EricV
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EricV got a reaction from FunFifties in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesIf you like the vibe of Nimman in CM, check out the Ari and Thong Lor neighborhoods in Bangkok…
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EricV got a reaction from aaroninatl in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesIf you like the vibe of Nimman in CM, check out the Ari and Thong Lor neighborhoods in Bangkok…
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EricV got a reaction from mauRICE in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesIf you like the vibe of Nimman in CM, check out the Ari and Thong Lor neighborhoods in Bangkok…
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EricV got a reaction from Keithambrose in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesSensible list of priorities. I’d recommend to add one more thing, if you are intending to relocate (especially, if it is the first time relocating internationally): access to your embassy and local government & private services, ie getting your visa, bank account, relocation services… setting all these things up is much easier in the capital city than in smaller towns in the provinces. Government and private institutions are more used to expats and there are more service providers to assist the transition.
So, even if you end up settling in the provinces, starting for a few months or a (few) year(s) in Bangkok may make your move much easier.
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EricV got a reaction from a-447 in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesSensible list of priorities. I’d recommend to add one more thing, if you are intending to relocate (especially, if it is the first time relocating internationally): access to your embassy and local government & private services, ie getting your visa, bank account, relocation services… setting all these things up is much easier in the capital city than in smaller towns in the provinces. Government and private institutions are more used to expats and there are more service providers to assist the transition.
So, even if you end up settling in the provinces, starting for a few months or a (few) year(s) in Bangkok may make your move much easier.
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EricV got a reaction from hank75 in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesSensible list of priorities. I’d recommend to add one more thing, if you are intending to relocate (especially, if it is the first time relocating internationally): access to your embassy and local government & private services, ie getting your visa, bank account, relocation services… setting all these things up is much easier in the capital city than in smaller towns in the provinces. Government and private institutions are more used to expats and there are more service providers to assist the transition.
So, even if you end up settling in the provinces, starting for a few months or a (few) year(s) in Bangkok may make your move much easier.
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EricV got a reaction from aaroninatl in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesSensible list of priorities. I’d recommend to add one more thing, if you are intending to relocate (especially, if it is the first time relocating internationally): access to your embassy and local government & private services, ie getting your visa, bank account, relocation services… setting all these things up is much easier in the capital city than in smaller towns in the provinces. Government and private institutions are more used to expats and there are more service providers to assist the transition.
So, even if you end up settling in the provinces, starting for a few months or a (few) year(s) in Bangkok may make your move much easier.
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EricV got a reaction from aaroninatl in Chiang Mai Off Season September 2026 UpdatesIf you are considering Chiang Mai as a place to live, check out the Nimman (Nimmanhaemin) area & see if you like the vibe. It’s more residential, less touristy, popular with a younger crowd and has lots of bars, restaurants, etc..
You have been successful on Grindr, so might give that a try there…
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EricV got a reaction from vinapu in No more Fast trackApparently, 33 nations will be able to use the egates, with most European countries and Canada in; US, China, Russia & India are out. You will have to have entered once ( or twice, depending on source) with the exact same passport before to use them... TiT - so last minute changes can still happen...
Hopefully, that will ease the lines. For US (and Asian) citizen, an APEC card is your best bet. Business Class is officially out for priority (only handicapped, elderly, pregnant etc), but individuals have reported luck at trying anyway... As always, depends on the person you deal with ...YMMV
As others have said, there is no reliable way to forecast lines: a few large planes arriving early/late (which is common on long-haul flights) and hundreds of extra arrivals will clog up the lines.
If you want reliably fast entry, paying for FastTrack is your safest choice - just realize it might not be needed when you get there...
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EricV got a reaction from Daddy415 in No more Fast trackApparently, 33 nations will be able to use the egates, with most European countries and Canada in; US, China, Russia & India are out. You will have to have entered once ( or twice, depending on source) with the exact same passport before to use them... TiT - so last minute changes can still happen...
Hopefully, that will ease the lines. For US (and Asian) citizen, an APEC card is your best bet. Business Class is officially out for priority (only handicapped, elderly, pregnant etc), but individuals have reported luck at trying anyway... As always, depends on the person you deal with ...YMMV
As others have said, there is no reliable way to forecast lines: a few large planes arriving early/late (which is common on long-haul flights) and hundreds of extra arrivals will clog up the lines.
If you want reliably fast entry, paying for FastTrack is your safest choice - just realize it might not be needed when you get there...
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EricV got a reaction from Olddaddy in No more Fast trackApparently, 33 nations will be able to use the egates, with most European countries and Canada in; US, China, Russia & India are out. You will have to have entered once ( or twice, depending on source) with the exact same passport before to use them... TiT - so last minute changes can still happen...
