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Another posting on here recently mentioned the online Stickman column. As a sometimes reader of it, usually I find the best thing in it (for the gay reader anyway) is his gleanings from the newspapers of Thai related stories. But one he missed was an article recently in the New York Times by Lawrence Osborne, talking about the neighbourhood of Bangkok (basically middle Sukhumvit) that Osborne is currently living in. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/travel/bangkok-thailand-city-of-spirits-culture.html?_r=0 It is called "My Bangkok - City of Spirits" and he talks about walking around the city and visiting his favourite haunts, especially late night bars. It is well worth a look. It may be in rather purple prose, but for somebody who lives outside Thailand, like me, and visits as a tourist, it really caught the exotic feeling of modern Bangkok (including the bits they are trying to kill off, like street drinks carts) and will certainly arouse nostalgia in many forum readers. Gave me some ideas for bars I might wish to try when I next visit too. Osborne wrote a whole book about an earlier period he spent living in in Bangkok, called "Bangkok Days", which is worth a look if you like style of writing in the article.
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Decided it was time for me to post about some of my experiences in the Philippines. But as this is a first post I will keep it an overview... I have been visiting the Philippines for over 12 years. And in that time I have fallen in "love" with the Country and the Guys!! My first trips where for exploring, and I generally flew to Manila. Visited Manila, Baguio, Mindoro, Boracay, and Kalibo. All interesting and beautiful places. Particularly Klibo, where my Pinoy friend took me to see the Ati-Atihin Festival. Then I met a wonderful guy who lived in Cagayan de Oro, on the big island of Mindanao. So off to there!! We were good friends for many years. But then he got sort of weird. I think he actually has Bi-Pol-er Disorder. Sad to say I invested money in some of his future schemes and they never came to fruition. But I always enjoyed CDO. Great seafood, great river rafting, not so good beaches, and other great guys there!!! If you go be sure to take in the Night Market on the weekends!! From Mindanao I enjoyed adventures to Iligan City (where I met a handsome young man who was actually in love with a Ladyboy. I also met her), and to Gingoog, and Camiguin Island (a must do if you are on Mindanao). Oh, and Malaybalay, up in the mountains. The home of another friend. Next on my travels was Davao City. Back then it was very safe. The then Mayor Duterte ruled the City with an Iron Fist and his Death Squads!! I fell in love with several nice guys there. And ended up putting three through College. All are now working overseas. Also went to Gen San, in the far South. Very nice!! One of my guys from Davao Family had a problem and they had to move to Surigao City, in the North of Mindanao. He and I have been friends for 9 years. So I have made several trips there and across the water to Siargao Island (the surfing capitol of the Philippines). HAHAHA not much to do there except surf. but we did find a wonderful small Thai Restaurant. Too spicy for my friend but heaven for me!!! Now, for the past several years I go to Cebu City on the Island of Cebu, also in the South. It is much better than going to Manila. Many things to do. Only sort of bad traffic. Beaches are close. And a good jumping off location for other places on the Island. Try Panglao Island and Bohol, Bantayan Island (unspoiled new Boracay), the Camotes (very very QUIET), Moalboal with its stunning White Beach, and Oslob to swim with the giant Whale Sharks. I have also gone from Cebu City down to Puerto Princess City and to Sabang Beach to tour the Underground River. Sorry have not gotten to El Nido. So I can say I have had many wonderful adventures in the Islands of the Philippines. Still a long "bucket list" of places to visit. If you have any questions, just ask!! As they say "Ingat and Paalam"!!
