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Bahia Coast Project

FROM ILHÉUS TO BOIPEBA, BETWEEN LANDS OF CACAO AND PALM TREES, WE CAME ACROSS BEACHES, COMMUNITIES AND NATURE OF THE WILDEST IN SOUTHERN BAHIA.

By RICARDO ABBAMONTE and MORGANA ZUCATELLI

ILHÉUS: ONE PLACE VERY LOVED.

The aircraft flies Ilhéus. From the window, you can see miles of beaches with blue sea surrounded by coconut trees before landing in the birthplace of Jorge Amado, being impossible to dissociate the city of Ilhéus of his most famous novel, "Gabriela, Cravo and Canela”.

Who comes to the city, located 450 km from Salvador/Bahia, and see those houses, streets, public buildings, churches and squares almost centennial and immortalized in the book, has the feeling that at any time the characters come to life. What few know is that even Jorge Amado was born in Ilhéus, but on a farm in the neighboring municipality of Itabuna and, of course, became the name of character in the book "Terras do Sem Fim”. In 1914, when Jorge was two years old, the Cachoeira river caused a flood so severe that many farmers, including his father, lost their cocoa plantations. Impoverished, the family had to move to Ilhéus, where they set up a factory clogs. They lived in a modest house until 1920, but fate did the father of Jorge Amado win the grand prize of the Federal Lottery. Enriched, he had built in the same place a sophisticated palace that nowdays is the Culture house of Jorge Amado, where you find books, documents, photographs and personal objects of the novelist - including his typewriter. Beloved was there that he wrote his first novel: "O País do Carnaval.”

Not far away, in Plaza Don Eduardo, is the bar Vesúvio in the book that belonged to Mr. Nacib character, but that never existed in the flesh. In fact, yours first owners were two Italians that named this in honor of the famous volcano on the land of their birth. Sold to a Portuguese married to a beautiful mulatto woman named Felipa, much admired by men of the time, it is likely that the Gabriela of Jorge Amado has been inspired by this girl of "generous hips” and cinnamon. Opened between 1919 and 1920, Vesúvio was, and remains, one of the favorite spots in town. Known for best kebab in the Northeast, the bar followed the wealth promoted by cocoa, making Ilhéus the most important city of Bahia.

Nearby of there is the cabaret Bataclan, another local who became famous on account of the book. It was a fun house with a casino, women, song and drink, frequented by the colonels of cocoa who came from their farms to do business. The owner and important dame of Bataclan, who also managed the activities of the girls was called Antonia Machadão - transformed into the novel by Maria Machadão. A replica of her bedroom, along with personal items, can be seen in the back of the second floor of the Bataclan.

In ruins until 1984, the Bataclan has restored its facade and then the building was expropriated by the city. Rebuilt, it became a cultural space, where today is offering a coffee shop, a restaurant and exhibition space, while a group of theater, with period costume, gives life to the cabaret for tourists who visit weekly.

Without a doubt it's worth knowing, not only the script of Jorge Amado and his work, but also, in whole Ilhéus, the largest resort of Bahia with 84 miles of beautiful beaches admired by turquoise waters.

PENÍNSULA DE MARAÚ: A PLACE TO MAKE YOUR TRIP UNFORGETTABLE AND TO LIVE GREATLY THE BEST OF NATURE.

The Peninsula de Maraú attracts visitors from around the world for its natural beauty, bringing together a wide variety of unique landscapes. Are huge palm trees, beaches, dozens of islands, waterfalls, rivers, ponds, natural pools of clear water, mangroves, rainforest and lots of wildlife, which may be known by bicycle, motorcycle, boat, and, especially, the board calls bib (adapted with tanks jeeps). Another attraction of Maraú is your own town, presenting a warm and friendly community of natives and people from around the world who elected this piece of paradise as housing.

The city, originally called Mayrahú, has its origins in a Indian village called Mayra. It was discovered in 1705 by Capuchin friars, who gave the name of São Sebastião of Mayrahú in 1938.

The legend has it that Marau´s wife, the native-Brazilian Saquaíra, was seduced by Camamu and fell in love with him. One day, when Maraú had gone out to fish, Camamu shored his speed canoe and dragged Saquaíra off to live in his lands of endless beauty. A desperate Maraú asked the gods for a canoe as fast as Camamu´s in order to find his love and went off sculpting the peninsula´s landscapes.

Across the peninsula there are hotels, resorts, inns and campgrounds, besides bars and restaurants with specialties ranging from international cuisine to typical Brazilian regional food. So here you go:

To see the boat and bus schedules, visit www.guiademarau.com.br

BOIPEBA ISLAND: ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, CHARMING AND ENCHANTING ISLANDS IN A SCENARIO FAVORED BY NATURE.

Boipeba Island is one of the most beautiful scenery in the Brazilian coast, where time seems not to pass. A charming and diverse place, that blending the tranquility of paradise islands with the energy of a destination where the watchwords are: fun and relaxation. All this surrounded by crystal clear waters and sunshine almost all year.

When the vessel arrives at Boca da Barra, in Vila da Velha Boipeba, the scenery is magical. A white sand beach surrounded by coconut trees sits in front of another beach of an identical design, one river and the other ocean. Between them, in the river which gives way to the sea, dozens of boats are anchored and fishermen carry ice, weave hammocks, come and go to sea.

Located in Cairú, unique municipality archipelago in Brazil, with thirty-six islands in a landscape fascinating, 261 km from Salvador, the Ilha de Boipeba reserve a bucolic and charm to tourists. The strong point of the island is the landscape that impressive by beauty and perfection.

The Inferno River separates Boipeba of the Tinharé Island. This place looks a little corner of paradise, where you only hear the sound of water that quietly meets the sea. The evening, there will be the setting for an unforgettable spectacle of nature: the sun with a fantastic mix of colors.

The Village of Boipeba is endowed of an infrastructure ready to accommodate the visitors. Are small inns and some restaurants that offering regional delicacies. Furthermore, it has an architecture that expresses, in the color and forms of your home, the taste of the population. There is everywhere the cultivation of flowers adorning the facades as in Ribeirinho Street, where you can find the Museum Island, with a large collection of curiosities assembled by Mr. Tavinho (fisherman responsible by the museum).

The island – which only runs by foot, bicycle or horseback through the streets of sand –, is divided into two main nuclei: Boca da Barra, where is the small pier, trade and services; and the Moreré beach, more quiet, but also with some infrastructure available to tourists, who can enjoy unforgettable moments of witnessing the formation of a lush coral reef.

To visit Boipeba have to enjoy peace of quiet, of walking, of riding, of diving, of sightseeing by canoe through the mangroves. Have to like beaches, of natural pools, of starry nights, of know the town and its villages. Finally, of discover the secrets of this enchanting island.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

Having cash in hand is essential. There are no banks in Barra Grande nor in Boipeba. Also, most places only accept cash. And, when you go to Boipeba and Taipú de Fora, always check the tide tables to avoid losing the natural pools.

TIPS:

• Love and respect nature.
• On the beach only walk or cycle.
• Contribute to peace and quiet.
• Pratic fish watching scuba diving.

• Drink lot water and use sunblock and wear a hat.
• Have an insect reppeler.
• Respect local culture.