Guest lurkerspeaks Posted March 28, 2011 Posted March 28, 2011 If I want to arrive in first class, i have to route thru panama city, and flight arrives in rio at 6:30 am. Cant check into my apt until 1pm (people checking out that morning). What can i do to occupy time from arrival till 1pm? I can drop off my luggage with the building doorman. Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted March 28, 2011 Members Posted March 28, 2011 If I want to arrive in first class, i have to route thru panama city, and flight arrives in rio at 6:30 am. Cant check into my apt until 1pm (people checking out that morning). What can i do to occupy time from arrival till 1pm? I can drop off my luggage with the building doorman. I POSITIVELY envy you but do WISH YOU THE VERY BEST during this particular trip for your very SPECIAL DAY and the advent of another milestone in your life. Walk around your respective neighborhood for an hour if you are not too tired; then if the weather is stunning, go to Ipanema or Copa and sit outside at a restaurant and have breakfast and watch all of whatever passes. Rest! Relax! Then take a taxi to LeBlon at around 10ish and walk and sit in that fabulous modern (unique) shopping center. Or go to the Old Fort--walk--sit--and spend at least an hour gazing at and taking photos of those gorgeous service men who are on the beach doing their daily exercises and routines. There is a wonderful, small restaurant or two there, so you could spend time hanging out there likewise. I might be arriving early in October, so the ideas which I am giving to you might have to be used by me!!! <Did you use Copa Airllines? I'll ask for particulars later.> Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 thanks for the advice.. but what "special day" are you referring to? Quote
Guest hitoallusa Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Have fun Lurkerspeaks. You deserve your vacation! thanks for the advice.. but what "special day" are you referring to? Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 oh.. Axiom.. I used my continental miles to book my flight. I booked it in coach since that was all that they showed available at the time. I keep checking back to hopefully change it to first class. Continental is being stubborn and won't release any of its own first/business class seats, but a "partner" airline is offering first. That airline is Copa...Continental's flight arrives in Rio at 9:20am.. Copa's arrives at 6:37am.. Continental flies a 767, which has better reclining first class seats, where as Copa uses a 737. I much prefer the 9:30 arrival, because by the time you get luggage, get out of the airport and get to Copacabana, it will be around 11:00.. Time to take a leisurely stroll, acclimate yourself with the surroundings, get some lunch, then check in.. But arriving 3 hours earlier leaves a lot more time, after a tiring flight.. Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted March 29, 2011 Members Posted March 29, 2011 thanks for the advice.. but what "special day" are you referring to? I must have you mixed up with someone else who has made plans to travel to Rio de janeiro for his 50th birthday! Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 I must have you mixed up with someone else who has made plans to travel to Rio de janeiro for his 50th birthday! oh.. ok.. that was me, but that trip was supposed to happen in November of 2010. Unfortunately, a job loss just before that time caused me to cancel the trip.. so this is my "make up" trip. Better late than never....just don't have the "excuse" for what I gave myself the prior two years in Rio for birthday--threeways in the sauna. Quote
TotallyOz Posted March 30, 2011 Posted March 30, 2011 Many times when I arrive at my hotel that early, they already have a room ready for me. You might get lucky and have it ready to check in. If not, just walking around that time of day and getting some coffee and breakfast will be enjoyable. Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted March 30, 2011 Posted March 30, 2011 Many times when I arrive at my hotel that early, they already have a room ready for me. You might get lucky and have it ready to check in. If not, just walking around that time of day and getting some coffee and breakfast will be enjoyable. If I was staying at a hotel, I might risk it, but I rented an apartment this time, and the apartment owner told me that someone is checking out the same day I check in..so it is unlikely that it will be ready much if any before 1pm Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 14, 2011 Members Posted April 14, 2011 Lurkerspeaks, do tell me about the airline that you finally used. I need to know about Copa. This airline has great rates for business class, but I read some time ago that their b c seats and other things do not rank up there along with TAM or American or United. Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted April 15, 2011 Posted April 15, 2011 as of now, I am still in coach on continental. They still wont release business/first for the leg from Houston to Rio.. If I do switch to Copa, they use smaller jets so the seats are more of the "basic" short haul first class seat..no major recline, plus no private tv monitors.... You can compare different airlines and their jets' seats on www.seatguru.com Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 17, 2011 Members Posted April 17, 2011 as of now, I am still in coach on continental. They still wont release business/first for the leg from Houston to Rio.. If I do switch to Copa, they use smaller jets so the seats are more of the "basic" short haul first class seat..no major recline, plus no private tv monitors.... You can compare different airlines and their jets' seats on www.seatguru.com MUITO Obrigado!!!! Quote
