Paradise in Indaia Eco Village

Every Sunday I have been going to one of the many different beaches around Ilhéus. My favourite day of the week, where I can bake in the sun with an ice cold beer and eat seafood. Usually, many of the beaches in Brazil can take the form of a catwalk, with many men and women strolling along the waters edge in the tiniest of bikinis and speedos. Looking like Casper the Ghost, I prefer to sit and try to top up my tan...

I was lucky enough to be taken on a little trip just outside of Ilhéus city centre on Sunday.
After a half hour we arrived at Indaia EcoVillage, a little beach resort located in the South of Ilhéus.

It is a popular place for both Brazilians and foreign tourists to spend their holidays relaxing or to just to spend the day there making the most of the pool and beach side facilities. Whilst there I saw both Japanese and German families staying for their holidays.

Here there is a farm with chickens, geese, hens and even parrots. As well as a garden with vegetables and herbs.

Indaia Eco Village was so peaceful. The beach was enormous, stretching for miles in both directions with not another person, aside from myself, to be seen. Most of the people seemed to prefer the pool and deckchairs. I however loved the perfect soft, white sand lined with palm trees as far as the eye could see next to perfect turquoise waters. Paradise.


After a delicious lunch in the wonderfully decorated restaurant, I laid on the sun lounger with the sea hushing me into a peaceful sleep.

Later, a dip in the sea was in order. It was the warmest sea I think I have ever swam in. After 20 metres there are strong rip currents that can pull you out. I stayed shallow and jumped some of the huge waves. A great place for surfing thats for sure!

Whilst walking out of the sea I noticed some people playing music and singing. Me and my friend decided to join in. My friend Rebecca sang some popular Brazilian songs, whilst the others played the tamborine, guitar and bongo. Not knowing many of the songs and being a horrible singer, I happily danced along to the sultry Brazilian sounds.

Paradise!

To top it off I spent the rest of the day in a hammock next to the beach, watching the sunset and reading my book. The brazilian sunsets are enough to make me stay here forever...

A trip to Indaia Eco Village is essential if you are in Bahia. Perhaps one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to, and a day I will never forget for the rest of my life.











                                                      A few pictures of the resort

The Restaurant

River next to the farm

Helpful Brazilians

I think for most people that come not only to Ilhéus but anywhere in Brazil, they will notice how extremely generous the Brazilians are. 

After arriving in Ilhéus after a 26 hour coach journey from Rio, I was met by Maria and Winston who opened their arms and let me into their house and family. Since then they have treated me like their own daughter and showed me the wonderful sites of the city. 

São Sebastian Cathedral

Colourful houses around the town

I have seen an array of beautiful beaches, big and small. I have seen weird and wonderful architecture fom São Sebastian Cathedral to the colourful shanty towns north of the city centre. I have had my breath taken away by the mesmorizing sunsets along the Sapetinga neighbourhood, but for me the best thing is the people. 

Back Door Beach, Ilhéus

Being a gringo and failing to speak decent Portuguese, I was very worried at how difficult life would be . However, the people here will come up to you and ask you if you need help. They will help show you the direction if you need the way, they will offer you to go in front of them at the supermarket if you have a smaller amount of things. Even the other day when I was sat alone at a bar, the woman- also alone- next to me, offered me to join her at her table and share her food. Who would have thought! 

Coming from England- in particular London- it is very rare for a stranger to approach you on the street. Here however, everyone greets you with a "Bom Dia" or "Boa Tarde" and a kiss on each cheek. 

Although their customs can seem strange to me at times, this is a custom I wish England would take up. Such a wonderful way to make you feel welcome and smile when you least expect it. The Brazilians can make you feel right at home, even if home is 5'000 miles away. 

My first sunset, Sapetinga

Sweaty Betty

I think the first thing I noticed when I arrived here 2 months ago in Ilhéus was the heat. I'd spent time in Chile and also Rio so had become accustomed to the climate change however, travelling the 600 miles north from Rio to Ilhéus I felt like Id landed on the equator.

Since my arrival I have hastily bought shorts, linen trousers and as many baggy tops as possible to cool me down. What has stunned me, is the fact that both women and men like to wear jeans here? Mental.
Every day the temperature is between 30-40ºC. Even at the beach in my bikini I feel like Im wearing too much. The sea is like a warm bath, the taps never get cold, and at night its still in the high 20's.

I remember one particular windy night sitting outside with the girls that I am staying with. One of them, 10 years old, runs inside to get herself a blanket. I laughed when I saw this. 'What's funny?' she asked. I explained to her that it was the middle of January, I was sat outside at night in 25º heat in just a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. If my friends at home in the cold, snowy England could only see me now. And here is Marissa feeling cold in 25º! If only she could come to England and see what cold really is!

Aparently their Winter is the same temperature as our Summer... not fair. Oh to live in a place where the sun appears every day :)

January, Brazil

January, England

British Gringo

For those of you who don´t know, a ´Gringo´is a slang word used by Brazilians to address tourists or foreigner. I was first called the word on my flight from Santiago to Rio. Although at first I took a little offence, the Brazilian lady I was talking to explained its casual meaning.

Since then I have been trying very hard to fit in and not stand out like a sore thumb. Very difficult I might add. Aside from the fact that I am very white, I have coloured eyes which is quite a rareity here in Brazil.
There have been times when I have been casually browsing the super market for example, when I notice a man that has stopped and is staring at me. 'Gringo' he must think.. Even after two months here I still notice this from time to time.

I also have my typical British traits that alone make me look ´strange´. Sitting at the dinner table on my first week here, I found the children would laugh at the fact that I ate with my knife and fork in the opposite hands. I think Europe and most of the world eat with their knife in the right-Brazilians-nope, they like to do things different! I also caused a great deal of laughter when they saw me put milk in my tea. I wish I photographed their faces... "Milk with water??" Even today they still stare in wonder when I do this.

Meal times are very different too;

• Breakfast is standard; cereal, fresh bread, cheeses, ham, fruits etc.

• Lunch; This is their main meal of the day. Very odd! I am used to a small lunch, usually on the go but here they all sit down to a large buffet. Everyday the same foods-beans, rice, beef and or chicken and salad. Followed by more fruit. 

• Dinner; More bread, more cheese, more ham, more fruit!

I think this is actually the healthiest I´ve eaten in a long time. Ive never eaten so many bananas in my life!

So all in all being a gringo, I am getting used to being looked at for being 'strange'.

Having said that, I am loving trying all the new foods, listening to their music and experiencing their customs. I could definately get used to this way of life...maybe I wont end up a gringo after all!