Never fear!!! I believe they are good enough swordsmen to find the appropriate entry point.  But beware of the low overhead on the stairs going into the basement lockers and saunas at 117. 

I think you'll find a number of guys who will appeal to you. And I'm sure they won't be intimidated by your height. It's true that most of the guys are shorter than you are, but there are some tall guys available, too. So you should have a good time! Don't worry about it! Enjoy!

Thnx guys! I hope I'll manage.:-) After all, we are all the same height lying down.:-)))))

Also, I noticed that the pictures of the guys recommended on these sites are mostly white Brazilians, but I have a weak point for brown and black ones... Reading that the skin colour is an issue also in Brazil (??? don't like this), can you provide me with the info are they to be found in the saunas also? What's the best one for a beautifull black or brown stud?

Thnx guys! This is a great site!

Welcome to the site, Milano and glad you're pleased.

You will find a great cross-section of all types and colors in all of the Rio saunas.   The further north you go in Brazil, the darker the skin complexion (as a generality).  The further south you go, is mostly of German and Polish descent with lighter tones, even though they described me as "rosado", or pink in Porto Alegre   Rio is probably the best melting pot.

I'm still a bit confused since I had read that the word "negro" was the more polite term in describing their skin color, but then I met a handsome dark-skinned guy who informed me that "preto" which literally means black in Portuguese was more polite.  Maybe others can clarify this.

But whatever the term, there are some quite attractive dark skinned guys with more European looks that I'm sure you will find interesting.

And regardless of the skin color, I'm sure you will find some XL equipment.  I thought I had a "type" before I visited Brazil and then I found that my type is "all guys Brazilian"!  LOL

- Drey

Mandrak            

Hi Drey and Madrak, you guys rock!:-)

Thanks for your more detailed explanation Drey, I was thinking of visit to Salvador because of large dark skin population (at least Wiki says so), but wasn't sure if they are as gay friendly and offer-oriented as in Rio...

Mandrak, I rest assured now, for you brought the light and joy!:-))) And thanks for the reccomendation, can I find his pictures somewhere on the net?

Will update you when I return how it went....:-))))

Drey, the site is great and I will recommend it to all of my friends that are Brazil oriented. It's simply a jewel of information.

Thnx guys!

M27

After you experience Rio, you might want to visit Salvador on your next trip. It's a fascinating city and, as Wiki correctly points out, the most "African" city in Brazil. There are saunas there, too, although I don't have up-to-date information on them. Perhaps one of our readers has been there recently and would like to provide an update on what's hot there? But you can be sure there's fun to had almost anywhere you go in Brazil! I look forward to your comments and descriptions of your trip!

In my group, the darker-toned are called "NEGAO"

"Negão" usually refers to a dark-skinned guy who is also tall and muscular. "Preto" is the word generally used to describe their color, if they are dark-skinned.

http://www.riorelax.com.br/rp/thiago/

He goes under the name Jago in sauna.

Where I live, the term used is always "negao", for fat, thin, muscular or not.  I've never heard the word "preto" used in that context.  But then, where I am at, life is different than in the bigger bairros.  Perhaps that is the difference.

Milano,

I don't think I've heard of a worst case of what Brazilians call "saudades".  There no direct English translation, but it's a mixture of longing, some sadness, but also hope for future encounter.

The only known cure is to take two more trips and call me in the morning

And, of course, relive your Brazilian adventures on this site and those of others.

My diagnosis is that you're now a "Brazil Nut".  Congratulations and glad you had a great time!

- Drey

Glad to hear that your first trip into the arms of Mother Brasil was great.  I'm sure the majority of people come, participate, and return home without any nasty events.  But in what regard to you think the cautions were overstated?  "security issues (and the exaggerated warnings all around the internet)…"

I can't ever say a crime comited against a tourist is "deserved", but the few crimes, (muggings for a purse) I have seen have been really dumb people doing stupid things.  I was at a party on the beach at night with many friends, (50).  In front of the Copacabana Palace far from the road, we saw two different couples out walking the shore with large purses.  Kids came, mugeed them , and they were helpless victims.  I have also seen way to many drunken tourist men with shady looking hooker women...(begging to be the victim).  Make friends, and be with them all the time.  It's a safer bet.  My Rio friends love to go to sauna with me, and I always but my best friend a biy there!  He helps with any language issues, and gets a boy out of it!

As I said, I believe that most of the people who visit Rio enjoy themselves without suffering a negative event.  But I would still prefer to err on the side of caution.  Forewarned is forarmed.  Frankly, I don't think the cautions are overstated.  More likely there may be some people who over-react to those warnings. 

Being in the travel business, I find myself answering that question alot for first-time travelers.  And, I recall having to do a bit of convincing with Mandrak as well

I believe most travelers to Rio don't make the distinction between the favelas and areas where most Cariocas live, including the tourist areas.

One could look at the homicide rates, the violence, and lack of respect for human life that transpires in the favelas and reasonably compare it to Baghdad.

I only recently learned that corrupt police actually sell the weapons to the favela drug lords, most likely to make up for their meager salaries. 

Hopefully, the attention and promised social changes due to Rio hosting the Olympics will have a positive impact on the lives of the favela dwellers, but one never knows.

In my five years of traveling to Rio, I have not experienced a single incident of being threatened, mugged, or violence of any sort.

- Drey

Great youtube to view.  This has to be a bit older as Cabral was still mayor, but now the governor. The last couple of minutes mentions the militias that now control about 100 favelas.  What they did not mention was the protection fees they demand from everyday citizens. I have heard of five different people from three different areas who have to pay a monthly fee for protection: Jacarepagua, Guaratiba and Sepetiba.  Very scary. And the militias will kill you.  Just like what the guy at the end of the video says will happen if he is out after 10:00PM.  

