Caiara - Bomba Grande

Today we spent most of the day in Recife, Brazil.
Another big city of 1.6 mil and 4 mil with surrounding areas.
Day prior to the tour in Recife, I sent an email to tour guide asking if we can bring a wheelchair. The answer was "Yes", but also he wrote that he was giving a tour in Amazon river and will not be able to return to Recife on time for our tour. But not to worry, there will be another guide.
So today we met with our group at 8:00 AM and proceeded to the shuttle bus to take us to the terminal. Unfortunately our guide came late and there were no room in the mini bus to put a wheelchair. I took wheels off from the wheelchair and then it could fit on the front seat next to the driver. Now, no room for the guide to sit, so he was standing on the side of the van the whole time. Soon we figured our that he speaks very little English and does not understand us. He just memorized some words and explanations without understanding.

Our first stop was Basilica de Sao Bento. It dates back to 1582 and was restored in 1761. It is the only Church in Olinda with a mezzanine level. During Colonial times, the rich people would attend the Mass in the mezzanine, the other "free" people would attend on the ground floor of the Church and the slaves were forced to stand outside. It is stunningly beautiful inside. it has gilded altar and if we understood correctly was suppose to be on display in NYC for two weeks, bus was there for 6 months due to the 9/11.
We visited another church and another church.... We walk the steep cobblestone streets that not allowing traffic during rain. Too dangerous. We saw many bright colored houses and murals.
By that time, people started to get tired and hungry, but we still had to see few places before lunch.
Our next stop was building where it use to be a jail, but now it is a tourist trap with little stores in every cell. Not interesting.
Our next stop was Governor Palace. We were suppose to have a tour of the Palace, but instead of this we witness an interview with Minister of Justice. He was with a young woman in a turban that covered her head. We did not understand anything, but were told that it is a campaign to help this woman who lost her hair due to the accident.
After lunch we visited few more places with beautiful architectural buildings, took some pictures and then the last stop was a synagogue. It was established in 1636 by Portuguese and Spanish Sephardic Jews that had taken refuge in the Netherlands fleeing forced conversion and were joined by New Christians, who possibly helped to build the structure and were already living in the colony. It was the first synagogue erected in the Americas. Unfortunately we did not have time to go inside. We stopped into the lobby, which was so well air-conditioned. After a little cooling, back on our bus and to our ship. The shower felt so good.

There are more pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KENMXyCvtUfeS7SLARead more