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After conquering first Japan and subsequently Thailand and Taiwan, movies in the BL genre are now popular in more homophobic South Korea. The following CNN article tells of a South Korean singer and actor Park Jae-chan who had had very limited success in the world of K-Pop. His group was only selling 1,000 copies of their latest albums during their first weeks. Then Park was approached to play a lead in a BL movie. "Semantic Error" became a huge streaming hit and was later seen by 60,000 in Seoul cinemas. Park became so popular he was featured in more than a dozen major magazines including the Korean versions of Elle and Cosmopolitan. His latest album sold 100,000 copies in its first week. A still from the South Korean BL movie "Ocean Likes Me" - photo E-Motion Studio https://edition.cnn.com/style/boys-love-south-korea-intl-hnk/index.html

More a 3rd party candidate who would hand 2024 election to Trump. Manchin would take far more votes from Dems and Independents than from the Trump core.

There isn't a difference. This is Thailand. 2000 baht today, or a motorbike and a house a year later.

I recently came across this forum and have been reading the many posts on gay adventures in beautiful Egypt. I wanted to pay my contribution by adding stories of my experiences as a 30-year old European expat living in Cairo between 2015 and 2020. My apologies for the context I would like to provide. The main reason for leaving Europe in 2015 was the lack of adventure and excitement I felt in my early thirties. I was living in rainy Western Europe, had random unexcited hook ups via Tindr or Grindr once in a while, but generally felt like living a boring routine. Therefore, I applied for a teaching position at a Cairo international school, was offered the job and left for the unknown. The moment I arrived at Cairo Airport, I knew I was about to love this country: chaos, shouting everywhere, a lack of structure, adventure, the heat, ... Soon I was about to discover something else: the ridiculously handsome men available... everywhere. The school arranged us a flat in a lush suburb south of the city center, Maadi. Having your own space, it turned out quickly, had amazing advantages in terms of excitement. Each apartment building in Maadi is guarded by a bowab, a local doorkeeper, often from the southern Egyptian regions. Separated from their families in the warm south and often very young of age, their main task is to maintain the building and secure your safety. The first week of arrival, our building's bowab asked me to help him move a table in one of the other flats. it was 'too heavy to lift by one person only'. How naive could I be? Soon he wanted to show me the flat's bathroom 'as it was more modern than mine'. Before I realised, we were showering together. The sex was quick, rough and meaningless. Finished by a 'Welcome to Egypt', I could not have imagined this to be start of a new journey. I subscribed at a local gym. After work, not wanting to hang out with my colleagues all the time, I would hit the place and finish off in the sauna. Within days, I became part of the (gym) community. Egyptians are very eager to meet foreigners in general and the sociological characteristics of that Maadi sauna were of an interest to me. After working out, men would typically hang out in the sauna or in the steam bath. All pre-arranged married, they did not seem to have the appetite to go home early. Neither did they particularly seem to like / love their wives. They all raved about their kids, yet - Egyptians don't shy the topic - the marital sex life was far from satisfying for many of them. Most men I met in the gym (and later), it seemed to me, were eager to enjoy and explore life. The word 'gay' was never mentioned, nor assumed. It was all about enjoying, relaxing, massaging, smoking shisha, going home and watching porn / masturbating together, having a beer, smoking hasjish and finishing off with quick, good sex. Five of us would become friends with benefits: through them - on parties in Maadi or the city center - I would meet other men. In exchange, I invited expat colleagues. I could never have imagined this being the Middle East. Men looked beyond gorgeous with their muscled bulky bodies, deep voices, dark-brown soft skin, cheeky smiles and endless capacity to explore. They all seemed so relaxed. They live life to the fullest, especially as the Revolution had proven that things could turn to worse very quickly. That atmosphere felt so sexy and harmless. I never felt the need to turn on Grindr on Tindr, you just would meet endless boys and men in the supermarket, in coffee bars, on the metro, in taxi's (Uber got introduced when I was living in Cairo - a hot spot as well) and in bars and clubs in the city center. In terms of Cairo, I remember the railway station (Ramses Station) and the huge square in front of it to be a popular hook up spot, as well as the bridge crossing the Nile at Tahrir Square (Qasr El Nil Bridge). However, as mentioned, there never seemed to be the need to look for something. It would come to you! In Aswan, for instance, I was approached by the taxi driver who drove me from the airport to the hotel late at night. Nubian penises and fatter are bigger than in Cairo. Moreover, the city's feluccas and corniche are ridiculously cruisy, both at day and night. I occasionally picked a handsome (and incredibly fit) felucca sailor and we had sex in his boat around Elephant Island in the River Nile. On a Luxor trip, I would visit the temples and Valley of the Kings in the very early morning and relax at the hotel's pool / room in the early afternoon. As mentioned on this blog earlier, staff is eager to meet you. Egyptians are allowed to enter the big hotels without any issue. There is too much passage to control. At the Luxor Steigenberger I invited a fruit vendor I met at the temples earlier that day. His triceps were the biggest I had ever felt in my life. Although the sex was rubbish, just seeing him undress and observe his body was a pleasure enough. Alexandria is a driving sea city in which all life surrounds the most amazing sea side boulevard I have ever came across. Hotels turn into rooftop night clubs at night. People enter and leave the buildings at a paste unable to control. When looking for more adventure, try one of the many desert tours (with overnight camping - pleasure guaranteed with the staff), a Siwa oasis visit, crossing the Suez Canal from Port Said to Port Fouad, relaxing in one of Dahab's open-minded hammock guest houses or staying over at one of the 'liberal / freedom camps' between Sharm-El Sheikh and Taba. Having an Egyptian boyfriend - I got even introduced to his (well-educated) parents - is a different story. They are hard work. In the flux they are at, it almost seems impossible for them to meaningfully connect to one person. Monogamy is unheard of in Egypt's gay community. They key words remain pleasure, devotion, emotion, passion, unlimited sexual drive and endless adventures. Enjoy this marvelous spot on Earth, both culturally and spiritually! Cheers B.

you guys have a lot more HK experience than I do... I found lots of incredibly handsome guys there. I always chalked that up to the melting pot nature of the place - sort of like Singapore another place with gorgeous people. But for me I'd pick Taiwan 10 times out of 10 these days given the current political situations. I really need to get back over there one of these days...

