We have left and come back though so it's not as bad as it first seems. In fact we've had a few adventures since the last entry here so here goes.......
We had a weekend out in the country at the house of Diogo's parents Celeste and Gilson where an attempt was made to kill us with courtesy. We were fed and watered from the moment we entered the house only taking small breaks to sleep or take a dip in the pool. There was a festa for Brazillian mother's day in town so we attended for a few drinks and a dance before catching up on more sleep. Next day we headed out to the Fazenda Issabelle (their farm out of the small town) for a spot of horseriding and sightseeing. We had a fantastic time despite the fact that my horse reared up 3 times Lone Ranger style before I jumped out of the saddle to the ground. Anyhow, nobody died and we all returned to the house in town for another round of fantastic food. The next day was Diogo's grandfather's birthday (84) and we were invited and greeted like long lost family members (instead of gatecrashers)to another round of food and booze.
Just before the point of bursting, although my shorts were now becoming uncomfortably tight, we headed back to Salvador with a bag full of goodies - lamb from the farm, cakes, puddings, fresh unpasturised milk and a couple of trinkets as well. You can't find fault with Brazilian hospitality!!!!!
So, after this we actually went sailing again!!!!! We actually left Salvador for more than a week as well. One of the rivers that feeds the Bahia o dos Todos Santos is called Rio Paraguaçu and it was here that we headed first. We originally intended to spend just a few days on the river, but well, it was just so lovely that we were there over a week and only came back then because our temporary crewmember Anna had to meet up with someone else. So we cruised up the river to a place which seemed a million miles away from Salvador. You could find an anchorage every night giving perfect isolation from the real world to listen to the sounds of the jungle reaching down to the river bank on all sides. Skinny dipping in the lovely warm waters and drying off in the sun. Waving to the ocassional canoe passing with fishermen or families on their way to market. Heavy traffic here is defined when two craft are seen on the same stretch of water and all heavy haulage is still undertaken by old sailing boats with tree trunks for masts.
We pulled into a couple of villages to get supplies, visiting the local farmers market where all the produce has been carried there by the ponies and donkeys waiting in the next street until it's time to plod home now laden with the shopping for the week.
Anna jumped ship to a South African Yacht 'New Dawn' with Kyall and Ruth and we returned to the Centro Nautico. It was like time travelling to sail back to Salvador after this experience, especially as the entertainment for the weekend was based around kariokee, a drum and bass warehouse party and following the huge floats of Gay Pride complete with transvestites galore. Another thing that the Brazillians are really good at is sound systems, from the music blaring from every house, car, shop and especially each bar to the huge sound system for the drumm and bass gig (so loud that it shook your clothes and rattled your fillings)and the awesome carnival floats - articulated lorries comprising of banks of speakers facing all directions and a full stage on top for a band or a disco.
After a quick dose or the twentieth century we headed to the Rio Cairu, 30 miles south of Salvador. Not quite as charming as the Rio Paraguaçu but we had fun here too either dancing 'Foho'(a cross between aerobics and epilepsy) or venturing up river in the dinghy to see where they still make boats out of wood from 70 foot schooners to single log canoes. A couple of days spent relaxing at Morro de Sao Paolo and then back to Salvador for the last UV - Soononmoon party where Sir Man dusted off his records again and hey, we're up to date at last........few!!!
