Host City Booking

Host City Booking's 3 years of planning really bore fruit and came of age, during the 'Copa das Copas'.Through our own direct relationships with with selected providers and with the support of our 3 established Brazilian Tour operator partners with their over 30 years experience in the Brazilian inbound Tourism market, we provided successful travel solutions in all the 12 host cities for a list of happy clients that stretched from the US to Europe to Kenya. We have continued to build on this success strengthening our established relationships across Brazil and we have moved our operations to that Cidade that  truly is 'Maravilhosa'... Rio de Janeiro!We are filled with excitement to be building a more Rio centric platform that we will now offer as well as our Hotel solutions a range of only exceptional visited and validated by us, Short Term apartments. With preparations well under way for what is the 'Mummy & Daddy of megaevents', the Olympics or #RIO2016 is about to hit town and further transform one of the world's great cities. So if Brazil and Rio is your destination... we have everything you need covered to make your trip unforgettable, have a look around our website www.hostcitybooking.com and get in touch to [email protected] Give us your requirements, no group too big or small and we will put this established network to work for you with difficult to match response times!

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Flatstyles of the rich and Infamous - well we have bid adieu to Natal and Rio Grande de Norte after 2 great years. Home for those 2 years was something very, very Brazilian a completely serviced Flat. In Europe what we call apart hotels and while I have never known anyone who actually lived in one, I just presumed they were traveling salespeople type solutions. Never having lived in one in the beginning I did find it odd stumbling through a RECEPTION after a couple of cheekies! But with a gym in the basement a pool on the roof, with sea views, nice shared spaces and lovely ladies who came to wash the dishes and make the bed! If something is broken call reception... wow! They are never big but they create a really natural lesson in the value of downsizing our lives. I come from Ireland where houses and ireland are Craic Cocaine :) and It is an incredibly liberating feeling to just not have all that stuff! A couple of comedy festivals, www.hostcitybooking.com, Quiz nights made and a 1000 mails written from that hammock which I will remember fondly. In the other Rio (de Janeiro) where we currently look for new accommodation we have found sadly they are a little beyond the budget... for now!! But the ambition will always be to return to this Flat(ie) days. What more does one need!

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NATAL GASTRONOMY TIPS: Casa De Tapioca - Ok we have swapped Natal and Rio Grande de Norte for that other more famous Rio, the January one....Rio de Janeiro. I had some of our last Natalense top tip food reviews queued for this blog so seeking to catch up... because we think theyre worth it and you need to know! This is a nice short daytrip south of Natal down the coast to Tabatinga. First stop for a really nice fish soup lunch at the viewing point for the elusive dolphins, well they were the day we were there!! appearring just once to a chorus of there!! Where!! There!! Where?? They were just there... cue disapponted kids. Evil me couldn't resist an emphatic, There! But it all makes for nice lunchtime entertainment amongst the beautiful tropical setting and then on for a real curiousity for desert! Tapioca is exclusively a North Eastern thang made from Yukka flour, eaten for breakfast, lunch at roadside stands or for dinner in devoted Tapiocaria restaurants. Usually with a choice of fillings except... in the legendary Casa de Tapioca. Hidden in a tiny baking hot room with a team of cooks and preppers feverishly working to meet demand for their renowned tapioca. With an adjacent pretty garden terrace, covered in funny signs, improvised seating, complimentary coffee, at the back of a cute little house, that gives nothing away as to whats actually happening behind... except the massive queues curiously spilling onto the road. What they are queuing for is hardcore traditional Tapioca served with just coconut and their equally renowned sweet cocada. Something really unusual and definitely worth a look!

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AND FINALLY... the long walk for O Seleção from the theatre of nightmares...

While O Amor blasted out their version of Pais Tropical and life will go on in a nation proud to finish the hosting of what really was A Copa das Copas.

