May 6, 2008 - Salvador, Itacare, Rio and Florianoplis, Brazil

Ok, dad, I really tried to hate Brazil after the border patrol was less than kind to us, but then I went to Salvador. Beaches, african drums and crazy capoera dancing everywhere. A soon-to-be-professional-surfer/ drum-expert's dream! I was so sad to have to leave Salvador after only four days, but my spirits brightened considerably as we pulled into beautiful Itacare on the bus. The entire 10 hour trip was through Brazilian rainforest along the coast. I've never seen anything like it. We arrived late at night and went to bed quickly after...

Feb 17, 2008 - Salvador, Brazil

2/17 – 2/18 Another day at sea brought us to Salvador, Brazil. Along with two other couples, we created our own city tour of the area. We took a shuttle bus to the upper city, a very attractive area with many old/restored buildings. We visited a number of beautiful cathedrals. We watched a procession of medical people involved in a ceremony celebrating the 200th anniversary of the medical school. The clothing they wore was probably the equivalent of our college’s graduation robes, they sure had some strange looking hats. Took the local...

Feb 15, 2008 - Salvador. Bahia (two)

Still in Africa. Bruna, with a north London accent when speaking English, took us up north of Salvador to yet more beaches (.....yet more pictures of beaches following) where we supped on prawns (acaraje)and ate maracuja and acai and mamau and pineapple and water melon and bananas drank aceroa and guarana and COCA COLA. Got the picture!!

Feb 11, 2008 - Salvador, Brazil

We arrived in Salvador, Brazil the morning of Tuesday, February 5. The moment we walked off the ship there were three women in large, white dresses who placed bracelets on everybody’s wrists in various colors which have the statement “Lembranca Do Senhor Do Bonfim Da Bahia”. I’m not sure of the exact translation but it has to do with having a good end in Bahia, Brazil. The bracelet is tied with three knots representing three wishes, and when it falls off your wishes are supposed to come true. I found out later that the original tradition...

Feb 9, 2008 - Salvador Pelourino

ok we flew up to salvador for 2 weeks more of partying/ R&R after destroying ourselves in Rio for carnival. We stayed in the Pelihrino area of Salvador. Salvador used to the capital of Brazil when the Portugese first needed a major port so the area it self has alot of old buildings and heritage because the Portugese first founded Salvador in 1502. The Portugese brought african slaves to Salvador in 1502 and because of this Salvador is known as the african soul of Brazil, as well as having some of the best preserved african culture outside...

Jan 22, 2008 - Salvador, Brazil

I SURVIVED 21 DAYS AT SEA!!!!!! And more importantly so did all the students and crew!!! Well, its kind of bittersweet doing this update as it is the end of my journey. It truely has been a journey not only physically but emotionally. You learn alot about yourself in 21 days of bobbing around in a huge body of water. We arrived in Salvador, Brazil on the 21st and took 9 hours to clear customs and the health inspection. Today the students are off to the beach for one last all-crew outing and then will return to the ship for a pizza supper....

Oct 12, 2007 - Salvador, Brazil

We arrived in Brazil with no plans, no hotel, no flights, and quite honestly, no idea of what we were going to do except that we needed to find a beach. After months in the mountains of Ecuador, Columbia, Bolivia and Peru, we needed a change in scenery. Often during hikes, walking through markets, or sitting down for a bland meal, we would say to each other, "Boy, wasn't Thailand nice." Not to say, by any means, that we didn't thoroughly enjoy our time in those countries, but we just needed a little change of pace. We arrived into Sau...

Aug 4, 2007 - Gone in 10 seconds

Thursday 02.08.07 The moment i stepped off the airport bus into the Cidade Alta of Salvador, i was being harrassed by a teenage beggar. I was on my way to the Pelourinho, the oldest standing part of Salvador - a small bairro (neighbourhood) of colonial buildings, and one of the few places safe for tourists. I shrugged him off, checking over my shoulder to ensure he wasn't following. It didn't matter. Soon i was being chased by another, determined to escort me to my new hostel (for a charge of course). As luck would have it, i bumped into a...

Jul 18, 2007 - Hands, shoulders, wheels and toes

Sunday 15.07.07 I hurried down to Copacabana beach early in the morning to watch the Men's Triathlon, an event in the Pan American games being held in Rio. The triathlon for these games involves a swimming leg of 1.5km, cycle 40km and the competitors finish with a 10km run. At 8am, the beach was already full of people, from the morning joggers to the bike boys and girls in lycra, the blue-rinse brigade and the shirtless throngs in thongs (of all kinds). One eccentric old woman even brought her rooster on a tiny leash, both sporting the...

Apr 17, 2007 - Morro de Sau Paulo

So, I am on this fantastic little island called Morro de Sau Paulo. I first flew into the state of Bahia from Rio. I flew into the city of Salvador, and spent the night there. Woke up on Monday and took a catamaran to the island of Morro de Sau paulo (not sure I am spelling this right). Anyway, so this island kicks ass!! Oh, wait! My morning yesterday (Monday) was hell, but I feel bad even saying that b/c I am in such a beautiful place. So, I will just say my morning did not go as smooth as liked. First, I walked to the ATM to find it was...

Feb 23, 2007 - Salvador

Salvador is famous for being the most African of the Brazilian cities. Bahia is renowned for its food, culture, music, capoeira, candomble and art. As a former capital of Brazil, it is also packed full of colonial architecture. Its Carnival is famous all over Brazil and we timed our arrival perfectly by rocking up the day after Carnival to find the city with a hangover! As the workmen set about taking down the scaffolding stages from which the musicians had performed and the stands upon which the watching crowds had danced, we set about...

Feb 21, 2007 - Carnival Baby!

WOW - how am i still alive???????? so much to say so we'll break it down from the top. At the bottom is the explanation of how carnival in Salvador operates - completely different to Rio's carnival. Last entry i made i think we were in Itacare, just another one of the 9 hippie / tourist type towns we've made our temporary home in the carnival road trip tour - all very simmilar to Bryon bay type places if you can imagine Byron bay now, 20 years ago, 5 years ago etc etc. And then we arrive in Salvador!!!!! Our bus arrived in at 0600 and after...