Lucky

...no male masseuse in sight. Why does that not surprise me? Males who give massages are masseurs, females are masseuses.

Arriving in Bangkok with no useful money could be a horror show. You are right to be concerned about the older dollars. I have had them refused more than once. Can you go back to your local currency exchange and get newer bills?

No doubt there is still a lot to like in Hong Kong, it's just harder to find. The spirit the city was known for has certainly gone downhill. As for Chinese New Year, it's my understanding that most places close on New Year's Day and for as often as two weeks, but prior to that they are open. Either way, this year lacked a sense of festivity.

I once had a Thai tutor so I know various phrases, many of which I still remember. I have found that Thais appreciate the effort to learn some of their language. Hong nam yoo teenai.....others may spell the words differently but it is the sound of them that asks the question. Otherwise, mai kao jai.

I used to love staying at the Coffee Boy.

I never even looked at it.

Since you ask, they were Le Meridien, the Athenee, Sheraton Royal Orchid, and the W. Le Meridien is quite popular with gays, has comfortable rooms, a great breakfast, and a location central to gay activity. The Athenee is luxurious, with staff males wearing nicely styled tux and tails, has comfortable rooms with a great breakfast. The location is near the BTS to the shopping malls. The Sheraton gave me a high floor room with a view of the river. At night all of the boats were lit up and it was quite beautiful. From the Lounge, we had a 460 degree view and it was even better. The W disappointed although I liked it last year. It's right next to a BTS station, but that wasn't enough to keep me there. We left for the Le Meridien again.

I don't want to climb any more stairs.

I can understand coming back soon! I have been home for 18 days and even through some horrible jetlag I miss the place. I stayed at 4 different hotels in Bangkok and loved three of them. But the prices were pretty high compared to the old days.

I have high ellte status with Marriott, but I chose the Miramar by Windsor for my last stay as I had not heard good things about the JW Marriott. The Miramar is a lovely hotel and abut $100 a night cheaper than JW.

Indeed it was!

I was definitely not lucky there. They insisted on massaging me and the hubby in the same room, where we got lackadaisical massages by fully clothed uninspiring "masseurs."

I used to travel to Hong Kong a lot and loved it. But this year I was there for Chinese New year and found it drab and dull. Such a disappointment. I am guessing that western businessmen are making fewer trips to the island.

Prime Spa is not actually a spa. It is simply where the telephone is located. When I went there last year, they sent me home to await news on available masseurs. Hubby and I piked out choices and were sent to apartments in the Prime neighborhood.

I didn't find the men outside the Chichana massage cute or sexy. The same for 19teen.