Computer Associates proudly announces Compass Club 2001.....
Brazil
You may choose a glorious adventure featuring the best of Brazil...
The Amazon - Iguaçu Falls - Rio de Janeiro or spend Compass Club relaxing in the sun... Costa do SauĂpe - Rio de Janeiro
May 27 - June 4, 2001
VENEZUELA
A YAN M GU A H INA R NC IAN U S FRE GU
Atlantic Ocean
COLOMBIA
Ri
r ve
o Rgi ro Ne
Sa
l im
• •Manaus Ariau
n Amazo
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Belém
õe s
Brazil
PERU
Salvador
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BOLIVIA
PA RA GU AY
CHILE
Pacific Ocean
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Costa do Sauípe
Brazilia
Rio de Janeiro Foz do Iguaçu
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São Paulo
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•
N
ARGENTINA
W URUGUAY
E S
“The first impression of this country is that of a bewildering luxuriance. Everything is vehement - the sun, the light, the colors. No painter can find on his palette colors more glowing, dazzling and glittering than the birds bear on the plumage, the butterflies on their wings. Here nature always reaches her superlatives.” Stefan Zweig (1941)
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Compass Club 2001
A Note from Sanjay… Dear Prospective Compass Club Qualifiers and Guests, Over the past few years Compass Club has taken us to fascinating countries: Bali, Kenya, Australia, Egypt, and Thailand. In 2001 the Compass Club tradition continues as we travel to Brazil, a place very different from the others, yet equally spectacular. When planning Compass Club, our goal is to provide you with experiences you cannot duplicate as an independent traveler. After all, how could anyone replicate the magic of our night at the Sydney Opera House, or the Kenya flying safari, or the "tuk-tuk" ride through the streets of Bangkok, or our Awards Dinner at the base of the Great Pyramids. We understand, however, that tastes differ and Compass Club members have different ideas of what makes a great vacation. While many of you like exploring the plains of Africa discovering the exotic wildlife, others prefer relaxing by the pool discovering exotic rum drinks. Our way of reconciling these different tastes has been to offer a choice of itineraries - one for those who seek a diversion from everyday life, and one for those who simply want a rest from it. After reading this brochure you will find that you have two very different alternatives: One, an extraordinary adventure to the Amazon, Iguaçu Falls, and Rio de Janeiro, three of the world's greatest treasures. The other, a magnificent four night retreat to the Costa do Sauípe, an elegant beach resort community on the Bahia coast, followed by two nights in Rio. So, please take a few moments to read about Brazil and the great trip we have planned for you. Remember this is the most important quarter of the most important year in CA's history. Work hard to make quota. And we'll see you in Brazil. Sincerely, Sanjay
Important Note: After digesting the information in this brochure we ask that you complete the Compass Club Survey Form enclosed and fax it by the close of business on Thursday, March 1 to the Compass Club travel staff in Islandia at (631) 342-6945. You may also complete the form on-line at TRAVEL INCENTIVE 2. As a reminder, we will announce all of the Compass Club qualifiers by the first week in May. If you respond to our survey and subsequently qualify for Club, we will be sure to reserve a spot for you and your guest on the itinerary you have selected.
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l i z Bra Country Profile
There is no place else like Brazil. And this is probably for the best. The world isn't ready to have two places compete to see which is the most vivid, vibrant, verdant, vexatious, vigorous, vivacious, vociferous, variegated, and voluptuous. Brazil is a symphony of colors and rhythms and passion conducted by the most colorful, rhythmic, passionate people on earth.
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, after Canada, Russia, China and the United States. The country covers an area of 3.3 million square miles (8.5 million square kilometers) and encompasses about half of South America. Brazil borders 10 of the 12 other South American countries (Chile and Ecuador are the exceptions). North Americans are usually surprised to discover how far east Brazil lies. Look at a globe and you'll see that Brazil is east of New York City. About 90% of the country sits between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. The vast Amazon Basin comprises 42% of Brazil's area.
we asked a committee of 9 Brazilians to come up with the ten most important dates in Brazil’s history. And these were the only ten they agreed upon. At the beginning of this section we wrote that: “...to understand Brazilians you need to understand a bit of their past.” And now you understand.
Brazil has a population of 172 million, roughly the same as Germany, France, and Spain combined. The country has been called the "biggest small country in the world" as 60% of the people live in the southern states on 16% of the land. This leaves an area for the remaining 68 million souls larger than western Europe. And consider this contrast: São Paulo, the world's second largest city, packs 17 million into an area of about 580 square miles. The Amazon Basin covers parts of 9 countries, is the size of the United States, and has a population of 16 million.
