Latbear4blk

@TotallyOz can this be pinned ?

In Cartagena, you have to remember that this is really three cities -- the old Walled city and next-door Getsemani, the Hotels along the water in Bocagrande and the suburban outpost of El Castillo, and the main city of Cartagena proper (including the Manga neighbourhood).
You want to spend time in the Walled City, walk around and soak in the ambience. Grab a drink at Cafe del Mar and watch the sun set.  Visit Gabriel Garcia Marquez's former home.  Have lunch by the pool at the Santa Clara hotel (a former monastery).  Explore the graffiti covered streets of Getsemani and walk under the hanging umbrellas that protect you from the sun.
As others have pointed out, the beaches along Bocagrande are not great. The best beach is in El Castillo next to the Hilton hotel. It is a public beach so feel free to set up there. Otherwise, you can grab a day charter from Muelle de la Bodegita where dozens of companies will sell you packages for day trips to Cholón (over priced but popular), Playa Blanca and Barú.  There are tons of shops, restaurants and smaller bars in Bocagrande-El Castillo, which becomes very lively in the evening.
You are definitely going to want to go out at least once. There are dozens of rooftop bars/clubs in the walled city. The best known are Alquímico, Tsunami, and Ajeno.  The scene at Donde Fidel (on the street across from the Hard Rock) is fun and you will get different entertainment looking for tips.
As far as Baranquilla goes, it is not well developed for tourism. It actually came into existence because of its location on the Magdelana river so it has extensive history and interesting culture.  Unless you are very comfortable with the language and know some locals, there is little to see and do outside of Carnaval each year.  The suggestions to explore Tayrona and Santa Marta are good ones since both are relatively close.  You may also want to just spend more time exploring the many sites around Cartagena such as El Tutumo (mud volcano -- fun half day outing), see the flamingos at the Avario nacional de Barú, swim with photoplankton at night in Barú, learn about AfroColombian culture with a day trip to San Basilio del Palenque, or tour the mangroves outside Cartagena.  There are many other options to see - do so I encourage you to keep exploring the many possibilities for your trip here.  Enjoy your time in Colombia.

For those that asked, here you go.
Sauna Cruising Fusion
Carrera 45D  #57 – 44   (barrio El Centro)
Despite comments posted here, this remains the most popular sauna in Medellín in 2024.  You will generally find a lineup to get in after 6pm here most weeknights since this place has the afterwork crowd on lock.
This facility was opened only 3 years ago, so it is in very good condition and kept very clean. There is a large Roman-bath soaker, steam room, sauna and a pool. A billard room  and two bars.  There is also outdoor space with loungers if you like to get in some au natural sunbathing.  This area gets particularly busy after dark.
There is a dark room-labyrinth, a theatre showing porn, several public cabins with glory holes, plus private cabins with tvs (porn).  This sauna does not offer massage service.
The crowd here comes to play and there are breakout group sessions are common around the space. A good mix of professionals, working class and students, this is probably the best looking/fittest crowd consistently in the city.  The parking lot is full of motos by 5pm. Surprisingly quiet on Sundays when other nearby saunas host events – have never seen a promotion event at Sauna Cruising.  This is definitely the horniest scene in Medellín currently.
X   @Cruising_fusion
WhatsApp  +57  313 2047877
 
Saint Moritz Sauna
Calle 56  # 45 – 72  (barrio El Centro)
Has been discussed pretty extensively in this post, this is the newest addition (2023) to the Medellín scene.
The facility is basic but clean. Sauna, jacuzzi, very large steam room, darkroom, and small outdoor space. They do offer massage, however I have never seen more than two attendants on site.  
This space has had a hard time finding its crowd in neighbourhood where you  can find eight saunas within a 10 minute walk.  Best day is Sunday when they run promotions (strippers and live sex shows) or duing holidays/special events. Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) was packed this year.
Website   https://saintmoritzsaunas.com/galeria/medellin/
WhatsApp  +57  313 8810055
Instagram   @saintmoritzmed
 
