ferrar

The Mayor Crivela situation? Two ways to look at it. For residents: nothing short of disastrous, and his definitely UNOFFICIAL trip to Europe, aptly mentioned here by fellow posters, is already under public investigation for fraud. The fact that the trip coincided not only with Carnaval, but with two major crises - one natural, the other the entire security apparatus of his city and state - has further decimated his standing. The (only) silver lining: he has proven to be so toxic, in every demographic, and so incompetent, that it will be a long time coming before another evangelical wins a major election in Rio. That was always the danger, that a potentially charismatic and mildly effective religious nut would elevate their influence and usher in some sort of political dynasty, but the dissolution of that risk, at least for now, comes at unacceptably huge cost to the city.

What the hell took you so long? But, hey, better late than never On the face of the planet there just don't exist any better travel companions than Brazilians.

In the past, the invitation letter carried a lot more weight, and consular officers were given more discretion. Say if the hosts could credibly convince the officer that they would ensure that the rules were followed. I wrote a few such letters for visas that were ultimately accepted, but it was a different time. You were even sometimes permitted to accompany the locals during their consular interviews. Just attempt that now! It got a lot easier around 2008, when Brazil was relatively unscathed by the global economic crisis, and actually 'booming.' Expats left Europe and the States to look for job opportunities in Brazil! Meanwhile, Brazilians were buying up Miami, and going to Disney in record numbers. US visa rejection rates for Brazilians reached an all-time low, as tourism authorities (like NYC) aggressively lobbied for increased Brazil tourism to improve the local economy! It was nearly IMPOSSIBLE for Brazilians to get rejected. After Presidenta Dilma successfully torpedoed the local economy, that situation turned on its head. With the present US administration stance on visa issuance not exactly welcoming, it would sure seem like an increasingly tough sell.

Ilha Grande, Buzios, and Paraty are all amazing destinations to visit from Rio, each worth a few days. Your chances of finding 'company' there are slim to none, as others here have reported. Bring your company, and focus on enjoying the sights.

Great decision.

DT, Right. It does happen to be Carnaval out there in Brazil. I think you mentioned you do not like noise LOL. Yet here you are arriving TOMORROW. You won't be able to escape it. Sorry. I happen to be in Rio right now, and instead of running from it, am embracing it. And somehow having a great time. You could go the formal route, at Sapucai, also known as the Sambadrone, and witness the parades, along with all the other tourists. Or you could take part, like a carioca, in the hundreds of block parties in each and every neighborhood of the city. If you find a guy you like (and trust), then ask him to do something other than in bed! Ask him along as a guide. And tell us about it.

Citibank recently exited from Brazil's retail banking business. While Itau bought them out, they have, so far, maintained their own branded ATMs in major urban centers like SP and Rio, all in the strategic tourist areas. If you have an account with them in the States, you can generally get fee-free withdrawals, extremely close to the wholesale exchange rate. No need to go to the cambios.

Stella's was great. Lots of good times. Did you make Rounds? East 53rd Street and Third Avenue. Closed down by the City by mid-'90s. Just across the street from the Brazilian Pavilion, which made for some interesting possibilities, although that entire block was one massive cruising area.

Floripa is an awesome place to TAKE guys you already know. Very high quality of life there, always scores high as to where Brazilians themselves would like to retire. Charming B&Bs and excellent restaurants. As was posted above though avoid it like the plague in the peak (summer; here that is) months though, as traffic is just horrendous and the Island overrun. In terms of beaches, avoid Canasvieiras, a cheap and tacky tourist racket, although Praia Brava is always amazing for the hot crowd, as is Jurere Internacional. Although not particularly gay, excellent nightlife around the Lagoa area.

Glad you were able to enjoy the fireworks @Badboy81 Clearly the best pyrotechnics display here in awhile. So there was a smoky ending that blocked some viewing at the climax. Sometimes you just have to use your imagination. In the end it's the overall Carioca vibe that makes it worth it. You seem to get that.

It all boils down to common sense. Occupant homeowners here do tend to get riled up about seasonal apartments ("apartamentos de temporada") whose temporary occupants are loud or offensive, whether blatant ho-mongers are included here depends on the monger and the ho LOL. The main concern being security. Cameras are standard and capture all the comings and goings. The sindico (super) would receive the complaint and would then have to take up the issue directly with the owner or the administrator of the apartment, who definitely want to maintain a decent relationship with the sindico.

