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INTRODUCTION That was nasty surprise. One evening I felt something between discomfort and light pain. By the morning it was something under my skin which was mildly painful and could be easily felt as it was size of , say 10 baht coin. In the following days it did not grew but mild pain, sometimes just discomfort persisted. Of course in such case we assume the worst and so did I, specially that survived that long without hospitals and treatments. Then there were some obstacles like my workload and my doctor on vacations. Anyways after 4 weeks of kind of terror, more mental than physical though, I got tested. It was Wednesday. On Thursday at precisely 2.14 p.m. phone rung. It was not marketer, it was my doctor. “ Don’t worry , it’s just a cyst and eventually it will be absorbed. Nothing to worry about “ . Thank you doctor, you saved my life again said I. Now, May is my traditional vacation month for two reasons, I’m tired with work and my wallet is packed. But this year for reasons not related to me nor Thailand May vacation were not in the cards. Doctor’s phone changed all that. I said he called at 2.14 p.m. By time I went to bed around 11.30 pm. I had already booked tickets to Bangkok for 6.30pm on Sunday and from there to Kuala Lumpur and back plus all hotels in Bangkok, KL and Pattaya. 72 hours and I was on the road. This was my reward I granted myself on account of good news. I loved it as my best vacations were always on the whim and not planned but with 72 hrs. I was even impressed with myself . Not particularly cheap, in fact my most expensive Thai trip ticket ever and not fast with 2 connections but who cares?. I got clean bill of health and on the road again. What else I may want ? When waked up Sunday morning , day of my departure I noticed very strange thing. Usually in such circumstances I should be dreaming about some naked hunk beside me with my hand on his thing but instead first thing which came to my mind was pizza at Madrid Tavern and schnitzel at Gbangkok. OMG I thought, is that it, am I losing it or what ? In January after Cambodian fiasco I was afraid I may turn lesbian but food lover? Me? It was my first flight through Middle East connection , namely Qatar. I had expectancies based on what I read on the forum and heard from others. I found airline agreeable, service was good although seemed bit disorganized. Food kind of so, so, but would be treat for salt lovers. In short not as great as some claimed and not bad at all. What I loved though was Doha airport and while initially I was not happy with 3 hrs layover , when there I was glad I had so much time for my disposal. Surprise in the airport – relatively few travelers in traditional ‘sheikh” white garb or veiled women. Landed in Bangkok very conveniently at 6.30 am almost no lines in immigration. I wisely decided to buy SIM card before picking my luggage and it popped out exactly in the moment I approached conveyor. So it was breeze. Checked rates at exchange booths and again wisely did not change money as XOne on Suriwong , it turned out, had bit better rate. ARL to BTS, change at Siam, short walk from Sala Daeng to soi 8 and my day 1 started Day 1 To be sure I will have an access to bed and shower I booked room at Nantra Silom for night before. Bit horror as they initially couldn’t find my reservation but finally they did. Not much changed from last time I was there pre-covid. Breakfast served no more and computers are gone from the lobby. Room was clean , A/C was working and so was shower. Safety deposit box did not but me , always naïve decided to take a chance and left is as is hoping for the best , as it turned out , rightly so. One thing was missing – not even one hanger. But with markets in soi 10 and soi 5 across Silom deficiency easily fixable. It was morning so next step was breakfast in world famous Unesco heritage Foodland Patpong where I was recognized by at least 3 waiters and greeted with smile, shortly boss himself was passing by and wai me as well. Welcome home vinapu thought I. Then round of area, I always like scenes and smells of morning market in Patpong 1, went to XOne to exchange money , Silom market to buy, you guessed rightly 5 hangers for 50 baht. ( no, I did not donate them to Nantra, took with me and only left in my last hotel ). Returning to hotel I saw short but very muscular guy in front of one of massage places in soi 6. He noticed my interest and run toward me trying to secure massage but I was sleepy despite this being only noon so promised to see him later . Lets call him N and we will hear about him often in this report. But now I collapsed on the bed exhausted by long trip and jet lag which is tormenting me more and more as I age. I did not sleep on the plane and to add , two ladies sitting in my row were yakking quite loudly for most of the flight. Returned to life around 3pm and yes , went to see N. It was very good decision as massage was excellent, it truly was. Not particularly cheap, 950 for the shop for 1.5 hr and N wanted 2000 for his troubles but I was happy, particularly that he came with idea of overnight with me before I even managed to opened my mouth. Well massaged , thus invigorated and feeling hungry marched toward Suriwong and in front of Tawan I saw Dum , boy I offed several times, sitting proudly on motorcycle. It turned out that during day he is motorsai driver , returning to bar duties at night. So asked him to give me ride to Madrid Tavern in Charoen Krung soi 49, paid him 60 baht. Business is business. Lady at Madrid not only recognized me immediately, right away asked : “Chang , no glass ?” and when I selected spinach and cheese pizza she expressed shock why not my usual shallots and cherry tomatoes so I was forced to change to my usual. Also asked about my friend whom she did not see for quite long meaning Christian PFC as we dined there many times on both old location and current. I promised to bring him in one day. Getting dark so time for bars, first go to HotMale beer bar where I met reader and after a while we decided to check on Banana club in soi 4 which I consider 2nd most friendly bar after Tawan and even Lucy is not able to change that. I called one of boys to sit with me loyally telling him I already have boy for the night but we had pleasant time and tipped him 500 just for fun of it. Lucy of course tried to leech some tip but I stood my ground although she was tempting me with showing her knee , go figure. Next step was Moonlight. A, the hunk I offed on my last nights in last two trips spotted me right away , came to shake hands and asked for drink which I gladly bought hoping to have nice time holding his massive forearm. But after sip or two he asked me to let him to greet some client so old idiot I agreed and he never returned that evening obviously having better time there . So my 400 were misspent so to speak. While I like him very much thank you I still considered it rude and taking me for granted. Leaving bar I not only knew who is sleeping with me tonight but I also knew who won’t for sure this trip. On my way home I peeked into Tawan but they were already emptying so promised to see them another night. N showed as promised at 1 and we had indeed good time so trip started well.