From The Nation With the vacation season in full swing, people are searching for enticing travel destinations, accommodations, and flights. Kaspersky researchers have observed fraudsters taking advantage of unsuspecting users by offering cheap airline tickets, booking deals, and vacation packages. To help travellers avoid scams, the company's researchers have outlined common fraud schemes used to entice victims, along with valuable advice on planning a scam-free vacation. Ticket scams Kaspersky experts have discovered numerous fraudulent websites claiming to offer cheap airplane tickets. These well-crafted phishing pages often mimic well-known airline services and ticket aggregators. Some even display real flight details by sending search requests to legitimate aggregators and presenting the received information. However, instead of delivering the promised tickets, these scams aim to steal your money and exploit your personal information for malicious purposes. This may include selling your bank details and identifying information on the dark web. Accommodation scams The second important step of trip planning is finding accommodation, which makes it a popular lure for fraudsters to exploit. One common accommodation scam involves fake online listings for vacation rentals or apartments. Scammers create attractive listings on popular platforms, displaying appealing photos and offering low prices to entice travellers. However, once a booking is made and payment is sent, the accommodation turns out to be non-existent. Another type of accommodation scam targets hotel bookings. Fraudsters may set up fake websites that mimic legitimate hotel booking platforms. These websites often prompt users to log in using their Facebook or Google credentials, which enables scammers to gain unauthorized access to the victims' social media or email accounts. This can lead to identity theft, unauthorized transactions, and other malicious activities. Survey and giveaway scams Scammers create deceptive websites or send emails claiming that participants can earn a substantial reward, such as 100 US dollars, by completing a travel survey. These scams often prey on people's desire for financial gain and their willingness to share their opinions. However, these surveys are designed to collect personal information, such as name, address, phone number, and even financial details, under the guise of eligibility requirements or prize distribution. In reality, the promised reward is never delivered, and the information provided is used for fraudulent purposes, such as identity theft or unauthorized access to financial accounts. On top of this, the survey usually ends with a request to share the site with friends so that they can also receive a prize. In such cases, cybercriminals are using the victims themselves as a tool for spreading the scam further.

Agree with almost all of @hojacat's comments. I lived in Hong Kong for 20 years and worked there for an additional 16. So I do know it quite well. I love the mix of ancient colonial and modern architecture, although the main parts of the Island and Kowloon are now much more modern. There used to be a light show on the Island which you can see from the Kowloon side starting at 8:00 pm. Again that is something unique (photo without the light show!) Also I have been a frequent visitor to Taipei since the 1990s and continue to visit about 4 times a year. Perhaps because I knew Hong Kong so well and remember when it was not such a political football, I am gradually falling out of 'love' with it. I do return occasionally for business and love the place with almost as much fervour as I did when I first landed more than 4 decades ago. The views are incredible, the hustle and bustle unlike anywhere else, the food divine and its so easy to get around. The MRT gets you to most places (be careful: taxi fares are very high) and there are some fantastic places to visit. You have to go up to the Peak. Get the Peak tram to take you up - it leaves from Garden Road a short walk up from the imposing I M Pei's geometric Bank of China Building. https://www.thepeak.com.hk/en I love a simple tram journey either from Central eastwards or westwards. Fares are HK$3 (US$0.40) for as long a ride as you wish. It gives you a great idea of what old Hong Kong looked like. Same with the ferries. I used to love going to Lamma Island on a Sunday. There were ferries to Yeung Shue Wan which was close to a rather nice beach (now totally spoiled by a power station, alas), crash out for a few hours, walk over the hills to Sok Ku Wan and have dinner at the island's 'Hilton' - just an open air bar/restaurant but with fantastic seafood - and get the evening ferry back from there. As Hong Kong has gone downhill politically, so its gay scene is not what it once was (but then, where is?). Hutong is very much the sauna to go to and there are quite a few others of varying sizes and varying clientele. During the week, I'd suggest Hutong as your best bet. Not sure how old you are, but there is a tiny sauna named CE half way up Lyndehurst Terrace on the island and very close to the very long central escalator which takes you almost half way up to the Peak. I have not been for some years and so cannot vouch for its present state. It used to be a place for younger Asians to hook up with older westerners. But its not a patch on Hutong. The bar scene is also no longer what it used to be, alas. This ste lists some of them - https://thehkhub.com/best-gay-bars-hong-kong/ I've been to Zoo, Petticoat Lane and FLM in Sheung Wan close to Central District. None seems very busy during the week but packed at weekends. I also like to meet friends at T:ME bar off Hollywood Road but it's a small bar off the main street and not the greatest place to meet new friends to hook up. Taipei is also quite spread out. With its mutitude of cafes, restaurants and a few bars, the main Red House in the Ximending District is a great place for people watching although hook ups are not very likely here unless your gaydar is working overtime. @hojacat has mentioned Soi13in as the best sauna and I certainly agree. I wrote in another thread recently about the new incarnation of Hans Mens Sauna which is very close to the Red House (around 300 meters). There are lots of private rooms, dark room areas and 2 steam rooms where a lot of action takes place. Maybe worth a visit. Directions are on the post here. One of my passions in Taipei is quite simple - visiting a hot spring. Huang Tzu is the one to go to as most of the guys who seem to be there are gay. But do not expect much action as it a place to see and be seen rather than play around - although I believe there is some action in teh steam room after midnight. Good for making contacts, though. The one problem with Huang Tzu is that while it is easy to get there - take the Red subway line to Shipai station and then a taxi from there (around NT$160 now - just over US$5) - getting a taxi back is really difficult and without one, you are stuck with a long steep uphill trek to the main road to get a bus back down to the station. But then all the buses seem to stop around 11:15 pm or so and that would enable you to get the last subway train back to the centre of teh city. The apps are more active than I have found in Hong Kong. And it is unlikely you are going to find more than a handful of money boys on them if that is what you look for. Most Taiwanese just want to meet a foreigner and have good time with them - no money involved. Just remember that English is not as popular as in Hong Kong and so speaking a little more slowly will always help. For sigheeing, it depends very much on what you would like to do. There are countless Chinese temples, some very beautiful and many packed with younger people. The National Palace Museum is a must if you happen to like Chinese arts and crafts. When the Japanese started their march down eastern China prior to World War 2, the Chiang Kai Shek government crated many of the country's national treasures to keep them safe. Then after Chiang was beaten by Mao, he stole many of the crates and had them removed to Taiwan. The works on exhibit are a mere fraction of those in its possession but they include some stunning pieces, especially in bronze and jade. The little white and green jade piece on the cover of the Museum's catalogue is one of the Museums' most admired works. If you look closely you can see two tiny insects crawling over the green. And then of course there is Taipei 101, for a few years the world's tallest building. It used to be packed with Chinese tourists, but should now be much easier to get to the observation decks because very few Chinese are permitted to go to Taiwan. On a clear day you can see way beyond the city to the sea in the west and the mountains both around and to the south. In hot weater there s a gay beach west of Tamshui at the end of the Red Line. I did try to find it once but got lost. My friends tell me it is actually quite easy to find and there are usually a lot of gay guys there at the week ends. Outside the city there are several attractions including quite lovely walks. One trip perhaps worth considering is to the Shifen Falls. You need 2 trains to get there and then there is a good 800 meter walk. They are not especially large, but certainly with a visit and very popular. As you walk back you will see students lighting Chinese lanterns on the train tracks at the station and the floating them into the air. Lastly I totally agree that Hong Kong is more expensive than Taipei. Much depends on how much you are prepared to spend on hotels. If you check on the hotel search engines like agoda, you'll see Hong Kong does have cheap hotels but with very small rooms.

