Grande Da Barra Salvador

... The mountains covered in lush Atlantic rainforest. I just starred out of the window for hours until the sunset admiring the scenery. Buses are definitely a great way to see the country, it's just a shame you can't stop when you want too and enjoy the landscapes and take a few shots. Only one more uncomfortable and restless night on a bus then I have the pleasure of sleeping in a bed again, now that's definitely something to look forward too!!

Salvador is the cultural center of Bahia, the region of Brazil that has best preserved the African slave heritage that was present when the Portuguese ruled. Our visual and aural senses were flooded by the capoeria groups that perform in the plazas, the drum corps that play in the streets, and the mystical presence of the Candomble religion. The Pelourinho is the historical center of the city and it's where we started our exploration. The Pelourinho has retained the ...

... atmosphere is less typical and more touristic but also safer. Salvador beaches are definitely one of the best attraction of the city. Amazingly clean in spite of so many people hanging around there, white sand and great ...

Some claim that the Bahia is the heart of Brazil. Not for us to say either way, but with 900km of coastline, a thriving Afro-Brazilian culture, loads of 16th century architecture, and a number of world heritage sights of both natural and cultural designation, it's a place worthy of a few weeks, months, or years. Of course, we had only a few days. The city of Salvador is the capital of the state ...

... and as soon as we got there we met our guide Carlos and headed off to the falls.             One thing I didn't realize until I got there was how many falls comprise 'Iguacu Falls.' It's actually miles of waterfalls, some small, most of them extraordinarily large. We started with dinner at the top of the main fall. We couldn't really see anything from our look out, but you could hear the water and you could see the formation of the falls. Then we started our hike about ...

28th April: Did a heap more sightseeing around this gorgeous city. The people really are incredibly friendly and I am loving the city more and more each day. I met Dieter, a half German/Brazillian guy who gave me heaps of local information and reassured me about my upcoming trip to the Chapada Diamatina National Park. In the evening I attended a Candomble celcebration. Candomble is an official religion which ...

... up to me in the baggage reclaim area at Salvador airport and asked me if it was my first time here. <br><br>I replied in the positive and he looked at me as if he felt awfully sorry for me. Hmmm...<br><br>Katie was still waiting for her bag and wondering what the old weirdo was talking to me about, but was desparately trying to listen in to our conversation ...

... which was pretty much like any carnival I?ve ever been to. But as we continued walking we eventually got to another part of the city where they were about to start a float. The way it works is there is a big float that leads a bunch of people and for each float you can buy a certain colored tshirt to walk with that float. So basically thousands of people follow each float dancing and singing and if you don?t have a shirt you generally can?t go in the street. But there is ...

... definitely can see what they mean, but we have been pretty good, staying in groups of four or more and I'm always with Will so we have at least two guys at all times. I carry my cash in three different places, no camera, and no watch, nothing so I have nothing to get taken really. As long as we stay in groups though I think we are alright. So yesterday we waited in line, exchanged money and then debated whether to get into a Camarote, which is a VIP type box that ...

... d*y. There were some guys with gi*nt 3D met*l cubes th*t they spun *round *nd through their bodies r*pidly until the *udience got the illusion from the front th*t the cubes h*d morphed into oblong bubbles, well done. Plus * gre*t clowning show. There were some f*nt*stic *rtists cre*ting unique g*rments from le*thers, f*brics, skins like ostrich, sn*ke *nd crocodile *nd stones *nd cryst*ls. There were belts, b*gs, clothing, lo*ds of jewellery *nd e*rrings. I ...