A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 14:
Salvador (BA) – The making of acarajé
Salvador (BA) – Acarajé plate
Salvador (BA) – Mercado Modelo cellar
Salvador (BA) – Boats
Salvador (BA) – The making of acarajé
Salvador (BA) – Acarajé plate
Salvador (BA) – Mercado Modelo cellar
Salvador (BA) – Boats
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 13:
Salvador (BA) – Colorful ribbon bag
Salvador (BA) – Waves pounding rocks
Salvador (BA) – Looking for souvenirs
Salvador (BA) – Fierce waves
Salvador (BA) – Colorful ribbon bag
Salvador (BA) – Waves pounding rocks
Salvador (BA) – Looking for souvenirs
Salvador (BA) – Fierce waves
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 12:
Salvador (BA) – Waves pounding rocks
Salvador (BA) – Coconut in the sky
Salvador (BA) – Bicycles on the beach
Salvador (BA) – Beach self portrait
Salvador (BA) – Waves pounding rocks
Salvador (BA) – Coconut in the sky
Salvador (BA) – Bicycles on the beach
Salvador (BA) – Beach self portrait
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 10:
Salvador (BA) – Singer Belchior
Salvador (BA) – Warning flag
Salvador (BA) – Shoreline
Salvador (BA) – Foam self portrait
Salvador (BA) – Singer Belchior
Salvador (BA) – Warning flag
Salvador (BA) – Shoreline
Salvador (BA) – Foam self portrait
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 9:
Salvador (BA) – Starfish
Salvador (BA) – Puffer fish
Salvador (BA) – Chairs on the beach
Salvador (BA) – Canoeing on All Saints’ Bay
Salvador (BA) – Starfish
Salvador (BA) – Puffer fish
Salvador (BA) – Chairs on the beach
Salvador (BA) – Canoeing on All Saints’ Bay
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 8:
Salvador (BA) – Ferry boat
Salvador (BA) – Horseman
Salvador (BA) – Sea urchin
Salvador (BA) – Starfish
Salvador (BA) – Ferry boat
Salvador (BA) – Horseman
Salvador (BA) – Sea urchin
Salvador (BA) – Starfish
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 7:
Salvador (BA) – Fisherman
Salvador (BA) – Ribbons
Salvador (BA) – Canoe
Salvador (BA) – All Saints’ Bay
Salvador (BA) – Fisherman
Salvador (BA) – Ribbons
Salvador (BA) – Canoe
Salvador (BA) – All Saints’ Bay
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2006.
Part 6:
Salvador (BA) – Beach barrack
Salvador (BA) – Souvenir seller
Salvador (BA) – Horsemen
Salvador (BA) – Itapuã Beach sunset
Salvador (BA) – Beach barrack
Salvador (BA) – Souvenir seller
Salvador (BA) – Horsemen
Salvador (BA) – Itapuã Beach sunset
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2016
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
074. Capoeira
JULY 2006: Capoeira
In Salvador, we were hosted by the local Federal University, the UFBA. During our first evening in Salvador, we were invited to watch demonstrations of aspects of the local culture. First of all, we all joined to have the traditional acarajé snack: a deep-fried snack made from peeled black-eyed peas, and filled with a pasta with onions, and shrimps. That night, I got acquainted with the candomblé rituals. Those rituals had been introduced by African slaves and their descendants. Another slave’s legacy is the capoeira, a kind of martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. For the slaves, it was strictly forbidden to wear and use weapons; therefore, the slaves developed a different kind of martial art, in which footwork plays an important role. A professional capoeira demonstration is breathtaking to watch. The tightly controlled acrobatic moves, with which they are apparently hitting each other, but in fact they really try to avoid touching each other. One of the most impressive moves was the somersault as demonstrated in the picture. I was lucky to have taken the picture at the right time, when this performer was still doing his somersault, as if he was hovering, just thirty centimeters above the floor!
