The trip paused and continues

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Lar Doce Lar

This is what we come home to. La Doce Lar! (meaning Home Sweet Home) It is so cold for us coming from Brazil, from 30 degree C to -8. Adriana built this snowman on our balcony this morning.

It took us 20 hours to arrive home from Sao Paulo International Airport, not counting the 3 hour bus ride there. I feel kind of tired although there is only 6 hours difference.

It is a blessing that our trip was safe although we had minor allergy. We drove 4,000 kilometers in Brazil.

Thanks for following my Brazil blog. This is my final one.

God bless! Whatever you do, don't forget to have fun!

Answer me

I am leaving for Beijing on Nov. 29. Does anyone know that I can use my Home-Return card 港澳回乡证 to enter China at the Beijing airport?

My friend in Beijing told me his landlord uses 港澳回乡证 to enter China thru Beijing.

My Richmond travel agent advices me to get a visa to China. Apparently there were cases that 港澳回乡证 was turned down.

I am a bit confused. Does any of you have the actual experience using 港澳回乡证 to enter Beijing?

Please write in 'Comment' below.

Many thanks.

Tchau!

My trip to Brazil is drawing to a close. Tomorrow we'll take bus to the airport for our red-eye flight back to Vancouver. I am glad that I am leaving Brazil. As a matter of fact, I started to feel bored a week ago. Six weeks is about right for me.

Today we did some last minute shopping. I am bringing half a suitcase full of coffee--both ground and instant. Followers of A Day in Brazil will get some. There are also jewelry, Brazilian's famous flip-flop Havaianas, and nail polish for our lady friends; local artifacts, etc. (Oh, 2 cartons of Marlboro.)

We'll be home on Wednesday. I will attend our Friday night boys' dinner 饭聚集團. We get to rest for five days. Then we have to pack for our Asian trip. Our first stop is Beijing. I've been there twice but never during winter.

After that, we are going to Hong Kong for my 45 years high school reunion. We plan to visit Vietnam, China, Bangkok and Singapore. We have to skip Tokyo this time as Adriana doesn't have enough time to get a visa. See you next year Roberto.

Tchau (goodbye, pronounces "chow")!

P.S. Maybe I will start "A Day in Asia"!?!

I love what I do.

Cesar is Adriana's third child. He just turned 18 last week. Cesar is into art and attending first year of university. He told me he loves what he does-drawing, designing. Next year he'll enroll in the co-op program. He'll be working for a company refered by the university and study at the same time.

Cesar is so lucky to know what he wants to do. Majority of people don't know what truly inspires them. They just go after money. All Cesar needs is a computer. He can practically do his work anywhere in the world.

And then last year Cesar also find someone he loves. Maria is his girlfriend. They seem to have lots in common.

Doing what you love and falling in love are the two greatest things in life. Not everyone is so lucky!

It doesn't make any "cents"!

When I was here six years ago, coins were in shortage especially cents. They didn't have enough cents to go around. Quite often the cents had to be round off.

This year, I don't see any cents. But prices are still quoted in cents in supermarkets.

Prices quotes in goods and services are tax included. When I ask my friends here, they have no idea how much exactly are the taxes. Apparently there are different tax rates. I was told the tule of thumb is about 18%(I'm not sure if this is true since my friends haven't a clue.)

Here is a website explains about the hidden taxes http://www.brazil-help.com/taxes.htm.

Meu Deus (My Gold!)

Brazil is 91% religious. I hear a lot of "Meu Deus" in conversations. Today, I have to say "Meu Deus" because our Kodak camera is no longer working. Adriana dropped it two days ago. All the switches are sluggish now.

We have 5 more days before going home to Canada. We will rest for 5 days then head for Asia.

From now on, some of the pictures you see is from the camera's SD card and some are images from the internet.