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The urban resort has wire- less Internet, cable television and 110 volt electricity (same as the U.S.). The International Rest- aurant serves up to 520 peo- ple. There is also a “kitchen restaurant” specializing in Italian food that serves 160 people and a Japanese restaurant for up to 60 peo- ple. Highlights include a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a children’s swimming pool, poly-sports and squash court, Kid’s Club, health club, and a game room. The Convention Center comprises 20 salons with a capacity for 2,500 people simultaneously. The auditorium can accommo- date 1,300 people. There is also a business center with internet capability. PELOURINHO Pelourinho is as good a place as any to start your adven- ture. It’s the oldest part of town and has an elevator that elim- inates the precipitous climb from the sea level harbor to the buildings situated in the mountainside. What you’ll find are numerous 16th century churches and monuments, along with thousands of multihued homes decked out with blue Portuguese picture tiles that line the narrow cobble-stoned streets. If an out of the way, exquisite, five-star hotel is your thing, THE CONVENTO DO CARMO, the first luxury historic hotel in Brazil, is sure to please. A former convent dating back to the XVI Century, the hotel, located in Pelourinho, is decked out with colonial furniture and graceful works of art. There are 79 elegant rooms and suites as well as Internet access. Dining is outrageous. Offerings include traditional Portuguese and contemporary cuisine, complemented with a special local touch. Extras include the L’Occitane SPA. Event and meeting space at CONVENTO DO CARMO can handle up to 300 persons. CACHOEIRA For a great day trip from Salvador, experience the fascinating city of Cachoeira (which means waterfall), located near All Saints Bay. Soak in the city’s unique history and colorful, mostly pre- served colonial architecture. This tour also includes a visit to the town’s churches – Igreja Matriz and the Ordem Terceira do Carmo. During the Brazilian Empire, Cachoeira was Bahia’s wealthiest and most populous town. While having been developed over time, its original character still remains in the houses, churches and his- torical buildings. Displaying significant Baroque architectural heritage in Bahia, 18 Cachoeira has been pro- tected by the National Institute for Historical and Artistic Heritage since 1971. Cachoeira is known for sugar cane, tobacco, cassavas, plan- tations and for The Boa Morte, or Good Death Festival, a celebration based on Brazilian faith that celebrates the end of slavery in Brazil and also pays homage to the Virgin Mary. The festi- val, held annually in August, is helmed by women over the age of 50 who are part of the Sisterhood of the Good Death, a charitable organization that began in Salvador at the turn of the 19th century, but moved to Cachoeira. The founding members were freed, Black female slaves. Back in the day the sisterhood, an organiza- tion totally controlled by mature women in a secret society, raised funds to purchase the free- dom of slaves. The Sisterhood’s objective was to end slavery and the oppression of their people. The Sisterhood continues to wield a great deal of influence in the area. SANTA CRUZ restaurant is nestled in the hills of Cachoeira. Actually a home, the food, which includes great steak, fish and chicken, is some good ‘ol home cookin’. After crossing the colonial bridge (Ponte Dom Pedro II) over the River Paraguaçu, you can visit São Félix, a small cigar manufacturing town west of Salvador. You can’t miss it. There is a large cross on top of one of the hills. This is just a small offering of what Bahia, Pelourinho and Cachoeira have to offer. There is, oh, so much more. The country is teeming with highlights and infinite hidden cultural nuggets just waiting to be uncovered So this is Bahia! Oh, My! NEED TO KNOW BASIS: American travelers rejoice! Brazil as of this writ- ing, is a fabulous economical meeting or vacation spot because the exchange rate hugely favors the dollar. GETTING TO BAHIA American Airlines also has flights from Miami to Belo Horizonte three times a week. Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com