chillout

The topic says ‘fun’ for couples. So here goes (and don’t get alarmed...). For my partner and I (I’m 50 he’s 45) fun for us in bkk is: going for separate massages (Non gay specific), lounging in cafes over latte in the pm, enjoying Thai food anytime of the day, and having evening sundowners at gay bars (non go-go), with the occasional trip to DJ Station. We’ve been doing this every December for the last 16 years perhaps and still loving it.

Looks like this thread is digressing...
 
To steer it back somewhat, when crossing busy roads, I always raise up one hand to the traffic and generally motorists will slow down. This works even in busy KL.
 
As for my own scary experience, it is more of a supernatural kind. Not sure if this is within the intended ambit of this thread and trigger another digression, but anyways, here goes....
 
It was about 20 years ago. I returned to my hotel room one evening after dinner to pick up something and when I opened the door, noticed the tv was turned on to a Thai channel. I thought it odd since I had would not have left the tv on when leaving the room and more so on a Thai channel. Nevertheless, I proceeded to pick up whatever I came for and went back out.
 
One of my friends who was waiting in the corridor when I entered my room later mentioned to me something that spooked me. This friend has what you call a ‘third eye’ ability, that is, the ability to see supernatural beings. He told me later what he saw as I opened the room door. There were 2 kids on the bed watching tv. As soon as I opened the door, he caught a glimpse of the kids looking towards me and as though caught red-handed, they immediately floated towards the window and out through the window.
 
When he told me that, I was terrified. I had been staying in that room for the past few nights without incident. And that was to be my last night before I caught an early morning flight back home the next day.
 
My friend (and his partner) offered to host me in their room that night. I accepted, and told them I needed to go back to the room and just pack up my stuff. So we went back to my room and they followed. This time, there was nothing unusual. However, my third-eye friend followed me into the room, and upon peeking into the bathroom, noticed a lady peeking back at him through the drawn shower curtain from the long bath. He did not tell me this immediately, but only mentioned it after we had left the room and were in his room.
 
That was terrifying for me. I now make it a point to knock on the door or ring the door bell before entering a hotel room for the first time upon check in, not to mention bringing along my rosary and holy water.

Looks like this thread is digressing...
 
To steer it back somewhat, when crossing busy roads, I always raise up one hand to the traffic and generally motorists will slow down. This works even in busy KL.
 
As for my own scary experience, it is more of a supernatural kind. Not sure if this is within the intended ambit of this thread and trigger another digression, but anyways, here goes....
 
It was about 20 years ago. I returned to my hotel room one evening after dinner to pick up something and when I opened the door, noticed the tv was turned on to a Thai channel. I thought it odd since I had would not have left the tv on when leaving the room and more so on a Thai channel. Nevertheless, I proceeded to pick up whatever I came for and went back out.
 
One of my friends who was waiting in the corridor when I entered my room later mentioned to me something that spooked me. This friend has what you call a ‘third eye’ ability, that is, the ability to see supernatural beings. He told me later what he saw as I opened the room door. There were 2 kids on the bed watching tv. As soon as I opened the door, he caught a glimpse of the kids looking towards me and as though caught red-handed, they immediately floated towards the window and out through the window.
 
When he told me that, I was terrified. I had been staying in that room for the past few nights without incident. And that was to be my last night before I caught an early morning flight back home the next day.
 
My friend (and his partner) offered to host me in their room that night. I accepted, and told them I needed to go back to the room and just pack up my stuff. So we went back to my room and they followed. This time, there was nothing unusual. However, my third-eye friend followed me into the room, and upon peeking into the bathroom, noticed a lady peeking back at him through the drawn shower curtain from the long bath. He did not tell me this immediately, but only mentioned it after we had left the room and were in his room.
 
That was terrifying for me. I now make it a point to knock on the door or ring the door bell before entering a hotel room for the first time upon check in, not to mention bringing along my rosary and holy water.

I am not retired yet.
 
I just turned 50, which is the milestone I had earlier set for myself to retire. I have just also become debt-free after paying up the last of my mortgages, so that will make the decision-making easier.
 
I am working in Singapore, and now that I have hit my 50-milestone, the process of deciding when I should actually take the retirement plunge begins in earnest.
 
I plan to retire in Johor Bahru just next door to Singapore across the straits, where I have a condo which I had bought off the shelf a couple years back as a retirement home. It is in a nice gated development with a riverine and coastal boardwalk and pocket parks, courtesy of its Australian builders.
 
When I do retire, I plan to live off rental income from an investment property and spend a couple of months in my Johor home, alternating with a couple of weeks in Singapore where my partner has a home (he has no plans yet to retire), with short trips to Bangkok and other places in SE-Asia in between. My partner and I are both from this part of the world and hence comfortable with the climate and lifestyle.
 
I have thought about retirement in Thailand as the eligibility criteria for retirement visa is fairly achievable. However, I guess my partner and I would need to spend longer periods in Thailand to be able to decide whether it is a viable option for us. For now, Malaysia seems a good place for affordability and amenities. The gay environment is not a pre-requisite as we are not active in the scene except when in Bkk when we visit the Silom bars for partying at most.
 
It would be nice to hear from any of you who retired early in your 50s or even 40s about how you made your decision and how you manage their finances.