Captain Bogart, former CEO of a .com of the early 90´s, he let himself be guided by his convictions and followed his true North departing thus for a new dimension.

In the beginning, the monotony overwhelmed him and little by little the calm reprogrammed his metabolism and ended adapting to diverse necessities and the lack of control over his time.

“Life in the sea makes us understand that we can desire, make calculus, plan with total precision, act in the most professional manner, do everything within our power for something to go right, but if the climatic factor does not cooperate then everything may be ruined… The best is when someone finds the harmony between what one wants and can do. That is maturation and is peace.” Captain Bogart

When he left his business in California, Mr. Bogart, after selling all his belongings and properties, gathered all his resources and purchased a motor-sailboat. After traveling many exotic itineraries, rugged, virgin landscapes he found a way to subsist in the small paradise he found ideal to raise his children. Today the Italo-Argentinian spends his days organizing regattas, teaching children the art of sailing, transporting sailboats for cash-rich, time-poor businessmen, taking foreigners to scuba dive in isolated islands and doing adventure trips for nature starved tourists.

He says that he does not repent of his decision 10 years ago to follow his dreams, but advises potential beginners not to risk everything on an all or nothing strategy as already the local tourism micro-markets are showing signs of saturation and surviving off tourism is not an easy task.

“The hard part is the sensation that there is no way back. That is the exhilarating and the scary part at the same time.” Captain Bogart

Now in Brazil, Captain Bogart and his family, confronts a profitable and busy summer coming back from Islã del Farol, em Arrail do Cabo, state of Rio de Janeiro coming back to the village of Armação dos Búzios with 5 australian divers. While he anchors, his wife lowers the sails.

Exhausted and totally sun-tanned, Raymond Collin, gets in the inflatable boat from stern which will take him back to land. Securing a rope to a starboard´s shroud, Maurice de Vega, waits next to a group of newcomers to board the Tucanú, that is the name of the vessel of the former office man which has a colorful and exotic bird mascot. At 7:30 pm, with the sun hiding in the horizon, another three portuguese begin their moonlight fishing adventure.

Check out the photo gallery: http://flickr.com/allthewayaround/

You have visited Rio de Janeiro several times and loved every minute. You begin thinking, why not buy an apartment in Rio de Janeiro as an investment, and rent it out as the property value appreciates or eventually use it as a retirement home? You’re in luck; foreigners are free to purchase apartments in Brazil without restrictions provided the prescribed legal process is completed.

Therefore, if planning to purchase an apartment in Rio de Janeiro, it is absolutely necessary to use a property agent. In Brazil, they are members of a professional organization and should be able to produce an identification card with their ‘CRECI’ number, demonstrating their qualifications and right to practice. It may also be advisable to hire a lawyer, but check costs before doing so to avoid paying Gringo fees.

Not surprisingly, to purchase an apartment in Rio de Janeiro’s most affluent suburbs near the famous Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon beaches will be very costly. Typically, studio or one bedroom apartments start at around R$200,000 (R$= Reais), with the average at R$350,000, even R$600,000 depending on location. However, it is where the highest rents can be charged. By forgoing the beaches, at least the above, purchasing an apartment in Rio de Janeiro becomes much less expensive with one bedroom/studio apartments often priced around R$150,000 or less, in quite acceptable areas. Consider Leme (still a beach, many retirees), Santa Terese (bohemian spirit), Flamenco (safety and access to nightlife), Jardim Botânico (botanical gardens), and Glória (beauty and unique Carioca flavor) to mention a few. Naturally, prices are negotiable.

If you are serious, go to your Brazilian Consulate for a certified translation of your birth certificate into Portuguese. Then, having arrived in Brazil (do not buy anything sight unseen) and found the property you wish to purchase, apply for a Brazilian ID (CPF). Your Brazilian property agent will take over from there. The overall cost of taxes and fees should be no more than 6-7% of the purchase price but you will also need at least a R$10,000 deposit.

After the title has been transferred, as the now proud owner of an apartment in Rio de Janeiro, you are responsible for a yearly tax of 0.6% of the property value and, if not a resident of Brazil, you must arrange for a person(s) to oversee the property in your absence. There are many companies who provide these services at fairly low rates. Enjoy Rio, again and again!

Weekends are held precious for most Brazilians, specially in Rio de Janeiro.Friday nights are usually some of the busiest nights for bars, restaurants and nightclubs all over town. Since most of these establishments don’t have a closing time, Rio de Janeiro upper middle class crowds keep on taking over throughout the night until the sun rises. Saturday mornings start early with some of the bars and restaurants closing while Cariocas fleet to the beaches for an early dive. The same happens with the lower class folks who still enjoy bars and good fun drinking their beer and caipirinhas but in more modest establishments.