As long as you enter before Oct 1st and leave within the 90 days, you should be good, even leaving without a visa.

Now we know Alcaraz won a fantastic match. Amazing for a 20 year old against arguably the greatest tennis player of all time! So now he has another £2.3 million in winnings less a large chunk in tax and in payments to his manager, coach and all others in his team. That makes his total tournament earnings as a professional up to more than US$20 million. But it is the winning clauses in his sponsorship and endorsement contracts that will bring him even more than the Wimbledon prize money. Plus the list of hopeful sponsors lining up outside his manager's door will become very long. A lucky hugely talented young man.

Well, I was able to spend one week in gay Taipei and had a blast. This site helped me prepare for the itinerary. I had the week all mapped out and ready to go and see the saunas and massage places and I had 3 dates pre arranged from the apps. I worked hard to prepare. Like all things in life, things did not go as planned. I visited nothing I had planned. I took a taxi from the airport to my hotel. The driver was very talkative and I was too. I told him I was there to see the gay scene and he said his son was gay and just finished Freshman year in University. He said his English was not as good as his but he could give me a tour. I thought this was a bit odd, but I'm an odd man so I agreed. That night the son appeared to take me out to dinner but instead was very sexy and we ended up in bed and ordering room service. He was not a money boy, he was just into foreigners (his dad did not know). Anyway, we spent the entire week together and I got to know very little of what I wanted to see and a lot about my new friend, his family, the island, the touristy non-tourist locations and tons of food with his friends. They accepted me wholeheartedly and was happy he found a guy nice to him. He was a bit nerdy but so am I. He did not leave my side for 7 days and the sex was amazing. He will travel to Thailand this summer for a week or two but he is not looking for a forever love. He is young and I don't expect anything other than fun and a good friendship. I have to say, it was most definitely the best week I have had in years. As he came to the hotel to see me away, I gave him a gift to say thank you for his touring. (he never asked for money or for me to buy him anything). He was in tears when I gave him a new computer for his studies. I told him I was being selfish as I wanted him to use Facetime to talk to me and he can't do that on his windows. I'll plan another trip to the Island in the future. But, this trip was amazing. I do appreciate all the detailed information in this forum as it helped me plan. But, best laid plans are often laid to rest for another day.

Hello, I just found and joint this nice forum. I am Indonesian, tanned, not really muscular but fit (regularly hit the gym), and in my early 30 (tho I tend to look younger 😅). As I will be in Bangkok in early August for two weeks, I would like to find my luck to meet White Guys there, hope this forum can be one of the medium. I am open for nsa, one night stand, even making friend is also welcome. Ping me if you are interested Cheers!

