Brazil Travel Destination:

Brazil is vast. For five hundred years, Brazil has meant an escape into a prehistoric, tropical paradise, today igniting the travellers imagination Brazil seduces like no other place on earth. The country mystifies like another universe another planet. Brazil vacations capture the magic of the mythic power of the country and her people. Our Itinerary includes many famous cities Rio and choose four destinations from Fortaleza, Natal, Belem, Manaus, Recife, Salvador: Catch a flight to Rio for a week then use a Brazil pass only $400 for four flights inside the country, this is a huge bargain because one round trip to and from the Amazon from Rio can be a thousand dollars. The Brazil pass is only available to tourist by government law in order to assist with tourism to far flung regions of the country.

Fortaleza, and Natal, are like the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale of Brasil, warm water, breezes safe, and a tropical tourist destination. Belem, and Manaus are the Gateways to the Amazon and must see for any gay traveler, Belem has the hottest gay Sunday night dance party starting at 6pm, Recife is a relaxed gay mecca and Salvador is the African heart of Brazil where a majority of the population is from African slave blood:

Everywhere on the coast of Brazil there is great surfing but this article will concentrate on a trip to Rio, the Amazon and to the Northeast. Brazilians are a unique powerful mix of cultures and races including Indian tribes, Portuguese colonists, African slaves, Italians, Spanish, Germans, and Dutch.

Catch a plane from USA to Rio ($750). Arrive in Rio and take a taxi ($20) or luxury bus ($4) to Ipenema Beach Beach, in the heart of Rio. Hotels cost from $35 and up per night. Book ahead in Rio at Ipanema.com. The Apoarador Inn is the Best Hotel in Rio because it is the only one the is right on the water without a large noisy road in from of the Hotel, try to stay here. The Apoarador Inn is also one of the closest hotels to the gay beach in Rio.

Rio Culture is famous for music, specifically Bossa Nova music. After the beach all day glide into the music of the country. Tom Jobin wrote the famous song, "The Girl from Ipenema", the true story of a man who watches an 18 year old girl walk by a cafe in Rio beach. He was stunned when she walked by... "The air became lighter" ... he wrote the samba song that brought fame to Ipanema beach in Rio as a perfect young girl walks to the beach. Now there are millions of gorgeous bodies on every beach in Rio. Rio was once called São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro showing the Catholic past and present, because Brazil is the largest Catholic country in the world.

Brazil is a fascinating blend of gorgeous men and women, beaches and the relationships between the visitors and the local population. Brazil, the Mecca of sensuality, pleasure, love, music contrasting with radical surfing and kiteboarding and with the more sweet and personal life of the local Brazilians. The stunning beauty of Brazil’s hills and beaches will be the setting of your adventure; a continually indulgent life. Rio de Janeiro the world's most beautiful city has the worlds largest soccer stadium and the most amazing Botanical Garden called Jardin Botanico designed and landscaped in the 1800s.

Rio Brazil seethes music, rhythmic culture, myth, African mysticism, dancing around the planet's most famous beaches, the dance of samba, the beauty of the mountaintop Christ statue, the athletics of soccer, ice-cold beer (for 90 cents!), the camaraderie of friendship and the cult of Beautiful Bodies. Beach scenes populated by gorgeous G-string bathing suits, and men steaming with temptation, seduction and corruption.

Rio has enormous problems: a third of the people live in the favella (shanty towns) no doctors, no jobs; drug abuse and violence are endemic; police corruption and brutality are common. Rio has even a special police to patrols tourist areas filled with gringos to keep them safe. Last October five hundred gang members went on a rampage on the beach robbing hundreds. Children begging, working people earning only $120/month minimum wage, shows the plight and futility of the economic problems. Literally everyone you may come in contact with as a tourist in the hotels and restaurants is only making $250 a month if they are lucky. While Paris Hilton is reaping billions a Brasilian working at the Hilton in Brasil is only making $150 per month with no health care. One that I met could not even afford to buy the medicine that would treat a chronic skin rash and was threatened with being fired. Wealth and poverty so closely intertwined.

Despite all the problems Rio offers a life of peace and sensuality, Travellers fall in love with Brazil as many have done before them. When the wind is blowing, there is Tandem hang gliding or paragliding off of a mountain landing on Barra de Tijuca kitesurf beach (only $79) ask at any top hotel front desk, many places to dance samba, surfing, and touring the ancient botanical garden.