Nice move. The public health system, especially in Rio, has basically collapsed. Rampant corruption and the economic crisis. You really don't want to have to get treated for something serious in a public hospital here. Just ask fellow member Ihpguy who has shared some of his experiences. Sure, they are free, and it shows. Many have closed and those still open lack for basic supplies and are woefully understaffed. The UPA's like the one mentioned here are patchwork initiatives, OK for standard vaccination campaigns, but with huge gaps in overall competence (along with an unenviable record of misdiagnosing folks).

Check your PM's. You'll find specific details and recommendations. I honestly don't know why others here - particularly when flying all the way down from Europe or even the States - do not venture outside the narrow confines of PA!

I highlighted your mistake. That is, if you managed to diss every restaurant in Largo de Guimaraes! I have friends who live in the neighborhood and am able to go out for lunch there several times a month. When not dining in their homes I appreciate the excellent dining experience to be found there. As confirmed by local and international restaurant reviews. Most of these restaurants frequented by locals -as you may have discovered elsewhere in your travels - do not necessarily offer sweeping views to be considered the best overall dining experiences. Like in Europe where the hot spots are often considered 'hole in the walls.' Although that description is not apt for Largo de Guimaraes and other areas, offering incredible local cuisine, and for great value. Often they have outdoor terraces, for an even more pleasant dining experience but you have to venture inside and then out again, to discover that. Note though that I didn't highlight your restaurant choice as a mistake! Aprazivel is great for a first-time visitor to soak up the atmosphere, or for locals over drinks for a commemoration of some sort. Have been there a couple times this year, and many times over the years for friends visiting from overseas. It offers fine food, as you noted, but at high prices. Along with that panoramic view. I feel bad for the owners as their fixed costs must be very high and they just recently actually invested in their business, installing a kick-ass glass elevator (how many of those has anyone found in Brazil?!) which now enables handicapped and older folks access, and the rest of us to avoid the many steps there after a few too many drinks! Anyway, just wanted to provide a local perspective. Good to see that you are making the most of your visit . You are exploring and getting around far more than most here do!

@bobbalino Your selected photos absolutely do the Serra Gaucha - and more specifically, Bento Gonçalves, wine country - justice. Exactly what you get when you go there! Favorite months to visit are the coolest, June - early Setember. I generally avoid July like the plague (school holidays), overrun, and twice as expensive. (If combining with Gramado, remember that the second half of August coincides with their annual Film Festival, when everything there is likewise filled to capacity, with sky-high pricing.) Note: I think I may have stayed in that B&B with the hot tub ("ofuro") - with that same featured guy! LOL . A big part of why I prefer the winter months there. Fireplaces in your room are also available, though more common in Gramado. The train ride you pictured, the Maria Fumaça, is very scenic and actually very well done, and runs to Garibaldi - Brazil's sparkling wine capital. Wine, bubbly, hors d'oevres included in the fare. The local guys I took all loved it. Have you taken the 'luxury' train from Curitiba (Parana) to Paranagua? My other favorite train ride in Brazil. Yes, most of favorite wineries are listed in your tab. But there are others scattered in Rio Grande do Sul away from Vale dos Vinhedos - such as remote Cotipoa, that I mentioned. Definitely worth a Part II on your part ....

@Tartegogo I have made variations of this trip at least half a dozen times with different guys! And can back up @Tomcal 100% in stating have had great experiences there each time. Even though it is only a couple hours away, it most definitely is not the 'next door thing' or 'not exotic enough'! For someone from PA, or even from other more 'sophisticated' capital cities in Brazil - Sao Paulo comes to mind - Gramado/Canela are considered quite high-end destinations for weekend and holiday travel, and deservedly so. I was initially *very* concerned that, having seen some of the pics shown here, that it would be pure kitsch - which (thankfully) could not be further from the truth! So someone you meet there, whether local or out of town, would relish the opportunity. As @badboy points out, and you apparently already understand, you would, like Tom and myself, have developed a rapport/trust with the guy and have tested him in a dinner date(s) situation and overnight(s) first. Different from Tom though, I have preferred overnights over day trips there. And with the right guy (or guys) for a few nights on end, if you are looking for say a romantic getaway. There are some wonderful pousadas (boutique hotels) in Gramado, replete with fireplace for those chilly evenings (it is known to snow there and did once when I was there!) and/or whirlpools in your suite. It also boasts some world-class restaurants. Aside of course from all of the varied attractions during the day that Tom mentions. A wine lover, I would usually start off the trip from PA in a different village altogether in Rio Grande do Sul - Bento Gonçalves, around their Vale de Vinhedos, Brazil's wine country. Once there, take a wine tour (hire a driver so that you and yours can enjoy the tastings!), select the vintages that you like, and take them with you to Gramado. Brazilian wine, overwhelmingly reds, have improved markedly over the years, performing increasingly very well in international competitions. It will come in handy, and save you major reais in pricier Gramado (you can get great pricing from the winery!) for those chilly evenings. There are many other options. Once on a lark, a good friend there and I decided to visit Cotipoa (day trip) as it housed the maker of a favorite wine. The mountainous and scenic route there was half the fun. Whatever you decide, enjoy Rio Grande do Sul....