Members Lucky Posted April 18, 2011 Members Posted April 18, 2011 I am probably looking forward to lurkerspeak's tales of his trip as much as he is looking forward to his trip. Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 21, 2011 Members Posted April 21, 2011 I am probably looking forward to lurkerspeak's tales of his trip as much as he is looking forward to his trip. DITTO, Lucky! Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted April 22, 2011 Posted April 22, 2011 Oh the pressure you guys are putting on me... I feel tension in my shoulders and neck already.. Seriously though, as most of you know, I enjoy sharing my journeys with all of you online. I will happily post my adventures to the best of my ability as they happen, and will try to upload any photos I get once I return home... btw..20 days from right now I will be in Rio.. OMG.. I can't wait...! ! ! ! Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 22, 2011 Members Posted April 22, 2011 Oh the pressure you guys are putting on me... I feel tension in my shoulders and neck already.. Seriously though, as most of you know, I enjoy sharing my journeys with all of you online. I will happily post my adventures to the best of my ability as they happen, and will try to upload any photos I get once I return home... btw..20 days from right now I will be in Rio.. OMG.. I can't wait...! ! ! ! Lurker, while I scrolled to see what the latest posting was, my mind wondered when you'd be traveling and when I could begin living vicariously through your posted experiences. But, if you feel obliged to post while there but would rather wait until you return, I'm OK with that. When I travel I DO NOT like to post at my various forums of interests. I've always returned, rested, reflected, and basked in the afterglows. A few days later, I've posted and continued to bask in what I'd pleasurably endured earlier!!!! - Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted April 23, 2011 Posted April 23, 2011 For most of my past trips, my routine involves daily or every other day postings...I am the type who wakes up every morning around 8am, no matter what time zone I am.. My travel friend is not a morning person, so I usually end up getting up, going to grab some breakfast alone, then hitting an internet cafe for a little while before returning to homebase. I would rather post as I go, because when I get home, I too will go back and read my reports to help keep the memories alive in my mind. Besides, after a few days and a "few" boys, the names/descriptions sometimes get blurred. Remembering who did what to whom on which occasion can be a daunting task. 17 days till departure from Phoenix..18 days till arrival in Rio. Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted April 24, 2011 Posted April 24, 2011 16 days till departure... btw, if anyone has any connections at Continental Airlines that can get me upgraded to business/first, let me know.. LOL Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 25, 2011 Members Posted April 25, 2011 I'd truly love to assist you, but this is out of my hands! I do hope that someone would befriend you and have this work on your behalf! If one has long legs, flying coach to South America or to Asia or Australia is truly, truly one hell of a bitch! I want to travel business in October, but the rate "aint" cheap! I hope I will not have to travel via coach again! Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted April 30, 2011 Posted April 30, 2011 11 dyys counting today....and boy do I need the time off work.. This weekend has been a real BITCH and it will continue today as well... Gotta keep telling me myself.. Deep breathes..think about the near future... Quote
Members axiom2001 Posted April 30, 2011 Members Posted April 30, 2011 Have a wonderful (much needed) trip! I will come here from time to time to read your posts! Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted May 5, 2011 Posted May 5, 2011 5 days until departure...got my Brazilian currency from the bank.. got my shopping done...come onnnnnnnnn...... Tuesday.. Quote
Members mvan1 Posted May 6, 2011 Members Posted May 6, 2011 "5 days until departure...got my Brazilian currency from the bank.. got my shopping done...come onnnnnnnnn...... Tuesday.." You probably paid a fee and got a terrible exchange rate to buy the Brazilian currency from your bank. If you need more local money while you are in Brazil, you can use either the HSBC Bank or Bradesco Bank ATM machines. There is no ATM fee charged by these banks and they both give an exchange rate that is comparable to the current exchange rates quoted in the various markets. There are countless branches of these two banks throughout Brazil. You will find several just in Copacabana. Avoid Citibank and other named banks as they are a rip off for fees and lower exchange rates. Boa viagem - Quote
Members ihpguy Posted May 7, 2011 Members Posted May 7, 2011 Super hint on changing money: Banco Do Brasil in Terminal 1(the one where American Airlines is located) has an agency to the left of the food court past the gift shops on the upper level. They do not charge a fee and the best rates. Also there is a security guard inside the entrance for anyone at all fearful of the country on first entry. Most agencies of Bradesco(where I have an account) do not permit ATM withdrawals from outside the country. Ditto Banco Do Brasil. One needs to find an ATM with a sticker showing a list of cards accepted Quote
