Part 8 - Salvador

Day 17 – Tuesday, July 7.   Salvador. 

In a previous post I mentioned that I try and get as much done on the blog as possible while on the trip since when we return home there are a 1001 other things competing for my time.  Fortuneteller this time I got everything written on the trip except for the last two days, and for those days I got the photos picked out and uploaded while in the airport.  However, I didn't get anything written for the sections, so I am writing this from home.  At least initially without the detail I would like so I at least get something posted, and hopefully will add more detail later.  

Our time in Salvador was partly rainy, but warm, above 70 deg F, so it was comfortable, or even a bit steamy, but nothing like the humidity in the Amazon. We were picked up at the hotel at 9, and spent the day on a combination walking/driving tour of Salvador.  Salvador was capital of colonial Brazil for the first 200 years, and has a lot of interesting architecture and churches.  The city layout is interesting as the old part of the city is on a bluff above the bay that provided natural protection.  Today there is an elevator that takes people from the waterfront up to the old historic city.  Ten to 20 years ago much of the old city was run down, but many areas have been cleaned up and today are vibrant with lots of shops, restaurants, and clubs.  We explored the core part of the upper city on foot, and then were driven to some of the outlying sites and to the lower city later in the day, including going to the local market.

Day 18 – Wednesday, July 8.   Salvador.  Originally we had been scheduled to go on a an all day schooner trip into the day to some islands, but due to the weather there was a high likelihood of that being canceled.  So, we elected to do an alternate tour and go to Praia do Forte which was a bout a two hour drive north of Salvador.  Praia do Forte is a resort town, but is most famous for the TAMAR project, which is dedicated to preserving endangered sea turtles.  We stopped at a beautiful beach on the way to Praia do Forte and were blessed with sun while we were there, and then continued on the visit the TAMAR project.  We all enjoyed it, but Elizabeth especially loves turtles, so it was sort of a later birthday event for her.  We were originally going to have one extra day in Salvador and were considering going to Praia do Forte, so the fact that we needed to change from the schooner trip was not a problem, and I think it ultimately turned out to be a better option for us.

We returned to Salvador around 5 PM.   Matthew was still not feeling 100% well, so I stayed with him at the hotel and Karen and Elizabeth went back into the old part of town for dinner and some evening entertainment.