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ALC - MADRID 1 HOUR FLIGHT
MADRID - FRANKFURT 3 HOUR FLIGHT
FRANKFURT - RIO 12 HOUR FLIGHT
RIO - SAO PAULO 12 HOUR OVERNIGHT COACH
SAO PAULO - FLORIANOPOLIS - 2 HOUR FLIGHT
FLORIANOPOLIS - SAO PAULO - 8 HOUR DRIVE
SAO PAULO - BOGOTTA - 7 HOURS FLIGHT
BOGOTTA - LIMA - 3 HOUR FLIGHT
LIMA - PIURRA - 3 HOUR FLIGHT
PIURRA - GUAYAQUIL EQUADOR - 12 HOUR COACH
GUAYAQUIL - BOGOTTA - 3 HOUR FLIGHT
BOGOTTA - RIO DE JANEIRO - 8 HOUR FLIGHT
RIO - JFK 12 HOUR FLIGHT
JFK - MADRID 8 HOUR FLIGHT
MAD-ALICANTE 1 HOUR
15 FLIGHTS - TOTAL 63 HOURS
2 COACHES - TOTAL 24 HOURS
28 day trip to South America
Holiday Inn Express Elche, Alicante Spain
Not Business friendly, only one plug socket at desk area. Not sure about upgrade (Platinum Ambassador priority club) was told I had "The Best" room in the Hotel? Not 100% sure if this was the case, room more a like to Holiday Inn Express, reminded me of a HIE in Madrid, modern foyer, deserted on a Sunday. I did push for an Executive room but was told this is what I was getting.
Was expecting more, however; The Holiday Inn Elche is handy for Alicante Airport (10-15 mins) The room was clean although there where several stray hairs floating around in the bathroom, my days of long hair have expired one of the hairs on the bathroom floor was of the pubic type (urgh) the separate walk in shower was nice although an extra tenner for a rain fall shower head would go a long way with me! Plenty of storage in the wardrobe, NO tea & coffee making facilities!!!!!
Parking is ample although use caution as Industrial estates are a magnet to local maggots that will break in to cars if anything is on display, best bring everything to the room where there is ample storage room, there is onsite safe parking under the Hotel although I think this is an extra €7 a night perfect if you are moving to Spain and have the car loaded, there are 5 parking spaces directly on the entrance so you may be able to bag one of those on a weekend or if you arrive early on a weekday.
The sofa in the room folds out in to a single bed, probably OK for 2 youngsters to sleep although I chose not to open. Smoking room allowed the window to be opened, non smoking did not although I am pretty sure a call to reception can get it unlocked if you prefer sleeping with the window open slightly. The Elche Holiday Inn is situated in the middle of a massive commercial park with many warehouses and commercial units, I would imagine that around 6-7am the Estate will be alive with loud activity and heavy vehicles Monday to Friday.
No idea what dinner is like as I decided to pop down to Alicante City to visit a Hotel that has a great bar and serves an amazing array of fresh tapas (will find out the name) and possibly maybe pop in and check out the Casino in Alicante that is located in the Harbour with what must be a commanding view of the Mediterranean.
TV channels in the room are great if you are Spanish, French or Italian! As with 95% of Spanish Hotel's the British only get SKY NEWS, I once asked a Spanish Hotel owner in Seville why Spanish Hotels never have British TV and was told "If they are in the room watching TV they are not spending money in the Hotel or the town"
Holiday Inn Elche was very modern in design, the interior atrium gave a relaxed feel to the Hotel. Having set the alarm for 6am it was an early start and within 15 minutes was at the airport long term parking service.
