Salvador is situated in the state of Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. It was the first capital of Brazil until 1763 and was where slaves were imported from Africa. The African influence in Salvador is considered the strongest in any city in the world outside of Africa which explains the culinary, religious, musical, dance and martial-arts traditions.
I was staying at the Hostel Cobreu which is located in the heart of the Pelourinho, which literally means "whipping post" in Portuguese. It’s the place where slaves were tied up and publicly tortured. The Pelourinho is the historical centre of Salvador and a world heritage site due to its Portuguese colonial architecture.
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| The Pelourinho. |
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| A Pelourinho church. Hostel Cobreu is the yellow building bottom left. |
I spent Sunday walking around the Pelourinho familiarising myself with the area.
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| The Elevador Lacerda which connects the upper and lower parts of the city. |
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| A Bahian woman in traditional dress. |
On arriving back at the hostel I met Andre from Belo Horizonte, a city located in the southeast of Brazil. We decided to spend Tuesday exploring the city. We managed to take in all the major sights including a trip to the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim.
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| Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. |
The church is said to have special healing powers. A room at the back of the church contains photographs, even x-rays of people suffering from a variety of conditions and illnesses in the hope that they will be cured. Hanging from the ceiling are casts and replicas of peoples body parts; a very surreal sight.
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| Bahian dolls. |
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| A Portuguese colonial house in the Pelourinho. |
On Tuesday I took a trip to Praia do Forte and the Projeto Tamar located around 80km or so north of Salvador. Projeto Tamar is the Brazilian conservation and research program for sea turtles. It was a great experience to see the various different species of turtles up close. Huge loggerhead turtles at one end of the spectrum and twelve-day-old hatchlings at the other. Awesome creatures!
Tuesday night is party night! Crowds pour into the Pelourinho to eat, drink, dance and the party lasts until the early hours of the morning. A good night although I didn’t think so at 06:30 this morning when I had to get up to make my flight to Foz do Iguacu!
3 comments:
hi Lee just had a quick browse with Lindsay, yet again some wonderful photographs, like the one of the old lady did you take that one especially for nannie?..x
Not sure about the body parts in the church!!! sounds like some more great stories to tell when you get back. Keep them coming enjoy your next port of call
love and hugs
Mum...x
also Lindsay says to say hi and she likes the dolls!
she will post you an email later in the week
love from Lindsay and baby Joey...x
Hi lee great photos hope u r enjoying yourself luv and miss u the cafe isnt the same without u auntie june(spoon) x x
Hey Spoon, Missing you guys too. Finding a descent cup of tea is proving very difficult. Getting some serious withdrawal symptoms from the lack of tea running through my veins! Not good! :O(
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