After reading the last few pages, I just want to add that some of you need to get a life:(
Really.
Printable View
After reading the last few pages, I just want to add that some of you need to get a life:(
Really.
Just returned from a memorable 8 day trip. Thanks to everyone who contributed information and tips. Special thanks go out to Sperto for his excellent maps and the infamous Bwana Diks and Bubba Boy's Rio guides. Also, a couple of experienced mongers (not sure if on this forum but thanks if you are) took us under their wings and showed us around. Everything regarding: airlines, exchange rates, atm's, taxis, restaurants, excursions, and apartments is in the RTFF. So I will just give my account regarding the trip.
The following is my 10 Best and Worst of Rio. The rating goes from the very best to the very worst.
1. Solarium. L'uomos we were told by other mongers on this particular day, was not that good and they sent down two girls to check over but they were 7 at best so we skipped this place and went to Solarium. However, there are too many good reports on L'uomos and I plan on checking it out on my next trip.
The whole Terma idea was new to me but from reading the forum I was expecting to walk into a King Aurthur Knights of the Round Table with a harem of exotic princesses catering to us like Kings. So my expectations were very high. But the place was nothing like I imagined. The main area is small like a tiny nightclub and there were less than a dozen women there when we went. But that didn't matter. The women were simply gorgeous!
to be continued...(my number 1 just arrived and must go)....
[QUOTE=Dos Lunas]Just returned from a memorable 8 day trip. Thanks to everyone who contributed information and tips. Special thanks go out to Sperto for his excellent maps and the infamous Bwana Diks and Bubba Boy's Rio guides. Also, a couple of experienced mongers (not sure if on this forum but thanks if you are) took us under their wings and showed us around. Everything regarding: airlines, exchange rates, atm's, taxis, restaurants, excursions, and apartments is in the RTFF. So I will just give my account regarding the trip.
The following is my 10 Best and Worst of Rio. The rating goes from the very best to the very worst.
1. Solarium. L'uomos we were told by other mongers on this particular day, was not that good and they sent down two girls to check over but they were 7 at best so we skipped this place and went to Solarium. However, there are too many good reports on L'uomos and I plan on checking it out on my next trip.
The whole Terma idea was new to me but from reading the forum I was expecting to walk into a King Aurthur Knights of the Round Table with a harem of exotic princesses catering to us like Kings. So my expectations were very high. But the place was nothing like I imagined. The main area is small like a tiny nightclub and there were less than a dozen women there when we went. But that didn't matter. The women were simply gorgeous!
to be continued...(my number 1 just arrived and must go)....[/QUOTE]
The women here is what I imagined garotas to look like, my Victoria Secret models. I was mesmerized by one particular GDP and she made me feel incredible. Lots of french kissing, touching, lap dances, and massaging. This was my fantasy girl and she wanted to go to the room. But we arrived late and the place was closing soon and I felt rushed and thought I could delay the satisfaction and see her another day. Big mistake, never got a chance to go back and in hindsight she was the best of all the women I met.
2. Karlas Models. Easy to set up, reasonable rate, and superb service. GFE, DFK, BBBJ, CFS, MSOG, great attitude, and two hours of fun. This is a no brainer.
3. The Beach. As in sun rays, sun tan, thong bikinis with beautiful stunning women laying out, is a sight to behold. Granted, the weather wasn't the best during my stay, and most days the beach was empty. But on Sunday, it was hot and everyone was out. This is the way I imagined Rio to be and it was an amazing sight. Definitely have to return when the sun is out more.
4. Balcony. I had this love-hate relationship with this place. Initially thought it was over-rated and pitiful. I mean come on, I fly thousands of miles to this exotic destination to hang out at a whole-in a-wall place of a restaurant-bar to look at women? I could have done this at home. I was a little disgusted with myself thinking there has got to be a better place at night. But as the days followed, this WAS the only place at night in Copa to meet women. By the end of my stay, I pulled 4 women there: R150 for 2 hours, R150 for 4 hours, R150 for 2 hours, and R80 for 4 hours. I loved this place. (Meia Pataca. This place sucks. Don't bother. Empty and wound up just watching televison with my drinks.)
These four venues were the best for me and it is all I need to have a very good time in Rio.
The next four locations I was not impressed and would probably not return. The last two I will never return.
5. 4x4. The place has average women and did not compare to Solarium, and probably L'uomos. Yes they have the most girls, but the place is small and the women came across jaded and bored. I sessioned here but it was just okay.
6. Barberellas. This strip club came highly rated but the place didn't make me feel all fuzzy and warm. It could have been any strip club in the U.S. It was okay.