If the Brazilians were as good at economics as they were at football, the world would be a different place. But despite a couple of hundred years of fiscal bewilderment, today Brazil has a growing economy and is the most industrialized developing nation in the world. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is about US$600 billion, the eighth largest in the western world. This is greater than Canada's and almost twice the size of Mexico's. For centuries the economy of Brazil was based on agriculture which today accounts for only 11% of GDP; 46% is from manufacturing and 42% from services. Brazil is the world's largest exporter of coffee and iron ore, and among the top ten in the production of sugar, soy beans, tin, aluminum, steel, and gold. They rank sixth in the manufacture of airplanes and eighth in automobiles. Brazil also has the largest hydroelectric plant on earth and the greatest potential for development of hydroelectric power.
We realize that history for many is boring, but to understand the Brazilians, you do need to understand a bit of their past. The following is a synopsis of the most important events in the history of the country. 1500 - Portuguese explorer, Pedro Alvares Cabral, becomes the first European to discover Brazil and names it "Terra de Santa Cruz". The country would eventually take the name Brazil after the "pau brasil" tree discovered here from which Europeans extract a red dye used to color the clothes of royalty and high church officials.
Politically, Brazil is a full democracy with a government similar in structure to that of the United States. It is headed by a president, and has upper and lower houses of Congress, and a Supreme Court. Brazil is made up of 26 states, each with its own legislature, and one federal district. Brasilia is the capital. In a part of the world notorious for the politics of the absurd, Brazil is a bastion of stability - the Switzerland of South America. Owing to the Brazilians' knack for compromise, the country achieved independence and democracy in a manner comparatively peaceful and bloodless. Moreover, Brazil has consistently maintained peaceful relations with its neighbors. And when you consider the political history of some of these neighborhoods, this a remarkable accomplishment.
1899 - Football (soccer) is introduced to Brazil by Charles Miller, a Brazilian born Englishman. 1938 - Brazil is the first South American country to send a football team to the World Cup. 1940 - October 23 - Édson Arantes do Nascimento is born in the town of Trés Carações, in the state of Minas Gerais. Fifteen years later he would be known to the world as "Pelé". 1958 - Brazil wins the World Cup for the first time, in Stockholm. Brazil 5, Sweden 2.
When you combine the nation's unique geography, colorful history, and developing economy, you have the setting for a beautiful picture. Then add the Brazilians to the scene, and now you have a masterpiece. Over the centuries, dozens of races: native Indian, African, northern European, southern European, Middle Eastern and Asian have fused to produce one of the most heterogeneous people on earth - but a people who are united; united by a common language, united by a common religion, and united by an unabashed love of life. Brazilians have taken the "joy of living" and raised it to an art form. And fortunately for the visitor, Brazil's art is on display everywhere.
1962 - Brazil wins the World Cup for the second time, in Chile. Brazil 3, Czechoslovakia 1 1970 - Brazil wins the World Cup for the third time, in Mexico. Brazil 4, Italy 1. 1977 - Pelé retires, having scored 1,300 goals (no one else in football history has ever reached 1,000). 1994 - Brazil wins the World Cup for the fourth time, in the United States. Brazil vs. Italy - the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Brazil won on penalty kicks 3 to 2. 1998 - Brazil meets France for the World Cup. The results are in, but like the recent American election, Brazilians are still waiting for the results of a recount. Well, there you have it. “But, isn't there more to Brazilian history than that?”, you ask. You bet, there's plenty more. But our space here is limited, so
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Option #1
The Amazon - Iguaçu Falls - Rio de Janeiro Program Note If you have attended Compass Club in the past you are aware that we are a big group. In fact, we have been the biggest corporate group ever to visit Bali, Kenya, Australia, Egypt, and Thailand. We will also be the biggest group ever to visit Brazil. As you might imagine, the best hotels in the Amazon and Iguaçu Falls are too small to accommodate all of us at the same time. So to provide you with the best experience, some of you will begin the adventure in the Amazon, while others will begin in Iguaçu. Everyone will end the trip in Rio de Janeiro which is the location of our Compass Club Awards Dinner on June 2nd. In addition, some of you will leave home on May 27 and others on May 28. You will be notified of your departure date when the list of Compass Club qualifiers is announced in May. (Please refer to “Air Travel Dates” in the back of this brochure for more details.) Regardless of your Brazil travel schedule, all Compass Club itineraries will include the same features, tours, and activities.
The Amazon... MANAUS AND THE JUNGLE
of them are really creepy, including: an ant 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) long, a 6 inch (15 cm) beetle, the giant anaconda snake which can grow to the length of a bus, not to mention a couple of hundred types of mosquito. (Fortunately, while in the jungle, we will be staying on the banks of the branch of the Amazon whose acidic waters are a natural mosquito repellent.)
If you choose the Amazon - Iguaçu Falls - Rio option, you will spend the better part of two days and one night in the jungle. Depending on your Brazil travel schedule, you will either spend one or two nights in Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas and the commercial center of Amazon life. The mystical word “Amazon” describes three of the most amazing natural wonders in the world: The Amazon Basin, Amazon Jungle, and the Amazon River. “Amazonas” is also the name of a Brazilian state covering much of the Amazon Basin. When used as a generic term, "the Amazon" refers to the Amazon Basin which is the area of South America that drains into the Amazon river. The basin covers an area of approximately 3 million square miles (8 million square kilometers) which is about the size of Europe from Oslo to Athens and Spain to the Ukraine, and includes parts of nine countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam, and Venezuela. Because South America was untouched by recent ice ages, the Amazon has changed little over the past 40 million years. The basin receives an average of 79 inches (2000 mm) of rain per year which makes it the wettest region in the world.
