SAFETY IN RIO

I copied these tips from www.ipanema.com/rio/basics/e/safety.htm feel free to go there for more information.

SAFETY IN RIO


Do not even bother packing flashy jewelry, gold, or platinum and diamond-studded watches. If you've got it or like it, this is place to buy them but not the place to flaunt it...

Your invaluable valuables belong in the safety box of your hotel room.

Carry along a photocopy of your passport, in case you are asked to show some ID. Leave the original together with your driver's license in your safety box (unless you're driving, of course).

Do not take along more cash than you need. Most restaurants and stores take plastic, anyway, and you use your debit cards ATM's at selected banks.

Stay on the South side of Rio, or at areas specifically recommend by our insider's guide.

Avoid dark or isolated areas where you do not see a single soul at night (duhh), such as the Flamengo Park, or the Financial District.

Walk with a sense of purpose, as if you knew where you are going to. Looking like a victim is the first step to becoming one.
Don't leave your camcorder or state-of-the-art camera swinging from your limp hand, like a shopping bag. Wear shoulder straps.

If you bring along expensive cameras, camcorders or laptops, consider an insurance.

At the beach, do not leave your expensive camera, passport and/or cash laying around on the sand unattended while you go for a few laps. Do not hide your money in your $200 sneakers either, or you will lose both (that's an old one).

Don't take off your watch and leave it laying on the sand behind your back while you are sitting on the sand distracted by the girls or boys that pass by (we've seen saw someone do this...)

Do not take regular buses alone (see getting around), taxis cost much less than you expect. If you must take a bus (at your own risk), avoid the window seats and the back rows. Keep the exact change in hand, so you don't have to mess with your wallet (which is obviously in your front pocket).

Good Night Cinderella is an old trick that still works. You take a drink offered by a friendly stranger (men or woman). It contains powerful sleeping drugs. You will need help to get back to your hotel room, and this caring and friendly person will gain access to your valuables while you are helpless. Do not leave your drink unattended at bars or discos, for the same reason.

Don't take strangers you've just met back to your hotel room - even if you think you are in love! This is the easiest way to become a victim of violence or theft. Say that your hotel does not allow visitors (which may well be true) and go to a honeymoon motel, instead. Everybody knows where to find them.

If someone accidentally spills something on you in the street, and offers to clean it say thank you, and walk away. They may have a partner waiting for a chance to pick your wallet while you are distracted with the action.

At nightclubs and rock shows, stay away from pitboys. These muscular guys, nicknamed after their pitbulls, tend to hang out in boys-only groups. They may pick up fights for no apparent reason (we know it's the steroids speaking). Their favorite victims are members of other pitboy groups, or with security guards.

Don't get involved with the drug scene, even if you think you know what you're doing.

If you get in trouble with the police, do not offer a bribe. It could make things go from bad to sour. Underhanded cops are usually very open when they are creating a problem to sell the solution. They will take the initiative of asking for the cervejinha (i.e. tip).

If the worse happens and you are approached by some criminal element, try and keep calm. Never fight back. They may have guns, be on drugs, could react violently. You certainly have more to lose than they do.

Though police officers in the street try to be helpful, most do not speak other languages. If you need to report something was stolen for insurance purposes, go directly to the tourist police (DEAT). Their office is located in Leblon, on Av. Afrânio de Mello Franco s/n, across from nightclub Scala.

NEW YEARS BOAT CELEBRATION-RSVP! =)

HERE ARE THE DETAILS FOR THE NEW YEARS BOAT CELEBRATION- IF YOU ARE INTERESTED EMAIL US AT NUMAFRANCISWEDDINGINRIO@YAHOO.COM

Thank you - we can't wat to celebrate with all of you...



Capacity is 160 people, but they will sell a maximum of 120 tickets. He still has at least 50 tickets available, but we should act quickly to ensure that everyone in your group who would like tickets can obtain then, as they will not hold tickets for us without payment.


