Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

Fall/Winter 2014

Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine

Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/396493

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 54 of 63

I soon learned from the locals one of the reasons for Salvador's reputation for street crime: businesses and govern- ment have helped spread the fear in order to contain tourists (and their money) to the old city centre of Pelourinho. Don't get me wrong—Salvador is not perfect. There is crime, of course, but not unlike many other developing or newly indus- trialized countries, equipped with some traveller's common sense, it's quite possible to go beyond the tourist centre and explore what the real Salvador has to offer. CONNECT WITH NATURE For a city of more than three million people, Salvador boasts a surprising amount of opportunities to connect with nature. Just a 30-minute bus ride east of Pelourinho is the Pitauçu Park where, for just 10 Brazilian reals (R) each (R2 equal $1 CDN), we rented bicycles for a 15-kilometre ride through the urban green oasis. Pitauçu Park is, to my amazement, an undiscovered gem—we came across only one other tourist during our leisurely three-hour ride. We took the time to stop and explore the old, abandoned military training camp (just before you finish the first kilometre) and the openings that lead from the bike trail to one of the park's many tranquil, picturesque lagoons. Next to Pitauçu is Jaguaribe Beach. A weekend spot well- liked by locals, Jaguaribe is full of its fair share of Brazilian street (beach) food vendors and itsy bitsy bikinis. We headed to Jaguaribe to check an item off our bucket list—surfing. CTS Surf offers 90-minute lessons for just R40. If breaking waves aren't your thing, the Atlantic waters surrounding Salvador offer everything from whale-watching and paddle- boarding to diving and sailing. CUlINARy DElIGHTS Salvador is a food lover's paradise. An absolute must-taste is the acarajé, a Salvador Afro-Brazilian street food specialty. Think of it as a small deep-fried sandwich, with the "bread" made from mashed black-eyed peas and the filling consisting of shrimp, vegetables and hot pepper sauce. Interestingly, Salvador food vendors who sell acarajés are mostly women, recognizable by their mainly white cotton outfits. opposite: Barra Beach in the beautiful city of Salvador in Bahia State Brazil. ostill/shutterstock top left: The Pitauçu Park is an urban green oasis. Stephanie Foden top right: An absolute must-taste is the acarajé, a Salvador Afro-Brazilian street food specialty. Stephanie Foden Fa l l / W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 55

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle - Fall/Winter 2014