Sorry to hear about the brochure and the liquor. As for the latter, maybe the problem is that they don't have a Sambuca supplier in South America?

Have you learned why they are going backwards? Every other year it has been down the west coast and up the east. Here, they are doing the reverse. I would think it would be nice to go down the west and then try to arrange to be in Rio for Carnivale.

You are going to have a wonderful time. This is one trip I would really like to do. I will be interested to hear what you eventually decide with shore excursions including inland trips.