From The Nation The Pheu Thai Party would nominate Srettha Thavisin in the third round of the election for prime minister if Move Forward Party's PM candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, fails to win the post in the second round on Wednesday, Pheu Thai PM candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Tuesday. She was commenting about the hypothetical scenario of Pita failing once again to secure at least 63 votes from senators or MPs outside the eight-party bloc. On Monday, all the coalition partners reaffirmed their stand to field and vote for Pita in the second round, while the coalition leader promised to step aside for the Pheu Thai to lead the coalition if he failed in his second bid to win the prime minister election. Paetongtarn said Pheu Thai would try its best to support Pita in the PM vote but if Pita fails, she would propose to a meeting of the Pheu Thai board to nominate Srettha in the next round of the PM vote after Pheu Thai becomes the coalition leader. Paetongtarn is the first PM candidate of Pheu Thai, Srettha the second and Chaikasem Nitisiri the third. “I don’t want any post in the executive. All three PM candidates are willing to help with the work no matter what the position,” Paetongtarn said. She said that she was not aware of a group of Pheu Thai MPs from the northeastern provinces wanting to push her to the PM post but she admitted frankly that it would not be easy to lead the country in the current situation. “So, I think the best choice is Srettha. He will be able to tackle the economic woes and solve various problems in no time if the Pheu Thai becomes the coalition leader. If not, Pheu Thai would still be willing to support the Move Forward-led coalition,” Paetongtarn said. She was confident that she would be able to explain the situation to the northeastern MPs.

From Pattaya News Thailand ranked in ninth place among the best countries for retirement. This recognition comes from the International Living magazine, which publishes an annual Global Retirement Index ranking the best retirement destinations. Among the listed countries in the 2023 index, Thailand stands alongside Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, and France, and tied with Italy. Notably, Thailand is the only Asian country in this group. International Living has this to say about Thailand: “Thailand’s expat appeal is that it offers an affordable cost of living yet manifests an enriched way of life…. Probably the best deals to be had in Thailand are in real estate. Foreigners are able to buy condos very easily and there are bargains everywhere…. Another enormous advantage to living in Thailand is by far the healthcare facilities.”

Well, I don't know of such a thing as a paper application process existing anymore, Scott. As far as I know everything dealing with the Brazilian Consulates/embassies is first thru the Brazilian government portal. You need to apply (on-line) there first to obtain a protocol, and only then do you send in your passport, photos and payment to the Brazil consulate in your jurisdiction. And, the consulates affected by Senior Lula's decree have not received the go-ahead as of now to process visitor visas (vitims). That's my understanding, anyway.

Even after years, I sometimes judge wrongly. Unless the profile or the boys says so, I assume he meets me for free for fun. The money boys I meet get 1000 for short time (which for me is at least 1 hour), I reject everyone asking for more. Still plenty of repeat business or new boys for 1000. Not even a question of distance, some travel from the outskirts to meet me in central Bangkok, all for 1000.

With the heat presently being experienced in Spain, France, Italy and Greece, I wonder if anyone in their late 50s or early 60s would be taking a gamble that the temperatures are not going to rise significantly over the course of their retirement. In the past Portugal, which in fact is #1 on that list in the 2023 Index with Thaland at #9, has had occasional fires, but I think not many. On average its temperatures are much below those of neighbouring Spain. My only visit was in late September when the weather was extemely pleasant during the day and quite cool at night. I now know four Asians who have moved to Portugal, three to retire and one with a view to retirement. All say it's an amazing country and a good deal cheaper than most others. The financial requirements for retirement are also vastly lower than Thailand, for example. At present the first year requires a bank deposit of less than €10,000 or US$11,250. Taking the annual one year payment rather than the monthly route, Thailand requires $23,400 for 5 months reducing to $11,700 for 7. But unlike in Portugal, this cannot be touched! I believe also the charge in Portugal is less for second and subsequent years. From your very first day, you are in the Schengen Zone making travel to other countries in the zone so easy. After 5 years you are entitled to become a permanent resident. That then gives you access to the free health service. There is also a vast number of towns and villages outside Lisbon and Porto where the cost of living is less. Plus the sea and beaches are never far away. And all that is before you start thinking about some of the excellent Portuguese wine!

Entrance to saunas in HKG has traditionally been on the higher side. I can't recall if Hutong has a two pricing system. I do know that it had a selective entry pre-covid. On Friday evenings, for example, when there would sometimes be a queue outside, one of the employees would decide who would be the next to enter. I think this was to ensure many more twinks than uncles. Entrance to 24 Kaikan in Shinjuku was ¥2,500 when I was last there about 4 years ago (US$18 today but the exchange rate then made it closer to $22). SInce Uber gave up in Thailand some years ago, I only have the Grab app on my phone. So thanks for that advice. I'll add in Uber, although I sometimes think the hike up the steep hill is good for getting rid of a few calories!! Being the rainy season I doubt it. I should have tried to find it in May during my last visit. The only other trip I have planned this year is mid-November when it is almost certainly too chilly for beach going. HONG KONG BEACHES In my earlier post, I forgot to mention gay beaches. On the Island the main gay beach used to be the small Middle Bay located between Repulse Bay and South Bay. https://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/interactive-map/middle-bay-beach.html It had a shark net, a pontoon to swim out to, a small cafe with simple meals, toilets and a cruisy changing room. Lots of cute guys used to frequent the beach at week-ends. During weekdays there would always be a few guys in skimpy swimwear tanning themselves. In the late afternoons and evenings there was sometimes some action in the bushes and rocks area close to the right side of the beach. I was told that many gay guys have moved on to the nearby and much larger South Bay beach but it is easy to check both. Parking is always a problem as the meter bays are snapped up early and the cops are active in giving illegally parked cars tickets. But it not difficult to walk down there from the main road which passes Repulse Bay or just take a taxi. Over on Lantau island on the oother side from the airport, for decades there was a gay beach at Cheung Sha. This is a 3 km long beach with white powdery sand, lots of cafes, a few bars, toilets and changing facilities. It is split into two sections. Local families and water sports enthusiasts tend to opt for the Lower beach. The Upper is quieter and closer to foliage which can see some action. But during weekdays don't expect to find many guys there. Getting to the beach is not difficult now. You take the MRT to Tung Chung station (the local version of the airport railway) and then a bus over the hill from there. This site has all the details - https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/great-outdoor/wellness/cheung-sha-beach.html

