TotallyOz

NAB is the gay dance club in Pattaya. I struggled to get the BF to go as he is really into his new online game. Once we got there, the place was standing room only. Beautiful dancers. Great music. Private rooms upstairs for rent at 1k baht. The dance floor was packed and the place had people crowded out the doors. I now know where everyone goes after midnight! The rain caught us on the way back and were were totally soaked. But, NAB is a must for those that can do the late night scene.

Having stayed at this hotel over 200 nights over the many years, this is not a surprise to me. The hotel is great but surrounded by a very dangerous flavela. I love the hotel and the beach. The Fashion Mall is also right there. It was the most exclusive mall in Rio for a bit. Several years ago bullets from the flavella flew into the mall. I hope the hotel does not loose business over this but I am sure it will.

TY, with the low rates (prepayments) I am sure they are doing a bulk business and can afford a supersonic jet.

No matter what the plus side is, they say since 2007. But, the domain name is only registered since 2009. Odd IMHO. And, for my city, there are quite a few guys that I don't know. As I am in no where in Thailand, I know every cute boy in a 40 mile radius. So, this is also fishy. IMHO Anyone smell a cupcake?

I think we like the same kind of guys. 90 percent of the time.

LOL Well, right now it would be no problem. But, as many of us that spend a great deal of time here expect that there will be problems again between the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts. It is obvious that this will happens as the Red's were silenced and jailed while the Yellow's did the same thing a few years back and got a Get out of Jail card. This has a lot to do with those that support the Yellows are in power and are back by the military and the monarchy. The Reds on the other had are IMHO the people's party. But, like ANY group in Thailand there are corrupt officials in it. Their former leader, Thaskin, was correct. But, so were his opponents. I don't think a foreigner will have any problems wearing any shirt. But, if you go in the middle of any political protest and are wearing the wrong color, you may find yourself with a Heineken bottle on the head.

It has been suggested by many that we have a Meet and Greet for the members here. As the website has gone through many changes over the past few weeks, I thought I'd get a head start on a party. The tenor of the other posts about a meet and greet seemed to suggest that if someone wanted to have a party, set a time and date and whoever wants to show up and show up. On Saturday night, August 28th, we will have a Forum Meet and Greet at YaYa bar in Soi Sunee Plaza. We choose YaYa as they have been posting here and I have been to the bar several times and think they have a great thing going and I'd like to support their efforts. The owner Ya is a great host, he is gay and he is a nice guy. The bar has all over 18 staff and is very clean and kept up well. The night is simple. The time is 6-8. There will be appetizers available from a local restaurant. It is not a full 7-course dinner but if you like Thai food and snack food, we will have it there for you. It is free for those in attendance at YaYa that night. The food if provided by the new owners of the Gay Thailand website. If you are a poster on this forum, just show up, tell me your posting name and I'll buy you the first drink or two. If you have guests that are not posters on this forum, you are on own your own to buy them drinks. Sorry, but I have to limit things and make them as easy as possible. I know that some will not be comfortable letting me know who you are, and if that is the case, simply show up and buy your own drink. The bar is totally open to all and not all the customers will be there for the Meet and Greet. However, for those that want a few drinks, you will need to tell us who you are. The reason I choose to do it this way is simple. I have attended events in the past and many were in attendance and taking free drinks who did not even post on the forums. I am not interested in paying for those people. Sorry, but as I am helping to host this and I'll be the one paying for the drinks, these are my rules. Again, that does not preclude anyone from showing up, having drinks and great conversations. I am not sure how long I'll be in Thailand so I am doing this last minute. If you are not in the area, I hope we are able to do it again and we will be able to meet up then. If it is successful, we will try to do it in other cities with a little more notice. I hope everyone is able to join in the fun! Added on 27: Just to clarify a few things as some questions have come to me from others. This is a very casual Meet and Greet. I'll have some food that is being delivered but unless I get a good count of people who send PM's or say here they are coming, I'm only ordering food for about 20 people as we have been told by 10 so far they are coming. It is not a full dinner but more appetizers and snack food with some Thai food mixed in for those that like Thai food. If there are going to be more, please post here you are coming or send me a PM. The drinks are NOT free for everyone all night. If you approach me and tell me you are a poster here, I'll buy you a drink. If you do not approach me, you need to buy your own drink. If you bring friends, that is fine too but they are responsible for their drinks. I have talked to Ya and he knows that if I tell him I'll get someone a drink, he will put that bill into my bin. If not, you have your own bin and you'll need to pay for that. I assume there are going to be 10-20 people in attendance and that is what I am planning for. I hope more than that come but if so, please tell me today or tomorrow so we can adjust our order! Thanks.