Another awesome beach near Rio is the small town of Buzios. About a 2 hour drive from Rio. Buzios is a paradise with 26 beaches many options very clean and has upscale tourists from all over the world. Buzios means shells in Portugese but the beaches are perfect tan sand. Iinexpensive Hotels cover the peninsula. Buzios is also a gay mecca on the weekends.

Next it is a 3 hour flight north to Fortaleza, in the state of Ceara in the region called the Northeast of Brazil: Kitesurfing Paradise: The Brazil kitesurfing destination is CUMBUCO a beach town 30 km drive from the Fortaleza Airport. (Taxi $30) CUMBUCO itself small with sand dunes all around, has all you need, including kite surf hotels, instructors, kite surf shops, kite surf groupies, kite surf repair, wind, waves, wide open beach, plenty of beer, called cerveja, sun and. 24 Hour a day wind The beach gently curves for dozens of kilometers so there is no danger of going out into the ocean. Kiters will always end back on land.

At low tide the water is flat and there are waves outside on the reef. At high tide, kiters, kite down Cumbuco beach to Lagoa do Cauípe. There they find themselves in a flat water paradise. Perfect kitesurf safari beaches radiate from Cumbuco north and south with exotic indigenous Indian names like Lagoinha, Paracuru, Embuaca, Lagoa de Cauipe, Lagoa da Barra, Prainha, Tabuba, Pecem, Mansa, Iguape, Buraco, Almecegas, Requenguela, Pernambuquinho, and Sao Cristovao. These are ALL Kite surfing beaches, NO CROWDS, if you want to go for a down winder with friends. Or safari. Other famous kitesurf beaches have magic names like Sao Miguel de Gostoso, Tabitinga, Canoa Quebrada, Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Maracajau (which means Where the wild cats drink). The Northeast of Brasil has over 2000 km of white sand windy beaches including 4 entire states Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Piaui and Maranhao. Expect winds of 10-18 kts January - June with some days of rain. Then 14-30 kts during dry season August to December.

Every state and every beach in Brazil is a kite surf possibility. The wind is also available in other Northeast cities such as, Salvador Bahia, Maceio, Recife, and Joao Pessoa. Northeast kite centers: Salvador-Bahia, João Pessoa, Cabedelo-PB, Paraíba, Recife-Porto de Galinhas-PE, Natal-RN, Aracaju-SE, Parnaíba-PI. Northeast Brazil is a paradise of sand dunes, buggy rides, warm water.

During a break from kitesurfing the beach try the exotic tropical fruit drinks prepared fresh including Acerola, Acai, Pitanga, Abacaxi, Caja, Caju, Coco, Cenora, Larnagna, Graviola, Goliaba, Maracuja, Mangaba, and many others.

Brazil was first called the Land of Parrots then The Land of the True Holy Cross, then someone named it after a local tree or burning red hot coals, Brasas, then Brasil, it seems a mystery exactly where the name came from. In Brazil the wind dances thru the air, and the ocean dances and the people dance the samba. You can dance with a million people all night on the street of carnival and surf all day. In all of Brazil there are over 4000 km of beaches, called Praia's in Portuguese. Everyone understand Spanish and many now speak English. Your Brazil hallucination begins when someone returns and tells you stories about the place, the beautiful people, the beaches, the secret spots, the perfect wind. Make your dream a reality.

Websites:

www.kitesurfmania.com.br Complete guide to Brazil kiting, Fortaleza, schools, hotels, all cities.

www.ipanema.com Rio Guide Hotels

www.rioforpartiers.com Rio Fun Guide

www.cumbuco.nl Cumbuco Fortaleza site in English and other languages, great pics.

The music of Brazil is reason enough to visit. Brazilian music sounds like a secret love song whispered to a woman who you long to meet in the future but then suddenly she is there in front of you. That is Brazil. Another Brazilian song translates into English, telling of the pain of love after a breakup: the man returns to mend the problems at the apartment of his beautiful woman and she says, "enter into this door now, and tell me how you adore me, you only have half an hour to change my life, or leave, come in, come with me, let's go, don't take too long, because if you take so long, then time, may take away our chance from us ... I still smell your cologne here in the house, and I still see your place in the living room where you sat, I still have your picture in our book."

