traveller123

I'm only here for chicken with cashew nuts

I'm only here for chicken with cashew nuts

Must be @vinapu's cousin!

I'm only here for chicken with cashew nuts

To summarize I must say it was one of the best trips. Social component was certainly best of them all with three members there most of my time so almost no day went without common meals, coffees and gossips. We encouraged each other and gave some leads and I’m sure all had good time.
 As for boys  this trip strategy was not to be too adventurous and settle for tried and tested .It worked amazingly. None of those tried companions disappointed and they all did their best. Wing nights (first and last ) were   bit different and boys while performing very well still managed to piss me off a bit by rushing up. Don’t blame them , business is business , they did not read me as good as veterans and still earned their keep but I’d be happier if first one wouldn’t be so greedy and last so speedy.
 Kao adventure proved that fun can be had outside of scene is we have open eyes and thread carefully but with goal firmly in sight.
Him and Y were certainly stars of that trip  but S, SK , A , Nuk from Arena , Maii from Jey and MJ’s friend who visited me in the room were equally great
Novelty for me was settling down when come to accommodation. I like to change hotels every 2-4 nights but this time I was domesticated in just two.   It is more homey feeling when one unpacks for 9 days as opposite to just two. Disadvantage  is that if something doesn’t work  ( 2 noisy nights at Quarter) we are stuck and need to mitigate things using other means than just moving out.
I underutilized Foodland this time since for first 9 days I had excellent  breakfast included in the rate and somehow for dinners we steered more toward G’Bangkok but still managed to dine there few times.
 With new Foodland in the basement of Silom park we will see if those two supplement or will compete with each other . I like new store better but prefer old store’s restaurant  not only for memories but also ability to see who is inside while passing by.
Exchange rate was better than expected and hold up throughout with XOne still my favorite place to get the baht.
I regret only one thing, that I missed that new #4 from Tawan I was sitting with one night and hoped to off the next one. I should handle it differently by booking him in advance for next day  but this trip on principle I decided not to do any advance bookings so I fell victim of my own orthodoxy.
 With at least 5 twinks those days Tawan certainly is no longer just a muscle kingdom.
 I hope for another trip this year although my hope is dimmed by fact that acting on airfares substantially increased I set internal limit of how much I’m willing to pay. I monitor fees almost daily for various time frames but so far nothing  even close to my number. But I play 6-49 regularly , it may help I hope.

I hope those kinds of thoughts will extend into expats and retirement visas.  I doubt many expats are thrilled with the idea that financial requirements, and perhaps other requirements as well, may be raised.  I hope the new administration will realize that tourists are not the only ones who spend money. and a lot of it, in Thailand.  What about us expats, many of who have lived in Thailand for years and spend money here virtually every day?  That never seems to be taken into consideration.  I can understand wanting to get rid of the "bad guys", but what about the "good guys" that make up the vast majority of retirement visa holders living in Thailand?  Punish the majority to expel the small minority?  I hope not.

I travelled from BKK to Manchester UK mid April returning in July.
Was on Emirates A380s economy changing in Dubai The flights were expensive twice to three times what I paid pre Covid.
All four flights were full suggesting people were not put off by the cost