It still happens though it felt a b it underwhelming from what I remembered. I only went there on a Saturday during my last trip to HK in May. Arrived there around 8PM. There were already plenty of people. I think the peak was reached by 9PM and then around 10:30 people start leaving. The sauna keeps being as clean as I remembered and its facilities are top-notch. However, the crowd is much mixed-aged than when I was there almost 9 years ago. There are still a good number of twinks, but gone is that allure of exclusivity that Hutong used to have (A local twink I met and hanged out with, when I mentioned Hutong, just said: "Haven't been there in awhile, too many uncles now") Messed around with three guys, plus the dark rooms are quite fun at Hutong, both for group fun or for seeing people doing it as, one of them has actually two beds inside. One thing to notice though, is the steep price. I paid 260HKD (aroound 33USD), which probably makes it the most expensive gay sauna in Asia (though I don't remember exactly how much I paid in Tokyo and Osaka). It's even more expensive that in some European cities known for high prices like London, Amsterdam, etc. They offer a discount for local guys under 25. I know there is at least one day when they can go for free as there was a big sign inside advertising it. I thought that day was Saturday but this guy I met on a Monday, told me that is actually Monday, the free night for under-25. As I was already with him, I couldn't tried it out. Next time, I'll do a bit more research and maybe visit on a Monday. Have you tried taking Uber from that location @PeterRS? I've used Uber all over Taiwan and it's been pretty reliable. A bit more expensive in Taipei, but still way less then I would pay in the US or Europe. It's also pretty popular in HK. I took it a few times and the price is not bad. Took it one time late at night, at around 1:00AM to meet this guy, from Jordan where I was staying to Kau Pui Lung for around 110HKD (14USD) round-trip. Still cheaper from what I would pay in LA or NYC. Do you plan to give it a try and see if you find it this time on your incoming trip @PeterRS?

stopped at Rite aid. my Medicare advantage covers Gardasil for no cost. got the first (of 3) shots. asked about Japanese encephalitis - specialty vaccine, they can't get it. forgot to ask about monkey pox.

Just tell them it is for artistic purposes - of the athletic kind!

You've helped Foodland out so much, they've built a flagship store nearby to handle the overflow 😉

Thankfully, even flying millions of kms throughout my life and career, I have only had to make one travel insurance claim and it was for the on-going consequences of a travel delay in the autumn of 2012. I was flying BA from Edinburgh to Munich via Heathrow (for mileage and points reasons although there was an EasyJet aircraft on the next bay flying non-stop to Munich). I was then connecting to a cheap €90 Lufthansa return flight purchased months beforehand to get me to Dresden. At Edinburgh, we were all boarded on time onto a totally full 767. Then we waited. And waited some more, before the captain informed us of an hour's delay as a result of strong winds at Heathrow. As we waited, the cabin crew came round checking our onward tickets to ensure we were rebooked on to the next flights. That slightly worried me as the next BA flight ex LHR to Munich would make the connection to Lufthansa relatively tight. But stuck in a metal tube with the doors closed, what can one do? Arriving at LHR, of course I had missed the Munich connection and waited in the lounge for the next flight which was on the departure screens as leaving on time. But . . . I quickly realised that with most incoming flights delayed I needed to know where was my aircraft would be coming from and its likely arrival time at LHR. The BA staff in the lounge were totally hopeless. I went down to the general enquiries desk, waited 15 minutes before being informed the Munich aircraft was coming in from Paris and was subject to almost an hour's delay. So I would not get to Munich in time. My problem was Dresden is not served from LHR. Although it is only 350 kms from Munich I was on the last flight of the day. If I missed it, that flight and the return to Munich would be cancelled on the LH computer system. I'd also lose a night at my pre-paid hotel in Dresden. I checked train timetables - nothing that late. Naturally, as the BA flight landed, the LH flight was taking off. The LH staff were very helpful but there was nothing they could do. So I had to cough up around €420 for new full fare LH flights plus around €80 for the Holiday Inn Express hotel at Munich airport. Unfortunately with tickets on 2 separate airlines and bils from 2 separate hotels, that makes claims much more complex. The insurance company wanted paperwork from each confirming reasons for delays and hotel costs. As I was then a BA top tier Execuitve member, the member services agency in Sydney processed that quickly. LH was much more complicated. But after filing the claim along with reams of paperwork, I did finally get the costs less the small deductible reimbursed around 2 months later.

