Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 10: Cocais - Catas Atlas

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 9: Ipoema - Cocais

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 8: Itambé do Mato Dentro - Ipoema

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, rest day: Casheiras do Itambé

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 7: Morro do Pilar - Itambé do Mato Dentro

The pousada in Ipoema was run by a kind-hearted man, a quiet soul with a passion for music and birds. As I sat at breakfast, I noticed the proprietor carefully placing cornmeal for the birds in the hands and robe-folds of a life-size statue of São Francisco. This act of care was in perfect harmony with the property’s decor, featuring bird motifs adorning the windows and wall crests. Additionally, sparkling dangles hung above the windows to prevent birds from injuring themselves by flying into the glass. 

After exchanging pleasantries with our host, we headed to the museum of the Topeiro to obtain the Estrada Real stamp. This museum commemorates the people who carried the riches out of this mining region and supplied the workers in the area. 


As we embarked on the day’s journey we climbed through plantations of rapidly growing eucalyptus trees, which are used to produce pulp. The riding was pleasant, but these monocultures of single commercial crop were strikingly quiet. The cacophony of birds was absent. 

Soon enough, we approached the village of Cocais, another very small place with a single place to stay and eat. The guest house was run by a black woman who spoke good English and, like all before, was very pleasant and hospitable. We enjoyed a great chicken dinner listening to a great blues playlist. Happy and grateful to be continuing to see the world by bike. 

🚴⬆️ 2025 = 76,962 m | 🌐 summitbag . com‍
🎷🐛 38.32 new kilometers

-- From Wandrer

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John Benoit

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 9: Ipoema - Cocais

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Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 10: Cocais - Catas Atlas

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 9: Ipoema - Cocais

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 8: Itambé do Mato Dentro - Ipoema

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, rest day: Casheiras do Itambé

Estrada Real, Caminho Diamantes, stage 7: Morro do Pilar - Itambé do Mato Dentro

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