Check in was a breeze and my suitcase was checked in all the way to Rio de Janeiro, next stop the sala VIP that is run by Iberia Airlines and offers a Business class lounge to all Business class passengers and top tier members of "One World" this lounge was very relaxing with comfy leather sofas and good selection of drinks, they even had Walkers cheese n onion crisps that I now wish I had nabbed a couple of bags for the long flight from Madrid to Dallas Fort Worth.
after taking the Iberia flight from Alicante in Business on a code share with AA I transfered to Terminal 4S to catch the American Airlines flight to Dallas, spent several hours in the business lounge that offered a prety poor breakfast selection that consisted of Spanish Tortilla moody looking mushrooms and bread rolls. Made my way to the gate and heard my name over the tannoy so identified myself to the gate staff who advised me that I did not have a visa or ESTA as it is now known as, I was told to run to the Iberia desk where I was given a slip of paper with this domain name - <https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/> I was told to go back to the entrance of the gates and go in the internet cafe, i filled out the online form and just as I was about to hit the pay now button the internet cut off, no warning! It just cut off! I then realised that my €1 had bought 7 minutes of internet time, after messing around for ten minutes I got the reference number needed and run to the gate as fast as I could. As I aproached the gate I was told that it was closed. Luckily a Lady from American Airlines was stood there and was aware of my situation and advised me to go and relax in the lounge whilst she tried to get me on another flight, about 20 minutes later I had been re-routed to Frankfurt where I was told I would be taking a Lufthansa flight direct to Rio.
This was great news as instead of slapping all the way to Dallas and then down to Rio I would be enjoying a direct flight with Lufthansa, unfortunately the Iberia flight to Frankfurt was sold out in Business (The flight was packed) but managed to bag me an emergency exit seat. During all of this I e-mailed a friend about was was happening who told me that the Luftahansa flight out of Frankfurt was in fact a code share with TAM I had not heard of TAM and felt a bit upset as they where not a ONE WORLD carrier and I would therefore not bag the points or the tier points for my BA card. I had spent 2 months waiting for the right deal, with the right points etc so that I would get my Silver membership for BA and top up my growing Avios account as I use my Iberia card every time I put diesel in any of my vehicles and always use Iberia and Vueling for weekends away in Europe. Sometimes the best laid plans fall apart. I would have given my Luftahansa frequent flyer number to the TAM staff at the gate however my laptop was dead and I could not access my list of membership numbers so must remember to print them all out and keep them all in my passport holder in case this happens again.
Upon landing in Frankfurt I caught the train to Terminal 1 to catch my flight to RIO with TAM, I just made it to the gate in time and was assured that my luggage was being transferred to this aircraft.
The Business class section of the aircraft was 2 + 2 + 2 i was in middle row 8G next to a big fella that would not look out of place on a rugby pitch, I inquired if I could move to one of the empty seats at the back of the Business class cabin but was told that these where reserved for crew rest (nice) I had a quick word with the crew in the galley explaining about the missed flight and how an upgrade to first class would be great but had no joy.
Whilst trying to stow my bag and take out stuff I would need for the flight the crew kept offering me champagne and snacks and I said "gimme 5 minutes" they kept offering so I accepted a glass of champagne and I placed it on the centre console and said careful there is a glass there to my next door neighbour who then promptly knocked the glass over my seat, it is now 8pm I have been on the go since 6am running from terminal to terminal and I was about to loose it when one of the crew immediately removed the seat base and apperaed with a new one. Within 15 minutes we pushed back from the gate and where very quickly airborne heading for RIO. Food selection was good and Ribera del Duero Spanish red wine was on offer so mamaged to polish off a bottle before falling asleep after a nice dinner of Foe Grass followed by chicken with a pesto sauce.
After sleeping for 2 hours I watched a movie and fell asleep again half way through and this time managed to get to sleep laying on my side after folding the blanket in two and using it as a topper, luckily there where some spare blankets in the overhead bins so when I awoke after an hour feeling a bit chilly this was sorted without fuss. On long 12 hour flights I use my stop clock so that I can see how long we have been traveling for without having to use the map that was available on my own personal screen that was controlled by a multi purpose remote control that was on a retractable cord. One thing I hate and have absolutely no idea why they do it! Was the location of the speaker hole where you insert your headphone jack, I had declined the airlines headphones as I always carry my foldable JVC noise canceling headphones HA-NC80 that I always carry with me, the issue was that every time I moved the jack would come out of the hole, this was so annoying. The location of the socket was also a nusience as was the location of the buttons that control the seat.