The Amazon River. Yes, we know that you know that the Amazon is big, but it is bigger than you think...How big is it? • The Amazon is 4,020 miles (6,470 km.) long and the navigable waters of its tributaries total over 50,000 miles. The Nile is longer by about 100 miles, but the flow of the Amazon exceeds the Nile by 20 times. • 20% of all of the fresh water in the world is in the Amazon River system. • Of the Amazon's 1,100 major tributaries, 10 are longer than the Rhine River. • Ocean going vessels can navigate 2,300 miles (3,700 km.) up the river and in some places there is enough water under the hull to sink a 10 story building. • The Amazon begins in Mount Huagra in the Peruvian Andes which is only 120 miles (200 km.) from the Pacific Ocean.
The Amazon Jungle is the world's largest forest. (Editorial note: Sometime in the past 10 or 15 years the “jungle” became the “rain forest”. In fact, a jungle is denser than a rain forest and lies within 10˚ of the equator; a rain forest extends 25˚ from the equator.) The Amazon supplies us with about 30% of our oxygen, and more than 100,000 species of plants, 2000 species of fish, 600 types of mammals, 1,000 different birds, and 2 million species of insects. By the way, that's 30% of all the living things on earth. Thousands of species remain to be classified and new ones are discovered all the time. Some
• When the Amazon reaches the Atlantic it is 200 miles (330 km) wide and discharges about 200,000 cubic meters per second into the Atlantic. Enough water passes the mouth of the Amazon in 48 minutes to supply New York City with water for a year. Or, if you prefer, enough water passes the mouth of the Amazon in a day to supply Paris with water for 41 years. In the middle of the mouth of the Amazon is an island the size of Switzerland (or about as big as the states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined.)
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• The Amazon enters the ocean with such force that 120 miles (200 k) into the Atlantic you can reach down and scoop up a cup of fresh water. • The Rio Negro, which joins the Rio Solimões at the city of Manaus to form the Amazon, is 16 miles (26 k) wide. And, get this, the difference in the height of the river between rainy season and dry season is 3035 feet (9-11 m). The mineral content of these two rivers is so different that when they meet to form the Amazon the tea-colored waters of the Rio Negro and the muddy waters of the Rio Solimões do not mix, and the two rivers travel parallel to each other for 12 miles (20 k) before the denser Rio Negro sinks below the Solimões. (You will have the opportunity to witness this phenomenon during Compass Club.) • From the souce of the Amazon in the Peruvian Andes to just past the Brazil border, a distance of 600 miles (960 km.), the Amazon drops 16,000 feet (4,850 m), or an incredible 27 feet per mile (5 meters/kilometer). From that point to the Atlantic, a distance of 3,420 miles (5,500 km.) the river drops only 700 feet (212 m.), or about 1/4 inch per mile (4 mm per kilometer). • The Amazon carries more water than the world's next 8 largest rivers combined. ....That's how big it is.
Amazon Accommodations Tropical Hotel Manaus Inaugurated in 1976, the Tropical Hotel Manaus, situated on the banks of the Rio Negro, is the only 5 star tourist complex in the Amazon. The hotel is located 6 miles from the airport and 10 miles from the city of Manaus. Facilities of the hotel include two swimming pools, including one huge pool with artificial waves, three restaurants, two bars, a sports court, manicured gardens, a night club, shopping arcade and a mini zoo. Guest rooms are appointed in the classical colonial style and feature cable television, direct dial international telephones, and air conditioning.
