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Day 7: Canela Road Trip I was sort of surprised on how easy and hassle free my rental car-road trip-Brazil tour has been so far. It is Brazil after all. From all the news reports and the general overall impression that Americans have and get about Brazil, I was half expecting a “Max Max” dystopian nightmare throughout my drive. Instead it was a care-free and stress-free time with a very amiable and game-for-anything garoto. I guess realistically the success of any road trip hinges greatly upon the quality of your travel companion. I do not know if I would get the same experience if I instead got a garoto, or free guy for that matter, off of Porto Alegre to go with me, while knowing the guy only a day or less before embarking on this trip. Gabriel and I have built up a rapport since our initial meeting last January, and we have settled quite remarkably into just a pair of old friends embarking on a road trip together. And this established rapport was crucial to a day like today. All I knew about Canela was I wanted to explore it and the area around it because my Portuguese tutor highly recommended doing so. So Gabriel and I did our research together the night before to prepare for today. From our little research, everything looked beautiful and accessible and since we had a car we would be able to go everywhere. Also, it looked like we will be getting a lot of exercise today with all the hiking and walking some of the venues required, so we both opted to wear athletic attire to be well prepared for the day. So after breakfast, we take the four bottled waters from the mini-bar in the room at Hotel Serra Azul, as well as some snacks we bought from chocolate shops off of the main drag in Gramado, we were off to our Canela adventure. Some highlights: Canela downtown was as quaint as Gramado downtown, and the Catedral de Pedra was very photogenic. Gabriel took a shit-ton of photos for Instagram. Lots of souvenir shops here as well: The Parque Estadual do Caracol, or Caracol State Park, was the highlight. We get there mid-morning, with the air still crisp and fresh. We had fun hiking around nature, and the view of the waterfall was pretty spectacular: After hiking around the park itself we drive up to the teleferico, or cable cars, to have an even better view of the park. There was a nature trail at the top of the terminus of the cable car route. At this point Gabriel was in a full jokey mode. The nature trail had some kitschy replicas of animals around the trail. Gabriel had fun with how bad some of the replicas were, while taking photos, and even riding some of the animals (you’re not supposed to do that), and wondered if the real animals were even here to begin with: On our drive back down the mountain, we pass by a Jurassic Park-type theme park called Vale dos Dinassauros. I asked Gabriel if he wanted to stop by the theme park. He said that if the animal replicas in the nature trail was any indication, he said he wouldn’t want to see what might be the same poorly rendered animatronic dinosaurs. We did have fun taking photos in front of the supposed electrified fence. Not sure if this was worth the 60 real ($16) entrance fee, but it probably would have been fun anyway with Gabriel’s commentary, or pictures of him riding on one of the dinassauros: After all the hiking and laughter, we find a por quilo buffet-style restaurant on the side of the road. It was 25 reals, or $7, for lunch. We skipped dessert because we were going to a chocolate museum next. Yesterday, at the hotel, they gave out little Chocolate nibbles from Caracol chocolates. So when Gabriel googled the chocolate brand, he found that Caracol had a whole chocolate museum full of kitchsy fun, called O Reino do Chocolate, or the Kingdom of Chocolate. We just had to visit it today: We bought a lot of chocolate souvenirs at the gift shop and was helped by a very good-looking employee. He even packed the chocolate in a Styrofoam cooler to protect the precious delicious chocolates: This is not the last we hear from good-looking employee… More about him next post. We wrap up our road trip with a victory lap of Gramado. We visited the various parks in the area, and concluded with a sunset “Pedalinho” ride in Lago Negro, or Black Lake. A pedalinho is like a boat with foot pedals like a bicycle to drive it around the water, and in this case in the shape of a swan. It was a pretty nice, though strenuous, way to enjoy the lake: Gabriel, as expected, did an Instagram live broadcast, with me in it. I was able to utter a few phrases in Portuguese for his audience. Back at the hotel Gabriel was still buzzing with energy. He dangled the gym-then-sex combo again to motivate me to go to the gym with him before dinner. I said we can if he bottomed again for me. He said yes, since he said he will probably be able to top someone tomorrow back at Sauna Mezzaninu. I forgot to mention this yesterday: Gabriel did not bring gym shorts and enough underwear. I offered to buy him some but he said to not waste my money since he had plenty back home, and just asked if he could just borrow shorts and underwear from me if I had extras. Luckily, I brought some spares with me, and both fit him perfectly. He looks better in them than I can ever dream myself looking like in them: Gym, rinse, repeat. I think my relationship with Gabriel has progressed a little bit today. At our room after gym we start hugging and then it graduates to making out. Still sweaty and gross from the gym and from the rest of the day’s exertions, we start having sex. Normally I expect him to shower first, with me or after me. Now here we were, sucking, rimming, enjoying each other, wearing the sweaty and filthy baggage of the day. Gabriel scent was in full tilt masculine musk mode, and I was covered in a shiny sheen of sweat, but it didn’t matter. I was more concerned with him not liking the dirty me, but it seems it didn’t matter to him. I was enjoying this version of Gabriel, taking in everything, the smells, the sweat, the filth, all of it. And at this point, I didn’t think it could happen, but it made our sex better. A long hot shower was needed after that (because, among other things, there were buckets of cum between the two of us). We get ready for our big dinner tonight. It was at the Churrascaria Garbo and Bombacha, which was restaurant with a show. I think it’s like South Brazil’s version of a luau which is to say it was very touristy and overpriced, but that was not the point. The point is to just get huge helping of Gaucho culture (found in Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Northern Argentina) in one spot, while eating a yummy dinner. It was about a 30-minute drive from the hotel to the restaurant , which was in the mountain ascent of Canela. Inside, the restaurant had a large dining hall area, with a big stage in the center. It was typical Churrasco with the meat station and buffet style display of food filled with side dishes and desserts, but it had way more variety in meats and side dishes than most Churrascarias I’ve been to, and the meat was out of this world delicious. At 10 PM the main show started with a very touching spoken-word song recited by the host. He rattled off all the states in Brazil in one poem, and various people would cheer when their state was mentioned. When Rio was called out, Gabriel gave out a fairly enthusiastic cheer and clap. He was getting into it. I was as well. There was a big Minas Gerais table, and they had the biggest cheer of all tonight. We stayed for two hours, and the show was pretty good, and was intelligible for me even if it was in Portuguese: We leave the restaurant at 12 midnight, after taking photos in front of the restaurant and surrounding park. With our bellies full and senses heightened by the cultural show, we successfully concluded a full day of touring. We were almost sorry we were going back to PA tomorrow. Not because PA was not as pretty as Gramado and Canela, but because it meant we were closer to saying goodbye. Sauna: 1 Laziness: 1 Hot boy tour of the city: 4 Act of god: 1