7. Cancun. This place (the bar area where you keep your clothes on) was somewhat classy and nice, but no fuzzy and warm. It was okay.
8. BA85. This place made me feel claustrophobic and gasping for air. If this is the standard by what all the other centro locations compare to, then it is not for me. The place is like a fucking nightmare on elm street waiting to happen. It is a multi-layered building with tiny rooms, each with their own music and bar. But to get to each floor, you have to climb this fucking tiny spiral metal staircase. Only one person can go in each direction. It's dark and filthy. No thanks.
9. Vila Mimosa. This place is the gutter. Dirty, ugly, slimy, and gritty. Think of T.J. but a lot worse. Yes they have some cuties there for the cheap. But so fucking what? It's like trying to enjoy your favorite meal in a dumpster, while you have these rateros looking in trying to rob you. Never again.
This last venue is the worst place to visit. DO NOT GO.
10. Favela tour. We got robbed. This turned out to be a real live fucking nightmare. I'm not sure which one we went to but it was near Floresta de Tijuca? We left late during daylight and were driven in a dark van with tinted windows. By the time we got there, it was dark outside. We were driving on the main road and it looked a lot like T.J. but worse. We were snapping pictures and recording video as we drove along. At one point we saw a bunch of young men, 18-20 years old armed with artillery, guns, rifles, and what looked like a grenade launcher. Within 10 seconds we were ordered to stop and rifles, guns, and yes grenade launcher pointed directly at us. We were ordered to get out of the vehicle and show them our cameras and how they worked. They took our cameras and guide away to the drug lord and ordered us stay put while they pointed the guns at us. These guys appeared crazy and each had their finger right on the trigger ready to shoot. Luckily, the guide returned and they kept one of the three cameras and let us go. We made a report with the U.S. Embassy and tried calling the local tourist police but could not get through. After this incident, we partied like rock stars and toasted to life everyday!
Dos Lunas
[QUOTE=Dos Lunas]
9. Vila Mimosa. This place is the gutter. Dirty, ugly, slimy, and gritty. Think of T.J. but a lot worse. Yes they have some cuties there for the cheap. But so fucking what? It's like trying to enjoy your favorite meal in a dumpster, while you have these rateros looking in trying to rob you. Never again.
[/QUOTE]
Simply the most concise, accurate and funny description of VM I have ever heard. With your permission, I would like to use that line sometime "like trying to enjoy your favorite meal in a dumpster." That is classic.
[QUOTE=Dos Lunas] Luckily, the guide returned and they kept one of the three cameras and let us go. We made a report with the U.S. Embassy and tried calling the local tourist police but could not get through.
Dos Lunas[/QUOTE]
Did the favela tour company refund your money to you? I am shocked that happened because nobody can go into the favelas and cunduct business without the dono of the favela giving the okay. They must have had his blessing from the beginning in order to take you guys inside, I wonder what happened.
[QUOTE=Bravo]Did the favela tour company refund your money to you? I am shocked that happened because nobody can go into the favelas and cunduct business without the dono of the favela giving the okay. They must have had his blessing from the beginning in order to take you guys inside, I wonder what happened.[/QUOTE]I'm also curious about which company (or individual) and which favela. I thought those tours were usually carefully vouched for by the folks who run them so they don't get the tourists into trouble. I always thought there's some kind of relationship with the tour company and the gangs, so they get a piece of the fee the tourist pays to see the favela in question.
A late day tour sounds a bit shady to me however. Glad you came out okay but it must have been terrifying.
I personally was never interested in the favela tours, as that kind of "poverty tourism" I'm not really comfortable with, and stories like this will definitely keep me away.
[QUOTE=Phunluv]I'm also curious about which company (or individual) and which favela. I thought those tours were usually carefully vouched for by the folks who run them so they don't get the tourists into trouble. I always thought there's some kind of relationship with the tour company and the gangs, so they get a piece of the fee the tourist pays to see the favela in question.
A late day tour sounds a bit shady to me however. Glad you came out okay but it must have been terrifying.
I personally was never interested in the favela tours, as that kind of "poverty tourism" I'm not really comfortable with, and stories like this will definitely keep me away.[/QUOTE]
In retrospect, the tour operator did come across as shady. Talking to some of the taxi drivers and other workers that are familiar with the favelas, we learned four things that lead to this disaster. Never go there at night. Do not go in a dark van which can be confused with undercover police. We went to the wrong favela where there is no agreement about the safety of tourists. We were taking pictures and video. We went back to the tour operator and demanded our money and gave him a piece of our mind, but no refund, even with the veil threat of police intervention. He simply blamed it on the tour guide, who apparently was subcontracted. The subcontractor was visibly shook up and was told never to go back up there or he would be shot.