Ariaú Jungle Tower Ariaú (pronounced in English “ar-ee-ah-oo”, accent is on the “oo”) is the only hotel built in the middle of a jungle in the world. It is situated 60 km. (36 mi.) west of Manaus on a small tributary of the Rio Negro near the start of the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the world's largest group of floating islands. Ariaú is the strangest hotel in the world. Or, at least it is certainly the strangest hotel any of the members of your planning committee have ever seen. It is so strange, in fact, that although you will be in the jungle and at the hotel for most of two days, we are only going to put you here for one night. This hotel is so strange that the official Brazilian Tourist Board had to create a special category for it. This hotel is so strange that it has its own UFO landing site. Really. No, really. The words “Welcome to Earth” are painted on the landing site in four different languages: Portuguese, English, Hebrew and Chinese. Really. We can only hope that the ET took one of these languages in school. According to the owner and builder of the hotel who, as you might expect, is also strange, the UFO landing site has never been used. But the hotel staff is ready, just in case. The architecture of the hotel defies description. It's a kid's tree house on steroids. We can assure you that there is not a straight line, right angle, or level stair to be found anywhere. The owner spent 17 years in the Brazilian army and specialized in jungle construction. When he retired, he decided to build this hotel. Take a look at the photos of the place. It's built on wooden stilts 38 meters (92 ft) directly over the jungle floor. The three towers containing sleeping rooms are connected by long wooden catwalks as high as the tree tops. In total there are over 3 miles (5 km.) of cat walks. There are presently 270 rooms with private bathrooms, and little screened verandahs. The screening is to keep the monkeys out. Really. The facilities include a restaurant, a bar (which you will need), a mini-shopping area, a meeting room, a heli-
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port, a swimming pool built between the branches of the trees, the tallest wooden observation tower on earth, and the famous UFO landing site. Really. As if this isn't all just a bit too much, at Ariaú there is a meditation pyramid that can accommodate about 20 people. Ariaú has fans in the guest rooms, but no air conditioning. And no hot water in the bathrooms. When your Compass Club planning committee asked the daughter of the owner, who, although strange, is not nearly as strange as her father, if they had any plans to install hot water in the bathrooms, she looked surprised and asked, “Do you think we need it?” Just as you expect, it will be hot in the jungle and you can anticipate a heavy shower or two during the day. The good news is that there are very few, if any, mosquitoes. And although there are plenty of insects in the jungle, that is where they stay. We have never seen any in the guest rooms. How could we pick such a place? A night at Ariaú is a thrill, and an adventure you will remember forever.
Iguaçu Falls You will spend the better part of two days at Iguaçu. Question: Iguaçu Falls? What are Iguaçu Falls and why would we want to see them? Answer: Good question. The Falls of Iguaçu are among the world's greatest natural wonders, and one of the world's best kept secrets. Although Iguaçu Falls are three times wider and 50% higher than Niagara, very few people have ever heard of them. Why? Perhaps for two reasons. First, the falls are located in a remote area of the southern Brazil rain forest. Until modern times there were no roads to the falls and travel through the forest was difficult and dangerous. Before the invention of the automobile, the trek to the falls would take over a week. In the 1950's enough of the dense rain forest was hacked away to create a dirt road and even then the drive from the nearest village would take two days. Today the same distance can be covered in a car in less than two hours. Second, the spectacle is impossible to describe. Yes, we can tell you about the size and shape and height of the falls, but we can't explain the sensation of actually being there. It is nature beyond human scope and imagination. Perhaps the best description of Iguaçu is found in the Lonely Planet Guide to Brazil in which the author writes quite simply: “Neither words nor photographs do them justice. They must be seen and heard.” Although we can't describe the sensation, the impression, or the emotion of the adventure, we can give you some idea of the geography: The Iguaçu Falls or, in Portuguese, “Foz do Iguaçu”(by the way, Iguaçu is pronounced in English like “ee-gua-sue”) are located in southern Brazil on the Argentine border 500 miles (800 km.) southwest of Sao Paulo. The falls straddle both Brazil and Argentina. During your visit you will view the falls from both countries. Approximately 12 miles (20 km.) west of the falls, the Iguaçu and Paraná Rivers join to form the borders between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. From this confluence, the expansive river meanders serenely through the primordial rain forest before reaching
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the falls where the serenity ends and the carnival begins. Iguaçu Falls are a series of 275 separate cascades which drop over an escarpment almost 2 miles wide - three times wider than Niagara and twice as wide as Victoria. The plunging water falls an average of 80 meters (260 ft.), which makes Iguaçu about 100 feet taller than Niagara. Each of the falls has its own unique setting and character so you can look at the falls for hours and not tire of the ever-changing scene. The spectacle is sensory overload: The huge volume of water pours over the falls and smashes into the river below creating an unforgettable sound - at once a deep distant rumble and a loud in-your-face roar. Actually the word “sound” doesn't even describe the sensation. Yes, you can hear the falls, but more than that, you can feel in your soul the enormous power of this phenomenon. What's more, the action of the water slamming into the river below produces a mist. As the mist rises, it meets the sun, and the union creates an unending supply of rainbows. As the wind shifts the rainbows vanish suddenly only to reappear left, or right, or above, or below. Now that you know how it looks and sounds, we're going to tell you how it feels. It feels wet. Very wet. In fact during our walks through the Brazil and Argentine sides of the falls you can expect to get soaked. We will give you “ponchos” (waterproof rain capes with a hood), but you will still get drenched. So wear shorts, sandals, and a tee shirt. Why will you get so wet? Because both the Brazilians and Argentines have built miles of walkways which look like suspended sidewalks that take you over, around, beside and through the falls. Can you see the falls without getting wet? Yes, but you will miss a lot of the fun. In addition to your Brazilian and Argentine hikes, you will have the opportunity to board a boat and ride up the Iguaçu River to the base of the falls where you will get even wetter. In fact, halfway through the boat ride you will be not only wet, but cold too. But, you couldn't be wet and cold in a better place, because in this sunny climate wet and cold don't last long. Adding to the experience is the dramatic contrast between the ever present fury of the falls and the timeless tranquility of the rain forest. Because Brazil did not have to endure the last ice age, the geography is very old. Geologists estimate the falls formed about 120 million years ago (Niagara Falls have been around for only about 10 thousand). Imagine, 456,341 gallons (2 million liters) roaring over the falls every second for the past 120 million years. Because the escarpment is granite, erosion is very slow, and the falls have changed little over the past 100 million years. The Iguaçu rain forest has existed in its present form for the past 13 million years. Therefore, the scene today is much the same as you would have seen had you visited here as a member of Compass Club 13 million years ago. There you have it. Iguaçu Falls - one of the most amazing natural wonders on earth. We suggest you take some time to read all you can about Iguaçu, but please remember the words in the guide book: “Neither words nor photographs do them justice. They must be seen and heard.”