As the plan was to fly AA to Dallas and then on to RIO I had researched what power outlets are used on the aircraft so had purchased a DC adapter for my laptop that last around 4 hours when watching movies, that adapter was of no use on the TAM flight, as the plug socket was a miniature version of the two pin Spanish style plug but the gap in between the pins was way smaller. Movie selection was OK.
On arriving in Rio de Janeiro International Airport GIG I made my through passport control (45 mins) and then spent an hour at the luggage carousel waiting for my suitcase. My suitcase never appeared and after seeing the token abandoned childs buggy and suspicous looking black holdall I gave up and headed for the lost luggage counter that was ten deep with iritable tired long hall passengers screaming and shouting in various languages as to the whereabouts of there carefully packed and often brand new wardrobe.
After standing in line for 5 minutes growing more and more angry I noticed that my suitcase was on a big trolley just to the left of the lost luggage desk, releived I grabbed my suitcase and headed out to the International arrivals hall at Rio International Airport GIG.
As you walk through customs there is a small currency exchange office avoid this if you can or only change enough to get you to your Hotel, the exchange rates at this beareu de change is terrible, you will get better rates around your Hotel or Travel agents that also double up as money changers.
ALC - MADRID 1 HOUR FLIGHT
MADRID - FRANKFURT 3 HOUR FLIGHT
FRANKFURT - RIO 12 HOUR FLIGHT
RIO - SAO PAULO 12 HOUR OVERNIGHT COACH
SAO PAULO - FLORIANOPOLIS - 2 HOUR FLIGHT
FLORIANOPOLIS - SAO PAULO - 8 HOUR DRIVE
SAO PAULO - BOGOTTA - 7 HOURS FLIGHT
BOGOTTA - LIMA - 3 HOUR FLIGHT
LIMA - PIURRA - 3 HOUR FLIGHT
PIURRA - GUAYAQUIL EQUADOR - 12 HOUR COACH
GUAYAQUIL - BOGOTTA - 3 HOUR FLIGHT
BOGOTTA - RIO DE JANEIRO - 8 HOUR FLIGHT
RIO - JFK 12 HOUR FLIGHT
JFK - MADRID 8 HOUR FLIGHT
MAD-ALICANTE 1 HOUR
15 FLIGHTS - TOTAL 63 HOURS
2 COACHES - TOTAL 24 HOURS
28 day trip to South America
Holiday Inn Express Elche, Alicante Spain
Not Business friendly, only one plug socket at desk area. Not sure about upgrade (Platinum Ambassador priority club) was told I had "The Best" room in the Hotel? Not 100% sure if this was the case, room more a like to Holiday Inn Express, reminded me of a HIE in Madrid, modern foyer, deserted on a Sunday. I did push for an Executive room but was told this is what I was getting.
Was expecting more, however; The Holiday Inn Elche is handy for Alicante Airport (10-15 mins) The room was clean although there where several stray hairs floating around in the bathroom, my days of long hair have expired one of the hairs on the bathroom floor was of the pubic type (urgh) the separate walk in shower was nice although an extra tenner for a rain fall shower head would go a long way with me! Plenty of storage in the wardrobe, NO tea & coffee making facilities!!!!!
Parking is ample although use caution as Industrial estates are a magnet to local maggots that will break in to cars if anything is on display, best bring everything to the room where there is ample storage room, there is onsite safe parking under the Hotel although I think this is an extra €7 a night perfect if you are moving to Spain and have the car loaded, there are 5 parking spaces directly on the entrance so you may be able to bag one of those on a weekend or if you arrive early on a weekday.
The sofa in the room folds out in to a single bed, probably OK for 2 youngsters to sleep although I chose not to open. Smoking room allowed the window to be opened, non smoking did not although I am pretty sure a call to reception can get it unlocked if you prefer sleeping with the window open slightly. The Elche Holiday Inn is situated in the middle of a massive commercial park with many warehouses and commercial units, I would imagine that around 6-7am the Estate will be alive with loud activity and heavy vehicles Monday to Friday.