Oh for the halcyon days following the start of the Asian Economic Crisis! In January 1998 sterling hit 86.034. As I was starting to think of purchasing my apartment around 18 months later, equally as good was the baht interest rate I got of 20% over one year followed by 16% for part of the next. By May 1999 sterling had fallen to its lowest level 59.942 before starting to climb and reaching 75.264 in February 2005. It then slowly began to fall again. As @Ruthrieston points out, there was a peak of around 56 in May 2014 and then again in May 2015. Since then like Humpty Dumpty it has been crashing, albeit more slowly than that revered children's character. However, with the British economy in its present dire straits and a General Election due next year which will finally see the Conservative Party thrown out of power and the indecision this will cause - if only temporarily - I cannot believe the rate of 45 will hold much longer. But then my economic forecasts seem always to be wrong! 😵 https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/currency

Happy to disagree. First sentence sounds like talking about restaurant and saying " I never order anything more expensive than 100 baht". Sure one can fill himself with just rice with sprinkling of soya, sauce but isn, t more elaborate dish like chicken with cashew nuts more stomach rewarding? . Chances of good encounter may be the same but sometimes we may need more than just a dick and balls, some good looks or build perhaps? Last night I hosted some fine specimen who even in his bar stands out, certainly not one to be foud everywhere. Again, every restaurant serves, a food but edible pizza can be found only at Madrid tavern

Glad to know that my contributions to progress of humanity are not going unnoticed

If Christian says it’s not expensive, then I believe it. Lol.

1. not in my experience 2. not in my experience 3. cock sizes exaggerated, no problem for me 4a. indeed, in my experience massage skill from poor to okay 4b. indeed, no issue at all for me 5. indeed, no problem because I speak Thai 6. not at all in my opinion. 400 for 1 hour oil massage and 800 minimum tip (I haven't taken anyone quoting a higher minimum tip) = 1200, an amount I can write off a research expenses. Chances for a good encounter are similar here and in gogo bars or expensive massage places, but there the expense is much higher.

That few were aware of his pursuit of higher education, more were perhaps aware that Adul (Adun) Samon was the one of the three stateless boys and their coach who were granted Thai citizenship a few months after their rescue. Adun became best known for answering rescuer Rick Stanton question about how many of there are you with a reply in English. He speaks four other languages, including Thai, Burmese, Mandarin, and Wa, a language spoken near the Myanmar and China border. Middlebury appears to be a fine choice. One of America's finest liberal arts colleges, the school is well known for its international focus. The following photo was taken at the age of 15, a year following his rescue.

I am so glad that I got my 10 year visa and it is still good for another 3 years.

Even though SP is safer and have hotter GPs than Rio, it's still hard not to go to Rio if you are a beach lover (like me). That being said, if you don't need a beach vacation and going for the GPs, SP has definitely been better recently. Anyone coming to Rio/SP in the next weeks ?

Me too! haha Perhaps this will help the 'what is a twink' debate? v0f044gc0000ch4og5jc77udju7hhe00.MP4

Who needs fitness center when Foodland is opened 7/24?

but Olddaddy as very name says is old so he must have age related common bladder problem and needs to visits toilets often anyways. Speaking form experience , not trying to be sarcastic

I wonder if owners of those high end watches are those who are complaining the most about high drink places in Bangkok bars ?

look at bright side, shittier shoes ( or any other garment) are , more often you have something new

When you guys start talking about Sketchers....then we'll be in business 😆

blow what??? Oh, mind, I see

All of the above, I haven't been kind to my organs, the only regrets are some of the things I didn't do , none of what I've done.....when it's my time, I'll leave with a smile 😉

Glad to see @TotallyOz joining the club of people having a great time in Taiwan and considering it one of the best, if not the best destination in Asia. Both my Western and Asian friends, including Taiwanese themselves, gets always so surprised when I mention how often I visit Taiwan. My short answer has always been: it's the people. Kinda had a similar experience on my last visit to the Beautiful Island. After spending a week in southern Taiwan, I had planned to spend Saturday and Sunday in Taipei. Mostly going to Soi13 and hanging out with some of my friends in there. However, this cute student I first met at the Hi-Men sauna in Kaohsiung and then hanged out twice more during my time in there texted me and said that he missed me and wanted to see me again before I leave. I agreed and offered to pay for his HSR but he said that wasn't necessary. We spent two great days and he even came with me all the way to the airport and said goodbye at the airport security check. Yes, probably would have had more guys and sex if I had spent that weekend by myself, even though he was 100% my type. However, these type of encounters though are much more valuable and memorable than even good sex.

I won't. I don't have the patience nor the social skills to pretend to "entertain" a group of money boys . I will have to sit there and pretend to be nice striking up broken english conversations. I'm not a people person,I don't like people actually

I miss parties Nero, the emperor was throwing in the Colloseo or Circus Maximus but world goes on , sigh

I agree. I live five months in Thailand a year and only spend one week in Bangkok. im also glad I’m into twinks, as they’re a dime a dozen in Pattaya So it’s much easier to negotiate prices. Just the pollution alone is worth staying away from Bangkok.

I agree about the drinks prices: horrendous and ludicrous. Best to stay away!

As I was living in Cairo, it turned out to be my home. Through parties of friends, I met new people who knew people. Cairo attracts people from all over the country. When traveling south, the hotspots of Aswan and Luxor have been mentioned on this forum already. Both cities are awesome in terms of sights and (hook-up) vibe. A couple of other things to do: - When going to Abu Simbel, stay overnight. Once all tourists leave, you have the locals for yourself. - In between Aswan and Luxor, you might hire a private taxi and tour the different temples at your own paste. - Go on a White Desert overnight (multi-day) tour. - Siwa, the oasis close to the Libyan border, is a must-have-experienced adventure. Pick a local place to stay and immerse yourself in the 'traditional massages' and 'overnight pool jumps'. Enjoy!

I has been some time since a post aroused me, as you just did.

