*Imagine my surprise when as I was planning a celebration for my recent birthday at my favorite Brazilian restaurant, that I received a last minute press invite for a trip to Salvador Bahia, Brazil – the spiritual center and home to the largest population of African descended people outside of the Motherland.
Now those of you who have read my column over the last 12 years, already know that I am self-described afrophile, so needless to say I was beyond thrilled to get such an opportunity.
Plus this trip was going to be made with journalist friends, so I knew that I was destined for a good time. My bags were packed no sooner than you could say samba and I was off on a trip that I knew for sure would provide me with another experience of a lifetime.
Getting There
Our trip to Salvador began with a Delta connection to Miami, before boarding a TAM flight to Sao Palo and another connection to Salvador. The 12-hour flight from the states to Brazil is really not that bad --- you just take off and go… All you have to do is make sure you have some good reading material, take a nap, eat airplane meals and you’re there. FYI to English-only speaking travelers – when making connections in Sao Paulo make sure that you’re at the right gate for connecting flights. Don’t believe the hype – the Brazilians do not speak much English, and gates can change in a heartbeat, my journalists pals and I got separated going through customs and nearly missed our flight to Salvador, so make sure to reconfirm your connection gate and you’ll be fine.
Note: For those of you flying out of Miami direct flights are available via American Airlines. Check the web or your travel agent for more information.
Accommodations
Bahia offers a variety of hotel choices for travelers. My group’s accommodations were a centrally located 3-star property that was lively and comfortable, especially the 24-hour bar, which we made a central base of our after-hours activities… J .
Culture
I was literally stupefied by the connection the Bahians have retained with their African roots. It was impressive to note the ancestral ties are strong and were fully evident throughout every aspect of our trip. The annual Boa Mota Festival was taking place during our trip; this celebration by Brazilians of their slave ancestors is filled with colorful parades, dances and remarkable fests. The festival commences annually on the Friday closest to August 15th and continues for three days. On the opening day our group traveled to the historic city of Cachoeira on the banks of the Paraguacu River located approximately 2-hours from Bahia. The small town was literally packed with visitors from around the world who came to witness this important occasion and pay homage to the courageous deeds of the Boa Morte Sisterhood. For more information about this fabulous festival, check out www.africanamericantravelagency.com
Visitors to Bahia must also check out Capoeria, a form of martial arts brought to Brazil by Africans. Featuring fluid acrobatic moves, punctuated by sweeps, kicks and head butts, this defense art form is amazing to watch and a must see viewing to schedule during your trip.
Tour Guide
With its classic architecture, cobblestone streets and ocean front views, Bahia is a beautiful city filled with hints of mystery and romance. The city is literally filled with grand plazas punctuated by marvelous churches. During our tour we visited several galleries, open air markets and cultural arts centers, which allowed us to soak up the city’s authentic atmosphere. There’s a lot to see in Bahia so plan accordingly to make sure you can take it all in.
Culinary Delights
Food, food and more food is all I can say about anytime you take a trip to Brazil. Eating is Brazil is more than a delight – it’s an epicurean experience that requires you to indulge in the various calorie-laden delights that deep inside we all know that we want to have. Special note to foodies: to enjoy great food in Brazil you don’t have to go to a 5-star restaurant, you can get your fix a the corner diner or grandma’s kitchen, if you’re lucky.. J No trip to the country is complete without feijoada, a simple rice and beans dish loaded with pork it will send you to heaven. Other Brazilian specialties include: Haussá Rice (rice and jerk beef), acarajé (a deep-fried “bread” made from mashed beans) and caruru, which is a popular condiment made from okra, shrimp, onion, palm oil and toasted nuts. – Gil L. Robertson IV
# # #
BEST BETS: AUTOMOTIVE SPIN – KIA AMANTI
Wow Factor: I was impressed with Kia’s Amanti from the moment it arrived in my driveway. The exterior view is sleek, sturdy and exudes a smart confidence that drivers like to present on the road.
Ride: The Amanti offers a comfortable ride thanks to its 3.8-liter, V6, 264-horsepower engine and 5-speed automatic transmission, that delivers great get up and go on a variety of road conditions. Safety features are plentiful and include active front head restraints, front seat mounted side airbags, full length side curtain airbags and antilock disc brakes.
Comfort: A mid-size sedan, my ride included a two-tone interior color scheme along with subdued wood and metallic accents and comfortable leather seats that included heat and memory features. The dash was easily accessible and featured a solid mix of accessories.
Spin Control: With the Amanti, Kia proves to all naysayers that it can compete with the big dogs! Simply put, the Amanti is a dream – add to that its solid fuel efficiency (17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway), luxury-ish exterior/interiors and a price MSP $25,855 that’s within reason for most consumers. It’s a real winner!
Grade: B+
Visit www.robertsontreatment.com
Copyright 2008, Robertson Treatment LLC