Xclay

Good point. Yes, I forgot to mention that location! I was referring to a different place: the small "dark room" at the far side of the sauna room in Olimpo. It is easy to miss.

That is exactly my assessment of Olimpo too. One additional interesting feature about Olimpo is the low-key client-on-client action. In each of my three BH visits (typically six days each) I've been shocked by attractive younger (nonGP) guys — who must be borderline blind — who wanted to go to a room with me. That has happened to me once per week so it is not a nightly miracle but quite memorable nonetheless. Lots of that client action starts is in the dark room at the back of the sauna, rarely in the steam room.

One thought about city selection: Almost every time I've gone to Brazil, I've visited SP, Rio, Porto Alegre (see my recent post here), plus one new city. Over the years, this has been a great way to explore this huge, fascinating country. So I've been at least once to Manaus, Belem, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, Fernando de Noronha, João Pessoa, Salvador, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Curitiba, Floripa, and several more. I do not regret any visits, except perhaps boring Vitória. I still want to visit Bonito, Goiânia, and a few others. But back to your original question: Of those three, I'd vote for BH

In another thread at the moment ("Sao Paulo and Rio in January 2023") some are discussing older visiting white guys doing unexpected well with younger non-GP free guys in Rio saunas. That has been my surprise in Brazil as well. In my experience, those of us who are pale males do not do remotely as well in Germany (or northern Europe in general) where we are not at all a novelty. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Exactly as FloridaRob describes. Moreover, it is located in fairly dark (middle-class?) residential area without a cafe or even a convenience store in sight.

Archer, I agree. Clube555 has a large spacious bar area with high ceilings that is maybe five or six time larger than the cramped bar room at Lagoa. And it has much larger steam and sauna rooms than Lagoa. The client dressing area is also far superior to the tiny cave clients get at Lagoa. But of course none of this matters since, at least so far, good GPs have been sadly absent from the terribly located "new Fragata."

Don't get me wrong: Plataforma has not had a renaissance! It's just that now it does not stink like a sewer as it did for several years. And you no longer feel at risk of catching the bubonic plague. You can, however, still experience the frisson of seedy, sleazy squalor!

One more Carnaval suggestion: Ten years ago I managed to experience Carnaval in Recife where it consisted of fantastic, totally immersive street parades, featuring a giant rooster. (I have forgotten the story of how this Big Cock was related to Carnaval.) Recife did have a few parades with small "floats" but you were up close ten yards away not a hundred yards away as you might be in Rio. The young man below adorned one such float. I've heard the parades in Salvador is similar. You mentioned maybe visiting Salvador, so you might try to catch one of the days of its Carnaval too.

Highly recommend doing it once in your life, so splurge and do it right! Let me make a few suggestions: ● Get a friend to join you. (Maybe invite guys here if you do not know somebody.) ● Buy three seats for the two of you. Allocated space is small and you'll be grateful for the extra room after an hour or more. ● Spent a few extra bucks and get good seats. Balcony seats can be good if they are the front balcony not the distant rows. ● Bring industrial-strength ear plugs if you want to avoid destroying your hearing. I bring ear plugs for when the saunas make it deafening but the Sambodromo's speakers are even more deadly. ● Of course take 10mg melatonin at noon, sleep for 8 hours, then chug caffeine! It will be unforgettable. Let us know how it goes.

Exactly! Well said.