No, I was not saying you lied. I was under the impression you had not been in the last year. If I was wrong, then I do apologize. If my impression was right, then things have changed a great deal in the last year. I would have agreed with your assessment a few years ago. In fact, my first visit to Pattaya, I was disgusted. I just happen to meet a boy in Bangkok that was from Pattaya and he was my BF for a few years and I moved to Pattaya for him. I got to know a different side of Pattaya living here for as long as I have. Our definitions may be different. I define young by someone under 18. By my definition, there are few in Pattaya gogo bars under that age. If you go to Sunee, you will now find only one bar with those under that age and they are few and far between. The police have clamped down a great deal and for those of us that love Pattaya, we are happy that the underage scene is being cleaned up. FWIW

Nice Ass. I loved the Rainbow Flag ass.

Koh Samui is a unique Thailand experience. Far smaller than the mainland city of Bangkok, the islanders are still adapting to the modern influx of tourists. As recently as the 1980s there were almost no western visitors. Today, the island sees thousands of tourists a year, but has still kept in touch with small town island life. This is not the place to go if you are looking for a typical tourist experience. Rather, it is a great destination when you want to get away from it all, look at the beautiful waters and simply relax. Most of the Koh Samui population is Buddhist, although there is also a high percentage of Muslims as well. There are roughly 40,000 full time inhabitants. Not much history is known of the island, as the people are legendary for not keeping extensive written records and follow a “take life as it comes” philosophy that does not leave much room for reflection on the past. The city name comes from the Chinese word for ‘safe harbor’ and legend has it that these protected waters were often used as a sanctuary by voyagers and fisherman throughout the generations. Other than tourism, coconut and rubber farming are the main industries and the interior of the island has the densest population of coconut trees of anywhere on Earth. Most tourists spend their days on the beach, or hiking through the beautiful hills - yet there are other attractions for days when you want to take pictures or learn more about the culture. There are three main temples that you will want to visit; Wat Samret, Laem Sor Chedi and Wat Khun Aram. Like most temples in Thailand you are asked to dress respectfully whenever you visit and avoid flip flops and bathing attire. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the temples here is that they are home to mummified monks that are more than 20 years old. Monks are revered in Thailand and this is how the islanders have chosen to honor their memory. The monks are still clothed and are amazingly well preserved. Heaven’s Garden is another popular tourist attraction. Located in the center of the island it was the inspiration of a local artist, Nim Thongsuk, who decided one day to sculpt his vision of the afterlife. All of the sculptures are based on characters from Buddhist scriptures. Some are so small that many people do not notice them at first glance, while some are huge and seem to tower over visitors. The Secret Hall of Buddhas, located in the temple Wat Samret, will take your breath away. You will have to politely ask a monk to unlock the door for you if you want to see the white marble Buddha that is believed to be at least three centuries old. Surrounding this beautiful icon are dozens of other ancient Buddha images that will delight you. If you can climb 163 steps you will find four huge footprints of Buddha in the southeast corner of Koh Samui. They are located next to a butterfly garden and once you have made the climb you will be able to see beautiful vistas that make this excursion more than worth the effort. The northwest corner of the island has a much more eccentric sight - a coconut tree that has naturally grown to look like an eight-headed man. You’ll need to wear strong boots to make it into the woods, but this tree is must for anyone who loves to take pictures to bring back home to their friends and family. Finally the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks are natural creations called the “Grandmother and Grandfather” rocks. The wind has naturally eroded these rocks so that they look like giant reproductions of male and female genitalia! Due to the crystal clear waters, many people come to Koh Samui to scuba or snorkel and check out the cool coral and exotic fish in the sea. This has become so popular that there now exists a gay only scuba and snorkel outlet - Rainbow Scuba. These guys can set you up with any sort of water adventure you desire, and even offer classes to get you certified so you can scuba. They rent good kayaks as well as scuba and snorkel gear. Of course, once you have seen the sights and bronzed on the beach during the day, you will want to head out and take advantage of the nightlife. While there are far fewer gay bars and go gos than in the larger cities, there is certainly enough to make any trip worthwhile. Unlike Bangkok most of the boys that are available work freelance - meaning they are not associated with a particular bar. You will have to negotiate with them on your own, but they should not be any more expensive than typical Bangkok mainland boys. Who would have thought that great reggae and gay rapstas could be found on an Island in Thailand? If that sounds like your kind of exotic pleasures, the Reggae Pub has it all for any visit you might want to take to the dark side. Every now and then we get tired of hiring the freelance boys in the various gay bars and simply want to cruise around. When you are in the mood to find some random guys you will want to head over to the Chaweng Beach after dark - this is the local headquarters for cruising and hustlers. Some people like to come to Koh Samui and explore the island on their own. Other people are more comfortable with a guide and a group of people. While its true that you will not find the variety of gay erotic fun in Koh Samui as you would in Bangkok and Phuket, the establishments that are here should more than suit any of your needs. Koh Samui is not where you want to go if you are looking to be in a bustling metropolis. Instead, it’s your headquarters when you want to get away from it all, commune with nature and just kick back and take life as it comes. We’d love to see you there! cc TotallyOz 2005-2010

