EC-Rider Travels

Today was another travel day as we head for Analida’s beach-house in Barra Grande. We had the most delicious breakfast courtesy of one of Katia’s friends, who had just opened a cafe around the corner from our hotel. Milena then kindly drove us to the airport where we caught a short, 35 minute, flight to Ilheus. Analida’s lovely man, Eduardo was waiting for us and together we headed off with Cassio to catch the boat. It was the most beautiful drive initially along the Costa do Cacao, passing cacao farms (where some of the best chocolate comes from) and beautiful beaches lined with palm trees. 90% of Brazil’s cacao comes from this area. It was extraordinarily green with many streams and rivers along the way. Sometimes we seemed to be on the edge of a forest, crossing a river and next to the ocean all at the same time.

We stopped for a quick but most delicious empanada on the side of the road and then moved on to the Costa do Dende, named after the African oil palm tree that grows there. It was a surprisingly good road, certainly the best so far in South America.

After about two hours we reached the small fishing village of Camamu where we were collected by George in the most immaculate rib and headed out into a huge bay, apparently the third largest in Brazil! Lined with mangroves, we passed fishermen up to their chests in the water heaving in nets, a number of Robinson Crusoe islands until after 30mins or so we came to Campinho on the Maraú Peninsula. There were three divine young boys playing on the quay who were very happy to see Eduardo! Here we were met by Sergio in the 4×4 who drove us along a seriously bumpy sand road for another half hour (bit of a tester for the bra!) until we reached Bombaca beach and Analida’s house.

It is quite a journey, but oh my goodness is it worth it? Admittedly I have still not seen it in the daylight – but it has so far blown all expectations (which were high, having heard so much about it) out of the water. Needless to say it is not one house, but two which she has cleverly joined together, with the most beautiful lit coconut tree strewn lawn, down to the ocean. I can’t wait to see it in the daylight. Six lovely members of staff were so excited to see her and Eduardo and after many exchanges of presents, mainly from them to her, we had the most delicious dinner of lobster and salad which they had proudly grown in the garden.