Week 5: São Luis & Salvador Brazil
Day 29: (January 31st, 2016)

We had a great breakfast early and tried a new fruit called barracuri (or something like that) with the flavor of a lime and texture of a banana. We quickly packed our bags and were picked up at our hotel and taken to a boat which set off toward the coast. Our tour guide told us a lot that we didn’t quite understand and we soon stopped at a sand bar in the middle of the river. We navigated a narrow channel full of crabs before stopping at a small beach with massive sand dunes and hungry monkeys. We continued on to Cabure island which has salty river water on one side and crashing ocean waves on the other. We ate leftover subway on the beach and then took a nap in some shady hammocks. We made one more stop at the lighthouse before our boat stopped running. We were stranded here for awhile and worried that we would miss our bus to São Luis. Eventually another boat showed up to take us back to our hotel. We waited at our hotel for the shuttle/bus to the city but it never arrived. Luckily a couple of European guys who worked in São Luis were driving back after a weekend vacation. They gave us a ride for free and despite the literal 80+ speed bumps we made it within a few hours, much faster than the bus would have been. We ordered some Chinese food and relaxed in our hotel for a bit before bed. 

   
    
 Day 30: 

We had a great breakfast and a lazy morning before heading to lunch with my friend Elba and her sister. Somehow we became Facebook friends and started talking last year so I had to stop to meet her. She is very sweet and fun and we were thrilled to hang out with a new friend who speaks surprisingly good English. After some great fish next to the ocean we drove around the city and went to the historic city center.We wandered around looking at some beautiful old architecture before heading back to the middle of the city. We stayed with Elba pretty much all afternoon, went back to the hotel, and then Elba picked us up to go to this restaurant. The restaurant was sort of like a churrascaria and was very delicious. We were exhausted by the end of the day!

   
    
    
 Day 31: 

Elba picked us up earlier in the morning and we headed back to the historic center. We walked around for awhile looking at the old buildings and looking at some displays of Carnaval costumes. Then we got some great lunch at a cheap local place. After that we spent the afternoon at Elba’s place playing with her dog, swimming in the pool, and trying Brazilian fudge. Then we went with her sister to dinner by the ocean and ate “toc toc” crab which is named after the sound of cracking the whole crabs shell with a mallet. We enjoyed the crab here even more than in Fortaleza. We were sad to say goodbye to our new friends but we needed to get up early the next morning for our flight. 

   
    
   
Day 32:

We got up around 5 and headed to the airport. We flew to Fortaleza and then Salvador. By the time we reached our hotel we were starving and headed into the historic district looking for food. We found multiple groups of drummers parading around the city among festive decorations and lots of tourists. We ate some great chicken and steak while watching the Carnaval festivities. We wandered the city a bit more before getting some much needed sleep. 
Day 33: 

We spent the first part of the day exploring the historic center but found that most museums were closed. We continued on through the shopping district and down the public elevator until we reached the ocean. We explored a bit more, bought some masks for Carnaval, and headed to lunch. We chilled at the hotel for a bit before heading back out for dinner and drinks. The Carnaval festivities had begun and after dinner at o cravinho we wandered around for a bit among the Carnaval parade before heading to bed. 

   
    
   
Day 34: 

We woke up early and went out to take some pictures of historic Pelourinho, a neighborhood of Salvador, before the Carnaval festivities began. We returned and had a great breakfast in the beautiful centuries old section of our pousada. Then we relaxed for a bit before having some great beer and filet parmigiana at a local restaurant. We played some cards and then went to the Carnaval area as the sun set and made friends at a local rasta bar with the friendly bar tender. Then we wandered around the city for a bit checking out the various live performances going on. We drank a few too many beers and decided we had better head back. At about 9 o’clock… 
Day 35: 

After a big breakfast we relaxed by the pool and read our books in the sun. Later we went to a restaurant for some great burgers. We did a little shopping but didn’t buy anything and went to our hotel to get ready for Carnaval. We walked around for awhile looking at all the different musicians on the various stages. We found some bands we really liked and enjoyed the view of old churches contrasted by wild parties. After taking part in some dance parties we were tired and left the party.