When I returned from my ‘reward’ trip in beginning of June I did not have any idea when next trip may be. In summer I was planning to see my sister  living in another country. Family politics though created some free time before I went to see her and I decided to utilize it for yet another trip this year.
 Main motivation was that two of my forum friends , further referred as MJ and MK were planning to be there in BKK at the same time and then , as reinforcement,  another one,  MA, announced he will be arriving few days after me.
 Secondary motivation was they I never been in Thailand in July and now after returning from that trip I have only March and April to cover.  
Since it was trip within previously arranged trip there were some potential connection problems i.e . my ticket was non-refundable and I had only 3 hours to make connection in Berlin but all went according to the plan.
Last trip I was complaining about yakking neighbors, this time it was my turn as I had two seat companions, , elderly Swede and young, handsome like hell,  half-Thai and half-French, both talkative so I must say flight went very fast, not that we were talking all the time.
Arrived at noon, small jubilee as it was 30th landing in Thialand . I smartly decided to utilize luggage waiting time to buy SIM card and it was bright idea as my suitcase popped out exactly in moment I approached conveyor belt. In 1 hour from landing I was already  in the train reporting to reader, MJ and MK that all went well and I’m in Bangkok indeed.
I like to change hotels every 2 -3 nights but this time I decided to settle in 9-4 configuration and my hotel for first 9 night was Quarter SalaDaeng, former Siri Sathorn. About 10 minutes walk from Sala Daeng BTS. Room was impressive , rather like small apartment with separate living room , kitchen and bedroom areas and with quite opulent buffet breakfast included.
Very good value for money although not all was rosy. As it turned later walls were paper thin and at night I/we ( in Thailand I rarely sleep alone out of fear of ghosts) could hear very well what is going on on other side. Also to get hot water some time  was required before it started lowing. MK who stay in the same hotel  did not have such problem though.
 Day 1
 Soon after I tidy myself over after long trek MK knocked to my door , it was our first meeting since pre-covid. It was nice to see old friend after such long break. Next  was walk to XOne on Suriwong  to exchange some money and I found rate quite good, nice surprise.
 Straight from there to Coffee Grinder for meeting with reader. I managed to catch him day before his return home so we had good time exchanging latest news while ogling cute waiters in the process.
 At 8.30 three of us , MJ who is staying nearby , MK and me went to G’Bangkok for dinner. Mid week and low season- both were evident as place was quite empty.
Since we were in soi 4 already next step was kind of obvious-Jupiter. Not very busy as well so we got very good seats . There were 4 walkabouts by their boys, first in briefs , second in boxers, last two in jeans but with numbers. Most boys sported those so not many were offed or reserved, another sign of low season. We stay till end of show and then I decided to start improving economy , called muscular and hairless Vietnamese named Tam.
 As always I asked about long time but we couldn’t come to terms about compensation so we settled on hot and steamy, very pleasant although bit rushed in true Jupiter form , short time. I liked him very much  and would gladly employ him few more  times but since his request was above what I’m was prepared to fork out it was our last meeting this trip even if he tried to extract subsequent offs by messaging me daily.  I stay firm declining  those advances. Next time ,next trip ,  yes.  
Day 2
 After long trip and steamy meeting I slept very well, like a stone. MJ joined me for a breakfast as his place is not offering it  and I have one for two anyways. As always we exchanged news  and impressions and decided to go to Jey Spa for 2 pm. We went by Grab, I booked the same guy I had few times previously- Maii . He remembered me and remembered what I like. Who cares about massage ? Great session , great guy, great place with great selection.
 In the afternoon a bit of jet lag so I collapsed on the bed for few hours.
 At 8.30 again our trio MJ,  MK and me went to G’Bangkok for dinner warmly greeted by the boss himself (he was absent yesterday) who was surprised to see me again after only few weeks.
Restaurant was busy for a change.
 Next we opted for Moonlight tonight. Not very busy,  again low season. Neither A nor Y, my favorites from there were present but I noticed new , very cute boy. Mamasan told me he is Cambodian who started just today. So I rushed with 100 note toward him for a good start but asked mamasan to call Y and ask if he wants to go with me.
 Description of customer was somewhat not clear because Y asked to see my picture and only when mamasan sent it  to him he said is rushing immediately. When he mention shower I told him not to bother he can take in my room. Soon he came , all smiles. Not long after we were walking home.
 Offer of dinner declined but as soon as we entered room he asked for few minutes so he can go and buy something to eat. I noticed certain patter here as it was not first time. Either he doesn’t want to be seen with farang in restaurant or,  much more likely he doesn’t want me to spent too much money on his food.
It did not take much time for him to return so we could start discussing recent elections of village councils in Burkina Faso and Eswatini ( former Swaziland). Not sure people on other side of wall could hear us but for sure we could hear them , more or less discussing the same elections but in guy/ girl configuration.
Y is great guy who knows how to keep me smiling, that was my last thought before falling asleep.
 

I have lived in Thailand for almost twelve years now, and I have a work pension of 60,000 Baht a month and next year I can claim my old age pension. What has hurt me a lot was the UK vote to leave the European Union. The day before the vote the exchange rate was 56 Baht to the UK pound, the day after it fell to 36! Currently it is around 44 so still a serious loss of income.

Twenty years or so ago, I was investigating the possibility of relocation to Thailand, having just met the love of my life. The UK pound was exchanging at around 73 bht; now it's close to 40 and dropped even lower recently. There's your answer, Scott......who could have foreseen such a rapid and (for some) devastating drop in the value of pensions and assets? 

We've all read accounts of farangs looking for bareback sex and seem to have clear conscience because they're satisfied with precautions they've taken to protect themselves either before or after. I don't see much concern for the young men they put at risk as others described above.
Everyone here is aware of  the scourge of AIDS yet some appear to think it's now relegated to history. They fool themselves and their partners.

