General Info

[QUOTE=Bionicman; 1319055]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.[/QUOTE]Thanks again for the points and insight!

Interesting story about prostitution made by Band.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udw8yzHUD00&feature=autoplay&list=PLD93208710F7BD0A3&playnext=3[/url]

[QUOTE=Sperto; 1322045]Interesting story about prostitution made by Band.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udw8yzHUD00&feature=autoplay&list=PLD93208710F7BD0A3&playnext=3[/url][/QUOTE]Just watched it briefly and my porto is what is called as 'next to nothing'

So not only do we have to put up with fugly gdps but also with fake ones with a camera around the corner? Super.

[QUOTE=Erectus Indicus; 1322642]Just watched it briefly and my porto is what is called as 'next to nothing'

So not only do we have to put up with fugly gdps but also with fake ones with a camera around the corner? Super.[/QUOTE]The various episodes covers everything from the cheap streetwalkers to luxury high-class GPs.

[QUOTE=Sperto;1322663]The various episodes covers everything from the cheap streetwalkers to luxury high-class GPs.[/QUOTE]Thanks Sperto, I tried the first few episodes but stopped at the coelhinha coelhinha bit. Good as a Porto listening exercise and already found a good term to call a cute young girl at, say T502 or BA85

I will be traveling to Salvador and was looking up some info about the motels and wanted to ask a question about them. How do you go about using one? I know you can simply walk or drive up but how do you go about paying for one? Do you pay before or after? Some places outside of Brazil, you put money inside a mailbox type container for the the amount of time you intend to stay. I would appreciate any info you guys might have to offer about motels in Bahia and tips on how to get a good deal and not getting

Scammed.

Thanks

[QUOTE=Cartero; 1324395]I will be traveling to Salvador and was looking up some info about the motels and wanted to ask a question about them. How do you go about using one? I know you can simply walk or drive up but how do you go about paying for one? Do you pay before or after? Some places outside of Brazil, you put money inside a mailbox type container for the the amount of time you intend to stay. I would appreciate any info you guys might have to offer about motels in Bahia and tips on how to get a good deal and not getting Scammed.

Thanks[/QUOTE]The usual procedure is you check in either through a concierge or through a drive-up window. You select the type of room you want and let them make an imprint from your credit card for security. You may incur additional expenses, e. G. Food, drinks, etc. During your stay. Then you settle up your account when you check out. House rules may vary from one location to another or if you are paying by cash versus credit card but this is the general routine I have encountered throughout Brasil including Bahia. Keep in mind that these places cater mostly to Brasilians and they are not likely to scam you with a Gringo price. Their prices are posted and not negotiable. Pay close attention to the rules and hourly billing procedures and you should have no problems.

I've stayed in a couple. From very seedy run-down, with just a few rooms adjoining a car park, to deluxe ones that rival any good hotel. They mostly want money (cash or card) upfront (paid at reception or online), no-one minds how many guests you bring, there's normally 24hr room service (food, drink, condoms, lube) , and the better ones have add-ons like jacuzzis and so on. They are built for discreet sex and almost always offer a discreet entrance, but otherwise they are much like any other hotel. A lot are listed on Booking. Com or hotel booking sites and the daily rate may be competitive with regular hotels in some cases.

The fun thing is breakfast in the morning or meeting couples in the lifts. There is often the moment of embarrassment of two people not wanting to be seen together before quickly realising that everyone is in the same position and it is ok and 'respectable. ' Remember they are used mainly by Brasilians having discreet affairs rather than gringos with p4p, but they have no objection to p4p of course as long as they are well-behaved etc.

Personally I don't think they are any more or any less likely to try to scam you than any other Brasilian hotel.

[QUOTE=Cartero; 1324395]I will be traveling to Salvador and was looking up some info about the motels and wanted to ask a question about them. How do you go about using one? I know you can simply walk or drive up but how do you go about paying for one? Do you pay before or after? Some places outside of Brazil, you put money inside a mailbox type container for the the amount of time you intend to stay. I would appreciate any info you guys might have to offer about motels in Bahia and tips on how to get a good deal and not getting

Scammed.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Poucolouco;1324570]The usual procedure is you check in either through a concierge or through a drive-up window. You select the type of room you want and let them make an imprint from your credit card for security. You may incur additional expenses, e. G. Food, drinks, etc. During your stay. Then you settle up your account when you check out. House rules may vary from one location to another or if you are paying by cash versus credit card but this is the general routine I have encountered throughout Brasil including Bahia. Keep in mind that these places cater mostly to Brasilians and they are not likely to scam you with a Gringo price. Their prices are posted and not negotiable. Pay close attention to the rules and hourly billing procedures and you should have no problems.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the detailed info. You answered them all. I owe you big time. Any other tips info you might have for me when I go to Bahia, please don't hesitate to shoot them at me. Once again, thanks for all the great info.

[QUOTE=Sperto; 1322045]Interesting story about prostitution made by Band.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udw8yzHUD00&feature=autoplay&list=PLD93208710F7BD0A3&playnext=3[/url][/QUOTE]Good shit! Enjoyable piece

Here you go sperto another feature.

[url]http://entretenimento.r7.com/roberto-justus-mais/video/bruna-surfistinha-gabriela-leite-e-oscar-maroni-participam-de-debate-no-roberto-justus--5045ee35b61ccc645b68e439/[/url]

Thank you for the link, Auriflama. Bruna is nice.

There are lots of brazilian documentaries about prostitution in Brazil. Very interesting.
In one documentary they reported from the three largest brothel areas in Brazil:
1. Vilarejo Jaci Paraná, Rondônia .
2. Jardim Potiguar in Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso.
3. Jardin Itatinga in Campinas, São Paulo.

Thousands of GP's working there. All three of them seemed quite sleazy, but I guess they must be very fun to visit.
Anybody has been there?

Sorry if this has already been posted:

[url]http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2012/09/rios-biggest-prostitution-crackdown-generation/3199/[/url]

I have used the company at the airport arrival curb side, which provides a safe and cheap ride to copa and Ipanema before. I usuually have them drop me off near Praca General Osorio in Ipanema. However, during my next trip, I will be staying in Recreio. I do not know if they will go that far down. Anyone know if they will go to Recreio or have any suggestions about getting to Recreio on a cheaper method than a taxi? Worse case, I will take the taxi ride. Thanks!

[QUOTE=Mangera;1329999]I have used the company at the airport arrival curb side, which provides a safe and cheap ride to copa and Ipanema before. I usuually have them drop me off near Praca General Osorio in Ipanema. However, during my next trip, I will be staying in Recreio. I do not know if they will go that far down. Anyone know if they will go to Recreio or have any suggestions about getting to Recreio on a cheaper method than a taxi? Worse case, I will take the taxi ride. Thanks![/QUOTE]Use [u]Rio Shuttle[/u]. I used their services quite a few times before, both going to the airport, and coming from my hotel to the airport.

They offer to lift you and drop you from many locations in Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra the Tijuca, Leblon etc.

Everything went smoothly each time, and I reserved online. You pay cash at your destination, no need to use a credit card.

They will not take you to Recreio though, but their last stop in their Barra the Tijuca line is pretty deep in Barra, so taking a taxi from there to your Recreio destination would be much cheaper.

It's the yellow line, the one you want. Here is their website :

[url]http://shuttlerio.com.br/home/br/[/url]

I'm pretty happy with them, although now I'll switch to the Bus probably, to get the more "authentic" Rio experience LOL