Caraiva

Yesssssss, Caraiva, southern Bahia, where our dear friend, and new neighbour back home in London, Grazi is running a pousada up until xmas. From the bus we had to walk down the hill as the bus couldn't risk it as it was a bit slippy due to some overnight rain, then take a rowing boat, yes rowing boat, although we sure as hell weren't doing the rowing, across the other side. We were greeted the other side by some locals who helped us and the other arrivals with bags and stuff, and also offered taxis. Taxis here are horses and carts, as there are no cars, only sandy paths, so straight away Luis was hyper seeing the horsey.

10 minutes later and we're embracing Grazi with hugs and kisses, then chatting about both our adventures so far. Grazi is there until xmas, so is currently getting everything ready for the summer/high season there. We got shown to our wee casita, walking through the caju (cashew) trees, and it's beautiful. Outside, Caraiva is beautiful. Sandy paths winding along by the river out to the sea, locals greeting you with a smile, fishermen emptying the nets from their boats - no signs of stress here me lad. Marcela and Fernanda arrived the next day, so it wasn't long before we hooked up with them on a beach again. We also met some other people, including a boy called Jennison, who Luis took to instantly and vice versa. The beaches were great but the water was a bit strong, so for a dip, we'd head round to the river, which was better for Luis anyway, his fear of water completely gone, he'd practically try and jump in the river!

On the Tuesday and Thursday nights, we went to see the capoeira students get put through their paces, Luis transfixed again, singing "capereira, capereira" as we watched. The sound of Forro (fo-ho) was never far away, especially at night, and each night there would be somewhere to go and dance into the wee small hours. Maria went out with the girls one night and we all went out Friday and Saturday night, Grazi giving me a crash course in how to dance forro, which I didn't excel at but wasn't exactly a muppet either.

We went a boat trip up the river which was cool, especially as we came back some of the way on rubber rings, Luis just about loving it! Otherwise we'd hang out with Grazi, head to the river, have a juice or acai outside the internet cafe (which was like the social hub, you could see everything that was going on) and get to know people, although Luis was known to everyone already, not least as he'd learned the cool greeting of 'Beleza' with the thumbs up from Jennison! We had one eye on sorting accommodation and travel to Rio so couldn't completely relax, but we got it sorted, the nearly scrapped it as Marcela and Fernanda were staying an extra day and Grazi was trying to convince us as well! We resisted temptation and headed off on Sunday afternoon, a very sad goodbye, particularly to Grazi as she looked after us so well and made us feel part of the village. Marcela and Fernanda, well, we'd see them in Rio! Bon noite Caraiva.