And don't forget -- for those of us who are over a certain -- ahem -- age (60, in most cases), theatre tickets, including those to the spectacular Theatro Municipal previously mentioned, are half price. And admissions to many museums are free for idosos (seniors), including the one I mention below! These benefits are all part of a Brazilian law that provides recognition of people with disabilities, pregnant women, and seniors. Public transit in Rio de Janeiro is also free, with photo ID, for residents AND visitors over 65. As a science and tech buff, one of my faves is the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), a futuristic interactive museum that was built in conjunction with the Porto Maravilha development in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they tore down (but also tunneled) a previously ugly view-blocking double decker freeway, similar to what San Francisco did with the Embarcadero Freeway, and reclaimed the area for pedestrians and visitors. As you might imagine, the Porto Maravilha is another superb place to take a stroll and to capture stunning views that are not often seen by most tourists in Rio. Here's a link to a brief YouTube video about the Museu do Amanhã, narrated by a European student at one of the Portuguese language schools in Rio:

Catching up on replies: He hasn't really explicitly asked me to do this, though if this is his way of asking me to do so, then I don't blame him. He is really unhappy with Brazil. Even my Portuguese tutor wants to leave. My overarching philosophy in life is to say yes to everything. It has worked out so far. What a coincidence! I had two private messages asking me about my experience renting a car in Brazil. I guess its not as clear to everyone as you might assume. I had my own anxieties of renting a car in Brazil as I do with renting a car in Costa Rica, which I did just a few weeks ago. I'm always glad when there is an article online demystifying the subtle differences in renting out cars overseas. Like the title suggests, I am a newbie, as are countless of others out there who benefit from the info here. He's my first garoto hire ever. Now I think all garotos are like him. Awwww thanks Rob! And yeah, some people already are considering renting cars because of my post. I guess its useful for some people! Yeeeeep. And I'm in Bangkok now. And I sure am trying to keep coming! You guys always have my back. Obrigado! Or I guess to Rob it's gracias, to you it's kob khun krup! More replies coming...

i have been asked “what do you find is the best method for meeting guys in Mexico?” what really works well for me is Henri! My dog goes with me every time i go and he is way more popular then me!