I am not getting that warning

I said it over five years ago and several times since: trip and venue reports are the meat and potatoes of this forum. But readers also repeatedly show their appetite for controversy. On July 27 I posted this is the "I went to dream boys last night and drinks price is horrendous" thread:
"The most popular posts within the forum invariably relate to trip reports and venue reports. Readers have also displayed a taste for controversy, Take this thread, for example. Although it was started only a few months ago, it's attracted 5.3k views and received 132 replies. (And those numbers only count views by logged on members; not the many many non-members who view the site)."
In the three weeks since then, that thread has gone on to log 7.2 thousand views and 167 replies.
That is one of the great benefits of this forum: members--for whatever reason--pick up one theme and feel free to run with it. Sure, it soon gets off topic but opinions and information are exchanged in the process.
I post a lot of stuff I understand has limited interest to those seeking only sex-related information. I look for items in Thai politics, crime and generalized Southeast Asia travel and current events. Those without interest simply pass it by. I believe that's how it's suppose to work. But there still plenty of posts here for those who want their meat and potatoes without appetizer or dessert. 🙂

In most situations I would agree. But I've found that the older I get, my concept of "relationship" evolved. Companionship seems to play a more significant role.

I could get free sex, but I wouldn’t want it. I’m as old as you Daddy, and probably in better shape, but I like young sexy twinks. So I’ll spend my money and enjoy sex. With no regrets because I can afford it.
I doubt the sexy boys I have sex with would do it for free. In fact I find the boys less enthusiastic even when I pay. Because I’m older. Ten years ago I was met with more enthusiasm. I’m not overweight, but my skin isn’t young . I feel blessed that I’m in position to find so many willing to accept my paper for fun.
when I’m dying and probably have half a million in net worth going to my heirs, I might regret I didn’t blow more on the sex.

Day 6
 
My last day in bangkok =(
 
Well had to checkout by 12pm. Flight was about 8pm, so squeezed in 2 massages.
The first at Arena Spa. Wow, can't believe I walked there. Opened at 12pm, and I was there at 12:30pm. Only 6 guys working. Chose a muscular Zaddy. Gosh he was fit. Muscular chest, abs, biceps. He knew I liked his muscles and he was flexing and posing throughout and smiling at me, like he knew I liked what I saw. During the massage, he licked my nipples and kissed me deep. And asked If i wanted him to Come, for some extra tips haha.. Well I usually planned on giving a bit more than the minimum anyway so I said yes. After worshipping his body, licking his nipples and abs and chest and biceps, I came while he was laying beside me and kissing me and stroking me hehe.. The price for a 1hr massage for the room oil massage was just 590 baht. But stupidly ( the mamasan always seem to be able to convince me to pay extra - last time for aromatherapy for 890, and now for VIP room ) chose the VIP room - 890baht. Basically VIP room is a mega large room with a king sized bed in the middle. There were some tea/coffee machine, and a minifridge. So ok, got more cold water to drink. But i mean who will drink tea/coffee from there haha. But the king sized bed was good. Got to roll around and have some fun heh.
 
Thereafter, cabbed to Jey spa for a 2pm 1.5h massage 😃 
So this is my 4th and final Jey spa visit this time, and I was infatuated with the last masseur - Arm. Cuz he is just so freaking cute, tanned, handsome, charming, he had perfect chest, biceps, arms, face and I was sooo charmed with him. It was the hottest massage I had this visit, so I had to end with him, and with a 1.5h massage. It was perfect. He hugged me as soon as we got into the room, and we hugged and gently kissed for awhile more. Sighs. Massage was perfect, and the afters were super hott. We made out, deep kissed, I got to worship his whole body - his arms, chest, abs, nipples and c0ck. Eventually we came together, and showered together. He knew I was going to the airport after this and we had a longg huggg. I will miss him and I will be back for more soon - well at least the next time I get to come to Bkk..
 
So that concludes my 6 day trip to BKK! I had lots of fun there, and equally as much fun recounting my experience to u guys. Got hard writing certain parts hahaha.. Hope it helps some newbies / help to stir up some memories / anticipation for uall next trip haha.. Until next time peace out >.<

I don't think for a list like this it matters at all what the location is. It's a destination - not a place for a two-week holiday. I adored Esfahan but three or four days is plenty of time to see it. Petra, as @hojacat points out is not more than a 2-day destination. But there are tons of other things to see if you happen to be going to Jordan. Similarly the Torres del Paine National Park is purely nature at its most stunning. You won't find any of the comforts of sights of a big city anywhere near there. But that is no reason not to visit the more so as there are many other sights within a reasonanble distance - as for example the huge Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few actually advancing in a time of global warming.