A chance for some redemption for some and for the players who seen no game time a chance to show what they can offer the future of brazilian futebol in the 3rd and 4th place play offs. The Germans were very gracious on the darkest day for Brazilian Futebol not over celebrating throughout and demonstrating their genuine affection on Social Media afterwards... very impressive and maybe very clever to swing some support in the direction of their team in the Maracana which will be packed to the rafters with Argentinians.

Obrigado Alemanha your team is amazing and really I believe most of Brasil feared the worst... just not 7 bloody 1!!!

Bring on the final...

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THE NIGHTMARE UNFOLDS AND THE BAND SEEKS TO DISTRACT!!!

Yesterday I watched the tragic history unfold in a popular bar in Natal called Hora Extra. The bar was filled with optimism initially, despite an audible groan when Fred's name was announced as being the loan No.9. Felipão was obviously reckoning in some delusional moment that Fred's speed!! and invention would unlock the German high defensive line with their goalkeeper sweeping as he had done previously in the tournament alas... as we know he got it completely wrong and in the now notorious 5 goals in 30 mins capitulation with 3 coming in a 6 minute nightmare period... led to a band booked to play a celebratory (presumably!) after match gig having to do a half time set to distract from the painful viewing... and the band O Amor would later be drafted into action at the unanimous request of a crowd who could take no more at 7 - 0 and yearned for Amor wherever they could get it!!!

This series of 3 videos tells the story with the real time Globo footage on display via the projector in the background shows the despair of fans as it unfolded and the people via the band O Amor prepared to go well... you know what... what are you going to do... ALEGRIA!!

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Indiana goes to lunch - Part 2 - Talking pavements!!

Copa inaccessability: in the North East: If you look down the blog for Indiana goes to lunch - Part 1 you'll see the problems with obstacles permanent and temporary (chancers in cars) that plagues a simple dander to the shops in this part 2 inspired by meeting a blind dude I came across on the street yesterday.

The pavements of the North East of Brazil are simply shocking!! For people with disability, well...

One of the biggest issues and a personal pet hate is the non-regulation of the construction of the pavements. It is not a coordinated municipal matter but the ridiculous situation responsibility of each property owner to sort out the pavement in front of their building. It means the obvious, each owner will spend whatever he wants to or not at all to pave in front. The result is an hilarious mess changing every 20m in style and functionality and riddled with menace.

Hilarious that is, unless you suffer from disability and I have nothing only admiration for these people, like that blind guy who manage to navigate this city. A few hundred metres from where I live we have a very 'active traffic lights' with the  the usual vendors and windscreen cleaners but amongst them we have  2 quadriplegic guys on skateboards who it is amazing to observe how they manage.

Now before we get carried away thinking the worst of their neglect they have appeared a  couple of times with wheelchairs!! only to keep them just for a very short period obviously due to the drop in revenue streams! ;)

You don't see too many people with disabilities in Natal but it is impressive how they can conquer such adversity. Big Up and always get my real and help!

ONE DAY TO GOOOO!!!!!! Wowser!

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This post is ancient sitting in a queue totally forgot about it!!!  it is from January 27th bad vibers!!! When nothing would be ready, the final photo the tickets for this Fridays world cup opener in the very beautiful Arena das Dunas.

Still a couple of tweaks but Natal’s spanking new, very cute (if stadiums can be cute, its the cutest, Manaus the most impressive) Just came up past the new access tunnels and viaducts and despite being full of construction workers they are open and operational, Dilma is in town, its all happening world cup in Natal is over the line... just!!.... LOL

Man... even the Cameroon team have agreed to get on the plane, its going to be that kind of world cup!

Bring it on!! :)

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An end to Bad press bullshit - The Copa is here and Brasil is ready!!

The incessant clamor of bad press in international media and the bullshit being spun particularly the British Press has irritated me so much I was beginning to lose interest in the Copa. Through my World Cup business www.HostCityBooking.com the effect was clear from my European networks in particular that produced so little, the Real was the weakest it has been in 5 years, the packages were and still are sooo cheap you literally just have to get into the country. I had friends proper football fans veterans of past World cups, who were in proper expensive destinations like Japan & Korea, I had clients from Nairobi to Dublin touting their concerns and minds were changed under the barrage. There is no doubt about it, that it had an effect so congratulations international media. I am a proud European but not of our pathetic media culture.