After over two decades, I am a still a big fan of Porto Alegre -- from the glory days of Plataforma (2000s) to the big, grand new Mezzaninu (2010s) to the struggles of Mezz (post-pandemic in the online era). I was back in December and I still like it a lot. Why? ● I have long-time guys (three starting 20 years ago) I love to reconnect with. ● I like variety and do not require a large selection of GPs from a narrow niche (e.g., minimum inches, height, skin shade, BMI). ● I love the more easy-going, small-town vibe and the boy-next-door types, along with the more muscular, toned jocks. And I always find interesting, hot new guys. ● I enjoy staying in the upscale Moinhos de Vento with its good restaurants, nice hotels, and beautiful big park. The park is filled with eye candy and had great daytime orgies at the WC until recently. Alas, I no longer venture into the dark park for its early AM debauchery. The Moinhos de Vento area is a very short walk from Plataforma and a short cab ride from Mezzanino. ● Plataforma survives. The stench of urine is gone and it is borderline tolerable again. I went twice in December and, despite few GPs, you just might be surprised. I was shocked to see a previously aloof stripper who did awesome, erotic policeman and soldier routines and who looks like a more handsome Neymar. Maybe he needed some cash and did not want to be more widely seen on sale at Mezzanino? Anyway, I had a long-time fantasy fulfilled. Friday night is said to be Plataforma's big night. ● FYI, as of my last visit for ten days in mid-December, Mezzanino was open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All in all, that is why I always keep POA "in rotation" when I go to Brazil.

Thanks! However, one post here said Point (202) is closed on Sundays. Also, a post here said New Meio Mundo is best on Mondays and Fridays.

DITTO! 🤔 I just arrived and I'm looking for the same info.

Sorry to hear about Sauna 520. Did you go to either of the other two GP saunas in Curitiba?

I just noticed this interesting thread. Let me offer a few ideas on the subject. It seems to me that our impressions of gay promiscuity are (unavoidably since we don't have a census) quite imprecise and tilted heavily toward the places "our crowd" are familiar with and have developed a reputation. I lived in a country in SE Asia that never gets our attention but where there was a massive amount of public cruising as well as sex saunas, bars, and "massage parlors." It was just not on our radar. The original question was: My multi-causal hypothesis: You need a critical mass of (1) a huge urban population; (2) enough potential GPs (who are not too poor and can afford cell phones but not so middle class that they would never consider becoming rentboys); and (3) yet enough local clients who are sufficiently affluent to sustain the sauna in the low season No other country on the continent comes close to Brazil in terms of the size of its urban population. Brazil = 187 million! Argentina = 42 million Colombia = 41 million Peru = 26 million Others far fewer Yet, the 22 million people of the São Paulo metro area can only support one strong GP sauna (occasionally two). The 14 million living in metro Rio, along with tourists, can only support two or three GP saunas. And of course even big Brazilian cities like Porto Alegre (4.5 million metro) struggle to support one GP sauna these days. Thus, the actual number of sufficiently needy, attractive, willing GPs — and sufficiently affluent, horny clients — seems to be so few as a percentage (while they loom large in our selective vision) that an enormous population base of millions seems required to make the magic work. So my suggestion is that Brazil's alchemy is its dozen cities that hit the sweet spot of a huge population base that is neither too poor nor too wealthy. (Of course, along with that sweet spot comes the likelihood of local authorities who can be persuaded to look the other way.) So why not Argentina? Maybe only Buenos Aires has the critical mass of population, and it does have some GP bordellos, although, as far as I know, nothing as good as Brazil. Colombia does have the GP scene in establishments in populous Bogota. I can more or less rule out other countries using my rough theory but this post is too long already. Not claiming to have all the answers, but I just wanted to kick around some ideas prompted by this interesting thread.

JunNJ, so how was Mezzaninu in May? I was in Porto Alegre in February and went to the sauna about 9 out of 12 days. Always had fun, even with only a handful of GPs. Of course, Mezzaninu is a totally difference scene than Lagoa but I like the "small town boys" and the change of pace. Making my Nov-Dec plans, I just checked with two of my PA favorites. They said Mezzaninu is still open but business there is very, very slow these days. Hope you had fun in PA. Highlights to share?

In defense of Carnaval... Rio's Carnaval is one of those things to experience once in your life. I saw the grand finale ten years ago and I have great memories of the incredible, over-the-top shows. Here is my suggestion for minimizing the chaos but seeing the highlight: Get tickets to see the Winners Parade which is the Saturday after Carnaval technically ends. This year it will be held March 5th (9pm until about 5am) at the usual venue the Sambodromo. The beauty of going this night is that you get to see the number one samba school and the five runners-up (and skip the losers). https://www.riocarnaval.org/samba-parade/champions-parade ● Pay extra for premium seats; it's worth it. ● Maybe buy an extra seat since the width on the bench is narrow. ● Bring thick ear plugs to make the deafening sound system tolerable. ● Get a long afternoon nap in advance of the fantastic night long show. By this weekend there will still be random, entertaining marches (half of which have lots of drag) in the Copacabana area during the day. I had an awesome tail end of Carnaval. And the saunas were a blast as usual. At the same time, like taking the TransSiberian Express, I don't need to do it again, but I'm extremely glad I did it once.