Also the tour operator repeatedly said it would be safe. That fucker even had the nerve to ask us if we wanted to partake in other excursions.
They have a store front in Copa one block from the beach. They are located: Rua Aires Saldanha N. 40B. The guy's name is Wilson. 2247-1450. The subcontractor/guide is Mario. The driver appeared to be a subcontractor as well. This tour operator put our lives at stake with their bad judgment just to make a buck. They should not be in business. On a side note, we did have excellent service from another tour operator.
[QUOTE=Exec Talent]Simply the most concise, accurate and funny description of VM I have ever heard. With your permission, I would like to use that line sometime "like trying to enjoy your favorite meal in a dumpster." That is classic.[/QUOTE]
I call it as I see it. Sure thing. Thanks.
Thanks for this PutaPlaya. Just saw this today. I'll make sure to check this place when I get to Rio next month.
Cheers.
[QUOTE=Puta Playa]Bar 22 is in Copa on 22 Siqueria Campos toward the beach from Luomo and the metro station. I would say its a big step below Luomo in atmosphere and a big step above NS Copa 583 204 which had a little joke of a bar and a only few garotas. 22 is more of a normal bar with a lot of people just drinking and some girls available in the boite. About 10 on the Friday night when I was there. I paid $R100/30 but you can do better. Check SlimHoleDrill's post here.
[post]1017999[/post]
When I compare 22 to Luomo, I am comparing to Ane at L'uomo as the representative girl. Some others on here have sessioned with her. She was an energizer bunny with great presentation like L'uomo girls have, except especially good with glittery makeup and PVC outfit with boots. But all that comes off in the cabine, except the boots which I made her keep on. Then you realize that you just paid more for boite presentation, marketing to be exact. Down the street at 22, it was more real transitioning from the boite to cabine because the presentation in the boite is about the same as when you get to the cabine. The garota called Bianca at Bar 22 was much more girl-next-door and a better Brasilian experience, less professional and more natural and enjoyable. The other garotas seemed to be of the same persona. YMMV.
22 had garota bingo, which I loved from a previous Sao Paulo trip and haven't seen anywhere in Rio other than 22. Brasilian guys were drinking it up and having a good time groping the girls and hoping to win bingo. As the bingo cards fill up, the energy of the place becomes amazing with everyone in anticipation of winning a free session. The bingo slip had a picture of a little cartoon squaw with a feather in her hair, so I think it was made specifically for termas bingo. The girl that I eventually sessioned sat on my lap waiting to see if I would win her, and sticking her tongue in my ear. When I didn't win, I paid at the entrance window at the top of the stairs and we went back for fuck. It was a fun place. Anyway, I'd pick Bar 22 over L'uomo because it made me feel like I was in normal Rio instead of feeling like a tourist trap, the feel of L'uomo. But more discriminating high-class mongers would prefer L'uomo for the cleaner and more upscale environment.[/QUOTE]
I took a favela tour 10 years ago operated by Marcelo Armstrong. He is still in business; this is a link to his website: [url]http://www.favelatour.com.br/[/url]. He was recommended by Lonely Planet, which also gave his cell number. It operated on Sunday in late morning and went to Rocinha. He was quite open about the fact that he operated on an agreement with the drug kings and that they got a cut of every tour. He portrayed them as Robin Hoods who operated schools and clinics and in fact showed us some of them. Yes, I'm skeptical too, but some non-governmental entity was operating them.
The tour opened my eyes about the favelas, or at least this one; they are not anywhere near as wretched as I had assumed. Yes, the people are poor, but many of the houses had gardens, indoor plumbing, electricity, and access to public transportation; there were buses running all the way to the top of the hill in Rocinha. No one molested us at all. I'm not naive, and I have no doubt that we were being shown only what they wanted us to see, and I have no doubt that the poor people who live there are subjected to unspeakable violence at night; I could hear the gunfire from Rocinha whenever I stayed at the Sheraton. But in spite of these caveats, I think Marcelo's tour is well worth taking.
[QUOTE=Lorenzo]I took a favela tour 10 years ago operated by Marcelo Armstrong. He is still in business; this is a link to his website: [url]http://www.favelatour.com.br/[/url]. He was recommended by Lonely Planet, which also gave his cell number. It operated on Sunday in late morning and went to Rocinha. He was quite open about the fact that he operated on an agreement with the drug kings and that they got a cut of every tour. He portrayed them as Robin Hoods who operated schools and clinics and in fact showed us some of them. Yes, I'm skeptical too, but some non-governmental entity was operating them.