The fundamental about Brasil is that it is huge!!! The size of America, if Europe was a country, that size! 33 times the size of the UK!!!!! etc, etc, comparison ad nauseum...Take the drug problems in the Moss side,the abuses of the Irish catholic church, the Gommorah in Napoli, the gay hating East, the abject poverty of Roma camps everywhere, the racism, the facism, the same drug murders and gangs, the same polarisation of wealth etc, etc ad nauseum that creates the great irony that Brasil, the country famous throughout my schooldays (in Ireland) was the 3rd World for having the worst distribution of wealth, under constant IMF programmes which should ring a bell PIIGS! and is maybe the exact place you are headed... EUROPE if you continue to appease a corporate and political elite!! While ordinary European people are slave to austerity, unemployment, social depravation etc, etc ad nauseum. I do believe that there is a European arrogance about beating up Brasil and its world cup preparations and the funniest thing 4 days, before the tournament is that everyone/many in Brasil...

A: Figured that what has happened and not, was always going to happen!

B: Understand that they will just have to work through the fallout

C: Believe, maybe it can be a catalyst for real political change

D: Know that there will be football and it will be the greatest Copa ever

E: is living it right now! Brasil is the seminal beautiful game culture, this place is alive with it right now whether you are playing, striking, on the streets, rioting, partying, crying, hearts racing, nerves in a mess. It is an incredible tangle of emotions and shame on you if you decided against coming, because of some balls you read in some some 'newspaper'.

I remember the South African World Cup in 2010, when the whole world was advised by our all knowing media not to go or you will almost certainly be raped!! Well after an amazing tournament (except for the Vuvuzuelas!!) I never heard of anyone being raped! Back then Brazil 2014 was a dream away... now it is just days away. I have some tickets and am immersed in the atmosphere, my Brazilian wife who I never knew as 'being that crazy about football'...how that's changed... as its the World Cup, my extended Brazilian family are immersed... its the World cup and its here and it's in Brasil!!! whether you love or hate football everyone unanimously hates the corrupt European organisation who will take billions back to hide in Switzerland, buts its done, we can make changes later, I'm so happy to be here!! If you are in Europe reading this, there is still time to come be part of this piece of living history. There are deals on accommodation, camping everything right to the final get in touch with [email protected]

The bad press straw that broke this camels back was a BBC article, a guide for fans traveling to Brasil with the most absurd claim I can remember amongst all the bullshit, that the all important ingredient for any English fan, the pint of beer which they were told 'can cost as much as £25, in some parts of the country'. What utter bullshit!! After you exchange your Sterling English people... you can expect to pay less than £2 - £5 for a 600ml ice cold beer.

Thats reality, don't believe the shite... Come here!

From here this blog will be devoted to my best of Brasil... Bring this bad boy on!!!

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Hey Blog mundo voltamos!! (FALTEM 6 DIAS!!!) we were in full-on Host City Booking flow, when a very welcome distraction, a pretty big one actually, arose, and we have being try to catch up with all things Copa ever since.

As many of you may know in another world (continent) we are entertainment event managers and specifically our main bag is comedy promotion! We created the first professional English language comedy show in Spain in 2002 and have run gigs in Barcelona and Madrid ever since, so we are the ‘go to’ people for anyone interested in performing comedy in Spain and still run www.barcelonacomedyfestival.com and www.madridcomedyfestival.com. 