Day 2 No rush in the morning, N wanted to stay longer but I was hungry so ordered shower and trip to Unesco for breakfast. Then packed my luggage and went to my next dig – Baan Silom in soi 3. That’s one of my most favorite places in Silom and almost no trip goes without me staying there. Nothing fancy but very comfortable and spacious rooms, full size refrigerator, friendly hosts and night guard, very close to bars yet soi 3 with exception of morning and afternoon rush hours is quiet street. 7/11 across the street, and lively market right around the corner. Room was available so I was able to check in right away and got the room I was sleeping in many times before. For last few trips I become fan of Jey Spa in Sukhumvit soi 43 . I like their selection and fast response time . Guy I wanted based on their Line feed, Ten was not available this week so I settled on Noom whom I saw in Dec 2001 in Sabaidee spa and for whom I got very good feedback from one of our members who was entertained by him few times. On my way there I went to Siam paragon just to stroll through as I can’t recall I was there in the past. I’m not mall person and in Bangkok neighborhood markets like soi 10 or soi 5 plus Silom stores is all I need. Arrived at Jey bit earlier and noticed they have discreet but visible sign now. It’s about 10 minutes walk from either Phrom Phnom or Thonglor BTS stations. Place is bit upscale , fitting it’s neighborhood and VIP rooms are like regular hotels rooms. Sure it cists but they have cheaper options too. 1.5 hr in VIP is 1250 for massage , when one books guy is informed what is his minimum tip rate for desired length of time. I was told 1800 for 1.5 hr. Noom is one of those who look better in flesh than on pics , much better. If not recommendation I’d probably miss him. He turned out great guy and it was very pleasant and rewarding 1.5 hrs . What a hunk, what a body ! I was almost tempted to have another session right away but start feeling sleepy so returned to hotel to collapse one the bed from 4.30 to 8.30. Those jet lags are killing me. Then to G’Bangkok in soi 4 for my dinner warmly welcomed by not only boss there but also both barkers from Banana across the soi. I have secret crush on one of them but I’m too shy to approach him but always promise myself I will do next trip. During dinner one of members Lined me asking what are my planes for tonight and I realized that I have none. It’s almost 10 pm and I don’t know where to go. What’s wrong with me ? I took easy way and went to Jupiter in the same soi. Wise decision. I entered just before first boy parade. Everybody was in briefs but without number. I was stunned. Probably first time in any bar I ever been in Thailand I liked every single one of them. Not even one I’d not take home. 100% approval rate, wow! And this comes from me , never being fan of Jupiter and it’s boys. While I like their look I find their lack of facial expression off putting although I know if’s just a management ordered pose because when boys are sitting with you or being offed they behave normally . In the past I never had much luck with them with exception of certain transplant from Tawan and my visits there were only for visual pleasure. I also don’t get logic of boys hidden in the corners and parading without numbers , how we are supposed to get them ? seems too much effort. But last two offs from there were very good so I started sniffing around tonight for an opportunity I watched a show , mid way was another parade, this time boys were in boxers but still without numbers. Some sported even trace of smile, o, la, la. Show quite interesting and entertaining and one can glimpse erect cock here and there for few precious seconds , thing unheard of before. After show third parade, this time bare chested guys in jeans but sporting numbers, sign that it’s time to get serious . Since one of guys noticing my interest smiled at me broadly during that walkabout I asked mamasan to bring him over. Came all in smiles and when asked about going with me accepted immediately so I did not even bother with drink but just paid off fee and off we went parading through soi holding hands at his insistence. Very embarrassing as I’m very shy guy , on Silom he changed to embrace me and that’s how we arrived in hotel, my heart pumping. Seemed great off again but in the room return to usual Jupiter scheme, sweet but hasty. Long time yes but 6000 so I declined an offer. So we had 40 minutes steamy, sweet but rush session. When he left I was both happy and disappointed as I could use his great company longer but no, not for 6000. Since I slept during day I did not feel sleepy at night and after he left I caught with Line and e-mails as well as forum , even surveyed Grindr and went to bed only at 3.30 am ending quite a nice day 2

Friday (Day 13) - Karaoke night with three Hotmale Beer Bar downstairs staff and fellow forum member. Found out that Happy Beer Garden has karaoke room at back. It charges 200 baht per hour. Manageress saw our group and knew that we would be ordering food and beer and she gave us a special rate of 500 baht for room for whole night. We didn't sing for the whole night but were there from 8pm to 1am which was 5 hours. Had to stop at 1am because some of the guys were half drunk. I think about 20 bottles of Lao beer consumed. Fellow forum member and I were pleasantly surprised by how much the guys love to sing. We found out that Myanmese and Laos music are so interesting. Most are slow and folksy in nature but there are some fast songs with guitar solos. There was one song about Pakse - which was a city in Laos and the hometown of one of the guys. There's even a gay Myanmar pop song! Fellow forum member and I saw the music video which had ladies dancing and a guy singing and we didn't know what's so gay about it but maybe it's in the lyrics, which we of course didn't understand. Overall a pleasant change from the typical night at bar.

Sure. Don’t you remember? We met outside committee chamber and we proceeded to get drunk.

A few years ago I based myself near Fussen for a week. Perched on the hill, Schloss Neuschwanstein looks stunning although the bus tours now make driving up there a real trial. I preferred the much smaller Schloss Linderhof with its beautiful gardens and lovely rooms. Also nearby is the stunning rococo design of the Wieskirche.

From everything I know, and my bf is a mocy driver, the price for two passengers is twice the price of one. So better to take just take two bikes and be safer, assuming two are available. Or use Bolt taxi and ride in style for the same price.

You over did it, there's no place easier to find. Arrive at Bearing, take exit 3 - one on your left in direction of train you just arrived by. Go down. On the street level stop, on your right you will have street, on your left you will see Apollo. Whole 6 meters from where you are standing. make sure to report your findings please. I passed by on my last day in Bkk when taking tour of new monorail but did not have time to go in although sign was already showing OPEN at about 1.20 pm

I understand you but personally I learned that naming and shaming in the open is counterproductive and leads to undeserved problems for boys in questions and me as well. unfortunately there are weirdos reading us too and some readers tend to magnify what they read beyond reason. Not to mention that scientifically one statistic sample is not basis for hypothesis. So criticizing in the open after just one unfortunate or less fortunate case may not be fair. Nothing stops members from trying to obtain clarification by way of PM although response can't be guaranteed, specially when member is new. It's surprising how often I get very specific questions from members who just joined and never hear from them again.

