We're going to Brazil...are you?

Hey guys, we (Courtney and I) would like to inform you all that we've already purchased our tickets to Brazil (departure date 12/16/09).

IT'S OFFICIAL....ASH AND ERIN ARE ON BOARD TOO! WELCOME LADIES! Shall we start making our T-shirts, practicing Portuguese, and dancing the Samba??? ;


Now the question is....Are you joining us?

http://www.viator.com/Natal/d820

Check the price for the tickets

Use the link below to check the available flights and the prices.

http://www.bookingwiz.com/default.asp?mic=lkf3x5e&prod=air&gclid=COSziczCxJoCFRKIxwodjA4irA

Going Insano...

Check out this water park that is about five hours from Natal. It will be worth going there to enjoy the park and to visit another capital city of Brazil, Fortaleza.

Do you think you can fall from 134'? Check the "Insano" ride.

http://www.beachpark.com.br/english/home/home.asp

First step...no turning back

Hi everyone, Courtney and I are definitely buying the tickets next week. It will probably happen before Wednesday. It would be awesome if all of us were on the same plan. If you you'd like to buy the tickets with us, please let us know prior to 5/20/09.

Are you bored? Go to Natal

Some videos to give you guys an idea of what we will be enjoying in Natal. More to come...

Land Rover Trip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q2aVVD4NLI

Skibunda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYVvlan8Q8&feature=related

Aerobunda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v62Kyu9SPuY

Dunes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rnH0IdRuGw&feature=related

Paragliding:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is_uyrAu9TU&feature=related

Natal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j05B-WSkHFo&feature=related

Oceanic fishing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjSBsbjgH1c&NR=1

Just a daily up date....

I hope everyone is checking the blog out daily and learning the Portuguese word for the day at the bottom. Let's remember to use the comment feature to stay in touch more often, and also remember to search some beach houses and flights if you get time. If you find anything neat, post a comment. Don't let the countdown at the top bring you down....time will fly by! December will be here before we know it and then we will be on the beautiful beaches of Natal riding camels :) Valeu! (thats bye in Portuguese)

Introduction

Welcome Everyone! As you know, we are planning a trip to Brazil for December 2009. Here you will find flight information, beach house rentals, and excursions to participate in. Feel free to leave some comments. Woooo Hooo.....let's get EXCITED!!! Que legal!!!

"Life takes VISA"...

Dear friends, to make it easier on everybody we are posting some info concerning the places and the requirements to obtain the Brazilian " tourist visa".

Requirements:

1) one visa application for (http://www.brazilmiami.org/eng/pdf/visa_form.pdf )per applicant, properly and completely filled in. Note: Every applicant must complete Item 21 of the visa application form, "Comments" (Purpose of Trip). In this section, the applicant must explain precisely what they are going to do while in Brazil.

2) A passport (valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration date, and with at least one blank page available for the visa stamp); for non-Americans returning to the United States, copy of green card or valid re-entry visa allowing for re-entry into the United States; for non-Americans without a green card or valid re-entry visa into the United States, valid visa to country of final destination after the trip to Brazil (this requirement does not apply to applicants returning to their country of citizenship);

3) one recent 2" x 2" passport-type photo, either in color or black and white, front view, full face, with a light background (snapshots are not accepted);

4) a photocopy of a round-trip ticket in one's name; or a signed letter on travel agency stationary, with confirmed round trip bookings; or, if traveling by land, a notarized bank letter concerning the balances in one's bank accounts, signed by the bank's manager, as proof of financial capacity to pay for one's stay in Brazil;

5) a visa fee payment, as applicable (see visa fees table).

5a) a non-refundable handling fee of US$10.00 per visa applies to visa applications submitted by mail or by any individual other than the applicant or an immediate member of his or her family.

6) a person under 18 years of age not traveling with both parents or legal guardian(s) must provide a notarized letter of consent signed by the non-accompanying parent(s) or guardian authorizing this Consulate to issue a visa. A copy of the minor’s birth certificate or, as applicable, the guardianship document, is also required.

Important: First arrival in Brazil must take place within 90 days from the date the visa was issued. This visa is good for multiple entries for the time of the visa's duration (for authorized stays of up to 90 days per visit within that period).

Where to apply:

http://www.brasilemb.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=86

Travelers Check list

Who never had the sensation that something was left behind, or "on" or "off"? The information below might help with that.

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/the-organized-travelers-checklist/article10840.html

Places to go

We spent some time finding some attractions and their prices to give everybody an idea on how much each will cost. The prices are in "reais", Brazilian currency. You will find an application below to help you convert dollars to "reais".

Camel rides: R$30.00

Aquarium: R$10.00

Boat tour in Pipa (3hours): R$30.00

Snorkel boat tour in Maracajau (2 to 3 hs): R$60.00

Skybunda and aerobunda: around R$5.00

Dune buggy ride tour, visiting 9 beaches: R$80.00

Night boat ride with live music, two first drinks and snacks included: R$40.00

Snorkel tour in Pirangi: R$30.00

Dolphin sightseeing with drinks included, duration 3hs: R$75 adult; R$50.00 children

RESTAURANTS

Mangai: typical local food buffet R$27.90 per kilogram aprox. 2lbs

Trattoria Bella Napoli Italian restaurant: R$22.00 to R$45.00 per couple

Sal e Brasa steak house www.salebrasa.com.br : typical Brazilian steak house with several choices of meat served to you at the table. All you can eat. R$36.00 per person

Tabua de Carne steak house: R$30 to R$40 enought to serve 4 people

Reis Magos Pizzeria www.reismagos.com.br where you can taste several styles of pizza. All you can eat Rodizio (the waiters rotate bring you the different pizzas to your table)

Casa de Taipa Tapiocaria: great place to have a nice and typical breakfast. around R$5.00 per serving

Tayo Japanese Restaurant: R$25.00/35.00. On wednesdays R$35 all you can eat

Camaroes Seafood Restaurant: beautiful place and great food www.camaroes.com.br

CLUBS

Tavern Pub: medieval style pub www.tavernapub.com.br

Forro com Turista: live local music and performances including Capoeira: www.forrocomturista.com.br

NYX Club: dance club with ocean view: R$30 but if you print out the coupon from their website it's only R$15

Flight Information and Options

Okay, so after searching lots of cheap flight websites, it looks like flights aren't so cheap after all. Most of the flights range from 1100-1300 dollars. You can do a search on cheapflights, expedia, kyak, etc to look at some options. The best option has us leaving from Charleston at 5:55 p.m and getting to Natal the next day early afternoon. The only problem is the return flight....we would leave natal at 4:20 a.m.....which means party all night!!! haha. Berg and I are going to go talk to a travel agent and see what deal they can give us before we buy online. We will buy the plane tickets before the end of May. Leave us some feedback or any other better flight deals you are able to find. GO BRAZIL!!

Wikipedia facts

For those who want to know more about the city of Natal, here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natal_(Brazil)

A place to stay...

This complex has eight separate apartments that will accommodate 5 people each. It costs around $100 a day for each apartment. That cost will be divided by the amount of people that are in each apartment. Great deal considering it offers a lot and also includes a rental car per apartment. Great deal!!! Remember this is just one option. If you want to search other options, feel free. If you want to help us in the search, just search for "Beach house rentals in Natal Brazil" Some good locations include: cotovelo, ponta negra, praia do meio. Happy Hunting and Let us know if you find anything interresting :)
Check it out:

http://www.orquideacondominium.com/ingles/index.php?page=home

Here's another option. This is ocean front. Beautiful place. No price yet, but we will find out this week. Check it out:

http://www.villageportomirim.com.br/