On the first of June I flew north from Porto Alegre via Sao Paulo to tropical Salvador. This was my first hot weather in months and a pleasant change from cool and wet. Even in winter Salvador’s days were hot and nights warm.
Porto Alegre and neighbouring Guaíba River from the aeroplane Continue reading
Following on from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, part 1.
Modelling the locally bought Brazilian hat next to Elevator Lacerda
Itinerant drink seller in the foreground, behind the “SALVADOR” public sculpture near Elevador Lacerda
Having another delicious ice cream from the cafe next to Elevador Lacerda, Pelourinho, Salvador
A statue of a woman in traditional dress, Salvador. The ribbons are given out unsolicited for “free” by locals wandering the Pelourinho squares. I declined
An interesting multinational fast food franchise restaurant, Pelourinho, Bahia
Phone boxes modelled on coconuts. Coconut water (either direct from a coconut or poured into a cup) is popular in Salvador
Hostel Oh Meu Rei’s street level bar Oh Minha Rainha hosts live music sessions Sunday nights. Salvador has a groovy culture and on this evening people walking passed often sung or danced to the music
On the Monday I travelled inland to a permaculture farm. My amazing time at the farm will be covered in another blog post.
R$13 for a half-bottle of local spirit at a bar in Pelourinho
After the farm I returned to Salvador for one more night. That evening I went out with Brit George and a Chilean from the hostel, both of whom lived in Sao Paulo. First stop was a bar where we drank an interesting local liquor (R$13 for a plastic bottle; poured in small plastic cups). On the way back, we sat around a makeshift table on the hostel street and chatted for hours with a local rasta guy and folks on a balcony.
Joseph disliked the nativity scene so much he fell over, clutching his heart
A local favela on the way back to Salvador Airport
The smoke from many fires visible on the coast, shortly after taking off from Salvador for Sao Paulo. I suspect the fires are burning rubbish
Salvador is the capital and largest city of Bahia state, Brazil. Salvador was Brazil’s first capital and a major historic destination for slaves, particularly from the region now encompassing present day Nigeria. These influences are reflected in the city’s historic Pelourinho district, named after colonial pillories used for slaves. I have previously blogged about a Salvadorian festival and the city’s golden Sao Francisco Church and Convent.
Seated next to me on the two hour flight from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador was an interesting French-Colombian woman. She had lived in three South American countries and recommended a diving school in Colombia, Peruvian cuisine and to take the bus from the Salvador airport.
Salvador’s towers and favelas from the aeroplane Continue reading
The Sao Francisco (Saint Francis) Church and Convent is one of Salvador’s most popular tourist attractions. This 18th century complex, located in the town’s historic centre, is a magnificent example of Portuguese colonial wealth and religious power. Apparently the church took 800kg of gold to decorate.
Woman wearing traditional Salvadoran costume in front of Sao Francisco Church
Sao Francisco Church is surrounded by old buildings in Salvador’s historic centre
This inscription outlines the church history in Portuguese and English
Blue and white tile facades illustrating sayings
Tiles depicting the saying “the fruit of labour is glory”, Sao Francisco Convent
Cloisters surrounding the convent courtyard are covered in blue and white tile scenes illustrating sayings written in Latin at the top. Translated into English, the sayings included:
For a R$0.50 donation one can light an electric candle in Sao Francisco Church
The church’s wooden panel ceiling is decorated with paintings
Supporting pillars covered in gold leaf must be hard work, Sao Francisco Church
The church’s interior is outrageously decorated
The closest I’ve been to gold for a while, Sao Francisco Church
Entrance hall wall and ceiling painting, Sao Francisco Church and Convent
For philatelists, the Sao Francisco complex also has a stamp exhibition in an adjoining hall. The exhibition includes stamps from Portuguese colonial times.
Entry to the church and convent is only R$5, including a leaflet, and I highly recommend a visit for anyone visiting Salvador.
After a short stop in Rio, I flew north to Salvador, to catch up with Arnina and experience the city’s amazing culture. I will write more about this later.
In Salvador on the last Friday each month there’s a festival in a town square 15 to 20 minutes walk north of Pelourinho district. Hostel Oh Meu Rei manager Lidia kindly advised she and fellow manager Andrea were going and invited guests to come.
First stop was at this drink stall for a R$5 (~AUD$1.80) caipirinha. The round container on left contains a local fruit Spondias purpurea (seriguela) that makes a delicious caipirinha variant
A seven-piece band played under a marquee in the centre of the square. Locals grooved to the African-inspired music, particularly the guy in the white t-shirt in the left background
For food and watching the locals go by, we stopped at an outdoor restaurant on the town square edge
Drink and other vendors brought their goods in wheelbarrows, eskys and carts. The sign is advertising Skol Beats alcopops (R$5) and Skol beer, water and Schin soft drinks (R$2; ~AUD$0.70)
The town square is faced by a church (is there a Brazilian town square without a church?)
I doubt this vendor sold any Pepsis
Towards the end of the night
I loved the evening and thank Lidia and Andrea for the opportunity.