My preference is Manly Gay Men. I am not into Fem Guys or Straight Ones. And I had no problems meeting my kind of guys throughout the Islands. My first several trips I spent time in Manila. But I found going outside Manila was more enjoyable. The traffic in Manila is terrible. Sometimes it took over two hours to go from Malate to Makati. Too long just to try a new restaurant. I took new friends on trips to Baguio in the North, Bangatas to the South, Puerto Galera on Mindoro. And of Course Boracay Island!!! Then I went to Cagayan de Oro on Mandanao and said "Forget Manila!!". On to General Santos City, and Davao. Great guys in all those places and fun places to visit. Camiguin Island, Samal, Siargio (Surfer's Paradise). Then I settled into Cebu City. Would go there for 2-3 weeks and enjoy time with many old and new friends. Side trips to Bantayan Island, Oslob, the Camotes, and over to Panglao on Bohol Island. In Cebu City I booked rooms at the Crown Regency Towers, at the Quest Hotel, at Best Western LEX. All good hotels at about USD50 to 70 per night. Then I found a great Condo in the Crown Towers #3. Two level loft style unit on the 23rd Floor. For a stay more than 1 week it was USD60 per night. I was HOME!! I had my share of young men! And most spent the night. There were some just for an afternoon visit. Many said they were Tops but I also found agreeable Bottoms. None asked for money, but I gave them 1000-1500P, USD20-30, plus benefits of shopping, dinner, 3-D movie, and evening at a Club. Now I see many hot guys on Romeo. The hotest offer massage and fun for 2000-2500P, USD40-50. Short time. Much like in Thailand. But no Go-Go Bar Fees. I have tried a few but find the Home Boys more my liking!! Ages 20 up to 32. I was finding the guys in their late 20s, early 30s, more and more attractive. So ask me more Questions!!

I have found the Southern Islands best for meeting Pinoy guys for sex and companionship. I have had no problems over 15 years meeting guys in Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and other places there. I am a Daddy, did most of my visits when I was 65 to 75. I am now 81. I mostly met guys using Romeo then maintained contact using Facebook or Skype. Now I understand Grinder and Whatsup or the Chat Apps. The mobile companies in the PH provide Facebook for free, so guys prefer it to avoid using their Data or Load. But that does not stop them from sharing Pics and Videos. I enjoy traveling and used to be more active, able to go hiking, surfing, canyoneering. In the past few years it has been more limited to finding a beautiful beach or touring some new places, or going to one of the many Festivals. I usually invited a guy to travel with me, for 3-5 days. And the guys are always up for a Free Trip. Also a Free Dinner, Movie or Clubing. Or to just come over for a short time. I have paid more when I hire a massage guy to come meet me. Usually 1000P, which is USD20. Now the muscle guys are asking 1500P to 2000P for short time. Traveling places, even between islands is easy. Many flights on Cebu Pacific Air, USD20 to USD35 each way. And Air-Con Buses are available for USD6 to USD10. Ferries are also avaiable between all the main Cities, but take much longer. I have never attempted to drive myself in the PH. I stay in better hotels or in a Condo rented on AirBnB. The cost per night is usually USD45 to USD55. However I know good places are available at USD30 to USD35. I find eating out is quite reasonable. You can eat at McD for USD5 and a very nice restaurant is usually USD30 to USD40 for two persons. I have not found any good Pick-up Bars in the PH. Tried the ones in Manila years ago and nothing began happening until 1am. And drinks were expensive. There are some Macho Dancer and Massage but I never found them anything like in Thailand. Most Cities have several good Clubs or Discos. Again they do not get started untill after 10pm and go LATE!! Mainly you should plan to take 1 or 4-5 guys to the Club, buying a Bottle and Mixers, and dancing the night away!!! Over the years I have made many great friends from the PH. I meet them each trip. And help them money-wise. But it is not like in Thailand where the guys expect a stated Fee for Service. I guess for me it is more like having a "son" rather than a "boy friend". But AGAIN PH guys are looking for a long-term relationship and will raise the possibility of marriage... SO go to the South!! You can expect to meet guys before your trip or just have hooks ups while you are there. ENJOY!!!

