Thailand’s historical and cultural center, and main political and financial spot, Bangkok is the capital and most populous city in the Asian country, with a population of over 8.2 million inhabitants, and a metropolitan area encompassing over 14 million people (12% of the country’s population). Situated on the margins of the Chao Phraya River, on the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok was elected by the Global Destination Cities Index, on a survey ordered by Mastercard, the best destination among Global Cities in 2013 – and has always been part of the list of 10 best destinations – besides having been elected the “Best City in the World” for four consecutive seasons, between 2006 and 2010, by the Travel + Leisure magazine, thanks to its pleasant tropical climate as well as its incredible tourist spots, which include palaces, museums and a fantastic floating market and exhibit the cultural contrasts between East and West.

Bangkok is an intense metropolis: from the sacred to the profane, going from the cult of and respect for Buddhist traditions to the ostentation of a bustling nightlife, charming tourists from all over the world with the preservation of thousand-year-old temples that co-exist with the most modern shopping malls. Especially during the high season, in a sunny winter with very little rain, between the months of November and March, although the month of April – the warmest in the year – attracts visitors due to the Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year. It’s worthwhile noting that Brazilians with a passport valid for at least six months from the date of their flight to Bangkok don’t need a visa for a stay of 3 months (90 days) in the country. For accommodation, it’s best to opt for a hostel, inn or hotel (there are good options, independent of how much you can afford) in the ancient center of the Thai capital.

What to visit in Bangkok

Starting with the ancient center, Rattanakosin, visit the Grand Palace, which dates from1782 and was the king’s residence for 150 years and today is the administrative center of the Thai government. There you will see the Chakri Mahaprasat (Grand Palace Hall) with a mixture of Italian Renaissance and Thai architecture, home to the Wat Phra Kaew Temple, with its emerald-eyed Buddha. However, some say that the city’s most incredible temple is the Wat Pho, with a recumbent Buddha 46 meters long, and a garden with rows of golden Buddhas. Another famous temple is the Wat Arun, famous for its 70 meter tall tower, highly detailed and decorated, both outside and inside.

As for Bangkok’s museums, don’t miss the incredible Bangkok National Museum, with the country’s largest collection of artworks and artifacts. There, be enchanted by the statues of Buddha, of different ages and sizes, and know the oriental side of the city. On the other hand, the western and high tech Museum of Siam exhibits the paradoxical Thai culture, from royalty to Buddhism, to contemporary fashion and cuisine. On the city streets, don’t fail to go to the floating markets around the canals, with shopping both on land and on boats. Outstanding are the Damnoen Saduak, the Amantawa and the Taling Chan.

Shopping

At the Chatuchak , tourists have access to over 8 thousand stands in order to take home a piece of Bangkok: from clothes, decorations and antiques to works of art. At J.J. Green, and at Ratchada Rot Fai Train, nocturnal markets, besides shopping you can relax to the sound of live music while enjoying appetizers and typical drinks. For important acquisitions of international brands, visit the gigantic MBK, a six-floor mall with excellent prices for technological items, and the beautiful Siam discovery Mall, with its theme floors.

The fantastic Bangkok cuisine

Bangkok offers what’s best in Thai gastronomy. And you don’t need to go to the most expensive restaurants in town to experience it. The delicious options are available at small street stalls or simple family establishments. Don’t miss sampling the classics: crabmeat omelets; chicken stew with rice;  pad thai, rice noodles with bean sprouts, peanuts and eggs (accompanied by pork, shrimp, or chicken); noodle soup with beef and seafood; roast duck; papaya salad and herb-stuffed fish; wagyer with tomatoes and pecorino cheese; and, lastly, the classic Thai dessert, consisting of mangoes and sweet rice.

How to move around in Bangkok

Well prepared to receive tourists, Bangkok has several tours that can be done on foot, although taxis are cheap, and there’s also the option of taking a Grub, a kind of Thai Uber, a better choice than a charming and expensive tuk-tuk. As for public transport, the buses have challenging, roundabout routes for tourists, while the subway isn’t very useful for the main tours. On the other hand, we highly recommend the BTS skytrain, which takes you to the Siam malls, the Chatuachak market and the Bangrak area. Another good option is the small boats that sail on the Chao Phraya River that cuts through the city.

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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when the subject is Las Vegas? Land of luxury resorts, casinos, home to great sports events, unusual weddings, and lots of buzz. The clichés are trustworthy, and there are two things you can be sure of about the most densely populated city in the state of Nevada, USA: it is definitely the land of luxury and of buzz. The famous saying is that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”, but we’ll keep no secrets when talking about the main attractions of the fastest growing city in North America. That’s why it’s the home of the residency shows of the music industry’s greatest icons – especially POP – and of the UFC’s super fights.

But there’s no way to start a text about las Vegas without highlighting its casinos, situated on the Strip – the Las Vegas Boulevard – or in the region of Old Town Las Vegas, birthplaces for some of the planet’s most imposing hotels and casinos: Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, New York New York, Paris, Stratosphere, The Venetian, Treasure island, among many others. It’s there that the Las Vegas tourism is born, grows every year, and is reproduced by those who disobey the popular saying of hiding everything that happens there, and go back to their hometowns full of stories to tell.

Nowadays touristic and legalized, the famous Las Vegas casinos began illicitly, and multiplied with a strong link to American organized crime, with members of the Mafia, such as Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegal and Meyer Lansky, among others, leading the business. And you’re mistaken if you think the city is ashamed of its past. On the contrary, there’s a certain pride in its citizens’ tone of voice when talking about the Mafia, which strengthened the city economically, as can be seen in the Mob Museum, which tells the story of the American Mafia.

With relation to the shows, don’t miss the Cirque du Soleil show called ONE, in honor of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, at the Mandalay Bay. Other musical icons celebrated in a big show are the Beatles, in the musical Love, at the Mirage. If you want extra fun, don’t miss hot parties such as the XS, at the Wynne, the live shows at the Brooklyn Bowl Vegas, and, of course, the lively pool parties, such as the Nite Tours.

Lastly, Las Vegas also surprises with other attractions not typical of its fame. Just walk along Las Vegas Boulevard and you’ll see that there are attractions for the whole family, opposed to what you thought was a dream for the single. The great demand from families that visit the town forced the big hotels to adapt, building imposing restaurants and the Linq, simply the biggest Ferris Wheel in the world, with no less than 550 meters in height. The MGM has The Park Vegas, inspired by New York City.

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If you visit Jamaica you won’t be disappointed in the clichés that define the country. The native land of Bob Marley, the greatest reggae singer in history, is faithful to its stereotypes and, when you go out into its streets, it’s easy to come in touch with the musical rhythm on the soundboxes, the easy-going way of life – characterized by the expression “no problem”, often used by Jamaicans –  the Rastafari movement – a Judeo-Christian segment that emerged in the country in the 1930’s – and another cultural and legislative relationship with marijuana, where possession and planting are permitted. Neither does the country disappoint tourists in search of a destination to rest in, with no need of drugs, of course, but with a real immersion in nature.

The third largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica is made up of imposing mountains surrounded by a narrow coastal plain home to a variety of ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial. The beautiful Jamaican landscapes are formed by exuberant beaches that share space with cozy waterfalls, forests and large rivers. However, the same nature that attracts tourists, also scares them. This is because the inviting tropical climate is in contrast to the dangers inherent in the country’s geographical situation, in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean, which provokes the occurrence of cyclones.

