Salvador, Brazil - After a quick flight to Miami and an endless eight hour jump over the equator to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial center, I took one more flight, a quick two hour hop, and finally came to Salvador. The flight was relatively inexpensive, considering I was traversing around 6,500 miles, but the first thing I noticed upon arrival was how inexpensive everything was, compared to the US and Europe. Our hotel, the Salvador Praia located right on the ocean and rated 4 stars, (I would have rated it 3 stars, but it was clean, roomy and the a/c worked), came to less than $60 a night. Due to the fatigue and heat, I pulled into a store and picked up a few beers, with a lot of help from my Brazilian travel companion, and paid around a buck for four. "Now this is my kind of place," I thought to myself.
Anyway, I digress. After a good night's sleep we decided to take a day trip up the coast to a place called Pria do Forte which is about 40 miles north of Salvador 3 km from where Rodovia do Coco and Linda Verde highways meet. Featuring an authentic fishing village, miles of deserted pristine beaches and a unique mix of elite vacationers, surfers and ecotourists who frequent the 26 hotels and resorts set amidst palm trees, rustic houses and roads that still haven’t been paved, and lots of natural pools. Attractions include historic & Jeep Tours, horseback riding, good restaurants and the TAMAR Sea Turtle Project and Museum. The Tamar Project was absolutely amazing. Massive sea turtle return to the beach here each season to lay their eggs in the protected sands. Within the project, large tanks are set up to help injured turtles, from babies, measuring less than two inches, to adults weighing in at hundreds of pounds and living for 80 or more years.
To get to the turtle preserve, you pass through the small village of Pria do Forte, a gorgeous little fishing village populated with lots of restaurants, shops and cafe's.
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| A view from my window | A very helpful directional sign in Pria do Forte, if you spoke Portuguese |
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| A table at the TAMAR Project glistens after a mid-afternoon cooling rain. | Traditional fishing boats mix with modern pleasure boats at Pria do Forte, 40 miles north of Salvador. |
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| A curious turtle at the TAMAR project greets us | Traditional fishing boats after a morning at sea |