El Castillo
Carrera 45D  #57-85   (barrio El Centro)
If you are a fan of pollos (young men) you are going to love this place. Just up the street from Crusing Fusion, this is the favourite sauna/cruising bar with the younger crowd. If you are not also pollo, I can not guarantee they are going to be interested in you.
This location is in a residential zone, with a discrete entrance off the street. The space is large with a dark room/labyrinth, sauna and steam room, video room and lots of hallways to explore.
Busiest day is Saturday when they host Rumba Total – a weekly event with entertainment (strippers) and open bar.  There is no massage service here.
WhatsApp  +57  315 5156550
Instagram   @elcastillosauna ß not active
 
Club 55
Calle 55  #45 – 44  (barrio El Centro)
Probably the most dependable sauna in Medellin for packing in the crowds, this place gets busiest on the weekends (Sat - Sun) and fairly busy after work (4:30 - 6:30pm).
Taking over where Club de Tobi (RIP) left off, Club 55 features massage service with two massage rooms on the second floor.  However of late the service seems intermittent so take you chances if this is your motivation. The attendents can be found by the pool/bar area when not busy.
The club has two floors, with a sauna, jacuzzi, pool and bar on the main floor. The second floor hosts a labyrinth (glory holes and private rooms) and steam room which get very busy.  There is a small gym on the second floor.
The crowd is a mix of younger and older that tends to taper off by 7:30pm so get there early.
Telephone   +57 2313100
 
La Casona Spa
Carrera 47  #57A – 32  (2do piso) (barrio La Candelaria)
This Video bar was fully renovated in 2022 and is advertising heavily. The space is small, but includes a bar and show room, turco, jacuzzi, outdoor space and darkroom with a sling.  There are private cabins available to get busy with new acquaintances.
The crowd is older (think 40 plus) but looking to get down to business in a sex positive environment.
WhatsApp  +57  304 5514626
X  @solohombresvid
 
Sauna Atlanta Gay
Calle 51  #40 – 125  (2do piso)    (barrio Centro)
If you want to experience a throwback gay sex club in Medellin, you found your spot.
This is a bare bones location to meet other men and have sex. Think over 40’s crowd that is looking to get busy.  It is located right downtown (Avenida La Playa) so busiest during the week – late afternoons and after 6pm.
There is a rooftop deck, dark room, video room and a sex room with benches and a sling.  The space smells of stale poppers and cum.
If you like your sex clubs raunchy and sweaty you may fall in love with this place.
Telephone   +57 44895054
 

One of the tower's 300 residents told Reuters that Israel gave them a 30-minute warning to flee the building at night.
"People were startled, running down the stairs, some fell, it was chaos. People left their belongings and money," said Mohammad Al-Nabrees, adding that among those who tripped down the stairs during the panicked evacuation was a friend's pregnant wife.

I never actually use my airline miles so I just spent all of them to upgrade my flight later this year to lay flat business class which I’ve never done before. Very excited. 

Wow. I am sorry you went through all that hell.

Now I'm in the middle of trying to make a decision to go to Bogota or Santo Domingo.....was in Bogota last year haven't been to SDQ in AGES.

My good friend said if I go to Colombia, he'd try to go or I go alone to Santo Domingo....decisions, decisions.

I get industry rates at Hilton branded hotels....in SDQ they're about 15 mins outside of the colonial zone in BOG- located all over....

This is for the end of April..

Edit:

I couldn't decide, so I'm going to both places and threw in a night in Panama for good luck!

I just perused their website.   Prices are up to 3 x's or more rates I saw in Skokka website.....

I didn't address directly how I like Sao Paulo.  Portuguese is a difficult language to learn, which is challenging.  That said, I like it a lot.   When I get irritated with stupid bureaucracy here, I go out and walk a few blocks and see these amazing-looking guys in my neighborhood and I say, well, not all bad!
 