Hotel Tropical das Cataratas Accommodations at Iguaçu Falls will be at the best hotel in the area and in the only hotel within walking distance of the falls, the Tropical das Cataratas. You don't have to worry about roughing it at the Tropical. Located within the National Park of Iguaçu, this 4 star hotel sits only a few hundred meters from the majestic falls. The colonial style hotel offers 200 rooms, each equipped with air conditioning, television, telephone, AM/FM radio and minibar. The hotel also has 24 hour room service, two restaurants, a coffee shop, two bars, a beautiful swimming pool, game room, and tennis court.
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Rio de Janeiro
! o i R Regardless of the option you choose, your last two nights in Brazil will be spent in Rio.
Few cities stir the imagination as does Rio de Janeiro. Surrounded by rugged volcanic hills, sandy beaches and rolling surf, Rio sits in the heart of the most beautiful natural city setting in the world. This booming metropolis of 8 million cordial Cariocas (the nickname for Rio residents) truly merits the title of “A Cidade Maravilhosa� - The Marvelous City. During your stay in Rio you will visit world famous attractions, such as the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. And Sugar Loaf mountain with its cable car ride to the top of this granite peak overlooking the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Rio was once the home of Viceroys and Emperors and you will see vestiges of the city's colonial past on every corner. Rio, the former official capital of Brazil (and still the emotional capital) offers theaters, concerts, parks, art galleries, museums, restaurants, and night life to compare with the best anywhere. It is a city of colorful sidewalk cafes and open markets, tree-lined avenues, and the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. You will find that Rio, like other great cities such as Paris, Hong Kong, and New York has its own distinct rhythm. In Rio, theirs is the rhythm of the bossa nova and the samba and the ever-present energy of Carnivale. Quite simply, Rio is Rio, and there's nowhere else on earth like it.
Hotel InterContinental Rio or Rio Sheraton Hotel Accommodations in Rio will be in one of these two outstanding hotels. Both deluxe resort hotels are located 10 minutes outside of the city center on their own beaches, a short drive from the Copacabana area. Our Rio hotels live up to our tough Compass Club standards in every respect. Both have outstanding recreation facilities - swimming pools, tennis courts, shops, health club, sauna, and direct access to the beach. The dining in Rio is excellent and our hotels offer some of the best featuring a variety of dining options from casual to elegant, including: Brazilian barbecue, Italian, international cuisine, and 24 hour room service. Each comfortably decorated room has a private balcony, individual control central air conditioning, cable television, direct dial phone and mini-bar.
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Sample Itinerary
The Amazon - Iguaçu Falls - Rio de Janeiro Program Note: To accommodate all of our Compass Club members and guests, there will be three separate itineraries: Two will start in Manaus and begin a day apart (see “Air Travel Dates” for specifics). The Manaus itineraries are described below. The third itinerary will begin in Iguaçu. If you start the trip in Iguaçu, you will spend your first two nights here, then one night in Manaus, then one night in the jungle, and two nights in Rio. Regardless of your itinerary, all tours and activities will be the same as described below. Day 1: Depart home for the overnight flight to Manaus, Brazil. Day 2: Arrive Manaus. Clear Brazil immigration and customs and transfer to the deluxe Tropical Hotel. Time to relax and enjoy the hotel. This afternoon leave the hotel for an Amazon cruise to observe one of nature's great phenomena, the meeting of the waters of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões. This evening get together for a “Welcome to Brazil Party”.
