a-447

I walked out, as did quite a few other patrons.

I have just returned from Japan and South Korea. The big topic of conversation in Japan at the moment is the effect over-tourism is having on the local people. The vast majority of tourists were from Singapore and Taiwan. The locals in Kyoto were complaining that they can't move around freely or even catch buses to work and litter is becoming a big problem. For those who are not familiar with Japan, years ago the government removed all bins from public areas and told citizens that from now on, you are going to take your rubbish home and dispose of it there - which is what everyone does. When you head our for the day you always make sure you have a bag of some sort into which you can put your rubbish and then carry it around all day. Unfortunately, tourists are not always familiar with this concept and so in frustration, they tend to just quietly - or blatantly - dump it along the way of leave it in toilets. Kyoto's government decided to deal with the problem by setting up 3 large bins on the main street but by late afternoon they were full and rubbish was piling up around them. Litter is such a rare sight in Japan that it came as quite a shock to everyone. The biggest fear now is what will happen once the mainland Chinese tour groups start returning. If Japan is already overwhelmed by tourists and finding it difficult to cope, this will be disastrous for the locals. I recall a couple of years ago when I was walking around Kenrokuen, one of the 3 great Japanese -style gardens. I was enjoying the serenity when suddenly large numbers of huge tour buses turned up all at once and disgorged a tsunami of Chinese tourists. The serenity disappeared, as did the views, because everywhere you looked you just saw people. They all wanted the photo with the famous stone lantern; the problem is, they don't just take 1 photo and move on so that others can have a turn; they have to take multiple shots going through a series of poses. I, along with others, fled the park and vowed to return another day - which I did back in January and without the tourists. It was wonderful! Chinese tourists have a perfect right to visit these places just like we do. But I wish they would not travel in such large groups because the sheer number overwhelms everyone and everything. (Try buying an icecream when the Chinese are in town!) I remember the tour groups being a problem in Pattaya before Covid. I dread to think what it will be like once the Chinese start to travel again.

We would never know!

I returned to Japan from Korea last night. OMG!!! Some of the most handsome, cutest guys on the planet live there! I went on a tour to the DMZ and I couldn't take my eyes off our guide. I melted every time he smiled. At the airport I was patted down as I stepped out of the body scanner. Instant hard -on and it took all my willpower to resist the temptation to put my arms around him. Body image is important in Asia and especially in Korea.

They are slowly introducing this method of payment in Japan, too.

I'm in Japan at the moment and it is all over the media. Julie Fujishima controls 100% of the company shares and had promised compensation. At the end of the day, it is just another example of the "casting couch" culture which is also prevalent in the West. But in Japan it is difficult to question those above you. The role of the media is also being questioned as they apparently knew what was going on. It is now being reported that sponsors are abandoning the company. This could be the beginning of the end.

What are they?? Am I missing something?

I'm off to Japan in a couple of weeks time. I'm going with a straight friend but he's very open-minded and doesn't care what I get up to. My plan was to visit Hokuoukan sauna in Osaka but just discovered that it had closed! WTF??? I'll have a look around to see if another establishment has taken its place. I'm also thinking of returning again in November as it's been a while since I've seen the autumn leaves. They are spectacular! Fedssocr, if you do go in November make sure you visit places like Kifune shrine, Tofukuji, Nanzenji and Eikando. Here you'll be mixing with the locals as most tourists have limited time and so head to the more famous temples and it can be a real nightmare. We are also visiting Korea - Busan and Seoul. We were planning to go on the tour to the JSA in Panmunjom but those tours have been cancelled since that dickhead ran across the border into North Korea. I've been to Seoul before. I visited the gay area but didn't see much. Might take another look of I have time.

No, that was the Rex Hotel which is just down the street from the Caravelle. I went to their rooftop bar a couple of times but preferred the live music at the Caravelle.

