Salvador, Brazil 2/27

We arrived and docked in Salvador de Bahia right on schedule at 1pm.  Salvador is the heart of the African culture in Brazil and was once the capitol city.  Slaves were brought to this area to work on the sugar plantations from 1532 to until 1855.  As all the records were destroyed they can only estimate that about 4 million slaves were brought here during that 300 year period. 

We left the ship for a highlight tour after having an excellent lunch of several types of BBQ ribs (not as good, of course, as the Back Room in Columbia Falls, MT!).

What a city of contrasts, according to our tour guide, there are nearly 400 churches, outnumbered by 2,000 "voodoo houses", and a mix of Spanish, Portuguese and African language is spoken.  The African heritage is obvious everywhere.  There are many beautiful beaches lined with expensive condos and apartment, but right alongside there is the abject poverty of the Favelas (slums).  Our guide was one of the better ones we have had during the cruise, his command of English was excellent and when we asked where he had learned he told us he had lived in Denver as an exchange student for a year.  It was a vibrant city and we truly enjoyed the afternoon, even though it was quite warm.

View from the old city

Colorful buildings in the old city

Lots of gold leaf in this church 

Some of the Carnival decorations were still up