Day 3: Depart by boat for your night in the jungle at Ariaú, the strangest hotel in the world. The boat ride to the jungle will take about 2 hours. The river is usually flat during this time of year and the boats are large, so don't worry about seasickness. Check into Ariaú and discover the strangeness for yourself. Later this morning meet your local guide and take a walk through the amazing Amazon jungle. Program Note: During your stay in the jungle you may participate in four different tours: a jungle walk, an over-sized canoe ride to an Amerindian village, piranha fishing, and a nighttime boat trip into the jungle. During each trip your guides will be on hand to explain what you are seeing and answer any questions you have. In 1833 the grandfather of all naturalists, Charles Darwin, visited the jungle near Manaus and wrote in his journal: “Delight itself, however, is a weak term to express the feelings of one who for the first time has wandered into the Brazilian forest. The elegance of the grasses, the novelty of the plants, the beauty of the flowers, the glossy green of the foliage, and above all, the luxuriance of the vegetation, filled me with admiration. A most paradoxical mixture of sound and silence pervades the shady parts of the wood. The noise from the insects is so loud that it may be heard even in a vessel anchored several hundred yards from the shore; yet within the recesses of the forest a universal silence appears to reign. To a person fond of natural history, such a day as this brings with it a deeper pleasure than he can ever hope to experience again.” This afternoon you may choose to explore Ariaú on your own, or join your guide for piranha fishing. That's right, piranha fishing. As you might expect, their voracious appetite makes them very easy to catch. Return to Ariaú for dinner. Later you're invited to join your guide and board an over-sized canoe for a nighttime jungle cruise. This is a very spooky trip, but a great one; don't miss it.
Day 4: We suggest you get up early and take in the sights and sounds of the Amazon at dawn. For the best views take a walk along the five kilometer catwalk and climb the observation towers. This is an experience you will never forget. After breakfast your guide will meet you at the Ariaú pier where you'll board the canoes for a cruise along the jungle estuaries and a visit to a local Amerindian village. No, you will not be the first outside people ever to see the place, but you will have the opportunity to experience a native village and jungle life. By late morning you'll return to the hotel, check out of Ariaú, and board the boats for the return to Manaus and the Tropical Hotel. After lunch there is a tour of Manaus, another Brazilian wonder and the capital of the state of Amazonas. At one time this place was the "Silicon Valley" of the new world and one of the richest cities on the planet. The world discovered rubber at the end of the 19th century and for a while all of the rubber came from the Amazon. And Manaus was at the center
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center of it all - production, shipping, and banking. The boom made Manaus famous and changed the sleepy port to a center of international commerce. This new wealth provided the funds for the city to develop some now historical landmarks. Grandest of all the relics of the past is the Teatro do Amazonas, the ornate opera house that in 1896 cost US$10 million to build. Other buildings of interest include the Customs House, the Floating Dock, the Cathedral, the Rio Negro Palace, the State Capital building, and the colorful Municipal Market, copied from Les Halles in Paris and whose structure was imported entirely from Europe. This evening you are free to have dinner on your own.
Day 5: This morning you'll board the aircraft for the four hour flight south to Iguaçu. Lunch will be served during the flight. Afternoon arrival and check in at the Hotel Tropical Cataratas. Later meet your guide for a walk over, around, and through the falls on the Brazil side. After the walk, you'll board the high speed boats for a ride along the Rio Iguaçu to the base of the falls. You will get soaked. As this is your only night in Iguaçu, you'll get together this evening poolside for a combination welcome and farewell party.
Day 6: After breakfast board the coaches for a 30 minute ride to Argentina for a very different, but equally thrilling view of the falls. Return to the hotel for lunch. After lunch check out of the hotel, return to the airport, and board the aircraft for the 1.5 hour flight to Rio. Later this afternoon you will check into the hotel and this evening celebrate your adventures with a “Welcome to Rio Party”.
Day 7: After breakfast depart the hotel for a tour of Rio and a trip to the top of Pão de Açúcar, known in English as “Sugar Loaf”. Transportation to the top is by cable car. The ride takes only three minutes. The views from the top are truly spectacular. Bring your cameras. After the tour you may choose to remain in Rio and shop or return to the hotel and relax around the pool. This evening is our Compass Club Awards Dinner.
Day 8: Although this is your last day in Rio, flights will not depart until late tonight. You may keep your hotel room until it's time to leave for the airport, so the entire day is yours to enjoy. Those interested can participate in a visit to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado, which translates in English to “hunchback”. Transportation to the top of this 2,340 foot (710 m.) mountain is by Corcovado Railway. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Free time after the tour for shopping or return to the hotel. This evening check out of the hotel and return to Rio Airport for your international flight.
Day 9: Arrive in your home city with memories of this great Brazil adventure the Amazon, the jungle, Iguaçu, and Rio.
