Ready to go agian

Pearl of Persia
Andrew Lock
Wed 19 Feb 2014 14:21
What a wonderful stop Salvador turned out to be. One of the great delights
about sailing the world is discovering places, not just remote locations and
palm lined coral atolls, but cities as well, that normally wouldn't even
register on a holiday itinerary. Salvador is one such place. An old colonial
centre full of lively activity, especially the groups who roam the streets
pounding the traditional African style music on drums. You could say they
are a drum bands. The beat penetrates deep inside you, people sway to the
sound and the group moves on along the street with followers, like the Pied
Piper of Hamlin. The Basilica overlooking the main square, incredibly ornate
and covered completely with gold leaf, built in 1650, and dozens of other
17th and 18th century buildings that in other cities would be destinations
in themselves. It had a very similar feel to Cartagena in Colombia, another
city we would never had discovered had it not been for 'the Pearl'.
A group of us also took the chance to get away from the boats for a few
days, into the interior 'Chapa Diamonte' an old diamond mining
area....interestingly the same diamond belt as in South Africa and
Namibia.....among spectacular mountains and caves. One we snorkelled through
in cool water, the other an hour walk with fabulous stalactite and
stalagmite formation, that in most places would be a major tourist
attraction but we were on our own.
Final jobs have now been done, and we are ready to sail North East up the
coast of Brazil, around the shoulder, past the Amazon and on towards
Grenada. The boat is straining at her mooring lines riding the swell, as if
to say 'Time up....lets go to sea'
Pictures show:
Oliver washing the fruit and veg
Some panoramic shots in Chapa Diamante
Sussanne on her bierthday

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