Brazil's famous glitzy Carnival, usually in late Feb. or early March, is a wild spectacle, but it is the worst time to be in Brazil. Hotels and taxi fares quadruple, accommodation triple and masses of visitors descend on the city to get drunk. You could be one of them.

Brazil has the largest freshwater fish and the biggest river, the largest jungle, the greatest number of species, the world's biggest party.

Politics: elected a socialist President, Lula, a few years ago, had a Military Dictator from 1964- 1984 which destroyed the economy and the country was very racist and was supported by the CIA and US government.

Culture: Don’t miss these unique Foods: Moqueca, a seafood stew, shrimp crab, or lobster, simmered with palm oil, coconut milk, red pepper, coriander, tomato. Vatapá (chicken stewed in coconut milk, seasoned with sliced shrimp, onion, red pepper and olive oil) and Acarajé (fritters of mashed cow peas, with hot pepper sauce). Churrascarias from the South, a barbecue restaurant with many kinds of meats, cooked rotisserie-style. Feijoada consists of black beans and pork and many meats.

Brazilian Voodoo Macumba candomblé ceremonies, singing, dancing, and drumming. Now mixed with Catholic saints, the African deities are called Oxalá, Oxossi, Omolu and Xangô, there are over 100 of them. Yemanjá is the alluring goddess of all water. Orixás (the voodoo spirits) santos.

Brazilian Capoeira, a form of Fight Dancing, created by the slaves who were Prohibited from fight, they developed a fight that appeared to be a dance, rolling, twisting, kicking, all to the rhythmic berimbau, an instrument made from a branch of a tree, a wire and a hollow gourd

Travel: Airfare to Brazil $650 to $750 round trip. Buy a Brazil pass in USA before the trip to visit 4 cities in Brazil for only $400. You must buy the pass before arriving from the Airline that sells you the international ticket. Make sure to buy your ticket thru to Fortaleza before you get to Brazil because the airline industry is not deregulated inside Brazil and the cost is high.

Visas are required and there is a Consulate at Wilshire and La Cienega in Los Angeles. You can fed ex your passport to them and get it the next day, but you need the airticket first. If you fly with Frequent Flyer miles, a good option right now, book the ticket thru to Fortaleza after a 3-7 day stop in Rio. American's get a 3 month visa $135 from Brazil consulate in LA or NY or Washington with possibility to extend for 3 months more once in Brazil extensions costs only $10.

Drugs are very illegal and the penalty harsh. Be careful. Even pot can end you up in prison for 5 years. Never buy drugs or accept them in Brasil there are many sting operations to catch rich tourists. Be aware. Same with men under 18 years old, they have special police units and entrapment programs.

American's do not need any shots to visit any of the major beaches. No need to worry. Bottled water is everywhere.

ATMs are everywhere. Rent-a Cars can be had for only $500/month! or $20/day including taxes and insurance. If something is too expensive try haggling. Hotels 4 star range from $100/night but there are lots of cheaper hotels and Posadas for $28-$39/night which include a large breakfast of fruit, eggs, meat cheese, rolls, juices and coffee. Apartments rent for $200-$400/month or less in some areas. Buses are everywhere and clean safe fast and good to go. Electricity 110V.

Rainy season is Feb. thru July. Currency is Real and if you have two they are called two Rais. R is silent so it sounds like “Hey-eal” and “Hey-ice”. You get almost 2 Rais for one dollar. Credit cards, visa and MasterCard are accepted in most all places. Travelers checks too. Internet cafes are on every block absolutely everywhere there are tourists for about $2/hour or less. Be careful with a laptop.

You can buy medicines direct from drug store without a Rx and they have most all USA manufactured drugs and generics for low prices.

Tolerant society overall.

Crime is not a problem if you do not flaunt electronics or jewelry, leave them at home. Do not display expensive jewelry on the streets in Brazil. Never wear any jewelry on the street in Brazil, never wear expensive looking clothes.

Perhaps the best vacation spot on earth, inexpensive, welcoming, friendly, vast infinite beaches, no crowds, Housing and food are cheap.

Entry Requirements: US Citizens require 3 mo visa takes 24 hours to process at Brazil Consulate, must have air ticket to photocopy.

Money And Costs: $20-$50/day and up.

Getting Around: Taxi, Bus, Rent a Car, Friends

Food And Drink: Everywhere

Phones, Post And Email: Everywhere

Crime And Safety: Safe if you do not flaunt wealth.

History: Only country where a King of Europe fled to New World to avoid Napoleon invasion the entire riches of the court all the gold, books, clothes came over in 25 ships and landed in Rio when Rio was just a fishing village with 25 thousand inhabitants dramatically changing the country. The King married a lesbian princess from Austria, and the kings best friend and cousin was gay and very flaming.

The inventor of the airplane was not the Wright brothers but a gay Brazilian from a rich family called Santos Dumont. Santos Dumont also invented the wrist watch. Gays have the right to marry in Brazil and equal protection under the constitution. Bisexuality is considered normal and natural. Sadly right wing judgemental evangelical churches supported by USA southern churches have been winning converts by their support of the poor and starving over the last 30 years, now the evangelicals are getting political power like in the USA and attacking the gay rights movement. Very disturbing and sad that America is exporting bigotry and hatred in the form of charity from Christian evangelical churches.

Cazuza was the most famous singer poet in the 80s and 90s and he died of AIDS but was widely loved and accepted. He was the Brazilian Freddie Mercury and he performed even which very sick. Ney Matagrosso a wildly dramatic singer with powerful lyrics is popular amoung straight audiences. Cassia Eller, the top rock singer 4 years ago OD’s on drugs between Christmas and New Years.

Outdoor Activities: Horse back riding on beach, dune buggy tours, ski-bunda (means flying butt), scuba, snorkel. Sand boarding.

Explore

There is a beach called Praia de Amor, near Pipa, (Pipa means kite in Portugese) where you can go with your lover and make love in broad daylight, ok, it is a very very remote place, hours from and anywhere else for that matter, but it is gorgeous and nearby you can swim with the dolphins. In fact just about any quiet beach in Brazil it is social acceptable at sunset to wade in about shoulder deep and make love.

One Italian said, "in Italy if you try to meet a girl and talk to her about going to bed if she has a brother he will kill you... brazil is not so uptight"

The Northeast of Brazil is part of the original pangea mega-continent that all the continents broke off of, it is basically unchanged and has been splitting off from Africa for tens of millions of years. There are dinosaur footprints right by a river to show this. A flying dinosaur took off hundreds of millions of years ago and you can still see its footprint next to a dry river bed.

Rental Cars can travel on the sandy beaches just let half the air let out of tires, count to 20 as you let the air out.

Natal has cleanest air and Fortaleza has the saltiest ocean water.

Brazil spans 47 percent of the South American continent.

The Amazon is where the air of planet earth is made. The largest breathing oxygen producing area on earth. Impressions. Sounds of exotic birds in the trees .spot tiny monkeys in the trees.

In Manaus it is easy to arrange a jungle tour to stay in the tree tops, there are actually lots of gay bars in the city. Any and every taxi driver in Brasil knows where the gay clubs are and it is a very bisexual country. Belem at the mouth of the Amazon is also a not to be missed destination. Don’t miss the Sunday night dance party.

In Recife, stay at the tourist center called Boa Viagem, which means good travel. At the Othon Palace happens to be right in front of the gay beach. The Othon Palace or Ceasar Park Hotel is in every city in Brazil and it is the 4 star best hotel in the city. But still cheap by US standards with rooms starting for $100.

During carnival almost all hotels have a 5 night minimum package and the rates go up 3-5 times over normal rates. So if you are a budget traveler arrive during the weeks before carnival and make some good friends.

Every city in Brazil has a carnival celebration at the same time, so no matter where you are there will be a party.

It is impossible to invite a visitor into the better hotels for the protection of the guests, there have been problems in the past. Best to go to one of the many saunas in your guidebook.

Brazil is governed by socialist or communists depending on how you define it. Let’s just say that the ruling party flag is the red flag with a hammer and sickle like soviet Russia

By the way Brasil is an undiscovered lesbian paradise. The lesbians are much better integrated with the gays and they hang out together at the gay beaches. No segregation like in USA. Also, I have never seen such beautiful women devoted to love and touch and caring.

Salvador is the most exotic city in Brazil and also the most musical. There are the best live bands every single night.

For questions or more info: email mikezamb@yahoo.com

c2006 Mike Zambotti