What to visit

Water is definitely the focus of tourism, especially the outstanding beaches of Doctor’s Cave and Dead End, as well as the lovely Blue Hole lagoon and an incredible 183m high waterfall called Dunn River Falls. Therefore, pack your bags with sunscreen and bathing-suits, to enjoy sea-bathing as well as tours on the rivers, and relax in Jamaica’s beautiful waterfalls and natural pools. But it isn’t only rest, shade and fresh water that comprise an itinerary on the island: Jamaican topography offers great trails for hiking or cycling. On the way, enjoy not only the landscape, but also a juicy mango or apple, abundant in the region, as well as the option of resting your feet in one of the waterways.  On a tour called Bamboo Rafting, tourists sail down a river in a bamboo canoe. Among other attractions, which include practising popular sports in Jamaica, we find the zip line, diving, and an incredible bobsled ride without snow, like the one used in the Winter Olympics and immortalized in the film Cool Runnings.

Moving from adventure to history,take a zip line on Mystic Mountain and contemplate not only nature, but also a cultural center that shows a tribute to the country’s greatest icons: Usain Bolt, Olympic champion, and singer Bob Marley, considered the greatest representative of reggae. Jamaican culture is also well documented and exhibited in the cultural center built on Sam Sharpe Square. On the tour called Plantation Tours & Great Houses, offered by local tourist agencies, you’ll learn about part of Jamaica’s history through its majestic plantations. Another part of Jamaican history is told in the depths of caves, former sites of the ceremonies of the Tainos, a native Amerindian people. In the sinuous corridors and large underground pools, you’ll live an incredible experience of immersion in nature. Another fantastic contact with nature is on one of the tours to observe 65 species of birds that live in Jamaica, 28 of which are indigenous to the country.

Flavors of Jamaica

The interesting Jamaican creole food is mainly meat-based: on every corner you’ll find jerk beef and jerk chicken, barbecued beef and chicken with peppery bittersweet sauce, served with rice and beans. Seafood is also part of what’s best on the Jamaican menu, as well as meat patties and bammy, cassava bread very popular with the natives. Beer and rum drinks complete your order.

Birthplace of several musical genres

You’re mistaken if you think that reggae is the only sound in Jamaica. Famous all over the world through Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff, the island is also mother to rhythms such as ska, dub, reggaeton and ragga. Self-styled the “Capital of Caribbean Culture”, the impression one gets when visiting Jamaica is that daily life is a non-ending musical, since the melodies are part of almost all the activities on the island.

When to travel to Jamaica

Although it’s hot almost all year round, as in most countries situated in the Caribbean, you might think the ideal, of course, is to go there in the summer, since the island’s main attractions include beaches, rivers and waterfalls. Wrong! In the summer, between June and November, it’s too hot and damp, with more rainfall. Therefore, the high season is between December and April, in the winter, when there’s less rain and the temperatures are milder.

Documents required

According to Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, the Brazilian tourist must present round trip tickets, a passport valid for at least six months, a vaccination card for yellow fever, and an address for accommodation in Jamaica.

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Multiethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual (although the administration uses English as the main language, no official language is defined, since part of the population adopts French and Mauritian Creole), thus, with these plural features, we can define the Mauritius Islands, multifaceted due to their African, French, Dutch, Creole, Indian and Chinese heritage, from settlers to merchants passing through the sea route. With the highest HDI in Africa, the main island, Mauritius Island, is divided into nine  districts: Black River, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Rivière du Rempart, and Savaune, added to three other islands: Agalega,  Cargados Carajos or Saint Brandon, and Rodrigues.

This paradise, renowned for its varied flora and fauna, with several species endemic to the islands, such as the dodo, presents a tropical climate, predominantly warm, with a dry winter and a rainy summer. The climate is influenced by winds from the southeast. Part of the archipelago that includes the islands of Reunion and Rodrigues, the Mauritius Islands are part of the Mascarene Islands, and are the result of a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred 8 or 10 million years ago. Although nowadays there are no active volcanoes, the volcanic features are visible: there is a high central plateau surrounded by a crater that can be seen from several mountains, while its highest peak is situated to the northeast (the 828m of the Piton de la Rivière Noire).

