Travel Tidbits: 1 - Salvador, Brazil

SALVADOR, Bahia: One of the New World's oldest cities, first colonial capital of Brazil founded by Portuguese settlers in 1549.

ALSO, Michael Jackson shot the greater part of his music video, "They Don't Care About Us," on these exact same streets. That Afro-Brazilian percussion beat you know and love, this is where it was born.

 (photo credit: Macy Yap)

Pelourinho (photo credit: Macy Yap)

Legend has it that there are 365 churches in Salvador, one for each day of the year.

 (photo credit: Macy Yap)

(photo: Cara Manglapus) Convento e Igreja de Sao Francisco - CHURCH MADE OF PURE GOLD

The food is not only aesthetically pretty but incredibly tasty.

 (photo credit: Macy Yap)

 (photo credit: Macy Yap)

Brazilian drum beats pulse throughout town all day long!

(photo: Cara Manglapus)

Ladies in traditional costume for a street parade (photo: Cara Manglapus)

Known as Brazil's capital of happiness, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown, Siedah Garrett and Will.I.Am capture the spirit of Salvador with the infectious tune, "Funky Bahia."

Colorful shanties by the coast (photo: Cara Manglapus)