Lunch and breakfast get mixed up on days like Saturdays since everyone wakes up late. Weekends are important for the middle class carioca because it’s his time for his family and closer friends. Backyards and get full of people barbecuing while they talk about soccer and how their week went. This is true for any social class. Poor or Rich enjoy the Saturday afternoons for these togetherness with their loved ones.

The evening comes and it’s filled with Theaters all over the Wonderful City packed with great plays and avid upper middle class spectators. The cultural life scene in Rio de Janeiro is always boiling with different plays, shows and movies. The great soccer arenas usually hold big concerts where thousands of people attend to for a great time spent with friends and music. Again, it never ends early. The large concerts are mainly enjoyed by the wealthiest youngsters who can afford the high prices major international and popular bands ask for to play. Funk Carioca (funk that was born in Rio) concerts in the poorest areas are great places for those who cannot affor the great concerts.

Many Brazilians enjoy going out for a movie. Some opt to support the local movie scene, which has been increasing its production immensely making Brazil one of the most promising countries regarding their film industry. Others enjoy the North American and European movies best. Entertainment in Rio is something easy to find. There’s always something that fits your taste. In the great favelas (slums), there are many open theaters where entire communities come together to watch a movie that is projected on improvised open theaters in a drive-in style, but without the luxury of attending to your movie inside a car.

After a play, a concert or a movie, no matter what class you belong to, it’s time to hit the nightclubs if you enjoy hard partying or the laid back bars and restaurants if all you want to do is to have a good talk and a good caipirinha (Brazilian alcoholic drink made with cachaça). Rio’s bars are famous for their bohemian touch. There are always scattered tables by the sidewalk or the beach where the locals drink, talk, read and play their guitars while they watch the sun rise. Guitars and pandeiros (tambourine) are always present providing a background music for these great moments. Drinking in the streets, differently from US is absolutely common and not illegal in Rio.

After another night out, Rio’s poorer inhabitants enjoy their Sundays with a late lunch that usually involves the traditional Sunday afternoon ‘feijoada’ (mix of beans, pork and other items) and cold beer. The wealthiest families tend to have the very traditional Italian late lunch. Sundays are also those days where entire families sit down together eating feijoada or spaghetti while watching soccer. Family is a main priority for all of Brazilians and home parties are not particularly popular in Rio. A Brazilian will rather go out with their friends and go back to their families for dinner and more intimate moments.

The games go on for a long time and by the time they’re over it’s already time to go inside and get ready for the early concerts or dances that most of the poorest Brazilians attend to in early Sunday evenings. Samba and Carioca Funk (a type of funk music that was born in Rio) dances are very popular on Sunday early evenings before everyone goes back home to sleep early. After all, Monday is a working day everywhere.

Rio de Janeiro’s best bars and nightclubs tend to be located in the districts by the south side of town, where all the artists, models and famous personalities live and work. Find yourself a South Rio de Janeiro guide and forget about tomorrow!

A historical and eventful spot that you should not miss is the definitive Circo Voador (www.circovoador.com.br). A place with more than 25 years of history discovering what’s best in popular and outstanding in Carioca (born in Rio) music where famous celebrities and socialites are always seen checking the new and most flourishing acts. Located in Lapa, the Disco Voador experience will leave a taste of longing in your mouth.

Aside from that venue, the top 4 places to visit in Rio’s nightlife are: Baronetti, Nuth, Club Six and Melt. They’ll offer you the best of what Rio has in terms of night life. They’re also the hardest ones to get into.

Baronetti (www.baronneti.com.br) is the most upscale and expensive nightclub in the district of Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro. Most of the club’s regulars are the country’s finest and richest young men and women who are looking for a great time out. This nightclub doesn’t have a closing hour, being open for as long as there are people inside. Five in the morning is when you see people fleeting from the clubs back home or to the nearest Ipanema beach.

Nuth (www.nuth.com.br) is one of the most highly recommended nightclubs in Rio. It’s located at the Lagoa district where all the artists and famous models live. At the Nuth Club as they’re known, there’s nothing that can stop those who are in a mission: to have fun. The trendy crowd makes this one of the top places to go in Rio.

Club Six (www.clubsix.com.br) at the Lapa district is not the spot for early crowds. This nightclub starts to get on fire after 1 a.m. and won’t stop until after the sun has risen. Hip-hop, Brazilian popular dancing music and beats will keep the hot crowd hypnotized while their sweaty bodies swing. This is definitely a place for those who enjoy the nightlife and its perks!

Melt Nightclub in the always trendy region of Leblon, should be a must go to if you’re into a mixed and always interesting crowd. Like all the other clubs, Melt is a hard one to get in. You must look your finest and be able to blend in with the greatest. Being a local VIP crowd’s favorite this club also offers quality food, not to mention the live music always making regulars bounce off the walls.