I believe you know damn well I’d never do that. I don’t believe he should be avoided. Simply because I decided he wasn’t a good fit for me doesn’t mean others may be very satisfied with him. Why you seem obsessed with creating a black list baffles me. To be honest, I find it offensive.

In Jomtien Complex, I would estimate 50% of the boys there are "gay", at least in the Western understanding of the word. I would say 65% enjoy sex with men, but that 15% are "men" (won't bottom, not a chance, ever). I would estimate 70% are looking for customers and 30% wish you were not there. Some actively despise farang. There are a couple of bars now that only really exist as party bars for the boys. Farang customers are tolerated but largely ignored. Your observations about boys sitting around drinking together is true. Many are not working boys, they have fulltime employment and are drinking with friends in their free time, even if their friend is a bar boy. Then you have the boys who make their money from sponsors, onlyfans, or on the apps in the day/early evening (that's where I get mine). They are out to have fun with their friends and already have money in their pocket for the day. Those are the ones who won't even look at you, however long you try to get their attention. If you want a blowjob, ask to use the short time room. Many bars have them. Shit, it happens often in the toilets at many complex bars. As for kissing, while it does happen and is accepted by many, most boys don't want their friends seeing them do "things" with foreigners. To be honest, I find it quite vile. Watching some 80 year old tourist slobbering over some 20 year olds boy face because he gets 40 baht from a boy drink.... don't get me started. Take it back to your room. What happens in someone's room is their business, so take it there. I hate to see when boys get uncomfortable because a tourist can't behave themselves in public and all their friends can see what's happening. Alternatively, you can go to a gogo bar. Different rules there!

sorry if I sound offensive but two passengers is plain stupid, even if travelling at 20, never mind 80 kph. I see it from time to time and always marvel at extend people are going in order to reduce overpopulation. Glad you guys survived to tell the tale though

Lost in translation, she thought that was the big appendage you were interested in 🧐

what do you mean we don't know ? Of course we do, 103 years , this is how long donkey lives as they say where I'm from

they need to concentrate on the road not where your hand is wandering

This shop is associated with 27M shop, also near Saphan Kwai BTS. It’s very easy to reach. Take exit 3 and when you get to bottom of stairs walk less than 50 feet and turn left after passing 7-Eleven. Shop is on your right down short alley. Reception is on second floor and rooms on third and fourth (all stairs easily negotiable). My first impression was that it was very clean and well maintained. I arrived without advance booking. Although they have scores of guys on website, I was shown only about 15 on a phone. Among them was one I’ve had my eye on for past few trips because he also appears on offerings of three other shops in area but was never available. Consequently I chose him. One hour oil 400. Manager said he’d arrive in 10 minutes and led me to room and invited me to shower down the hall. Room was typical of area with mattress pad on floor and a security box with key for valuables. After shower I waited another 5 minutes before he announced himself. He proceeded to take long shower and we eventually began massage about 25 minutes after my arrival. He began with towel wrapped around him and spent an inordinate amount of time on feet and legs. I finally told him to move on to my back. It’s been my experience that massages that concentrate on legs too long frequently prove less satisfying. Found myself beginning to lose interest. His technique was ok but the whole thing lacked any eroticism. The chemistry (for lack of better expression) was missing. I rolled over at this point, thanked him for massage and began to get up. It then struck him that we were less than half an hour into massage and it was coming to and an end. He reached for phone and rapidly began asking standard questions as the towel dropped away. Afters we’re offered but the moment had passed for me and I declined (only second time since precovid). He was pleasant enough fellow and we spent another five minutes with translated q and a. Then we showered together. Minimum tip 800 and I gave him 1,000. Never tip less than that unless guy is total disaster. Overall I recommend the shop. The less than satisfying massage can happen occasionally anywhere but fortunately they’re rare. it was only shop I can recall that offered neither tea or water to customer. https://15and27massure.blogspot.com/2023/04/15-massage.html

I wish I could say that's the worst Pattaya bar story I've heard.... I distinctly remember a night a few years ago, I was in Winner Boy and had to resort to quite forcefully pushing a boy off me who had 10 kinds of cock breath. Always good to keep spare toothbrushes, mouthwash, and big bottles of shower toiletries at your condo!

Hotel Koenig is still there but does not seem the same as in the past. Never see anyone in the reception area and looks somewhat depressing.