Bangkok, known as the City of Angels is the center of gay life in Asia. From bears to twinks to every shape size and age of man or boy in between, this the place to go if you want to show your pride, mingle with guys and find some hot exotic romance. Still Bangkok has much more to offer than just hot nights. This is a city with a rich culture and history; so you can dive into the local culture during the day, eat wonderful meals at night and make the most of your vacation. One of the most popular destinations is the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You can sample local food while an experienced guide will take you on a boat ride through the canals where you can purchase tons of souvenirs for friends and family back home. No trip to Bangkok is complete without a bike tour through the city and its outskirts. Whether you take a guided tour, or decide to tool around on your own bike, this is the best way to be mobile and discover the life of the normal residents of Thailand. Temples abound in Thailand and will thrill nearly any western visitor with their splendor. Wat Trimitr,Wat Po and Wat Banjamaborpitr are three of the most beautiful. Plan to bring your camera and try to bring a local guide so you can learn the rich history and nuance of each and every place of worship. The Grand Palace is the most popular tourist destination in the city. For centuries it was the residence of Thailand’s powerful kings. Make sure you take time to see the Reception Palace, the Funeral Palace, The Throne Hall and the beautiful revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Just be prepared; the Thais take their temples seriously and will not let you inside if you are wearing shorts or flip flops. If you want to be a little bit less active you can always take an overnight in a converted rice barge. The most popular cruises leave from Bangkok and travel to the ancient capital of Ayuthaya. When you are done sightseeing Thailand offers nearly every type of cuisine from traditional Thai food to classic Western cuisine. No matter what your tastes, you should be able to satisfy your hunger before your night on the town! Still many guys go to Thailand for one main reason, to meet and mingle with eligible single guys. There is nothing wrong with that - everyone likes a little exotic nighttime fun on their vacations; after all when you are far away from home you can easily let yourself be free and assume that what goes down in Bangkok stays in Bangkok no matter who it is that you go down on. When you first get to the city you will want to spend your evenings partying along Surawong Road - the capital of gay nightlife in this capital city. Many of the taverns, go-go bars and sexy discos are located in the infamous Boy Plaza where the action is hot and the boys are cool. As you head down to get down check out Future Boys, The Boys Bangkok and Dream Boy; three of the best all boy go-go bars in the world competing against each other in Boy Plaza. Both bars open at 8 p.m. and have shows starting at 10:30 p.m. If you are feeling like a little switch hitting check out Kings Castle No. 3. This club has plenty of lovely things - some of them are actual genetic girls, while others have a little extra meat under their skirts. They are all so beautiful you won’t know which is which until they come up and get down and dirty. Not for everyone but if you are into this type of thing you know who you are! Do you like muscles? If a strong man is your thing then check out the Tawan Club. This is one of the longest running clubs in Bangkok and has all the delts, pecs and six packs a muscle hunter could ever hope to bag! For those nights where you just want to eat and drink in a friendly setting check out Silom 4 a wonderful gay area with bistros with cold drinks and good food where you can chill out and talk with other cool guys! Petchaburi Road features gay karaoke and good drinks. If that’s your thing, you’ll have a great night belting out the classics! The Sapan Kwai and Kao San Road areas of the city feature gay venues that cater almost exclusively to local Thais. These are nowhere near as western friendly as the other gay sections of town, but the brave Anglo will probably be able to have some fun. Nearly all of the bars in both of these sections have hosts, cabarets and go-go dancers are much rarer. The Ramkhamhaeng section is the last of the gay friendly parts of the city. Of course, like any city, the hot spots in Bangkok come and go constantly. What’s cool today might not be hot tomorrow and new places are popping up all the time. These venues are great places to start your gay Bangkok adventures but be sure to keep your ears open and get ready to find fun new spaces with all your new boy friends! The best thing about Bangkok is that it is ever changing. You need to keep a close look at this site and the bars and clubs and accommodations area. New arenas come and go and we try our best to keep this part of the site as updated as possible. We can wait to see you show your pride in Bangkok! cc TotallyOz 2005-2010

