vinapu

It went smoothly although at times it felt like night train as so much of track is in tunnels so it was dark behind the window. Vientiane station also far from the center which considering is on flat plain is bit surprising. Transport to the city very well organized, I took busfor 15000 to central bus station which is in vicinity of my hotel but shared taxis aplenty . Word of warning, go to toilet on the train as on arrival one's available were closed. Hopefully due to open very soon . Mysteries of ticket sales - agent was told no 1st class for today, I visited 1st class carriage and it was half empty. Overall very positive experience, with ironed schedule either city may be day trip destination from the other. All that checking and herding is nuisance but we need to understand that for locals rail travel is unheard of experience until last year so thet need to be taught how to find a space and behave. It was sad view to see a bit of trash thrown on the floor here and there in otherwise spotless carriage. Old habits are dying slow. I will post few pictures soon.

About to take the train. Station is about 30 minutes drive from old city giving Luang Prabang distinction of having airport much closer ( 10 mins vs 30 )to the center than railway station. Station is impressive but is not much more than just gigantic waiting room with toilets and water filing points. Ticket counters are outside , at the far end of building in the picture. One can buy food and drinks outside in oarking lot in numerous stalls so stack up there as there are no shops in building itself. Security us airport like and I got confiscated almost empty can of AXE deodorant due to it being flammable. Good for a plane but not for train it seems, at least here, who would think ? on the platform ordinary train on it,s way from Vientiane to Boten ( border )

Some people are fond of wasting precious vacation time

Very good point SIR ! And as pointed above no guarantee that surcharge will be spent as advertised. If Bill wants to charge that extra he can feel free to without asking government to mandate it. What,s next ? Bar owners asking to mandate 100 baht surcharge to every off fee?

That would be nice

As long as it will be one bar and one guy in it I like it,s worth going for me

Can you accept fact that some people may like bar or boy you don't. And if we like we tend to overlook flaws if any, on another hand if we don't like we tend to make mountain of shit out ot small dropping of chocolate. If 30 y.o . finds his admirers why to chase him away?

What bar they are from ?

No is not, nevermind it,s gay scene it,s one of world greatest cities and can occupy you 8 days, a, week 25 hours a day Yes I do. While trip preparation is on of joys of traveling don, t over do it. One bar boy smile or massage one flex may derail your plans, no matter how carefully crafted. Decide how many days you want to spend in each location, book your accommodation, take twice as much money and only half intended goods and leave rest to a fate. As for hotels most advice above, while well intended steers you toward more upscale properties. In my opinion splurge on guys instead. My favorites in Bangkok, economical by by no means shabby are Raya, Furama Sathorn Xclusive and Baan Silom, rooms not claustrophobic like Quarter Silom but spacious and no problem with guests. In Pattaya in Boyztown area Copa and Classrooms, in Jomtien Zing and The Venue. If you opt for Agate check their own website as rates may be lower than on most booking sites which is by no means universal.

One can use that elevator during day as well, handy if your boy arrives by car or motorsai, it is only option 12am to 6 am

Train on new bridge over Mekkong , taken earlier today, lucky occurence as I was on the boat to Pak Ou caves ( 1000 Buddhas )

No need to, at end of day that, s decision of bar owners. We have something to say- go in or not. In ideal world we would chave choice, in real world we can make best of what us available. Yes, screaming Asian girls are annoying there and so is loud music, excessive air conditioning, pestering Mamasans etc there and in all other bars. But attractive boys are still there, even if fully dressed. Waving flag " I don, t go to go go bars anymore" is probably preaching to already converted crowd"

It still should be, don, t lose any hope until you go and check for yourself

Almost all are, just walk in with your boy as you owe the place and you will be fine.

Thus is route I pursued too but it,s not changing a fact that getting a ticket in computer era is nonsensically difficult. They have office in the city but you can,t go and buy it unless you have UnionPay. And this 2 days only advance purchase ? With computers everywhere ? Agent will organize tickets but for a fee. For us it,s modest , in my case 68000 kip , roughly 4 usd . But I could easily save it just by walking in if I could. Only hope is it will improve in the future. If that is how future hight speeds will very operating in Thailand, God gave mercy on her and us.

You forgot BoyzBoyzBoyz.....

Great to know you speak German but this is English language forum

Madrid Tavern will not return to Patpong acorrding to the owner I talked to few days ago so legend is closed permanently and for good unless somebody else will take name and premises over. Restaurant relocated to new location in CHAROEN Krung soi 49 and is now named Madrid Cafe. Happy to report food, included famous pizzas remain as tasty as ever. Prices more it less also the same. New location has two levels and toilet has the shower so bring your towel, lol. It, s in the house formerly occupied by the owner. Soi 49 is roughly across the street from Assumption Roman Catholic cathedral compound on the stretch of CHAROEN Krung between Silom and Suriwong. Long but doable walk from Silom ghetto or take a BTS to Saphan Taksin and it, s perhaps 7 minute's walk from there. Once you find soi 49 just walk in, at the end there's sharp turn left and Madrid is in 3rd building facing elevated highway. Sounds complex but in reality is very easy to find, just go there Bon apetit !

It was nice to see you at Hot Male again, if only for a brief moment, duties, you know.

Train is there but getting tickets is a bit of chore as nonsense abounds There, s ticket office in Luang Prabang on main drag about 500 m past night Market across the street from Vietnamese consulate but thay take payments by Union Pay and some other Chinese pay system, no credit cards, no cash accepted. Original of passport requred to purchase. Ticket for cash can be bought at the station but only ( in computer era!!!) with 2 days advance I. E. or Thursday no earlier than Tuesday. Station is several kilometers from the city. Travel agents will facilitate that for a fee of course but they need to line up there the same like masses. So whole thing looks like another exercise in population movement restrictions, great communist invention. But still benefit of getting to Van vieng or Vientiane in relatively speaking no time in comparison with buses is great ang judging by number of affluent Laotians crowding temples and restaurants in Luang Prabang they are taking an advantage of it.

65 and they check I'd for that purpose

Logical, quality commands premium

Not yet but certainly feeling like that old. Yes I still work out of greed more than necessity but job is flexible

Yes, no massage at Copa as of last Thursday. You still have Scandic at the mouth of soi and ParadiseSpa arround the corner in the same soi ABomb is located