The sun was setting when I was finally on my way from the airport to my Salvador Airbnb.
Even trapped in an Uber, going alternatively way too fast or way too slow though not so great neighbourhoods, I found the scenery gorgeous.
I love sunsets—and so do Brazilians.
The sun sets early (currently around 6 p.m.) in the Nordeste because, like most of the country, it’s in the Brasília time zone. In Salvador, the “pôr do sol” is a daily meeting worth showing up for. This is one of these unplanned-yet-perfectly-executed parties Brazilians somehow master effortlessly. There are no save-the-date, program or guest list—the spot is a no-brainer, anyone is welcome, it’s free, and of course, there’s music, food, drinks and a great atmosphere.
It’s teamwork, great teamwork.
Mother Nature does the rest. She’s the star, after all, and a very professional one—never late, always willing to perform and amaze us.
One of the best spots to watch the sunset in Salvador is the iconic Barra lighthouse, or rather the hill around the lighthouse but feel free to splurge on the R$15 ticket to the museum inside the lighthouse to watch the sunset from the top of the Farol.
And so, every evening, hundreds of people walk to to lighthouse, sit on the grass, and wait. Vendors walk through the crowd to sell peanuts, cotton candy, homemade brigadeiro (yummy Brazilian chocolate confectionary), queijo coalho (grilled cheese on a stick), beer, alcohol, cigarettes and more. There’s always someone with a guitar playing music, and people sing along.
And then when the sun finally sets, applause breaks out. Minutes or hours later, people walk away to go eat, go home or even go back to the beach because after all, it’s still 30°C.
I can’t think of a better way to end the day and start the night.
And while wars are raging, while some people spend their life spreading hate and fear, others choose to stop and watch a sunset.
Personally, I’d rather watch the sunset with perfect strangers.
I think it’s a worthwhile activity, and it gives me faith in mankind.
Forte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAForte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAForte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAForte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorForte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAForte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAForte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650The lighthouse from the Forte de Santa Maria, Av. Sete de Setembro – Barra, Salvador – BAFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Along Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Along Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Along Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Along Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Along Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Praia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorPraia do Porto da Barra, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorAlong Av. Sete de Setembro between the fort and the lighthouse, SalvadorFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Farol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650Barra from Morro do Cristo, Av. Oceânica – Barra, Salvador – BABarra from Morro do Cristo, Av. Oceânica – Barra, Salvador – BAFarol da Barra, Largo do Farol da Barra, S/N – Barra, Salvador – BA, 40140-650
Incredibly beautiful !
And this is where I came back today!