You have an amazing collection. Have you considered opening up your own dating service? There are a few I REALLY want to get in touch with.

A friend in Thailand suggested a Brazilian place today. I was told it was very Brazilian. I didn't really think so and I remembered writing this a few years back. Man, do I miss the great food down in gay Brazil and especially the all you can places!

A Little History on Rio de Janeiro – Where The Gays Play If you are looking for a gay friendly foreign vacation where the nights are hot and the guys hotter, Rio de Janeiro may be the place for you. The American Dollar goes a long way here and the Cariocas, as the locals call themselves, are very welcoming to gay and transgendered people from around the world. Of course, the main attraction here are the local men, who tend to be tall, dark and in shape – which you have to be if you are going to spend as much time on the beach as these people do. There is so much going on at the beaches and in the plethora of gay night spots that you will want to spend at least a week or two in Rio – a city of more than 7 million people! The term you will probably hear most as a gay man in Rio de Janeiro is “Barbie.” That is what the locals call gay men who spend a good deal of time in the gym (think Chelsea boys.) Beaches During the day you will want to lay out in the sand – particularly if you have spent the night partying at any of the number of bars and discos that rock late into the night. The hottest people in the coolest fashions can be found at the Praia de Ipanema beach where you can rent a beach chair and chill out with hotties from around the world. If you get turned on, head on over to the section by Rua Farme de Amoedo where the cruising is competitive and intense. On all sections of the beach you can buy cold drinks including beer, and souvenir hawkers will be constantly milling about – but will leave you alone if you ask them to. The Copacabana Beach is a hot meat market both day and night – with tons of hot international studs for your eye candy. There is a constant stream of cute roller bladders and sunbathers to make your fantasies come alive. A lot of the guys here – particularly the younger, attractive ones – are really rent boys, so be sure you know what you are getting into before you take anyone home. On the other hand, there are plenty of studly tourists here as well. The prime cruising spot on the Copacabana is in front of the Copacabana Plaza. The 18 kilometer Barra da Tijuca is where you can find some of the rougher waters for windsurfing and body boarding. It’s not as gay as some of the other beaches – but you can’t cruise every day can you? It is the longest beach in the city and has a lot of kiosks for snacks. Grumari beach is the place for all you nudists to go. It is a clothing option surfer’s paradise and an environmentally protected zone. It is also the main set for many television shows and movies set in Brazil. One beach to consider avoiding is Leblon – as it is used primarily by local residents and is not that tourist friendly. Clubs Most of the clubs in Rio don’t open or get interesting until midnight or much later. So, if you are looking to mingle once the sun goes down, your best bet will be to check out the gay bar scene. The locals don’t eat dinner until around 8 or 9 p.m. so figure that even the pubs won’t get that busy until 10 or so. In all the bars, the beer is good and you should try a caipirinha, the most popular local drink. One thing that disappoints some American gays is the lack of fetish, leather or other kink specific bars and clubs. Because the local people believe in inclusion, they have yet to set up the culture to accommodate specific desires in specific bars. Therefore, each bar you go to is apt to have a mix of bears, twinks, leather boys, and so on. You just have to keep your eye out for what you are looking for and you will find it! The hottest concentration of gay bars and clubs is at Rua Teixeira de Melo near the Farme gay beach cruising area. Like the beach, the competition for men is very intense – you need to dress your best unless you are ready to go home all by yourself. Bofetada, on Farme itself, is one of the bars that starts getting busy early on, almost as soon as people start getting off the beach. This is a great place to go if you are looking to hook up before dinner, or if you are new to the area and want to meet other guys to cruise with during your vacation. While in the area, check out Galeria Cafe (with DJs every single night of the week) and Spin or Dama de Ferro, on Rua Vinicius de Morais corner of Lagoa which cater to the same crowd of vacationing and expatriate artists, sun worshipers, and party boys. If you spent your day around the Copacabana, you might want to visit the nearby Blue Angle bar. The nearby Copa has hot waiters, but no sign on the door. Instead look for velvet red curtains and a hostess, and you will be on your way. This place is very trendy, so you need to look cool if you want to be taken seriously by anyone inside – or even manage to get a drink! Just look at the signs (and the people walking inside) to make sure you have not arrived on lesbian night! Across the street from the Copacabana is the Rainbow, which has drag shows and karaoke at night – it can be a little silly, but if you like it that way, give it a shot! Those of you who like things down, dirty and a little seedy will be interested in Corujinha, which is near the Copa, but nowhere near as exclusive, trendy or slick. Maxim’s is a nearby bar with a mix company of gays and gay friendly straights. This is the place to go if girly boys are your thing or if you are looking to pick up a hustler. This area is known for tourist rips offs, so be very careful of yourself and your surroundings if you decide to get your wild on in this area. The subtly named Gay Kiosk Rainbow is easy to find because it sits underneath a giant rainbow flag. Sometimes the owners are in drag; sometimes they are not! If it’s getting close to midnight and you haven’t gotten laid yet, it’s time to hit the dance floor and shake your booty with the brown Brazilian boy toys! The hottest place to go is right inside the Copacabana, Posto 6. It’s built in a renovated movie theater and has drag shows, DJs from around the world, theme nights and pretty much anything else you can imagine. They can pack in more than a 1,000 people ready to party and cruise until dawn! Those of you who like things new and trendy can visit Breeze at Rua Paul Redfern, but check your calendar – it’s only open Friday through Monday. If you like a little rough trade from the lower socioeconomic side, Cabare Casanova on Avenue Mem de Sá can be a cheap evening to sweat it out with the locals. Some of us like our club scene a little tackier. For those among you (you know who you are) plan at least one visit to Star Club and leave your conservative friends behind! Foxfobox on Rua Siqueira Campos is