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
072 Walking on tires
JULY 2006: Walking on tires
Recycling saves the environment. We are very familiar with this statement for decades already. And not only in the Netherlands are citizens aware of the advantages of recycling waste materials. For instance, used tires most probably will be reused in road construction and in building activities. In Brazil, the stiff rubber of tires is also used for another purpose: rubber-soled leather shoes and flip flops. As a result, you might buy black flip flops with brand logos of Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli or Bridgestone on the sole. Such shoes and flip flops are quite inexpensive.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
071. Mussel
JULY 2006: Mussel
Prior to our arrival in Salvador, we had stayed in Olivença for one day. This little beach resort is located just below the city of Ilhéus, in the state of Bahia. Since our stay was not planned beforehand, no accommodation had been booked. Nevertheless, it was not a real problem to find a place to sleep in Olivença. Some of the fellows from our bus started to ask information from passers-by about the possibilities, and soon an empty house was offered for just two euros per person, shower included. During the day, we spend our time on the tiny beach. Beach vendors quickly found us, and tried to sell us their merchandise. They arrived with a variety of merchandise, including sunburn cream, cold drinks, and seafood. One of the most striking among them was the mussel. It was not prepared with carrots and onion rings, and I was used to in Europe, but with a vinegar salad that consisted of chopped tomato, onion and bell pepper. The mussel tasted delicious.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
070. Fortress
JULY 2006: Fortress
One of the most memorable trips during our stay in Salvador, was the boat ride to the island of Itaparica. The journey lasted forty-five minutes over somewhat troubled water. The sometimes violent waves ignited some uncomfortable movements in the stomachs of some of our friends. They were clearly delighted when they were able to touch firm ground again. During our boat ride, we came along a remarkable fortress, which was located on a tiny island. It was the fortress of São Marcelo, which was built in 1624, as part of a defense strategy against Dutch invasions. The Dutch indeed managed to control part of the Brazilian colony. Mauríco de Nasssau had been ruling for twenty-five years, from Dutch Brazil’s capital, Recife. The picture above was not taken during the boat ride, but near the urban elevator – Elevador Lacerda -, through a hole in a wall that surrounded an urban park.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
069. Two towers
JULY 2006: Two towers
During our stay in Salvador, we stayed in a hostel – run by a Mexican – in Barra District. The hostel – pousada – was only two hundred meters away from Barra Beach. The pousada was quite simple and rather cheap. The Mexican was very hospitable; he even offered us a bottle of Mexican tequila at our final night there. He was a big fan of U2 and did not hesitate to play his favorite –pirate – DVD of the Irish rock band in Morumbi Stadium, São Paulo. Almost every morning, we could enjoy the loud rock sounds of Bono and his band. We often walked around in Barra, particularly along the beach. It was relatively safe, quiet and relaxing to walk there. Barra is known for the Farol (light tower), another landmark in Salvador. The light tower is located on a small peninsula. Unfortunately, the light tower was not open for visitors. At Pontal da Barra Beach, a telephone company had installed a telephone booth in the shape and color of the Farol.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
068 Itapuã Beach
JULY 2006: Itapuã Beach
Salvador has a number of beaches within its city limits. For example, the beaches of Barra and Farol da Barra, and the more distantly located Stella Maris. The most popular beach is Itapuã Beach. We spent a wonderful day on this beautiful beach. We enjoyed warm sunshine and pleasantly warm sea water. In the late afternoon, we were positively surprised to witness a colorful sunset. For me, this unforgettable sunset was a source of inspiration for countless colorful pictures. An interesting composition of palm trees, rolling waves that reflect the warm colors, and the city of Salvador in the background.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
067. Caipirinha
JULY 2006: Caipirinha
Students and beach. Surely a combination of much alcohol and little time for sunbathing. They select a beach barrack, occupy some plastic tables, and quickly gather a number of chairs. The waiter hurries over the loose sand to the new customers, and only minutes later, he returns with some bottles of ice-cold beer and small beer glasses. Beer is then distributed in the glasses. The students then cheer by hitting the glasses against each other, and to the beer bottle. And each one takes a gulp. Nobody dares not to drink before putting the glass on the table. That may bring misfortune. Many bottles would be emptied until a beer crate was filled completely with emptied beer bottles. Students not only drank beer, they also ordered caipirinhas. This Brazilian national drink made from cachaça (sugar cane-based spirit), fresh lime (what they call here ‘limão Tahiti’) and fragmented ice. Caipivodka is a variant with vodka instead of cachaça. Normally, this alcoholic mix is served in a whiskey glass, but here on the beach Itapuã a normal lemonade glass was used. A refreshing drink for only one euro fifty!
