More Photos from Salvador

The Dutch Influence in Bonfim Church atop the hill in Salvador. They may not have liked or appreciated the Dutch, but this wall is beautiful. Glad they kept it.

One of many lighthouses scattered throughout the harbor of Salvador. This one atop the highest peak. Note the rocks along the shore, yet people were swimming all around them. Brave souls. Plenty of beautiful sandy beach a short distance away, why do they choose to swim among the rocks? As best I could discern, all the beaches are free.

This old fort was built during the 17th century, according to our very informative guide who's name escapes me at this time. The purpose of the fort was to protect their town from invaders whether they be pirates, Dutch, or others. Today it is being utilized by the Brazilian government for purpose/s of which we were not informed. Blows my mind to think of something that old still being of use. To my knowledge the only thing we have in the US dating back to that time period are the Nina, Pinta & Santa Marie which are replicas are they not? I know the rest of the world, other than the America's have things much, much older, but we are talking "new" world here.

Closer shot of the lighthouse. It took some effort to get this shot as the tour bus had to park some distance downhill from it. I climbed those steep hills in Israel without keeling over, so I figured I could do this one. Though before Israel, Mary had me whipped in to much better shape and I had not eaten a sticky bun for breakfast for 50 odd days at that time. Anyway, got the shot, survived the hike and lived for another day of adventure in this great big beautiful world God created for us. Let's not totally ruin it.

The beach at low tide.

Another shot of the Salvador seashore. Like all the coastline cities we have visited, a major thoroughfare runs along the shore between the beach and the professional buildings and/or condominiums, then old town (state of which varies from town to town, sometimes shanty, sometimes not) and up in the hills are the high priced homes.

Today, March 14th, we are midway between continents. Well out of range of the Brazilian satellite system interference with our communications so am connected to the rest of the world once again. It is frustrating to me not to be able to come back aboard ship and immediately write and publish the blog. Life's little inconveniences. Perhaps in the category of what have we done to ourselves now, we have encountered large masses of algae floating in and on the water. (Ugh! What happened to our beautiful blue ocean?) Enough so that it is interfering with the ship's air conditioning system. Our Captain has assured us it will be functioning properly again soon. No worries, it is a mild 81 degrees with a nice breeze so we're fine.

This IS Someday! Enjoy It!!!!