No idea what dinner is like as I decided to pop down to Alicante City to visit a Hotel that has a great bar and serves an amazing array of fresh tapas (will find out the name) and possibly maybe pop in and check out the Casino in Alicante that is located in the Harbour with what must be a commanding view of the Mediterranean.
TV channels in the room are great if you are Spanish, French or Italian! As with 95% of Spanish Hotel's the British only get SKY NEWS, I once asked a Spanish Hotel owner in Seville why Spanish Hotels never have British TV and was told "If they are in the room watching TV they are not spending money in the Hotel or the town"
Holiday Inn Elche was very modern in design, the interior atrium gave a relaxed feel to the Hotel. Having set the alarm for 6am it was an early start and within 15 minutes was at the airport long term parking service.
Check in was a breeze and my suitcase was checked in all the way to Rio de Janeiro, next stop the sala VIP that is run by Iberia Airlines and offers a Business class lounge to all Business class passengers and top tier members of "One World" this lounge was very relaxing with comfy leather sofas and good selection of drinks, they even had Walkers cheese n onion crisps that I now wish I had nabbed a couple of bags for the long flight from Madrid to Dallas Fort Worth.
after taking the Iberia flight from Alicante in Business on a code share with AA I transfered to Terminal 4S to catch the American Airlines flight to Dallas, spent several hours in the business lounge that offered a prety poor breakfast selection that consisted of Spanish Tortilla moody looking mushrooms and bread rolls. Made my way to the gate and heard my name over the tannoy so identified myself to the gate staff who advised me that I did not have a visa or ESTA as it is now known as, I was told to run to the Iberia desk where I was given a slip of paper with this domain name - <https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/> I was told to go back to the entrance of the gates and go in the internet cafe, i filled out the online form and just as I was about to hit the pay now button the internet cut off, no warning! It just cut off! I then realised that my €1 had bought 7 minutes of internet time, after messing around for ten minutes I got the reference number needed and run to the gate as fast as I could. As I aproached the gate I was told that it was closed. Luckily a Lady from American Airlines was stood there and was aware of my situation and advised me to go and relax in the lounge whilst she tried to get me on another flight, about 20 minutes later I had been re-routed to Frankfurt where I was told I would be taking a Lufthansa flight direct to Rio.
This was great news as instead of slapping all the way to Dallas and then down to Rio I would be enjoying a direct flight with Lufthansa, unfortunately the Iberia flight to Frankfurt was sold out in Business (The flight was packed) but managed to bag me an emergency exit seat. During all of this I e-mailed a friend about was was happening who told me that the Luftahansa flight out of Frankfurt was in fact a code share with TAM I had not heard of TAM and felt a bit upset as they where not a ONE WORLD carrier and I would therefore not bag the points or the tier points for my BA card. I had spent 2 months waiting for the right deal, with the right points etc so that I would get my Silver membership for BA and top up my growing Avios account as I use my Iberia card every time I put diesel in any of my vehicles and always use Iberia and Vueling for weekends away in Europe. Sometimes the best laid plans fall apart. I would have given my Luftahansa frequent flyer number to the TAM staff at the gate however my laptop was dead and I could not access my list of membership numbers so must remember to print them all out and keep them all in my passport holder in case this happens again.
Upon landing in Frankfurt I caught the train to Terminal 1 to catch my flight to RIO with TAM, I just made it to the gate in time and was assured that my luggage was being transferred to this aircraft.
The Business class section of the aircraft was 2 + 2 + 2 i was in middle row 8G next to a big fella that would not look out of place on a rugby pitch, I inquired if I could move to one of the empty seats at the back of the Business class cabin but was told that these where reserved for crew rest (nice) I had a quick word with the crew in the galley explaining about the missed flight and how an upgrade to first class would be great but had no joy.