After the fun you’ll experience in these four Brazilians’ favorites, it will be hard to find anything that can top their tremendous sense of self indulgence and luxurious ways. Nothing will ever be as fun as the nights you’ll spend at these nightclubs.

If you have a barometer for excitement Rio de Janeiro is the place. A particular hot spot for tourists is Rio de Janeiro, beautiful, exciting, and crime ridden. You may encounter drug violence, you could be robbed by a band of children, so be very careful about taking valuables along with you. Take an extra copy of your passport with you, and don’t be ashamed to wear cheap watches, no jewelry and put that expensive camera equipment away.

The poverty rate is very high in Rio de Janeiro and so is police corruption. Rio is no place to BIG SHOT; keep it simple, it may save you a bump on the head. Be practical; keep your money under wraps. Try and take group tours as opposed to going it alone.

There is a very fast crowd that moves about Rio, try your best to stay away from what might be drug groups. A number of young people use drugs, so do not push any buttons if you should encounter them. A large section of the people live in very poor neighborhoods, better known as the Ghetto. The people of Rio call the areas Favelas. As with any ghetto it is not wise to visit if you do not know the neighborhood.

With some of the police being on the take it is best stay clear of law enforcement especially if you are a tourist. Too many have found themselves in a situation not of their own creation having to buy their way out of trouble. Carry some money, but not a great deal. You don’t want to be hurt because you don’t have anything should you be approached by a robber.

Crime can happen anywhere in the world. In some places the signs are just more subtle, so the name of the game is to be alert and to be extra careful when you do not know where you are. An old saying fits here, “When you are in Rome do as the Romans do,” dress, and act as if you have been in Rio de Janeiro all of your life. Research an area before you go, this may sound boring but the more you understand a place and its people the more you will enjoy being there. Rio is such a beautiful place but you must be careful.

Are you planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro or anywhere in Brazil? This can be one of the most exciting times in your life but it could be even more exciting especially if you plan ahead and try learning Brazilian Portuguese before you get there.

Learning a language is exciting for people of all ages, especially if you are in a situation where you get to use the language. Even children enjoy learning languages, otherwise cartoons like Dora the explorer, and Go Diego would not be so popular. Learning Brazilian Portuguese could be a family activity that you start practicing just a few months before leaving on your trip.

Another great reason to learn some of the language, is because anyone from a foreign country respects you more, and has a certain admiration for people that have taken the time to learn some of their language.

You don’t have to learn to speak fluently but a few simple phrases and words will suffice. After all anyone enjoys being thanked, or being asked politely in their own language. You don’t have to learn to speak fluently but a few simple phrases and words will suffice. After all anyone enjoys being thanked, or being asked politely in their own language. The following are a few words that you can start with.

• Where is? – Onde é
• How much? – Quanto custa?
• Yes – Sim
• No – Não
• Hello – Olá
• What is your name? – Como se chama?
• How are you? – Como está/como estás?
• Thank you – Obrigado

Of course, if you want to go a little more in depth you can find online lessons, and audio lessons to help with your Brazilian portuguese. You should spend about twenty minutes a day with your language learning endeavors, because just as in everything else you try, it is the persistent soul that wins the day.

Have the whole family join in and learn a few words a day. Practice listening and repeating them then try to remember them. Create flashcards with the images of the word on one side, and the written word on the other and have one person hold the flash cards while the other tries to sound out the words and tries to associate the image with the word. This way it will be a great fun prelude activity to your trip to Brazil.

When you visit Rio de Janeiro you must go and experience Rio’s Sugar Loaf. It is the tourist spot that is the best known location in Rio de Janeiro. While there are several great places that you must see while traveling in Rio de Janeiro, Rio’s Sugar Loaf is the best tourist attraction there.

How do I get to Rio’s Sugar Loaf?

The best way to get to Rio’s Sugar Loaf is through the tram system that is there. When you go to Rio de Janeiro, ask for a cab anywhere in the city. Tell them that you want to get to the tram that takes you to Sugar Loaf. All of the Taxi drivers are extremely friendly. They will know the location. It is a very famous Rio travel location. Your taxi driver will take you to the Tram. There, expect to wait some time. Have no fear though, the wait is fine. There are plenty of things to see while you wait at the terminal for your Tram ride.

Splendid City View from Rio's Sugar Loaf

The Tram Ride to Rio’s Sugar Loaf

The tram ride to Rio’s Sugar loaf is a very pleasant one. You will want to have your camera with you. The views are simply amazing. You will marvel at the amazing views and the height of this tram ride. It is very magical. You should expect to sit closely to others on the ride. The Tram is seated, but you are seated together with other people.

