Leg #4 Taipu de Fora

Sunday, January 11, 2015
Maraú, Bahia, Brazil
Taipu de Fora

Monday, January 5 - Friday, January 9, 2015

We had quite the day moving north from Trancoso to Taipu de Fora . Our first leg of an hour plus taxi ride took us upon an unfortunate accident between a car and a motobike. Although we had passed an ambulance a few miles earlier, we weren't prepared for the flashing lights of oncoming traffic warning us to slow down for a tarp covering one of the two narrow lanes and realizing that someone had just lost their life. Another reason to not wanting to rent a car in Brazil and using taxis. We arrived at the bus station in Porto Seguro for a long hot 8+ hour bus ride following along the northern coast (striking scenery but way too long on a bus) and finally arriving in Itacare after 8 at night. We had rented a little bungalow and emailed our host to set up the final leg of transportation from this city having no idea what to expect.

Our cabbie was waiting and struggled to find us a supermercado to load up on water, beer and some food to cook, knowing we are headed off the beaten path. By beaten path we really mean a gutted, dirt road. Our taxi started taking us north, the beautiful new 2 lane paved road quickly changing to sand, dirt, and pot holes filled with water and gravel . Only another 50 km to our destination, driving 25 kmph, max, as he avoided giant holes and ruts in the pitch dark, tree lined dirt road. I think we only passed 2 other cars and a few random walkers (no idea where theyd be going!) the whole way. It seemed to take forever, as the driver repeatedly yawned and held his cell phone flashlight out his window to check the staus of his front tire. We finally arrived at our destination, a 2 bedroom bungalow (we killed a few of the largest cockroaches we've seen to date, but it must have been enough to scare away their friends because after the first night we didnt have any problems.) in what appeared to be the middle of 'nowhere' from Fabio, our Italian host who appears to live next door. Quite an adventure to get here, 12 hours total, but we were ready to explore our new surroundings.

The next day we got a quick tour by Fabio, showing us the 2 km sandy road walk to the beach, market and introducing us to a few locals around town. After a short walk past a few vendors selling or renting beach items, we took up residence near a tide pool under the shade of a palm tree . The beach is expansive, lined by the coconut trees and protected by tide pools, many people were snorkeling right from shore. Exhausted from the previous day of traveling, we stayed close to a cabana selling cold cervejas and waters.

The next day feeling rejuvenated, we decided to make the 8 kilometer walk from Taipu De Fora along the coconut tree-lined, mostly undeveloped coastline towards Barra Grande, a sleepy little fishing village beach on the Northern tip of the Marau peninsula. We arrived, settled in and ended up staying put for the next several hours. The girls felt adventurous, renting paddle boards while the boys drank beer and enjoyed the "scenery". After a large meal of fresh fish and vegetables, it was time to find a taxi willing to take us back down the pot holedu, rutted, dirt path they call a road.

By the third day here we had an all day rain, which was a good break from the previous day spent under the hot sun. Some wandering and beach walking but we ended up spending the day at the Buda beach bar . We've met some interesting people along the way and spent the evening at our little picnic table with our neighbors, a group from Sao Paulo in their 20s finding the night life around here boring (totally nonexistent) but finding us worthy of practicing their very good English.

People have been extremely nice and cordial her, almost looking at us woth a strange curiosity. Some man saw us walking in the rain and picked us up to give us a ride the rest of the way and then didn't want to take any money for it. Its obvious that as Americans we are travelers they're not used to. It seems like we've seen mostly Brazilians enjoying their vacations in this area. Tami's blonde hair is rare and people keep directing conversation to Gina like she should understand.

We woke up yesterday to more rain, so left Taipu early, taking a nearly 3 hr taxi ride to Ilheus, where Tami and Dean have to fly out tomorrow. We were hoping to find the sloth sanctuary on the way, but our taxi driver had no idea. We arrived at Ilheus mid afternoon, in time to take advantage of another sunny day and hanging on the beach outside our hotel. I know, people in Minnesota are tired of hearing about our beach hopping and we've seen your weather and know your pain!!! Said goodbye to our travel companions this morning and spent another lazy day on this beach, mostly watching families enjoy their Saturday.

We head north again tomorrow, 2 flights and another fairly long taxi ride to our next destination, Olinda, Brazil.

Comments

Julie Chapin
2015-01-11

Thanks for the update. Love hearing about your adventures :) I never tire of hearing about beaches no matter what kind of weather is happening outside my door so no worries here. LovIng the photos too. Funny that people think Gina looks like a "local" of sorts. Travel safe. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Cheers!

2025-02-14

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