Category Archives: Brazil

Hotel Unique and SKYE Bar in Sao Paulo

Unique Hotel Sao PauloI always enjoy spending a few days in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but if you don’t know where to go it can seem like a massive concrete jungle that is tough to navigate. Fortunately that isn’t a problem for me since I’ve been several times and have good friends who are Paulistas.

Cocktails in Sao Paulo taste sweeter from atop the SKYE bar.

On our recent visit to Sao Paulo we met friends for cocktails at the SKYE Bar atop Sao Paulo’s Unique Hotel.  Located near Ibirapuera Park, the roofdeck bar offers some pretty spectacular views of the city’s skyline (see above).

Hotel Unique Sao PauloWhen you drive up to Unique Hotel you realize the name is accurate – regardless of what you make of the architecture – which I loved by the way.  Our taxi driver referred to it as “melancia” (watermelon), which made me laugh.  The bar is sleek and designed to impress from the minute you enter through the marble hallway and walk through the dining room.  Red lights reflect off the lap pool that runs the length of the deck beside comfortable furniture that is available on a first come first serve basis. Hotel UniqueIf for some reason, the weather is not cooperating but you would like to visit the hotel, they have an impressive second option in the hotel lobby on the ground level worth checking out. You can grab a seat at their large bar or sit down in their library which has plush red seats and can be seen in the image below to the right.

Sao Paulo Regardless of the weather, this is a great place I would recommend for cocktails.

Heading to Brazil

gay travelI’m heading to Brazil later today so I may not be able to cross post on FB and Google+ while gone.

You’ll spread more than a little holiday happiness my way if you would share the posts you like on FB with your friends on my behalf while I’m away.

I do anticipate writing some posts when I am in Brazil since I will have a lot of quiet and down time but my regular activity will not resume until I return from my vacation with my in-laws after the New Year’s holiday.  Enjoy this bit of Brazilian man candy who we met last year when we visited Paraty. For more photos from that trip link here.

Brazil Hunk

Dreaming of Brazil

Sexy, Brazilian, HunkTwo weeks from tonight I will be boarding a plane to fly to Brazil where I will spend the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.  This will be the first time in several years that I will be in Brazil for the Christmas holiday and while I’ll miss the holiday traditions Sergio and I have made for ourselves here in Boston, I’m looking forward to the warmer weather and time with my in-laws.

Temptation Tuesday

handsome brazilian, sexy brazilian manLater today Brazil plays Germany in World Cup.  This week’s Temptation Tuesday is to entice all of you who may visit my blog to turn on the game (starts at 4pm ET) and cheer for Brazil.

Past Temptation Tuesday Posts

World Cup Brazil

Sexy, Brazilian, Hunk While the entire world fixates on Brazil for the next few weeks to watch World Cup, America will barely take note. Perhaps this photo of this handsome Brazilian might get your attention.  Hexa Campeao!

Happy Pride São Paulo

 

Brazil Gay Pride

Source: Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso

São Paulo is one of my favorite cities in the world to spend a few days. With a metropolitan area that includes approximately 21 million people, it also makes it one of the world’s biggest cities and their pride celebrations reflect that with an estimated 2 – 3 million Paulistas and visitors from all over Brazil, South America and the world coming to one of the largest Pride festivals in the world.

The Pride Parade will begin in approximately one hour. You can check out the pride route courtesy of  Gay Pride Brazil here.

Happy Pride São Paulo.

I miss Rio

The Maverick MenPerhaps it was grabbing dinner with our friends Hunter and Cole on Saturday night or maybe it is all the photos of Carnaval that I’m seeing online, but I’m missing Rio.  I can’t believe three months ago I was relaxing on Ipanema beach. Summer cannot get here fast enough.

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval 2014

Rio Carnival“Carnaval” a.k.a. Carnival in Brazil starts tomorrow. While there are many parties celebrating  the start of lent, it seems to me all other parties look pitifully small when compared to Rio de Janeiro.