Might that have been Holiday 2? It was diagonally opposite Nice Boys and was previously known as Butt Boys.

Do send a personal message to @reader he can direct you.

Yes sometimes I really wonder why I should bring a boy to my table in a bar or agogo. Most of the time the boys just sit there and drink along. All activities have to come from me. When I read there in hetero Thailand forum's, there is a lot more going on. There is kissing and touching. Some even write about blowjobs. Why is this not the same in our environment? Too bad actually. Maybe because most boys are not gay?

From The Nation Thai massage therapists are currently in high demand at hotels and spas in the Middle East, with operators willing to pay five times the salary they can earn in Thailand, an industry expert said. “As wellness tourism is booming in the Middle East after the Covid lockdown was lifted, tourism operators in countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia are in need of massage and spa therapists from Thailand,” said Krip Rojanastien, chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som International Health Resort. “These skilled workers usually earn around 30,000 baht per month in Thailand, but in the Middle East they can expect to be paid from 120,000 to 160,000 baht. The highest pay I saw offered was 200,000 baht per month,” he said. In Saudi Arabia, where large tourism projects are being developed, therapists from Thailand are the most sought-after and the best-paid compared to workers from other countries, he added. Krip said the new government must take this chance to further develop its relationship with Middle Eastern countries to promote mutual tourism, as well as provide training support for massage therapists to prevent any shortage of skilled labour. He said the Thai private sector is also seeking government support for establishing a skill development centre for tourism workers, to provide standardized training in general hospitality as well as in-depth instruction in more sophisticated subjects such as massage and health tourism. “Wellness tourism will be one of the dominant trends in the next 5-10 years, as many countries including Thailand are becoming ageing societies. We need to prepare for the increasing demand for personnel in this sector,” he said. Meanwhile, Krod Rojanastien, advisor to Chiva-Som's CEO, proposed an amendment to the law on the careers foreigners are prohibited from doing in Thailand that would give massage therapists a temporary exemption so that foreigners can be trained during any labour shortage. “Currently there are about 200,000 registered massage therapists in Thailand, working in about 10,000 establishments throughout the country,” he said. “We can increase these numbers by allowing foreigners to become therapists, boosting the overall wellness tourism industry. “Furthermore, with the addition of English language teaching to the courses, Thailand can become a hub for massage therapist training in the region,” he added.

I believe in God, I don't believe in church or any priest.

Yet we are, especially when we sit in the audience checking them out, they are checking us out too, judging and talking about us to their friends.....how do you think Mr. KFC got so well known 😉

You finally wrote and published your latest trip report!

To put this in perspective, there was a period in US politics during Cold War era of the 50’s known as the Sen.Joe McCarthy hearings when citizens were—under oath—pressured to divulge names of friends and family who attended meetings of the American Communist Party or other organizations deemed as subversive by the madman committee chair who had his sights set on higher office. Eventually McCarthy self destructed but not before many lives were ruined. Thousands lost their jobs, many gay men among them. German citizens during the run up to WWII were subjected to even harsher pressure to identify Jews, homosexuals and others by Nazi interrogators. The objective in both of those cases was to get people “to name names” or be ostracized—or worst—themselves. What may seem an innocent effort to create a list of guys who fall short of a member’s expectations has the possibility to cause unintended consequences in the lives of the young men we travel here to meet. I don’t believe any members wish to be responsible for triggering that harm.

Although I believe advance warnings is one of the aims of these forums, I undrsnd the "weirdos magnifying" problem. I stand corrected Vinapu. In the future, when relevant, I'll try PMs.

🤪🤪🤪I'm here !

I think 2 or 3 murders last week in Sydney. I have barricaded myself inside and switched on this forum !!😂👍

Horrible murders happen every day in Canada, my home country. I wouldn't advise anybody to stay away because of that.

yes but we are not on the market as far as I know

sadly I need to agree

Surprised you didn't immediately book a ticket 😆

Look for the ones called straight. Imagine that word says top.

Neuschwanstein Schloss is one of the most beautiful places to visit, as is Bavaria to be fair. While based in Germany in the 90's I spent nearly all my leave in Bavaria and it was time very well spent.

