Salvador

Fat Boy slim float
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After Rio we knew Salvador was going to have a job to compete, we{d also started reading & hearing a lot more about the increasing violence & racism in the city.  However Salvador was sill considered the young persons place for carnival & we had friends up there so we weren't about to miss it based on rumors.

The 24 hour bus journey turned into a 32 hour trip, not a good start!  We got a room in Pelourinho, a traditionally portuguese area with brightly coloured buildings & cobbled streets, also considered the safest place due to big police presence.  Due to carnival prices had risen 4 or 5 times & availability was scarce, so cost us a small fortune.

Carnival in Salvador, Pelourinho
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In Pelourinho the carnival is all on foot as opposed to the massive lorries & floats in other areas, which was great to feel more involved in.  The small cobbled streets would suddenly fill up with parading bands & dancers dressed in flamboyant costumes.  During the day it was nice to sit in the squares, but we did feel a bit trapped by the end of 4 days as you can{t walk outside the policed areas without fear of being mugged!  It also didn't help that Dave had got ill too.

Pelourinho carnival
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For the last two days of carnival we moved out to Barra, the beach area, to stay with Kate & Brad, some Aussie friends of theirs, & Sarah & Leo (friends from home) who had come out for a holiday.  The apartment was amazing, top floor with huge balcony overlooking the beach & carnival parade.  This was the perfect place to true carnival happening without the aggression in the crowds.  It was also great seeing all this with my friends & allowed us to catch up properly.

Pelourinho carnival
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The Last night of carnival was brilliant watching the different floats go by, each one has a rope about 100 meters in front & behind to allow the people that have paid to go in to dance along.  It works by buying a vest for the particular group you want & each one has a moving toliet area & bar!  Fat boy slim was DJ'ing on one which was amazing to see & a welcome releif to hear some familiar music!