the center of the gay techno crowd and is open from Thursday through Saturday. The only club open seven nights a week is located in the Serzedelo Correa Square . This smaller, neighborhood club, has been serving the gay and lesbian communities for more than 15 years. Sex Hotels Once you score in Rio de Janeiro you will need some place to take your new playmate. Because there is a great deal of poverty in Rio, there are a lot of hustlers and thieves, so it’s not a great idea to take your date back to your own hotel room and put your valuables at risk. That’s why there are many “sex hotels” throughout the city where men can take there dates for a few hours after they hit the bars or clubs. We recommend using them unless you have a good reason to trust your new found friend. Finding a gay friendly sex hotel is not difficult – most of them are so obvious as to be embarrassing. They surround nearly every gay bar in the city and rent rooms for six hours or less. Most of the “in the know” tourists seek out the ones around Av. Gomes Freire or the Copacabana. Saunas, Bath Houses, and Rent Boys Saunas and bathhouses are as common in Rio as they are in any gay friendly large city. As you would expect, a good number of the local clients are married men looking for a little extra curricular fun. There is also a fair share of rent boys to be found, so as you would on the beach, make sure you understand what you are getting into before you get started. For the most part you can expect to spend between $30 and $60 for an encounter with male escort at any of the bathhouses you find. Near the Copacabana you can look for the Le Boy Fitness and Pointe 202. Point is mostly a muscle bar now and while I like this occasionally, I find the massive build of some not to my liking. But, if muscles are your thing, this is the place for you. If you have spent your day by Ipanema, keep your eyes open for Nova Leblon and Studio 64. My all time favorite is Club 117. Hot boys. More twinks. Great parties. Free Cabine nights. Meio Mundo on Rua Teófilo Otona is known to have some of the best escorts at any of the bathhouses around. Meio Mundo is larger now that the next door building was added to the original building. The selection of garotos is generally good but not always like you can find at Clube 117. Safety No matter what you do in Rio de Janeiro, always practice safe sex. If anything, this is truer in Rio than it is in North America, as the sheer number of hustlers around have made sex riskier here than in many other places you may visit. In Rio you should also be careful if a stranger hands you a drink. It is somewhat common here for thieves to slip drugs into a tourist’s beer and then rob him. In general it is a good idea to not wear your expensive jewelry (including your watch) when you go out at night – do you really need to know what time it is when you go on vacation? You should also avoid drugs at all costs when you are in Brazil. The penalties are harsh and the American Embassy might not be able to give you that much help if you are busted. That said, if you are careful, Rio de Janeiro could end up becoming one of the hottest vacations you ever take. You can cruise the clubs and bars all night and then sleep off your sex induced hangover on any number of sandy beaches! 1. Don’t carry you passport with you. Once you get to your hotel, have them make a copy for you and carry that with you. That is sufficient should you need it while you are away from the hotel and if you lost the original, it is a true pain in the ass. 2. Avoid using cash machines outside of banks and malls. I had one bad experience with this last year. Now, I use the ATM in my hotel or exchange my money at the banks or exchange booths. 3. I avoid using my Credit Cards as much as possible other than my hotel or bank or ATM machine. Last year, after a shopping trip to a very upscale mall in Sao Paulo, I got back to the US only to have over 20k charged to my card. Needless to say, it was a pain in the ass to get it all straightened out. 4. Don’t take a lot of money with you. Plan your day, take only what you need. Take ONE ATM card if you need more. Leave the remainder in the safe in your hotel. 5. Don’t wear expensive watches or jewelry. Keep them in the safe in your hotel. These things get noticed by the wrong people very fast. 6. If you take a camera with you, keep it in a bag that is not obviously a camera bag. Keep it with you at all times. 7. When you go to the beach, only take what you need. Don’t take things that are not needed. Don’t leave your possession alone unattended. 8. When you are in a sauna, keep an eye on your locker and check back into that room occasionally. I don’t leave very valuable things in my locker. 9. When you take a boy into a cabin for a programa, when you shower, take your clothes with you. There are hooks in the bathrooms for these items and it is just a smart thing to do to keep your things with you at all times. 10. When you are at a bar or disco, don’t leave your drink unattended. Don’t accept drinks from others. When you get a drink, keep your hand over the top of it. This way, no one can put anything into the drink that will cause you to loose you common sense. 11. If you are into the street trade, don’t take someone from the street that one of your friends doesn’t know. Be very careful. A lot of the guys from the street are great fun but you should exercise caution. One thing that I learned on my first trip to Brazil is that I would not go with someone from outside of Curijina’s or anywhere unless someone knew the guy. I try to stick to this rule. 12. Most hotels won’t let you have a guest in your room unless they have a copy of their ID. This is a good thing and for your protection. Always make sure that your visitor has proper ID and when you get to your hotel, walk them over to the front desk to leave a copy of the ID as required. 13. If you are new to Brazil, don’t walk around at night unless you are accompanied. I suggest taking a taxi. It is very inexpensive to take taxis in Brazil and it may keep you safe. 14. All the saunas provide condom and lube to you. It is wise to use them here. The rate of HIV is high and you need to protect yourself. 15. Ask your hotel for suggestions on restaurants and venues. They know many good ones and they may help you to find something you have not heard mentioned before. 16. When you leave the sauna, see all the charges to you bill and make sure they are correct. 17. A few simple words in Portuguese is very helpful. If you have Itunes, download the Portuguese Language guide. It is quiet good and just listening to it on your plane ride down is useful. 18. I have a hotel taxi pick me up at the airport. I find it more comfortable for me as I arrive with my computers and cameras. 19. Brazil really is paradise. Have a great time. Be safe. Be smart. (this was written about 5 years ago. If you have suggestions, PM me with revisions). Thanks. Oz

