Date: Jan. 20, 2007
Location: Salvador de Bahia
Next Port: Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 22
Quick Summary: What a great city…a beautiful old town with an exciting plaza, colorful pastel painted old building, grand churches and friendly people. And, we were “Busted”….
Report: Larrygot in his workout before we attended our morning devotional. This morning we enjoyed a meaningful video created by a young Michigan pastor. Then we had breakfast in La Veranda as we sailed out of a rain shower and into the bustling harbor of Salvador de Bahia. We threaded our way through tankers, fishing boats, passenger ferries and tourist sightseeing boats and past the Fort of San Antonio at the mouth of the inner bay. It was at this site that Americo Vespucio landed in 1501. The fort was erected to protect the Portuguese colonists form the Dutch invaders.
Brazil’s first capital and fifth largest city is situated on a high bluff that circles around the eastern side of the magnificent All Saints Bay.
Bahia is an intriguing cultural mix of African and European heritage. The former derives from the slaves brought here to work the sugar cane fields more than 400 years ago. The city’s colonial past dates to 1549 with the founding of Salvador. This marked the beginning of the permanent occupation of Brazil by the Portuguese.
The city offers a fascinating mixture of the old and modern, rich and poor, African and European, religious and profane…making it (after Rio) the country’s second ranking tourist attraction.
Salvador is divided into an upper and lower section. We took a van up to the older section where we found multi-colored buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, old squares, a colorful market and countless churches…making for a picturesque, fascinating historical center.
From the square, we visited the Basilica Cathedral de Salvador, which was built from 1657-1672. It was formerly the largest Jesuit seminary outside of Rome. Then we walked over to the harbor overlook which includes a modern aluminum sculpture of double crosses – one being broken and representing Jesus. Close by is a large painted sculpture of a Bahian woman dressed in the typical African native costume that includes a large bustle?
We walked through a major square to the church of St. Francis, built in 1708-1723, and enjoyed its nice little museum. To get back to the ship, we took the elevator to the lower level of town. It cost 5 centavos – 2.5 cents US – per person. Undoubtedly the cheapest thing we will ever do on this 111-day adventure!
We visited the Mercado and saw some of the kick-boxing that emanates from the area’s African heritage.
After a nice sail away from Salvador de Bahia’s scenic harbor, we both agreed that this was a great stop…our best port so far.
We decided to watch a movie and have dinner in our suite. It was a very nice, restful break.
Oh, yes, we got “busted” yesterday. Well not quite. When we came “home,” we found a card propped up next to the fruit bowl and flower vase on our cocktail table. It was leaning against our wax candle. It was a gentle reminder from the Staff Captain that no open flames were allowed in the cabins. Well, this wax “candle” is battery powered! We had great fun showing our sweet stewardess, Cecilia, that it is fake. We all had a laugh!
Tomorrow is a sea day…to be highlighted by an Internet graphical feed of the Bears “victory” over the Saints!
(From our pillow chocolate:)
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-- Helen Keller
Karen and Larry
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