The tour opened my eyes about the favelas, or at least this one; they are not anywhere near as wretched as I had assumed. Yes, the people are poor, but many of the houses had gardens, indoor plumbing, electricity, and access to public transportation; there were buses running all the way to the top of the hill in Rocinha. No one molested us at all. I'm not naive, and I have no doubt that we were being shown only what they wanted us to see, and I have no doubt that the poor people who live there are subjected to unspeakable violence at night; I could hear the gunfire from Rocinha whenever I stayed at the Sheraton. But in spite of these caveats, I think Marcelo's tour is well worth taking.[/QUOTE]
Yes, favelas have all services one can imagine, water, sewage, power, Internet, phone, Satellite TV... you name it they have it. All stolen. We who pay our bills pay their life too.
My opinion is that there should be resolution to get rid of those parasites... I even have an idea how... but never mind.
Living in a favela is a choise to steal from others, there is nothing robinhoodlike or anything great. All just bunch of thieves in a way or another.
[QUOTE=Perkele]Yes, favelas have all services one can imagine, water, sewage, power, Internet, phone, Satellite TV... you name it they have it. All stolen. We who pay our bills pay their life too.
My opinion is that there should be resolution to get rid of those parasites... I even have an idea how... but never mind.
Living in a favela is a choise to steal from others, there is nothing robinhoodlike or anything great. All just bunch of thieves in a way or another.[/QUOTE]
This is absolute horseshit. Yes, there are thieves there, but the vast majority of favela residents are honest, hard-working people just trying to survive while working at menial jobs none of us would take. They are the maids who make our beds in the hotels we stay in, the waiters in the restaurants where we eat, the guys who work in the sewers, drive buses and taxis, etc. Yes, the scum should be cleaned out, but most of the people there are not scum.
By the way, exactly how do you steal "water, sewage, power," etc.?
[QUOTE=Lorenzo]This is absolute horseshit. Yes, there are thieves there, but the vast majority of favela residents are honest, hard-working people just trying to survive while working at menial jobs none of us would take. They are the maids who make our beds in the hotels we stay in, the waiters in the restaurants where we eat, the guys who work in the sewers, drive buses and taxis, etc. Yes, the scum should be cleaned out, but most of the people there are not scum.
By the way, exactly how do you steal "water, sewage, power," etc.?[/QUOTE]
Well, if some service, like water, sewage, power etc. is something you are supposed to pay for and you do not, its called stealing.
I'm glad that you know conditions so well in Brasil. How many years you've being living here?
[QUOTE=Perkele]Well, if some service, like water, sewage, power etc. is something you are supposed to pay for and you do not, its called stealing.
[/QUOTE]
Different place, different rules. I agree with Lorenzo that you can find amazing people in the favelas from Rio. These people are just trying to survive in a difficult situation. And they deserve our respect.
Furthermore, sometimes there's more joy and humanity at the Rio favelas than at some high-class neighborhoods in the first world.
Different place, different rules.
Please watch this video and realize that the magic of carnaval wouldn't be possible without the favela people:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LWNemMExcg[/url]
Watch it full screen in HD!!
[quote=jota erre]different place, different rules. i agree with lorenzo that you can find amazing people in the favelas from rio. these people are just trying to survive in a difficult situation. and they deserve our respect.
furthermore, sometimes there's more joy and humanity at the rio favelas than at some high-class neighborhoods in the first world.
different place, different rules. [/quote]
joy and humanity in favelas? ..people that deserve our respect? ...are you attempting humour ?
according to the world health organization, approximately 43 % of the women in brasil have suffered physical or sexual violence at some point during their lives, and this number comes near 58 % in the poorest areas (favelas and periferias). yeah, you read that right. brasil has a sad record of domestic violence, and literacy, social tension and poverty play an important role in it. who numbers. in favelas, almost 3 women out of 5 have suffered (or suffer) sexual abuse, [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123][CodeWord123][/url], wife-beating, ect. you are right, favelados are great people indeed. well, admittedly, a bit less when they're drunk on home-made cachaça mixed with liters of brahma or antarctica. which is, for a large majority, 7 days a week.
you guys really crack me up with your inevitably complaisant and totally ridiculous rose-tinted vision of this country and its people. a kind of mix of naivety, cultural unawareness, bad faith and stupidity. as with your folklorish promotional carnaval or samba youtube videos that seem to be directly out of some laughable "isg tourism authority of brasil" that publicise some idealized and romantic - and totally disconnected - view of this country.
:rolleyes: