Date: Mar 2011
Singapore Airlines started its first South American route to Sao Paulo (GRU), Brazil, via Barcelona (BCN) in Mar 2011. Just about the same time during SIA’s announcement of the new South American route, MBS notified us of its new module, Doing Business in Brazil. So… we are flying to BRAZIL!
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1. Flight |
| 18 Mar 2011– Applied for our air tickets | |
| 31 Mar 2011– Received notification that we got our tickets! | |
| 03 Apr 2011– Bought our return tickets from Sao Paulo to Rio De Janeiro. The online application system at TAM Airlines rejected our purchase as the departure date was less than a month! JR found our tickets at the same price at Expedia. With the booking reference, we went back to TAM Airlines to select our seats. |
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2. Itinerary |
| We didn’t have much planning done for this trip! We proceed with the trip with only a few names of the places of interests in both Rio de janeiro and Sao Paulo. |
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3. Accommodation |
| We will be staying at the recommended hotel, Hotel Novo Mundo, in Rio de janeiro. It will be more convenient for us to stay at Hotel Novo Mundo since transportation from the hotel to Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV).We will be staying at Hotel Novotel São Paulo Jaragua Convention in Sao Paulo for 1 night before flying back to Singapore. |
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4. Visa Application |
| 08 Apr 2011 – We went down to The Home of Embassy of Brazil in Singapore for our visa applicaiton a few days ago. JR collected our Brazilian Visa yesterday. The application process was fast and easy!
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5. Travel Insurance |
| Not required! We had already purchase an annual travel insurance last year. |
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6. Vaccination |
| 12 Mar 2011– Yellow fever vaccination is COMPULSORY to be taken. Airlines will check for vaccination documents at the airport prior to boarding, failing which we will be denied flying. Yellow fever cases occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.
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7. $$$ |
| 28 Apr 2011– We won’t able to find any Brazilian Real in Singapore so bought USD from Mustafa and The Arcade. |
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8. Internet Check-In |
| 28 Apr 2011– Check in! |
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9. Packing Up |
| 29 Apr 2011– According to the weather forecast, Brazil should be cooling in May. We packed a few warmer clothings for this trip. Also, we read that Brazil is a dangerous place to visit due to its high crime rates. We will not be bringing MarkII with us this time… better be safe than sorry! |
Say Bon Voyage to us!