-Tropical Bar Menu:
Caipirinha/caipivodka (lime, passion fruit & berries)
Beers, soft drinks, mineral waterNational Champagne for midnight toast ( 1 bottle per couple)
Fruit cocktails, rum & coke, screwdrivers

- Midnight Buffet Menu:
Patês and mousses
Variety of canapés
Italian Antipasti
Melon with Parma ham
Assorted cheeses, cold cuts, quail eggs, breads etc
Beef and Salmon carpaccio with caper and parmesan sauce
Shrimp with pineapple
Assorted tropical fruit platters

- Music and illumination throughout the cruise

- Schedule
23:00 h Boat leaves from Marina da Gloria
00:00 h Fireworks in front of Copacabana Beach
01:30 h Return to Marina da Gloria for optional deboarding
01:45 h Return to Guanabara Bay in front of Flamengo Beach and continuation of party
05:00 h Return to Marina da Gloria for final deboarding

- Price per person R$ 275,00 + 18% taxes (156 USD) (106 EUR)
Payment must be made in full to secure tickets.

Please do let us know as soon as possible.

Numa and Francis

HELPFUL TIPS AND PLACES OF INTEREST IN RIO

English Website on Brazilian culture & politics:



Brazil Max www.brazilmax.com



Restaurants:



Zaza Bistrô www.zazabistro.com.br

Carlota www.carlota.com.br

Osteria dell´Angelo www.osteriadellangolo.com.br

Satyricon www.satyricon.com.br

Marius www.marius.com.br

Roberta Sudbrak www.robertasudbrack.com.br

Miam Miam www.miammiam.com.br

Brasserie Rosário: www.brasserierosario.com.br

Espirto Santa: www.espiritosanta.com.br

Aprazível: www.aprazivel.com.br



Cafés:



Confeteria Colombo : www.confeitariacolombo.com.br

Garcia e Rodrigues: www.garciaerodrigues.com.br



Ice cream:



Mil Frutas www.milfrutas.com.br



Sigtseeing



Feira de São Cristóvão : www.feiradesaocristovao.org.br

Pão de Açúcar: www.bondinho.com.br

Feira Hippie: www.feirahippie.hpg.ig.com.

Botanical Gardens: www.jbrj.gov.br



Museums



Museu de Arte Moderno www.mamrio.com.br

Museu de Arte Contemporâneo de Niterói www.macniteroi.com.br

Museu Casa do Pontal www.popular.art.br/museucasadopontal

Museu de Folclore www.cnfcp.com.br





Bars and dance clubs



Rio Scenarium www.rioscenarium.com.br

Carioca da Gema www.barcariocadagema.com.br

Estrela de Lap www.estreladalapa.com.br

00 : www.00site.com.br

Trapiche Gamboa: www.trapichegamboa.com.br





Shopping malls:



Rio Sul www.riosul.com.br

Galeria Fórum Ipanema www.forumipanema.com.br

Shopping Leblon: www.shoppingleblon.com.br

Vertical Shopping www.shoppingvertical.com.br



Design:



Daqui www.daquidobrasil.com

Novo Desenho www.novodesenho.com.br

Mercado Moderno: www.mercadomodernobrasil.com.br





Music

Modern Sound www.modernsound.com.br





Brazilian Clothing Design:

Dona Coisa www.donacoisa.com.br

Novamente www.lojanovamente.com.br

Favela Hype www.favelahype.com.br

Reserva www.reservananet.com.br

Totem Praia www.totempraia.com.br

Osklen www.osklen.com

Farm www.farmrio.com.br

Colcci www.colcci.com.br





Swimwear:

Salinas www.salinas.com.br

Lenny www.lenny.com.br

Quasinu: www.quasinu.com



Brazilian Accesories:



Mônica Carvalho www.monicacarvalho.com.br

Parceria Carioca www.parceiriacarioca.com.br

Sobral www.rsobral.com.br

Amazon Life www.amazonlife.com

Gilson Martins: www.gilsonmartins.com.br