Visitors should use reasonable care when in Rio, but some of the warnings are probably over the top. Use common sense and remember that you are in a big city with a lot of poor people and you should stay safe. Milano, post your experiences in the appropriate topics -- nightlife in the nightlife topic, sauna adventures here in the Hot Zone, etc. We're really looking forward to hearing about your adventures and impressions of Rio! It sounds like you had a great time!

Yes, and we didn't mean to hijack your thread to talk about security issues.

Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.

How did Milano's post generate the subsequent posts regarding "violence and the safety issue" as it supposedly exists in Rio? Has this topic not been written about a lot on this site as well as on www.daddysreviews.com in the "Escorts South... section? Generate a separate thread,por favor, to render your ideas! You spoiled Milano's post and his query!

Milano, I'd suggest that you just smile often and bask in the afterglow and plan future trips! ...loved Drey's line: "The only known cure is take two trips and call me in the morning." Might I suggest that you take seven or more? - - -

I have told the story of my mugging on my first visit to Rio about 5 years ago numerous times on the forum and I hate bores but when I read some of the posts on this thread I feel it necessary to intervene. I was mugged at knife point by 3 thugs (not "kids") at 6:30pm almost in front of the Copacabana Palace with a group of local on lookers just standing a few metres away watching and ignoring my screams for help.Arguably the principle lesson to be learnt from this experience is that you are not safe just because an area is "busy" or "there are plenty of people around" phrases I have read on this and other forums. I was not flashing a purse, jewels or technological devices. Mandrak, having a semi circular knife neatly wrapped around your throat is not a fun experience that makes a city more "interesting".

I have returned to Brazil 3 times and will be back for a month at end November but I very much wiser. Crime in Brazil is a reality, a mugging such as mine was a terrifying experience and if retelling my story will help communicate this fact then I will have performed a service.

Yes, we've heard your story Sydneyboy

As I've said, I've never experienced the same and I'm sure you took every precaution.

The only difference is that I usually go to Copacabana beach with a group of friends that include a lot of hunky Brazilian guys that no one would dare mess with.

While traveling to Brazil, you get hit with an airline tax, the hotels have their own tax, and I've considered paying a cute Brazilian to walk me back to the hotel or Corujinha a security tax.

When I buy something here in the US there's always a sales tax.

As the video I posted states, the militia charges for security too.

I'm not saying you were being cheap by not having a gorgeous Brazilian by your side, but next time spend some of those Aussie Dollars

- Drey

Hi, Milano. I hope you've recovered enough from your trip to start telling us about your adventures in Brazil. Lots of us are really looking forward to hearing about your trip there! You probably should start a new thread, though -- this one is getting kind of long and has gone a bit off track. But I definitely want to hear about your experience with Raphael!

Yes Milano please.  Let's move on to happier tails of your adventures.

Drey

I give you my solemn promise that I will not tell my "story" again. I know I have repeated it many times but let me assure it is experience not to be forgotten. The Aussie dollar is now in excess of 92US cents and rapidly heading north. One local respected economist was speculating that it could reach the heady days of the mid 70's of 1.49US when in my "youth" I visited San Francisco every year. Oh memories!

Every time that sydneyboy decides to repeat his  story it just amazes me how he seems to blame the locals for failing to risk their lives to rescue him from his assault, perhaps even more so than the actual attackers.  

Marcos

You are absolutely right. At the time I was angrier at the 8-10 locals than my 3 attackers. As the American gent who came to my (belated) assistance said of the on lookers "sir, they won't help, they won't help". In my own country I doubt that people would just stand and do nothing if somebody was the victim of a violent assault. Even after the attackers had departed they just stood staring at me like stuffed dummies (and I know I have used that metaphor before) and did nothing to come to my aid. According to one contributor to this thread danger makes a city more interesting. You would have thought according to this perverted logic that all present  would have wanted to join in the dangerous fun I was having. Marcos, I am sorry if I am boring you but I repeat that my motivation in telling (and repeating) my story is to prevent this happening to somebody else.

As I promised Drey I will not mention this again. I hope Marcos that this will make your day and ensure that tonight you will have a good night's rest safe in the knowledge that you will not have to suffer from reading my repetitive tedium.

PS I do not need reminding that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

Sydneyboy,

Members of this board need to have their eyes remain open to possible dangers in Rio de Janeiro. One's personal safety she be of the greatest importance while traveling anywhere in the world.  Those that make light of certain dangers are being unfair to newer travelers to Rio. I think you need to keep on telling your story over and over.  It keeps the rest of us on our toes.  The bystanders who did not help you? What could they do with no weapons? Who will help them after they get sliced and diced? Support them if they are unable to work or support their families if they are killed trying to help you out? 

I told a story of the mugger where I live.  His death was pronounced a suicide by the police. They found him on the floor with a large stone next to his smashed-in face.  Like he actually killed himself in this manner?   Another story I have told before is sitting on the beach in Ipanema with my Paulista.  Two garotos de programa were actually talking about doing the "Boa Noite Cinderella" that night on the two French-speaking tourists they had latched on to.  I assume that they  figured that we didn't speak Portuguese as we were conversing in English.  What were we to do? Warn these tourists? Await retribution? Shouldn't we be scared that the tourists would tell them what we had warned them of? 

Never fear as I am lower than you on the sarcasm meter.  Between Rio's fast-expanding metro, the newest architectural renderings of the Olympic village and a proposed demonstration sport, my tongue is pressed firmly in-cheek.  Along with the hoped-for pau duro.

Sidney, I am sorry if my statement insulted your feelings. I wrote “a bit of danger” as I remember. Your story is a lot of danger. There is a difference.  But you must admit that sometimes “a bit of danger” makes your adrenaline pumping.