Today is mainly a driving day. We have a great start. Even those this is the first day of the trip and the truck and over-landing are new to many people, we leave early. The drivers have set out some simple rules and procedures that makes this all that much easier and more efficient.
The long drive today is broken up with a stop in Congonhas for cook group shopping. The cook group is dropped off at the supermarket and the rest of us get to go up to the Basilica to take a look at it. It is very famous and many of the carvings are done by Brazil's best sculptor and carver - Aleijadinho. This was his last major commission - he was in the advanced stages of leprosy and had to work with the chisels strapped to his wrists.
The Basilica do Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinhos is beautiful, with fantastic carvings in, on and around the church. It is under renovation, so we could not see the full interior, but it was wonderful. A true masterpiece. We did not have too much time there as we had to head back to pick up the cook group, but it was a good stop.
We drive for another 2 and a half hours and arrive at our campsite on the outskirts of Ouro Preto. We will visit the town tomorrow. Just as we arrive, some threatening clouds begin to arrive, so we rush to set up camp, including putting up the awning. Just as everything is ready, the skies open up and the rain just pours down. But we are lucky - it only lasts for a few hours. We have a bit of a late dinner, wash up and then head off to bed.