Blogs from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, South America - page 15

So I arrived in Salvador at almost midnight and grabbed a taxi to meet my new friend Gustavo, a Chilean friend of Cleanto. Gustavo is doing his masters in environmental engineering in Salvador, but coincidentally its actually in toxicology (though not officially), so we had a lot to talk about. He was really pleasantly surprised when I told him I had a doctorate in toxicology and was totally willing to help him with his project. Gustavo was incredibly warm, friendly, and generous, offering me food and letting me stay at his beautiful downtown flat, right near everything including the main beach, Barra beach. He was renting the flat with three Spanish girls (from spain), two of which were on holiday and the other Christina, which was a doll. The next day Christina and I spent the ... read more

The choice was between another 20+ hour journey on a coach for £50 or a 2 hour flight for £50. Needless to say the decision was already made for me. I am writing this update, sat in a hammock in Guyana whilst the heavens have just opened. This is winter in Guyana, but the temp this morn at 7am were 28 degrees and now whilst it is raining the temp has only dropped 2 degrees or so. Arriving in Salvador early evening seemed a good time to arrive. After I collected my rucksack, I was faced with the decision whether to get a taxi to my hostel which was set at 45 BRL or get the bus to the centre of Salvador for 4 BRL. After walking around aimlessly for about 10 mins, and checking my ... read more

Meine Osterferien habe ich dieses Jahr nicht schokoladeeiersuchend, sondern sonnenbadend verbracht. Nachdem die letzten Wochen in Brasilia mit all dem Pogramm doch recht anstrengend waren, war das bisschen Sonne tanken und relaxen das groesste Geschenk. Ich bin am Donnerstag nachmittags nach Salvador geflogen, und der erste Eindruck hat mich schon ueberzeugt: willkommen im Paradies: Wo sonst sieht man eine Bambus-aehnliche Zuckerrohr-Allee, die sich ueber 1km im Flughafen-entree entlang schlaengelt, um die neuen Gaeste zu empfangen, und den abfliegenden den Abschied noch ein bisschen schwerer zu machen. So viel natuerlich gewachsenes Gruen, dass sich zu einem hilfreichen- weil Schatten spendenden Dach geformt hat, ist ein wahres Wunder. Salvador ist eine brasilianische Stadt, wie im Bilderbuch: Altstadtkern, huebsch aufgeschmueckt fuer die Touristen, mit Ketten- und Souvenierverkaeufe... read more

After Carnaval, I got a cheap last minute flight to Salvador de Bahia, the oldest city in the New World (Rio airport is fairly swish by the way). We stayed in Pelourino which is the historic area of the city, in a cool hostel where we would spend most our time. The drinking game circle of death was a big hit here and we got pissed on daquari fruit drinks playing this most nights. We usually conspired to get one of the new players sick each night, but it was good craic. Carnaval was fissiling out when I arrived. I met Aussie Adam, Saffa Charl, Dub Simon and some others here. One of the first nights here I was kissing an American girl who was real ugly and awkard. We had some trouble in the street ... read more

Tim Version: * Carnaval - everything it is cranked up to be! Mad parties all the time, dancing everywhere, huge Blockos, music all the time, muggings and pickpocketing everywhere, and a beer vendor never more than 10 metres from you. * I think I killed my liver... * Ventured to the local Salvador beaches, including an island beach. The sleepless party like f´ing crazy version: Hard to know where to start for this entry.. OK, maybe the hostel, Nega Maluca, wicked hostel =) Very comfoortable, good owner, good workers, good crowd. I got a dorm bed in a dark quiet corner perfect for sleeping during the day. We also had a bar inside, perfect for starting things before hitting the streets. Salvador itself is a decaying city, both beautiful and sad, riding along the seafront and ... read more