So… occasionally, we get something very special that we can’t help but make happen… and it had to be big! to draw our attention away from the Copa… it was!! Eddie Izzard is comedy royalty, the first comic to play the Hollywood Bowl, sold out Madison Square Garden and for non comedy fans you will know him from movies like Oceans Eleven and more. Eddie is Hollywood. and also famous for performing comedy in different languages, our Barcelona festival is the world’s first and only multilingual comedy festival, so we had been chasing him for a number of years. Eddie has always performed first in English, French (from his Yemeni background), but he has added German and this time that other major language to his arsenal, Spanish!

We arranged and sold out 6 special intimate gigs in Madrid at short  notice allowing him the opportunity to get under the skin of the city & culture and take language lessons during those days whilst trying out a couple of mins of comedy every night.

Anyway that was our distraction and the intention is over the next couple of weeks, DESPITE ALL YOUR BAD PRESS the world cup is going to happen...

It will make billions for the most corrupt sports administration on the planet, but the money is gone and the next month will be the most incredible human theatre live every day. There is a bit of a groundswell against FIFA a result of the obviously corrupt 2018 & 2022 awarding processes.  Brasil 2014 can be the moment that finally takes the Blatter autocracy down and that in itself can be worth everything

I have been saddened by all the bad press and hype and personally feel that the Brazilian people deserve better, so this blog over the next weeks will focus on all that is great about this most enigmatic country through it's most animated moment!

Have learned the anthem, have got my t-shirts hats, etc  have tickets for some of the games, this world cup will be the greatest and Brasil under Felipão is ready to add another star to that emblem!!

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The ultimate sub £2500 entire World Cup month package + booze!!!

www.hostcitybooking.com are delighted to announce a 'totally unique in this World Cup'  package that takes in 4 host cities, the warm waters and tropical paradise beaches of the North East, proximity to many of the group games, the 2nd round and quarter finals in Salvador partying all the way to the climax for most Brazilians on the Copacabana in  Rio for the final.

This is a genuine once in a lifetime way to spend what we believe will be the biggest party the football world has ever known one way or another. Its the world Cup in Brazil, you are alive take a look at this package and tell us that doesn't look like the craziest, most exciting 4 weeks  imaginable.

Incredibly we are going to blow your mind with this add on, drum roll....

all the beer and Caipirihnas you can drink while on any of the campsites FOR FREEE!!!!!!

What are you going to watch it from a bar in Newcastle, Stockholm, Dublin, Kansas, wherever... if you are alive, love football and/or party... its happening and it will be epic... come!

You going to wait for Russia!! who we know can't organise a decent toilet :) Don't believe the hype Brasil 2014 is possible, the stadiums will be built and safe, the local currency has nosedived making the everyday things soooo cheap!!!!  200 million passionate locals will be even moire welcoming and animated than ever before!

It is possible just get yourself to Natal and live a month of madness like no other!

The price of this package is an incredible less than €3000, US $4200 or just £2500 sterling (prices are approximate but the variables are very few take a look... there no hidden surprises!!)

Check out our Full Monthly Backpacker Special

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Yesterday’s amazing structure for a totally packed Brazilian Pro Beach Volei tournament by Praia do Forte, beneath the #Natal landmark Newton Navarro Bridge.

Alas, It started very early to beat the heat, we were very late and couldn’t get in, to what by all accounts was an spectacular sports event with some of the biggest stars in Beach Volie.

The fantastic temporary stadium and structure set up in a couple of days organised by Banco do Brasil was impressive in itself but possibly due to the recent media led trending of #SochiProblems the poor hotel facilities and unusual toilet formations going viral it has featured in our blog. It also made a nice relief from the incessant Brazil bashing in terms of event organisation of late and was just great to see something go off so successfully, without comment with a capacity crowd and the only hitch being they couldn't accommodate everyone who wanted to attend. :(

 The big talking points by all friends we know that attended were the luxury Portaloos!! In the light of #Sochiproblems it would appear the loo is key in lasting impressions of the modern sports event. The pic compliments of @renancosta shows the interior of one of the air conditioned portaloos, complete with aircon, cups, Automatic Air Freshener, two types of paper, mirror,  a ceramic sink and that most Brazilian of bathroom touches a bumper event size #Listerine. Not something you will find in your average British local or #Sochi for that matter.