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Option #2
Costa do Sauípe - Rio de Janeiro The Luxurious Alternative Question: What is Sauípe? Answer: Sauípe (pronounced in English “sow-ee-pay”) is the most elegant, sophisticated, and complete resort complex in South America. The resort sits on a 45 k. (27 mi.) long stretch of Atlantic beach about 80 km. (50 mi.) south of Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia. Question: Why haven't we heard of Sauípe? Answer: In addition to being South America's most elegant, sophisticated, and complete resort development, Sauípe is the newest; the complex opened just last year. So, if you choose to spend Compass Club in Sauípe, you will be the first in your neighborhood to do so. Question: Why would we want to go there? Answer: We understand that for some the pace of the Amazon - Iguaçu Falls - Rio adventure is simply too much. So if you prefer to spend your days lounging by the pool and enjoying life at a slower pace, consider this sublime alternative. If you like resort life, you will love Sauípe. The complex consists of deluxe hotels, inns, restaurants, shops, night spots, miles of beautiful white sand beaches, and great recreational facilities including: a world class golf course, championship tennis complex, horseback riding, swimming pools, and a variety of water sports. What's more, with a year round average temperature of 80˚F (32˚C), Sauípe has a near perfect climate. Although Sauípe is primarily a “sun & fun” destination, we have designed the program so those interested can take full advantage of all there is to see and do in the area. Whatever your interests, a visit to Salvador is a must. Salvador was Brazil's first capital and is now the country's third largest city. Salvador, “The Golden City” is a magical and sensual world all its own. In centuries past, Salvador was the principal port for the importation of African slaves. Over time, European, African, and Amerindian cultures melded and today Brazilian food, dance, music, and religion are the result of this exquisite mix. The fun and excitement of this great city are manifested in this fact. Salvador is the city Brazilians come to when they want to have fun.
Your Sauípe Hotel As headquarters for Compass Club Sauípe, we have chosen the elegant Sofitel Resort. This all-suite hotel sits on its own white sand beach and is within easy walking distance of all there is to do in Sauípe. The resort's facilities include: two swimming pools, beach, restaurants, bars, health club. Each over-sized guest room has air conditioning, its own balcony, direct international dial telephone, cable television, and fully equipped bathroom.
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Compass Club Itinerary
Costa do Sauípe - Rio de Janeiro If you choose this option, you will spend the first four nights of Compass Club in Sauípe and the last two nights in Rio de Janeiro. Air transportation: Although some international flights arrive directly into Salvador, the service is infrequent. Most Compass Club members and guests will fly to Saõ Paulo or Rio and connect to Salvador. Day 1: Depart your home city for the overnight flight to Brazil. Day 2: Late morning or early afternoon arrival at the Hotel Sofitel. Tonight get together around the pool for a “Welcome to Sauípe Party” featuring specialties from Bahia and great local entertainment.
Day 3,4,5: During your days in Sauípe you will have your choice of two from a variety of activities including: horseback riding, a tour of Salvador, various water-sports, and a four-wheel drive trip to a nature reserve in the country. Evenings are free.
Day 6: Departures throughout the day for Rio de Janeiro. Later this afternoon you will check into either the Rio InterContinental or the Rio Sheraton and celebrate Compass Club with a “Welcome to Rio Party”.
Day 7: This morning depart the hotel for a tour of Rio and a trip to the top of Pão de Açúcar, known in English as "Sugar Loaf ". Transportation to the top is by cable car. The ride takes only three minutes. The views from the top are truly spectacular. Bring your cameras. After the tour you may choose to remain in Rio and shop or return to the hotel and relax around the pool. This evening is our Compass Club Awards Dinner.
Day 8: Although this is your last day in Rio, flights will not depart until late in the evening. You may keep your hotel room until it's time to leave for the airport, so the entire day is yours to enjoy. Those interested can participate in a visit to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado, which translates in English to “hunchback”. Transportation to the top of this 2,340 foot (710 m) mountain is by Corcovado Railway. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Free time after the tour for shopping or return to the hotel. This evening check out of the hotel and return to Rio Airport for your international flight.
Day 9: Arrive in your home city with memories of Compass Club in Sauípe and Rio de Janeiro.
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Travel Information Air Travel Dates Depending upon your home city, dates of travel may vary slightly from those described below, but the following can be used to estimate your days away from home. As of this writing air travel arrangements are still being finalized, however, North Americans can expect to travel to Brazil on privately chartered aircraft. Compass Club members traveling from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America will fly on regular commercial flights. Flights within Brazil will be by privately chartered aircraft and regular commercial service. North America (East), and all other international travelers...
North America (West) and Brazilian travelers...
Sunday, May 27
Depart home - overnight flight to Brazil
Monday, May 28
Depart home - overnight flight to Brazil
Monday, May 28
Early morning arrival in Brazil
Tuesday, May 29
Early morning arrival in Brazil
Sunday, June 3
Late night departure - overnight flight to your home country
Monday, June 4
Late night departure - overnight flight to your home country
Monday, June 4
Arrive in your home city
Tuesday, June 5
Arrive in your home city
Weather Because nearly all of Brazil is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed for most Compass Club travelers. We will arrive in Brazil during their autumn. Although the northern sections of Brazil experience little seasonal temperature change, they do have a "very rainy" and a "less rainy" season. The less rainy season begins at the end of May and continues through September. The seasons become more defined as you travel south. The Amazon - The weather in the Amazon is always hot and humid. We will be visiting the jungle at the end of the rainy season when the Amazon River is at its highest point, which is the best time to visit. The climate is similar to Florida in the summer. Daytime temperatures will be approximately 80-88˚F (25-28˚C) and only a few of degrees cooler in the evening. The humidity will be about 70%. In addition, a couple of times each day you will experience brief, but heavy showers lasting 30 minutes or so. Iguaçu - Daytime temperatures will be a comfortable 68-75˚F (20-24˚C). In the evenings the temperature can drop to a low of 55˚F (13˚C), so you will need a light jacket. Brief but heavy showers are possible just about anytime throughout the year. Rio - Daytime temperatures will range from 72-78˚F (22-26˚C). You can expect evenings to be about 5-7 degrees cooler. In Rio it can rain whenever it wants, but June is usually one of Rio's drier months. Sauípe - Daytime temperatures will be in the perfect range, 75-80˚F (22-26˚C). You can expect evenings to be about 5-7 degrees cooler. Brief but heavy showers are possible just about anytime.