The top of Rio’s Sugar Loaf

Once you reach the top of Rio’s Sugar loaf, you will be amazed. The height is just right to see all of Rio de Janeiro. This is the place to get a zoom lens out to get your souvenir picture to send back home. The pictorial opportunities are excellent. You will need to have a jacket while you are at the top of Rio’s Sugar Loaf. It is breezy. You have about an hour to visit. The tram returns on a schedule. You have the option to go or stay longer.

The descent from Rio’s Sugar Loaf

The descent from Rio’s Sugar Loaf is a pleasant one. It is in reverse. Some people do not enjoy that part as much as others. If you are taking pictures, it is a nice opportunity to get some great aerial shots. The ride seems longer coming down. So really take note of all of the lovely views.

Brazil is famous for being the giant of South America. But even a giant had to be a baby someday. The Brazilian economy has been proving to grow more and more independent everyday, but finding good jobs is still a privilege for not all of the population.

The simple Brazilian worker in Rio de Janeiro, the one fellow who doesn’t have enough education, will either be in between jobs or having to maintain many jobs in order to provide for their families. Like many other developing nations, Brazil is working its way towards a lower unemployment rate every year. But in Rio de Janeiro, the modest workers still have to scrape their way out.

But if you’re a Brazilian and you have enough Education, it might not be hard to find a job in Rio de Janeiro. There are many developing areas that need workforce from abroad. Because of the still small number of highly qualified workers in areas like technology for an instance, some employers prefer to import some of their needed “brains” from other countries.

Oyster Seller on Rio's beach

The minimum wage in Rio de Janeiro and Brazil is set on $465,00 reais (Brazilian money) a month – around $235 in US dollars. The large and growing number of college graduates looking for internships is abundant and usually the interns don’t make any salary but get transportation and meals. The internet is widely spread and just like North Americans and Europeans, Brazilians look for jobs mostly online. The quality of jobs is increasing with the access of internet becoming more of a regular item in everybody’s households. And so is the income.

The fast growing businesses in Brazil push the businessmen and managers to dig for the most qualified workers anywhere. You may find many fine and bright young Brazilian workers and thinkers behind such businesses in Rio de Janeiro, but you may also find foreigners who were literally fished out of their tanks into the big giant of South America.

Rio de Janeiro, being the 2nd largest city in Brazil, maintains one of the largest growing number of businesses and the demand for a highly qualified workforce is also growing with them. This creates pressure on the Universities to prepare finer and better thinkers so the employers won’t have to look for them anywhere else.

Finding a job in Rio de Janeiro might be easy enough, if you have just what they’re looking for.

The Brazilian people are not the only diverse aspect of Brazil. With Brazil being home to more than 9 different nationalities the traditional Brazilian food is just as diverse as the people. Italian, African, German and many other foreign foods have been adapted by the Brazilians and become a part of their traditional cooking.

This includes Pizza made Brazilian by the addition of Brazilian cream cheese, guava jam, chocolate, chicken and many other unusual ingredients. Sushi, truffles and Frango Com Quiabo a Brazilian style Gumbo are also dishes that have become a part of Brazilian cuisine. Frango Com Quiabo is made with chicken instead of shrimp though the shrimp version can be found in some places.

Feijoada: Brazil's National Meal

The traditional food of Brazil is Feijoada originally from Rio de Janeiro but now served nationally. Feijoada is a bean and smoked meat stew which uses black turtle beans if it is made in Rio de Janeiro, other regions make this traditional stew with white beans or red kidney beans. A lot of smoked pork and various other smoked meats, are used in this stew including sausages though pork and beef seem to be the most usual meats used. The ingredients for Feijoada are cooked together in one big stew pot and the end result is a delicious thick stew fragrant from the cumin and fresh parsley. Traditionally Feijoada does not contain vegetables but some recipes use tomatoes and greens. This dish is usually eaten at lunch time and it is served about twice a week. This dish was once considered a poor man’s stew but now it is eaten by everyone and served in the finest restaurants.

Rice is eaten regularly in Brazil and a popular food is fried balls of rice; this recipe is a delicious way to use up any leftover rice. Bread is made with cassava flour, a popular baked bread recipe is made using cassava flour and cheese.

There are many delectable desserts to be enjoyed in Brazil. Truffles are one of Brazil’s popular yet easy dishes to make; a can of sweetened condensed milk and a few tablespoons of cocoa powder or sweetened grated coconut are cooked over a low flame until the mixture is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Three tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla are stirred in and the mixture is chilled in the refrigerator and then a tablespoon of mix per truffle is shaped into balls using oiled or buttered hand. The truffles are then rolled in chocolate sprinkles, granulated sugar or sweetened dried coconut and kept cool until ready to serve. In Brazil these are called Brigadeiros and a single clove may be pressed into the top of each. Just don’t try to eat the clove.

Restaurant dining in Brazil can be very inexpensive as a lot of restaurants have fixed priced rates where you can have all you can eat buffets or food by the kilo. In both types of dining everything on the menu is available.