Hung over and looking like chickenpox victims we gingerly left Florianópolis and finally pointed our bikes north with the aim of getting to Rio de Janeiro in a few days. First up was Antonina for no other reason than it being the name of BJ’s girlfriend’s mother. On the way there the road quickly turned jungle like as we rode over the smallish mountains in amongst the low clouds across the slippery part cobbled road. This plus Florianópolis was far more like what I had expected Brazil to be like, albeit slightly cooler. For now...As the last of the dense jungle passed we spotted a large group of bikers stopped by the side of the road having a little get together. After stopping to try and say hi we learnt that they were all members of the Águias de Christo. The real clue to their twin interests was sewn amongst the various badges onto their leathers, passages from the bible i.e. John 3:16 etc. I wasn’t sure of the word for atheist in Portuguese so we quickly moved on to pictures, handshakes and handing out of business cards.
As tempting as the offer was for lunch we really had to push on and so with a club sticker each we said our ciaos and continued Rio bound. After Antonina we made slow progress and became a three with Dave abandoned as his Argentine girlfriend couldn’t make Rio de Janeiro despite his blast up there through Uruguay to meet her. He’s now onboard also but for how long is anyone’s guess as he intends to abandon his plans for Central America and beyond, instead choosing to return to Buenos Aires to be with her during next month to give things a go...So a threesome (the jury’s out, only just like riding with two) continued along until BJ did his usual trick of disappearing. After eventually finding him it turned out that he’d stopped to chat with Kenny, an Irish oil worker living and settled nearby in Caiguatatuba. Kenny with his son Adam invited us to spend the night at their home with the promise of a BBQ and beers. After a very quick chat we decided to take up Kenny on his kind offer and what a night it turned out to be. Kenny’s twenty years in the oil game have proved successful as was clear to see as we entered the private condominium and found our way to his impressive house. There we met his beautiful wife Christina and their cute daughter Sarah. We were made to feel so welcome as the BBQ was on the go and beers were sank. Not many years older than me Kenny has had a few motorcycles in his time and like all oil workers that I’ve met on my travels a common bond was found.
Maybe it’s something to do with being away from home for months at a time or being prepared to take a risk? Hospitality like this is so special and rare. I really can’t imagine many people inviting three random smelly bikers into their family home in such a way at this. Meeting such people as these is another example of the highs to be found in these trips that make it so special. Kenny and family, thanks for your part in making us feel so welcome.
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