See it and brush your teeth Gringos!!

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The World Cup - Feb 1, 2014 - State of play

  So planning is well underway for the estimated 600,000 people expected to travel to the world Cup, the first on this soccer mad CONTINENT in 36 years!!! A continent, like everywhere which in that time has seen much economic development/polarisation and much change in general. The message remains the same to get the best out of this World Cup you need to get on it asap!!

lets hope Curitiba make it!

Stadiums: with the opening of the impressive Arena das Dunas in Natal there are now just 5 stadiums to be finished but work is behind on most not least Curitiba (pictured) who have been handed the deadline of Feb 18 to show they will be ready or lose the matches. Curitiba the host city who possibly received the short straw of the draw missing out on most of the big fan following countries may be lacking motivation. But they have one blockbuster one of the guaranteed major party fixtures as Spanish and Aussie fans will be looking to outdo eachother in the mayhem stakes in their final game of the groups. Curitiba is renowned for it’s partying and this should be quite a lively few days down south. We are connected to both sets of fans and will keep this blog updated with mayhem plans off the pitch, we will be directly involved in a very BIG party... stay tuned! Accommodation: The MATCH’s (corporate sales arm of FIFA) blocked hotels are back on the market, surprise... NOT! so a new burst on the accommodation seeking is taking place and it is disappearing fast and forever There are still lots of place but requests are now being handled on a case by case basis but send requests to [email protected] if you are struggling to get sorted Rio: deserves it’s own subheading as despite having just 7 out of the 64 games, the whole world wants to be in the spiritual home of Brazilian football at some stage. The hotels know this and efforts to try and curb the rates have proved futile and they are a tad expensive!!! usually with very short stay conditions. They can still be booked but... It has led to a lot of ‘alternative’ accommodation popping up, some(not many) genuine offers of people’s own private apartments but they know what they are worth too. There is also the so called ‘pacified’ favelas like Rocihna which had quite the shootout in the last week for such a pacified place! But if not of a nervous disposition then can be a taste of the ‘real Rio’. Be warned, some of the sales on this type of accommodation won’t be showing videos like this from last week, right at the entrance to Rocihna... The only real budget and safe option are the all inclusive Campsites, unfortunately they are ALL out in Barra which despite some claims will have to be at least an hour from Copacabana. We have hooked up with legendary European festival campsite operators www.stoketravel.com and can offer properly all inclusive camping facilities in Rio, Salvador and  the jewel in the crown Pipa (see our last post below) that we believe is the most beautiful in all of Brazil and we will be making part of our #Pipa2014 Tropical party resort. Book via our site here using the code ACIVEPIPA y Feb 28 and receive Unlimited FREE Beer and Caipirihnas!! while onsite... no kidding!!

Tickets: Hope you got your applications in for the final lottery for tickets, the last chance for face value tickets, the results of which will be known by March 11 after which the word from wholesalers is the prices of any non-hospitality tickets will only go one way...up! If you want to make sure your tickets are sorted, let us know what game you need to [email protected] Flights: The Brazilian government has also tried to address the need (they chose to create) and only possibility for every fan to transfer between the host cities is by air, by approving almost 2000 extra flights during the Copa period. Certain air companies introducing caps promising no flight will cost more than $425 US!!! which over the flights necessary to follow teams through the tournament is hardly that cheap. The distances are massive so they were always going to cost and will be one of the biggest expenses for fans. In the host cities... capacities across a range of services like transfers, tours and extra activities are already getting stretched, there are only so many buses, buggies, etc available and the recommendation is to make sure you are planning to use only providers with history on the ground in Brazil. They will be first in the queue as they will still be around after the Copa has moved on... as will the 3 agents associated with www.hostcitybooking.com fit this description so tell us what you need Stay tuned to this blog, we promise a top tip every post that can save you money so please subscribe and share and follow us on Twitter @hostcity2014 to stay up to date and if you are doing the right thing and plan to party this World Cup up in Pipa, get liking the  devoted Facebook for the latest as that event develops... www.facebook.com/pipa2014 Get booking what you need now! We have everything covered at www.hostcitybooking.com

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The 13th unofficial host city of the world cup, #Pipa2014 is home to one of the most beautiful campsites in all of Brazil. Completely secure overlooking one of the finest beaches on the Rio Grande de Norte Coastline, Praia do Amor. 

