Brazil...Once Again

[benjio]

I'm going to be in Rio De Janeiro from August 26th till September 3rd, and then in Recife from September 4th until the 10th if anyone is going to be in the neighborhood. Would love to have an English Speaking drinking buddy. I have written about my experiences in Rio already. I'll write a report on Recife when I get back. With a popular night life and some of the best beaches in Brazil I'm looking forward to spending a week in the city. Might take a detour to spend a weekend in Sao Paulo before returning as I have a friend living there. BOA VIAGEM!!!!

[Colgando]

Yeah, I am a little jealous, do your thing Benjio! 

[braziliangirl]

Boa viagem, Benjio! Divirta-se!

[Kiltboy1]

Nice !!!
 
I hear recife is like the shark attack capital of the Atlantic, so be carefull. Me, I would just state at the lovely ladies
 
KB

[benjio]

Nice !!!
 
I hear recife is like the shark attack capital of the Atlantic, so be carefull. Me, I would just state at the lovely ladies
 
KB

I've read some information on the same thing Kilt. They have completely outlawed surfing in Recife because there were so many attacks last year. From what I understand it is due to a more concentrated population of bull sharks than anywhere else in the Atlantic. Bull Sharks, as supposed to Great Whites, have no problem what so ever eating human beings. Great White attacks are supposedly most often a result of mistaken identity because we resemble seals from their view at the most common angle of attack...from directly under you. I've heard shark specialist on the Discovery Channel say they'd much rather be in the water with a Great White than a Bull Shark. But seriously, who the hell knows what a shark is thinking anyway? I don't plan on spending much time in the water when I go to the beach but thanks for the tip!!!

[benjio]

Okay, definitely not a joke on the shark attacks in Recife. I just got off a call with the financial manager of our company's division there and he told me there's been two attacks within the last week. It's becoming such a routine thing that if no one dies, it doesn't even make the news anymore. The city's government now has teams of Marine Police going out in boats to relocate any shark they find pass the reef in less than 5 feet of water. He says it's not the bigger bull sharks, but the younger ones that don't know better...they are the ones attacking people. The few deaths that have occured were people that we're usually alone, out a half a mile or more, and they bled out before making it back to the beach. The bad thing is it's still winter in Brazil. Peak time is in about a month from now when I'll be arriving.
 
Definitely staying out of the water.

[saleens7tt]

Benjio..hell with the water and "jaws"...just sit on the beach, drink your favorite drink and watch those stunningly beautifully ladies walk on by...as colgando said, " I'm jealous". C'mon lottery numbers...I wanna chill like benjio....

[benjio]

Benjio..hell with the water and "jaws"...just sit on the beach, drink your favorite drink and watch those stunningly beautifully ladies walk on by...as colgando said, " I'm jealous". C'mon lottery numbers...I wanna chill like benjio....

That's the plan!!!!

[benjio]

Although I'm far from being fluent in Portuguese and still learning, there's two things I've learned to say perfectly tonight:
 
1. Do you like me or my friend, or both of us?
 
2. Can we go back to your room?
 
Rio is flooded with mongers. I don't know if it's the time of year or what! Maybe all of this was happening the last time I was here and I was in such a state of awe from the beauty of the city I didn't notice it, but this is ridiculous. Unfortunately the complex I'm staying in doesn't have a gym, but they do have a deal with the nearest sports club where guest of the condos can work out for free. I got a pass, and walked about three blocks to where the gym is located about three hours ago. It was jam packed...not a free weight, weight machine, treadmill or eliptical in sight, so I decided to jog down Copacabana Beach a couple of miles. I walked back on the other side of the street where all the clubs and bars were to take in the view, and I've never been propositioned so many times in my life!!! Don't get me wrong, these are some of the most beautiful whores I've ever seen...WHEN THEY'RE WOMEN!!!! Transvestites galore too. Pretty convincing transvestites but obviously men nonetheless. I've seen a guy with his family at breakfast for the last three days I've been staying here, but I could have sworn I just spotted him on the beach chatting it up with a working girl!!!!
 
I'm off to Recife on Wednesday Morning and I can't wait. Had enough of Rio de Janeiro this go round.

[whitey]

Estoy muy envidioso amigo ... que tengas un viaje excelente!!!  Y ten cuidado con las "mujeres" ... nunca olvides de investigar si hay un "paquete" ...

[Micky]

BenJ -
 
Your life is crap!!!!  I am leaving Mateo and Dora to be your personal valet !!!
 
Micky

[benjio]

BenJ -
 
Your life is crap!!!!  I am leaving Mateo and Dora to be your personal valet !!!
 
Micky

Mick, you'd quit after a week from boredom. There's only so many times a man can drive to the pub then back home before losing his mind.

[robert angel]

Benjio,
 

Love your reports and have to admit, there's a bit of  envy in me too! You write really well and from the comfort of my armchair, you seem to convey a feeling for the flavors of the places you're enjoying. You an Colgando are doing it and doing it right--and bring not only new blood to P-L, but some really great attitudes and new perspectives!

 
Wonder why they don't do what they did in Australia and set up nets in the prime swimming areas to make sure the sharks stay out. Anyways---consider your self a 'land shark' in the meantime and keep them wits and teeth sharp!

 
Enjoy!
 
Rob

[Jeff S]

Bull sharks travel a considerable distance upstream in rivers too, so they're not so easy to keep out of beaches like other blue water sharks. In one record, a person was killed in knee deep water 100 miles from the ocean.

[benjio]

Bull sharks travel a considerable distance upstream in rivers too, so they're not so easy to keep out of beaches like other blue water sharks. In one record, a person was killed in knee deep water 100 miles from the ocean.

Just spent the last couple of hours having lunch on Boa Viagem Beach. To tell you the truth, looking out at the water, I wouldn't swim in it even if there weren't shark warning signs everywhere. It's very turbulent and rough. The reef acts as a natural barrier against the tide, but you can tell from a distance that the currents are very strong and in over 4 or 5 feet of water it's probably very unpredictable. Regardless of the fact that the area around the beach has been populated by people, Boa Viagem still belongs to mother nature. It is a very far cry from Copacabana. Gorgeous area of Brazil though...trip report coming soon.