Dear Jan,

Larry and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for being so kind to us and schlepping us around so that we would not get lost. The rest of our holiday was great but we have promised
ourselves that we shall return to Salvador in the near future please G-d. I hope you are keeping well and our best regards to your hubby. We also thank you for making us feel so welcomed at your pousada.

Love,

Sharon Unterhalter

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: itapoan@bahia-online.net
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 1:22 PM
Subject: Saludos desde Córdoba!

Dear Rochas,
I was absolutely delighted to find you had your own radio station. I will take the opportunity to express my gratitude...

I will never forget your enormous kindness (you may not remember... but you took me out for lunch and even drove me to the airport !... Most probably you do that with most visitors... !!

I spent some time sitting in the verandah with Mr Rocha while he made me listen to a wide array of fabulous musicians and composers including himself and Bia... I was deeply moved to tears... unexpectedly... and unexplained. Music has such an effect on me sometimes. I was terribly embarrassed because I couldn't explain what was happening to me. Mr Rocha asked no questions and he kept on playing music while I took down the names of the records he strongly recommended trying desperately to hide the tears... I thank you for your silence.... I am still looking for a CD by the Irmaos Espíndola... I am hopeful to listen to some tracks on the radio!!

I wish you the very best to you all... Who knows... maybe some day I will go back to Salvador... But if you happen to come to Argentina, to my city, Córdoba, it will be a pleasure to show you around!

Forever thankful for your warm kindness,

Carola

Dear Jan & Octacilio,

We're back in Chicago now, dreaming of our wonderful stay at Encanto de Itapoan! What a marvelous haven you've created there for travelers. Not only do we have fond memories of a beautiful place, but we also now have new friends that we met at your pousada. We miss the beach, the breakfast buffet, the people, the music, you two...we miss it all!

Thanks so much for making us feel so at home. We're already scheming as to how we can get back there again as soon as possible.

Here are a few photos from our stay. We hope to see you again very soon!

Best regards,

~Tom Orf & Chris D'Alleva
Chicago

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: itapoan@bahia-online.net
Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2006 12:33 PM
Subject: Thanks & Web Page

Boa tarde Jan & Octocilio,

A cool rainy Maine is quite the meteorological smack in the face after warm Salvador....but after trudging through airports and planes with a tired Manuela & an overactive Gracie for 25 hours, there's no place like home....although Itapoa ain't too shabby.

For your Cleveland singing amiga, here is my station webpage:
www.wmpg.org and go to 'Listen'. My show , The Grooveyard Shift, is on Tuesday mornings from 6:30am- 8:30am eastern time. I'd love to chat with her and hook her up with our 'Homeless Marathon' people at the station.

I hope you have gotten through your moving in one piece and now can enjoy your new abode.

Now seriously, should you ever visit the states....especially in New England, please visit us in Maine. Likewise for Cabo Verde. Even if we are not there the same time you go, we can hook you up with some nice pousadas, people, food, music and islands.

We enjoyed your 'Encanto' and particularly were impressed with the staff....all great people.

Until next time.

Ate depois,
John, Manuela & Gracie

On behalf of myself, my husband Ben and daughter Yasmine, I would like to thank you and your staff so much for making our stay in your Pousada at the beginning of April so memorable.

We have recently arrived back from our trip to Brazil where we had a fabulous time, and the few days we spent in your Pousada were some of the most enjoyable.

We really appreciated your friendly chatter and great advice on drivers, guides, where to eat, where to visit, etc. We also loved the relaxed, laid back atmosphere, the delicious home-made breakfasts, the little touches like hammocks in our room, the special attention our little girl received (she loved the bucket!) and the general friendliness and constant smiles of all your staff. We also have fond memories of Itapoan beach, just a few steps away and the time we spent at Damien’s little restaurant by the beach.

Thank you also for helping to find our belongings which we accidentally left in our room after leaving.

We have spoken highly of you to our friends and our Swiss travel agent and would highly recommend your Pousada to anyone considering a stay in Salvador. It exudes charm and offers all the wonderful Brazilian attributes we were looking forward to experiencing.

Thank you again.

Best regards,

Saada Thurley

Jan and Octacilio,

We sent the following message on New Years Eve but I've just realised you'll have never received it. Hope you are both well.  

