Shrimps

Hardware

Mercato

We then went past a popular beach Ribeina, then a renown ice cream shop then the central markets. Outside we're these two goats being carried to the meat section. They were still alive. The markets were huge, very extensive.

Markets

Pimentos

Ribbons outside Ingreja do Bomfim

Igreja do Bonfim

Next we went to this beautiful church where the festival was in progress. There was a service with beautiful singing underway when we arrived. Outside we're thousands of ribbons tied on by the devoted.

Forte Mont Serrat

Forte Mont Serrat

After the slave market i went to a very good Afrro/Brazilian museum which catalogued the African slave trade and development of Salvador. As well there were wonderful displays about the local Indians. Then we went on a private tour by taxi to regions outside Pelourinha. First we went to a fort, Mont Serra. This bird was foraging on the rocks.

Outside Casa do Amarelindo

The hotel is near a triangular piazza where the slavers traded slaves. The name Pelouinho means whipping post.

Elevator

The next morning we walked to the nearby elevator that links the old town with the port - site of the original slave markets. In the old slave market building are typical local markets. The building itself is fascinating, and the slaves were kept in the basement. The lift is a very efficient way of linking the two areas. It is too dangerous to take the steps down because of muggungs. There are armed police on every corner.

Women in traditional garb.

Moqueca

In the evening we went to a wonderful show which was Afro/ Brazilian. There were drummers and singers, and people dancing traditional dances, mostly representing the african gods. Quite amazing. After we went to a local cafe and had delicious Moqueca.

Salvador buildings

The old city is full of colorful buildings and run down buildings with architecture reminiscent of Portugal. Lots of bright colours and lots of very elaborate churches.

Octopus

We went to a nearby cafe (Humaita) and had this delicious octopus salad.

Salvador - Pelourinho, Brazil

We arrived early afternoon and settled into a simply lovely hotel in the old city, Casa do Amarelindo. There was a festival in a church some ways away but still there were a lot of streets blocked and people dressed in white for the celebrations.
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Another view of main square Lençois

Lençois street at night.

Lençois at night

In the evening we walked across the bridge to the town centre. We enjoyed a drink in one of the bars and had some snacks from some stalls. It seemed to be some kind of deep fried dumpling with prawns. It was tasty.

Outdoor bars Lençois.

A drink in the village

On the way home we stopped at a 'bar' in the local village for a drink. The owner of the bar left her mobile in the hanging basket, I assume because it was where she could get reception.

The paddle home

The trip home seemed harder work against the flow.

Insect

This looks like a pile of debris but is in fact a very cleverly disguised insect.

Another intriguing plant

Farmhouse lunch

We returned to the farmhouse for a home cooked lunch. Chopped cactus, rice, flour, beans... Delicious

Spider web

All along the track from the waterholes were these very sophisticated spider webs. They formed a funnel, at the base of which was the spider.

Waterholes

We waled through the farm to a nearby waterfall. There were lots of lovely waterholes cascading down the hill. We swam in them all. The water was a lovely temperature.

The farmhouse

After the canoe trip we had. 30 minute walk along a track to the farmhouse. There were lots of kids about. Apparently they go there for the school holidays and go back to the village with their mothers during term time.

A helping hand

Andy had a bit of a tumble getting up the bank so this sweet young girl helped him up the final bit.

Poisonous plant

This stunning flower is very poisonous. The diamond miners here used to pick it and place it around their food to prevent the rats and other animals from eating it.

Water Lilly

On the trip,out to the farm the water Lillie's were still open. By the time we made the return trip they had closed. There were some wonderful birds that just ran over the Lilly pads as though they were a path. To yuck to catch on film.

Carnivorous flowers

These attractive yellow flowers are carnivorous and trap small insects. Tour guide for the two days was very knowledgeable about all the wildlife, as well as politics, economics and history of Brazil.

Mud birds nest

We saw a lot of bird life on the canoe trip and this wonderful nest made of mud was on a branch overhanging the waterway.

Miguel paddled also

The village with life jackets

The villagers supplied the canoes, paddlers and life jackets

A charming church in the village

Marimbas

Yesterday we went for about a forty minute drive from Lençois to the wetlands Marimbus. Here we picked up life jackets Ina little village. This is an area that the slaves fled to and hid from their masters. We then were taken by canoe for a ninety minute journey through the wetlands to O Cacarão, a farm on the other side of the wetlands. This is a Poinsiana tree in the village.

Rock rats

There are some very large rats that live on the mesa, and we had also seen them on .noronha. They use the thick leaves od this plant to create a nest.

Flowers on mesa

There were some stunning flowers on the top of the Mesa including some delicate orchids, and also some of the large orchids.

On the summit

Wild passion fruit flower on the Mesa

Morro Di Pai Inaçia

Late in the afternoon we ascended a Mesa in the centre of the Chapada Diamantina park. The views were superb in all directions. The area had been a diamond mine in the 1800s. the mines had deaf forested the whole region to gain better access to the terrain. In the 1960s it was declared a nature reserve and reafforestation has begun. The terrain protected versus unprotected is clearly visible as the vegetation is returning to the protected areas. There are apparently three kinds of jaguars that live in the park.

Gruta Azul

We then followed the Blue river around and viewed this deep blue pool. It was so still and tranquil. As we adjusted to the light the intensity of the blue increased.

Lake by the cave

Cave fish

There were occasional fish in the cave, but around the entrance were schools of little fish.

Cave snorkel

We followed a young man on a surfboard into the cave. We had underwater torches nd swam about 200 meters into the dark cave. It was amazing. At the end of the swim was a deep cavern 20m deep with a light at the bottom. Just amazing. Andy was not at all comfortable and was worried about getting lost and left in the cave.

Prarinha - Gruta Azul

Next we went to the Blue river. This extensive pool was outside the pool mouth. Nearby there were huge numbers of people picnicking and bathing in waist deep warm water. We descended to the cave entrance and donned lifejacket and snorkeling gear.

Exit to cave

The cave was massive about 20m high. The floor was mostly sandy like a river bed. There were many impressive stale items and stalegtites and other formations.

The massive cave entrance

This massive cave used to be an underground river. It extends for kilometers, but we only walked about 800 meters of it.

Bariguda

This spikey tree is called a Bariguda and has a bulbous trunk like a Boab to store water.