Brazil 2024 - Festive Fun - Carnival with Comrades

Suggestions

• Go with friends for the maximum fun.
• Stay closer to the parade route. It will be harder to get in and out of the camarote if you need to. Also, at the end of the night, you don't want to get lost after all the drinks.
• If you want to walk or dance with the crowd, be careful of your valuables. Also, leave or make way for the cops to walk else you will be rough handled.
• Please plan to go to Pelourinho, the historic district of Salvador for at least half a day. It is filled with music and dance.
• Investing in a camarote ticket is undoubtedly worthwhile, as navigating through the bustling crowd can be quite dreadful. While it may seem enjoyable at first, enduring the jostling and pushing for an extended period isn't something I can envision myself doing.

  

  Chillout place 

• Ensure the safety of your valuables at all times. I've heard stories from fellow travelers who lost their cell phones even though they kept them in zippered pockets inside their jackets.
• Consider bringing along a bunch of bead chains. It's a tradition that if you offer the chain to someone and they accept it, they're expected to give you a kiss.

Getting There

After catching the bus from Barra Bonita to Sao Paulo and then the metro from the bus station to meet my friends from Seattle, Prasad and Kichan, at the Sao Paulo airport, we relaxed in the lounge, moving between lounges to sample different foods. Since there wasn't much vegetarian fare available, and it wasn't the right time for drinking, we mostly sat, charged our phones, took naps, until we arrived at the Salvador airport. We didn't sense much of a festive atmosphere at the airport, and collecting the tickets for the camarote was a straightforward process.

Once we secured the tickets, we reached out to Claudia, our Airbnb host, who kindly offered to pick us up from the airport for the same price as Airbnb. She was incredibly nice and promptly arrived to transport us to the apartment. Situated in a prime location, just a short two-minute walk to the beach, the apartment was ideal. It was conveniently close to the end of the carnival parade route.

Walking around

Acaraje

After settling in for a bit, we embarked on a leisurely stroll around 4:30 p.m. towards the carnival area, without a set destination in mind. We found ourselves wandering along the beachfront enjoying the sunset until we stumbled upon the carnival area. There, we indulged in some yakisoba, sharing a portion among the three of us. As the clock approached 6 p.m., the crowd began to swell, and we witnessed the arrival of the floats amidst the pulsating music.

Where is my Dinner

People danced joyously in the streets, and while the increasing throngs made the experience a bit cramped, the presence of numerous police officers helped maintain order. We spent some time soaking in the atmosphere before eventually growing weary and craving a meal. Around 8 p.m., we exited the parade area and ventured to the central mall area in search of a restaurant, but to no avail.

Unable to find any vegetarian options, we settled for purchasing noodles, onions, and tomatoes from a grocery store with the intention of preparing a meal at home. Although securing an Uber took some time, we eventually opted for a taxi, which transported us back to our accommodations. The taxi was driving the taxi as if he's James Bond and we thought that we would never make it to our place. It was quite an adventurous ride. It was quite an eventful first day, immersing ourselves in the carnival ambiance, relishing the music and risky taxi ride.

Exploring Pelourinho and Navigating the Crowds

The next day, we arranged to meet Aila around noon at the apartment, but she got stuck in the traffic from the airport and no sign of her 'til 1pm. With Aila still absent, we opted to entrust the apartment key to the security personnel and set off for Pelourinho, the historic district of Salvador. The area was alive with a throng of people, pulsating music, and spirited dancing. After meandering through the streets and enjoying lunch, we hailed an Uber in an attempt to reach the carnival area. However, due to the congested streets, we had to disembark nearly a mile from our intended camarote location. Undeterred, we proceeded on foot, encountering yet another lively scene characterized by energetic music, bustling crowds, and vigilant law enforcement officers managing the crowd.

Enjoying @ camarote

Inside Camarote

Finally reaching camarote and meeting with Aila, we opted for the all-inclusive package on our first day, indulging in drinks and savoring the festive atmosphere until the early hours of the morning. The following day, we returned to experience another camaraderie, this time opting for a drinks-only package. The venue was bustling with activity, offering various amenities such as free makeup and entertainment.

View of the Street

While the music and vibes were undeniably enjoyable, I couldn't help but feel that the carnival experience, while memorable, might not be something I'd repeat due to the immense crowds and logistical challenges. Nonetheless, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I'm grateful to have had. Upon reflecting on the differences between the carnivals in Salvador and Rio, I realized that each offers a unique perspective, with Salvador focusing more on music and dancing, while Rio boasts grand parades and elaborate costumes.

Change of Plan to Beaches from Mountains

After immersing ourselves in the vibrant Carnival atmosphere, I bid farewell to Prasad and Kichan as they departed for Seattle on an early morning flight. Aila, however, had a convincing argument to postpone my planned hike and join her on a trip to Boipeba. Though initially hesitant due to the logistical challenges, Aila's assurance of guiding me through the process, from ferry rides to bus transfers and taxi journeys, swayed my decision. Besides, the prospect of experiencing local life with Aila added to the allure. After a final toast with champagne at 3:30 a.m., we retreated to our accommodations, preparing to rest before our upcoming adventure to Boipeba.

Brazil 2024 - Kickstarting Carnival: Family Adventures and Festivities

Getting to Barra Bonita

https://youtu.be/YYOSb8Hhppg

My journey took me to Barra Bonita, where my friend, Aila's family resides. The bus journey took about 4 hours and it was very comfortable. Arriving at the small town, Barra Bonita, got picked up Aila and treated like royalty was very nice. That day evening we had a family party where they introduced me to Brazilian delights like Caipirinha and Brazilian barbecue. Aila's mom taught me how to make

Caipirinha and I thought that she is making the drink for the whole gang by looking at the amount of sugar she was adding to the drink, but realized that it was just for me. I got the realization that with Caipirinha if the alcohol doesn’t kill you, the sugar will surely kill you. So whenever I ordered Caipirinha, I asked the bartender to add just one spoon of sugar.

The following day, we set out to explore local waterfalls and wander through the town. Brazilians have a deep appreciation for both music and nature, readily immersing themselves in the refreshing waters of the river or swaying to the tunes echoing in the park without hesitation. I managed to procure garbanzo beans from the local market to prepare channa masala for the family. With great care, I ensured minimal spice usage while cooking both the egg curry and channa masala. However, to my surprise, Aila's parents found even the slightest hint of spice overwhelming, resulting in tears as they savored the Indian cuisine.

Indian visiting Indian Stone

The following day, I had the pleasure of meeting Aila's grandmother, aunts, and the rest of her extended family. Their tight-knit bond reminded me of the close family structures often seen in Eastern cultures. After spending quality time with them, we embarked on a journey to the Pedra do Indio nature preserve, a scenic two-hour drive away. Along the way, we passed by picturesque soy farms, lush coffee estates, and farms housing genetically modified bulls without horns. Following a couple of brief hikes and relishing the scenic vista of the Indian Stone from the observation deck, we proceeded to a nearby coffee farm to indulge in some freshly brewed coffee with beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.

Party Time

Once we returned home, I had my hair done by Aila's aunt and headed out to the park. As the carnival season kicked off, we opted to immerse ourselves in the festivities. It resembled a Brazilian version of Oktoberfest, where families and friends gathered to enjoy drinks, food, and thrilling rides. Many brought along chairs and coolers filled with beverages, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with music from various bands. We met a number of Aila's friends and family in the carnival area and had one too many drinks.

Despite the option of using Uber, Aila and her aunt insisted on driving me to the bus station in a nearby town, ensuring my safe departure to Sao Paulo, even in the wee hours of the morning.