'Unfortunately, it's taken a while for us to write but hopefully you'll remember both Michelle and I, ( Manchester , U.K. ), from the time we spent at your fabulous Pousada earlier this year?

We have looked at the website many times since we arrived back from our trip to Brazil in September/October. Each time we look at the site it evokes fond memories of the time we spent in Salvador and in particular the time we spent in your company. The descriptions of all things Bahian which appear, as well as guest comments, music samples, photographs of Octacilio and Beatriz, etc. are, (in our experience ), certainly a true representation of the ‘Pousada Encanto De Itapoan'. We will definitely be re-visiting – hopefully in 2006. You were the perfect, convivial hosts with wonderfully helpful, attentive and friendly staff, (incidentally does Marceo ever stop smiling)?

Thank you both once again for your kind hospitality. It was a pleasure meeting you all. 

Scott Walpole and Michelle Russell

-----Original Message-----
From:  
Sent: 22 June 2005 16:56
To: info@encantodeitapoan.com.br
Subject: Recommendation

Hi Janet & Octacilio,

I would just like to thank you in writing and send both Nathalies & my own heartfelt recommendations for your Pousada.
As I have read on other emails on your site, we intended only to stay in Itapua for 5 days then move around Bahia, however the fact that we ended up staying with you for 3 weeks speaks volumes in itself.

The style and layout of your Pousada is lovely, th e staff are all (without exception) very friendly and will bend over backwards to make sure their guests are satisfied. The atmosphere was laid back & I talked to more other guests than I ever have on holiday.

However above and beyond all that, it was you, the owners who made it special for us - both because of all the help you gave us in organising and getting things done, but also because of the fun times we had together having a drink (or two) next to the pool putting the world to rights. I think that within 3 weeks we became friends who will always stay in contact.

I cannot recommend this place high enough to anyone who enjoys that personal touch & appreciates a relaxing ambiance.
We will see you again soon.

Best regards,

Grant & Nathalie
_________________________________________________
Grant Rillie
Sr Technical Consultant
BT Global Services
P.O. Box 12008
1100 AA Amsterdam Z-O

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: Pousada Encanto de Itapoan
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 12:43 PM
Subject: Re: Paola - Italia

"Ehilà Octacilio,
ho aspettato un pò a scriverti perchè la "saudade" per Bahia e per te diventasse un pò meno ! Mi manca Bahia e mi manchi te ... e anche manco a me stessa perchè quando sono qui la vita mi sembra tutta un'altra cosa. Qui non c'è la gioia di vivere, non c'è l'allegria, a volte penso che l'amore e i sentimenti siano differenti ... la gente qui ha paura di amare e di mostrare quello che ha nel cuore ! Questo e molto altro mi manca di Bahia ... Credo che tu sia una bella persona, bella nel cuore, con una sensibilità magnifica ... non sto cercando di conquistarti :)) ... spero che tua moglie non sia gelosa :)) ! Grazie per tutte le emozioni che mi hai fatto vivere, grazie per la tua musica, grazie per il tuo cuore ! Un bacio Paola " Oi Octacilio como è agora na Bahia ??? Vocè nao pode saber quanto me falta o sabor do Brasil e da Bahia ...

Um abraco a vocè e a toda tua familia, Paola

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: info@encantodeitapoan.com.br
Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2005 4:43 PM
Subject: Greetings from Canada - and some Pictures

Hi Octacilio and the Encanto Family,

It's been almost 2 weeks since we got back to the frigid North. Winter has
not left us yet and memories of a wonderful few days in sunny Brasil are
still fresh in our minds. It's so hard to get back into the flow of our
daily work routines, but normal life must go on.

I must thank you personally for giving us the best first impressions of your
country and its peoples. Salvador de Bahia was our first stay in Brasil and
your helpful little notes and advice were most instrumental in allowing us
to see the most in the shortest possible time. At times we felt, we were
imposing too much on your time and hospitality, as it was obvious you had
your hands full trying to run a business on a daily basis. We met other
delightful guests - the Italian gang (pictures enclosed), which goes to show
what a family environment your Pousada is. But you went out of your way to
help us and all these good feelings made us realise, we definitely would
like to be back and for a longer stay next time.

