recapping a wonderful week in rio

[gulliver]

even losing a passport and the resultant one day saga of going from one end of rio to the other and back in order to get my new passport "retrostamped" could not take the gloss off such a great experience. I was supposed to leave 12/28 for an annual post xmas trip to st martaan with a close friend and changed it for two weeks in rio and a few days in buenos aires. The lost passport forced me to cancel my two night trip to BA and since I could not proceed with its replacement until Monday AM, I just checked into the Atlantico Copacabana and added the weekend on.

 

First of all, my thanks to all who have posted as I would probably not have just taken the plunge. all of the information was valuable and when i would meet felllow americans at the saunas, we always discussed this site. It kind of reminded me of when i came of age in the early 70's and traveled the world by myself - always feeling at home as I met other gay men.

 

If you are thinking of going - just do it. I found the boys at all three saunas i went to extremely friendly and often had dinner with them after their shift (or you can buy out their shift time for about 30 reals and they can leave at 10pm or so). No problem bringing guests back to the atlantico and probably would not have been to the copacabana palace if I wanted to try. Did have artur from SP stay with me one night as he was already in rio. Had a lovely dinner with him at cipriani in the hotel and the worlds FINEST massage by him after. the next day he took me on an incredible tour of St. Theresa- a hilly mountain neighborhod reached by cablecar with some fine museums to explore. If you are an older guy who is a bit afraid to do this on your own - do yourself a big favor and hire edgar to give you a familiarization tour and take you around to the saunas so you can feel at home. he is the man. I was quite comfortable on my own so i did not use him for this service but i could imagine that many of you would find it helpful if you are a tad shy. it is so easy to be with him and he is quite the gentleman. we talked non stop for hours over dinner. You do not need to hire him as an "intimate escort" to get full value for your money from him.

 

It was fun to meet up with a fellow US guy the last two nights and we had a ball togethor exploring rogers and estaceo. we hosted a couple of the sauna boys at Marios seafood restaurant in copa. If you are going alone - why not try to arrange teaming up with another solo traveler for lunch so you can share experiences and maybe do somethings togethor?

 

My sauna ratings.

 

FAVORITE Rogers go about 6 or so and have a drink. the bartender is quite welcoming. there were about 25 boys to 12 clients and at least half were truly stunning. While i was there, aboy and his patron did get locked into the first cabin beyond the locked gate for about 20 or 30 minutes. THIS SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS> remember the everhard which burned killing 20 or so people in the 70's in NYC? a number of the boys (Mozart, edsel, and some whose names i do not know} had this exotic dark skinned almost Indian or Pakistani. Leonardo is a doll and spent the night at the hotel after dinner. Gadges is quite the escort. Many of the guys were hot body builder types.

 

2nd FAVORITE Estaceo - especially on the weekend. So many young collegiate types. Gil is kind of the "top boy" who welcomes everyone without pressure.

 

117 - many hot guys. Among all of the body builders are many guy next door types. Only the last block off the main street felt a bit dangerous.

 

According to a newspaper I picked up - the new sauna is going to open at ua Siqueira Campos 202 in december.

 

Mostly used the Copacabana Palace private beach strolled around the

gay beach right next to it. I think this is not much of a pick up place.

 

I never felt at danger when walking around nor did I feel more than a little pressure from the sauna boys. STICK to the 50 Reals as that was the house price. Never had a problem with my bill at any of the three saunas although more than a few boys were treated to drinks and food on my key number.

 

Hope this helps some fence sitters. and guys, do try to learn some spanish before you go. most of the boys can understand some spanish and it might be easier on you than attempting portugeuse lessons. i did not know so many people understand spanish.

[+ Axiom2001]

Gulliver, I am glad that you did report back to us! Thanks, man!

I seem as if I am traveling tonight: one fellow traveler and respondent wrote about his latest experiences in BA, and you recapped your experiences in such a wonderful way that I will be glad when it is time for Carnaval and my return to Rio.

 

In your report you mentioned Arturn and Edgar. Is Artur and Edgar the same individual? If not, does Edgar speak fluent or reasonably fluent Inglish? (I plan to hire Artur in April when I plan to journey to Sao Paulo to complete what should have been finished in October/early November.) Also, when I went to Rogers (which was only once)--I found the ambiance of the place to be wonderful; the boys were all rather amiable and polite and not too pushy. I learned what to do from the guys who had previously written on this board. Carlos, the house masseur, was a true gentleman; unfortunately I did not have a massage from him; I only wish that I did and hope that he plans to go to the newest of saunas in Rio.

