We get to know Karen and her Filipe SY Mistralis. The two young Brazilians have many common interests. After the first night we decide to take the next day on a bicycle trip to Ponta do Souza.
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Together with Elise and Bruno of the SY Lakatao we want to explore the nearby hills of Marogojipe and look forward to the prospect. As we approach the town, we notice that the festival is full of last night still in progress. Sounds of samba music everywhere and the people are in a good mood.
We first want to change our direction and to the church square. Incredibly a huge mass of people is at the party, dance and ausglassener mood. We enjoy the bustle and stroll slowly through the festivities. Marvel at the little market on every corner and find something that catches our attention.
Nevertheless, we climb up the narrow road to a small church with a great view. From here you really have a wide view over the countryside and it strikes us as the vast mangrove areas along the river are.
After this relaxing break we want in the nearby bar to quench our thirst. Also up here are all in good spirits and make themselves ready to also go into the city down to a feast. The landlord offered us a plate of rice-fours, meat and vegetable stew.
Back in the fray, we still enjoy a meat or cheese, grilled skewers of course and a delicious caipirinha. We can spread to us by the great mood and dance and celebrate with the Brazilians. Slowly we walk back away from the center towards the river. We meet a group (Carnival Club), which is flown in Salvador and celebrate with those in a more rustic bar. We are pleased to include how people are open and accept us "gringos" and.
With lots of unforgettable impressions and memories, we return to our two ships.

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185 sailing ships have at the 42nd Regatta Aratu - Maragojipe logged. The traditional wooden boats that are Saveiros. This is one of the bigger race in Brazil and is discharged into the Bay of Todos os Santos Salvador. There are three groups for the start. The start line is in the channel of Aratu, the goal in Maragojipe. Sailing about 30 nautical miles.
Neivha and Marco take their SY RedSea a Trinidad 37, which is part of a class. Marco knows the wind and current conditions of the bay since his youth and has participated in several regattas.
Friday night will be held in the Iate Club Aratu the greeting party. We are two beautiful, conceived in traditional dress, clad women, and blessed with the Glücksbändeln of Bonfim.
There is free beer and snacks to fine. The live music creates a good atmosphere. At the skippers briefing gives the skipper nor T-shirts for himself and his crew, which also apply in Maragojipe as a ticket to the prize giving with food.
On Saturday morning at 6:00 clock is Tagwache. We are greeted with a beautiful rainbow. After a hearty breakfast, we wait for the rest of the crew. The two young Brazilians come in with half an hour late and are lucky that we have not already solved the ropes. Let's go in the direction of Aratu. Read full post »

So great the anchorage and the island of Itaparica, now we want to go. We sail to Maragojipe, as there is a big party and also the aim of the regatta Aratu - will be Maragojipe. For we are invited to participate with the SY RedSea with Marco and Neivha in this regatta.
We see a great rush trip. The approximately 24 nm, we put back in a little over 3 hours. We have 20 - 25 knots wind and rushing with 7 -8 knots towards our destination. With 8.5 kn's journey goes into the estuary and - suddenly all is quiet! No more wave, but little wind pushes the currents take you quickly up the Rio Paraguacu.


But we have to give us real hard to make the big Saveiros not overtake us.
On Friday, we travel by taxi to Salvador. We must accompany the evening Neivha and Marco to the party in the Iate Club in Aratu and then stay on the RedSea so we can go early in the morning from Ribeira to the race start after Aratu.

The four of Marcel and Christa, we want to take the bus to the southern tip of Itaparica. With a small bus until it comes to Rodaviaria (bus station) where all the buses waiting to change trains. For 5 RS (2.50 CHF) we drive the 40 km route until after Cacho Pregos. The price is "Adventure" included. The bus driver runs off the main road to a family with lots of luggage (probably the bus is used as a removal van) to bring her home. Shortly before the finish on the nature trail, it really big sand holes - and is no longer on the bus.
The family gets out and their luggage transported on foot to the house. The two men then come back to help get to the bus back on the road. We are still the only four passengers, so we all help the driver and the wheels digging down all the material under the bus to get free. After an hour trying in vain to march, we returned to the main road to waylay the next bus, which should bring us to the goal.
Here it is at the southern tip of some villages along the beaches. There is not much going on, the moment it is winter here and stay away from the tourists.
In Cacho Pregos in a river side is the small fishing and tourist port, beautifully manicured and painted wooden boats.
Large areas of the island are not accessible, it is very wooded and tropical green. The bus ride was worth it, now we know the island quite well.

Neivha and Marco invite us to 1.Augustfeiern the Swiss House in Salvador. Due to the absence of the consul was the date to the 6th August moved.
We leave our ship at anchor at Itaparica and bus and ferry ride to Salvador. We must stay at Neivha and Marco.
Together we go to the Swiss house, the garden is adorned with balloons, banners and lanterns, of course, in red and white. We are introduced to many interesting people and learn the history of emigration.
Culinary there is a real Swiss breakfast with sausage, potato salad and sauerkraut. We especially enjoy grilled sausages, that's been long gone aboard the Whisper. Many tarts and cakes were baked according to old Swiss recipe with lots of love and brought.
Of course, the national anthem played and sang it powerfully. The children do with their colorful lanterns to move and gather around the August fire, which was coated by Brazilian-style.
After the traditional hard we have to do and Marco Neivha Rio Vermellho district, where the night is always something going on. We enjoy a last drink on the big square and watch the cheerful bustle.

The Swiss National Day, we celebrate the Swiss boat Deception. Marcel and Christa have invited us to a delicious fondue Chinoise. Mhh, we have not eaten for a long time! Her cockpit is decorated with lanterns and we spend a cozy evening with excellent food.