Roça de Ogum Onirê, Bahia, 2026

ITINERARY (aka Matthew’s 2nd PhD) – BAHIA RETREAT & BEACH TRIP 2026

Travelers: Matthew + Benita (2 adults) Trip Duration: 08 January – 1 March 2026 Contact: matthew@fairtlough.net

OUTBOUND JOURNEY

Thursday, 08 January 2026

GWR Train Booking Confirmed - Totnes to Forest Hill

Booking reference: B27H8937 Outbound journey12:

  • Depart Totnes: 09:42
  • Arrive Forest Hill: 13:42
  • Duration: 4 hours 0 minutes
  • Changes: 2 changes
  • Ticket type: Advance Single (only valid on booked trains and required connecting services)

Seat Reservations

  • Coach H
  • Seat 57: Window, Forwards, Table
  • Seat 58: Aisle, Forwards, Table
  • Railcard reminder: we must carry our Railcards

Summary

  • Journey 1: Totnes to Forest Hill - £84.50
  • departs Totnes at 09:42
  • Great Western Railway to London Paddington arrives 12:29
  • 12:44 travel by London Underground to London Bridge arrives at 13:14
  • 13:28 travel by Southern Railways to Forest Hill arrives 13:42

This gives us plenty of time to settle in before our early 06:07 departure to Gatwick on
Saturday morning for our 10:10 TAP flight to Lisbon.

To do still: book taxi to Forest Hill from 20 Fermor Road.

Train Booking Confirmed - Forest Hill to Gatwick Airport

Booking reference: 595019627668[^6_1] Confirmation sent to: fairtlough@gmail.com and 26@fairtlough.net[^6_1]

Journey Details - Saturday, 10 January 2026

  • Depart Forest Hill: 06:07
  • Arrive Gatwick Airport: 07:50 (if on time)[^6_1]
  • Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes
  • Changes: 3 changes[^6_1]
  • Passengers: 2 Adults with 2 Senior Railcards applied
  • Collection reference: 59CW6B59[^6_1]

Important Notes

Engineering Works: There is a rail replacement bus service covering the route between East Grinstead and Gatwick Airport due to January engineering works. No direct trains are reaching the airport at that time on 10 January 2026, which explains the 3-change journey with bus replacement.24[^6_1]

Airport arrival: We arrive at 07:50, which is 2 hours 20 minutes before our 10:10 TAP flight departure to Lisbon—adequate time for check-in and security.

Ticket collection: Collect from station using reference 59CW6B59. The tickets show “Sit in any vacant unreserved seat except first class”.[^6_1]

  • Flight 1: TP1329 London Gatwick (LGW) Terminal S → Porto (OPO) Operated by TAP Air Portugal (A320) Departs: 10:00 GMT
  • Flight 2: TP93 Porto (OPO) → São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) Terminal 3 Operated by TAP Air Portugal (A320) Arrives: 21:45 local time (Saturday, 10 Jan)
  • Transfer: Taxi/Uber from GRU Airport to hotel (~10 min with free shuttle)

  • Overnight: Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport ✅ BOOKED

    • Address: Near São Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU), free shuttle service
    • Confirmation: Check email (matthew@fairtlough.net) or add to Hilton Honors account
    • Cost: approx. £50–£65 for double room with breakfast

Outward Journey overview

  • From: London Gatwick (LGW, South Terminal) → To: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU, Terminal 3), via Porto (OPO)25
  • Date: Sat 10 January 2026 (same‑day arrival)25
  • Total travel time: 14h 35m (including Porto layover)25
  • Airline: TAP Air Portugal, flights TP 1329 (LGW → OPO) and TP 93 (OPO → GRU)25
  • Notes: Short layover in Porto; long-haul sector on A330neo with on-board wi‑fi, quieter cabin, and lower emissions.25

Return Journey overview

  • From: São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU, T3) → To: London Heathrow (LHR, T2), via Lisbon (LIS, T1)1
  • Date: Overnight Sat 28 Feb – Sun 1 Mar 202626
  • Total travel time: 19h 20m (including Lisbon layover)26
  • Airline: TAP Air Portugal, flights TP 88 (GRU → LIS) and TP 1358 (LIS → LHR)26
  • Notes: Long daytime layover in Lisbon; aircraft offer on-board wi‑fi, quieter cabins, and reduced emissions on the A330.26

Sunday, 11 January 2026

  • Morning: Hotel shuttle to GRU Terminal (domestic departures)
  • Flight: ✅ BOOKED – Premium Package (Refundable/Changeable) GRU (São Paulo Guarulhos) → IOS (Ilhéus) Arrive 17.35 local time Airline: GOL Linhas Aéreas Booking code GGPYGL Expedia Itinerary Number: 73305505241481

Package includes:

