That's it. Brazilian airlines are officially mad. We were informed recently via email from our travel agent that our direct flight from Menaus to Salvador had to go through Brazilia. No not Brazilia!!!!! The lat time we flew into Brazilia we were bumped to a later flight because we'd miss our connecting flight only to discover, too late, that the plane we were on was the connecting flight. Images came to mind of Monty Python's Travelogue, run as a prelude to the Holy Grail at the cinemas. "and now we have more f*cking Brazilia."
And the airlines have not disappointed. Our initial flight out of Manaus was over an hour late in departing, which meant our connection in Brazilia to Salvador would be tight. This was an issue for many people on the plane. Finally, we arrived at Brazilia, only to discover we would have to be bussed to the terminal, making the connection even tighter. We all piled onto the bus and then had a ridiculously short ride to the terminal. A quick glance at the board showed us that are connecting flight to Salavador was in the "Last Call" stage, so we scurried to the gate indicated, fortunately nearby.
Minutes later we were clambering on board another bus. There followed a ridiculously short bus trip and then, to our growing suspicion, we were dropped of t a plane that looked surprisingly like the one we had just got off. Sure enough, the plane staff that greeted us were the same ones that had said goodbye to us 5 minutes ago!! That's right we had been madly rushed off the plane only to be madly rushed back on to the same plane! Auuughhhh. We were the connecting flight!!!! The final element of madness - we were seated next to a lady who had also been through the same rig morale with her husband. In the insane plane change her husband had been seated 4 rows back and proceeded to spend the entire trip next to two noisy children.
Ah Brazilia airport, a must for all international travellers.
On the plus side our travelling companion, Marion, was great company and had an interesting occupation - singing for the Welsh National Opera.
And the airlines have not disappointed. Our initial flight out of Manaus was over an hour late in departing, which meant our connection in Brazilia to Salvador would be tight. This was an issue for many people on the plane. Finally, we arrived at Brazilia, only to discover we would have to be bussed to the terminal, making the connection even tighter. We all piled onto the bus and then had a ridiculously short ride to the terminal. A quick glance at the board showed us that are connecting flight to Salavador was in the "Last Call" stage, so we scurried to the gate indicated, fortunately nearby.
Minutes later we were clambering on board another bus. There followed a ridiculously short bus trip and then, to our growing suspicion, we were dropped of t a plane that looked surprisingly like the one we had just got off. Sure enough, the plane staff that greeted us were the same ones that had said goodbye to us 5 minutes ago!! That's right we had been madly rushed off the plane only to be madly rushed back on to the same plane! Auuughhhh. We were the connecting flight!!!! The final element of madness - we were seated next to a lady who had also been through the same rig morale with her husband. In the insane plane change her husband had been seated 4 rows back and proceeded to spend the entire trip next to two noisy children.
Ah Brazilia airport, a must for all international travellers.
On the plus side our travelling companion, Marion, was great company and had an interesting occupation - singing for the Welsh National Opera.
And so, onto Salvador. We took a full day tour, again with an English speaking guide, and it was really the only way to go if you have little time and only the most rudimentary use of the language. Salvador would probably be one of the more challenging venues unaccompanied as it is the one city where people do accost you to buy tourist items. Having a guide made it much easier to negotiate,though after a while you did learn to chill out and just say Ola and No Obrigato with a smile.
Salvador is incredible. The historic centre is probably the most impressive we saw outside of Ouro Preto. As a added bonus we got to see the steps of a church that featured prominently and one of the great Brazilian films - Keeper of Promises. This was unexpected and surprisingly moving. In the afternoon our tour took a more confronting turn as we ventured into the parts of Salvador that aren't on normal tours. We got to see all sides of the Salvador that Salvadorians are familiar with. It was both sobering and quite beautiful. We simply do not realise how lucky we are in Australia, though there is plenty we could learn from Brazilians on tolerance and what is really important in life.
Ate mais tarde.
Salvador is incredible. The historic centre is probably the most impressive we saw outside of Ouro Preto. As a added bonus we got to see the steps of a church that featured prominently and one of the great Brazilian films - Keeper of Promises. This was unexpected and surprisingly moving. In the afternoon our tour took a more confronting turn as we ventured into the parts of Salvador that aren't on normal tours. We got to see all sides of the Salvador that Salvadorians are familiar with. It was both sobering and quite beautiful. We simply do not realise how lucky we are in Australia, though there is plenty we could learn from Brazilians on tolerance and what is really important in life.
Ate mais tarde.
RSS Feed