One important distinction is that is not exactly a train to the airport, but a vehicle of mass transportation between Sao Paulo and the city of Guarulhos, where the airport happens to be situatted. It envolves several transfers on the subway sistem (2 or3, depending where you are located) till you reach the train properly. The stop in Guarulhos is not walking distance to the airport, so involves a bus, sounds awful but actually isn't, since is a shuttle, is already there waiting for the train, gets filled quickly and leaves, for a less than 10 minutes ride. Costs: nothing if you are already on the subway system. Duration: less than an hour, including waiting for the train, that leaves each 20 minutes. Comfort: looks like a regular subway train. Wasn't crowded when I rode early in the morning, let's see if going stay this way. I had a regular size luggage, a carry-on and a back pack, it went on fine, if I had 2 regular size bags I would take an Uber. To short the story: is somewhat cumbersome, if you have discretionary income and plenty of time take an Uber, if you are in a budget take the train, if time is a concern also take the train, you can be sure to arrive in an hour, where the traffic god only knows, might take an hour, might take 3. If you are a first time visitor or is not familiar with the subway system skip the train.

For brief and organized visitors, the Tomorrow Museum, Art Museum across from it, Benedictine monastery/church already mentioned and walkable to the first two, and the aquarium 2 short VLT stops further n/w can all be done in one sweep the same day.

And for us older fogies in Brasil I recently discovered and successfully tested the privilege of having no disabling impairment but getting advance plane boarding irrespective of ticket class.

Rio Times online, 3 views per day without subscription, for fairly comprehensive NightLife and Entertainment listings, has steered me towards some great low-cost or free classical music concerts. Theatro Municipal is back in full swing, check programacão, though I usually go to the box office for purchases as it is convenient and I do not yet have CPF for online.

Gauging from the government inflicted political and economic travails of Brazil during the last few years, the cultural programs sponsored by the cultural arm of the city and province of RJ would likely among the first to have been discontinued. Free (or for nominal pittance) for lunchtime and evening concerts held in various cultural and historical venues all over the city. The programs were eclectic and varied too, a lunchtime of Jobim can be followed the next day with an evening with Gerswin, and yet with music composed by Domenico Zipoli for the Jesuit missões of the 17th century, all staged in an apt venue such as the aforementioned Oteiro da Glória, Banco do Brasil, Palacio de Itamaraty or de Glória , Quinta da Boa Vista, etc. My faves were the classical guitar concerts held high up in the Museu Chácara do Céu in Santa Teresa. One evening, I went to a free concert for gaita without knowing what a gaita meant. Turned out to be an unforgettable evening of music for solo and harmonica ensemble. Any one of these locations worth a detour (from the roads leading to the saunas) even without the special events. @CaliPexx all pix I post are from the www.

Can you explain how this thing works?

There is no law that requires this. The uptake was based on Sessions and Trump's Zero Tolerance policy. Yes, it is illegal to cross the border. A misdemeanor. I grew up in Alabama and it was legal to keep blacks out of white restaurants. We are a nation that changes with the times. I know Trump supporters (except you Bucknaway) would be happy to go back to the separation of the races, but it is not a time in history I want to revisit. I watched as a cross was burned in the yard of a black family as the police did nothing to the KKK that stood by. I watched the house of a lesbian couple burn. One of my high school teachers was burned alive for dating a black person. Regardless of legality, this zero tolerance policy is immoral.

I watched this tonight on PBS'S Masterpiece Theater telling the story of gay love in the 1940's which then jumps to a view of gay love today. I was somewhat interested in the first hour but then the 2nd hour jumping to a 3rd generation with Vanessa Redgrave playing the matriarch the is the thread through all 3 generations. It replays tomorrow. I recommend it. http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/television/2018/06/pbs_man_in_an_orange_shirt_tells_of_forbidden_love_over_generations

Plus cost of all drinks, entertainments and gifts.

i have brought guys from both Belo Horizonte and SP to Rio for a week multiple times and offer $350.R - 400./day plus their airfare(usually around $80.R) and meals.

According to @numazu1 in his post, he pays his GP R250 a day.

But when will poppy seeds be restored to their rightful status in lemon loaf ... what was all the floss about?

And later in the following decade ...

Yes! Yes! Yes!

