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1. PCR tests For Canadians visiting Brazil, PCR tests are required both for flying into Brazil and back to Canada. It's annoying that you have to add these into your trip plan. The GIG airport PCR testing is very organized and results are available in 4 hours (3 for my experience). Cost is 315 reals. They will help you print a copy as well at the GIG basement level where you do the test. The fee is insignificant comparing to the hassle that you have to plan it and the uncertainty that one might test positive. 2. VIP lounges Very disappointing, GIG VIP lounges are closed to priority club or lounge pass users. only business class travellers. At Panama city, lounges are all open with reduced food options, much better. 3. Entry forms online before boarding You need to fill in corresponding government forms before you can board the flight. So if you didn't go through the counter (used web-checkin) and didn't find the form yourself online, make sure you ask staff for the link before boarding time. I had to scramble to fill in the Brazilian form in order to board with just a few minutes to spare before they closed the boarding gate. 4. hotels other than you are expected to put on a plastic glove when fetching food, not much changed. One hotel I stayed in will do cleaning only on demand, which actually works better for me. Copacabana Hotels are in high demand on weekends. Even though it's cold and rainy for most of the last 2 weeks I was there. 5. 202 Lot of boys. Notably few foreign tourists. None of my favourites from 2019 trips still work there😒. However, did find two new boys I like, which is very good. One 19yo slim white twink boy who just started working in 202 a few months ago. Very much my type. One Colombian boy in his early 20swho had been touring in Europe. Mostly top, huge cock, but very service oriented oral wise, swallows with a smile on his face, totally made up for the fact that he doesn't bottom. As a bonus, Matteo from meninosonline was in Rio, I connected with him on grindr. Fluent English, very friendly and educated boy, a rare find. So over all, very good hit rate for week1. For Matteo, I even cancelled my plans to hit Sao Paulo for week#2 since Fragata is no longer functioning (tears). Sadly after meeting Matteo twice in week#1, he went to Arraial do Cabo for diving when I tried to connect with him again on weekends#2, and I missed my chance meeting him again for the rest of my trip. The slim white 19 old lived quite far. He is fun when I run into him in 202, but not responsive on Instagram or whatsapp for meet ups outside the sauna. So unfortunately the last two weekends were quite boring (and raining). 6. 117 Very busy on Tuesday week#2 when I visited. But as usual, mostly muscular type. The slim twink types are rare, the few there were not really my type. Went with a tall white boy, ok session, I much prefer the 202 friendliness. So didn't go back on Tuesday week#3 when it's raining. 7. New Meio Mundo Haven't been back for years. A Brazilian friend said it's decent on Monday and Tuesdays. So went on Monday week#2. Like the old location, small space, facilities not up to the standard. Didn't find any boy to my taste. 8. Sauna prices No change from 2019 even though Real has gone down a lot. 150 in 202 and 200 in 117 for a non Portuguese speaker. They tempted to ask for 200 and 300 respectively, but quickly agree to the old price when I countered. 9. Bangu The trip going there on the train and back on uber are just as interesting as the time I spent in the club. If you don't speak Portuguese, and sucking straight cock doesn't particularly trigger your fancy, than it's not worth the efforts getting there. Unlike in 202 where many straight boys go all the way for money, straight boys in bangu club won't even suck you cock. A couple of them are very boy next door cute though. Bottoms fancying straight boys might love it😉 10. Uber I really start to appreciate the app since I first tried it in 2019 in Rio. The true convenience of it is the elimination of language barrier. You can order a drive or a meal without saying a single word! Also much cheaper, my 1am uber from GIG to Copacabana cost just 70 reals. If you are not familiar with the GIG setup, after exit customs, just go up one floor to the departure level, you will see uber signs above a couple doors. Bonus, you don't need cell plan for this trip! Use airport wifi to order the uber, wait until the app shows you the car has arrived. You need to walk out to the island in the middle of the road, your uber would wait there instead of stopping by the door. No wonder the taxi booths after customs all disappeared, uber drove them out of business. 11. cell plan I usually go with Claro, which is running a promotion of 30Reals for 30 days with 12GB data. I asked the slim white twink from 202 to activate the sim for me. In return, I saw him twice and bought him Sushi. I usually add credit with cash in one of the Americana stores. 12. Overall feeling of life during covid in Rio (beaches, streets, restaurants, stores, buses, trains, metro) Other than wearing face masks in stores, buses and metro, half the people wear face masks on the beach (pity), it's like covid is not a thing at all. Certainly feels like that in the sauna, almost no boys wear face masks. Sex not any less intimate than pre-covid years. Overall, a welcoming relief from life in Canada where now and then some drama queens got scared shitless, complaining people get too close from them in grocery stores. And no sex encounter for almost 2 years 😞 conclusions, had a great time, can't wait for the governments to scrap the covid entry test requirements to travel more.

