Portuguese is the national language and if you don't speak it you have a hard time getting around. Even Spanish isn't widely spoken here ... but we managed with sign language and combinations of Spanish, Italian and English.
Salvador
We spent 20 hours getting from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Salvador, Brazil. Oh yes ... it's CARNIVAL time and the reason we were there. It was also the time for everything to be fully booked and the rates increased up to fivefold! The Carnival experience was a disappointment to us. We saw more of the expected 'Carnival atmosphere' on TV than we did in the streets. That plus a few minor pickpocketing experiences and we were glad to get out of the city .. but couldn't get a booking for a over a week!
One of the highlights of being in Salvador was finally meeting Gary and Bill on the yacht Amadon Light. After over ten years of talking with them on the ham radio and exchanging emails it was good to have another long awaited 'eyeball QSO'.
Lencois
We visited the Chapada Diamentina region (west of Salvador) and found some great hiking among the hills where diamonds were once abundant. An all-day excursion with Andrenalina Tours (honestly, that's their name) included a good hike, absailing 43 meters into a cavern (twice) and scrambling through the caves.
Morro de Sao Paulo
Still killing time waiting for a flight to Rio we spent two nights at this resort island close to Salvador. Stayed at the most remote hotel on the island and enjoyed the serenity of being near the sea.
Rio de Janerio
A few nights in a nice hotel in Copacabana
gave us the chance to do the obligatory things .. Christ
the Redeemer statue, Sugar Loaf, Santa
Teresa Trolley Car across the Carioca Aqueduct
.... plus some good restaurants.