  • Refundable tickets
  • Changeable (pay fare difference only)
  • Seat selection included (contact GOL to reserve) Confirmation email: matthew@fairtlough.net
  • Hand baggage allowance: 1 cabin bag per person (max 55 x 35 x 25 cm, 10 kg) + 1 personal item
  • Checked baggage: Paid extra for 1 x 25kg bag
  • Seat selection:
    • Visit voegol.com.br/en → “My Trips” → enter booking PNR
  • Transfer: Pre-arranged Uber from Ilhéus Airport to retreat centre
  • Overnight: Retreat centre (Sunday, 11 Jan)

RETREAT PHASE

Monday, 12 January – Sunday, 19 January 2026

  • Location: Pedra do Sabiá Farm Retreat centre near Itacaré, Bahia
  • Dates: 12–22 January (10 days/11 nights)
  • Accommodation & Meals: Fully included
  • Activities: Yoga, wellness, communal living, organic food, singing/art sessions

BAHIA BEACH REST & EXPLORATION

Serra Grande

Sunday, 22 January – 31 January 2026

  • Address: R. sete Setembro, 118, Centro, Serra Grande, Uruçuca, Bahia 45680-000, Brazil
  • Host: Fábio WhatsApp. 73 999052328

Directions from your host para quem chegar de ônibus, descerá no Ponto da Praça Principal de Serra Grande. Caminhando para a Microcasa em torno de 5 a 10 minutos. A localização tem variado uns 5 metros. Pelas fotos e número da casa fica fácil.

Nielsen taxi +55 73 99937-2318 Matheus taxi (cousin) +55 73 99828-3249 Host contact* +55 73 99905-2328

Potential activities:

  • Ilhéus: Praia do Sul, Millionários Beach, Casa de Cultura Jorge Amado, Mirante da Piedade
  • Itacaré: Surf, waterfalls, SUP tours, cacao farm visits, Atlantic Forest hikes
  • Península de Maraú / Barra Grande: Shoal pools at Taipu-de-Fora, tranquil beaches
  • Trancoso / Arraial d’Ajuda: Chic beach villages, Quadrado square, boutique shopping
  • Workaway/HelpStay projects (permaculture, art, communal living)
  • Yoga studios and holistic wellness centers
  • Language exchange meetups in Salvador/Itacaré

SALVADOR

January 31 – February 5, 2026

Room in Salvador hosted by Robson Avenida Sete de Setembro, 2906, Salvador, Bahia 40130-001, Brazil

Trip information Salvador -> Rio

  • Reservation code DURWGT Order No. LA0454595BLWB
  • Issued London, United Kingdom 06/01/26
  • MATTHEW FAIRTLOUGH Adult 543562877
  • MARIA VERNIERS Adult GB3663140

Flight Details:27

  • Flight No.: 9A - LA3629
    • Origin: Salvador de Bahía
    • Destination: São Paulo
    • Date: 05/02/26
    • Departure Time: 11:05
    • Arrival Time: 13:45
    • Cabin: Economy
    • Fare: Light
    • Seat: (Congonhas) 9B E Magalhães
  • Flight No.: 9A - LA3918
    • Origin: Río de Janeiro
    • Destination: São Paulo
    • Date: 05/02/26
    • Departure Time: 15:00
    • Arrival Time: 16:00
    • Cabin: Economy
    • Fare: Light
    • Seat: (Congonhas) (Santos Dumont)

RIO DE JANEIRO

Where we stay in Rio

  • Checkin: Thursday February 5, 2026, 2:00 PM
  • Checkout: Saturday February 14, 2026 11:00 AM
  • Venue: R. Murtinho Nobre, 42 - Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20241-050, Brazil
  • Contact: Carolina Anahi

Trip information Rio -> Paraty

PARATY

Stay in Paraty

  • Check-in Saturday February 14, 2026 2:00 PM
  • Checkout Saturday February 28, 2026 12:00 PM
  • Contact: Ricardo Marques Ellena WhatsApp = +55 24 993026618

Estalagem Colonial
Historic Center
Ricardo Marques Elena

excellent options for getting from Paraty to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) by bus, arriving by early afternoon:

Green Toad Bus - Shared Transfer2829

  • Morning departure: 08:30 from Paraty → Estimated arrival: 13:30-14:30 at GRU ✓
  • Afternoon departure: 13:30 from Paraty → Estimated arrival: 18:30-19:30 at GRU
  • Price: $83 USD (approximately £65) per person
  • Pick-up: Direct from your accommodation in Paraty or Jabaquara
  • Service: Daily departures, shared air-conditioned van/minibus
  • Journey time: 5-6 hours28

Alternative Public Bus Options3031

  1. Via Ubatuba (most common route):
    • Paraty → Ubatuba (1 hour, R$25-60)
    • Ubatuba → GRU Airport (4h 20m, R$80-110)30
    • Total journey: ~6h 20m
    • Multiple departures throughout the day
  2. Direct overnight buses from Paraty bus terminal:
    • FlixBus/Reunidas Paulista to São Paulo
    • Departures: 09:00 and evening services
    • Duration: 6-7 hours3132
    • Cost: R$60-85 (approximately £9-13)

Recommendation

For arriving by early afternoon, take the Green Toad 08:30 morning departure. This gives you plenty of time to
reach GRU by 13:30-14:30, allowing 2-3 hours before an international flight
(as recommended by the airport). The service includes:28

  • Door-to-door pick-up from your Paraty accommodation
  • Modern air-conditioned vehicles
  • Professional drivers with excellent reviews28

The public bus via Ubatuba is cheaper but requires a transfer and doesn’t offer the convenience of accommodation pick-up.

KEY BOOKING DETAILS & CONTACTS

Family numbers for emergencies (print out!)

  • Hannah +44 (0)7955 186377
  • Judi 07999 048021
  • Matthew 07717 672481
  • Anna Fairtlough 07773 283467
  • Benita 07799 410729
  • Walter Verniers +32 475 950597
  • Rory 07527 548679
  • Farrah 07967 756506

British consulates

  • Rio de Janeiro – British Consulate-General Phone: +55 21 2555 96003334
  • São Paulo – British Consulate-General Phone: +55 11 3094 270035363437
  • Salvador – former/secondary contact (check first, status may change) Older listing for British Consulate in Salvador: Phones: +55 71 3247 8216, +55 71 3235 344238 For current urgent assistance in Bahia, the FCDO now routes emergencies via the main
    Brazil network (Brasilia/Rio/São Paulo) using the Rio and São Paulo numbers above.3733

Belgian consulates

  • Salvador – Honorary Consulate of Belgium (Lauro de Freitas) Phone: +55 71 3288 03383940
  • Rio de Janeiro – Consulate General of Belgium Phones:
    • +55 21 2543 8558
    • +55 21 2543 88784142
  • São Paulo – Consulate General of Belgium Phones (two commonly listed sets; the first is more up to date):
    • +55 11 3145 7500 (emergency: +55 11 93316 3203)43
    • Alternative listing: +55 11 314 575 00 and +55 11 992 249 86644

For emergencies, it is worth saving both the Rio and São Paulo numbers for each country,
plus your usual travel insurance contacts. 454647484950515253

Core emergency numbers

  • Police (Militar): 190 Primary number for crime, violence, and most emergencies; calls from 112 or 911 are redirected here on Brazilian networks.54555657
  • Ambulance / medical (SAMU): 192 For serious medical emergencies and ambulance dispatch.5855575954
  • Fire department (Bombeiros): 193 For fires, rescues, serious traffic accidents, and similar.5557605458
  • Federal police: 194 For reporting crimes such as passport theft

Other useful public numbers

  • Civil Defense: 199 (floods, landslides, structural risks).56605455
  • Federal Highway Police: 191 (crashes or incidents on federal highways).61545556
  • Women’s assistance / violence against women: 180.5855

From foreign mobiles (112 / 911)

  • 112: Standard GSM emergency code; in Brazil it automatically redirects to 190 (police).62555661
  • 911: Also redirected to 190 nationwide under Brazilian regulations.636256

For your purposes: save 190, 192, 193, plus 112 as a backup on your phones, and assume initial operators will speak Portuguese, with English only sometimes available in big-city centers. 64575565666768697071

Item Details
Travelers Matthew + Benita
Contact Email matthew@fairtlough.net
Expedia Itinerary 73305505241481
GOL Flight (GRU–IOS) Premium package: refundable, changeable, seat selection included
Manage GOL booking voegol.com.br/en (“My Trips”) or call +55 11 5504-4410
Hampton by Hilton GRU ✅ Booked for 10 Jan; free shuttle; add to Hilton Honors account
Ilhéus Airport Transfer Arrange with retreat or book Marau Transfer/Easydrop
Expedia hotel discount 25% off hotels unlocked after flight booking

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST

✅ Passports: Valid 6+ months

  • Matthew: UK passport
  • Benita: Belgian (EU) passport

✅ Visas: None required

✅ Travel Insurance: Comprehensive medical, cancellation, baggage cover

✅ Payment Cards: Wise for best FX rates

  • Notify all providers of Brazil travel dates
  • Always decline dynamic currency conversion—pay in BRL

✅ Hand Baggage Dimensions: Max 55 x 35 x 20 cm, 10 kg (meets both international + Brazilian limits)

✅ Accommodation:

  • 10 Jan: Hampton by Hilton GRU ✅
  • 11 Jan: Retreat centre ✅

  1. https://www.gwr.com/tickets/mobile/\#/confirmation?sk=9630c329-5150-4036-9b93-9487826d074e ↩ ↩2

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