video and everything else ! I love reading your adventures. It makes me think a lot about what Life is supposed to be like ! Hope to see you some day, in California, Europe or somewhere else !
Stephanie
Hey man, first of all I just wanted to say thanks for keeping such an awesome account of your travels. The wife and I are taking a 6+ month trip through south america starting in sept, and I’ve been thumbing through your writings over the last few months for inspiration, and to stoke the fires or excitement.
I’m actually posting about the stove that you are using in the video above. It looks like a home made alcohol stove? I was going to construct something similar for our trip and I was wondering how it has worked out for you. Did you have any difficulties finding fuel? I’ve read mixed reports on how easy it is to find usable alcohol down south. Thanks!
Andy
Very sorry for the REALLY late response. But thank you very much for the encouraging words. The saga continues and is still in full swing. Im neck high in adventures, just on another continent now. Hoepfully Ill get the blog current again in the next couple weeks. So perhaps as you read this you are on your own South American adventure! Feel free to use me as a resource if you need any help or advice along the way, my email is thescenicroutethroughlife@gmail.com. As for the stove…I highly recommend it. Its a trick I learned in Africa about 10 years ago and have used it all over the world since. I have taught dozens of people how to make one and they all said they love them. There are lots of how-to vidoes online for different variations of the stove but the one I found that keeps the closest to the method I use is this one (In two parts):
A few thigns to note as you watch it…fiberglass insulation is best to use inside but i have used other absorbant things before and it worked fine (have also used NO absorbant material and worked OK). You dont need the sealant…of course better if you have it but not necessary (i dont use it…as long as you get a nice tight fit on the cans with no dents). And make sure you have a few cans when you start making this….good chance you will screw up once or maybe twice before you get one right. For fuel 90% alcohol is best. Isopropyl that you get in pharmacys is good. Also they sell something similar in paint sections of hardware stores and its super cheap. One liter will cook you about 7-10 meals (for 2 people). Also when you prime it sometimes you have to really let it heat up before it will start…you might have to fill the little resevoir with fuel a couple times…and do like he does in the video and spill some around the can to help heat it up.
Well, I hope that helps. Thanks for reading the blog. I will be on the road for another couple years I think so there is plenty more to come. Happy and safe travels!