February 19, 2008 - Salvador & Belo Horizonte, Brasil

February 19, 2008 - Salvador, Brasil
===========================

I wake up late and finish breakfast. I browse through Jean-Paul and Zeline´s CD collection at the Pousada. Zeline allows me to use Jean-Paul main computer to rip the CDs I like to my Portable hard drive. I read about my close buddy Fidel´s resignation :) I pay Zeline R$400 in cash for my 4-day stay at their pousada. I have been the sole occupant of their Pousada for the past 3 nights. They have 5 rooms to rent.

I left the Hotel at 11 AM. The Pelourinho area has been cleared of all paraphernalia related to the Carnaval. I head up to Jorge Amado´s house again and take some decent, uncluttered pictures of the Pelounrinho. I tried to do some Souvenir shopping. I am gradually losing interest in Souvenir shopping whether for myself or for someone else. I have lunch at the restaurant from 2 nights ago. I have rice, green peas, pureed manioc and mixed salad. This should see me through the evening. I visit the Carmo Hotel on the way back. It used to be a convent and has now been converted to a fancy hotel. Only Hotel guests are allowed to go beyond a certain point! I take a few pictures from wherever I am allowed and head to hotel.

As I am leaving today for Belo Horizonte, the weather is fantastic. Clear Blue Sky and Sunny!

I am back at the Pousada by 1:45 PM and I request Zeline to call for a taxi. I thank Zeline and take the taxi to the Bus terminal at Praca da Se. After a 20-minute wait, I get a bus to the Airport. As I mentioned before, I paid more for the 10-minute Taxi ride (R$8) to the bus terminal than the 1-hour Air-conditioned bus ride (R$4) to the airport. I dozed most of the way. One of the unique features near the airport is a bamboo canopy for about 2-3 kilometres from the main road all the way to the airport.

I do an electronic check-in. TAM airline folks are still quite SLOW. I check-in my duffel bag, prepare list of things to see and do while at Belo Horizonte. I doze during the 90-minute flight to Belo Horizonte.

February 19, 2008 - Belo Horizonte, Brasil
===============================

On reaching Belo Horizonte and collecting my bag, I head to the tourism office at the airport. I am provided with a lot of Brochures in English. One of the better developed airports I have seen during my travels so far. There is a minibus to the centre of town every 20 minutes or so. The cost was R$6.75. We get a full-sized bus. After departing from the airport, the bus stops at the local (city) airport before heading into the town of Belo Horizonte. It drops me off at the main bus station. From here it is a 10-minute walk to my Hotel.

I am given a Tiny room with a full-bed and am asked to pay for my stay in advance. Even though I had booked to stay here for 5 nights, I just pay for 1 night. I would like to try out tonight and if I am comfortable, then I can perhaps pay for other nights. I head out in search of dinner. I walk to Othon Palace and am quoted a price of R$170 per night (4 times what I am paying)! I head to the restaurant on the 25th floor of Othon Palace an have a salad and top it off with a Brownie and Ice cream.

I may head to Ouro Preto tomorrow.