There are two types of mongers you meet when traveling. There are the professionals (that means you, Sandman, Godfather) who travel solely to monger, need a separate carry-on for condoms and vibrators, and develop complex alibis back home for their frequent excursions (that mean you, UW).

Then there are those wannabe mongers with the wanderlust and the mongerlust. They take the (alleged) high ground – traveling for conventional reasons and mongering along the way (that means U, Wombat). You’ve seen em - they stay at the Marriot, they read Lonely Planet, they bring their own flip-flops.

OK, I confess, I own lonely planets for Brazil, Venezuela, DR, Morocco, Amsterdam, and every country in SE Asia. I have a normal (35mm) camera. I like the beach. And I hadn’t worn a robe on vacation until last month. I’m a real tourist. Sue me.

Well, not a complete real tourist. I’ve always mixed in a little mongering into normal vacations. I know my inner tourist really loves Asia, but I suspect the evil Seaman and his jar of little blue pills has something to do with it too.

So, the Brazil plan emerges…. SP/Rio/Iguacu/Pantanal in 19 days. While the “Seaman” identity gets some action, the Tourist gets to see the world. In theory, that is.

Too funny Seaman. I just read this post. Sometimes I really plan to hit the sites and tours of the area but just get side tracked with girls. I spent about 13 days in Rio two seperate trips and didn't make it to even one tourist attraction. (Unless you count the termas). We essentially lived in the termas.

I had Dino from the board over to my house yesterday and he was commenting on the pictures I had on my refrigerator. I laughed because the only photos I have from Rio of the tourist stuff was from you Seaman. (Thanks again amigo for emailing me them).

Rio is a geographically beautiful city. Take the time to see some of it. I hope to see the major touristy stuff when I go again.. I hope!

I think the key is to link tourism to mongering. For example

1) Corcavado is near Solarium. If U leave copa at 1pm you can do 1 hr w/Cristo and be at Solarium for the opening at 3. And, the tourist babes are hot at Corcavado.

2) Walk around downtown to see the colonial architecture after a 4x4 run. Also cool to check out hottie office garotas.

3) A VIPs trip shows you ipanema and sao conrado.

4) A sugarloaf trip is a bit more time due to the tram but could be a good idea before a downtown terma run and could also make for a nice date.

5) You could visit the local whorehouse area (cant remember name) that is near Maracana stadium after a futebol match. That is on my next itinerary, with Kick Stand in tow.

Or, you could just get pics from some idiot like me.

Not far from Solarium also is "Jardim botanico", a superb tropical garden. A truly romantic and peaceful place, higly recommanded before the action. Don't forget: man and therefore tourist comes from the jungle...