Category Archives: Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, never disappointing; Ilha Grande last taste of paradise

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Landed in Rio Tuesday pm and shared a taxi ride to the centre. I was staying in the old part of town Lapa, considered the party place at night but also pretty sketchy with high crime. The hostel I’d picked was only four months old, so in good nick, but it was the biggest dorm room of my trip with 24 beds! And my first triple stacked bunks, luckily I got a bottom bunk. A friend Lisa came over that I’d met in Morro, within thirty seconds of leaving the hostel a kid on a bike had grabbed my necklace in attempt to steal it; he only managed to break it luckily. It wasn’t so expensive anyway but it was the only bit of jewellery I’d bought myself the whole trip from Bolivia so was glad I still had it. Lesson learnt, guard now fully up. A pretty quiet night, met another buddy from Moro for some drinks before a relative early 1am finish. Unfortunately Lisa then had a less then pleasant journey back to her apartment in another area were her taxi driver tried to assault her, luckily she got out of the situation unharmed. Continue reading →

Mixing it up in Salvador & marooned on Morro de São Paulo

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I had a few more days in Salvador, which I took pretty easy just enjoying the place. One afternoon at the small central Barra beach, which was packed and great fun, “Olodum” live drum show, some excellent Bahia cuisine, one total washout day when it did not stop raining! And the highlight the Tuesday night street party which starts after a mass service (which we didn’t attend), followed by a band playing on the steps of the church and lots of dancing and partying. Unfortunately the rain stopped the band playing a little earlier than planned, but we found a tiny samba club with 10 musicians, that felt a bit like being in someone’s garage, great fun! Salvador is a huge city, but to be honest I only really explored the small old historic area of Pelo. I was glad I had quite a bit of time there, just to mooch and hangout. There is a constant sound of music at all times of the day, street food wafting through the alleys, capoeira being performed on squares, it’s most definitely worth spending some days here on your travels through. Continue reading →

Salvador the soul of Brazil, Lençóis & Chapada Diamantina tranquility in nature

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Following a great night at carnival came the painful hangover travel day. Every time I travel hungover I vow not to put myself in this position again. I also tend to make stupid mistakes hungover….like this time I left my brand new denim shorts I’d worn the night before at the hostel trying on the line….doh doh doh! Luckily I was still traveling in the same direction as the two Aussie guys so we shared a taxi cost to the airport, and on arrival in Salvador took the bus the hour and half journey to the old centre. Actually the bus journey was very pleasant all along the coastal front and miles of beaches with surfers and joggers. We were staying in the old historic centre of Pelourinho. We had a five minute walk from getting off the bus across a main square and down some cobbled streets to our hostel; it was Saturday early evening and just getting dark. There was music coming from all around as we walked through, people were gathering enjoying street food and beers, and I fell in love with the place immediately. Continue reading →