TotallyOz

Which nights are the best for them? I do like LaGoa and Fragata but want to be sure I don't miss a good night. Any suggestions on what saunas not to miss on a particular day / night?

Wonderful recommendations. Thank you!

I will share all. Can't wait. I am excited but will NOT be well rested if I keep seeing 2-3 guys a day. Agree with all you said about valets. 100 percent! I suggest the Intercontinental Group as they have Holiday Inn Express that is priced along the lines of Best Western and I love the Holiday Inn Express. They also have some all suites hotels and I have always had good rooms with all their hotels. Day 1 in Sao Paulo The plane ride was horrible. A crying baby in business class. I thought business class was for business people? Are baby’s business people? Why don’t they have a family area? I’d love to know in advance so I can avoid the area. Sorry for those of you with kids, but on a long plane trip, it sucks! Leaving Atlanta, the exchange rate was 1.36. Yes, that is right. I am sure. I checked twice. I avoided that booth and checked with another one and it was same rate. When I got to Sao Paulo, I just took cash from ATM and the rate was 1.68. A nice savings. When flying, I think there are some things that you need to take with you on a long haul flight. Comfy shoes. I always take a pair of Birkenstock with me as I love the feel and don’t want to put shoes on every time I get up to move around. Extra Clothes – I like being able to change after dinner and get nice and clean smelling. Essentials – My own toothbrush, toothpaste, small cologne and a bottle of hand sanitizer. I find all these are required to feel good during the flight. Computer – I take both a laptop and an IPad. I play with the IPad most of the time but can use the computer when I want to work. Extra Extension Cord – I have a cord that is 12 feet long and splits into 2 outlets for more access. I find that sometimes the airplanes do not have a socket working near you and if a full plane you are screwed. But, if you have one of these, you can use another one near by. It is also handy in lounges when you can’t find a seat so close to the outlet. This thing has come in handy more times than I can count. Extra Eyeglasses – You never know when you may loose a pair and I have on planes and this helps me in case of emergency. Eye Covers – I know most of the airlines give you one in business class but they are cheap and not comfortable. I take my own as well as a pair of earplugs in case the airline doesn’t give them to you. Drugs – nothing illegal here. But, I always have Valium and muscle relaxers in order to knock me out and sleep. I also take Sudafed in case I need it as my sinuses do not like traveling with the rest of my body. PLEASE keep your Valium and Viagra separate. I once got them mixed up and it made for an interesting flight. Water – I always stop and get 2 bottles of water for my long trips. I know the plane will have some for you but I like my own and I always keep myself really hydrated on a plane. I find taking my own is easy and it really does help with the ride (other than having to pee all the time). My own pillow – Yes, I am a pussy and I want my own pillow and blanket. Flashlight – In case you need a powerful light to fill in customs forms. (I think I just like having a hard object with me all the time). Headset – in case you want to listen to music or watch movies on your own. If you have other things that I have not mentioned, let me know. I checked into the Renaissance Hotel. The average rate for my time period was 400 USD. I refuse to pay those rates so I used points. 7 days with points cost me 110,000 point. That saved me over 3,000 USD. I am Platinum with Marriott so I get free Internet, breakfast, snacks, etc. When I got to the hotel they put me in a room that was tiny. It was a regular standard room. I was sad. I almost cried. Less than 2 minutes after I got to the room, the manager called to welcome me (they do this often with Platinum Premium members). I told him it was fine but it was the smallest room I have ever slept in and I wish I had booked elsewhere. He said he would make a call and he did and 20 minutes later I had a one-bedroom corner suite. Now, I would not have complained with a free room being small. But, since he asked, I shared my thought on the situation. He appreciated my candor. I am not sure why I was not upgraded before I checked in. That is the major difference between Marriott and Intercontinental chains. The Intercontinental upgrades me immediately upon booked (even if using points). The Marriott does not do this at booking and it is up to each individual hotel. Sometimes you win and sometimes you loose. I much prefer the consistency of the IHC. I took the subway to LaGoa. The cost is about 3R each way. I don’t have exact numbers as I used tickets from last trip. I’ll get exact details in a day or two when I run out of the other tickets. I spent 88.00R in LaGoa. This was my entrance fee, a short time suite, 3 drinks and 2 snacks. I met an 18-year-old punk kid with spiky hair and piercings. He was yummy and I had to see him. He said 120R and I said sorry. He went down to 100 and foolishly I agreed. I normally hold out for 50R and then tip if they are good. He would have gotten 100 or more as he was good and kinky. I like him. UNTIL afterwards he asked for 120 again. I gave it to him and told him I would not see him again and wished him luck. On my way out, I met a guy from years gone by and asked him to go to eat dinner with me. He got back on his motorcycle and met me at the hotel. After I paid and walked out, my all time favorite from here was walking in. I agreed to meet him tomorrow. I like afternoon appointments so we were set. I did take the subway back to hotel, as it is faster than a taxi. During rush hour here, it is crazy to take a taxi. Each trip today would have cost me 25-35R each way if I had taken a taxi. My friend and I ate at Galletos. He and I were both hungry and I forgot to get a receipt for the food. But, it was about 100R for the food/wine and tip. For a nice meal there I thought reasonable and it was my first splurge of the trip. Plus, I took my date there the first time we met and when he asked, I could not say no. Lucky for me as when we were in the room again, he would not say no to me. I think a good trade. He is still with me now as he is trying to talk me into going out to dance and I told him I am tired and for him to go home to his wife. LOL He doesn’t find it as funny as I do. My only not cheap thing was the taxi to the hotel. It was 103R. I think too high. I should have checked before about best and cheapest way to get to hotels in downtown but I didn't do that in advance so I got hit hard. For those of you traveling here, what is cheapest way to get to hotel? Thermas Lagoa Sauna Bar Rua Borges Lagoa, 287 - São Paulo - SP, 04038-030, Brazil Phone: +55 11 5573-3923 Google Map: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=lagoa+sauna+sao+Paulo&fb=1&hq=lagoa+sauna&hnear=Sao+Paulo+-+S%C3%A3o+Paulo,+Brazil&cid=13021637820572287161