In the northwest of the island, Port Louis is the capital and largest city. However, there are other important cities, such as Curepipe, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and Vacoas-Phoenix, all marked by the example of  public safety, thanks to the 10 thousand active officials divided among military, police and security functions, under the command of the Commissioner of Police (National Police Force, Special Mobile Force and National Coast Guard). The plurality of the Mauritius Islands can be seen clearly and savored in every meal. A product of French and Dutch settlers, as well as of Indian and Chinese immigrants, the cookery is the greatest proof that the mixture of nationalities only brings benefits to society.

With cultural mixtures in several items of a same dish, the Mauritius Islands  captivate tourists with dishes such as daube, civet de lièvre, or coq au vin, all served with a good wine. The dishes, originated in the French cuisine, gained typical island ingredients and the influence of other immigrant nationalities in their preparation, which gives them a unique flavor. To drink, there’s nothing like the good rum produced on the Mauritius Islands. The drink began to be commercialized on the island in 1638, with the Dutch colonization and the arrival of sugar cane. All of this can be consumed in the Port Louis market, together with fruits such as longan and graviola, besides the dhal puri, a street sandwich that can be eaten while you buy beautiful handicrafts, such as the typical raffia baskets.

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In 1934, the prestigious American architect Frank Lloyd Wright received a residential project similar to so many others that he had designed before. This one, however, had a serious singularity – the house would be projected over a waterfall that the client wanted to preserve.

No matter how experienced and how much of a genius Lloyd was, this was an uncommon challenge at the time. Legend has it that the architect lost control of his deadline to deliver the project, and designed the house only a few hours before the final meeting with his client.
The project, named Falling Water, was audacious – the architect wanted all the social areas of the house – living room, dining room, verandahs – to have a view of the waterfall. The final result was a residence that subverted the dynamics of American houses, with the social center turned to the back of the house.

Falling Water shows all the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture: his concern with social coexistence in his projects. The esthetics, the visual, also stood out, but the importance of socializing surpasses them. The house, for instance, has few barriers between the rooms, with the exception of the bedrooms and the bathrooms. This characteristic is the mark of Lloyd’s genius.

Nowadays, due to its importance to architecture, the house has become a museum. There, the visitor goes on a guided tour that shows the innovative style that marks Lloyd’s work. It’s an excellent choice for tourists who love architecture and urbanism.

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In 106th place among the 163 countries analyzed in a ranking of the safest places in the world, Brazil is definitely going through a period of great public insecurity. This is indicated by the Global Peace Index 2018, a research carried out by the IEP (Institute for Economics and Peace), which analyzes worldwide the efforts countries make for peace, not only in relation to their own territories, but also globally. Iceland, New Zealand and Austria were elected, in that order, the three safest and most peaceful nations in the world. These countries can be considered a dream come true in a world that, according to the index, is in the fourth year of a negative tendency.

Iceland

Since the first edition of the Global Peace Index in 2008, Iceland has never lost its leadership in the ranking. In this European country, considered the safest and most peaceful in the world, street crimes simply do not exist. The number of homicides in the country is under 2.0 per 100 thousand inhabitants (in comparison, Brazil has a rate of 30.3). Social equality and investment in education are the ingredients for a low violence rate.

New Zealand

Representing Oceania in the TOP 10 of the index, New Zealand is one of the least corrupt and most prosperous nations in the world. An example of economic and political stability, along with respect for human rights, this small country, smaller than the state of São Paulo, is home to a feeling of safety. For instance, with rare exceptions, local policemen do not patrol the streets carrying firearms, and this does not keep the rate of violence and attacks on civilians from being extremely low in the small and safe country.

Austria

With the highest Index of Human Development in the world, the Austrian standard of living is a basic factor for the low rate of violence and crime. The feeling of safety citizens have reflects directly on the local economy, increasingly expanded in a solid infrastructure of business and leisure. One of the local society’s concerns is the access to weapons by citizens, a factor that diminishes the feeling of safety in relation to the two countries placed at the top of the index.

