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Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Artjungle Eco Lodge & Spa, Itacare, Bahia

By Alison McGowan January 7, 2010 This morning I woke up in paradise. In a beautiful tree-house overlooking luxuriant gardens. Gazing out towards the Rio das Contas, half hidden in the mist. Listening to the roar of the distant ocean, the birdsong, the lone cock crowing. Watching the beijaflor humming bird tap against the window. ArtJungle Eco-lodge, with its park full of wooden and ceramic sculptures, is the "in" place for photoshoots, and many famous people have passed through here - Jade Jagger, Sean Penn, Al Gore, and Gisele Bunchen to name only a few. But this is not a place to be "seen" and definitely not somewhere for those who see luxury in terms of material things like TV, air conditioning or internet access. Lodges are comfortable with good hot showers and mosquito nets, and an ice box instead of a minibar - but that‘s where it stops. Itacare, and all the beaches, restaurants and bars you could want are only a couple of kilometres down the dirt track, but ArtJungle is where you will want to retreat to. This is a place for people who see luxury in nature, in art, in peace, and who support the idea of a social ecological cultural project which gives something back to the local community. I personally could have stayed forever. About the Location Itacare is situated on the Cocoa Coast of Bahia, the stretch which runs between Ilheus, 65km to the south and Salvador 230kms to the north, just where the Rio das Contas river meets the ocean. The town itself has indigenous origins but became known as Itacare as early as 1732 and countless grandiose mansions attest to the wealth of the town and region during the cocoa boom of the early 20th century. Rediscovered some 40 years ago by surfers, the town has grown rapidly and there are now countless pousadas, bars, restaurants and nightlife. But for those who prefer more peace or who prefer more ecological tourism there are some wonderful trails and palm tree fringed deserted beaches nearby, many set in spectacular scenery, with mountains and atlantic forest as a backdrop. Not to be Missed - a canoe trip with Ney down the Rio das Contas at sunset - trips to the waterfalls of Azevedo, Tijuipe, Pancada Grande, Tucleandro - capoeira in Itacare at night - beaches of Prainha, Engenhoca and Jeribucacu - superb food at A Brasileira restaurant in the main street Starpoints * tree-houses and stilt houses * carved wooden washbasins and freshly cut flowers * park with wooden and ceramic sculptures * large swimming pool * views over the river Try a Different Place if... ... you want to be right on the beach or can‘t live without TV, air conditioning, or phone Alison is a British writer, musician, and marketing consultant, based in Rio de Janeiro. She can be contacted on alison@hiddenpousadasbrazil.com. Visit her site at http://www.hiddenpousadasbrazil.com/. Previous articles by Alison: Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Alcino Estalagem, Lençois, Bahia Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada 0031, Cumbuco, Ceará Brazil: Maguire's Guesthouse, Manaus, Amazonas Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Hotel Casa do Amarelindo, Salvador, Bahia Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Hotel BeloAlter, Alter do Chão, Pará Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Fazenda Santa Marina, Santana dos Montes, Minas Gerais Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Casarão da Amazônia, Soure, Ilha de Marajo, Pará Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Casa Mila, nr. Ubatuba, São Paulo Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Casa Beleza, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Bambu Bamboo Pousada and Spa, Parati, Rio de Janeiro Random Ramblings on the Weather in Brazil Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Beijamar, Bahia Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Hotel 7 Colinas, Pernambuco Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada dos Quatro Cantos, Pernambuco Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Estrela do Mar, Bahia Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Vivenda, Rio de Janeiro Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada da Terra, Minas Gerais Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada Mirante de Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada do Caju, Alagoas Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Pousada da Amendoeira, Alagoas Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Estalagem Caiuia, Alagoas Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Lagoa do Cassange, Bahia Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Ponta do Muta, Bahia Brazil: Hidden Pousadas - Santa Clara, Boipeba, Bahia

1/7/2010