I always enjoy my travel to Brazil and I always try to find the most reasonable hotels and flights that will accommodate my budget. On this trip, 3 weeks duration, I have decided to do my best to spend as little money as possible (other than at the saunas). So, I will be using miles and points in as many places as possible. This is not something that only I do but it is something that everyone should do. FlyerTalk and FatWallet and other sites are dedicated to making sure you get the most points and miles for your dollar. They also have great schemes to get free points and miles and all of this end up meaning FREE nights and FREE flights. The night before I left for Sao Paulo, I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dallas. I was in Texas visiting friends and Dallas was the airport I needed to leave from. I used 30,000 points for a free room at the hotel. I have accumulated points for years but I do not mind spending them from time to time. They upgraded me to a free 2 story duplex suite that is fabulous. They upgraded me even though I used points. Why you wonder? They don’t mind if you use points at the hotel. The hotel still gets paid. I am a Royal Platinum Ambassador with the hotel. That requires that I spend at least 50 nights per year in their hotels, which include Intercontinental Hotel, Crown Plaza, Holiday Inn, etc. It also requires that you stay in at least 4 different Intercontinental properties. If you do the above, you will obtain Royal Ambassador status. This means that they will upgrade you to a suite and you get free Internet at all their hotels and that you will get free refreshments in their rooms. These are all nice perks and they also give you access to the lounges in the hotels. All of these things mean savings in the long run. If you don’t stay with them for 50 nights a year, find someone with Royal Ambassador status and ask them to trade that with you for something else as when one reaches Royal Ambassador status each year, they can nominate one person to receive it for free. IMHO the Royal Ambassador program with IHG is the best priority program in the industry. My suite at the Intercontinental was great. I had a free breakfast in the VIP lounge. I also had free fruit that was delivered as a gift. I had great Internet all night and it was a nice stay at this hotel. Final cost: 18.00 for valet parking. I went to DFW airport to fly to Brazil. I use Delta the most and have accumulated miles over the years. They have initiated a new thing for me called upgrade certificates, which lets me fly first class and pay for coach fare. The trip to Brazil would have cost 2400.00 USD for the fare class that would be needed to use the certificate. But, I am on a cost savings trip and I used miles to purchase a round-trip ticket to Brazil. This first class ticket cost me 150,000 miles and 61.00. I normally travel with 7 large pieces of luggage but I am on a budget trip so I am taking only 3 bags for check in. First Class passengers get 3 free bags so the cost for luggage was zero. I have been talking with Tomcal about my flights once I get to Brazil and I’ll use Gol when I am there. I tried to book my tickets last night but the website was down and I’ll try again later. I am flying into Sao Paulo and then back to USA from Rio. Delta did not care where I traveled from and being Platinum with them means I do not pay to change my tickets. Last night I called and changed the round trip from Sao Paulo to leave from Rio on the return. The change was free and thus the entire cost of my airplane ride was 61.00 USD. I have several credit cards that I use for gathering points and miles. I also register for EVERY game or extra perk I can. For example, IHG is having a game that asks you to unlock a box. If you complete 5 tasks in the next year, you get extra points. The total I was offered (it is different for all depending on level) is 119,000 points. Just by enrolling in this game and doing a few things that I normally do, I’ll get enough points to stay 4-5 nights at any of their 5 star hotels. In my mind, these things are really worth the extra time and effort. I always read e-mails that are sent to me from the airlines and hotels and I keep up with the best ways to make more points by following the advice of others. All in all, every year for the past 5 years, I have gotten at least 4 free weeks in Brazil with these games. In my mind, it is worth it to swipe your card even if for a soda to get the points. I use my card for every transaction possible. So, I am now at the airport and I used points for my hotel the night before my trip. I got points when I paid for the valet parking. I checked into the airport and got a first class ticket using points. I had drinks in the VIP lounge at the airport. I ate lunch at Dicky’s BBQ for 8.00 (again used CC. No cash for me when I can swipe). So, thus far in my Brazil on a budget, I have spent 61.00 (ticket), 18.00 (hotel) and 8.00 (lunch). I am on my way to paradise and hope that I’ll be able to keep up with this budget (except for the saunas). :)