Sometimes you want to get it on with a man. Sometimes a girl seems like a good idea. Sometimes both have their own unique appeal. Gay or straight we all have a desire to try something a little different. That's what makes Thailand a great place to visit – you can literally have your boobs and eat cock too! Perhaps the most celebrated part of Thailand's gay culture are the famous "Ladyboys" that can be found in even the smallest rural villages. While Ladyboys are similar to Western transvestites, there are some huge cultural differences. The most important difference comes from Thai history and traditions. According to legends from Northern Thailand, the first man and woman had three children, a boy, a girl and a "third sex." Today the "third sex" is considered to be the Ladyboys – which may explain why there are at least 180,000 of these "girls" spread throughout Thailand. Other legends say that Ladyboys are actually the reincarnation of men who made love to many, many women in a former lifetime – so that they now permanently carry the spirit of women in their bodies. Katoey Toys! Referred to in Thailand as Katoey, these "girls" are certainly no drag queens. In most cases a lot of care and time has been spent to make sure these guys look like real women – and not the exaggerated female stereotypes common in American drag shows. While these girls all have hot cocks under their skirts many have realized that size matters everywhere – and have larger than life boobs to complete their picture of a feminine ideal Ladyboys are, in general, an accepted and respected part of Thai society. In most cases they don't suffer anywhere near as much prejudice as their western counterparts and are usually almost fully accepted as the women they are trying to be. Let Them Entertain You! Many of the Katoey perform in the cabaret shows that have become hugely popular in Thailand's gay bars. The best Ladyboy cabaret shows can be found in Pattaya, the beach town south of Bangkok. Some of the larger Katoey shows literally feature dozens, if not hundreds of Ladyboys for your eye candy. There are also many escort agencies that offer Ladyboys on demand. You can find them in our listings or by checking out advertisements at many of the local gay establishments. Tips And Tricks For Chicks With Dicks! You need to be a little careful when dealing with Ladyboys outside of a supervised host bar. In Pattaya in particular there have been cases of Ladyboys who troll the beaches at night in order to mug tourists when they have their pants down. Don't let this get you down! Most Ladyboys are nice people. There are just a few rotten apples in any barrel! Another important thing to keep in mind is that not all Ladyboys are bottoms. Some can top with the best of them, so when you first start talking with an attractive he/she you should make your preferences known – so that you don't get more than you bargained for out of the experience! Also be aware that some Ladyboys are full on transsexuals and may have either taken hormones, been castrated or both. Figuring out what type of Ladyboy you are talking to can often be part of the fun. In general if you are in a gay bar talking to a feminine looking thing, you can assume that the girl was a boy at one time and may be now. Guessing before you take off her skit can be a challenge, because the Thai male body type lends itself very well to creating a feminine mystique. Host Bars Ladies More often than not Ladyboys can be rented out for a night of fun in the host bars – and surprisingly enough are popular entertainers for both gay and straight audiences! Because Thailand society treats Ladyboys with respect, you should as well. Just because you are paying for their time does not give you a license to abuse, insult or treat them any differently than you would like to be treated. Ladyboys are people too! Many Ladyboys suffered severe financial hardship when the tsunami cut into Thailand tourism. Often Ladyboys have families to support – so we encourage you to be generous if you should find yourself out on a date with a "girl" with something extra between her legs! For many of us to visit here often, the loving nature of the Ladyboys is a big appeal to visit Thailand. Many of the will take in the boys who first come to work on the bars and take care of them. The people of Thailand are very accepting of homosexuality and Ladyboys. Please leave your prejudices and misconceptions about Ladyboys or Dragqueens in your home country. They are truly one of the most amazing parts of Thai culture and deserve your respect! cc: 2005-1010 Totally Oz