Unesco desigation for Patpong location still holding !!!

good news ,it means we are not in competition and can visit Bkk at the same time

on another hand they are not exactly famous for good treatment of foreign labourers so hope is Thai government will keep close eye on how her people are treated there.

gayinpattaya ?

If you're curious about different perspectives on faith, you might find some insights worth exploring at firstchurchlove.com. It's always good to keep an open mind and learn about different viewpoints.

Monday (Day 9) - At famous forum member's suggestion/insistence, I visited Tawan. Before that, I met another fellow forum member who had just arrived in Bangkok. We had dinner, walked up and down Soi 4, said hi to Hotmale beer bar downstairs staff and ended up at Tawan for 10.30pm show which started at 10.45pm. About 20 customers including an Asian lady with her two Asian male friends. She was squeamish when the Tawan guys with big cocks went around customers for tips. But other customers were old timers, including owners of Coffee Grndr who were there showing a friend around. About 25 Tawan guys and it was a cramped affair because they are all so big sized and take up space! Two Tawan guys were actually playing chess on one of their phones. They finished their game when more customers came in for the show. I would not mind offing one of them just to play chess! Show started with 3 ladyboy diva lip synching performances then it was all Tawan guys all the way - big cocks, fuck show, SM show (curtain at stage opens up to reveal a wall showing SM tools and equipment!). Finale was 2 Tawan guys jerking off while a bucket was being passed around for tips. First Tawan guy to cum (and he really let out a spray!) took the bucket of tips. Runner up couldn't cum in the end but he still got some tips. Tawan guys remembered fellow forum member and me from jockstrap night last year. I got to know two of them better. One is half African and half Thai and speaks in a low sexy American accent while the other has a Tiktok account showing his gym routine! Both are classic bodybuilder types and my fellow forum member's favourite. 4 twinks by Tawan standard but I would describe them as average next door types going by the standard of other gogo bars. Fellow forum member knew that I had been eyeing twink with glasses and he asked twink to sit and keep me company for the rest of the night. Entry to Tawan is 500 baht payable at entrance. Drinks for guys is 400 baht.

Sunday ( Day 8 ) - Moonlight was choice of venue to visit. 450 baht entry for one drink. Payment at entrance. I paid with a 1000-baht note and the staff returned 550 baht in the form of prepared neatly folded 50 baht and 100 baht notes. Very clever and thoughtful way for customer to be ready with 100 baht notes to give tips inside the bar. About 30 customers for 10.30pm show. Group of 6 Koreans had a bottle of whisky to share drinks among themselves. Front row had two pairs consisting of farang customers and their Asian guys (from other bars) and also one pair of Asian customers in 50s whom I saw at Hotmale the previous night. At back seats, there was one pair of European male customers and 3 separate small groups of Chinese/Taiwanese customers (about 3 or 4 each) all with individual drinks. Only one other single punter like me - Asian in 60s and seated near me at back. All were here for show and no one invited any guy down from stage for drinks despite mamasans encouragement to cajole us. About 25 guys in black topless Moonlight T-shirt and black sweat pants on rotation on stage. Red number tags on their pants. Some are really handsome, most are next-door-types who have been dolled up. Not as model-looking as Jupiter but also not as rough as Hotmale and not as old as Dreamboys. I noticed one tall guy previously from Jupiter. Show started late at 10.45pm. Only 3 Moonlight models performing tonight- Tam, Nut and Mark. Tam had an impressive James Bond performance involving green lasers. Nut and Mark did towel number and there was slight glimpse of their pubes at finale. Nut and Mark also did matador and bull erotic dance. A lipsynching diva ladyboy also performed, alternating with the models. During model presentation after show, Jack and Jar came down with Tam, Nut and Mark. And there was a 6th model - a farang with distinctive tattoos on the entire left side of his body but no tattoo on right side. Muscular body and defined abs. His name was Mr Ryan. Awkward moment when the emcee asked whether anyone wanted to give 1000 baht garlands. Two mamasans went around holding garlands to ask customers. Unresponsive crowd. Finally one Chinese customer passed a mamasan six 100-baht notes to give to each model on stage. Models did get their tips eventually at last performance - the Boom Shake number where they danced close to customers. Customers freely gave out 100 baht and even 200 baht tips to models when they were up close to them. I think they preferred to pass them the money themselves. However, only 4 models appeared and did the dance - Tam, Nut, Mark and Jar (even though he seemed self-conscious of his dancing). Jack didn't dance and neither did guest model Mr Ryan so no tips for them. Show ended at 11.45pm. One hour as advertised. Two singers (one male and one female) started singing and the non-model Moonlight guys stood behind them and smiling to customers. I like this format compared to making them just stand and move in rotation like in other gogo bars. Close to midnight, a group of 3 male and 3 lady young Asian customers came in. They were here to drink only and listen to singers. They ordered bottles of wine and invited two Moonlight guys to drink with them. They left after half an hour and most of the customers had gone by then. I was second last to leave and only a group of 3 Asian customers was left at 12.30am.

