Mercure Salvador R Vermelho 3m

What an incredible place. I spent three days there, the latter two on a two-day trek to various waterfalls. It was perfect to recharge my batteries after the excesses of big cities. Highly, highly recommended.

Hint: The treks are a bit expensive. If you want to save some money, walk back to Lencois (if that's where you're based) instead of getting the 4x4

... the Blue Mountains in Australia while there was also elements of a 'green Grand Canyon').

We visited some amazing waterfalls, did plenty of trekking, watched the sun set atop a mountain peak and snorkeled in caves.

We also did a day of technical mountain biking – a side of the sport we haven't tried before. The 35km ride ...

... what was to come in Salvador – we went back to collect the girls who’d gone to change and headed to a salsa nightclub called Tropikal. There everybody could salsa like they were born to do it. Every dance a guy would ask you to dance. I met a girl from limerick there who was a natural Samba/Salsa queen…I thought she was a professional Brazilian dancer before I started talking to her. I made Mark dance with her which was pretty entertaining. He was shy but he could dance ...

... for a day and a night. I've had a relaxing day with a friend in a villa just north of Salvador along the coast. A complete contrast to the craziness of carnival, feels like a different planet!! I've eaten great food and generally chilled-out and had a much needed break from the chaos. Back to carnival tomorrow, one day away was all I needed, the batteries are fully recharged and I'm ready for more! It was nice while it lasted but I need to return to the craziness because that's ...

... I´ve had a few days of solitude, just needed to let go and move on. Neidi really helped us yesterday get our abadas and she will greet us at the airport when we return on the 28th. Her and all the rest, Denise, Jailton, Beto etc minus Flaviano! Its been a strange few days. Yesterday I turned up to Ujamas studio and ended up helping the crew fight a fire that was raging up to his house. We put it out but ...

... longa campanha, quando volto para o Rio, sou recebido com os beijos e abraços proporcionais à saudade que senti de tudo o que deixei por aqui. Uau! Sensações difíceis de descrever, mas justificadas por um certo tio João Guimarães: "sertão é onde o pensamento da gente se forma mais forte do que o poder do lugar".

Por isso, meus amigos, sou categórico em dizer que me sinto melhor nesse fim de mundo, no meio dessa gente pobre, trabalhando ...

Lencois is a 6 hours bus ride inland from Salvador. It is a small city that is the gateway to Chapada Diamantina - Diamond Mesa. The area was famous for its mineral deposits but is now a national park. The town of Lencois is small, quaint and full of character. Cobblestone streets lined with colorful 19th century buildings. The ppl there are warm, wonderful and hospitable. The landscape reminded me of Eastern Utah, along the I-70 ...

... a good day) that it must be more than coincidental. Surely that’s not what they wore in Africa. Is this standard slave-wear-gone-traditional? Is it kitchen wear? Salvador’s picked up most of the too-hip-for-tourists traffic that’s migrated away from Rio and Copacabana since its heyday in the 60’s. The ‘in-the-know’ has long since one-upped the ‘in’ crowd by doing ...

... br>
Pictures here:
www.pbase.com/cile/brazil