Entry Regulations This section is very important, and a bit complicated. So please take your time reading it to make sure you understand exactly what documents you need for admission to Brazil. First of all, everyone entering Brazil will need a passport which must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Brazil. In addition, citizens of many countries need a tourist visa.
Brazil Visas Brazil visas are required for citizens of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and The United States. Greece
Portugal
Austria
Ireland
South Africa
Bahamas
Italy
Spain
Belgium
Netherlands
Sweden
Chile
Norway
Switzerland
Denmark
Peru
United Kingdom
Germany
Philippines
Argentina
Brazil visas are not required for citizens of the following countries: Remember, if your country is not on this list, then you need a visa.
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Argentina Visas If you are selecting the “Amazon - Iguaçu - Rio” option and you plan on visiting the Argentine side of Iguaçu Falls, you may need an Argentina Visa. If you are a citizen of the following countries you do not need a visa to visit Argentina. Australia
Hong Kong
Serbia
Bolivia
Japan
South Africa
Brazil
Malaysia
Switzerland
Canada
Mexico
Turkey
Chile
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Colombia
Norway
United States
Croatia
Paraguay
Uruguay
European Union Countries
Peru
Venezuela
Remember, if your country is not on this list, then you need a visa. Visa requirements vary somewhat from country to country, so you need to check with your local Brazilian and Argentine consulates for details. Most of you who require a visa will need: • a passport that is valid for at least six months from the time you apply for the visa, • a signed visa application, • one passport size photo, • the visa fee (Note the visa fee varies; please contact your local Brazilian consulate for details), • a confirmation from a travel agency or an airline ticket. (Note that you will not have your airline ticket by the time you need to apply for your visa, so CA will be sending you a letter verifying that you are a member of Compass Club.) If you are applying by mail be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope which will be used to return your passport and visa to you. Make sure you check with your local post office to ensure that you have attached sufficient postage to your return envelope.
Health Requirements Brazil does not require any health certificates to enter the country, so there is no need to worry about inoculations or immunizations. Most medical problems experienced by visitors are related to heat exhaustion, sunburn, and dehydration. These problems are easily prevented by using common sense - stay out of the noon day sun, drink plenty of water, and use a sunscreen. We suggest that you do not drink the tap water anywhere in Brazil. Bottled water will be provided in your hotel rooms. Compass Club members and their guests are intelligent people, so we debated a while before mentioning this next health issue, but... Do not bring illegal drugs into Brazil. By the way, illegal drugs in Brazil are the same as illegal drugs everywhere, and include marijuana.
Suggested Reading Insight Guide Brazil, APA Publications GmbH & Co. Great for general information. Lonely Planet Guide to Brazil, Lonely Planet Publications. Good guide book. Exploring the Amazon, by Helen and Frank Schreider, National Geographic Society, 1970. Great insight into life in the Amazon Basin. Exploring the Highlands of Brazil, by Richard F. Burton, Greenwood Press, Westport, Conn. USA. Interesting account of an 1869 Amazon adventure by Sir Richard Burton, one of the greatest explorers of all time. Brazil, by Alain Draeger, Overlook Press, 1980. Examination of Brazil’s cultural diversity and growing pains. A History of Brazil, by E. Bradford Burns, Columbia University Press, 1980. All you ever wanted to know about the history of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro, by Douglas Botting, Time-Life Publishing, 1978. Part of the “Great Cities of the World” series. Carnival in Rio, by Albert Goldman, Hawthorn Books, 1978. Documentary about getting ready for Carnival, what its like to be there, and the aftermath. Brazil, by E.L. Uys, FS&G Press, 1986. Historical novel covering five centuries of Brazil.
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Now it's up to you... To ensure that everyone has their first choice of itinerary we ask that you complete the Compass Club Survey Form enclosed in this brochure and fax it by the close of business on Thursday, March 1 to the Compass Club travel staff in Islandia at (631) 342-6945 or you may access the form on line at TRAVEL INCENTIVE 2. As a reminder, we will announce all of the Compass Club qualifiers by the first week in May. If you respond to our survey and subsequently qualify for Club, we will be sure to reserve a spot for you and your guest on the itinerary you selected. Thank you for your kind attention and we hope to see you in Brazil.