2-Day Solo Birthday Trip to Morro De São Paulo from Salvador-Bahia, Brazil & Life Reflections
A couple of weeks ago, I celebrated my first birthday as a full-time nomad. I turned 38 on the island of Morro de Sao Paulo, in Brazil and although it rained (ALOT) I still found a way to enjoy myself to the fullest.
Interestingly enough, I can’t recall a birthday that has never rained over the course of my life. I’ve come to take it as a good omen of watering a beautiful flower lol.
On another note, this was my first birthday spent by myself. I’d normally have a man, friend, or family member that I’d spend some time with, but not this year… and it felt very different.
It was emotional, freeing, and rejuvenating.
I rented a Chalet on the island, that was located on the 4th beach of Morro De Sao Paulo. It was a quiet community away from the more party central area of the island. I stayed 2 nights and it was less than $300. The host was so nice and they baked me a cake for my birthday! It as soooo good! I booked them from Airbnb. My Chalet came with a private pool, lounge chairs, and hammocks. Here’s the link to their listing: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1067983448372981929?source_impression_id=p3_1776792595_P3unFnOjQAPeMLNs
There are two ways to travel between Salvador and Morro De Sao Paulo, either by private flight or a ferry. For my way there, I booked the flight option for $200. There is one company who take this route, Abaeté Linhas Aéreas, on their 9 passenger plane. The flight time was just 30-minutes and the sights were absolutely breathtaking! I recommend sitting on the right side of the plane for the best views.
They have a mini airport where the same plane that arrives, leaves out with those who are departing. There are typically 1-2 flights departing and arriving daily.
For my return, I took the ferry because I wanted to experience both. I booked my ride through book away, and it ended up being a 30 minute boat ride, 2.5 hour van drive, and then another hour on a ferry. I left at 3pm and didn’t arrive until almost 8pm. The Ferry ride was $45.
I would strongly recommend doing the flight option round-trip…simply for the simplicity and convenience.
I would also definitely recommend staying for longer than a couple of days, to give you the chance to explore all the beaches. Beach 1 and 2 are more popular and have more people, shops, restaurants, and stores. Beach 4, where I stayed, was more quiet and far less busy.
While researching hotel options, everything was very cost efficient (just be prepared to do alot of walking up steep hills!). Cars aren’t allowed on the island, so your only option is to pay someone to carry your luggage up the hills, but you still have to walk them.
The food was a little more expensive. In two days, I spent almost $200 on food and drinks in 2 days.
Now, don’t get me wrong… the food was really good! It’s just that one thing I’ve noticed while being in Brazil, is how expensive food is…and being oceanfront, you’d think it would be more cost-efficient.
To tally it all up, the cost of my 2-day birthday island getaway was about $700.
BIRTHDAY LESSONS
Every birthday, I sit with life lessons I’ve learned over the course of the previous 365 days. I like to see what it is that I’ve learned, am still working on, and looking forward to.
I celebrated not only 1-year Abstinence, I also realized I was done drinking again. I realize, I don’t like the way alcohol makes my body feel. It feels like I don’t have as much control over myself as I do without it. I’m accepting, it’s not for me.
I’m stepping into a new comfort zone of being alone and enjoying my own company without feeling like I need to add someone else to the mix…whether it be a friend, family member, or lover; knowing I can celebrate myself without others being apart of the celebration.
I’m at peace with the fact that I am 38, single, child-free and living a life that is not quite normal for women. I’m living the life that many of my elders wish they had the opportunity to experience which makes me feel like I am a living Ancestral Altar. Not saying I will never get married or have children… but I am at peace with the fact it is not my reality and I have learned to embrace and enjoy every season of life I am in.
I deserve all that I desire. Nothing I desire is too much or out of reach when I am aligned with it authentically. I am continuously evolving and allowing myself to be stretched into a better version of myself daily… and I am not running from the hard moments and feelings.
Lastly, I am no longer running from the uncomfortable parts of life. I look it smack dab in the face and conquer it one step at a time.
Let me know in the comments if you relate to any of these or you find yourself on a similar journey!
TTYL :-)