Understand the Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index covers 99.7% of the world population, and considers over 20 indicators, such as number of homicides, security apparatus, incarceration, and even political instability and relationships with neighboring countries. Based on this data, the ranking defines the most peaceful countries and the most unstable regarding security, according to reverse scoring, since the smaller a country is, the greater is its stability. You can access the report by clicking here, but here goes a negative spoiler: according to Steve Killelea, founder and director of the IEP, peace in the world has decreased in the last ten years.

Worrisome Brazilian numbers

If you’re thinking of moving away from Brazil due to insecurity, your fears are not baseless. According to the “Atlas of Violence 2018: homicides” published in the first week of June by the Ministry of Health, the country reached a worrisome rate of 30 murders per 100 thousand inhabitants in 2016. The number is frightening: there were 62517 deaths, which equals 30 times the indicators in Europe, for instance. Data like this shows why Brazil is the third worse country in South America to live in, according to the Global Peace Index, where Brazil is placed ahead of only Venezuela (143rd) and Colombia (145th).

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While Brazil is experiencing economic crisis, countries around the world offer payment for foreigners to populate their peaceful and prosperous cities. Composed by the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada, the list allows those interested in starting over to live on any continent with the right to financial support and ease of adjustment policies.

Economic crisis in Brazil x Chance to start over in another country

Brazil is experiencing one of the biggest economic crises in its history, with a frightening unemployment rate. According to the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics – IBGE), only in the first quarter of 2018, 27.7 million Brazilians were unemployed or working for less daily time than they could or would like, a figure equivalent to 1/4 of the country’s workforce. That said, living abroad is increasingly an option. Reduced local population and economic growth make cities around the world offer a range of facilities for qualified immigrants.

United States

Learn to play golf and earn a lot to build your home, this is the proposal of the government of Curtis, a city in the state of Nebraska. Seeking to populate the city, with a little more than 720 inhabitants in Census conducted in 2013, the “award” can be taken out in the vicinity of the Arrowhead Meadows, great golf course, as can be checked here: http://www.curtis-ne.com/arrowheadgolfcourse.php

With some little more inhabitants, around 1007, according to data from 2013, Harmony, in the State of Minnesota offers about 12 thousand dollars, the equivalent to buy a land in the city.

With more modest offer, in the state of Kansas, 70 of its 103 counties encourage the arrival of new residents, with 15,000 US dollars of student loan and exemption from income tax for 5 years. However, there are several benefits for those who wish to live in the countryside: http://www.kansascommerce.com/320/Rural-Opportunity-Zones

Canada

If your dream is to live in Canada, how about meeting Camden?! To reactivate its economy, the local government offers 2.8 hectares for immigrants. The objective is that the new inhabitant to undertake and generate new jobs in the city.

If you do not have an entrepreneur profile, no problem: Saskatchewan is a great option. New residents receive aid of around 13 thousand euros per year. However, there are requirements: to prove proficiency in English, to be newly graduated and, before, to live for a few years in the city, as can be seen in the link: http://www.publications.gov.sk.ca/

Europe

With less than 270 inhabitants, Tristan da Cunha Island in the United Kingdom is considered the most remote – inhabited – in the world. For immigrants, there are £ 25,000 per year, in addition to transportation and housing.

With just under 700 inhabitants, the small town of Ponga, Spain, cannot wait to increase its population. Proof of this is that the local government offers no less than 3000 euros for new couples if they move to the city. To get an idea, in 2007, a Census pointed out that Ponga had only 50 young people.

In the Netherlands, however, the city of Utrecht does not suffer from lack of inhabitants, but rather seeks participants in a study that analyzes the behavior of those who receive money from the government and does not have to work to maintain himself. There are $ 1,000 a month for research targets.