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
066. Elevator
JULY 2006: Elevator
Not only in Lisbon, but also in Salvador you may find an urban elevator: Elevador Lacerda, inaugurated in 1873. This elevator, more than seventy meters high and once the highest in the world, is located at the other side of the popular Mercado Modelo. The lift carries you to cozy Pelourinho, Salvador’s historical center. This vibrant heart of Salvador offers many nightlife options. You may enjoy music shows of Olodum, Didá, and Filhos de Gandhy amongst others, examples of Salvador’s typical music. You must have experienced their performances! The elevator building, painted in light colors, forms a sharp contrast with the clear blue sky, and is considered as one of Salvador’s landmarks.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
065. Hovering coconut
JULY 2006: Hovering coconut
We were at Itapuã Beach, not far from the city of Salvador. Suddenly, we witnessed a miracle, a natural wonder. We rubbed our eyes. That cannot be true! We stared at the ocean, where we saw a green coconut hovering above the rolling waves. According to my high-school knowledge of physics and biology, this is absolutely impossible. A coconut is much heavier than air and should plunge in the ocean. We didn’t notice any invisible thread, there was no flying balloon linked to the coconut. What was going on? To prove that we really have seen the floating coconut, and that this observation was not due to drinking a lot of alcohol, I took this picture.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
064. Falling coconut
JULY 2006: Falling coconut
Accompanied by two friends, I entered a small area of palm trees, just behind Itapuã Beach. I paused at a palm tree. For a long time, I have been developing a certain passion for these majestic trees. When I was in Portugal, it made me feel good to see palm trees, and I was missing them as soon as I had left Portugal. Now I can enjoy many palm trees of different species in Brazil, every day. These exotic trees are not only wonderful to look at, but they can also be quite dangerous. Sometimes, when a giant palm leaf drops down, it is recommended not have it hit on your head. Let alone the heavy coconuts, which can knock you out instantly… Suddenly, I heard a loud crack from above. Crack! I didn’t hesitate, and pointed my digital camera to the source of the cracking sound and made the picture. This picture shows a coconut in free-fall.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
063. Dragonfly
JULY 2006: Dragonfly
Stella Maris Beach, not far from the city of Salvador. It was a lovely, sunny day at this beautiful beach. When considering the respectable amount of ice-cold beers and caipirinhas that were consumed by the students, you can imagine that it was considered as a perfect day. Many of my fellow travelers sat down on the beach chairs and had hardly left them that day. The only exception was a refreshing bath in the ocean water. Together with two friends, I was one of the exceptions. We explored the beach by walking along the shoreline. Perhaps the combination of a warm sun, a nice temperature and the beauty of an exotic beach had provided me much inspiration. For me, this beach was an inexhaustible source of inspiring moments. Like the moment when we had found this dragonfly. This insect is a kind of a natural helicopter, which is able to fly close to your head without touching it. It is the humming dragonfly buzz that draws your attention. However, this poor dragonfly never flew again. One of my friends picked it up and put it carefully on his hand for a closer look.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, and former capital of Brazil, is very popular among (foreign) tourists. Many tourist will go for the beautiful beaches near Salvador. Beaches as Praia Forte, Stella Maris, Itapuã.
Itapuã Beach is about 25 km north from Salvador. During weekends and holidays, the beach can be overcrowded. When I was there in July 2006, it was rather quiet on the beach. I made some walks with Brazilian friends. I took some photographs of the coconut trees, and suddenly my eye caught a dragonfly on the beach. Quite a large dragonfly. It did not move, and would not move anymore. One friend had put the dragonfly on his and, and thus I managed to immortalize this poor creature…
The original picture was taken in July 2006.
Click HERE for general information about SALVADOR,
including history, touristic information and informative videos.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of ‘SALVADOR’, part one.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of ‘SALVADOR’, part two.
Click HERE for the Photo Gallery of ‘SALVADOR’, part three.
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