In the heart of São Paulo

Hey RoadStars! This time we’re in the heart of the state of São Paulo. We drive along beautiful, dusty roads to our first destination: the Fazenda Ipanema.

Located in the Ipanema National Forest, one of the largest forests in the state of São Paulo, it has enormous socio-ecological significance. The Fazenda is closely tied to the history of the Brazilian Empire, and once housed the Royal Ironworks of São João de Ipanema, Brazil’s most important steelworks of the time. Visiting such historic places always feels special. 

The next day we head for the motorway, because we have a few kilometres ahead of us. To pass the time, we check out the impressive truck/trailer combinations we encounter – the models that are still in use and the different combinations of trailers and semitrailers.

Our favourite was a 6x4 Actros with three timber semitrailers – but the old round-nosed trucks have their very own charm. 

For our next camping spot, we turn onto a narrow road that leads us into a small valley. What a piece of luck! Right by a small river, completely alone, we find the perfect place to stay. We would love to stay here for a bit longer, but it’s time for a tyre change. After two and a half years, it’s time for the Axor to get some new “shoes”. 

With our newly mounted tyres, we enjoy continuing our journey all the more. We continue to a small sleepy village along minor roads where we come across a real classic car gem. We couldn’t find out the exact model – just that it was built in Brazil in the 50s and is still in use.