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Questions for a Trip to Brazil Fall 2018 I know various members have provided thoughts in different postings, but not always cohesive nor in agreement. Is it too cold for the beach now? Is it easy to meet new “friends” at the beach, and is it too dangerous to trust such new friends wherever you go to play? At saunas, seems like most programmas are around 100 R$. Is 150R$ reasonable if both of us have a happy ending and maybe have some kink too? For Brazil, do folks use sex hotels rather than pay for play saunas? Are they much more expensive than the costs of a sauna? Maybe less of a bother than to have the boy at a hotel and less of a risk of theft too. I did see posting regarding the Atlantico Hotel and being able to have guests there. If you are really horny, do you find escorts on the grindr, adam4adam, scruff, etc phone apps? Other apps to use? Saw some website listings like rentmen.com too. Given the postings about how late the boys sometimes arrive, if they arrive, are the saunas usually a better choice? I saw postings for a few porn theatres in Cinelandia and Centro. They also noted a lack of quality. Are these mostly for horny local guys and not so much the paid boys? Many postings on the saunas. In Europe saunas tend to get busy around 1500-2000 hrs. Is this also true in Brazil, as no one seems to mention late action? Which days or nights are best for Manhattan, Meio Mundo (?Monday), 117, and Pointe? Some varied opinions perhaps due age of the posts. Are there other saunas, perhaps more geared for locals or those of us who speak some Portuguese? Is Le Boy a sauna, a disco, or both? If it has a sauna now, is it a regular sauna or a pay for play sauna (?both)? Saw postings about the scene, or lack thereof, at Corujina. Are there other “hangouts”? Postings about afternoon drink places for Ipanema seemed near the Hotel Vermont. Are there others that are good to make new friends (normal or paid)? Late night club scene seems to vary, so maybe have to check in the days just before the trip. Lapa seems to be a good place on Friday and Saturday night for regular fun and drinking, based on postings elsewhere. Any other thoughts? Found lots of info elsewhere for daytime trips and for local cities less than a day away by bus. But not much info for the gay scenes in smaller places like Parati, Buzios, Tiradentes, and Belo Horizonte. Seems like most folks not on a business trip are not keen on Sao Paolo. Iguassu might be too far for a brief trip. For food, lots of postings elsewhere about the fruit, steak places, and the like. Any particularly good ones for a gay clientele? -
So last night we flew HKG to LAX. Didn't sleep before the flight, didn't sleep during it, and have yet to sleep since arriving 12 hours ago. Such is the life of jet lag for me. Cathay Pacific has such a good reputation, but I found Business Class a tight spot. OK,, I quickly agree, better than coach! We arrived to my main bag having likely been taken by someone with a similar bag, but he hasn't fessed up yet. Went to the Customs desk with hubby. The agent about spit at us: "State the nature of your relationship." I said we were two married gay guys. He didn't like that and with no suspicion at all that we had any agricultural goods, sent us down there. They are the most thorough search, so he was trying to hassle us, but the ag people were nicer and sent us on our way. We might have to get used to cocky people like this agent as Trump sets the tone, now discussing undoing Obama's executive orders protecting gays. But all I really wanted to say is this. If you want good infrastructure, go to Hong Kong. If you want fun, sex, and cute guys everywhere, go to Thailand. There's no comparison! We were tempted to head back from HK, but we're just not rich. And thanks for the advice so many of you were kind enough to give us.
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firecat69 asked on the How many times a year [do you] travel to Thailand thread: "Do you find it cheaper and available to upgrade to Prem Economy after purchase on KLM rather then purchase it in advance." - and I think it might be a good opportunity for folks to share how they handle upgrades, in case there are suggestions some have thought of and some might not have. The timing aspect is interesting, but is it less dependable now that more and more flights are leaving without an open seat? I'd be interested in hearing the experiences of others. I tend to stick with a couple of airlines that go where I often visit, and use their points for upgrades when I can. Now that a few more airlines have joined together (for example a couple of new additions to Star Alliance) it creates more opportunities to gather miles/points. Some use specific credit cards, and some credit cards - such as American Express - can offer credits you can apply, too. What are your favorites, and why? Shortfalls are also welcome - i.e. mileage that expires quickly.
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Influenced by firecat's comments in "Thai in Egypt" thread and e-mails exchange with another member I have question: Have you ever compiled such a list and if yes, what those places were ?. Did you manage to complete it or you are still working on this list ? I made such a list back when I was still school boy and Johnson was USA's and De Gaulle French president, I still keep copy of it in my papers. I'm counting my blessings because I was able to achieve that childhood dream which at that time for many reasons was just a dream without even distant hope of realizing. My dream places were: 1.Lhasa, Tibet 2.Easter Island, Chile 3.Jerusalem , Israel 4.Pyramids, Egypt 5.Machu Picchu, Peru 6.Angkor Wat , Cambodia 7.Tikal, Guatemala 8.Abu Simbel , Egypt 9.Persepolis, Iran 10.Bagan, Burma / now Myanmar/