Whilst trying to stow my bag and take out stuff I would need for the flight the crew kept offering me champagne and snacks and I said "gimme 5 minutes" they kept offering so I accepted a glass of champagne and I placed it on the centre console and said careful there is a glass there to my next door neighbour who then promptly knocked the glass over my seat, it is now 8pm I have been on the go since 6am running from terminal to terminal and I was about to loose it when one of the crew immediately removed the seat base and apperaed with a new one. Within 15 minutes we pushed back from the gate and where very quickly airborne heading for RIO. Food selection was good and Ribera del Duero Spanish red wine was on offer so mamaged to polish off a bottle before falling asleep after a nice dinner of Foe Grass followed by chicken with a pesto sauce.
After sleeping for 2 hours I watched a movie and fell asleep again half way through and this time managed to get to sleep laying on my side after folding the blanket in two and using it as a topper, luckily there where some spare blankets in the overhead bins so when I awoke after an hour feeling a bit chilly this was sorted without fuss. On long 12 hour flights I use my stop clock so that I can see how long we have been traveling for without having to use the map that was available on my own personal screen that was controlled by a multi purpose remote control that was on a retractable cord. One thing I hate and have absolutely no idea why they do it! Was the location of the speaker hole where you insert your headphone jack, I had declined the airlines headphones as I always carry my foldable JVC noise canceling headphones HA-NC80 that I always carry with me, the issue was that every time I moved the jack would come out of the hole, this was so annoying. The location of the socket was also a nusience as was the location of the buttons that control the seat.
As the plan was to fly AA to Dallas and then on to RIO I had researched what power outlets are used on the aircraft so had purchased a DC adapter for my laptop that last around 4 hours when watching movies, that adapter was of no use on the TAM flight, as the plug socket was a miniature version of the two pin Spanish style plug but the gap in between the pins was way smaller. Movie selection was OK.
On arriving in Rio de Janeiro International Airport GIG I made my through passport control (45 mins) and then spent an hour at the luggage carousel waiting for my suitcase. My suitcase never appeared and after seeing the token abandoned childs buggy and suspicous looking black holdall I gave up and headed for the lost luggage counter that was ten deep with iritable tired long hall passengers screaming and shouting in various languages as to the whereabouts of there carefully packed and often brand new wardrobe.
After standing in line for 5 minutes growing more and more angry I noticed that my suitcase was on a big trolley just to the left of the lost luggage desk, releived I grabbed my suitcase and headed out to the International arrivals hall at Rio International Airport GIG.
As you walk through customs there is a small currency exchange office avoid this if you can or only change enough to get you to your Hotel, the exchange rates at this beareu de change is terrible, you will get better rates around your Hotel or Travel agents that also double up as money changers.
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Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
RIO OTHON PALACE HOTEL
Whilst overpriced and in need of a good scrub and some moderation this Hotel does have a commanding position on Copacabana Beach. The exterior of the Hotel was undergoing extensive renovations with chaps hanging on ropes around the outside of the Hotel sanding, filling and painting the exterior after a heavy night in Rio waking up to the sunny beach taking in the view all of a sudden a painter came flying past on a rope. The breakfast buffet room at the Othon Palace Hotel felt like feeding time at the pig pit, with people jostling and pushing to gain entry and then picking at the buffet with a total disregard for other diners personal space, people where literally climbing over and under to fill there plate dashing from side to side it was ridiculous. I would have expected better rewards for all the pushing and showing as the food on offer was pretty grim. The scrambled eggs served up each morning where totally disgusting.
After canceling our reservation at Paradiso All Suites Hotel we booked the Scorial Hotel in the Flamengo area, this really is a fantastic Hotel and although it is a good 20 minute walk (downhill) to the deserted beach you can always catch a taxi 25 rials or take the subway to some of the more popular beaches such as Copocabana, Ipanema and Leblon. This Hotel was a lot more budget friendly and the rooms modern and comfortable.