I stayed at the Caravelle Hotel. It is centrally located.and although it's not particularly cheap, it's got everything you could wish for and the rooftop bar is a great place to relax. They had an excellent Philippines band playing every night. The only problem is you can't have guests in your room after 9pm.(I hear that's the rule throughout Vietnam). But you could have your fun beforehand and later head up to the bar. Perfect! Oh, and the breskfast is awesome.

Imagine what would happen if a fire broke out! Escaping quickly would be a nightmare, especially if you'd had a few drinks. That's why I stopped staying there.

I can't comment on the breakfast, Peter, as I don't eat in the morning. Just coffee. However, if I'm staying at a 5-star hotel - usually only when I go to Japan - I always eat breakfast.

Think of Nature Boys as Good Boys on steroids. Anything goes and if you are a bit shy, you can go behind the curtain at the back of the bar. If you cum in the bar -I don't recall ever doing that - you are charged the off fee. Chances are that guy back in October also has lots of guys on call - they are his friends, some of whom used to work in NB. They are always willing to turn up to the bar to meet you. I have a regular guy Bangkok so I even though I made it clear I wouldn't be offing anyone, they still came to the bar and we had a few drinks. I said I might be up for sex during the day and if so, I'd get in contact with them. Some may recall that I wrote about a medical problem I had at the start of my trip. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of the medication was a diminished libido. Even though 2 guys who I have offed numerous times over the years from NB came to the bar and I was dying to get into bed with them - both are hung like donkeys and one always insisted that I cum in his mouth (I love that!) I just didn't feel up to it, so to speak, during the day. In the past, a guy in the bar also recommended his Lao friend. "He have very big cock and like to fuck." So he called him and he certainly didn't disappoint. He was slim, handsome and OMG! What a cock! He was on offer in April too, but I had to decline. But now that I've become used to the medicine I think I'm ready to up my game! I feel a trip coming up.

There is. The audience in the Bangkok bars back in April consisted of lots of young Asians - male and female - and very few farang. As a stale, pale male I felt decidedly out of place. I think it's true that the young ones don't off guys like we do -it seems to be the young women who off the guys -but they do spend up big on drinks and tips in the bar. If you want fun in a bar without the women, head to Soi Tawan. While there aren't many guys in Nature Boy, if you ask Jay, the mama-san, he'll call in as many guys as you want. Super A can be hit and miss, but you never know your luck. Does anyone know if the bar opposite Nature Boy is open yet?

I stayed at the Westgate Hotel. It was perfect! It is very modern and the bed was really comfortable. It is just around the corner from the Red House and also a street filled with fod stalls.

Given the gruesome nature of this crime, maybe bikies were involved. Either that or it was a drug deal gone wrong.

After returning from Bangkok in April, where I had to take myself to hospital due to urine retention (caused by an enlarged prostate), I went to my doctor here in Perth. He sent me for a very comprehensive series of blood tests and an ultrasound for my bladder and prostate. He said the results showed that I was in perfect health, apart from the enlarged prostate and that he wished all his patients were as healthy as me. My job ensured that I led a healthy lifestyle - no smoking or drinking - and I had to undergo regular health checks during my working life. They got more arduous towards the end of my career as I got older. Like Vinapu, I also only smoke when I'm in Thailand. So I intend to live way past 80! (fingers crossed!) Like Shonen, my doctor also refuses to recommend shingrex. When I ask him why he simply says not to bother.

Then look into a medication called Tamsulosin. But best consult a doctor first to see if it is suitable for you. It can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness. Check it out on youtube to see what other side -effects there are. Some you may not like. You can buy it over the counter. I good mine at Boots. It works very quickly and you'll never have that problem again.

I used to run up large drink bills at the old Eros bar in Pattaya, but it was the boys who were drinking - I was usually drinking Diet Coke.

Recently CCTV showed a woman tripping on some steps and falling flat on her face in Bali, She ended up in hospital with serious injuries but her insurance company - one of the biggest in Australia -refused to pay up, citing the fact that she was drunk. How do they know that? Because they checked the bar tab and saw that a lot of alcohol had been consumed. But as she said, how does the insurance company know who drank what? She could have been drinking Coke all night.

