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A multicultured, multifaceted place, discover brilliant beach life, airy colonial plazas and infectious samba rhythms as you explore this Brazilian melting pot. Sat on a scenic peninsula, idyllic beaches coat the city on three sides, and a historic fort sits just offshore, watching the waters menacingly. One of the world’s biggest carnivals is thrown towards the end of February, but don’t worry if you miss it – there's always an excuse to celebrate something in Salvador de Bahia. The old town – with its lemon and duck egg blue colours - rises above the city, peppered with gold-leaf flourishes and carved historical churches. Pelourinho street is one of the town's most dazzling - a picturesque gathering of bright hues and uneven cobbled streets. Bahia’s capital and largest city was Brazil's first capital, built on the backs of slaves imported from Africa. Since then the cultures have fused to create a vibrant Afro-Brazilian cocktail. Moqueca is the local flavour here, a slow-cooked stew of coconut milk, seafood and bell peppers, its a creamy and delicious indulgence with a chili kick. Enjoy a spot of relaxation on the city's beaches - and see a relatively rare phenomenon in Brazil - sunset dipping over the sea's waves, on the sands of the westerly facing Porto da Barra. Or, escape the crowds and recline below swaying coconut palms on the golden sands of beaches reaching up to the north, which are some of Brazil’s most picturesque and secluded.
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The ship was birthed and we went ashore for the seven hour cultural tour of the city of three million people. 33 of us in the bus, plus six expedition staff. Wasted a couple of hours seemingly driving around in circles, stopping at a lighthouse, the cathedral for good health ( with its coloured paper bangle for wishes) and the iconic Sorveteria da Ribeira (established in 1931) ice cream parlour which offers a choice of tropical ice creams and sorbets. We sampled their nut and their coconut flavours.
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Fita do Senhor do Bonfim is a souvenir and amulet that can be found being sold by street vendors around the Church. It made from cotton and has the phrase "Lembrança do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia" (Remembrance of the Lord of Bonfim of Bahia). The term has religious connotations and refers to a representation of Jesus. The idea seems to be that you make wishes, an if you wear the bracelet long enough, then your wishes will come true
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We were then dropped off by the top of the elevator and had a two hour walking tour of the UNESCO city centre. We went into a church covered in gold, saw a display of traditional women's dresses and just wandered the colourful streets of the town.
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Lunch at the Bistro Cuco, meant to be one of the best in town. They were a bit overwhelmed by our numbers and we had to keep putting our hands up for what we wanted. But our shrimp risotto with mango chutney and cheese was delicious and we enjoyed the conversation with Sherry and Jack. The boy enjoyed their fruit Caipirinhas too, cos they were very strong
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Then before returning to the ship, we had a Capoeira demonstration. This art form is a cross between a dance and a martial art. The history of Capoeira shows that it was a way for slaves and their descendants to assert their identity and culture in a prejudiced society. The newest Brazilian Cultural Heritage is practiced in the streets of Historic Centre of Salvador, where there are several academies, as well as in the traditional capoeira circle in Model market and throughout the rest of the city there is an academy or a capoeira group waiting with open arms for new and old adepts.
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