After we left Salvador, we visited Fortaleza in Ceara State. There too, we
were very fortunate to stay in a hotel where the staff were immensely
helpful. We took a day trip to wonderful beach community called Canoa
Quebrada, but did not have enough time to go to Jericoacoara. Obviously, the
country is so beautiful and there is so much to see. We spent our last 3
days in Rio and that too was a most pleasant experience. On our last day, we
went up to the Corcovado, on a rainy day almost at dusk. It was almost like
a spiritual experience to be up there in the clouds and to look down at this
marvellous jewel of a city of natural and man-made beauty, sparkling through
the mist.

The one area of our expectations that was not met was to see music 'en
vivo'. There was a free outdoor event on the beach on the weekend in Rio,
but the music was very much like North American Rock, Rap and R&B - probably
intended for the mostly young audience. However, I was able to find CD's by
some of the artists you had recommended: Paula Morelenbaum's "Berimbaum",
Fernanda Porto's "Giramundo", Jobim's "Sinfonico", A composite double CD
called Chill: Brazil and best of all a CD by Milton Nascimento "Pieta". I
hope next time I come to Brasil, I will have the opportunity to see one of
these artists live.

Once again, my heart-felt Thank you to you and your family. Best regards
from Gisele also and from our American friend Karin. We definitely will see
you again and soon.

Bola

Corporate Information & Operations, SAP Support
Siemens Canada Ltd./Ltée.
2185 Derry Road West
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 7A6

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: encanto@bahia-online.net
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 6:55 PM
Subject: Greetings from cold Canada

Hello Janet and Octacilio,

I apologize for not e-mailing to you folks earlier to let you know how much we enjoyed meeting you and your staff and our stay at encanto de Itapoan.  I have attached a few images below as a reminder.  The four of us had initially been booked into a pousada in Pelourinho but there was a mix up and thankfully we found your place instead. 

Having never stayed in a pousada before I'm sure we're all spoiled for the future.  The rooms really are great.  I love the hammock thing you Brazilians have going.  I'm an early riser while Suzanne is anything but.  There is no better compromise than my quietly sneaking out to the balcony to read for an hour or two while swinging away in the hammock.  Definitely a great way to begin a day. 

The facilities are really first class.  All of the staff was very friendly and helpful and the breakfast was great.  It really suits our way of eating. 

Much to my surprise the most enjoyable aspect of pousada encanto life turned out to be the sociability of the place.  Maybe it holds true for a lot of pousadas but I doubt it.  Being that I am extremely shy and introverted (my tongue is presently bursting through my cheek) I was surprised to find how enjoyable this communal way of travelling can be.  First, you get to meet people from all over the world and hear their stories and experiences.  This really gets me stoked.  Secondly, you get all kinds of great information about Salvador and being there for such a limited time this really helped us pick and choose what to do.  It was interesting how people congregated around breakfast to discuss what the day had in store and then again in the evening to describe what had happened.  Never was the conversation intrusive and people participated only if they felt like it.  It was very relaxed.   

Maybe you will remember that we were leaving Salvador and moving up to Costa do Sauipe.  You asked that we let you know what it was like.  Well it's like pretty well any other resort destination we've been to.  Although it was an enjoyable time (how can laying on a palm lined beach sipping a Caipirinhas be anything but) it was very touristy (thankfully for the most part Brazilian tourists) and tended to wring the cultural experience of visiting Bahia from our time.

Next time, and there will certainly be one, we will spend all of our time in Bahia with you guys at encanto de Itapoan.

Thanks again and really hope to see you again before too long,

Jerry Garvey, Suzanne Davidson, Bruce Thibaudeau and Michele Davidson

Nick Clark

Limeleaf Productions

07961 191440

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: 24 November 2004 14:20
To: encanto@bahia-online.net
Subject: Greetings!

Hi Janet and Octacillio

Just wanted to say what a fantastic time we had at your Pousada. Your hospitality and generosity of spirit is wonderful, the rooms are great (hammocks a treat!), breakfasts - a fresh fruit and cake extravaganza, the location is perfect. Just wish we got Tony into some kind of guitar action…next time, we WILL be back.!! Morro de SP was tremendous – any place where the wheelbarrow is second only to the mule as mode of transport is paradise, Rio a joy etc etc

Got bitten by a spider in Igaucu but hell, all part of the experience. Love to see you whenever in London .

