Sposh 2006 & Porto de Galinhas (6-10/Oct/06)

Salvador, Brazil

So no last-minute surprise visit from any of my so-called friends, exactly the same as what happened to poor Esther on her birthday. I cried a bit less than her though, as I was expecting it. Hope you are all happy.

Didn't actually do much on my birthday, after blowing out the candle at breakfast we spent most of the day in Porto de Galinhas. The weird name (chicken port) comes from the fact that, after slavery was banned in Brazil, the trade continued illegally here and the codeword used for "slave" was "chicken". It is basically a family beach town, a bit like Brighton, but obviously a billion times better which explains why tourists flock to Brazil's beaches while riding donkeys to the end of the pier and eating rock in the rain is a privilege enjoyed only by a handful of brits.

Spent 2 days on the beach and strolling round the town's shops, as is our custom lately, and most of the third day as well before heading towards Salvador on the night bus. Near the beach are some amazing rocks which are above water when the tide leaves, with loads of small rock pools full of fish.

The bus broke on the way so we were a few hours late, but no matter. Spent a few hours in the bus station (not because it is a wonderful tourist attraction but because we were waiting for a bus) and then continued on to Lençois to visit the Chapada Diamantina national park.