Just a personal comment on the fact that the ecenario has changed since our current mayor has worked hard on the traffic situation and the roads and streets in the city, particularly, as you would expect, in the tourist areas of Aldeota and Meireles, Mucuripe and Iracema.

Many of the streets in these neighborhoods have been resurfaced or in some cases actually rebuilt.

It makes for much easier driving when getting around the areas close to the water, particularly on streets leading to the oceanside avenida, Beira mar.

Granted, the amount of vehicular traffic just keeps growing and it outgrew the ability of the roadways to handle it well years ago.

Basically, Fortaleza is a very old city and is just not built for the amount of traffic the roads are being asked to accommodate.

I’m not sure what goes in when decisions are made about the build-out on and near Beira Mar in terms of high-rise housing, but I don’t think much attention was given to whether the local streets could handle the thousands of additional vehicles using them.

When a huge development like Landscape, which is the last big property development on Beira Mar with over 500 units, comes on line in late 2012, it will only get more complicated.

I am aware that the city would like to widen Beira Mar…basically double it’s width, but that is years away and of no assistance now or for the next couple of years.

All that being said, Fortaleza HAS done quite a lot of work on major roads and streets in the city, even away from the tourist areas, and this makes it less stressful and easier on the vehicles using them.

I have on question for the city…why not use more “advance green” signals to solve the left-turn problem with the avenidas in Fortaleza?

For those yet to visit, the medians in these cases, which include most of the really heavy traffic areas, are too narrow to accommodate separate left-turn lanes and it becomes necessary to make three right turns to proceed left off the avenida.  In many cases it’s even more difficult because of one-way side streets.

Perhaps an upgrade of the computer traffic system is needed.

This, in particular, applies to Canadian clients of Fortaleza Adventure, but everyone should do some checking with their preferred bank or financial institution before leaving on a trip abroad.

Save yourself some money by spending a few minutes calling the number on the back of each card and have them explain the fees and currency conversion amounts to you.

For example, with some credit cards,  all transactions made in a foreign currency will be converted to Canadian dollars. Then, an amount equal to 2.5 per cent of the converted transaction amount will be added to the total.

Meanwhile, other credit cards first convert all foreign transactions into U.S. dollars, and then into Canadian dollars, before charging a 2.5 per cent conversion fee.

The foreign currency conversion fee is charged to offset the cost incurred by the credit card company and the bank, since international transactions are more expensive to process than domestic transactions.

Aside from credit cards,  the option is using debit cards. You will not be able to make individual transactions , such as deposits, with a debit card, but you can use them to access your money through bank machines.

Aside from understanding the fees associated with both your debit and credit cards when traveling abroad, here are some tips to help keep you safe and save you money:

Make photocopies of your credit cards. Scan or take photos of the front and back of each card – then store as a password protected file on your computer. This will allow you to have all the information you need to call the credit card company and cancel your cards immediately.

Tell your credit card company about your plans. Nothing would be more frustrating than having your credit card declined and suspended for suspicious use, because you didn’t take the time to let the card issuer know of your overseas travel plans.

Avoid dynamic currency conversion. Foreign merchants will sometimes try to take advantage of tourists by offering to quote the final price of your purchase in U.S. dollars, instead of in the local currency. The exchange rate is selected by the merchant, and is usually much higher than that of your credit card. Make sure you know the currency conversion rates before you buy anything, or download a smartphone app that will do the conversion for you.

Double-check your card expiration date. Your trip could take a serious nosedive if you suddenly discover that your credit card is set to expire while you’re traveling. Contact customer service to see if they can issue you a card with a new expiration date, or mail you a new card to your address abroad, closer to when the card will actually expire.

Stick to one  card (but bring a back-up). Using one credit card will make it easier for you to track your spending while you are away. But, you should also bring a back-up credit card just in case of an emergency – such as, your credit card being suspended, or losing your wallet. The back-up card should be stored somewhere else besides your purse or wallet – like in a safe in your hotel room, or in a money belt if you need to have it with you.

If you have some tips about financial transactions while traveling, please email andy@andyneill.com and I will push them on to present and future clients of Fortaleza Adventure.

The survey was conducted in the fourth quarter by the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, Wisconsin School of Business.

(This information was forwarded to me by my friend James from New Jersey)

I keep learning every day.  I can’t make it all perfect for you as much as I’d like to be able too. You have to get in the arena and move forward. It is about today, unless we chose to hang onto yesterday and let it drag us down.

This an update on the current economy in Brazil, and more importantly to those who harbor dreams of visiting the beautiful northeast coast of the country, the effects of the world recession/depression (depending on where you are) on the local scene.

Having done much thinking and research among other expats and residents of Fortaleza and people who have been in business here for many years, there are some conclusions that can be reached.

For one thing, research shows that after Sao Paulo and Rio, Fortaleza is the most expensive city in the country.

Next in line after Fortaleza would be Salvador.

The local papers say that the inflation rate for the city is in the region of 12.5%, as opposed to the figure the government says is the average for the country of around 6-7%.  My feeling is that it’s always a good idea to consider the source when looking at government figures and that maybe the government has an agenda of their own.

One thing is for sure.

The number of tourists has dropped off precipitously in the past 2 years!  In particular this applies to European tourists.