Hopefully, that will ease the lines. For US (and Asian) citizen, an APEC card is your best bet. Business Class is officially out for priority (only handicapped, elderly, pregnant etc), but individuals have reported luck at trying anyway... As always, depends on the person you deal with ...YMMV
As others have said, there is no reliable way to forecast lines: a few large planes arriving early/late (which is common on long-haul flights) and hundreds of extra arrivals will clog up the lines.
If you want reliably fast entry, paying for FastTrack is your safest choice - just realize it might not be needed when you get there...
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EricV got a reaction from vinapu in Where to go on a first trip to the Philippines?Yes, they do! They also want free sex with all the Filipino guys...
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EricV got a reaction from Olddaddy in Where to go on a first trip to the Philippines?Yes, they do! They also want free sex with all the Filipino guys...
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EricV got a reaction from khaolakguy in Quick trip to Hoi An – evening food + massage ideas?Your best chance for a sensual spa massage in Hoi An is "Male Massage for Men" spa.
"Relaxant Wellness Spa" has male therapists and very good, inexpensive therapeutic massages, but sensual only if you really click with the therapist...
Male Massage is down the street from a gay bar, Living Colors.
All three places are on Google Maps
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EricV got a reaction from kachun214 in Quick trip to Hoi An – evening food + massage ideas?Your best chance for a sensual spa massage in Hoi An is "Male Massage for Men" spa.
"Relaxant Wellness Spa" has male therapists and very good, inexpensive therapeutic massages, but sensual only if you really click with the therapist...
Male Massage is down the street from a gay bar, Living Colors.
All three places are on Google Maps
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EricV got a reaction from bkkmfj2648 in Quick trip to Hoi An – evening food + massage ideas?Your best chance for a sensual spa massage in Hoi An is "Male Massage for Men" spa.
"Relaxant Wellness Spa" has male therapists and very good, inexpensive therapeutic massages, but sensual only if you really click with the therapist...
Male Massage is down the street from a gay bar, Living Colors.
All three places are on Google Maps
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EricV got a reaction from vinapu in Quick trip to Hoi An – evening food + massage ideas?Your best chance for a sensual spa massage in Hoi An is "Male Massage for Men" spa.
"Relaxant Wellness Spa" has male therapists and very good, inexpensive therapeutic massages, but sensual only if you really click with the therapist...
Male Massage is down the street from a gay bar, Living Colors.
All three places are on Google Maps
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EricV got a reaction from jamiebee in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
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EricV got a reaction from 10tazione in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
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EricV got a reaction from pong2 in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
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EricV got a reaction from khaolakguy in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
-
EricV got a reaction from vinapu in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
-
EricV got a reaction from Travelingguy in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
-
EricV got a reaction from TMax in Travel QuestionI realize jimmie50’s question is solved, but this is helpful for others, too!
im with pong & peterrs on this: SQ has a stellar on time record, fantastic service & SIN is one of the most efficient airports available. So, I’d always book the 1h connection! There is a better than 90% chance that you will make your flight. In the off chance that there is an excessive delay on the first flight, SQ will be waiting for you with a boarding pass for the next flight upon arrival. The chance that the next flight is sold out in business class and you have to wait longer is pretty slim.
Why would you book the longer layover if getting on that flight is pretty much your worst case scenario in case of delay?
I have intentionally booked longer layovers when I wanted to shower and get off the last flight refreshed. And I plan longer layovers with other airlines/airports, but not with SQ/SIN!
In general, if you purchase a connecting flight on one airline, you can make the connection. They can’t/wont sell you an unlikely to make connection - and they will carry the cost of a missed connection. Each airport has “minimum connection times” the airlines comply with. Just be cautious with back-to-back tickets you find online - you are not protected on those, even when both tickets are on the same airline, and they don’t necessarily consider minimum connection times.
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EricV got a reaction from Marc in Calif in Trip report Jan/Feb 2025 - Cebu & beyond - Research if an elderly gay retiree can live comfortably in CebuRepair services are available and inexpensive in the Philippines: every major mall will have a Mr Quickie (not kidding, that is the actual chain name) that does alterations, clothes-, shoe-, bag- or luggage repairs. Small repairs are only P50 or P100 and they are very creative - pretty much anything can be repaired… for more complicated tailoring, there are specialized alteration shops, ie turning long pants into shorts, taking in or shortening pants/shirts…you’ll find them often in the basement or other less prime locations..
there are many different store brands/names - just ask the info desk at the mall or the front desk at your condo building for the nearest one, they’ll know…