In the small and mountainous town of Albinen, 3 hours from Geneva, capital of Switzerland, the little more than 240 inhabitants, cannot wait to welcome new neighbors, so much that they receive new residents with 25,000 Swiss francs, or about 82,000 Reais per adult. Curiously, the initiative came from the city’s own residents.

Japan

In the small island of Miyakejima, Japan, the incentive to new residents comes in the form of an offer not very convincing. To receive government assistance, the immigrant will be exposed to a risk: the island has the highest concentration of sulfur gas in the world and the Government’s goal is to study its effects on the human body.

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The capital of the state of Para, Belem, developed along the margins of Guaruja Bay, after the arrival of the Portuguese in 1616, which explains why it is cosmopolitan, is a port, and has beautiful architecture, being known at the time as “Paris in America”. Due to its equatorial climate, and influenced by the Amazon Forest, it is the rainiest capital in Brazil. This gives an even more pleasant touch to the traditional façades of the mansions and churches of the colonial period, blended with the modern buildings that emerged due to the plan for enhancing the value of space in the city, with the resulting vertical growth.

A cultural, political and economic model for the region, which includes all of the state of Para, and the states of Amapa and Tocantins, Belem is the second most visited city in Amazonia, due to its various offers of culture and leisure. Besides the world famous Cirio de Nazare (Taper of Our Lady of Nazareth), Belem is the venue for several fairs: the FITA – Feira Internacional de Turismo da Amazonia (International Tourism Fair of Amazonia); the Feira Amazonica do Livro (Amazonian Book Fair); and the Feira Supernorte (Supernorth Fair) – considered the major business event in the North of Brazil – besides fashion events, such as the Belem Fashion Days and the Amazonia Fashion Week.

Cirio de Nazare

The biggest Christian procession on the planet, in honor of Our Lady of Nazareth, the state’s patron saint, it moves the economy and tourism in the capital, receiving over 2 million people. The event is held on the second Sunday in October, on a march of 3.6km, from the Belem Cathedral to the Sanctuary of Nazareth Square.

Gastronomy

Belem’s rich cookery is presented in charming establishments and in public parks. It represents the popular tradition that every inhabitant of Para – and every tourist – should enjoy a good “tacaca” at 3:00 pm, just as the English enjoy their 5:00 o’clock tea. Therefore, you’ll find the dish in the main avenues and streets of the city. This exotic regional dish is served in a gourd, with a broth of “tucupi” with shrimp and manioc starch. Among drinks, you’ll find the “jambu cachaça”, which makes drinkers tremble and feel a slight numbness in their lips. Another typical drink, “bacun” juice, is ideal to accompany the “unha”, a crab delicacy. Not forgetting, of course, “maniçoba”, a soup made with shrimp and several regional spices.

Don’t forget to visit the “Ver-o-Peso”, the most famous open air market in town. There, you’ll find handicrafts, animals, articles for witchcraft, and several local foods, such as fruits, greens, manioc flour, Brazil nuts and fish. Also visit Portinho, in the historic district of Cidade Velha (Old City). There you’ll find fresh savories prepared with homemade pastry and delicious typical regional fillings.

Art

The Museu de Arte Sacra (Museum of Religious Art), inside the Igreja de Santo Alexandre (Church of Saint Alexander), has religious paintings and Baroque style items. The images of saints carved in wood deserve special attention.  As for local music, go to the Estação das Docas (Dock Station). In front of Shed 1, regional groups present shows of “carimbó” on Fridays, starting at 6:00 pm. On Sundays, there are more shows in the Praça da República (Republic Square), in a friendly ambiance where tourists and local inhabitants take children and pets.

Nature

A visit to the Parque Zoobotânico Emílio Goeldi (Zoobotanical Park), covering an area of 5.2hectares, is a must. There, you will see spectacular animals from the forests and rivers of Amazonia. Another good idea is a visit to the Mangal das Garças (Heron Mangrove), in the old center of Belem. This important ecological reserve holds hundreds of native species of animals and plants.

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