Was the better of the bars for me too on my last trip.

Friday (Day 6) - Dinner at G Bangkok with fellow forum member followed by visit to Banana Bar. Surprise find at show - a Russian aerial dancer! (I Googled the term because I know I can't call him a pole dancer!) He did acrobatics using a long rope suspended from ceiling. And he had a fit body to ogle at! Very entertaining and it was another innovative way to bring in the tourist crowds. There was also one solo dance number where the professional dancer danced to K-Pop music, which is the latest in-thing. I could see the logic of including such performances to draw in tourist crowd. When a group of tourists (and they are mostly ladies) come into a bar, that's 4 to 5 drinks straightaway. The rest of the show consisted of ladyboy diva lip synching, some dancing and shower and big cock show. I saw a Laos guy I knew and asked him to sit with me during the show. Bought him a drink (300 baht) and also tipped him afterwards. If only I could take him back to hotel room, I would have done so! After leaving Banana, fellow forum member and I went to Foodland Patpong where we met his regular (and very handsome) guy. Reminded me of my ex-boyfriend who has gone back to Vietnam permanently. Overall an enjoyable night. Drinks at Banana are 380 baht.

Pedra do Telegrafo There are many rocks around Rio de Janeiro from where the view is spectacular. The pedra do Telegrafo is one of them. It is located 50 km from Rio, not too far from the Grumari beach. You can go there and to the nearby beaches renting a car or go with uber or taxi. You can start from the beach Praia da Barra da Guaratiba (1 hour one way) or start from the parking lot (40 minutes one way). Avoid going there during the week ends : lots of people go there and you may have to wait quite a long time to make the picture that everyone wants to make ... and that a photographer present locally can make for you (10 R$).

I was brought up as a Protestant and even played piano for a Bible class most Sundays as a teenager. I didn't want to but there was some parental pressure there from my mother. I have never been a churchgoer since my teens. I find the endless communal singing of hymns with words and music written mostly more than a century ago incredibly boring. On the other hand, I once saw on television a Church service with a pop band. That also turned me right off. Equally, readings from a book part of which is about fables that originated millennia ago and only many centuries later put into writing (and we know what happens when one person repeats what he has heard to another, who then repeats it to another, and so on - it always ends up as a completely different story), and part of which was decided for us by various Councils in the 4th century long after the death of Jesus when again memories would have been fallible. Being gay has never had anything to do with my thoughts on religion. I just happen to believe that religions in general were necessary all that time ago as a glue to keep tribes and later societies together. Again for millennia, life on earth was so grim for so many people, the thought that there was paradise somewhere up in the sky where all was wine and roses but which you could only enter into if you behaved well down here on earth must have been very appealing to vast numbers. (I wonder how many know that the word 'paradise' comes from the Persian meaning garden) When I see on television the extraordinary images from the combination of the Hubble and James Webb telescopes, I marvel that these amazing scenes are of events that happened so long ago my mind simply cannot comprehend them. Here on earth we are a mere tiny speck of a tiny speck given the vastness of what we are told is a still expanding universe (something else I canot understand). Given that, though, how is that our various earthly religions claim to have got it all so right?

Sounds quite a bit more conservative than I would have expected: no speaking in tongues, prophecies, miracle healing, or snake handling? I hope that at that coffee chat you abstained from sharing your very impressive statistics of your recent trip to Philippines 😀

Seriously?

Olddaddy, you may take some flak for some of your topics but you’ve succeeded in stimulating a lot of conversation. And conversation is the essence of a blog like this.

We say thongs here in Australia but that means undies in America 🤣