As mentioned by others- I'd suggest that you add Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour, a visit to Rocinha Favela, Walking Tour from Marcelo Armstrong's company; he began this a few years back. I went with one of his representatives with three or four others and felt relatively safe and at ease. Do Lapa on a Friday night with local or with someone who speaks the language; take the "tram" to Santa Teresa and explore this barrio, beginning with the main street and venturing off. ...did this three times, once with a guide and the other times alone. ...enjoyed lunch at a restaurant which Samantha, a television traveler, touted. ...great ambiance, good, light lunch. Do a day tour of Petropolis; go to the Imperial Palace and to Crystal Museum. That's all that is there. a helicopter ride; take from Botofago near a restaurant. Lastly, I think you'd enjoy a show of music and dancing depicting the history of Rio and other areas in Brasil. I've done this three times: stellar eye candy, fantastic music and dancing, three evenings that I'll always remember. If you go with a tour company, eat dinner on your own instead of having it with company, and although going with a company-- you will NOT feel restricted or confined, and if my memory serves me correctly, my good friend and I did it on our own during my 3rd time. We went into a travel company and purchased our tickets. On our own we hailed a taxi (to and from) and had one hell of an enjoyable evening. ...haven't been back to Rio since the Olympics, but I'd check into the various venues that were constructed for this major event. If the new art museum has finally opened which had been in the works since 2011 or one or two years later, visit it as well. Hope these suggestions help.

I wasn't sure if I needed it, but turns out I forgot I got it several years ago for another trip.I'd like to pretend that advancing years has weakened my memory, but the truth is I always had a shitty memory! I am a strong believer in vaccines. Whatever the risks a vaccine may have, and most have very little, the risk of NOT getting it when you need it is far, far worse.

@numazu1: As you were saying ... http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/more-than-60-percent-of-young-brazilians-want-to-live-abroad/

Wasn't that the time you swerved trying to dbl-self-penetrate the BT and shift sticks?

In my golden years, CHINET has become my best friend. But the CRYSTAL, .... I aint no Basic White Bitch !

Alright, I was wrong, then. Definitely wrong. Renting a car internationally is actually a new thing for many people here. Everyone: I strongly recommend it. Get renting! A little road trip abroad is a really cool thing to do, especially with a boytoy in the passenger seat. It usually helps with the bonding. And you get to understand how the country works better than just ubering in the city centres, or even through the countryside public transport, because you are not just a passive observer, you are an active participant (even if only as a driver). Also it is now so easy. in the last 15 years, renting has been standardised internationally so much that you should feel at home, except for the language of the contract. I have rented cars in 10 different countries and I only ever had one problem: in the US!

If is raining the weather tends to cripple road traffic so it may be more feasible in those conditions to take the Metro but give more time for the shuttle portion. A shuttle in rain to a nearby airport hotel from my arrival terminal mid-evening took over an hour door-to-door.

It is essential however, ( IMHO )...that the coffee beans are ground fresh per serving. I have a small coffee grinder that grinds enough beans for one serving. It seems tedious, but for myself it is a wonderful Zen ritual in the morning, and from start to finish is approx 5 minutes, minus the time to it takes to boil the water. *Coffee is meant to be consumed hot and black. No sugar, no cream. God made Starbucks for all that other stuff ( which can be glorious) depending on the occasion.

We will be voting for different people but on that we both agree.

That looks amazing but you are right, very expensive in Thailand. Over 3k USD.

I will bookmark this thread now for my next visit to Rio.

And nicer....

absolutely amazing post!

I will say that she's probably SMARTER than Trump . Actually, anyone is smarter than Trump

I bought a Jura Z8 https://us.jura.com/en/homeproducts/machines/IMPRESSA-Z9-OT-TFT-Piano-Black-UL-13752 back in 2004 and have loved it every since. Can make one touch European style coffee, latte, cappuccino of your choice. Very high first cost but with Swiss engineering it should last a long time.

Your comment here about being white knowing better than you, told me all I needed to know about you. I told you my experiences growing up and that helped shaped the person I am. I believe in equality for all and justice for everyone. You have no idea what my picture of non-whites are. You have no idea my family racial mix or make up. Your presumptions are not based on the facts I lived and know. That still does not mean jack shit when it comes to my statement that I BELIEVE that this zero tolerance policy is immoral. I believe this to be true. Your life, your history, your color, your experiences do not change that belief.