REDLIGHT DISTRICT IN RIO DE JANEIRO
What an eye opener, the are known as Villa Memosa consists of many bars on the main road and then lots of little alleyways with hundreds of little bars that all have very loud sound systems and are all competing with who has the loudest music that it is almost unbearable, traveling in a group of four and not exactly being a small person I found the area a bit scary for the first hour but after we all relaxed with a few beers realized that everyone was just interested in having a good time, never witnessed any arrogation or had any hassle, enjoyed some excellent pork and rice from a street vendor who had tables and cold beers who looked after us for a few hours. The entrance to the area was littered with what I assume where free lance hookers that looked like they needed dissinfecting and scrubbing for 6 hours as they looked ruff as hell, in fact I never witnessed any woman above a 4 so if you are looking for a Amsterdam type of red light are in Rio then you will be disappointed unless you are in to dark skinned women with massive butts. The area is filthy dirty, had to use the bathroom in one bar and it was one of the worst even worse than the worst bathroom ever in India many years ago.
The area of Flamengo where our Hotel was located had a great high street that was a lot cheaper than other shops we had visited and a lot cheaper than the shopping malls.
SCORIAL HOTEL Good value (for Rio) clean rooms, twin room on 8th floor at front of Hotel offered a view of "Christo" and is lit up at night. Great Breakfast with great breakfast staff that are constantly refreshing the breakfast buffet and have welcoming smiles even at 7am. I liked the location as it is on a normal high street with handy launderer that offered a wash and iron service, domino's pizza, mc don, kfc are all but a stroll away as is my favorite the kilo restaurant grill on the main road that has a massive buffet that you help yourself and a grill area with massive steaks, chicken al the meat you could imagine and they keep piling you up until you say stop, once you have filled your plate there is a small desk where they weigh your plate & food and print off a sticker that is placed on your chit that everyone is individually given so your meal and drinks are all placed on your chit and when you have finished they add up your chit at the cashiers desk by the entrance that is manned by someone who permanently stands at the door handing out new chits to customers entering the restaurant and check paid chits of guest leaving under the watchful eye of a big security guard. You will notice that many businesses in Rio and most of Brazil have big security guards and most of them are mostly armed.
Florianopolis - Brazil
Described as the "Ibiza of Brazil" and with many people commenting on Florianopolis with a big smile and confirming that a Florianopolis was a big party Island the prospect of a 12 hour overnight coach to Sao Paulo to catch a 7 hour coach ride seemed like a great idea as flights from Rio de Janeiro where crazy money and not wanting to heamorage the budget someone had recommended the over night sleeper coaches that are managed by several different operators we chose 1001 coaches that had an overnight coach from Rio de Janeiro to Sau Paulo that cost B$125 per person, this was an all executive coach that had comfy seats that reclined almost flat, the best seats on these coaches are on the lower deck of the coach as there is no rolling feeling when going around the bends anmd the seats looked a lot bigger and able to recline fully flat, these lower deck seats had a lot more room.
The day before departing Rio de Janeiro managed to find some cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis for just B$120 per person, compared to a 7 hour B$85 coach ride this was a no brainer. Booked the flight with GOL AIRLINES they have an interesting system wherE you reserve your tickets and then pay cash or card when you collect them on the day of flying unless you have a Brazilian debit or credit card and a national identity number.
It took and hour and thirty minutes to fly from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis and after renting a car checked in to HOTEL GERANIUS in the Praia Ingleses.
RIO OTHON PALACE HOTEL
Whilst overpriced and in need of a good scrub and some moderation this Hotel does have a commanding position on Copacabana Beach. The exterior of the Hotel was undergoing extensive renovations with chaps hanging on ropes around the outside of the Hotel sanding, filling and painting the exterior after a heavy night in Rio waking up to the sunny beach taking in the view all of a sudden a painter came flying past on a rope. The breakfast buffet room at the Othon Palace Hotel felt like feeding time at the pig pit, with people jostling and pushing to gain entry and then picking at the buffet with a total disregard for other diners personal space, people where literally climbing over and under to fill there plate dashing from side to side it was ridiculous. I would have expected better rewards for all the pushing and showing as the food on offer was pretty grim. The scrambled eggs served up each morning where totally disgusting.
