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Welcome to the forum @differenceday. Are you related to @pong2 or did you study at the same school perhaps?

The "dynamic trio" is at it again. I could say I believe Lake Superior is wet, and they'd find a way to disagree with me. There are multiple amusing YouTube videos about dunces who tried to hold out for more money for their property on public works projects, and showed the consequences. Anybody of even average intelligence chuckles at their stupidity, because it's all quite obvious. Your arguments about why this case was different were all shot to pieces by actual references. While it is true that AI could be way off in its estimation of JvdB's net worth, the other pieces of evidence I gave are all very telling and cannot be ignored. I can't imagine for a second that you believe her financial needs went from a mysterious $250,000 to $1,200,000, to $1,600,000, and now to over $2.7 million and counting. Nor can I imagine for a second that you believe a bank would have shelled out $4 million for a home unless there were either evidence of adequate income or an adequate life insurance policy (or both). It's simply unimaginable, and would never happen. If anything could be any more ridiculous would be to believe charity dollars are better spent helping someone stay on a mansion in oversized property instead of helping starving children in Sudan, Palestine, or Bangladesh. Oh, and if you want to help starving Palestinians, another charity I support, which has 100% rating with charitynavigator.org, is ANERA: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/520882226 "Since 1968, Anera has helped refugees and others hurt by conflicts in the Middle East live with dignity and purpose.<br>Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate emergency relief and for sustainable, long-term health, education, and economic development. Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it's needed most. That's how Anera delivered more than $100.4 million in programs in 2020 alone, and it's how we will keep building better lives until hope finds its way in the Middle East." I really hope you three are just putting me on, because otherwise I have to shake my head.

Non-sexual blood tests? Where's the fun in that? Seriously though, you can try giving them a call @Patanawet. I think they have operators who speak English. And going off the piss is a good idea. No need to apologise. 😉🫶

Don't forget they have lifts so guys your age don't have to walk up the steps . No use with your old knees, especially as you been on them most of your life Mind you, your probably younger than me but want to act old 👴👴 Surely you can use the stairs at your age .

Nagoya is best used as a base for day trips. It has little to offer tourists.

Good and informative post. I'd just like to sing the praises of The Red Cross Anonymous Clinic.. I went there for an H.I.V. test on the advice from a doctor at Chulaloncorn Hospital ("It's cheaper there than here and we are the same organisation"). (actually 210 Baht and the results either personally or by email one hour later) To find the clinic, (walking) follow the skytrain above you to half way between Sala Daeng and Ratchadamri stations. It is under the water towers on your left. Cannot miss it. Everyone there, from doorman to nurse are so nice and helpful. Being a crusty old fart, I had trouble filling the registration form but a lady went out of her way to help me, so it might be an idea to register earlier online. The clinic(Red Cross) and Chula hospital (Chula university) seem to be the same organisation BUT who owns whom? Sorry to go off piste a little but does anyone know if they also do non sexual blood tests like cholesterol, blood glucose etc.?

But, all said and done, I'd rather have a room with no mirrors. The problem is that when one is entwined with the boy du jour, any reflected image of boy likely includes reflected image of self -- which tends to be ego-destroying. If there is any market niche for AI, it should be for AI mirrors that know when and how to "edit" the reflection.

It's correct. Payment was from bank account nominated in CNY with conversion from CNY to VND.

Presumably you set your payment currency as CNY

While spending last month in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, I found what the lowest prices I have at Trip.com with payment in CNY. Sometimes they are 25-30% lower than Booking.com or Agoda in USD and 10-15% lower in CNY, and they are 50-70% lower than prices of hotels rack rates. Example: double King deluxe with sea view in Mercure (Accor) in Vung Tau (VN) has rack rate USD250, while Booking offers it for USD190, but I got it for USD110 via Trip.com. Note: prices are for Chinese New year festival time.

LOL indeed!

Having been a regular traveller for decades, I totally agree. I have used agoda, expedia and perhaps a couple of others and found they were basically fine. But the older I have got the more fussy I am about my room and its location - not on the first few floors and definitely not near a lift lobby, for example. Now I am only a member of one hotel chain but it consistently lives up to its promises. On my recent visit to Taipei, though, I found the price for my usual chain hotel had risen quite considerably. Having once enjoyed a very pleasant stay at a Japanese chain hotel in Tokyo (the one overlooking Kabukicho with a huge godzilla character overlooking the street), I decided to try their one in Taipei a couple of weeks ago. Excellent room, superb breakfast and very welcoming staff, plus only 100 meters or so from a subway station. It is essentially part of a chain and so I suppose I now belong to two, although the Japanese one does not have many hotels yet outside Japan.

Well, I had been told by a trusted mentor to "Never pay for it.” "Why?" "Because you'll fall in love with them." ...and my last 7 month trip to BKK-Bali, ignoring said advice, I had a heart attack; finding best solace months later, finally, at the 1:45 closing of my second trip to Tawan (unusual, but the super A, et. al., crowd were unappealing that nite): had a what-the-hell beer; neon lights came on; "Unbreak My Heart" played; thought "who will unbreak my...". And I saw a barback who was perfect: he was with me until my departure. He’d never been off'd in 2 years at Tawan, even had to ask how to do it. Perfect. Thank you for all, as I was last there in early 2007. I'm scheduled to be there for about 3 months, starting late February through May. Probably last trip (I'm older than anyone who says their age on this site recently). And my intention is to take my mentor's advice and not "pay for it". (If I were, I'd probably take the "low overhead" route, and just look into the bars, if they still exist, on the Soi by Mango Tree, off Soi Than Tawan). So I am looking for following up any trusted 'sign' from my stay there, wherever it occurs. Telephone used to allow one to meet locals as well as a variety of folks in a social atmosphere if one chose; what place has that kind of appeal, style now? [Balcony, e.g., is not that social kind of bar.] As my favorite restaurant/bar was Sphinx back then, at the end of Soi 4, if any remembers its ambiance, what is a restaurant/bar that is: 1) comfortable (cushioned), 2) quiet enough to talk, 3) reasonably priced, with 4) healthy-enough food, in the 5) Silom/Patpong/gay area Silom ...in that order? (Foodland with cushions?) Massage is underrated in western culture, but not by me. Attractiveness is second to sensitive, client-focused care for full body, while foot/leg massage is fine with good work. I'm also looking forward to meet folks from this site while I'm there.

Yet they did, lol

Could happen the other way around too.... room allocation depends a lot on the front desk when they block or check in rooms. When you buy a room from one of the OTA sites, look somewhere in the fine print, it should say that bed and room types are not guaranteed. They buy ROH, run of the house rooms... so you could end up anywhere. But a good front desk manager or agent that blocks rooms, will give the best rooms to "their" guests, then will look at the rates you paid and assign accordingly and others just hand them out as you arrive and what's available at the moment. When you can book with the hotel directly, you should. Because then YOU are their customer, otherwise, Agoda or Booking.com is their customer and you are Agoda or Bookings customer. Most chain hotels will only give you your "status" benefits when booked directly with them, you might find a manager or a hotel that will honor your benefits, but they're not obligated to. Hotels in Asia are weird, they seem to prefer that people book online and put their own rates too high, I don't get that strategy.... not when so many use the internet. Chris at The Venue, will usually give the same or better rate than what the online sites are giving as does Classroom Suites when you book directly with them and some food credits, that logic I understand because they get their money right away from you and pay no commission.

This Gemini AI explanation is better than listening to me: Even though Expedia Group owns Trivago, the platform functions as a "metasearch engine," meaning it is designed to scan hundreds of different booking sites (including competitors like Booking.com and Agoda) to find the best available price. Trivago +1 The reason you often see lower prices from sites like Agoda or Booking.com—even on a site owned by Expedia—comes down to how these companies compete: 1. Different Business Models Merchant vs. Agency: Some sites, particularly Agoda, often use a "Merchant Model," where they buy room blocks in bulk from hotels at a steep discount and then resell them to you at a lower price than other sites can offer. Commission Structures: Other sites use an "Agency Model" (like Booking.com), where the hotel sets the price and the site takes a commission. If one site agrees to take a lower commission for a specific promotion, they can show a lower final price. Reddit +3 2. "Hidden" and Dynamic Pricing Mobile-Only Deals: Booking.com and Agoda frequently offer "mobile-only" prices that are 10% or more lower than their desktop versions to encourage app usage. Trivago’s algorithm may pick up these specific rates. Taxes and Fees: Some sites, notably Agoda and occasionally Hotels.com, have been known to show a lower "initial" price on Trivago that doesn't include taxes or resort fees until you reach the final checkout page. Reddit +4 3. Algorithm and Ad Bidding CPC (Cost-Per-Click): Booking sites pay Trivago a fee every time someone clicks their deal. A site might bid higher to get their "low price" featured more prominently as a "Top Deal," even if another site has a similar or slightly lower price hidden further down. Inventory Clearing: Hotels often release unsold rooms to specific platforms at a discount to ensure they aren't left with empty beds. Agoda or Booking.com might have secured an "exclusive" for that specific hotel on that specific date. Reddit +5 4. Legal Scrutiny of "Best Price" Trivago has faced legal action in some countries (notably Australia) for misleading consumers into believing the "top" recommended deal was the absolute cheapest. Courts found that their algorithm sometimes prioritized sites that paid Trivago higher fees over the actual lowest price. This is why you may sometimes see a lower price listed below the main "Recommended" green button.

Yes and no, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is in the same place since 532 AD and so is Notre Dame in Paris. When visiting Lviv in Ukraine in 2019 I was told that there's streetcar line running the same streets since end of 19th century, during that time city was in 4 different countries - Austria, Poland, USSR and Ukraine. And Sherlock Holmes still lives at 221 B Baker Street in London for all I know although rumors are Dr. Watson moved out already.

I have often wondered this when these annual charts are published. Having travelled over the course of my career to many ocuntries and enjoyed many sexual encounters, I believe they are basically rubbish. I recall maybe around 1990 a visit to the old Babylon, then located at the top of Soi Nanta. Waiting with a few Thais to get into a private room, I finally made it and was immediately joined by a tall, slim Thai. We both had on gowns and not just towels. Lying down on the bed, I let my hand slip down. I could not believe what a monster dick he was endowed with, larger by far than most I had previously experienced. Then again on a recent visit to Taipei, on one visit to Hans Mens Sauna, among a plethora of well endowed young men there were a couple which would have had @Olddaddy running away screaming and probably asking for his money back! They were the tiniest dicks I have ever seen. Whoever is making the 'calculations' for Asians should spend time at hot springs. In Taipei and various cities in Japan I have seen such a wide range of lengths and girths, it really is impossible to come up with an "average".

I'd say 'for the same kind of room" on my recent trip I booked room on Agoda in certain Phu Quoc hotel . Few days later my friend upon learning I will be there, booked on Trip.com the same kind of room in the same hotel for about 10$ (1/4) less. I felt jealous but only up to day of checking in. I received room on 7th floor with the sea view, my friend got identical room on the 1st floor with view of wall of neighboring building. Mystery of price difference was solved

Absolutely no offence taken - indeed merely gratitude for all you contribute and not just to this thread. I totally agree that cities do change constantly and pre-printed maps/atlases can certainly be out of date quite quickly - depending on the cities. I suppose my ideal is using a handy bi-lingual atlas like the one I posted which makes finding Japanese addresses quite easy since the address format used in Japan is totally unlike that in most other countries, and a downloaded map showing in more detail exactly where my intended destination is. A little anecdote. In between jobs I once flew to Europe with a Eurail pass to visit lots of places. In Madrid I based myself in a small hotel near the main station, the aim being to visit several nearby towns in the mornings - places like Toledo and Segovia - and then 'do' Madrid in the afternoons and evenings. All worked well until Toledo when it started to rain quite heavily and I decided to return earlier. On the train I walked through several carriages hoping to find a cute young Asian I could chat with. Success. I sat opposite a late 20s Chinese. I noticed that we were both using the same Guide Book (these were early internet days). And that's what I told him when trying to start up a conversation. He responded with something like, "Yes, they're really good." I then added, "I can tell from your accent that you are from Singapore." Which did not faze him a bit, but his next comment certainly fazed me. "And I know that you live in Hong Kong!" It turned out that he had worked with one of the government's economic departments when I was negotiating some deal with colleagues from my company in Hong Kong. Then he had been a slightly younger, nearly head-shaven civil servant. Now he had long hair and much more of a hippie look, having left government service some months earlier. I started to get my hopes up that we could meet later that evening. Then he told me he would be joining his girlfriend once we got to Madrid. Bummer!

Before moving to Bangkok, I used to tell offs that I was not a tourist and lived in the city. This obviously meant checking on condo and soi names before coming up with one that was believable. With just a handful of words in Thai, that usually worked well and the approach about cash moved down a notch or two.

I am not quite sure what your post means! But homosexuality in much of Africa was as stated essentially banned by the British and a few other colonial powers. What the legal situation was before those times, I'm sorry I have no idea. @Alex_Berl is in a far better position that I to discuss that than I.

You might add Trivago to that list. Trivago is a hotel meta-search engine. They check dozens of booking sites (worldwide), and present you with the best prices. If booking directly with the hotel is cheaper than the booking agencies, Trivago will show that. Google Maps is good, but Trivago specializes in hotel bookings, at the lowest price - it's all they do. In some cases for example, a room referred to Booking.com through Trivago by a click-through link will be less expensive than going directly to Booking.com (or Agoda, or Hotels.com, etc) I was just checking Trivago for a few days on Koh Samet, and the room prices vary widely between different booking sites, for the same room.

In case you missed this in the Thailand forum 😳