Bohemian in spirit and welcome it is the World Cup party campsite of legend in waiting. Run in conjunction with legendary European Party campsite specialists Stoke Travel and Host City Booking with prices at just €80 per night that includes

accommodation in tents

sleeping bags

mattresses

dinner every second night

massive Stoke campsite parties

Giant screens carrying all matches

onsite security

guides

In Salvador and Pipa good weather and warm water, FREE!!!!!!

friends for life

and incredibly if you book through www.hostcitybooking.com before Feb 28 they'll even throw in the booze.... unlimited Beer and Caipirihnas!! to make sure the site will be hopping.

The campsite will have transfers direct to the stadiums and airports in nearby Natal and Recife. There will be a surf school linked to the camp and every perceivable activity from Sand buggy trips to bar and club crawls will be at your disposal. Pipa is selling out fast as fans realise the most famous tropical resort in all of Brazil is on the doorstep of 2 host cities!

For the duration of the world cup #Pipa2014 will be full of international fans (see what fans it suits here) combining world Cup atmosphere with a Tropical holiday proper party experience while the rest bask in the Winter chill down south!!

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100km of Natal's beaches from the kitesurfing Mecca of Sao Miguel do Gostosa in the North, to the majesty of the Tropical Rainforest and quaint fishing village of Baia Formosa in the South, this part of Brasil is endowed with the most wonderful coastal beauty. Coupled with an amazing year round climate it has made these beaches the holiday of choice of the more populous South. It will also host the only real Brazilian Beach experience in this entire World Cup and the reason we are calling and tipping Pipa, positioned perfectly and conveniently between the 2 host cities of Recife and Natal  to be the ultimate Tropical fan resort and the default 13th host city!!

The natural wealth of the area however creates the Good, the Bad and sadly the Ugly... but with 3 days off between games you may aswell be in a tropical Paradise, não?!!

The Good: with increased tourism comes development, 'better' infrastructure to access and enjoy these jewels, more and better hotels, pousadas, and restaurants that now must compete for this tourist buck. Fans will enjoy the organised activities particularly the buggy trips over expansive Sand dunes, well organised diving, fishing trips, surf & kite surf, para gliding, beach tennis, beach volleyball.... beach Volleyfute-keepyuppy-over a netty-bol and frankly every marriage imaginable between a ball, a beach and the limb of a  Brazilian. Just watching the relationship between the Brazilian, a beach and and a sphere filled with air from kids to auld fellas, is something to experience and take home!

The Bad: Tourism growth inherently means more humans and with them all the disregard for the environment this mammal displays. It mainly comes in the form of rubbish and noise. It must be said the local authorities are working hard to get all this straightened out before you the World Cup ambassadors get here so you go back with only glowing, tales and Facebook posts. The DVD sellers with their incessant Funk Carioca madness have already been banished! By June these will hopefully all just be bad memories, but there is quite a bit to kick under the sand. The written Guides available are all pretty unreliable, a slight tendency to embellish. Should you get involved in renting cars etc expect the unexpected mainly because signs in this part of the world are pretty much non existant and Google quite literally has just a sketchy idea of the area!

The Ugly: Will keep this short so as not to appear whiney but the (barracas) beach bars gave in to bribes of the most ugly credit card and beer branded plastic furniture some time ago, that can take the magical tropical sheen of that paradise beach experience in an instant!

Oh yeah!! Not all Brazilians are beautiful and those tiny bikinis and shorts can stir you from the depths of the worst hangover... not in a good way!