Thanks for the interesting info. 😷 Good news that Omicron is rapidly supplanting the more dangerous variants! 🤞

Agree with Baska that Ramadan is not ideal. For me, the problem with December in Egypt has nothing to do with Christmas. Winters are surprisingly cold in Cairo! AccuWeather predicts December 25 will only get up to a high of 15° (59° F) with a low of 9° (48° F)! I prefer to save Egypt for the fall and spring.

I'm planning two or three months in Brazil in the first quarter of 2022. I like to optimize the weather as much as possible. I spent a lot of time reviewing several climate sites with special attention to the number of rainy days per month. Overall, in the first quarter, here are the best odds that I found for the most pleasant and least rainy weather ☀️: ● Northeast in January ● Rio and BH in mid-Feb ● SP and PA in March along with Foz do Iguaçu So, regarding the northeast... Fifteen years ago I had a good visits in Fortaleza, Natal, and Recife. But which one of these three do you think has the best GP "scene" these days? I know Salvador has fans here, but let's exclude Salvador please. Thanks in advance for any advice! 😎

Interesting question. Recently Kostas Bakoyannis, handsome young new mayor of Athens, was quoted here stating: "We are reclaiming public space, like Omonia Square, a city landmark — I think that’s going to be a symbol." If so, that suggests more than a temporary crackdown.

Thanks! Ages? Nearly all in their early to later 20s, with one attractive, masculine Iranian guy I was with who was 30. Types? Straight acting, G-for-P guys. Given the gene pool, dark hair and mostly brown eyes, but not at all dark or even olive skin. All were fairly trim, with some more toned and some more skinny. (Plus a few who looked sadly emaciated.)

Santiagodc wrote an epic, three-part account of the 2019 prepandemic scene in Athens. His posts were my guidebook, but of course a lot has changed. Here is my update: Theaters Sadly, the wild, astonishing places that Santiagodc vividly described were shuttered. You’d think the guys who sold themselves there would have moved to nearby Omnia Square, but not the case. Omnia Square Nothing like the cruising nirvana that Santiagodc saw. Usually no more than a couple of guys, if any, were waiting by each metro escalator. And most of them were neither attractive nor making any eye contact. Usually, only one or two guys, if any, in the whole Omnia area were signaling availability. Overall, there was neither the quantity or quality that I’d expected. I erroneously thought the pandemic would bring out more immigrants needing cash. One reason may have been a police crackdown. Police were everywhere around Omnia, especially on the weekend. I nodded to one good-looking young man who followed me around the corner where I discovered he was selling grass only. He refused to consider sex even with a generous offer. Omnia side streets A few guys were hustling on the side streets that Santiagodc had identified. But again, few were good choices. Around here I found only three (during a week) worth taking to the short-term hotel one block over. €5 rooms Santiogodc’s tips on the €5 short-term hotel rooms and how it all works were spot on. Rooms were surprisingly clean too. Parks Same pattern. Not nearly as many guys hustling as I’d expected – only a few, day or night. Fees Santiogodc’s summary of expected payments was higher than I paid. I always said, as if not open for debate: €20. None ever hesitated and they all smiled. But these were for short action in €5 hotel rooms or bar washrooms or park thickets, not for longer sessions. (Santiagodc took some guys back to his hotel room.) Multinational As Santiogodc described in detail, you do see a variety of the Balkans through to Central Asia. I personally promoted international relations with Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Iraq, Kurdistan, and often Persia. Bars Many of the bars were closed and a few were just beginning to open back up. One place that was open had a number of healthy-looking, nearly middle-class, easy-going, G-for-P, Persian guys was Sami's. Bonus Eye Candy Among the many Greek policemen in their 20s or 30s, quite a few were hot and, as their tight uniforms revealed, have toned bodies and nice bulges. In every group of four or five, invariably one was extra, jaw-droppingly sexy. Tourist tip Get the Acropolis at 8am when it opens and be rewarded with having the Parthenon all to yourself. Then go to the new Acropolis Museum nearby and have breakfast with a view on the upstairs terrace. Of course, “your mileage may vary.” But, if you want to visit Athens anytime soon, you can have fun, but I’d caution against expecting the full, grand scene with wild theaters that Santiagodc recounted from years past.

I was in Cartagena in February and no quarantine was required. (My post here.) Visited Medellin in the summer of 2019 and enjoyed it a lot.

Just spent ten great, very warm days in sunny Cartagena, Colombia. Highly recommend at least three days to see one of the most beautiful cities in South America. Inside the walls of the Spanish colonial old town are block after block of colorful, elegant houses, along with excellent restaurants and cafes often with live Latin music. Everywhere you look is another photo-ready, IG-worthy scene. Visit for the sunshine, architecture, food, and culture — but not a Copacabana-type beach or for anything resembling saunas with GPs. But how was the "scene" or at least my experience of it? I'm not keen on the hassle of Grindr but, alas, that seems to be a main means of solicitations. One skinny, online guy wanted $180 (US) and called me "cheap" when I politely declined. At the other extreme was an average-looking guy advertising for 40K pesos ($11). I did go with six Grindr guys who did not present themselves as escorts, and discovered later that three of the six wanted a "taxi" allowance (typically about 50K pesos or $14). OK, not too bad. One problem for hookups is finding a room. Nicer hotels are strict and don't want their properties to become known as havens for prostitutes of either sex. To be more active, I should have booked an AirBnB apartment. I finally found two sex motels but they were 20-30 minutes away from the old town. ● Motel la Cangreja was slightly closer and fine, but not quite as nice as ● Motel Star Suites. Both seemed like bargains for around $15 for a couple of hours. If you know of one closer to old town, please let me know! One guy whose profile emphasized that he not a "scort" took me to a nearby, small, dirty room in Getsemani (the barrio next to old town) and claimed it cost 150,000 pesos which suddenly dropped to 100,000 pesos when he realized I wasn't buying it. In fact, her rate for the filthy room is 35,000 (I later ascertained). Out of curiosity I paid the 100K ($28) anyway to see where this would go. First, he tried to get me to shower while he would wait on the bed near my phone and wallet. I declined of course. The sex turned our to be so perfunctory that I left after a couple of minutes. At one point, I made some moves on a tall, handsome Venezuelan working on commission getting passersby into an emerald store. He figured out what I wanted and off we went. He found a taxi driver who know where an hourly motel was (turned out to be Star Suites) and he was surprisingly good in bed and earned his 150K. Giving credit to macdaddi for his post a year ago, I'll update two places he cited: Le Petit (Calle Cabal, Cra. 6 #32-34) ● Late night bar and dance club ● Some working boys, especially from Venezuela But de facto midnight curfew cut down on the late night action. Gabanna Club (Calle Cabal, Cra. 6 #32-34) ● Mostly serves the black gay population, but not entirely Over half were older guys; a few of the younger guys hoped for money. ● Offers upstairs and downstairs darkrooms as well as a bar Miscellaneous: Did not experience as much begging as I expected based on previous posts. Sellers (almost inevitably hats, cigars, sunglasses, necklaces) were numerous but were not too aggressive, IMHO. A smile and "gracias" (not slowing down at all) was usually sufficient, but sometimes "ya lo tengo" (I have it already!) and a shoulder shrug was needed. Nicer hotels will arrange the Covid tester to come to the hotel. I paid $110 with results emailed back within 16 hours. As earlier posters have noted: The city beaches are small and not particularly clean. I did not take day trips to go to the islands where the beaches are supposedly great. Reminder: Cartagena is very, very hot. I did not think 90° would be so hot, but the humidity kicked it up to steam bath level 11-3:00.