Blogs from Lençóis, Bahia, Brazil, South America - page 6

We arrived back in Salvador this morning (starting to get used to the long bus rides!) after spending 4 amazing days in Chapada Diamantina near Lencois. We walked, climbed and scrambled our way through forests, mountains and rivers. We spent one of the three nights in the great outdoors, sleeping with the wildlife! We had a really cool guide called Levi who took us around, telling us tales of his adventures and lots about his family too, who we had lunch with on the last day. Our bodies have now given up on us for a while (Mike's feet are dying a slow painful death) -we're feeling tired but chuffed after completing our first ever trek. ... read more

What a place. I spent 4 days in this bohemian little town which felt like one of the safest place in the whole of South America, the locals left their doors open, unlocked and nobody bothers you at any time. On the edge of the Parque Nacional Chapada we spent our time climbing waterfalls, looking over the edge of a 400metre high waterfall and generally things that you do in one big parque - trek! There is a cliffs edge to look over and see the water fall but you can't stand on the edge, the vertigo alone would make you fall off as 2 people who fell off by accident would tell you if they could. The funniest thing is seeing people crawling to the edge to look over but then making sure that ... read more

Last day in Salvador and we are off to Bela Horizonte this evening.... Four days ago - we got to Lencois on an overnight coach. We really had no idea what to expect but as soon as we checked in at our hostel everything just fell into place. An English couple had contacted this 'guide´ 6 months ago and luckily he agreed to take us along with him. Now - the couple had come fully kitted up for this serious 4 day trek - hiking boots, waterproofs, sleeping bags and all- while Mohini and I had NOTHING…but I am so glad we decided to go along as this was maybe the most interesting 4 days of our whole trip. Its not just that we walked around 30km, swam in the most secluded waterfalls never touched by ... read more

Ahhh!!! I found heaven on earth, and it is called Chapada Diamantina! From a very charming town, Lencois, remaining from the diamond mining era, I took a 3-day hike in to the natural reserve - 3 days filled with stunning views, waterfalls, swimming and diving, rivers, hiking, wild animals and sleeping in caves. It all started last Friday when Team Blonde (named by the only brunette in the group) went on a 3-day hike with Augosto and Serginho (ahhh... another one of those unbelievably gorgeous Brazilian hunks that you can't stop staring at) in Chapada Diamantina. The first day we started out by seeing Cachoeira da Fumaca (Smokey Waterfall) from above, sliding out on a rock, watching the amazing waterfall, the water disappearing in the wind before it travels the 420 m down to the pool ... read more

The 7:00 am departure on Real Expresso from Salvador to Lençóis should be known as the European Express. Fully booked with Danes, Italians, British, and Dutch, it is only the Brazilian merchant getting off in dusty Feira de Santana that seems out of place. Otherwise, passengers are destined for Bahia’s Chapada Diamantina, a national park. It attracts naturalists and trekkers who explore its undisturbed wilderness. Most ignore the appalling slums of suburban Salvador, which spread almost fifteen miles to the west of the city. I could not. How could I? How could anyone? Thousands of people live on top of each other in squalor. Some “homes” have an electrical connection. By the looks of it, running water is not too potable; weathered and gristled women line up at a public fountain and fill up three or ... read more