General Info

[QUOTE=LuvnLatinas;1281566]Can anyone tell me if a person can buy Durex condoms in Brazil? In particular Rio? I've looked on the Durex site but nothing listed for brazil or Argentina. I'm in Thailand right now and would like to know if I should be picking up more here before returning to Rio. TIA[/QUOTE]I'm wondering if there is a glitch on the server. I've just been on another Section where an innocently titled post became a whole thread title. .

Durex isn't a commonly available brand in Brasil. Preserv Extra is a good quality condom and available in many stores.

Is there a glitch in the forum thread titles?

[QUOTE=Christopherd; 1281761]I'm wondering if there is a glitch on the server. I've just been on another Section where an innocently titled post became a whole thread title. .

Durex isn't a commonly available brand in Brasil. Preserv Extra is a good quality condom and available in many stores.[/QUOTE]Thanks Chris. I'm going to stockup here. The ones I've been buying in Rio either strangle me or want to fall off LOL.

I've see this happen, I clicked around in random countries sections but seems to be OK. How do you report this to Jackson? I wouldn't want to lose all the valuable info in the threads, without it how can we say RTFF.

[QUOTE=Erectus Indicus;1282028]I've see this happen, I clicked around in random countries sections but seems to be OK. How do you report this to Jackson? I wouldn't want to lose all the valuable info in the threads, without it how can we say RTFF.[/QUOTE]Seems to be more widespread than you indicate. Bankok got split into two threads. Click on Report this post at the bottom of this message. Report it just like any other report to the Admin. Jackson will get to it.

[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?2489-Letters-to-the-Editor&p=1281828&viewfull=1#post1281828[/url]

It turns out that I left the battery charger for my Sony Camera back in the states. I headed over to Urugiana in Centro in search for the charger. I took my camera and battery and went to various locations explaining my situation. For quote I received was for 65R. Obviously, they knew I was a tourist because of my accent. However, I continued my search until I finally came upon an older gentlemen behind another counter, and he asked for 35R, I countered with 25R. Done deal. BTW, it was brandnew in the box. It works perfectly. Bottomline, don't be afraid to negotiate. If not, they will take advantage of you.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Angra again this year. I was there a couple of years ago for an MPB Music Festival during a weekend. Ths time around was a bit more fun because I was fortunate enough to be invited by some Brazilian frineds that have a yacht in Porto Real. This made it easier to visit different beaches at our own pace. It was a blast. I highly suggest for those of you who have not visited to give it a shot. Np gdp's there, however, it is a beautiful location. It is much easier and comfortable to go visit now as compared to the past. Now, there is a new highway that makes it quicker and a smoother ride to and from. It took about 1:15 minutes driving from Guaratiba. BTW, there is also a new tunnel (Been open now for about 2 months) that makes the drive to Guaratiba much quicker and easier as well. 30 minutes away from Zona Sul without traffic.

When I recently arrived in Rio, on the second (departure) floor where you catch regular taxis returning to Copa after drop-offs there is now a lout trying to get people to take higher priced cabs. I helped a couple groups get regular cabs, went up to the guy and asked him what he was doing here, gave him the dirtest look I could muster and was on my way. Wish I could have stayed there all day steering people to the cheaper taxis. BTW, one group was given a price of R$100 to Copa.

On leaving for Europe from GIG with my Brazilian GF we were approached by a lout (very attractive one) pressuring my GF to buy health insurance. She told her she would be stopped entering Europe and would have to buy it there. What actually happened is she showed her passport, they stamped it and we were on our way in about 10 seconds.

[QUOTE=Prosal; 1267566]Sao Paolo (10) and Rio (12) are now the most expensive cities in both North and South America.

Agree that these ratings aren't really 100% accurate and are done mainly for expatriates. That said, it includes costs of food, transport, entertainment, ect, and it does at least provide a general guideline.

[url]http://www.mercer.ca/print.htm?indContentType=100&idContent=1420615&indBodyType=D&reference=&siteLanguage=1007[/url][/QUOTE]Looks like I am booking the first flight to Karachi, Pakistan. Who wants to come?

