Salvador, Brazil

  Monday we are going to be in Salvador, Brazil.  We do not arrive here until 1pm so the morning is basically a sea day.  We got up and headed to the pool.  Bob thought it might be too rocky but it turned out to be just fine.  Some motion but not bad.  Bonnie and David were also there.  We did one hour in the pool and then cleaned up for breakfast on the aft deck.

I went up to needlepoint and two new ladies joined us.  Since we are in port in the afternoon, no late needlepoint today.  I then went to the lecture.  This time it was by Lt. Col. Bill Rothschild.  He spoke on the early years of the space program.  He has 43 years of experience in project management, systems engineering and rocket propulsion in the aerospace industry.  His talk was very good.  Then we went to lunch and sat with Joan and John from Canada.

We took a tour after lunch called "Highlights of Salvador - Walking Tour.  We started out by bus through the lower city and past the yacht club.  At the entrance of the bay is the fortress of San Antonio which was built on the spot where Amerigo Vespucci supposedly landed in 1501.  The fort was erected to protect the Portuguese colonists from Dutch invaders.

Fort San Antoinio

We continued on the Praca Municipal in the historic center. Here there are building one the colonial architecture here in Brazil.  We left the bus and started our walking tour.  We visited the Cathedral, formerly the chapel of the largest Jesuit seminary outside of Rome.

Cathedral

Inside Cathedral

Altar

We continued to the Church of Sao Francisco.  The opulent interior features cedar woodcarvings, covered in gold leaf that took 28 years to complete.

Church of Sao Francisco

Gold leaf ceiling

We then walked downhill to one of the oldest city square.  Formerly the site of the slave market and the spot where the slaves were once publicly punished.  Salvador was founded in 1549 and was the first capital of Brazil.  At least 70% of the population are classified as Afro-Brazilian.  The city still has the African influence in its music and dress.

Costumed Women

Selling coconut water

We got back on the bus and returned to the ship.  It was time to dress for dinner.  When we got on the elevator, Stan, Bonnie and David were in there so we all sat together and had a very nice dinner.  After dinner we headed up to Observation Lounge for after dinner drinks.  We sat with Red, Annie, Bonnie and David.  We did not get back to the cabin until 10 pm.  That is the latest we have been out since we started this trip.  Lights out and sleep