(^72) 6 October - Una – Ilhéus - 61 km
By morning, the rain had abated making the day hot and humid. Our route led
towards the coast, past Ecoparque de Una, where the golden-headed lion monkeys
could be seen. Regrettably, one had to arrange a visit beforehand.
I wasn’t prepared to drag Amanda up a seven-kilometre dirt road to the park gate
that might or might not be open. Nevertheless, a good descent took us towards the
ocean, from where a flat coastal path led to Olivencia and on to Ilhéus, where,
hopefully, a new bank card would be waiting.
Hotel Ilhéus was easy to find, but sadly we learned no post had arrived. Hotel
Ilhéus turned out quite interesting. Centrally located in the old part of town and
built in the 1930s, it sported a vintage elevator and few electrical points. It,
nonetheless, offered hot showers and excellent river views. The hotel was built to
accommodate wealthy cocoa traders and, originally, had a bank and cocoa deposit
on the ground floor, a party saloon, and a casino. It must’ve been quite a fancy
place in its day but was, by then, showing its age.
lhéus
With the help of friends in South Africa, at last, news came about Amanda’s bank
card. We decided to stay in Ilhéus until the card arrived, as having it sent to a
forward address proved far too problematic.
Ilhéus was a pretty coastal town, offering an ensemble of historic buildings dating
to its cocoa heyday. I wasn’t sure though whether we would be able to keep
ourselves occupied for seven days. When we enquired about a disconto in
anticipation of our extended stay, the receptionist laughingly pointed out that whilst
we didn’t speak Portuguese, we sure knew the word “disconto”.
leana
(Leana)
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