From the point of view of an actual resident I would have to agree. The only 'surprise' here is that Rio was actually able to pull off a successful Olympics at all. True, to very low expectations, so why raise them now? And sorry to say that the Olympics actually led to some infrastructural improvements, for real-life residents. Like new metro stations and especially the new Linha 4 connecting Ipanema with Barra da Tijuca, which previous Rio governments had promised and failed to do for decades, drastically reducing transit time/costs, benefitting commuting workers every day. New highways like the BRT were constructed and are still utilized, as is the tram downtown. Downtown the Museu do Amanha is open for business for tourists and residents alike and the surrounding grounds along the renovated Port a meeting point on weekends. This is not to gloss over many of Rio's well known issues but as Bobbalino put it, it is certainly, at a minimum, no less appealing than before. As for as the stadiums are concerned, I can't speak for the others, but tomorrow at Maracana, closed for 'improvements' (as dubious as they were) for the Games, is Game 2 of the semi-finals of a national soccer tournament, and a classic match-up between two of Rio's major teams. See you there.

It sounds Tom like the professional contacts you have made there, like with the local realtor and lawyer etc will save you this potential aggravation. You might also even be using a management company if you decide to rent the place out. Just be careful with the other local professional contacts you are making who might (rudely) decide to enjoy the house even in your absence!

That story reminds me of an international couple who had bought a beach house in Bahia, but with no title issues, who were eventually going to do a complete renovation. The house sat vacant for well over a year, and they had at least 'hired' a security guard while they were out of the country but he ended up taking to the place so much that he decided to live in it and is now claiming squatters rights! The problem is that the proper employment documentation was never filed, and they are now in litigation. Squatters have serious rights here, but I don't think he lived in the place long enough to qualify. Such are the issues of being an absentee owner here, and I suspect elsewhere, for prolonged periods of time.

I don't know about you Tom, but since we talked about some of the challenges of foreign purchases, including potential inexistence of Title Insurance, I have gotten a number of PM's about how I dealt with that in Brazil. Another challenge to purchasing here: the inexistence of Escrow Accounts! So you either have to: open your own account here (tough to do if you're not a resident), trust the seller and just wire the funds directly (good luck with that), bring your funds down (not recommended), massively use the local ATM's (if you have lots of time, like months, to spare and are preferibly in the trusted company of good security), or directly negotiate with (and trust) the seller's bank not to release funds until all purchase requirements have been met. For your Mexico purchase, were you able to use some type of Escrow arrangement to get funds to the seller?

Congratulations Tom on the follow-through to a successful closing. Navigating foreign bureaucracies can be tough and definitely not for the faint of heart! But once executed there ain't nothing like having your own place somewhere you truly want to be.

The comment was directed to the OP, who is surely capable of responding directly. In any event,the OP exposed his fellow guests and hotel management to considerable and unacceptable risk. If there is any breach of trust, it is that of the OP to the security of those folks - as there is no abolute or unreasonable right to unlimited guests. Rightfully so, no reputable hotel here in Brazil has a guest policy which would allow anything remotely similar. For the OP's own well-being, I just hope he is a bit more prudent regarding security going forward. Colombia is a wonderful country that I know well - in times of much greater security risks than today, but still very much prevalent - and I encourage the OP to fully enjoy the country's many other cultural attractions.

Seriously, OP? If your report yesterday is to be believed - and I'm not saying here that it necessarily shouldn't -but didn't you state (somewhat dramatically) that this very hotel quite literally saved you out from under one of your own guests....

Surprised to see Natal top the Brazil listing, although there was a recent spurt of violence there. My guess for that spot would have been Recife.

You wouldn't happen to have earlier pictures of either? cheers