@trencherman: Thanks for the tips about Restaurante Mosteiro and Gula Gula. I had not heard of those before. Is that your own photo of Confeitaria Colombo or a stock photo? I have never seen that emporium of sweet delicacies so empty! I have several images of the inside of the Confeitaria taken during late afternoon but they all contained identifiable people, so I uploaded only a photo of Colombo's impressive ceiling in my earlier post. Usually, there are lines out the door and down the block. The good thing is that, unlike the chaos one sometimes finds in many places in Brazil, Confeitaria Colombo is very organized. And the dining room is enormous. So, even if the line appears formidable, it actually moves very quickly. The brief wait is time well spent. For those who have not visited Confeitaria Colombo previously, keep in mind that it has 3 or 4 locations, including one in the grounds of the Forte Copacabana, in Arpoador, near where @caeron is staying. But none of the other outlets can compare to the original, in Centro, in terms of both ornateness and sheer size.

Well if there's no wine, I mean...what would be the point.

Apparently, there was another pop-up event called for Sunday night, at The New York Bondage Club @Paddles. No word yet on the attendance, other than the usual horny perverts that attend the club anyway. This time the invite was from WhippedGuy, a popular member of Daddy's . Not sure how much "getting to know you" applies to a bondage sex club. So what IS the purpose of these meetings ? "Wish I woulda known, I love bondage !"

Please check your facts. You are getting almost as bad as Trump, the notorious liar who rarely gets facts correct or tells the truth.

My friends and I have rented apartments many times in that part of Copacabana. It's very convenient -- close to the Metrô for accessing Point 202 and Clube 117. It's within walking distance of Rio de Janeiro's Castro Street in Ipanema -- Rua Farme de Amoedo -- where there is a popular gay bar, Tô Nem Aí, and, of course, the famous Farme gay beach between Postos 8 and 9. During Southern Hemisphere winter, when you are there, Praia Farme will be busiest in late afternoon, before sunset, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For many years, the world-renowned gay mega-disco/bar/sauna, Le Boy, operated in that part of Copacabana. But alas, two or three trips ago my friends and I discovered that Le Boy was no more. But I have fond memories of that emporium from my first trip to Rio in the 1990s. I did something I now realize was careless and accepted the invitation of a hot and hunky Carioca I met on the disco floor to go back to his apartment. Fortunately, I had a hot night with this guy and it all ended OK but the outcome could have been different. You'll be very close to the Forte de Copacabana, the rock outcropping and mini-neighborhood called Arpoador, which separates Copacabana from Ipanema. Be sure to take a walk out to the Fort (there's a small entrance fee, which includes some cool military museums). You can take some spectacular photos from there. Also be sure to climb up the rock at Arpoador, this time from the Ipanema side, to capture some of the most stunning sunset photos. Although the coastal fog blocked my great sunset view on this occasion, you can still see a bit of the glow on the buildings in the attached image. Fortunately, sunset will occur quite early when you are there, so you'll still have plenty of time to take the Metrô out to the saunas!

Nesspresso's good but seems to specialize in smaller brews, basically espresso shots, when I've experienced it. It seems there's another size but even then I doubt it can make a full-sized cup of coffee. Tassimo is kind of the happy medium between Nesspresso and Kuerig. There's a good variety but it's also smarter that Kuerig so when you put an espresso pod in it can up the pressure and vary the temperature, produce a crema. (Kuerig is basically a small-brew dumb as dirt Mr. Coffee.) Usually I do one large dark-roasted and one espresso. Hell of a red eye for at least 2/3rds off what it'd be at Starbucks for a Venti red eye.

At work I use a Brew Station and LOVE it! At home I use a few coffee makers. 1 Percolator 1 Self Grinding automatic drip coffee maker 1 single serve brew into the cup - coffee maker.

I grind beans once a week (2-3 grinder loads done in a matter of minutes) for my one big strong filter-dripped morning cup per day. The key to keep me on point is to not have any packaged ground 'backup' java on the premises.

I would love having this baby in my kitchen, but I prefer to invest my money in whores. I love coffee, I do have a regular coffee maker and an espresso machine at home. I also have a grinner but I am too lazy and stop buying beans. Unlike @RockHardNYC, I can enjoy any coffee average quality and up. I do appreciate superior quality coffee, but if I do not have premium product at hand, Starbucks and even Dunkin Donuts are enough to make me happy. I do dislike burnt old coffee, so common in America, I only enjoy it when it is fresh, just done.

And now the Machine topic is a splittable Mattachine topic ... we just cannot help ourselves.