SALVADOR DA BAHIA

26. April 2011

We arrived at the Salvador airport in the middle of the night and luckily it was easy to get a taxi. Of course the driver didn't know where the hostel was, although he said so. After driving around the block a few times he finally found it. After a few hours of sleep and a very good breakfast we started our walking tour through Salvador. Pelourinho, the historical part of the city is very beautiful. Cobblestone streets and old, colorful houses. And lots of churches (apparently there are over 100 churches in Salvador). We visited the Convento de Sao Francisco, an 17th century church almost completely painted in gold on the inside. Not beautiful but quite impressive.
Afterward we took the Lacerda Elevator down to cidade baixa (the lower part of the city) where we walked through the Mercado Modelo – an old building converted to a market where lots of touristy items are sold. Since nothing in Brazil is cheap we didn't buy anything. Afterward we went by bus (finding the bus station was the big challenge) to Barra, the neighborhood at the tip of the peninsula, surrounded by beaches. After enjoying a coffee we walked along the beach and to the lighthouse. Again, for a city the beach was really nice and clean.
For dinner we tried a typical local dish – Moqueca (fish or seafood stew) – very delicious.
After relaxing with a caipirinha at the hostel, we went to a free concert in the streets near the hostel. Very nice. Lot's of people drinking beer, listening to music and having a good time. Great atmosphere.
The next morning I went for a photo tour through Pelourinho before we left Salvador to check out the beaches north of the city.