We will treat the best of this 100km of beach individually in later posts

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One of Natal’s hidden restaurant nuggets, Cais 43. Has an absolutely massive terrace that can host the really big fan groups, actually has a second terrace next door so really big capacity 200+!! How they would cope with such a group would be an ‘unknown’ however. Baldes (buckets) of beer and honest if unremarkable bar food all served by the marine costumed staff in the marine themed interior from an age when Brasil did theme bars. Its all about the terrace and the value though, best views in Natal of the Newton Navarro bridge, looking out onto Praia do Meio another area that was part of that heyday. There are some hotels down this end of the city and Cais 43 can provide good value for a midday liquid lunch. It is set amongst a bunch of relatively unremarkable good value restaurants that served this. The area is also home to 2 of the most exclusive (expensive) Rodizios in the city both of whom take advantage of the bridge views. The light around sunset is spectacular and Caps 43 is our top tip in Natal 2014 for a right old party that won’t break the bank. If you have a group staying in this part of town we can help with the booking get in touch with [email protected]

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Last week we alerted you to the possibility of #freelanches in a classic piece of #natal2014 advertising. We are beginning to compile a North east great #brazilian #shopfronts This week if anyone fancies some #lovelysex there #Natal has a shop for that. Funny thing about this advertising while certainly #badenglish at play we can’t say this can be nothing only a branding triumph. And so they should be... ONLY lovely… #sexshops...

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So if there is no such thing as a free lunch, how about a free lanche! The lanchonette is to be found all over Brazil, basically it is your standard snack, mainly burger bar some great some not so! At first glance it might appear there is an amazing free burger promotion Or is this just another cracking example of North east Brasil bad english in advertising fails

I asked my advisor for all things #Brazilian as to what was occuring. She ventured that the owner possibly just perceived the word ‘free’ as a cool word not realising the implied promise. Hmmmm....

but they have something of a penchant here for just making up names entirely on this basis, visitors be warned Brazil and names is a blog in its own right.

This #advertisingfail is compounded by the even rarer #sponsorshipfail as the company Watford and English language school apparently paying for the 'elaborate for this kind of #lanchonete' branding has missed the possible. Look out for the update blog as I will attempt to claim my free lanche if in the area when its open.

#BadEnglish spotting can provide a regular giggle, just childish not petty but we will seek to compile some of the best! ;)

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While the north eastern #Brazil2014 host cities couldn’t be regarded as being anything architecturally to look at (in general). They are pretty badly laid out cities for the most part, where urban planning appears to have been driven largely by self interests and the usual speculation dominated development in the last decades. The car is always king, trains are imagined and buses form a public transport that can miraculously organise itself completely without time tables, sure why would you need them???

The drivers are also infamous, well right across Brazil for their formula 1 ambitions and complete lack of awareness for what is happening in the seats behind, as the often hilarious desperate commuters cling to each other and anything they can grab to remain upright.

Even walking, you won't fare much better and it can be  something of an extreme sport. North eastern hostcity layouts are basically defined by different areas experiencing ‘heydays’ and then doing the opposite of ‘heyday-ing’. #Natal2014, #recife2014 and #fortaleza2014 all have the area usually forgotten and foresaken for the hotel and condo tower part of town. The old areas absolutely contain some wonderful original architecture and a ‘once was beautiful’ old town feel with some buildings being preserved while others around are in decay. But the @2014hostcity big tip of this post is to pass up the architecture and keep your eyes on the ground. The North East's A+E wards are (and will be) filled with ankle sprains, breaks, stubbed toes and all those other injuries that diabolical pavements can cause, but can wreck a good session

That of course just applies  when you can find the pavement as a 1 minute walk to the shop, this writer makes every day demonstrates. You will notice the always empty car park I pass en route, always empty everyday.

With a couple of cervejas you can discover your inner Indiana Jones on North Eastern Brazil...