Thailand V South America.

[theblether]

I was watching the Incredible Hulk last night ( I know, I need to get a life ) and it was partly set in Brazil as well as a little bit in Bolivia or somewhere like that. I've never been to South America and I was toying with the idea of flying down to Rio in 2014 for Mardi Gras and having a look at hotels for the World Cup later that year.

Anyway it occurred to me that there are a fair few members of TV that have a lot of knowledge of South America and I was wondering if they would like to share some stories. I've no doubt the fairer flesh will come into it at some point, but over and above that, is it a safe place? Are the people friendly? What is your favourite South American country? What made you bypass South America and come to Thailand? How do they compare?.

I've always had a notion to travel from the southern tip of South America overland to the Arctic Circle, have any of you done it? Would you try it? or is it a death wish?

I'm all ears

ps. I always had an ambition to date a South American lady, I just liked the idea of the whole curvy, fiery package. I was in Shanghai on business and I went on POF to dig up a date and lo and behold, I ended up dating a Colombian lady that worked for Hola magazine. Great. Loved it. Didn't expect it to happen in Shanghai to be fair but it was everything I hoped for

[dean999]

The last ship i was on stopped in Brazil twice. Rio and Fortaleza. I missed the Rio stop. People i spoke to said Rio was amazing but dangerous. They were in one bar and whilst out smoking on a balcony, they saw someone shot. I read a book about the gangs and one of the places it spoke about was Rio. All the gangs stay in their own areas outside of the torist area's. The police don't even go in them areas. As long as you stay on the beaten path, you will be safe.

Fortaleza was amazing, nearly 10 women to one man. Hotels were cheap and the people were very friendly. Some very sexy ladies as well. No one got attacked or had a bad thing to say. My mate managed to get a girl to drive us around for the time we were there. The women just seem to want to please you and make you happy. I suppose it's because of the women to man ratio.

I hope my next ship is back down that way, I love the place.

I was on another ship that went to Montevideo, Uruguay. I never got ashore because i was duty, but i heard the stories. Most people got attacked by taxi drivers. There's probably more to their stories but "don't let the truth get in the way of a good dit", as we say.

Most people came across as it was a good place, but we were only there for one day, so i can't give a better account.

Hope this helps in some way.

Edit - Forgot to say, Thailand v Brazil, i would say Brazil is safer only because of the driving. If i had to choose between the two, i don't think i can.

Edited May 7, 2012 by dean999

[brit1984]

I can confirm Rio is interesting... second only to Hong Kong in my opinion for amazing city setting... and the nearby (via short flight) waterfall (Foz do Iguacu) is in my opinion second to none in terms of amazing natural beauty

I have heard Rio is a dangerous place but other than the wannabe-Ayrnton-Senna taxi drivers I personally didn't experience anything dangerous (and we did go for an impromptu stroll around a favela)... but the beggars / scam-artists are incredibly annoying (e.g. my brother caught a shoe-polish guy chucking poo on my shoe to drum up business!)

Rio / Brazil is a cool place for a holiday but nothing more, in my opinion

Edited May 7, 2012 by brit1984

[Bri19000]

I looked into the possibility of this journey, in reverse, a few years back and it seemed quite possible if you have enough resources, and most importantly, time.

There is an actual route that can be driven, check out the Pan-American Highway, if not done already.

(http://en.wikipedia....merican_Highway).

There are also many excellent journal's detailing this great journey, by a great number of various individuals.

[Travel2003]

The last ship i was on stopped in Brazil twice. Rio and Fortaleza. I missed the Rio stop. People i spoke to said Rio was amazing but dangerous. They were in one bar and whilst out smoking on a balcony, they saw someone shot. I read a book about the gangs and one of the places it spoke about was Rio. All the gangs stay in their own areas outside of the torist area's. The police don't even go in them areas. As long as you stay on the beaten path, you will be safe.

Fortaleza was amazing, nearly 10 women to one man. Hotels were cheap and the people were very friendly. Some very sexy ladies as well. No one got attacked or had a bad thing to say. My mate managed to get a girl to drive us around for the time we were there. The women just seem to want to please you and make you happy. I suppose it's because of the women to man ratio.

I hope my next ship is back down that way, I love the place.

I was on another ship that went to Montevideo, Uruguay. I never got ashore because i was duty, but i heard the stories. Most people got attacked by taxi drivers. There's probably more to their stories but "don't let the truth get in the way of a good dit", as we say.

Most people came across as it was a good place, but we were only there for one day, so i can't give a better account.

Hope this helps in some way.

Edit - Forgot to say, Thailand v Brazil, i would say Brazil is safer only because of the driving. If i had to choose between the two, i don't think i can.

Been to those places lots of times.

Regarding Rio, yes I agree with that.

We had several crew members robbed at daytime.

Rio is a bit hyped up.

I guess it was fantastic during the 60s and 70s.

Never experienced the taxi issues in Montevideo.

Brazil Vs Thailand? I take Thailand any day and night of the week.

I feel very safe here

:-)

[StreetCowboy]

Blether: Hong Kong Wanchai Amazonia (amongst others) has South American ladies - Columbian mostly, I believe, to date by the hour.

So I'm told.

If I'm in that part of town, I normally go to the White Stag for a quiet pint, in lieu of any depravity or debauchery

SC