GUIDEBOOK UPDATES

[trilingual]

There's much more to Rio and Buenos Aires than escorts (impressions from this site to the contrary). For those considering visits to Eastern South America, I can recommend the updated and extensively revised 2004 editions of the Lonely Planet city guide to Rio and the TimeOut guide to Buenos Aires. Both are not only full of useful, current information, they' re well-written and will give you a good idea of what you'll find in these two great cities.

[buckguy]

I've used the Lonelyplanet guides for Chile, the Patagonia, and used the Bir brazil guide for the Amazon and Bahia states in Brazil, as well as Rio. In addition, I've used the Rough Guide and Footprints Brazil guides (and their guides to Chile). Although Footprints used to be considered "the guide" for independent travel in South America, I thought their Brazil guide was less useful than the Lonelyplanet (ditto for their Chile guide). I have a similar opinion regarding the Rough Guide for Brazil. The downside to the Lonelyplanet is that the maps and addresses are sometimes inaccurate--usually off by a street or two and this often occurs in places where neighborhoods can get dicey rather quickly (e.g., the fringes of Salvador's old center). They also miss some important aspects of places--they didn't note that Itacare (on the Bahia coats) is an internationally known surfing center---lots of eye candy, as you'd imagine.

 

The Lonelyplanet website (http://www.lonelyplanet.com) is a good source of up to date information, especially the "ThornTree" bulletin board which is divided by geography (there's a South America thread) and by interests (there's a gay/lesbian thread, although I've found it only intermitently useful).

 

If you're traveling in the Amazon region, the Bradt guide to the Amazon is excellent. It covers all of the countries in the region, although you'll need the Lonelyplanet or some other country-specific guide to get a really good overview of accomodations and attractions in the various cities. This book is relatively difficult to find. I bought it from Distant Lands Travel store travel book store in Pasadena, CA (http://www.distantlands.com), which does mail order and is an excellent resource, although much of their stock is not listed on their website. I live in Atlanta which is a particularly bad place to shop for foreign travel books unless you're going to the typical spots in the Caribbean or Western Europe. You also can order the Bradt guide from Amazon.com.

[jivau3930]

Carlo at romanusrj@uol.com.br is another excellent guidebook for Brasil. I have just returned to Rio from 4 unbelieveable and indescribeable day in Foz do Iguacu. This tour was arranged by Carlo for me and my dearest friend (etc.) Michel. Words and not adquately describe the wonders of the Iguacu falls! Carlo had made reservations for us at the Tropical Cataratas Hotel inside the national park so we could see and hear some of the falls from our room. The first night we left the window to our room open and fell asleep to the sound of the rushing falls. Michel was attacked by insects (and me) that night so we closed the windows for the remaining nights.

Iguacu Falls are not to be experienced alone. Take someone you care about so you can share the experience - an experience you will NEVER forget!!

The first night Carlo had arranged for us to attend the Latin Cultural Show. We had an excellent English speaking guide named Marcio, who had made arrangements for us to arrive early and to be seated before actual opening so we were the first seated - and we had excellent seats. The food and the show were magnificant - the costumes, the performers - everything. I had trouble keeping Michel from rushing the stage for during the Brasilian segment - he wanted to dance so badly. What a way to start a beautiful four days!

We also toured the falls from the Argentina side, the highlight being the ``Devil´s Throat`` section of the falls. There are thousands, maybe millions of tons of water coming over the falls that seem to go down into the depths of hell. The Devil´s Throat is somewhat mesmerising - you look long enough and somehow, one is compelled to dive into the Throat.

The highlight though, was the Macuco Boat Safari - an unforgettable boat ride practically into two of the falls. Michel and I sat in the front of the boat to experience the force and power of the water, which is figuratively and literally breathtaking! We choose not to purchase the thin, plastic ponchos. Michel removed his shirt and I could hear a few gasps (he has a body only God could create). At the end, every thread on our bodies were soaked and we left the boat drenched - feeling a natural high that was/is beyond description.

I don´t know enough adjectives to describe the Iguacu Falls. The falls will stimulate every sense know to man - and some not know. The sheer power of the falls is mind-boggling!

We have returned to Rio now and Michel and I are still talking about the trip. I am sooo overcome with the fact that, regardless of what happens to the relationship between Michel and me, he will always remember that he shared the Iguacu Falls experience with me. That´s satisfaction enough for me and makes any expense involved inconsequential.

Tomorrow I leave for Sao Paulo, then on Sept 24 for Manaus. On September 29 I return to Rio and a month with Michel.

(This has not been proofed!!!)