Reasons to visit Bahia #1: The Beaches
Phew – I’m back from a lovely relaxing trip to Bahia and have finally found some time to catch up. What a nice time I had – Bahia has so many great things worth mentioning. How about I start off by showing you some of the beaches? Bahia is renowned for its long stretches of golden coastline and after 6 months working without a break, I was ready to spend some serious time relaxing and enjoying the simple pleasures of sun, sand and sea.
Since coming to Rio I have become accustomed to the crowded beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, but in Bahia I reacquainted myself with the concept of the deserted beach:
Those 3 people in the distance were my travel-mates. This beach (Algodões on the Maraú Peninsula) was the best of the whole trip and we were pretty much the only people there.
There were so many great beaches to choose from that we never went to the same beach twice. Surf beaches, swimming beaches, snorkelling beaches, beaches in town, remote beaches that require a trek – you name it, Bahia has it covered. Here are some more of my favourites:
Taipú de Fora, another beach on the Maraú Peninsula, this one was good for snorkelling.
The Maraú Peninsula was tough to get to – we had to drive our rental car over some pretty terrible roads (a 4×4 would have made things much easier), but once we arrived we realised that it was worth every spine-crunching jolt.
This was Prainha, one of many nice beaches to choose from in and around Itacaré.
Just a man on a bike on the beach with a rainbow in the background…
After more than 2 years enjoying Brazilian beach culture (not every day) I have grown accustomed to having ice cold beer not just available on the beach, but actually brought to me so that I don’t have to move. A little decadent sure, but very easy to get used to. Luckily for me, most beaches that I visited had a few enterprising souls hanging out to offer you a cold one when you felt the need (because those beers won’t chill/bring themselves!).
Bahia is far more than just a lot of beaches – other highlights include the rich history, warm and generous people, food, wildlife (did I mention an iridescent blue tarantula?) and plenty more to boot! But the beaches were definitely one of the high points and helped this slightly overworked, overstretched (who said overweight?!) holidaymaker take the stress levels down to 0.
A fisherman heads home at the end of a long, sunny day.
Glad you had a great holiday – those beaches look wonderful!
Thanks Eleanor – they were! And as for the food? Let’s just say that I gained a few pounds… ;)
Nossa! Que praias lindas, desertas e paradisíacas!
Realmente não há estresse que dure ou resista diante desses momentos de prazer e felicidade na vida.
A boa forma física você recupera logo, fique tranquilo. Além do mais, você teve justificadas e ÓTIMAS RAZÕES!
Obrigado Rose – seu comentário é lindo! Vou comecar fazer exercisios nas manhas – como isso eu posso comer mais moqueca, pirão, farofa e todas as outras comidas brasileira que eu adoro! :D
Isn’t that last pic actually the one you took once returning from a restroom break to the spot where you were engaging a native in conversation concerning local pimenta cultivation techniques?
Welcome back :-)
Ha ha – apparently he asked around desperately if anyone had a speedboat, but as he saw me coming back he decided he’d have to make do with the old fashioned method of bore-escape… ;)
In fact I just noticed that most of these beach shots include one or more people who appear to be rapidly disappearing over the horizon. I’m pretty sure this is just a coincidence.
Off-topic (yet reminiscent of me ordering muqueca in Bahia once upon a time) is this video I think you’ll enjoy:
http://grittypoet.blogspot.com.br/2012/09/eddie-izzard-is-best-vader-ever.html
The comedian is from your neck of the woods.
If you don’t mind me asking how did you find the prices over there in Itacaré? I have been meaning to go for a while now; but always during the low season for better relaxation, and prices. Oh, a word of advice concerning the 7 de Setembro holiday: if said date falls on a Thursday or Friday I recommend a weekend trip to São Paulo as the city empties out quite well and traffic is so much better. If going to Sp is on your list then it really is the best time to go methinks.
Ah yes – Eddie Izzard is a funny guy. He kept me and my mates chuckling back in my Uni years… Here is another of my favourites – his thoughts on technology…
Regarding prices in Itacaré, I’d say it was middle of the road – not cheap, not expensive.
Great Pictures, and I hear you about the roads….Mexico’s got plenty of those kinds of bumpy ass roads!!! haha
Thanks Alex. Yeah, those bumpy roads can be a pain in the ass. Totally worth it when you have a nice beach at the end though right?
I am dying to go to Bahia. Your post did not help ;)
Ha ha ha! Sorry Rachel! :) If it’s any consolation, I’ve now got a vast amount of work, work and more work stretching out to the horizon. No more breaks til carnaval for me… :( The memories of moqueca by the beach will just have to keep me going.
p.s. You guys should go! Flights up to Salvador were pretty reasonable.
Your pictures are amazing! Very impressive. Did you like Itacaré?
Thanks Danielle :) I did like Itacaré – we had a great time there, though on balance, I think we could have had just 5 days and spent more time somewhere else. The real highlight for me was the Maraú Peninsula – it is pretty wild and the roads were a nightmare, but it had an amazing wild feel. I would love to go back with a 4×4, some fishing gear, a portable barbecue and a whole lot of nothing to do!
Oi Tom, fico muito feliz em descobrir seu blog bacana! O Rio é o máximo, e já desfrutei seguir as suas descobertas maravilhosas. Eu mesmo vou pra Salvador no próximo mês, e pretendo aproveitar das suas pesquisas no campo da comida baiana :-)
Olá Lauren! Que ótimo que você vai pra Bahia – a comida, as praias, os Baianos – tudo é bonzão la! Agora tenho um pouco de inveja – quero voltar :)