Best Nick & Cath

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: encanto@bahia-online.net
Cc:
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2004 3:56 PM
Subject: pleasant visit

Dear Janet,
We want to write and express our sincere thanks for the hospitality,
comfort, and security we felt in your lovely pousada.  As we look out at
the rain and snow here in northern Utah, we can't help but reflect on
swinging in a hammock on the veranda, or walking on the beach.  To top it
all off, the breakfast provided in the pousada was fantastic!  We highly
recommend Encanto de Itapoan as a place to stay in Salvador.  We hope to
return one day.

Sincerely,

Jim and Roxane Pfister

Jan and Octacilio,

Thank you so much for helping to make our vacation fabulous in Salvador . Your Pousada was fantastic in every way. We only planned on staying a week but loved the area and the pousada so much we stayed 3 weeks. I wouldn't have done anything differently. You are great people and so helpful with information of the area.

The Pousada Encanto de Itapoan was within walking distance to 5 absolutely wonderful restaurants that were so reasonably priced but had 5 star service and food. All those baracas serving really fresh caught that day fish 2 minutes from the Pousada were a treat as well. You can't beat the view from any baraca. On our long morning walks we got used to saying “ bom dia” to those setting up for their day of work.We passed people having soccer games on the beaches, surfers, joggers , walkers, bicyclists and many people hopping on buses to work. We felt very safe in this village in Salvador. The people are hardworking and friendly. They are so happy.

The friends we made at your pousada will long endure. You entertain so many interesting guests from all over the world. I am so glad we didn't stay at a big stuffy hotel for many reasons. Your location to the beach (2 minutes walking) and to so many great restaurants (4 or 5 minutes walking), the honest friendly staff, crisp clean sheets, comfy bed, internet access, fantastic caiparinhas (thanks to Dennilson, world famous bartender) are just a few reasons.

We enjoyed listening to great music both upstairs in the sitting area that has nice cushy couches and the breakfast / bar area that has the same covered but open air design. You were brilliant to design the Pousada to let your guests enjoy Brazil 's beautiful weather as much as possible. One of our favorite cds was Octacilio's. It was an honor to hear him live one night, too!

The verandas are a nice touch and I especially appreciated it when my husband was freezing me out of the room with air conditioning. The generous breakfast was scrumptious. Thanks for the many local dishes you offered, hot freshly baked breads, variety of fruits as well the many fresh squeezed juices.

Dennis says your coffee is the best and he is a coffee gourmet. You know you'll see us again for sure! Say hi to Elaina, Bea, Dennilson, Leanne and the rest of the staff.

Nos amormos O Brasil !

Dennis and Diane Goselin

Worcester, Ma. USA

22/07/04: "The hospitality showed to us during visit in Salvador at Pousada Encanto de Itapoan was unsurpassed by any luxury hotel. The decor, color, scheme, and service were wonderful. We are left wanting to stay longer and waiting for next visit with you all again."

Jason A Cernih and Keith A Cernih

and

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: itapoan@bahia-online.net
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 9:21 AM
Subject: Agradecimiento

Estimado Octacílio,

Una semana después de mi regreso a España y tras pasar tres dias de descanso en vuestro Hotel reconoceros a ti ya las personas que trabajan con vosotros mi alto grado de satisfacción .

Fue un placer y me sentí muy agusto esos dias donde lo pasé francamente genial. Espero y deseo poder volver próximamente y pasar tan buenos momentos tanto en la ciudad de Salvador como en vuestro Hotel.


Sin más se despide vuestro amigo


Fernando Gómez

Would you like to hear an mp3 of Deb (of the e-mail above) and Octacilio singing a duet?

Click HERE

(file size is 804 kilobytes)

12/07/04: "Jorge Amado brought us to Salvador and Janet and Octacilio kept us there, with the same warmth, poetry and music that Amado brings about."

