OT: Anyone been to Rio and Buenos Aires?, Doris and I are going on vacation... Options

[nine14cats]

OT subject here --

Anyone been to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires? I've got a butt load of United Miles from my job. Cashed in 400K miles and got us 2 First Class tickets rountrip to Rio and Buenos Aires. One week in each port with a couple day stopover on the way back in Washington DC to see Doris' sister.

Anyone have a must see or must do idea in either of the cities? I know in Rio at our beach hotel I'm going to be wearing (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool_shades.gif) !

Can't wait....it's been a grind lately.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif)

Bill P.

[Eric_Shea]

My wife's Brazilian... Rio (pronounced Hee-o) can be beautiful. We spent part of our honeymoon there. It would be great and probably worth your while to befriend a local to help you through the loop holes. While on Ipanema beach we were being followed by a "spotter" that liked out blonde hair and the fact that we were speaking english. He was using his cell phone to call a group of gypsies across the street. Unbeknownst to him, my wife was listening to the entire conversation. When they came across the street to "greet" us they were met with her Brazilian fury (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/lol2.gif)

Even the "hotel assigned" drivers can rip you off. A quick trip from our hotel back to "Porqome" (a good Churrascaria) cost R12.00 Reals... the trip back cost R3.00 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/dry.gif)

Here's the rule... "If you like it (your watch, your big digital video camera etc.) leave it locked in your room. Don't be too flashy. Don't draw attention to yourselves. only carry R20.00 with you to the beach. Find a local you can trust, ask the front desk clerk, maybe a cabbie etc. to take you around for the day. If you have to spend $100.00 you'll have good reliable transportation to the attractions (Sugarloaf, Corcovado, Ipanema etc...) and you won't get taken to the cleaners.

That being said, the Brazilian people are some of the most beautiful on the planet. And no... not because of the "Bundas" you'll see on the beach. They are open, gregarious and very welcoming. The forementioned churrascaria's are a treat. Last time I was in Sao Paulo, I took the entire family (12 people) out for dinner at one of the finest churrascaria's in town. We were treated like Kings and Queens with literally a personal server for each of us. All for $110.00 (R330.00) including a massive tip. Exchange rates have changed since then but the dollar to real is still a good value.

PM me if you have any questions. Glad to help.

Believe it or not... when you're married to one, you get used to this: