sydneyboy1

Same timing as me! In Brazil.

Any comments on the number and standard of the boys? Old faces (nothing wrong with that!) and/or newbies?

I echo these sentiments. The New York Times travel writer once described São Paulo as the ugliest and most dangerous city your ever likely to love. Having been there 9 times I think I know what he means.

Anyone visited yet?

Thank you. Much appreciated.

Any more news on the grand opening?

I’ll beat you to it. I’m there on 29 January.

Any sauna boy who did not like men 56 or over would starve.

I couldn’t agree more. From the old Lagoa I always took a taxi hailed by the staff outside. Hopefully the same service will be provided outside the new premises. Walking alone after dark in any Brazilian city is dangerous.

I found the Facebook page for the new Lagoa which answered my own question about the opening date, 22 November it is. Now for the reviews!

I read on one of these threads that the official opening of the new Lagoa was 22 November? Is this correct? If so I hope we will have reviews from São Paulo residents and visitors.

Sad if true. I have fond memories of Fragata over the years.

Tomcal I’m glad you highlighted the fact that there is a lot of toilets in the new place. The toilet facilities (or lack thereof) was one of the more regrettable features of the old place.

Should I add that Fragata’s demise has been predicted many times in the past. Let’s hope that like Mark Twain it can boast that reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

The last few posts are a little confusing. Could contributors please make clear whether they are talking about the new Lagoa or In-house.

If Fragata’s closure is true my only comment is that the new Lagoa has better be good.

Thank you.

Tomcal What was the name and address of this Spa?

If anyone has any idea what this means could you please explain it to me?

As of 19 July this year’s travellers from Australia to Brazil will no longer need a visa. Blessed relief! It used to be a bureaucratic nightmare. This is progress!

The opening date keeps being extended. I am in São Paulo late December. Here’s hoping for a seamless transition.

My big regret about Thermas is that they allow smoking. The floor below the entrance area reeks of smoke and detracts from the experience.

Rtu123 raises an excellent point about the differences in hotel accommodation between Rio and Thai cities such as Bangkok and Pattaya. I defy anyone to name a city of comparable standing as Rio which has a more appalling choice of accommodations. Things have improved very marginally in recent years with the Fasano and the Emiliano and the renovation of the Copacabana Palace but the pickings are very lean. Compare that with Bangkok where there is a bewildering range of 5 star hotels and they continue to sprout like mushrooms. We part company on smoking policy. One of the great joys of travelling these days for those of us who detest smoking is staying in non smoking hotels.

Brazil and Thailand are my main holiday destinations. I been to the former 9 times and the latter about 12. To compare the two is an interesting exercise. I certainly agree that you feel far safer in Thailand, indeed I have never felt a hint of danger. Brazil is altogether a different story. As for, let’s not mince words, the sex scene Brazil has it all. For someone of mature years nothing in the world beats the Brazilian saunas. I have read reports of people who thought the adulation was exaggerated but once experienced came out with comments like they felt like a kid in a candy store or thought they had died and gone to heaven. The gay scene in Bangkok, as I have reported here has deteriorated. The Internet has changed everything. However nothing beats the vibrancy and “colour” of an Asian city like Bangkok and I will return but with some regrets about its former gay glory.

Thank you. Good news.