The locals say, “Sem pressa, olha para o céu, fala com Deus, você tá na Bahia.” This Portuguese saying translates to “Take your time, look at the sky, talk to God, you’re in Bahia. (Salvador)
I’m afraid however, while you’re looking at the sky a motorcycle driver and his passenger could zoom behind you and quickly snag your belongings. Sadly, crime is extremely common in Brazil with Salvador ranking at the top. We were cautious and looked out for each other.
Salvador’s population is well over two million. That sure is a lot of humans. My quaint little ship can accommodate almost 1,000. (+8 furry felines)
With Salvador being our first stop along our journey, we decided not to venture too far from our “home” base. We briefly explored the Mercado Modelo/Market. This building has 266 stores offering all sorts of Brazilian souvenirs. As my father would say, “It’s a tourist trap.” Just looking was sufficient today.
The iconic “Elevador Lacerda” connects the lower city ( Cidade Baixa) to the upper city (Cidade Alta). It has transported up to 33,000 people in a day. It normally cost 30 cents but happened to be free the day we were in port.
Olá Salvador
My total expenditures for the day totaled $2. I wanted a picture of this lady in her traditional “Bahian attire.” The blouse is called “blush” and the skirt “saia.” There was absolutely no haggling with this lady. I offered $1 in English, she insisted on $2 in Portuguese. Funny how we managed to communicate. We were told to try our hand at “haggling” but I really didn’t mind slipping her the $2 comparing my attire to hers on this toasty day. My friends Linda and Clay were not far away watching and being amused by the whole transaction.
Message just for me ~ Sunset in Salvador
Adeus Salvador
Wilson Sons Tugboat assisting with our “sail away” off to Recife
Are you an “opacarophile?” I sure am! I bet you are too.
Sunset off the Brazilian Coast ~ 2025
The sunrises and sunsets are so impressive. I believe one of my favorite sunsets was off the coast of Oregon. It was Thanksgiving and I was with my favorite people. Can you recall an extra special sunset?
I arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil March 8, 2025 to begin the next chapter of my life. I “embarked” on the Odyssey to be greeted by a delightful group of staff and residents. That’s correct, this is my residential retirement home.
I still can’t believe it myself. My intention was to downsize, move to someplace easier to manage, and settle into retirement.
So here I am. I sold my home of 25 years, put my keepsakes in storage, and packed four suitcases. My new home is the Odyssey. The Odyssey is a residential ship traveling around the world stopping in over 400 ports. It will take 3.5 years to circumnavigate the world. Then we do it again.
I’m thrilled, a captain will do the driving, a chef will do the cooking, and I will have a living room with a different magnificent view everyday!
If you know me at all, you know I’ve always been ready for a good road trip. The travel bug was introduced and cultivated by my parents many years ago. So you see, it is not my fault. I have to go.
I’ve been as far North as Banff, Canada and as far South as Padre Island, Texas in my 2002 Tbird.
Banff National Park ~ 2019
Then I traveled East to Maine and back West to Washington state in my travel van.
Devils. Tower, Wyoming ~ 2021
Cars, trains, travel vans, planes… What’s next you may ask. THE ODYSSEY!
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