The people you see here now are doing their visits on a bare-bones budget and a lot are backpackers whop are staying in local hostels.

So if you are looking for a destination where you won’t run into hordes of people with cameras around their necks, currently, Fortaleza is a perfect fit.

We still have the greatest beaches (Jericocoara for example…one of the ten best in the world) and climate in the world, in my opinion, and also the most beautiful women (with the possible exception of Rio).

So if you’re interested in a relaxing stay or possible looking for a place to call home AFTER retirement, get in touch.  Fortaleza Adventure, your personal concierge to the city, can help!

This is a luxury penthouse apartment in a brand-new building on Beira Mar.  It has everything you would need for a short visit, a romantic get-away or somewhere to call home for a longer period.

It has it’s own private entrance and is above it all.

The view is to die for!!!

The amenities are superb!

It’s perfect for a couple or a family with a young child.

Take a look!

 


The View is spectacular, especially at night!

The ambiance is incredible either looking from the inside or outside.

The apartment has it’s own private enterance, and room on the balcony behind for a barbeque.

Everything is within walking distance…supermarkets, restaurants and shops.  Oh!  And the beach, of course!

If you are interested in rates for this penthouse apartment right on the beach, please email andy@andyneill.com and I will put you in touch with the owner who lives here in Fortaleza.

One is on Beira Mar, the beachside avenida, and the other is at the far end of Iracema, the beach to the northwest of Fortaleza.

The hotel on Beira Mar used to be called Caesar Park, but has changed management companies and is now the Gran Marquise.

It is in a very good area of the beach in Meireles and also next door to the mall which contains the only American Express office in the city.  There are several restaurants in the building as well as up and down Beira Mar.

The Marina Park,, the other 5-Star hotel, is located at the far end of Iracema and is not really within walking distance of anything, with the possible exception of Mercado Central but only in the daytime.

However it is a large hotel and well suited to those who come here by sail or motor on the warm South Atlantic. As the name implies, there is a marina attached to the hotel and also a shipyard where yacht construction is carried on.

Both hotels have areas for conferences and conventions and other group activities.  They are popular for weddings and other family celebrations.

Fortaleza has many other hotels of various ratings that would appeal to most travels seeking accommodation, from pousadas to larger hotels like the Blue Tree, a very popular hotel on Monsignor Tabosa…where again, many services are within walking distance.  The street is well known as a familiar shopping area in the city.

If your trip to fortaleza requires hotel accommodation, there are hotels or pousadas which will solve the problem.

Here are some of the details.

More can be had with the info below.

The U.S. Department of State is proposing a new Biographical Questionnaire for some passport applicants:

The proposed new  Form DS-5513 asks for all addresses since birth; lifetime employment history including employers’ and supervisors names, addresses, and telephone numbers; personal details of all siblings; mother’s address one year prior to your birth; any “religious ceremony” around the time of birth; and a variety of other information.

According to the proposed form, “failure to provide the information requested may result in … the denial of your U.S. passport application.”
The State Department estimated that the average respondent would be able to compile all this information in just 45 minutes, which is obviously absurd given the amount of research that is likely to be required to even attempt to complete the form.
It seems likely that only some, not all, applicants will be required to fill out the new questionnaire, but no criteria have been made public for determining who will be subjected to these additional new written interrogatories.  So if the passport examiner wants to deny your application, all they will have to do is give you the impossible new form to complete.
It’s not clear from the supporting statement, statement of legal authorities, or regulatory assessment submitted by the State Department to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) why declining to discuss one’s siblings or to provide the phone number of your first supervisor when you were a teenager working at McDonalds would be a legitimate basis for denial of a passport to a U.S. citizen.
There’s more information in the Federal Register notice (also available here as a PDF) and from the Identity Project. http://federalregister.gov/a/2011-4154

Brazil is the best place to invest says Colordarcy.

Overseas property investment advisor Colordarcy has named Brazil as its number one buying destination for 2011.

According to Colordarcy director Loxley McKenzie it was a “toss up” between Brazil and Turkey as to which country came out as its best investment tip for next year.

“Both have been completely stabilised,” said McKenzie, “and reformed for the better by two terms of excellent governance. Both now have stable and rapidly growing economies, and both are seeing growing affluence in the population which will cause demand for housing to outstrip supply by a large and increasing amount.”

The discovery of oil in Brazil and the awarding of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 also helped to clinch it for the country.

Colordarcy’s third choice investment destination was the USA. The firms says high repossession rates in the US highlight Florida as a place where there are “opportunities to buy, not only distressed or repossessed properties, but also discounted new-build homes at up to 60% below replacement costs.”

Egypt was named the fourth hottest investment destination for 2011 because, says McKenzie, it is a “typical emerging market investment” where “the formula is simple; low prices and high growth.”

“On a comparative basis, prices in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are some of the lowest in the world.”

Next came Vietnam where, says the report, “GDP grew 6.3% in 2008, 5.3% in 2009 and is on track for similar growth this year. The Asia Development Bank is forecasting 4.5% growth this year, the IMF is predicting 6.5% growth this year and 6.8% next year.”

Colordarcy likes the fact that these growth rates “look sustainable, and that Vietnamese property is still priced comparatively low compared to its peers … Vietnam will hot up in 2011.”