Feliz Carnaval Meninos Rio Carnival Parade

Forte de Copacabana

Rio de Janeiro CopacabanaForte Copacabana provides amazing views of Copacabana beach and Sugar Loaf off in the distance.  In recent years, Confeitaria Colombo has opened a second location here, offering visitors a great option for dining with a view.  We actually visited for a cocktail one evening and then came for breakfast.

After dining you can walk the grounds of the Fort which also offer great views of Guanabara Bay.  Below are a few photographs of my recent visits to Forte Copacabana and Confeitaria Colombo – Cafe do Forte.
Copacabana Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado – Rio de Janeiro

BrazilAtop the Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro is the city’s most famous site, a 125′ statue named “Christ the Redeemer”.  While there are several ways to get to the top of this granite mountain, the most popular is to buy tickets and take the electrically powered train.  Although I’ve been to the Corcovado a few times already I don’t get tired of the impressive view.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Enjoying the train ride up the Corcovado.

Brazil

Goofing around with the guys

Brazil

Amazing views of Rio de Janeiro from atop the Corcovado

If you are planning a trip to Brazil or Rio de Janeiro and you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.

Municipal law number 6556

BrazilWhen I checked into my room at the Ibis Savassi Hotel in Belo Horizonte Brazil I found this note near my bed.  I didn’t recall the amenities list for Ibis including prophylactics. It made me wonder what kind of public uproar would exist in the US if such a municipal law existed here.

Men of Rio de Janeiro

All week long I’ve been posting about my recent trip to Brazil. I still have more posts to share that I’m saving for next week, but I think it is fair to say that this is likely to be my most popular. Which one of these guys is your favorite?

Men of Rio

Men of Rio

Men of Rio

Men of Rio

Men of Rio

Paraty – Brazil

ParatyParaty, Brazil is a tiny coastal Brazilian town, approximately 4 hours south of Rio de Janeiro. Sergio and I decided to make a road trip for a few days to this historic town known for its Portuguese colonial architecture.

Paraty, BrazilThe streets of Paraty date back to the mid to late 1600’s and provide a romantic backdrop to the green, lush mountains and blue/green waters of the South Atlantic. In addition to walking the stone paved streets of Paraty, one should hire a boat to see some of the many beautiful islands and beaches that are just a quick boat ride away.

Paraty BrazilOur slow moving but comfortable boat that provided ample shade to keep my pale skin from blistering from the unyielding sun, while we cruised around the harbor for more than 5 hours one day. Below are a few photos of Paraty and our boat ride.

BosGuy in Paraty

Paraty, Brazil

Paraty Brazil

Paraty, Brazil

Paraty Brazil

Ipanema Beach

Ipanema

I feel as if the board of tourism for Rio should offer me a free stay at The Copacabana Palace for all the hype I’m providing this city, but I love Rio and can’t help myself.  Rio de Jaeneiro has no shortage of famous, beautiful beaches, but I tend to spend most of my time at the gay section of Ipanema Beach.  I feel more comfortable here and the people watching is great.  Last week at this time, my butt was firmly planted on the sand of Ipanema Beach.  Here are a few photos of me relaxing with Sergio and friends at Rio’s gay beach.

The Maverick Men

Sergio on Ipanema Beach

Ipanema BeachIf you have an upcoming trip to Rio de Janeiro or travel to Brazil planned, feel free to reach out to me.

Copacabana

Copacabana Beach RioPerhaps the most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro is Copacabana. The beach offers spectacular views of one of Rio’s most famous sites, Sugar Loaf. The 4 kilometer long beach (~2.5 miles) is one of my favorites. I’ve included a few photos to give you a glimpse of this beautiful beach.

Sugar Loaf Rio de Janeiro

The large ‘rock’ in the background is Sugar Loaf.

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

The black and white swirl you see behind Sergio on the sidewalk represents two rivers from the Amazon that Copacabana Beach has adopted as its own.

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

Not exactly an image of Copacabana beach but representative of what you’ll see.

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

Giant sandcastles that span 10′ proudly display some of Rio’s most famous sites.