.jpg)
Ruth & I met up with a very nice Chinese Family ~ Shirley ~ daughter & Annie & Allan ~ her Mama & Papa in the Splendor Lobby at 830am sharp & headed to deck ”O” to disembark the ship.
The terminal is across the pier and once inside it offers services such as telephones, post office, Internet, Currency Exchange, Snack shop & of course Souvenirs. Once we got US exchanged for Real’s & change for the “Lacerda Elevator” we headed out of the terminal with map in hand. Pretty much everything with the exception of beaches is within walking distance.
About 3 long blocks to your right we bumped into the Baia de Todos os Santos Harbor. We had brought along Ruth’s Scooter Ramp in its sling on the back of her scooter for her to use just in case of no access but found they had ramps immediately upon wanting to cross a very busy street – a young Salvadorian man came up and stooped traffic and guided Ruth across 3 lanes, along the side of the road past the closed Mercado Modelo (marketplace) where Shirley, Annie, Allan & I caught up.
The view from the lower city where we were standing & snapping pictures was looking out on the Harbor, Forte de Sao Marcelo and several beautiful buildings done in Baroque architecture.
But the best is yet to come ~ there are 2 parts to this city ~ a lower city & an upper city.
We again found ramps for Ruth’s scooter and walked across another busy double street to the Elevator Lacerda (R$5 pp ~ local coins needed) & rode it up at least 15 floors up to the Historical centre ofSalvador ~ Pelourinho –preserved as Hertiage of Humnanity by UNESCO – its 450 colonial town houses have now been restored and the area has been revitalized economically, socially & culturally ~ where we found views even more magnificent views / sights overlooking the lower city & whole harbor below. ~ see pic
We explored Pelourinho Square & the headed to our left following & listening intently to an escorted tour as best we could. They led us past several statues, lots of tourist shops, outdoor cafes & 2 more squares ending our trek in front of the Sao Francisco Church in the Terreiro de Jesus District.
The terminal is across the pier and once inside it offers services such as telephones, post office, Internet, Currency Exchange, Snack shop & of course Souvenirs. Once we got US exchanged for Real’s & change for the “Lacerda Elevator” we headed out of the terminal with map in hand. Pretty much everything with the exception of beaches is within walking distance.
About 3 long blocks to your right we bumped into the Baia de Todos os Santos Harbor. We had brought along Ruth’s Scooter Ramp in its sling on the back of her scooter for her to use just in case of no access but found they had ramps immediately upon wanting to cross a very busy street – a young Salvadorian man came up and stooped traffic and guided Ruth across 3 lanes, along the side of the road past the closed Mercado Modelo (marketplace) where Shirley, Annie, Allan & I caught up.
The view from the lower city where we were standing & snapping pictures was looking out on the Harbor, Forte de Sao Marcelo and several beautiful buildings done in Baroque architecture.
But the best is yet to come ~ there are 2 parts to this city ~ a lower city & an upper city.
We again found ramps for Ruth’s scooter and walked across another busy double street to the Elevator Lacerda (R$5 pp ~ local coins needed) & rode it up at least 15 floors up to the Historical centre ofSalvador ~ Pelourinho –preserved as Hertiage of Humnanity by UNESCO – its 450 colonial town houses have now been restored and the area has been revitalized economically, socially & culturally ~ where we found views even more magnificent views / sights overlooking the lower city & whole harbor below. ~ see pic
We explored Pelourinho Square & the headed to our left following & listening intently to an escorted tour as best we could. They led us past several statues, lots of tourist shops, outdoor cafes & 2 more squares ending our trek in front of the Sao Francisco Church in the Terreiro de Jesus District.
Where guess who we found ~ Martina, our waitress out scouting the territory too! *see pic
When we left the ship it was early and not all of the stalls were open but on the way back all was in full swing. A political parade marched past us playing musical instruments, waving posters ~ as well as pulling a old white VW van with a blue rope that surrounded all the marchers, musicians &VW van!
We continued our trek retracing the way we came ~ back down the Elevator Lacerda and this time the Mercado Modelo (marketplace) was bustling & open for business with all kinds of vendors positioned outside in stalls calling & nabbing at you for business. Once we made it thru & out the opposite door . . . we decided to walk on the opposite side of the street back & all the time we found streets with ramps for Ruth’s scooter until we were almost across from the terminal bldg – so, we got out Ruth’s ramp & positioned it so Ruth could ride down off of one curb & up on the next ending out walking tour in the terminal bldg.
In the terminal Ruth & I decided to sign up & wait in line to use the internet – 15 min = $1.00 US, 30 min = $2.00US etc. I was never so glad to get out of there when we were done. The crowd kept pushing in, getting closer & louder every few minutes.
By = 3pm we were safely back aboard our home away from home, the Carnival Splendor!
When we left the ship it was early and not all of the stalls were open but on the way back all was in full swing. A political parade marched past us playing musical instruments, waving posters ~ as well as pulling a old white VW van with a blue rope that surrounded all the marchers, musicians &VW van!
We continued our trek retracing the way we came ~ back down the Elevator Lacerda and this time the Mercado Modelo (marketplace) was bustling & open for business with all kinds of vendors positioned outside in stalls calling & nabbing at you for business. Once we made it thru & out the opposite door . . . we decided to walk on the opposite side of the street back & all the time we found streets with ramps for Ruth’s scooter until we were almost across from the terminal bldg – so, we got out Ruth’s ramp & positioned it so Ruth could ride down off of one curb & up on the next ending out walking tour in the terminal bldg.
In the terminal Ruth & I decided to sign up & wait in line to use the internet – 15 min = $1.00 US, 30 min = $2.00US etc. I was never so glad to get out of there when we were done. The crowd kept pushing in, getting closer & louder every few minutes.
By = 3pm we were safely back aboard our home away from home, the Carnival Splendor!
Later that evening after dinner our waiter Martina & the Matri D, Ken ~ sang and danced for us - see pics above.
BTW - they do this every other night . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment