I Love Rio

[williewanker2]

I just returned from Rio and loved every minute of it at least in part because of the good companionship of first Driver and then RR (also known as Localz02). I will get to the juicy bits later but let me first describe some of the practical details of the trip as a guide for others who have not yet been there.

 

Some of the others who have posted on this site said that the gay scene in other countries is better than Rio. I don’t know what planet they have been on. I have traveled to Amsterdam, Thailand, Eastern Europe, and Russia, and Rio is vastly better (and much cheaper) though this might depend on your taste in men. Thailand has a much bigger gay scene and the food is wonderful. But most of the boys are thin, young-looking Asians which is not my cup of tea. I like the big muscular dark-skinned studs of Rio. The skin color is mostly on the dark side including coal black with few blonds. If light-skinned blonds are your preference, then perhaps Amsterdam or Eastern Europe would be better for you.

 

There were only three bad things about Rio. The food is terrible, the Atlantico Copacabana is noisy, and local swimsuits are uncomfortable. I am sure you can find good food if you go to an expensive gourmet restaurant but the ordinary food in less expensive restaurants is nothing but meat, potatoes, rice, cheese, salt, and grease. Green vegetables are rare. For example, a dish called chicken parmesan consisted of a fried chicken filet covered with cheese and mashed potatoes and nothing else. The famous national chicken dish that I ordered at Maxim’s consisted of finger sized pieces first soaked in grease, then deep fried, and then heavily salted.

 

The kilo restaurants such as the Siqueira Grill mentioned in other posts are acceptable (and cheap) if you choose wisely from their large buffets including sushi. They charge by weight. You can actually find a limited selection of lettuce salads and green vegetables. Even there I took a portion of something resembling lobster newburg and found it inedible because it was so salty. I typically spent about $4 (12 reais) including a drink.

 

The free breakfast buffet at the hotel was OK. It has scrambled eggs, lots of fruit, ham, cheese, rolls, cake, and good coffee. For those who don’t want to eat eggs everyday, they offer one kind of cereal resembling sugar frosted flakes. Next time (and there will definitely be a next time), I am going to take some granola with me from home.

 

The hotel has an ideal location and is cheap. I am paying about $50 (140 reais plus 10% tax) per night for a standard room. RR paid more for the corner suite, but I don’t think it was worth it. The problem is that the air conditioner in both our rooms was noisy and big gaps around it in the wall allowed a lot of street noise in. Fortunately, I brought with me those foam ear plugs so that I could sleep on the plane and used them for sleeping in the room.

 

I don’t recommend buying a swimsuit here. They seem to be badly made and uncomfortable. The boys on the beach in their skimpy speedos would constantly have to stand up, adjust themselves, push things from side to side and up and down, and rub themselves. It seemed to be particularly bad when they would get an erection lying in the sun. Also the swimsuits don’t have any pockets. One guy seemed to be carrying a couple of extra pairs of socks in the front of his speedos. I am sure that such a huge bulge could not be natural.

 

I have traveled in many countries where I did not speak the language and thus was not concerned about my inability to speak either Portuguese or Spanish. You only need a few words plus sign language to get by in the saunas. After finding a boy I liked, I would say “cabina” and point up stairs to the private rooms, hold up five fingers and say “ciquenta” to indicate 50 reais (about $16), and say “goza” to indicate that I expected him to cum. By pointing to the boy and saying “passivo,” you can also find out if he will bottom. Almost everyone will top (“activo”). If he nodded yes, we were on our way.

 

Some of the best looking guys (the stars which I will discuss later) insisted on 100 reais ($33) for “goza.” Most can only do a “goza” once an evening (exceptions will be discussed later) and some want something extra for it. You will have to decide if they are worth it. Some also demanded a tip afterwards of 20 reais ($7). Also if you want to bottom, be sure to check out the size of their erections before going with them or you may be seriously injured. I don’t know about average cock size in Brazil, but the men in the saunas are huge.

 

I typically spent $50 to $70 (150 to 210 reais) for an evenings entertainment. This would include payments to the boys, two visits to the “cabinas,” entrance fee, drinks, and sometimes food for me and my new friends. With regard to changing money, I always have multiple sources because one might not work and you do not want to be caught short of money. I brought two credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and some Amercian Express travelers checks. Though I was able to withdraw money from the ATMs using one of my credit cards, my backup was to cash my travelers checks at the American Express office next to the Copacabana Palace hotel.

 

Perhaps the biggest hassle when arriving in a new country is getting from the airport to your hotel. You are tired, you are carrying heavy luggage, you may not have any local money, and you are accosted by all sorts of people talking in a strange language offering to take you into town. Airports are also prime targets for pickpockets and thieves. In another country, a friend had his passport stolen even before he got through customs. I carry essential documents and money in a pouch hanging from my neck and hidden under my shirt. If at all possible, I try to bring at least some local currency with me so that I don’t have to change money at the airport. At the Rio airport when you come out of customs, you will be met by a lot of taxi touts trying to get your business. Ignore them completely. Charge straight ahead to the booths where you can prepay a taxi ride.

 

I was brave and decided to take the airport bus. The Riotours booth told me where to go and what bus to take to Copacabana. A nice man offered to guide me to the bus stop and then tried to convince me to take his cab instead. Shortly a bus came and I paid the hunky conductor the equivalent of $1.50 and gave him the name of the hotel. All buses will make change. After an hour tour through the city, the nice conductor dropped me off one block from the hotel. You do not need to bring much luggage since speedos or shorts, a t-shirt, and flipflops seem to be the national costume. Bring along some soap powder to wash your delicates in the hotel sink.

 

I will continue my report in another posting shortly.

[Guest pshaw]

>Thailand has a much bigger gay scene and the food is

>wonderful. But most of the boys are thin, young-looking

>Asians which is not my cup of tea.

 

Slim young Asians in Thailand? Whodathunkit?

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist. }(

 

Seriously, a nice report. Although I probably enjoyed the Brazilian restaurants more than you did, I agree that cuisine is not the main reason to visit Rio. I probably enjoy the food from the average Thai street food vendor better. Give me some green papaya salad (som tam), grilled chicken (or catfish) with sticky rice and tom ka gai and I'm in heaven.

[Guest Tomcal_]

Good report! this is the kind of information that is really informative to "first time" visitors to Rio! When I stayed at the Atlantico last they were doing construction on the big development across the street and the noise started at 7:00 in the morning, but that's why the A/C (wall/window mounted types)was good, the noise from that blocked out the construction noise LOL..actually kinda became a "white noise" that I got used to. I have stayed at the Marriott which is Super quiet, on the beach and $225. U.S. a night! vs. the Atlantico's $45. a night! I agree about the food, but have found the shrimp pizza at Maxim's and the beef strogonoff at Corujo's to be pretty good by Rio standards!

[+ Axiom2001]

williewanker 2 (Bobby) Prior to my going to Brazil for the first time in October '02, I had a thread requesting the guys who went to report back to us on the spot or when they returned. Apparently you read this, or you decided to report on your own; I am most appreciative and enjoyed many of the points that you made. But I find myself having to take exception to several of them:

 

<The food is terrible, the Atlantico Copacabana is noisy...

 

Is this not a blanket generalization? It really depended on where you chose to dine. My friend and I went to some moderately priced restaurants in Copa and Ipanema and Leblon and had very, very delicious, scrumptuous food. We ate at Yemanja's in Ipanema--Rua Visconde de Piraja 128A (Bahamian food, superb veggies served with meal), Mariu's in Leme at Avenida Atlantica 290-- their seafood churrascaria; we chose to wait for an hour which was great-- we noticed some nicely- clad, casually dressed men and women and enjoyed the cruising of men during this wait; both of us were glad that we waited, for the food was delicious, plentiful, moderately priced, and the buffet contained a vast array of vegetable dishes. We went to Tri's Italian recommendation and were also delightfully pleased with the food as well as the price. ...dined in a small restaurant on the 4th floor of the Rio Sul Shopping Center. The owner or manager of this small place could speak some English, so he helped us with the Portuguese menu. The food was divine, and it did NOT cost a mint. We ate outside where there were approximately six tables; this spot afforded us a chance to view the shoppers as they passed as well as devour the overall ambience.

 

All in all we liked the cuisine that we savored at all places in Rio except for the food at Maxim's or Corujo's. We concluded that one has to know what the best meals are at both places in order to enjoy. We ate at both places twice. Maxim's salads and dish of chicken pieces are quite good; that made a meal for us on our first night there; we had seats near the front hedges to enjoy the pick ups and other scenes. ...did not care for the vendors, though, so we tried to ignore them as they came to the hedges to show these wares.

 

The breakfast at the hotel can become old if you stay there for more than two or three days and partake in the breafast daily. Some mornings we would not eat breakfast and just have a light snack or fruit drink and eat only one or two meals -- lunch and dinner. On other days we were satisfied with one large meal, namely dinner. The Sunday that I went to the Bahamian restaurant-- I only ate lunch.

 

<...the Atlantico Copa is noisy... In October as well as during my eleven days two weeks ago-- the only noise that bothered my friend was the AIR CONDITIONER. The floors, per se were quiet day and night, which was a surprise to me, for I thought there would be noise on the floor during Carnaval; it was very, very quiet which I prefer. The only noise that bothered me came from someone slamming the door to the room; that occurred about twice, but all in all I would like to know what you really meant by writing "...the Atlantico...was noisy...? Just for clarification, not to debate.

 

In the archives there is a lot of info regarding using the transport from the airport. Ignore the men in grey; go to one of the counter booths and arrange travel to hotel. I did this the first time and found no difficulty; I did this based on the information received here at this site. This time we had the pick up arranged in our modified package, so we did not have to go though with this component. My friend and I saw some Americans who could not believe what the men in grey had quoted; I just thought: they should have done their homework before traveling to Rio and other parts of Brazil.

 

Since I'm two weeks late in recapitulating my adventures during Carnaval, you gave me an opportunity to share a little bit. Thanks for writing. I can't wait to read about the "other side" of your trip!

AX2001

[trilingual]

Food: As in any city, there's good, bad and indifferent restaurant food. In most decent (not deluxe) places, the food is tasty but essentially Brazilian home cooking. Except for salads, fresh fruit and couve (kale)served with some dishes, Brazilians don't seem very fond of vegetables. At least not at restaurants. They certainly sell all kinds of vegetables in the markets, so SOMEONE must eat them!

 

A small correction to Axiom's posting: Iemanjá serves Bahian, and not Bahamian cooking. There are quite a few thousand miles between the two places, and no fried conch on Bahian menus!

 

I'm staying in a regular room at the Atlântico, on the first floor facing the street. It's not particularly noisy, especially with the white noise from the air-conditioner droning on. . . The subway construction project across the street is finished and the station is open. All in all, I'd stay at the Atlântico again. BTW, it looks like they also own the Astoria Copacabana.

 

For a long-term stay, I'm going to rent an apartment. With the war going on, I want a place with cable TV, and it turns out relatively few places have it. Mike, from Miketur, showed me three places yesterday, on rather short notice. These were large studios (one right on Av. Atlântica, facing the beach, for around R$2000/mo. I decided that for a three-month stay I'd prefer something a bit larger, so I'm going to take a place another realtor showed me on Saturday. It's about R$2400/mo., which is more expensive than I originally anticipated (I thought it would be possible to get a furnished place for R$1500) but when I worked it out I realized it comes to US$23 a day, and I can't stay in a nice hotel for that. And this is a NICE apartment, quite spacious, well-located, full kitchen, washing machine, weekly maid service and even a little guest room made from the converted maid's quarters.

 

More details as I learn them. . .

 

Returned to Point 202 last night, after having an early dinner with Gringo and friend. It was much less crowded, but I did get it on with Matheus, a nice-looking kid from Bahia with the V-shaped, naturally athletic build I especially like. He's very well-equipped, very active and very verbal! Except for a detour to SP next week, Matheus says he expects to be in Rio until June.

 

Roger's is open. Driver says he went last night and enjoyed himself. There are escorts there, but there was also a strip show last night hosted by one of the famous local drag queens, Lola Batalhão.

 

OK, onward to the realtors. . .

[williewanker2]

I Love Rio - Second Installment

 

I love Rio – Second Installment

 

In spite of the noise, the Atlantico Copacabana is still a good choice. It is right in the center of the action. Across Siqueira Campos street (“Rua”) in front of the hotel is one entrance to the new metro station of the same name. It is now the end station on line 1. The map on the metro cars is confusing because it does not yet list this new station. The metro charges a flat rate of about $0.40 regardless of distance. At a window in each station, you can buy a small ticket with a magnetic strip for either 1 trip, 2 trips, or 10 trips. There is no discount for buying a ticket for more trips. Again this is very simple. Hold up your fingers to indicate how many trips you want to purchase.

 

Three blocks up towards the mountains along Siqueria Campos is the new Point 202 sauna with its big blue awning. The old Roger’s sauna is on small side street (Rua Ministro Alfredo Valadao) just before Point 202. I did not go to Rogers because everyone said it was almost dead. To reach Estaceo sauna, cross Siqueira Campos and continue for less than a block on Rue Tonelero. It is on the left across from the second entrance to the new metro station. Clube 117 is a short ride on the metro to the Gloria station and then a two block walk.

 

Going down Siqueira Campos towards the beach, you will pass a park/recreation center on the left. On the far corner, you will see the famous yellow awning restaurant (more about that later). The ATMs at the Blockbuster video store is just one block after turning right from Siqueira Campos onto Copacabana Avenue. Continuing down Siqueiria Campos on the last block before the beach on the left is the kilo restaurant Siqueira Grill. The gay beach (and Maxims restaurant) is one block north from the Copacabana Palace (a 15 minute walk from the Atlantico) and is sometimes marked by rainbow flags but not always.

 

I found little difference between the three saunas that I visited (202, 117, and Estaceo). Try them all. There are big differences, however, depending on the time of day or the day of the week. For example, Estaceo was booming on Friday but dead on Monday. The big day at 117 is Tuesday when “cabinas” are free. Going to the saunas before 6:00 may be a disappointment because few boys are there.

 

I had a slight preference for 117 even though it involved a metro ride ($0.50) and cab ride home after ($4.00). It has more of a party atmosphere and the famous escort Anderson is there (more of him later). Its main lounge is large with a stage at one end, a bar at the other, sofas line the walls, and tables and chairs are in the middle. Point 202 does have a glass shower next to the lounge where you can watch the boys.

 

The yellow awning restaurant is truly amazing. Jabba the Hut arrives with his muscle boy entourage in a Mercedes SUV at about 11:00 and sits at a couple of tables in the prime spot on the patio. You can tell if he will show up because the restaurant marks the tables as reserved. We also saw him at a couple of the saunas for special shows. He is treated like royalty with tables and chairs brought out to seat him and his entourage.

 

We brought Anderson with us one night to the restaurant, and he had not been there before. He immediately recognized some of the clients and boys from the saunas who called out to him. According to RR, he used the Portuguese word for bizarre to describe the place, and I agree.

 

If for some strange reason that I can’t understand, you are not successful in finding the boy of your dreams at the saunas, there is a large selection at the restaurant and lined up along the park fence across from the restaurant. I have to admit that a couple turned me on and I was tempted to invite them back to the hotel. Avoid the ugly black transvestite with the missing front teeth that makes her look like a vampire.

 

A guy from Mexico gave me the scoop about Jabba though I can’t swear to its accuracy. His real name is Paco. He is a former executive with a European cosmetics firm. After retiring, he keeps a home both in Spain and Rio. In Rio he has a long time lover who runs a gym which perhaps explains all the muscle boys. The lover who is maybe in his early 40’s always sits next to him.

 

The saunas put on various shows. Though I would probably find them fascinating back in the States, they are somewhat comical in Rio. After watching a hunky guy parade around in a towel flashing his hard on, he then proceeds upstairs to get dressed in a cowboy or soldier outfit. He does a strip tease where he coyly hides his cock behind a hat.

 

One exception is when a big black muscle stud did a strip show at 117. He then returned in a few minutes waving a huge erection and a birthday cake which he gave to one of the long time customers. The customer and various boys proceeded to have a birthday party.

 

Also 117 put on a S&M show in which two guys in leather fucked two other guys (no one came). The director of the show was scrambling around giving condoms and lube to the performers and rearranging the furniture so that everyone could have a good view. Jabba and entourage were there. I found the show much less exciting than the private shows that I and my friend arranged, but more about that later.

 

Tune in for the third installment.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: I Love Rio - Second Installment

 

Tri, thanks for editing/correcting-- yes-- it was merely a typo.

Salvador, Bahia is definitely on my itinerary. I'm glad that you caught the error of which I was completely oblivious. ...writing in an interested hurry.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: I Love Rio - Second Installment

 

I'm awaiting your third, fourth, and fifth installments.

...really liked your details which will enhance the information contained within the other threads in our archives.

 

<...there is a large selection at the restaurant and lined up along the park fence...

 

Veteran visitors at this site have warned us against taking any of the guys who are outside of the restaurant and who tend to hang in the street along the fence back to your hotel room. They advised anyone who was interested to take the guy to a sauna or to a sex motel for your fun as well as your semblance of protection.

 

My friend met his carioca friend (a very handsome man) at the restaurant with the yellow awning when we went there one evening. It just so happens that the previous night while my friend and I walked on the side street adjacent to Maxim's that they had cruised each other. It turned out well for both my friend and his new acquaintance. I'll let him get to this board and discuss his first experience in Rio during Carnaval.

[Guest localz02]

RE: I Love Rio - Second Installment

 

I was with Williewanker2 in Rio for a little more than a week and would like to add a few things to what he has written here. I was a first timer in Rio.

 

First regarding the Atlantico Hotel. The hotel is noisy in the sense that a lot of the street noise makes it into the rooms. Being that my room was on the corner of Rua Tonolero and Rua Siqueira Campos a lot of the noise from the traffic below made it up to my room. If you're a deep sleeper or noise doesn't bother you, then you should be fine. I would recommend first time travelers to Rio or those going to Rio with the primary purpose of hitting the saunas to stay at the Atlantico. Three saunas are within two blocks, and the metro to the Gloria Station and Clube 117 is across the street. A word of warning, as you walk toward the mountain on Rua Siquera Campos the road splits into a fork. Always stay to the left where the tall apartment building is with the shopping center downstairs. The right side of the street after the split leads to a favela. I'm not sure if this was mentioned before, but one of the rentboys warned me about it. It's a good thing that he did because I was going to go exploring there the next day - yikes!

 

Second, Williewanker2 made some comments about the food. While we didn't eat at any upscale places, I have to agree with him about two things: the lack of green vegetables and the overall saltiness of a lot of the dishes. Still, I found the food passable for the most part and nothing made me sick, that was the important thing.

 

I don't think Williewanker2 touched upon a couple of other things I'd like to talk about. In the weeks prior to my departure for Brazil, there was a lot written about the escalating crime rate both on this board and in the news media. I was very concerned about this, but I have to say that at no point during my 10 days in Rio did I ever feel unsafe. Part of that is perhaps due to my being with Bob most of the time, but we were on the streets as late as 1:30am and we didn't encounter anyone remotely dangerous.

 

Although I didn't feel any danger from any kind of criminal element on the street, BE CAREFUL when crossing the street in Rio. Pedestrians having the right of way is not a known concept. Also, when headed to the beach, BE CAREFUL when crossing the bike lane, I was almost hit twice by cyclists.

 

Another lesson I learned was DO NOT exchange a large amount of money at the airport. I got a very bad exchange rate there, plus Banco do Brasil charges a commission. It is better to change money at the Atlantico Hotel where you will get the current exchange rate, or withdraw cash at an ATM where you will get a more favorable rate. If you must change money at the airport, get enough to pay for the taxi ride.

 

As a side note, the Atlantico Hotel has become famous on this site as THE place to stay for M4Mers. However, it seems like it is also becoming a favorite place to stay for straight men headed to Rio looking for sex. Every morning the people in either the room next to mine or the room above me would open their windows and discuss the sexual adventures they had the night before. These reports of their failures and successes was a comical, live, straight version of this site and became a morning ritual. I saw four or five different American men saying good-bye to their Brazilian girlfriends in the lobby as well. I wonder if management is aware of this?

[Guest Deweywop]

RE: I Love Rio - Second Installment

 

Comments on a few points:

 

Before I went to Brazil, I was also given the impression that I'd be eating meat with meat sauce, meat condiments, and a meat dessert. However, all the kilo restaurants and all-you-can-eat buffets I went to were about 1/3 vegetable or mixed dishes, including at least a full American-style salad bar. Even the rodizios, the "other meat orgy," usually included salad bars. The mineiro (Minas Gerais cuisine) restaurants seemed especially full of exotic, strongly-flavored greens. Anyway, you can also compensate with the stupendous amount of tropical fruits available on virtually every street corner in Copacabana.

 

With regard to salt, I've come to the conclusion that perception of salt, like spiciness, varies individually. I've eaten meals with traveling companions where I'd say, "This is too salty, I can't possibly eat it," while my friend shrugs, then had the roles reversed with the next dish. I personally think American food is very salty and in perverse ways -- remember, we're the country that puts more salt in the McDonald's milkshakes and in the fries. My suggestion is to shop around and vary your diet until you find things that are agreeable.

 

The Atlantico, huh? I did not know about that place when I went. But based on the description of its location, I think that was the place this sauna boy stopped in after we left Roger's to get some change. It should have occurred to me as strange that an up-market hotel would handle cash with a boy who walked in off the street, but now perhaps it makes more sense. Oh well. As long as they're providing a good, reliable service, let them corner that market niche.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: I Love Rio - Second Installment

 

It was good reading the pros, cons and advice in the two preceding reports. Regarding Xchange rates: the ATM at Citibank next door now to Blockbuster gave excellent rates; a few steps on the same side is SEPTEMBER Travel which gave us what was current; no commission was charged. We handed the cute men our dollars, and they gave us our reais. I would use my ATM card at Citibank then go to this Xchange in September's and cash in my $100 dollar bills. I'd immediately return to the Atlantico and put my reais in the safe box. When I went to ask for smaller bills at the Atlantico-- I could not get any e.g. R$5s and R$10s. Just thought I'd give u all another source of Xchange.

[williewanker2]

I Love Rio - Third Installment

 

I love Rio – Third Installment

 

I brought back two guys from the beach to the hotel in the afternoon. This was my appetizer for the main course later in the saunas. They were standing around the gay beach waiting to be propositioned. One was muscular and cute while the other was a little thin for my taste. It turned out that they were brothers and did not want to perform in front of each other. I ended up having them jack off and cum for about $17 (50 reais) each. It was like my personal version of a Bel Ami 101 Boys video.

 

In my stays at many hotels around the world, I have never had a problem with the hotel staff in bringing a local guy back to my room with the exception of Thailand. Some hotels there insist on charging you even if the guy does not stay all night. If I think that I might bring someone back, I take my hotel key with me so that I don’t have to parade the guy up to the reception desk to get the key.

 

When marching across the lobby to the elevators, I stay close to the guy and talk to him to make it clear that he is with me and is not trying to sneak into the hotel. However, I usually don’t hold hands or kiss him in the lobby. I also wave my key around as we walk so that the security staff knows that I am a registered guest. I did not have anyone stay over night at the Atlantico Copacabana. I don’t know what their policy is about this though other posters have discussed it.

 

Let me add to what Localz02 has said about crime in Rio. I suspect that the risk of walking around at night in the center of a big American city is higher than in Rio, particularly, in the tourist areas like Copacabana. However, it is still wise to take precautions. Going with someone else is a good idea since muggers are less likely to go after two people together.

 

I kept my valuables locked up in the hotel’s room safe. It could even hold my laptop. The problem then, however, is what to do with the key. If it is lost or stolen, the hotel does not have a master key. They have to bring in a locksmith to drill out the lock and will charge you big bucks. I hid my key in my luggage.

 

Also make a Xerox copy of your passport front page and Brazilian visa and keep it separate from the real thing. If your passport is stolen, the copy makes it easier to deal with the U.S. Embassy to get a replacement or to get emergency permission to travel back to the States without a passport. I read that you are supposed to always have a picture ID with you in Brazil. A Xerox copy of the passport should suffice. When I went out at night, I only took money and the copy of the passport.

 

During the day, I carried a small backpack for sun tan lotion, guide book, etc. If you have to stand in a crowded space (for example, the metro), it is a good idea to wear the backpack on your chest so that sneaky fingers can’t get into it. A nice Brazilian suggested this to me while waiting in a large crowd for the ferry boat to Niteroi.

 

Pickpockets are a problem everywhere. They usually work in teams. One will create a distraction while the other gets into your pockets. If anyone bumps into you, asks for directions, or drops a bag of groceries, grab your valuables.

 

Each of the saunas has a video room showing porn. Normally, I would find this of interest but watching porn was kind of ridiculous in Rio. I would be sitting in the room with a number of guys often better looking and better hung than the porn actors all jacking-off trying to get my attention.

 

Fourth installment coming up, so to speak.

[gulliver]

RE: I Love Rio - Third Installment

 

In regards to lost passports let me tell you about my rio soujourn in December 2002. I had a xerox of the passport and visa. (and my old passport for a dummy wallet). I lost my passport.

You CAN NOT TRAVEL from rio to an international destination without a new passport!!! You must go the the US consulate, get photos taken, and have a report from the Tourist Police Station in Leblon even if no crime was involved. very time consuming. i.e. watch your passport closely.

 

the only good thing about the whole situation was I had to go to the Maritime police in centro with the tourist police report to get my new passport RETROACTIVELY stamped to reflect when I entered Brazil - which required an original letter from the airline re my arrival flight. The policeman at the maritime station (looks like the inside of Ellis Island) gave me a ride and a "private" visit to my Atlantico room. WOW.

 

Again, be careful who you bring back to the hotel. My friend rob bought back a sweet looking, slight, preppy guy with a great smile who went totally berserk in his room - and Rob looks like a very big burly NYC cop. I would not chance this. If you think that you can figure out who is dangerous and who is not - YOU CAN BE DEAD WRONG>

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: I Love Rio - Third Installment

 

<When I went out at night, I only took money and the copy of the passport...

 

This is precisely what I did, but I did it both day and night. I always carried my camera, lotion, and other necessities in a plastic bag; my friend and traveling companion carried a small day pack.

 

One Saturday evening when we strolled ten blocks of Av. Atlantico, one of the vendors (and there were tons of them on Carnaval Saturday) tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to my friend's unzipped bag (one compartment). I thanked him and relayed this to my friend. My friend, after walking some three blocks more decided to turn the zippered side toward his body.

I questioned him regarding the contents of this section, but he didn't seem too concerned; my concern waned immediately.

[williewanker2]

I Love Rio -- Fourth Installment

 

I love Rio – Fourth Installment

 

I forgot to mention two things concerning Brazilian Customs. You have to fill out an entrance card and they give you half of it to keep. Keep it with your passport and don’t lose it. You have to show it when you leave the country. My guidebook said to keep copies of all receipts when changing money because you may have to show them when leaving the country.

 

Except for the views of this beautiful city, the other tourist sites are rather mediocre. Don’t feel that you are missing much if you only go to the beach and the saunas. Great views can be had from the statue of Christ on Corcovado, Sugar Loaf mountain, and Copacabana Fort sitting on the peninsula separating Copocabana Beach from Ipanema. The only city that comes close to the beauty of Rio is Hong Kong. Though the city is 400 years old, most that is old or historic seems to have been torn down. Downtown looks like the central business district of an American city.

 

I did take the ferry over to Niteroi and then a taxi to see the famous museum by Niemeyer. It is the one that looks like a flying saucer sitting on a hill overlooking the ocean. The building was spectacular, but the little bit of art inside was rather sad. This was one time when not being able to speak the language caused me a problem. I went up to buy a ticket for the ferry (they leave from the Praca XV or Park 15). The lady at the ticket counter tried to tell me something that I could not understand and almost seemed to be unwilling to sell me a ticket. I persisted and she finally sold me a ticket and pointed to a waiting room. I went in but the room was empty. I finally figured out what she was trying to tell me. There are multiple ferry operators. She was telling me to go to another company because their ferry left sooner. After watching a couple of boats depart, my boat finally left.

 

If you do travel around Rio, the buses are convenient and cheap. There is a fixed price regardless of distance (about $0.40) posted on the side of the bus that is slightly higher for air conditioned busses. The conductor or driver will make change. Some guidebooks will list the bus routes going to tourist sites and the destination is listed on the front of the bus. After visiting a museum up in the Santa Tereaza district, I could not tell what bus went where and just picked one at random. It took me to a metro station where I could easily get back to the hotel.

 

On another bus trip, I found a seat on the last row with a young guy sitting there. He proceeded to rub his shorts, creating a huge erection, which he prominently displayed for me. I suspect that he was on his way to the saunas and wanted some early business. We got off at the same spot near the hotel and the saunas but I did not approach him.

 

If you don’t want to take your chances with the buses, taxis are also abundant and cheap compared to the U.S. Other than rounding the fare up to the nearest reais, there is no tipping. Just make certain that they turn the meter on so that you don’t end up having to bargain over the fare. One way to communicate is to point to the name of the place in the guidebook that you want to visit for the driver to read. Also it would not hurt to carry something with the name of the hotel and its address to show to the driver when you want to return to the hotel. They pronounce Atlantico in a way that I could never imitate.

 

I would like to nominate what I think is the best top and the best bottom in Rio. Remember that there is a lot of competition for these titles, and not everyone may agree with me. If you disagree, please nominate someone else including an explanation and examples of why they deserve the tile.

 

My nomination for best bottom is Joel (the Brazilian spelling is Diogo though don't ask me why this is pronounced Joel. Joel is a small, light-skinned boy with short curly hair. He has a tight compact body but is not very muscular. However, he has the most beautiful bedroom eyes and kissable lips. He sure likes to kiss.

 

He works on weekdays at Estaceo and on the weekends at Point 202. Don’t hesitate to ask for him at the sauna desk if you are interested. He gave me an email address, TRUNE@BOL.COM.BR, but he does not speak English. Use my name if you want. He may remember me as Bobby. You could use one of those internet translation programs to communicate in Portuguese.

 

He participated in four private performances for me with various tops. You can tell that I am a voyeur at heart. If you ask him, he will gladly pick a top that he likes for the performance, usually some big muscle stud. The charge was $17 (50 reais) for each of them if you don’t ask the top to cum. The top may ask for extra to cum. Joel will cum enthusiastically for no extra charge though may ask for a tip.

 

At the first performance, Joel said he could not cum probably because he had already done so that night. During the performance, the muscle top plowed into him with enthusiasm. As the bed bounced against the wall, Joel lay on his back with his feet in the air, moaning and screaming, and kissing the top for all he was worth. No acting here. In spite of his claim, he came profusely without even getting an erection.

 

On the last night I was in Rio, Joel teamed up with Breno for me at Point 202. Breno is my choice for the second best top in Rio. Breno is a very muscular, tattooed, light skinned stud that everyone seems to know. He fucked Joel with abandon but did not cum though Joel certainly did.

 

Breno drives around in a red Ford 150 pickup truck. It has spot lights along the top and a chrome roll bar that would make a California surfer proud. We saw him at the yellow awning restaurant in his truck. Someone said that a grateful and rich client gave him the truck.

 

My choice for the best top will be described in the fourth installment though may already have guessed who it is.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fourth Installment

 

I enjoyed this read during my daily trek here! Bobby-- perhaps you could BEGIN a new thread where the guys give escort names, the name of the saunas, and their best tops and bottoms in each one category.

 

Although I knew names when I met the boys-- many of the names are similar-- I saw different Alex's: one at The Point--202 and the other one at Estacao. ...really enjoyed the versatile one at the Point 202; I wrote about him in my brief narrative... Thanks!

[CT Dick]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fourth Installment

 

Willie, what a hot story about Joel.

 

Were you involved in the action or strictly an observer / voyeur?

 

Would they charge more if you participate?

 

Thanks,

Dick

[williewanker2]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fourth Installment

 

Since you are paying the boys, you determine the rules. You can join in to the extent you want.

[williewanker2]

I Love Rio -- Fifth Installment

 

I love Rio – Fifth Installment

 

Following the advice of Axiom2001, I am going to post my nomination for the best Rio top in a new topic titled “Best Rio Top and Bottom.” In this last installment, I want to mention two problems I had in leaving the country. I wonder if others have had the same problems or can help to explain what is going on.

 

First, I asked the bellman at the Atlantico Copacabana to get me a taxi for the airport. He put my luggage in what looked like a regular car instead of a taxi. I got in and discovered that there was no meter. I don’t go in un-metered taxis. The driver said he would only charge 45 reais. I jumped out. The driver immediately lowered the price to 40 reais. I went with the bellman to the desk to ask what was going on. The clerk at the desk asked me what I had paid to come in from the airport as if that was relevant. He seemed to think that I should be happy to pay no more than what it cost to come in from the airport. I explained that I took the bus in from the airport. The clerk never explained why the bellman had put me in this un-metered car. I eventually did go with the un-metered car because 40 reais seemed to be a reasonable price from what I had heard, my luggage was already in the car, and it was getting late.

 

Does anyone know why the Atlantico bellman did this? Does he or the hotel get a kickback from the driver? What is a reasonable price for a trip to the airport?

 

Second, my guidebook says that there is a $35 (125 reais) airport departure tax. These taxes can be a pain in the neck. You get to the airport and you don’t have enough local money to pay the tax and have to exchange more money at the last minute.

 

The hotel clerk said that there was such a tax but it was sometimes included in the price of the ticket. If not, it could be paid in either reais, dollars, or both. To be safe, I took an extra 125 reais with me to the airport after paying the taxi. There was a big sign at the American Airline counter explaining the airport tax. However, no one seemed to pay it including me because it was already included in the price of the ticket. I was stuck taking home 125 reais.

 

All I can say is be sure to find out from your ticket agent whether this departure tax is included in the price of the ticket or not. What has been the experience of others when leaving the country?

[trilingual]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fifth Installment

 

In years past it was common to have to pay the airport tax separately, but in recent years it has always been included in my ticket price. Rules change unexpectedly, though, so it IS a good idea to ask if the tax is included in your ticket price. BTW, I was just informed that in Argentina they've gone back to the separate payment system, so I'll need $18 to pay the tax when I return to Rio.

 

DON'T lose the second part of your entry form. Your life can get very complicated at the airport if you try to leave without it, and you could miss your flight. You also might be subject to a fine.

 

You don't need to keep ATM receipts unless you expect to change money back at a bank. Returning with R$125 isn't too bad. Fortunately, Brazilian money doesn't lose value hourly, like in the hyperinflationary days, so you can just keep it and use it on your next trip.

 

R$40 is reasonable for getting to the airport. The radio-taxis there charge R$56 for the trip into Copacabana. I don't know why the cab was meterless, unless it's a gypsy cab, but the hotels usually have cab drivers who regularly serve them and whom they know and trust. Probably not a bad idea when you1re traveling with all your stuff and money.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fifth Installment

 

Bobby- in October the bellman at the Atlantico flagged an unmetered, solidly-painted auto for me to get to the airport on my return; I think I paid R$40-42 reais; it cost me R$35 to get to the Atlantico. I did not quibble because of the convenience. I had saved my last $R50 (which I'd rather given to a sauna boy at Estacao) merely for my airport journey, and it was a trip indeed. We left during the height of the rush hour; the driver manuevered beautifully. I arrived without too much panic.

 

Neither time did I pay a separate departure tax (October & March). I can't analyze or explain your situation.

 

From what you wrote-- from the title as well as the content-- one can discern that you had a wonderful time and that you "truly love Rio"! Thanks again for your updates; the info. helped this twice visitor who plans to return before the end of '03.

[Guest Deweywop]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fifth Installment

 

In all my travels throughout South America, there's always been an extra airport departure tax, often a hefty one, so I've gotten accustomed to saving a wad of cash and getting the proper stamps and stickers at the airport tax booths. This is a hassle I've learned to expect. The inclusion of the departure tax in a plane ticket is news to me. You could always pay with dollars though, so there shouldn't be need to reserve too much local currency for the airport.

[ohgwm226]

RE: I Love Rio -- Fifth Installment

 

I have stayed 3 times at Premier Hotel directly next to Estacao. Each time the bellman offred me a drive to the airport at my desired time for fixed fee of 45 Reais. The car that took me each time to the airport was not a metered taxi. It was probably the car of someone who has arrangemt with the hotel. I had comparable experience when I travelled to Thailand. My hotel there offered a ride to the airport at the time of my choosing for fixed rate that was slightly higher than the metered taxi rate. I think that is a good service offered by these hotels.

I payed the departure tax only once in Brazil. That was when I got a free ticket from Delta using their frequent flyer program.

[Mavica]

Taxi/Departure Tax

 

When I left the Atlantico for the airport at the end of my mid-February trip, the front-desk clerk or doorman said they'd get a taxi for us. I had intended to hail one one the street myself, but I let them get the taxi. The taxi was one of the regular/popular ones, and the doorman quoted me a fixed price for the trip. I don't remember the price I paid, but I don't think it was more than what I paid to get to the hotel from the airport when I arrived . . . which was fine with me. I assumed at the time that the doorman/front desk clerk received a commission from the taxi driver, and I don't have any dispute with that . . . nobody forced me to use the service they offered, and I expect that others expect to be compensated/tipped for their efforts on my behalf. The ride was direct and rapid, and I appreciated that.

 

About the departure tax . . . it's something included in the tickets those of us in the U.S. purchase, and it's disclosed on the ticket itself. I flew economy on United (and, what great service it was!).

 

About getting rid of excess BR$ . . . just ask some of the airport employees about it . . . there are guys who buy/sell Real who work the terminals . . . it's what my traveling companion did, but the exchange rate wasn't that good (no surprise!). However, he did get rid of the BR$. By the way, these currency exchangers can come in handy upon arrival, and the exchange rate is acceptable as long as one doesn't change lots of Dollars . . . keep it in mind!

[trilingual]

RE: Taxi/Departure Tax

 

Personally, I wouldn't use the informal money exchangers at the airport unless all else had failed. You won't get a good rate, but if you have no reais and can't find an exchange booth or ATM, change US$50 with them. That'll be enough to get into town (although you can pay for that by credit card at the taxi voucher booths) and get settled at your hotel. Then you can go to an ATM, where you'll get the best rates.