Time to hit the beaches!

After 2 weeks of Portuguese classes in Salvador, and practising my Portuguese with people on the beach in the afternoons I have hit the road again, actually that is already about 10 days ago but have been really slacky with my blog. After Salvador I went to the Chapada Diamantina with a German classmate, Andrej, to scout the place there for the Anders Reizen trip that I have arranged. We did some great hikes to waterfalls and valleys, really pretty. After that, another day of Salvador in order to arrange flights and hostel bookings for New Years in Rio because, yes, I have decided to be in Rio for New Years! It will be expensive but I am sure that it will be worth it. Maybe it won´t be as exciting as Carnaval but still - 2 million people on Opacabana beach, all dressed in white, will be quite exciting. That, off course with lots of good Brazilian music, caipirinha´s and fireworks. You can expect the stories of that in the beginning of January.

Anyway, after that day in Salvador I took a bus - boat - bus - boat to Barra Grande. A very chilled peninsula. I pretty much just relaxed out there - went for long walks on the beautiful beaches and layed in my hammock reading books. I finished my first book in Portuguese there!!! Yes, I think my Portuguese has improved! I had a lovely room, right on the beach with the perfect view and perfect hammock.

A few days ago I traveled a bit further South in Bahia (actually only 50 km but since there is no direct route I had to go all the way around : boat-bus-bus-bus, and that took me about 8 hours!). Here in Itacaré, THE surf spot in Bahia, I didn´t have a choice but to join a surf class. Today I´ll have my 3rd day of classes - lots of sore muscles and bruises, but LOTS of fun.

I think I´ll stay here a few more days and then head further South in Bahia, on my way to Rio.

Below a few pictures:
1. Milton, one of the people on the beach who I daily practiced my Portuguese with
2. A view of Vale do Capão in the Chapada Diamantina
3. One of the long beaches on the Maraú Peninsula close to Barra Grande