I also wanted to add we had a great dinner at EAT ME, which is gay owned and an institution there. High-end and amazing. And as long as I'm in restaurant mode, Vertigo at the top of the Banyan Tree is expensive but wow, what a view.... you can save money and go to Moonbar which basically has the same view.

I'm on my way home after a few amazing days in Bangkok. Before my trip I read this forum from top to bottom and took copious notes on the Bangkok massage scene, places to go, etc. I took a lot of notes to help me remember for my next visit. I wish I could share therapist names here because they are not all created equal and I ran into some total duds as well as some amazing ones.
 
Here's my take on the massage places:
 
1. S'sense massage - by far my worst experience and the only massage I walked out on in the middle. When I arrived, they did the "bait and switch" and said my therapist was not available but tried to offer me another one who was not my type. I asked for someone else and they gave me one who was cute but a total dud. I laid there bored while the therapist gave me a massage that seemed to focus on the calves and feet FOREVER. Zero fun stuff. I remembered reading on this forum that if you're in that situation, just get up and walk out, and I did just that. I hopped into a Grab (that app is awesome! The way Uber was when it first launched... clean cars great drivers cheap cheap cheap) and went to PARADISE...
 
2. Paradise is on the street with all the gay massage places in Silom 6. Basically by my third day therapists recognized me and told me they saw me walking the street HAHAHAHAHA. Small town. It's clean, friendly, and I had one of my best therapists there... good lord he was huge and ready for action. Not the cutest but again this forum indicated that the cuter they are the less they do and that's usually right based on my experience this week. Did I mention huge? Anyway excellent masssage and double x 2 happiness.
3. Relax Massage - my husband went here, right across from Paradise (he also checked out Mr. Big at Paradise) and had a good massage with a cute guy. They are running a "rainy season special" and are half the price of Paradise. Great value.
4. JeySPA.... you knew this one was coming! This consistently ranks high on this forum so my final day there I splurged (it's definitely spendy with a tip of 1500 baht) ... I was very clear what I was looking for (big everything with six pack abs) and OH MY GOD did they deliver. They sent photos that let me know exactly what I was in for. That was one of my best massages in Bangkok (best massage of the trip was in Samui, but that's a different post...)  Very clean and yes as others have said, horrible traffic in that area so I took a Grab but wished I had taken the train. Easy to find with Google maps. You can negotiate on the room price.
5. Prime - 90 min head/feet and then 90 min Thai by the same guy who was touchy but Prime doesn't seem to go beyond massage and that's fine... it was just amazing. Great massage with great technique, clean, and they give you pajamas (I didn't wear the top) and you just feel like you're being pampered.
6. Green Massage - I wish I had time to go here... looked good and would love to read someone else's feedback
7. 9-Teen - on same road with 2 & 3 above, they did the bait and switch again when I arrived... I rejected their substitution and they found someone suitable, but he started negotiating tip in middle of massage before he would even remove his shirt. That was a HUGE turnoff and I felt like I was in a used car lot all of a sudden. All the other therapists at other places were much more subtle or trusted you to tip the min 1000 baht. My husband ran into the same thing. We did not return here and cancelled subsequent appointments we had made.
8. Natural Spa - super friendly guys and one of my cuter therapists (straight, small assets) worked there then kept in touch on Line but I didn't return due to aforementioned small assets. Room smelled musty and towels weren't fresh smelling. But they do seem to have cuter guys than the others.... I wouldn't rule them out next time but wish their rooms were cleaner. This also seems to be the feedback on Google reviews.
9. Magic Touch Massage with Mr. Tree... this was our first massage in Bangkok and was very mediocre. Shower didn't work and therapist wasn't very skilled in anything. Would not recommend.
Things I learned:
1. This is all really close to the Skytrain. When we first arrived we had some trouble with Google maps and it seemed like we walked all over. Silom 6 is maybe 8 mins from the station and there's lots to see on the way.
2. Great lunch spot in the heart of it all is Mango Tree Surawong. If you're a massage whore like we are,  book 11 am massages, then lunch at Mango, then walk 2 mins to Prime for a real massage, happy finish at Paradise or Relax/Natural Spa.
3. This I haven't figured out but I developed some theories on this. Most guys who weren't that into it I asked if they were straight and yes they were. As a top that provides limited options for me which is why I was going for SIZE and appearance. One guy showed me photos of his girlfriend. They are all really sweet but I wish there were a way to color code the t-shirts... red is top, blue is bottom, purple is both.... I assume the blue shirts would be the gay guys but I may be making an incorrect assumption there. I think next time I'll try to ask for some bottoms even though I don't want to  do anything more than play... see #4 below...
4. These guys have got to be riddled with all sorts of diseases. NO way would I consider anything unsafe, but I was able to have a lot of fun nonetheless. It does seem like most of the clients go there to just get PLOWED because everytime I got on a massage table they went straight for my butt and I had to make the universal sign for no intercourse but just playing. I do not hold any judgment against anyone who wants to take more risks, I am just saying that once I got there and saw the guys and the environment and the steady stream of customers I knew that my shields were going to be up and I would still have fun. AND I DID. (See JeySpa again).
5. I did not go to 15M based on feedback on this forum.
6. The drag (?) cabaret at Asiatique was AMAZING!! Calypso!! We were grinning ear to ear the entire show... if you buy tickets, buy them from their site (not Klook or resellers) and put in comments you are gay and excited to see show. We did that and they gave us the best seats in the house. (Seats are assigned by them earlier in the day, then they print tickets when you arrive)... huge highlight of our visit. It would be fun to see with a group - the audience was all reserved asians for the most parts and there were points where we were the only ones clapping and cheering them on. Those boys were working hard and dancing their asses off.
7. I walked through Silom 4 and loved the drag show there, but felt sort of self conscious as I was dressed for dinner at Vertigo and it was really strange walking the catwalk (street) with all the chairs and tables facing you... I needed someone to show me the ropes. My masseur from Natural Massage offered to come with me but he didn't speak English and I wanted some alone time.
8. Really regret not having time to try The Green Massage.

