Canoa Quebrada

A GOL flight transported me from Salvador to Fortaleza (£25 one way) where I had pre-ordered a car from Hertz. There are a number of car rental agencies at Pinto Martins airport and in hindsight I may have got a better deal without pre-booking. I specifically ordered an estate car which would enable me to store two large suitcases 'out of sight'. Hertz proved to be very efficient and I was soon on my way out of Fortazleza travelling south down the coast to Canoa Quebrada (100 miles). The road surfaces in some areas are very pot-holed and animals are liable to decide to cross at the most inopportune moments. The roadside is littered with carcases of the unfortunate dogs and mules that didn't make it. There is a distinct lack of signposting and Brazilian motorists tend to drive faster than in the UK, so I would describe the driving experience as 'challenging'. Canoa Quebrada is a delightfully laid back town with a definite 'hippy' feel to it. I stayed at the Dolce Vita poussada (£25 B&B per night for two). The rooms were clean and comfortable, the owner was friendly and there was a swimming pool to cool off in. Canoa Quebrada is an established tourist spot so there is a wide choice of pousadas, restaurants and bars. Despite the intense heat there is a strong wind blowing in from the sea which makes powerkiting and surfing popular pass-times. Although there were tourists staying in the town it wasn't very busy, but according to locals, March to May is the 'quiet' season although they claim it livens up at the weekend.