Hugo Duchemin

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: encanto@bahia-online.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 5:13 PM
Subject: Back home

Dear Octacilio and Janet, We are back home again and we have had a wonderful time again in Brazil. We want to thank you for the warm welcome and all your hospitality during our stay in your pousada. Our son Luuk loved your swimming pool and we were particularly fond of the very nice caipirinha's as well as the great breakfasts.

Best regards,

Martin Hendriks, Ellen Uijtendaal and Luuk.
Haarlem, Holland

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: Pousada Encanto de Itapoan
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 6:20 PM
Subject: many thanks to all of you

Dear Janet and Octacilio, Dear Rochas & Co,

Already a month ago that I left Salvador, but I'm often thinking of the wonderful time I spent at your enchanting, peaceful and beautiful pousada and beach of Itapoã.

Many thanks to you and your personnel (shame on me.... I don't remember their names): you were all so friendly and sympathetic !

Rio de Janeiro was very nice too, but I prefer the more joyful, warm and colourful Bahian ambience, the praia of Itapoã with its beach-bars, their music and delicious maqueca's. In Rio I stayed with friends who have an apartment in Ipanema.... at rua Vinicius de Moraes ! In the evening I ate at the “Garota de Ipanema” and listened to bossa nova concerts at the bar "Vinicius"..... As if Vinicius was the theme of my voyage in Brazil, my "guarding angel" from Itapoã to Rio.

Besides a lot of marvellous “small” concerts in various bars, I've also been to a concert of Nay Matogrosso:  very good music and a fantastic show !

To summarize; I had some wonderful holidays in Brazil  ! And I hope I'll have the pleasure to meet you again..... some of these years.

Whenever you're near or in Geneva,  you're more than welcome !

Kind regards and very best wishes to all of you,

Cynthia

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: itapoan@bahia-online.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 6:31 PM
Subject: Saludos de Holanda

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rochas,

We would like to thank you again for having us at your lovely pousada. We enjoyed the time we spent their very much and we hope to spend more time with you next year. We arrived home safely but it is taking some time to adjust. It is pretty cold down here, temperatures are slightly under and above zero. No more of Danielson's famous caipirinhas, acarajé or sunshine :(

Mrs. Rochas thanks so much for dropping us off at the airport!!! Things turned out well, I didn't have to pay in Brasil for carrying too many things and in Holland they didn't check me at customs so there was no delay and we could go home quickly. Hope you're both doing well!!!

Greetings from Holland... Jacky and Lukasz

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: info@encantodeitapoan.com.br
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 7:02 PM
Subject: Thank you!

Dear Janet and Octacilio,

Well, here I am back in 32 degree weather with sleet and snow, so you can imagine how I miss your paradise!  It was a LOVELY stay and now I am going through sun and caipirinha withdrawal.

Thank you so much for making it so pleasant for us all. Would you be kind enough to tell Sara a few things for me?  1) I left my postcards in my room, and I would appreciate it if she would mail them.  The post office should be open by this time.  2)  I left The New Yorker in my room, in case they, or you, want to read it.  If not, just throw it away. 3) I talked with Allen, her brother, and he said they tried to call her on her birthday, but there was no answer.  It was about 7PM Brazil time, so we were out anyway.

Thank you again for my sweet key holder.  It is a happy reminder of my delightful stay at Pousada Encanto de Itapoan. My best to everyone.

Gloria    

Thank you so much for a very relaxing, memorable, and legendary trip. I was able to get the relaxation I was looking for and my speech has definitely slowed from the quick pace in New York.

Decidir entre una posada o un hotel fue un dolor de cabeza, pero cuando leí la respuesta de Janet en Internet, de manera inmediata, supe que sería un lugar placentero donde hospedarnos y estaba en lo cierto. Los días aquí y la HOSPITALIDAD de Janet y Tony han hecho de nuestra estadía y vacaciones una experiencia INOLVIDABLE. Sólo me resta decir MUITO OBRIGRADO = MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!

A Notre arrivee nous avons de suite admiré cette maison d`architeete, les espaces, les volumes, son puits de lumiere, nous avons egalement au mëme instant apprecié la chaleur et la qualite de l`accueil, et quant au petit – dejeuner, il faut le decouvrir!

Jacqueline et Alain Suard