I hope this helps someone else who may fit our profile (newbie, more conservative, clueless and naive at times, see newbie part). Thanks to all who have posted here offering advice and help… I found it immensely useful as I planned our trip!! 
 
 
 
 

It is an improvement, but still nothing like it was before the insane vote to leave the European Union. The day before that stupid vote I got 56 Baht to the pound, and the day after the rate fell to 36 Baht to the pound. That has really hurt my income for these years.

Just a quick note to say that Yunnan Province of which Kunming is the capital city has many fascinating places to visit. I flew there about 5 years ago and visited Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La in addition to a day in Kunming. Dali is part of the breadbasket of China. Lijiang has a legendary beautiful old town and Shangri-La boasts a Tibetan monastery said to be the most beautiful outside Lhasa in Tibet. The Province has many Tibetans as it abuts Tibet.

Dali

Lijiang



Ganden Sumtseling Monastery at Shangri-La

 

Fly to Saigon. Open Blued on your phone. 
There are hundreds. Just sit and wait for the messages. The only problem is it drains your phone battery. 800k to 1mil VND. They wont be bar boys. Just local guys with day jobs topping up their income. 
Last April (the first week Vietnam opened it's bordered post covid) I had this construction worker turn up. He was in a bad way. 20 years old, but dirty. One of his flip flops was broken. His jeans were finished. Through Google Translate he told me he had been living on building sites for 18 months. We didn't do much, but I enjoyed his amazing physic. We went the the market after. Got him new gear. ($45 at most). He only asked my for 500k to meet. I gave him 2mil, and he cried. We are still talking now, and I can't wait to go back to Saigon! 

I'm not sure why you guys want to pay 5000 Baht for some Silom guy to give you the Starfish experience. Venture further and have some adventure. 

When I was a young man and read of old(er) men getting up multiple times overnight to urine, because of prostate problems - I thought that was the later life I was destined for.  At 59 my body presented another choice, however:  prostate cancer.  Now, without a prostate (was removed), and cancer-free ... I piss like an 18 year old.  The trade-off:  It's the rare day I get a hard-on, and what had become a happy life as a (mostly) top ... vanished as if overnight (after surgery).  I'm okay with that though ... because I'm alive.  😁

Thankfully, the rest of us never do stupid things when were on holiday in LOS.😉

From there we drove to Hua Hin which took all day. And today was a backtrack to Phetchaburi to visit King Monkut's hill top palace and the very cool Khao Luang cave which has sunbeams that stream in around 10 AM. No photos allowed inside the palace but the rest of the outdoor spaces are very pretty. You reach the top of the hill by taking a funicular. I think it was 230 baht for the cable car ride up and back plus entry to the palace. The cave was just 10 baht.
Haven't had a chance to go through the photos from the palace yet.