 

Did any of the guys talk about the impending new sauna to you and their plans? I hope Carlos, Flavarino, and Lukas all are there. I will not forget these fellows. They made me feel so comfortable and at home.

 

Thanks again, and if you think of something else which you deem necessary "to share"-- please do not hesitate! :-) :-)

[gulliver]

Sorry for the confusion regarding names. Artur and Edgar are the same. He uses the name artur on his web site but introduced himself using his real name upon meeting.

 

Here is my take on the scene in rio. The saunas are easy to use and absolutely chocked full of the worlds finest looking men and boys. I am very picky and there were dozens easily available. They are courteous and agressive enough that NO ONE WILL GO HOME UNSATISFIED no matter how shy or old or whatever. You can't miss guys.

 

In terms of hiring an escort in rio. Since there is so much available in the saunas and you can easily arrange a hotel visit or overnight - why hire any escort you have not met for sex? I was all prepared to use an agency but did not do so because it was not necessary.

 

Artur (Edgar) is very fluent in English. upon meeting we had dinner at the Cipriani restaurant at the copacabana Palace hotel and talked for hours. This man has the most fascinating background and is a working decorative artist well versed in many, many topics. You will enjoy him. He can show you a side of Rio you will not see without a professional guide. For that he is wellworth it. He gives the most incredible massage and is a 100%passionate and energetic bedroom companion although not my type as I prefer the younger, straightish, studs of the sauna.

 

You do not need an escort to take you on a sauna tour but if you can swing it I would advise it if you wish to go further that Rogers and estacao - it just makes it easier. But, gil from estaceo will gladly take you to 117 or spa 73 on his off time and will make sure you are comfortable and you will meet many boys thru him. It doesnt make any difference if you are 90, fat, and shy - you can not fail to have delightful experiences with many hot studs - they'll spot you, welcom you and you will have a ball.

 

To be clear. rogers, estaceo, and the recommended Atlantico Copacabana Hotel are within three blocks of each other. Estaceo is one block down the same street as the atlantico. dont be worried about getting around, using metros or buses, or safety. sometimes when reading the posts it gets confusing because there is so much information but in reality IT IS QUITE SIMPLE. do not fret.

 

Carlos at rogers does indeed give a great massage and is a sweet, wonderful human being with a chamrmin patter. if you want to arrange a boy to spend the night - ask him. he knows quite a few.

 

In terms of the new sauna opening i sensed no problems among the boys. it will happen apparantly this month and the transition will be smooth. they do not talk much about closing rogers and i gather it will not happen at the same time that the new one opens. everyone seems a bit unclear - and it would not surprise me if it doesn't open very soon.

 

There were never any problems using credit cards at the saunas. My bills were always correct. I bought enough US cash and exchanged at cambio as needed so i wouldn't worry or depend on ATM. Your

dollar goes a long way. so dont make a bg deal out of financial transactions. To clear up any misunderstandings about what you get for 50 reals in the sauna, show the boy the 50 bill and bring only that to the cabin. that way they will not fleece extra from you. If you want the boy to come however, you may be tipping an extra 20 reals.

 

the restaurant with the yellow awning is nothing more than a corner sidewalk pizza shop that is open late. Go there to hang out after the sauna - PERIOD> there are many places tohave a reat meal and these are two that i would recommend

 

1- the Churrasco across from the north side of the copacabana hotel. they are open till 11pm during the week and have a great buffet, sushi, as well as strolling meat carvers.

 

2. marios for seafood, at the north end of copacabana beach. make reservation. candlelit, charming, much fresh grilled seafood plus buffet. it is a ten minute walk so you may wish to take a cab.

 

and of course, Maxims on the beach just south of the copacabana palace has an english menu. the crab appetizer (as others have advised) is great. the shrimp and banana in pineapple shell was out of this world. their salda mista makes a plentiful lunch.

 

Ihope this helps out travelers who are a little worried about going. it is so easy, so get off your bum. Just use common sense precautions about walking in dark streets and there will be no problem. take cabs to the further out saunas (117 and spa 73) and request the owner have a cab take you home.

 

There are sitting areas around the bar of all the saunas so you can just relax, have a drink or the free coffee and one of the boys will be over within minutes to talk to you. Disourage it if you would rather scope out the situation and do not be afraid to say no. you will have a great time.

 

I have many memories of this trip and can not wait t return 12/28 for a longer stay. this time I will be able to speak a lot more SPANISH as it will vastly increase my ability to chat on a beginners level. suggest you do the same.

[gulliver]

the reason that i mention SPANISH is that most of the boys know spanish and many americansare familiar with much of it and some pronunciation. if you are going to become a bit familiar with a language, spanish will suffice evey bit as well as protugeuse for sauna conversations - in my limited opinion. other readers may have different advice.

[+ Axiom2001]

Thanks for clarifying some of the queries which I posed after your most wonderfully written saga. Also, tremendous thanks for extending support and confidence to those of us who harbour a slight bit of shyness.

 

I have several other questions for you: was this your first time to Brazil (Rio); were you (as they say here) a NEWBIE? If so, you did beautifully. I am embarrassed, for I underwent some strange changes when I was there in October; I was to have been in Brazil (in various places) for a month, but I stayed some seven to eleven days and returned home. My actions were strange because my relatives and friends and associates view me as "the world traveler" since I've been to six of the seven continents and have lived in two. I will be going back to Rio in February for eleven days (high season) along with a very good friend of mine; then I plan to return in the fall (April) to the Southern Hemisphere-- I plan to return (solo) and experience the delights which I had aborted earlier-- Paratay, I. Falls, Salvador, Bahia, and lastly Sao Paulo. In the latter area, I plan to seek the services of Artur/Edgar. I'll do Rio based on your most timely suggestions; I also plan to adapt and go with the flow which you seemingly did.

 

Again, thanks; I await for more sound advice and gems of wisdom from you. (You sound like an individual I'd like to meet and discuss and have lunch or din din.:-) )

[gulliver]

axiom, this was my first trip (not counting a weekend 20 years ago with some pan am buddies) and today i finished making all my plans to return at the end of this month for a few weeks. i was a little nervous when planning this last trip - reading the board was of so much help but on the other hand sometimes made it seem more complicated than it was in reality. that was the primary reason for doing this "recap" - dont worry guys, just go and it will be fine.

 

I spoke to the Atlantico Copacabana Hotel and they have a suite on the top floor (they call it their presidential suite) which is so reasonably priced yet has its own private swimming pool. have thoughts of some fun little private pool parties overlooking the mountains and the beach dancing in my head right now!!

 

I decided to take spanish lessons to be able to communicate and have more of a conversation with some of the people I meet and started tonight just by using the internet and hooking up with a free spanish lesson (http://www.studyspanish.com). what a fun way to start learning a language!! Probably some intensive berlitz would be better but since it is supposed to start snowing in NYC tonight what could be better than climbing into bed with your laptop and starting right now.

 

I am not familiar with the rest of brazil so dont have anything to add in regards to your more extensive trip but it sounds like fun.

will post as i do more planning for the Dec 28 departure and also start some research into learning Portugeuse on the web.

 

For your rio trip, you might want to check out the Atlantico copacabana hotel - this rooftop suite sounds great and its priced at about $75/night US$.

 

I think it is a good idea to use artur for sao Paulo as its seems a busy, hectic, difficult city and a guide would be desirable. for my own part (for no good reason) the only thing that interests me about SP is the Lagoa thermos!! I guess i'd fancy some adventure two and three day trips to some more exotic locations or some easy one day rio soujourns like Buzios.

 

I remember reading about your cancellation mid trip and couldn't quite imagine what was going on BUT I have always been a believer in that if it isn't working - just do something else. I was supposed to by going to St Martaan after christmas but after this last rio trip i thought - gee, the carribean is always so expensive, kind of boring in regards to night life, and always seems to be the same old thing.

therefore, i cancelled it and opted for this rio trip and am real excited about that. i can only imagine how much more there is for me to enjoy with some language skills under my belt.

 

I am also going to investigate what adventure or eco tours might be available for sale once I am in rio.

 

Hope this helps in your planning and if you are going to be in nyc or in rio or ba while I am there - it would be great to hook up.

[+ Axiom2001]

Your last remarks and support are appreciated. AX