Both, elites and heath ministry people may be on something but then there's economic reality neither group may be much affected by. As with every gate which is becoming an obstruction if it won't be opened, there's risk of uncontrolled break - in. Thailand is very attractive country but deprived it' s world famous night life it may become one of one time, been there, done that destinations.

From Thai PBS World International airlines have returned as many as 80% of their airport slots at Thailand’s six international airports between October 31st and March 26th next year, indicating their uncertainty over a recovery in the aviation sector, according to Nitinai Sirisamatthakarn, the managing director of Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Company. AOT operates Suvarnabhumi, Don Muaeng, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang international airports. He disclosed that the lowest point for the aviation industry in Thailand was from July to September, this year, after the Thai government suspended all regular flights as a precautionary measure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, during which average daily arrivals at the six international airports was only 50 passengers. The situation has improved since Thailand eased travel restrictions in October this year, with an average of 30,000 arrivals a day. Airlines have given up 100% of their slots at Don Muaeng airport and about 70% of those at Suvarnabhumi, said Nitinai. AOT suffered 11 billion baht in operational losses in the first nine months of this year and an estimated 10 billion baht for the whole year, he said, adding that business over the next two years will, however, gradually recover. Penyos Pibulsongkhram, director of commercial affairs for the Vietjet airline, said that the aviation industry is still in crisis, although the situation is improving. Airport slots represent permission granted to an airline by the owner of an airport to use the airport’s facilities for landing and take-off. https://www.thaipbsworld.com/international-airlines-return-80-of-their-airport-slots-in-thailand-for-the-next-five-months/

Omg, if i had to do this, if i were positive, i would probably be spreading more as i'll sweat profusely and those liquids will definitely pollute the surfaces there, helping the virus to spread.

I'm sure the news that @readerreported in another thread about international airlines returning 80% of their landing slots through March 2022 will make them realize not everyone is coming just to visit temples and spend their holiday money in high end shopping malls. As you said "heard the message loud and clear".

All of the men (married or single) who I saw while in various parts of Brazil--kissed and kissed mighty divinely!!!!! I don't know about the Dominican Republic. When I was in the DR with a group of gay men for only a week back in 2005, I was unable to have any playtime. While I was at one of the clubs, one guy (a local) made a complete ass of himself: he was such a friggin' nuisance; I DID NOT want to have sex with him. Everyone else who interested me was unfortunately taken. When a cutie approached me outside of my hotel that was in the Colonial Zone on the day of my departure, I had to politely turn down his request, and the night that I had the super-hots for one guy I'd seen around, I fell into a huge drainage ditch between sidewalk and curve while en route to a club and tore a ligament in my right knee. That accident curtailed all of my fun and play time while visiting and led to surgery upon my return to the States. My hope and desire is to return to Santo Domingo sometime in 2023. I've been very cautious during these times of Covid-19 and its variants.

airlines have given up a huge amount of their airport slots until March. This is a big part of why flights are so expensive for now https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/foreign-airlines-give-up-80-of-their-slots-at-thailands-airports-amid-uncertainty-of-next-5-months

From Thai PBS World Thailand’s Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to prepare guidelines to allow visitors from Thailand’s neighbouring countries, such as Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia, to take one-day trips to Thailand as the country prepares to reopen to tourism on November 1st. Today (Tuesday), Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said discussions are being held and plans are being drawn up to allow tourists to travel over the Malaysian border into Hat Yai in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla, and tourists from Laos to travel to the north-eastern province of Nong Khai. Tourists crossing the Thai-Myanmar border will be able to visit Tak province. He also explained the preparations for the reopening of Thailand on November 1st, saying foreign arrivals must: Be arriving from a low-risk country on Thailand’s approved list. Be fully inoculated with a minimum of two doses of a recognised vaccine Have negative results from a RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to the trip Take another RT-PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in Thailand Have a minimum of US$50,000 health insurance coverage while in Thailand Have written or electronic confirmation of hotel bookings https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-aims-to-draw-neighbours-for-one-day-trips/

I wouldnt but i guess some would definitely do lol of course no one would if they need to quarantine when coming back to their country (malaysia still impose 7 days at home warranty for fully vaccinated)

Today i checked and there are now quite a good list of bangkok hotels with SHA+ status. Below are those in silom

Photo from Richard Barrow's website showing passengers wearing raincoats and gloves as PPE at Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 26, 2021:

Please read Richard Barrow's newsletters! He is the most knowledgeable writer on the situation here. Only last week he spotted two errors on official CCSA infographics. As to 'light at the end of the tunnel' not till start of December for clubs and bars.😭

I put in for a quote as a 73 year old: $610. That is approx 21500 baht. I bought an AXA policy for 7600 baht. And this company does not cover cancellation costs for non US citizens. For over 74 the price is the same.

Negotiation is not really about the price, who cares about the 50 or 100 extra. More importantly, if the boy knows you are clueless about the price, he probably assumes you are also clueless of what boys normally do in the room. I always chat with the boy via google translate to get a feel of the boy. Those who don't like to chat, just want to go straight to the room I would avoid. In the early years without a cell plan nor wifi, I would go to the room with a boy without mutual agreement of what we would do, often ended up with the boy insists on giving head with condom and just want to get it over with quickly. I have learned not to rush or be rushed, and not be shy about discussing expectations openly. Also, when you find a boy you like, don't hesitate and wait, go after him and make future plans right after if you like your time together. You are only visiting for a couple weeks, might never run into him again. If your home mobile plan doesn't work in Brazil, do get a local sim for using google translate, maps and uber, a must have for a great trip.

it may not be as yellow as you would like but if you have amazon prime, you can get it in 24-48 hours. 😉 https://www.amazon.com/International-Certificate-Vaccination-Prophyaxis-Organization/dp/0160795869

Richard Barrow has been invited by Tourism Ministry to test the reopening process at BKK. https://www.getrevue.co/profile/richardbarrow/issues/reopening-of-thailand-dispatch-1-826907

I won't underestimate the pushback from segments of the Thai elite who are embarrassed by the thought of Thailand as an entertainment destination. These folks may be living in cloud cuckoo land, but I have a met (and been alarmed by) a few who seriously want to shut down this side of the country's tourism sector. They genuinely think that the whole world values Thailand for its cultural attractions such as temples and elephant parks. The government will have to navigate the demands from this group who (taking advantage of the Covid situation) want to use the opportunity to permanently re-orient the tourism sector - the same way we always have voices about making Pattaya a wholesome family destination. They may not succeed, but they're not giving up. I would also anticipate the health ministry guys warning the prime minister that the country is not fully ready to open entertainment venues. They may not be speaking merely of tourism but of the Covid risk to the general population. After all, 99% of bar patrons across Thailand will be Thais. Bangkok Post recently had a story https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2199995/no-need-to-halt-boosters-for-sinovac pointing out that there is still a debate about whether to proceed with booster shots for those who have had two doses of Sinovac. There is recognition that the ten million who have received two SInovac jabs so far have "less capacity to fight against the dominated Delta variant, so it's now advised that a booster dose is required, largely from AstraZeneca, to increase immunity." Yet, they haven't quite rolled out the booster programme. So I can imagine the people in the ministry of health saying "Not so fast....."

I guess that the reason the tourism minister is even raising the entertainment venues issue is because he has heard the message loud and clear, the two groups of tourists who are likely to jump on a plane this high season are couples without kids or single guys, both of which *usually* enjoy nightlife and drinking. I'd give them a week or two, I'm sure they will announce something positive around nightlife reopening for December in provinces with high vaccination rates

What do the Thai government expect to bring tourists to Thailand and ask them to watch TV at the hotel since all Entertainment venues are closed ? If the Thai government won't make clear decision of full opening for vaccinated tourists the upcoming high season will be very sad .

Yes and the Thai Government should do it otherwise they can forget about tourists comming back in the near future.

as per a mamasan, moonlight is reopening on 12/1.

Reading through some of the posts here, I get jealous, wishing I could still enjoy the sauna like you all. Enjoy it how I did a couple of years ago when I first came to Rio. Now the novelty has worn off, and I only go when friends are in town or a random Tuesday or Wednesday to see what’s new. And it always feels like a waste of time. I'm connected on SM to any of the guys I’m interested in, and 117 never seems to have any new guys that fit what I like. 202 is the definition of hit or miss. But I must say I went to Bangu two Sundays ago and had a great time. It was full of favela guys, and some were sexy. Anyways I’m going to Santo Domingo for Halloween. I’ll try to write a little here about it. I’m going to reach out to Manny. Hopefully, he’s forgotten my public criticism. Lol

I'm sure you would get in trouble with the law enforcement if you were to post those pics because you might have the law enforcement line up outside trying to get their fair share of the action and compensation. lol Not only is the cop a muscular guy, he's also super smooth. I'm kinda shocked to know that they tried to kiss because it's probably only gay for pay for them and they were willing to go that far to make sure you were happy. Good for you!

@Lonnie scolding you? Who me?????? But, im a shamless whore. Im the last person to pass judgment or scold someone because of their fantasies. THEY will bring their uniforms in a back pack. I have it recorded and with pics, but I am too afraid that id get in trouble with the their law enforcement if i post any of those pics. They try to kiss, but I don't kiss AT ALL unless its my hubby. Attached is a pic of THE COP. He is a STRONG POWERFUL GUY..when he comes over I ask him to choke me while we're PHUCKING missionary. The 2nd pic with the dik is of a cop who texted me yesterday and asked when I was coming back. Look at the time stamp on the top left. The cops there definitely want to get in on making extra American cash.

This is one of the best saunas in Brazil. Always filled with sexy guys and fun action. It has been there for at least 20 years and seems to be very consistent. Here are a few threads previously. https://www.gayguides.com/listing/sauna-point-202/