Yesterday, we spent the day at sea relaxing by the pool,
had a delicious dinner for Cathy’s birthday and spent the evening with friends
and crew celebrating in the Ocean Bar. Today, I was out on deck to capture our
sail in photos before we set off for the city of Ilhéus. Ann, Cathy and I
started our walk about the historic section of the city...the weather was
beautiful with extremely warm temperatures.
Located on the Atlantic Ocean just south of Salvador,
Ilhéus boasts beautiful beaches and a rich Portuguese heritage. Bright, early
20th century architecture and oddly angled streets lend a vibrant and rather
whimsical air to slightly rough-around-the-edges Ilhéus. The town’s fame comes
from its history as a prosperous cocoa port, as well as being the hometown of
Jorge Amado, a celebrated Brazilian novelist. Our first site was the iconic
Saint Sebastian Cathedral, a unique, eclectic mix of architectural
styles...unfortunately due to Carnival the church was closed to visitors. The
city was very quiet and nearly all the stores, restaurants and attractions were
closed...the reason being; it is Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday, the day before
Ash Wednesday and a holiday...we were told the residents were either gone to
Salvador for Carnival or to the beach. We did a bit of shopping at the local
Artisan market. Our friend Stu joined us and we started to explore the back
streets of the old city coming upon the Jorge Amado house, Vesuvio Bar,
Municipal Theater, the bright blue Bataclan building, a colonial cocoa palace,
former brothel and now an exhibition space. We walked along the bay past the
Cristo Beach to the Christ the Redeemer statue and the Estaiada Bridge, then
making our way back to the historic center along the ocean-side. We stopped for
some refreshments and take respite from the heat. Starting to make our way back
to the ship we had a taxi driver, Marcelo, stop us and offer to take us on a tour...we
took him up on the offer and went up to Palace Paranagua, the Library, Saint
George of Ilhéus Church, the oldest church in Ilhéus, the neighboring Sacred
Art Museum and Palace Misael Tavares...this was a great end to our touring in Ilhéus.
Tonight we are having dinner in the Pinnacle Grill.
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