As far as finding a bi-sexual (they like to call themselves "brothergem" (I am straight but I'll top you for money-I don't know how many of them are really that 100% straight...LOL) guy to show you around (yes I met him at Boa Vista sauna) with some guys that don't go to the sauna since Recife is such a small town compared to a lot of other large Brazilian cities like I said you can try to walk on the beach, I am on a beach person so I just kind of got lucky. If you need more tips I can talk to you on WhatsApp if you PM me to see if my buddy would be a good match for your tastes.  ENJOY!

Last year I visited the states 4 times which I think was a bit much, each for around 2 weeks.  I moved here because they have a very good permanent resident vehicle which is the VITEM XIV retirement visa.  It's quite easy to get, there is a visa handler in Houston that has fast service at the consulate there, and things just sort of worked out.  There is a large alumni community here from the school I attended in New York City which is extremely active-many events in English.  But yes, I moved here for the boys. 
I stayed here wanting a change of pace, living in a foreign country for the first time, and the legality of sex work as well as the relatively very inexpensive cost of living, Sao Paulo I believe is the most expensive city in Brazil to live in.  I stayed for the other reasons outlined.  
 
As far as the visa goes, anyone can PM me for a recommendation of a great handler and I would very much suggest getting him.  He knows what will fly and what will not.  I am in my 3rd year, which means my permanent residence card is most likely indefinitely renewed.  They want in the first 2 years to send US$2,000/month to a Brazilian bank and that's it.  Not a W. Europe Golden visa 1MM euros R/E  needed (then again brazil does not compare in any way to Western European countries.  In 4 years from entrance, one can get dual citizenship with the USA, and that opens up pretty easy portugual access which is of course EU, sort of a side door if in the future you want an EU passport.     Not everyone has liquid or even at all 1MM euros at close hand.  On the other hand, an expense I have been very pleased with is finding an attorney to help me negotiate leases and handle RNM (permanent resident card) renewals, etc.  That only happened in October of last year putting him on retainer.  it takes a while for people to open up an give you the not 100 (or 100%) gringo surcharge, but it happens.  Anyone who wants to know more can PM me here.  I love this site!   Scott

I’m sorry @Jawjaw84 but no. Not even back a week on here and already dealing with creepy AF people sliding into my DM’s with false intentions. I won’t be sharing any personal info, social media or contacts. I’ll just be posting my experience, showing the dick pics of the guys I hooked up with and giving personal advice. It’s incredible that after three years and post Covid the behavior of some these guys are still the same. 🙄

Jon Stewart on Israel - Palestine | The Daily Show
I would never underestimate the power of grassroots and spontaneous action in both Israel and the United States to force change.
In Israel, there is this:
The reason that could work is this:
Opinion polling for the next Israeli legislative election
People are ready to dump Bibi The Butcher.  If an election were held today, Gaetz would win a commanding plurality. He could likely form a coalition with Lapid and a few other minor parties, if these numbers hold up.
As that chart indicates, time may once again be working in Netankillyu's favor.  Support for Likud plummeted, but appears to have hit bottom and may be starting to come back.  Bibi is a master at dancing and pausing and saying whatever the fuck he has to say in order to keep surviving until tomorrow and eventually get much of what he wants.  He has managed to block any real attempt at peace that way for about a generation.  So the people demanding immediate change and an immediate election are smart.  Nothing can get better under Netankillyu.  He brought Israel to this point.  He empowered Hamas.
There is overwhelming support in Israel for an election "as early as possible."
Israel Hayom poll: Overwhelming support for early election, Right loses majority
Whether they actually intend to or not, polls of young voters in the US are basically starting to say this:  "Either Bibi goes, or Biden goes,  Your choice."  Bibi wants a permanent occupation and siege.  As Stewart says, that's not peace.  It means next time they'll try to kill 30,000 Jews, even if they have to do it with kitchen utensils.  The idea that Hamas, or the ideas that empower Hamas, are somehow going to go away is idiotic.  Especially after the IDF just killed 30,000 Palestinians, with the body count growing by the day.  The idea that more and deeper hopelessness and hatred - not for days, or weeks, or months, but for years to come is somehow going to end with "peace" is ridiculous.  
The most idiotic thing many Israelis are saying is that somehow seeking peace now rewards Hamas.  Killing 30,000 Palestinians and counting, mostly women and kids, punishes Hamas.  Whether Palestinians or the world like it or not, it just happened.  Killing tens of thousands more Palestinians and creating as much hopelessness and hatred as possible is what rewards Hamas.  Netankillyu has been an expert at doing that.  Which may be why Israel is finally ready to fire him.
Stewart may be older.  But he is the adult in the room now, calling on the adults in the room to act.  He's right.

I have never had problems bringing guests to my Airbnb. If you have any doubts, contact the host. Needless to say, it is of no one business what you and your guests do,  when we rent we have the right to bring friends for diner. 

That's probably because you have never been hungry enough. I am sure you have been horny enough to ask for something from someone you did not know. 😇

https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans?icid=MGPO_TMO_P_TMOTRVLBNF_TD9F4G9464MO28R29943

I've had them since they started with free international in 140+ countries I think. I buy a monthly data pass for $50usd (higher speeds and free calls) when I'm travelling, but not really needed.
 
My monthly plan costs $30 usd a month, including all taxes/fees plus gives you free wifi on United Airlines flights, which is who I fly normally.

As I lived for 40 years in Argentina, 8-9 hours flights are standard for me and I cannot afford Business. SE Asia is too far for me.

Yesterday, a friend of mine, a regular in Pointe, was charged 2 bottles of whisky for 900 BRL. He did not drink any whisky ... the barman came and accepted that it was maybe an error ... then my friend realized that he had been charged for 3 rooms when he actually only used 2 ... the  barman was still at reception when my own bill appeared on the screen and he said : "I forgot the Heineken you had !" I made fun of him asking him how he could remember what the various customers had drunk and claimed that I did not drink any beer. They accepted to remove the item. Last time I went there, they tried to charge me a room on a free cabin night since I had spend 3 minutes more in the room ie 33 minutes instead of 30 minutes. 
One boy mentionned to me yesterday that he recently left the place with a customer who was drunk and the customer was overcharged by ... 1000 BRL.
So, check your bill in Pointe ! 

Oh wow. You shut my mouth up. 😇

Aliens helped 😱

and here from central zone of Kamphaeng Phet includin "lion of Kampheang Phet" below


 





 
 
 

and here from Kamphaeng Phet "outside of the centre" zone

Day 17 Kamphaeng Phet
 I woke up at 8 , no rush since driver was supposed to show at 9. About quarter before that we met in front on my hotel wondering if he will show up at all ( remember we paid in full) only to discover that car parked aside is one which will be taking us there.
It’s about 80 Km so it took  slightly above 1 hour to get there. There are 2 complexes of ruins – to the north of the center which we visited first and compound in the very center where beside ruins there’s  neat museum we visited as well.   Admission here is 150  to each of two parts of  ruins and 150 to museum as well.
  Equally impressive ruins  as those at Sukhotai also not coverings as  vast territory and by every mean worth of travel there even from Bangkok , ,not just from Sukhotai. Kamphaeng Phet may be good breaking point between capital and Chiang Mai as it’s exactly mid way.
Early afternoon we were back in Sukhotai , as we were hungry we wnet to eat something right away and chicken with nuts was even better than one yesterday for only 2/3 of price.
Then we went to museum in Sukhotai, quite interesting but on human scale.
Then K went for massage and I went to survey temple near hotel not even shown on the map I  got in the hotel and from there on other side of road I spotted another , also unmarked ruin so went to explore it as well, it was start darkening when I went back to the room .
here are some pick of that 'forgotten ' temple:






 
 
At 20.00  we repeated yesterday’s routine with stroll to the center and banana pancake for supper. Returning to the hotel I thought that actually tomorrow I could start that sightseeing all over again. I have strong suspicion it was not my last trip to Sukhotai.
 
In the hotel I ordered van to the airport for our early morning flight for K and me at 350 per person.