I've got a rather large collection of sneakers, 95% of which are Nike. I've got to say mine have all lasted well - most of them are the AIR models and some are probably over 15 years old. I've never had a problem with Nike. Maybe it depends on where they are made. (I haven't checked but I presume the Nike's I've bought in Japan over the years aren't made there.) Maybe it's because I own so many that they don't get worn all that often and so last longer. But I do have my favourites which get worn often and they are still hanging in there.

As I've mentored here before, for me, value for money is more important than price - which is why I don't mind paying for expensive drinks in the bars if there is a show to enjoy. But I object to being asked to pay ridiculous prices for a drink just to sit and watch the rotation. On a recent trip to Japan I bought 2 pairs of Onitsuka Tiger Nippon Made sneakers. They cost twice as much as their made in Vietnam models. They are hand made in Japan using only Japanese materials. And given the Japanese obsession with perfection, they are exactly that. https://www.onitsukatiger.com/au/en-au/nippon-made/c/ou10651000/ There is a specially sneaker maker situated in the Asakusa district of Tokyo which makes sneakers using kimono fabric. I bought a pair featuring the dark blue used in men's traditional clothing. They cost a lot more than Nike (which are cheap in Japan) but again, what price quality? When you take into account the amount of time and effort needed to make them - and the fact that each pair is unique - they are incredible value for money. https://tokyokimonoshoes.com/ If you are ever in Japan and want to buy something unique and perfectly made, check these stores out.

And yet Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss are now writing their names in big letters all over their clothes, à la Tommy Hilfiger. When I asked the shop owners why, they said the change in policy was brought about by young people who need their social media followers to see what they are wearing.

I've been to Siem Reap at least 6 times and there are still parts of Angkor Wat I'd like to see! A note of caution - if you take US dollars out of an ATM, make sure they don't dispense large denominations. I took out $100 but instead of getting smaller denominations, I got one $100 note. Nobody would accept it because they didn't have enough change.

Yes, and I refused to go in and ended up across the soi instead. I capitulated the next night and was shocked to see that it was virtually standing room only. They found me probably the only seat left - it was on the side of the stage - but as soon as a better one became available, I picked up my drink and rushed over and sat down. However, the show continued from around 10:30 onwards until the end of the night, so I think 600 baht was value for money. My regular guy in Bangkok started working there after his bar closed down due to Covid. He only lasted a couple of weeks because as he said, there were so many guys working there that the chance of an off was limited. Also limited was the numbet of rotations during the show - unless you were in the show it was hard to be noticed by the customers. As for designer goods, they are mainly aimed at relatively "poor" people who buy them because they want to look "rich." Witness the number of average people lived up outside Louis Vuitton, for example. The rich don't line up - there are special collections of very expensive goods made just for them. On the top floor of Louis Vuitton in Tokyo there is a "secret" shop set aside for the uber rich. With regards to Rolex, they are considered an investment but they are not considered to be the best watches in the world. (That title goes to Grand Seiko.) Rolex manipulate prices by restricting supply. You can't just walk in and buy what you want - you have to put your name down on a waiting list. I don't like Rolex, although there is one model - the green "hulk" - which I was interested in. That interest disappeared when I was told there was perhaps a 2 year wait and even then, the shop couldn't guarantee that they'd get one in. They just sell whatever Rolex deigns to send them each month, That watch was $11000 (257,000 baht) at the time. It is now selling for $29000 in Tokyo, if you can find one. I went to the Rolex shop in Siam Paragon looking for one (a few years ago, before the price sky rocketed) but the staff totally ignored me as I was dressed in my holiday clothes and they presumed I wouldn't be buying anything. I have a pair of Gucci shoes and a pair of Louis Vuitton boots. The designer logos are hardly visible and they are not in the usual colours expected of those brands, I've got to say that they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned and even after a lot of wear, they still look brand new. If you look at them closely you can see they are extremely well made - the embodiment of perfection. So I consider them value for money.