After canceling our reservation at Paradiso All Suites Hotel we booked the Scorial Hotel in the Flamengo area, this really is a fantastic Hotel and although it is a good 20 minute walk (downhill) to the deserted beach you can always catch a taxi 25 rials or take the subway to some of the more popular beaches such as Copocabana, Ipanema and Leblon. This Hotel was a lot more budget friendly and the rooms modern and comfortable.
REDLIGHT DISTRICT IN RIO DE JANEIRO
What an eye opener, the are known as Villa Memosa consists of many bars on the main road and then lots of little alleyways with hundreds of little bars that all have very loud sound systems and are all competing with who has the loudest music that it is almost unbearable, traveling in a group of four and not exactly being a small person I found the area a bit scary for the first hour but after we all relaxed with a few beers realized that everyone was just interested in having a good time, never witnessed any arrogation or had any hassle, enjoyed some excellent pork and rice from a street vendor who had tables and cold beers who looked after us for a few hours. The entrance to the area was littered with what I assume where free lance hookers that looked like they needed dissinfecting and scrubbing for 6 hours as they looked ruff as hell, in fact I never witnessed any woman above a 4 so if you are looking for a Amsterdam type of red light are in Rio then you will be disappointed unless you are in to dark skinned women with massive butts. The area is filthy dirty, had to use the bathroom in one bar and it was one of the worst even worse than the worst bathroom ever in India many years ago.
The area of Flamengo where our Hotel was located had a great high street that was a lot cheaper than other shops we had visited and a lot cheaper than the shopping malls.
SCORIAL HOTEL Good value (for Rio) clean rooms, twin room on 8th floor at front of Hotel offered a view of "Christo" and is lit up at night. Great Breakfast with great breakfast staff that are constantly refreshing the breakfast buffet and have welcoming smiles even at 7am. I liked the location as it is on a normal high street with handy launderer that offered a wash and iron service, domino's pizza, mc don, kfc are all but a stroll away as is my favorite the kilo restaurant grill on the main road that has a massive buffet that you help yourself and a grill area with massive steaks, chicken al the meat you could imagine and they keep piling you up until you say stop, once you have filled your plate there is a small desk where they weigh your plate & food and print off a sticker that is placed on your chit that everyone is individually given so your meal and drinks are all placed on your chit and when you have finished they add up your chit at the cashiers desk by the entrance that is manned by someone who permanently stands at the door handing out new chits to customers entering the restaurant and check paid chits of guest leaving under the watchful eye of a big security guard. You will notice that many businesses in Rio and most of Brazil have big security guards and most of them are mostly armed.
Florianopolis - Brazil
Described as the "Ibiza of Brazil" and with many people commenting on Florianopolis with a big smile and confirming that a Florianopolis was a big party Island the prospect of a 12 hour overnight coach to Sao Paulo to catch a 7 hour coach ride seemed like a great idea as flights from Rio de Janeiro where crazy money and not wanting to heamorage the budget someone had recommended the over night sleeper coaches that are managed by several different operators we chose 1001 coaches that had an overnight coach from Rio de Janeiro to Sau Paulo that cost B$125 per person, this was an all executive coach that had comfy seats that reclined almost flat, the best seats on these coaches are on the lower deck of the coach as there is no rolling feeling when going around the bends anmd the seats looked a lot bigger and able to recline fully flat, these lower deck seats had a lot more room.
The day before departing Rio de Janeiro managed to find some cheap flights from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis for just B$120 per person, compared to a 7 hour B$85 coach ride this was a no brainer. Booked the flight with GOL AIRLINES they have an interesting system wherE you reserve your tickets and then pay cash or card when you collect them on the day of flying unless you have a Brazilian debit or credit card and a national identity number.
It took and hour and thirty minutes to fly from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis and after renting a car checked in to HOTEL GERANIUS in the Praia Ingleses.
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Florianopolis was not exactly what I was expecting and despite being told that Florianopolis was a party Island there was not really much nightlife to be found in February perhaps being out of season there was not much happening on the Island, upon leaving the airport some big bill boards where promoting various night clubs and superstar DJ Fat Boy Slim had been on the Island just 3 days before.