The poorest of all the regions, the Nordeste or Northeast Region of Brazil comprises Paraíba State and eight others, including Pernambuco with the beautiful old city of Olinda. Situated on a hill near Recifé, Olinda was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982 because of its wealth of Baroque architecture and art dating back to the 16^th century.

So having decided to travel a little, together with Tom and Barbara of Gosi, this was to be our first destination with an overnight stay.   For a very reasonable fare, ‘our’ taxi driver Bernardo offered to drive us the two hours south, and we travelled in comfort passing acres and acres of sugar cane and refineries, the huge manufacturing plants of Jeep and Fiat and arriving at our accommodation by 10.30.

The Pousada dos Quatro Cantos is an attractive and quirky historical mansion conveniently located in the centre of the old city…