Around Recife

Not much time for sleeping.

Eduardo had offered to assist me with formalities and wanted to leave at 08:00. First stop was the Policia Federal followed by Receita Federal, Ministerio da Saude and finally Capitania dos Portos. The process was completed in about an hour and a half, much quicker than at Fortaleza.

It is the 514th anniversary of the founding of Recife and celebrations were held in the evening in the old town. Firstly actors staged a reconstruction of key events from Recife's history followed by a concert until after midnight.


The colourful state flag of Pernambuco. Recife is the capital of Pernambuco.


Historic play.


This member of the audience of rather his t-shirt intrigued me. Heckler & Koch are suppliers of precision small arms to governments and others around the world but this seemed a very aggresive form of promotion. On checking I found they use one slogan. "Heckler & Koch, No Compromise"


The weapon on the t-shirt looks like an MP5N. I concluded that this was an unofficial t-shirt and odd apparel at a music concert.


Police where in evidence everywhere.

These are
Policia Militar who in spite of their name are under the control of the state governor. A bit like american state police. Also in evidence were a few members of the Policia Militar Batalhão de Choque known as "Choque". These are a bit like the CRS in France and not to be messed with.

Their services were not required and so far I have seen no incident requiring police action. Recife is reportedly the most dangerous city in Brazil.





Scenes from the old town on Recife Island.

I had decided to listen to some more Forró music and got a taxi to Spirit Music Hall where Geraldinho Lins e Os Matutos were again in concert. Brazil also has no smoking laws in public places but some are allowed to provide a smoking room. Spirit Music Hall had named theirs FumoDromo.








Back on board slightly earlier at 03:45.