The Federal Police voted to go on strike Tuesday, August 7. This can cause delays in clearing Immigration checks on arrival and departure at both airports also delays in customs screening as all officers on duty 'work to the rule', (I. E. Slow down.) For departures next week plan on long lines at Immigration for passport checks.

[QUOTE=Mangera;1300391]. and he asked for 35R, I countered with 25R. Done deal. BTW, it was brandnew in the box. It works perfectly. Bottomline, don't be afraid to negotiate. If not, they will take advantage of you.[/QUOTE]It is in the normal nature of trade transaactions: demand and offer. They see "you" in need, you have a demand, the offer "their" price.

[QUOTE=Exec Talent; 1274609]I do not want to take up space in the Rio Report Thread but I have a very serious question.

I have been to Búzios a couple times and was not impressed. The beaches are small and crowded. Restaurant prices not in line with the quality and even the best accommodations, not as good as elsewhere for a cheaper price. The dune buggies were fun and the downtown area quaint, but I still do not see the appeal, especially among Brazilians who seem to love it. You can PM me if you like.

Thanks![/QUOTE]I completely agree. The best thing in Buzios are the huge parties thrown in private houses by wealthy cariocas.

15mn from Buzios there is Cabo Frio. Less upscale, but beautiful beaches.

Best regards.

B. B.

Gents- I am planning a trip to Rio this fall and have been asked to be a pack mule and 20 bottles of victoria secret items, ray ban sunglasses and a bunch of GNC health supplements. Do you guys think I will encounter any challenges with Customs / Alfandega. Is there a limit and are my quantities too excessive? I would really hate to pay surcharge / taxes. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=Safado69;1318951]Gents- I am planning a trip to Rio this fall and have been asked to be a pack mule and 20 bottles of victoria secret items, ray ban sunglasses and a bunch of GNC health supplements. Do you guys think I will encounter any challenges with Customs / Alfandega. Is there a limit and are my quantities too excessive? I would really hate to pay surcharge / taxes. Please advise. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]The limit is five hundred US dollars or equivalent in other foreign currency. Be prepared to explain you are bearing gifts for several girlfriends who are also body builders. I'd suggest going lite on the quantity of Ray Ban sunglasses because everyone knows the value of those. If they should stop you and not believe you they will charge a duty of 50% of the value of the goods exceeding $500. 00 as determined by the Alfandega officer.

[QUOTE=Poucolouco;1318976]The limit is five hundred US dollars or equivalent in other foreign currency. Be prepared to explain you are bearing gifts for several girlfriends who are also body builders. I'd suggest going lite on the quantity of Ray Ban sunglasses because everyone knows the value of those. If they should stop you and not believe you they will charge a duty of 50% of the value of the goods exceeding $500. 00 as determined by the Alfandega officer.[/QUOTE]They accept credit cards at customs. LOL Indeed, any customs, in general, is a hit or miss. Very humoral. They might open a trolley bag and ignore a large 30kg suitcase. For reasons of business, on worldwide basis, I seldom travel light, have always a lot of stuff that can be considerable valuable and tradeable. I never declare it as samples or travel along with documents. The problem is that if you declare it you go through an ordeal of checks, if you "smuggle" through nobody will care much. Until you are checked, of course, then you need some smart talks (never bribing, not worth!) and no arrigance.

Of course bringing lots uf sunglasses if checked might raise questions, whilst bringing Victoria's Secret items might leave it to some indulgence. Anyhow it is really hit & miss and I would take the risk, but don't cross the customs area in a nervous way.

At the end of the day it is not professional smuggling.

I have observed that brazilian customs are more attentive to brazilian citizens bringing lots of items bought from USA mainly, so certain flights are more subjects to monitoring.

Never underestiamte that today many customs points do have special Xray machines capable to detect the nature of the goods into the suitcases. I was once stopped in Australia and asked "do you have a creamy chocolate jar in your suitcase?". But I also crossed the same point once with 13 (thirteen) huge bags full of stuff and nobody raised an eyebrow. Have to thank the Qantas stewardess who helped me pushing one of the 3 trolleys I had. Passed in front of the customs agent with a smile and he returned it. Did not even asked me if it was all mine.