Does the same apply to fucking? I'll be in Brazil for 14 days. Can I get into that habit there? If so, what do I do when I leave? Should I take one or two boys with me back to USA to make sure my habit sticks?

but alcohol shows down your metabolism for 3 full days after you drink a small amount. However, I am sure it would make it taste a lot better. But, try it. It is pretty damn good!

I got the ITunes Deluxe version. It was 12.99. He is sweet to listen to. Thanks for pointing him out. I had heard the music before but never put a face with the songs. I don't watch MTV and when overseas I never hear good new stuff on the radio. So, this has been a treat.

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie 1-cup ice cubes 1 cup canned pumpkin 7 oz silken tofu (about ½ package) 2 tsp pure vanilla extract ½ cup orange juice 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (low sugar) (I prefer Jay Robb) 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp cinnamon Blend all ingredients together. Enjoy! Serves: about 3 A great source of vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. This smoothie is also packed with cinnamon, which is a great blood sugar stabilizer. Enjoy with a high fiber morning muffin or toast with almond butter for a delicious breakfast.

My niece is a theater buff and she and I get into great conversations about Broadway all the time. She said to me the other day, "Unkie, you always say that is one of your favorite musicals, which one really is YOUR favorite?" I had to think about it for a bit as I have rarely been to a show I didn't like. I saw Rent at least 50 times. I saw Miss Saigon and Les Mis at least 25 times each. Phantom was next in line. I loved Sideshow but few have heard of it. I did see Jonathon Larsen's other musical with Molly Ringwald. When I was in NYC, there were few that I didn't see. So, my favorite? That is hard. I felt very personal about Rent as the themes touched me and I have never been without crying. I rarely listen to the music without tears. I've also met and gotten the autograph of the entire original cast. But, my fav. That is hard. I would say Les Mis. The reason it is was my first musical and it opened my eyes to the world of Broadway but more important it just opened my eyes to possibilities. What's your favorite Broadway Musical?

Thanks for bringing Bruno to my attention. I saw him this week on Saturday Night Live and thought he was adorable. I have now bought his new album.

Maya Angelou was the first woman to read at a presidential inauguration. At the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993, she read from her poem "On the Pulse of Morning." Below is an excerpt from the poem: "History, despite its wrenching pain, Cannot be unlived, and if faced with courage, Need not be lived again. Lift up your eyes upon The day breaking for you. Give birth again To the dream. Women, children, men ... Lift up your hearts. Each new hour holds new chances" As each hour holds new chances for each of us and new opportunities, I hope that FourAces and others who are making changes in their lives seize upon each moment and move toward a happiness they have been dreaming of.

Yes, he does. That was a hot scene! He played in one of the cop shows a few years back and was recently a lawyer. I think he does a nice job when he stars in these roles. I am not sure why he doesn't get more work.

There are more ways to skin a cat! Day 1 After Ban Day 2 After Ban

I grew up around dogs. We always had then growing up. Most of my family still has them. Do you prefer dogs or cats? Would you rather be around dogs, which tend to be loving and loyal, or cats, which tend to be independent?

There is a great void in this area with epassporte closing. However, I don't think paypal will go for that crowd. Not openly anyway. It was too controversial for them before and will be again.

I keep up with X Factor and was sad when these boys were kicked out as individuals. I was happy when they were brought back in as a group. They are not there yet, but they are working on it.

The overwhelming fact of the global currency system is that America needs a much weaker dollar to bring its economy back into kilter and avoid slow ruin, yet the rest of the world cannot easily handle the consequences of such a wrenching adjustment. There is not enough demand to go around. Asian investment in plant has run ahead of Western ability to consume. The debt-strapped households of Middle America, or Britain and Spain, can no longer hold up the dysfunctional edifice. Asians must take over, or it will come down on their own heads. The countries actively intervening in exchange markets to suppress their currencies