This visit to Laos was fourth part of my trip to SE Asia which started with very short stay in Bangkok reported here: https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/38515-shortest-trip-ever-but-still-blood-pressure-rising-report/ Followed by 10 days in Cambodia reported here: https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/38619-guys-and-ruins-ruins-and-boys-trip-to-cambodia-in-oct-2022 and then 8 days in Thailand reported here : Part 1 -Luang Prabang It was my second visit in the country , last time there in 2013 they did not have a centimeter of rail. Now thanks to LaoChina railway they have most modern trains in all ASEAN I guess. Taking a ride on this train from Luang Prabang to Vientiane was my goal nr 1, still railway man at heart after working for railways many, many moons ago. I reported that ride in almost real time and link with report is here to avoid repeating more of the same ( my part starts on Nov 8 ) : https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/38209-a-ride-on-the-laos-china-railway/ I spent 4 days in Luang Prabang and then 2 in Vientiane. It was tourist tip not boy hunting one but it will be a boy, why not ? Flight from Bangkok was smooth and so was immigration. I had e-visa already. In the airport I exchanged money , for 50 USD at 17 500 kip per dollar I received 875 000. Now I know how rich have it ! As most of that money was in 100 000 notes I had concern that it may be difficult to get a change but unfortunately or fortunately it was not a case. 100 000 is about 6 $ so hardly princely sum even in cheap country like Laos. While in Cambodia USD is practically main currency and lots of prices , specially on tourist trail are quoted in dollars it’s not a case in Laos. In my week there I don’t think I was quoted dollar price more than 3 times , even for expensive goods. To finish money matters exchange rates in airport are very similar to ones in the city ( 16400 to 18200 )so changing money there makes sense. some view from airport Getting to the city was well organized , they sell tickets for vans, I don’t exactly remember was it 50000 or as much as 80000 and I was, along with 5 other travelers taken to our hotels. I was last in line , not that it matters as Luang is not a big city. My hotel was one of villas along Nam Khan river which is joining Mekong 300 meters downstream. Interesting and bit unusual thing is that waters of both rives have different color, Mekong’s being muddy and yellow. . Breakfast was included but it was in different hotel so every morning I had nice 6 minutes 23 seconds stroll there with voucher furnished by reception in hand. In the first morning receptionist actually walked me there to make sure I find the place. (Easy , on main street , breakfast was excellent, eaten under watchful eye of Buddha statue in wat across the street) . Luang Prabang is small , very walkable city and practically in every corner is some temple, more or less impressive. Then there’s Mekong and Kuang Si waterfall as well as Pak Ou thousand Buddhas cave so it’s easy to fill week or more there. In the evening on main drag there’s Night Market with souvenirs and food section -only place in Luang Prabang which is very busy . Oh, no, there’s one more. Phou Si mountain in middle of the city with temple atop becomes very busy at sunset , impressive from there indeed. For waterfall I took afternoon tour on the first day which turned not such a good idea (afternoon , not tour ) as by time we arrived it started cooling down and bathing underneath the falls was not as pleasant as it would be in heat of the day. Heat it too big a word by the way as mid Nov weather was very pleasant in Luang and in the room I did not turn neither fan nor A/C even for a minute during whole stay. But my advice for waterfall would be morning tour. On way back we visited Hmong village and were invited to see traditional house for small donation. Bit of tourist trap but still interesting In hotel I checked Grindr and there was question from very good looking guy if I want massage. Massage may be not but to meet that yummy guy certainly yes . In such small city it did not take long before he arrived waving at me standing on empty verandah . We had good time for princely sum of 500 000 but something was missing, can’t say what, spark perhaps. I made internal note to re-hire him only if he will be interested and contacts me again but it did not happen so it was my only contact with naked male flesh this trip in Laos. But certainly there were guys available on Grindr, just not my types and obviously not interested in KFC man as I did not made not got further inquiries. Which was good as well considering that I still had few days in Thailand upon return. They say best Chinese food is in San Francisco and best pizza in Stockholm and it looks best Lao guys are in Thailand. Part 2 to follow tomorrow

Part 2 Most of Luang’s many temples are free but few most impressive and most popular require ticket for 20000 -30000. Popular attraction in Luang is alms giving ceremony at sunrise but I did not partake not only for being lazy to wake up that early but also I don’t believe in converting religious ceremonies into tourist circus. I rather leave to to believers. bit different type of temple Pak Ou caves are in quite a distance upstream so I took a boat tour for that as well, pleasant trip of more than hour. We had luck of seeing shiny train crossing the Mekong. After caves we went to whisky village to taste local moonshine, then to elephant feeding center where before feeding elephant we feed ourselves with a very tasty lunch served there. Then it turned out most people are going to waterfall by the bus but few who did not purchase this option like me got invited to get out in the city . Not that they just dumped us, no , there was van which took us to our hotels free of charge.

I have been to Cuba for a couple of times and most recently I stayed for 3 weeks in January 2018. Here is the brief report: Weather is very nice in January. it is neither cold nor very hot, much better than the hot and humid weather in July. La habana: malecon (avenida 23 & calle hospital), cafe Toki (calle 25 & Infanta), parque central are the top spots to cruise. Parque central in the day time, just sitting and watching young men passing by; Malecon & Cafe Toki at night (and after midnight), typically 30+ people gathering in groups, with locals and tourists. typical price 25-30 CUCs (dollars); there are plenty of short time casa particulars nearby, 10 CUCs for one hour. It is also easy to find a private apartment with private entrance via Airbnb. Santiago de Cuba: unlike La habana, there are no visible cruising spots. I managed to find a men through Romeo, but the profiles on Romeo were very limited. I saw a couple of gays/trans in the plaza de dolores after midnight but I didn't talk to them. there is a love motel (casa particular) on street calvario No 551, just next to Plaza de dolores, where my Romeo friend and I had half an hour good time. I paid the friend 30 CUCs and the room 10 CUCs. Santiago is a very poor city. One day when I was strolling down the malecon at sunset, I saw two very handsome young men with great bodies. Both are 19 years old and are about 1.85 meters. It turned out that they were from the local lucha sport team and they had to train every day for local competitions. I invited them for beers and we became friends. In the next 2 weeks, I gradually learned about their lives, visited their homes, talked to their families, helped with their (money) problems, and got to know more of their friends. we went to beaches and discos. In the end, I managed to jack off and suck six young straight cocks from the same street neighborhood, all are 19-21 years old. The boys were willing to play as long as it was kept secret. One needs to get inside the communities to enjoy Santiago. But it requires patience, language skills and most important, luck. Holguin: very peaceful city. I found a 19 year boy via Romeo. there were a couple of trans in the corner of parque centro after midnight. I only spent 3 days in Holguin but I guess, just like Santiago, there were always opportunities. Trinidad: I spent 2 days but I didn't find any. I think Antigua of Guatemala is a more beautiful colonial town. Cienfuego: I stayed one night in Cienfuego and met a 20 years old men in Malecon ( we mad eye contacts when he passed by me). We had a good time in a nearby motel casa particular. Cuba is a very safe country. Almost every night I walked alone in the central area and never felt unsafe, often after midnight. I also found weeds were popular in Santiago, but possession could lead to 10 years prison in cuba, though there were far less policemen in Santiago than La habana. In conclusion, I have had great time in Cuba. But offline cruising can be very consuming so I am looking forward to the time when Cuba is opening up and getting richer and when wifi is widely available to local people. I probably will not visit Cuba for the next couple of years.