Day 8 - Beach, seafood, sundowners...

19:00
We wake to the sound of very little. We’ve both slept deeply and well. Vicki (unsurprisingly) slightly better than I, but we no longer compete. We have another great breakfast, and consider what to do with our day. I’ve intentionally left today and tomorrow fairly footloose and fancy free. I’d no idea whether Salvador was going to be somewhere that demanded to be walked around and seen, or hung out in, or a bit of both. Today is the latter.

Tam heads out in good time to Amaralina beach. Vicki and I have a lazy morning hanging out at the hotel. She’s still not 100%, bless her, and we figure this might be the best way to preserve her energy. We jump in a cab around 12:30, and (via a quick pit-stop to buy her some decongestants at a pharmacy) head for a beach bar called Praia Blue. It’s great. Not really sure how to describe it, except that it reminds me of Ibiza 20 years ago. Lots of laid back, melodic house music, laid back people hanging out and enjoying themselves, and some really quite good seafood. We share a seafood risotto, some cod croquettes, a bag of something that approximates whitebait, and a tuna tartare. Wonderful. I wash mine down with a local white wine which is much more than passable.

It’s very easy to kick back and spend time here. We’d not initially clocked that the music is actually provided by a DJ, as he’s slightly hidden from our view. He’s playing some really cool stuff, which transcends house, Balearic beach music, and yet which has a distinctly South American feel to it. It’s an awesome spot.

Around 16:00, we head down to the Barra lighthouse, a popular hangout for sunset views. There’s a cool little bar to one side of the lighthouse which Vicki and I target. I have a thoroughly decent Caipirinha, and Tamsin joins us, having spent most of the day on the beach. The sunset is very, VERY pretty, and accompanied by a guy playing acoustic guitar. Again, lots of Ibiza vibes. We sit, chat, take photos, chat, order another Caipirinha, chat. A great way to wile away the time. As the light begins to fade, we jump in a cab to head back to the hotel. I’m 50/50 whether I’m putting down roots or heading out for Saturday night adventures. I suspect I’ll take a cue from how Vicki’s feeling…

21:30
Well, we did make it out - but not for long. Vicks and I have a wander around the streets of Pelourinho, but I think largely because it’s early, and Saturday night - and we kinda feel like we should. There is music everywhere, bars spilling out onto the streets. There is a significant volume of beer and caipirinhas being drunk. The town is alive, and energetic. We, however, are not. After 40 minutes of ambling, we admit defeat, and head back to our guesthouse. Vicki is asleep by 21:00, bless her. Hoping a 10 hour sleep marathon will help her over the worst of her lurgy…Meer informatie