Arrival in Recife (foto: )
25th September Fernando de Noronha – Recife 545 km
From the moment I landed in Fernando de Noronha, I felt immensely happy. Not surprising, given the beauty of the place and the kind attention of André. All the difficulties I had gone through during the crossing faded away like nightmares from another life. I would have liked to stay on the island a week, but I still needed to close the circle I was trying to trace around the world.
There are no stocks of Avgas on Noronha. The team in Rio had arranged to send 80 litres there, helped by Vicente Fraga in Recife, and it was transported to the island by boat, courtesy of Agemar. Thanks to you all! Flying in a straight line, Recife lies 295 miles (545 km) away and I could shorten the flight over water by heading for the continent at Natal and then follow the coast to Recife. But after flying over so many miles in the remotest part of the ocean, I was not daunted by a leg of 545 km.
Noronha is not an international airport. Taking the special conditions of this flight into consideration, I received permission to land and overnight there before continuing to the mainland to carry out the entry procedures at Recifes Guararapes airport. The Customs official decided to go through my bags with a fine comb. It was the first time in 97 days and 30 countries that I had to open up my luggage and spread my underwear on the wing for inspection. As if I had the space or time to worry about smuggling anything into Brazil.
I took off again straight away for the small airport of Encanta-Moça at the invitation of the Aeroclube de Pernambuco where I was received with customary warmth and a tasty barbeque. I was already feeling almost home.
26th September Recife Lençóis 915 km
Upon taking off from Recife, I followed the coast at 1,000 feet over idyllic beaches, white sand, green sea, kilometers of coconut palms. After Aracaju, I headed inland direct to Lençóis, at the foot of the Chapada Diamantina, where I arrived in the late afternoon. The lowering sun threw immense shadows of the rock towers onto the plains and turned the rock walls golden. I cut the engine and stayed up there an hour and a half, gliding over the spectacular scenery. It was a surprise, after flying 55.000 km around the world, to find such a wonderful place so close to home.
Este texto foi escrito por: Margi Moss
Last modified: outubro 2, 2001