A Hostboy's Tale Chapter One: In The Village My story starts out years ago, when I still lived in the small village several hundred miles north of Bangkok. I grew up in a traditional Thai household. We did not have much money, but we were happy. Still, like many of my friends, I yearned for the excitement of the big city and the adventures that could be had there. How to make that happen, however, was not something I put much thought too. Education is expensive in Thailand and I knew my family would never be able to pay for the training that I would need to get a job in Bangkok or any of the beach resorts that have become so popular with the wealthy tourists who have discovered the paradise that is my homeland. So, I contented myself with my existence. At times I would dream of becoming a monk when I got older – I was always fascinated by the orange robes and the look of serenity and peace that seemed to follow the holy men wherever they went. Little did I know that my life would soon change – and that I would not only experience all of the wonders that Bangkok has to offer, but travel around to all of the best resorts and meet fascinating people and live a full, varied and interesting life. My mother named me Kama, which means the "Golden One" in Thai. It is one of many names that can be used for either a boy or a girl – something that would be of great advantage to me years later – but I had no way of knowing that at the time. My adventures began when I was 16. It was a clear warm day in the village and we had all sat down to eat our afternoon meal when suddenly there was a great commotion. It seems that Chet, a man who had left the village years ago in search of finding his way in the world had unexpectedly returned. What was even more amazing was that he drove up to the village in a car – which was very rare for the people in my village. Chet was also dressed in obviously expensive western clothes. The entire village was excited – it seemed that Chet had found the fortune he had been looking for! The truth was that Chet had been gone so long that most people did not expect him to return ever. When he first left, people had been worried about him – and skeptical that he would be able to find a job and support himself among the urban Thais. Obviously we were wrong. The people in the village soon swarmed around him and it was decided that we would hold a feast that night in Chet's honor. We were sure he would have glorious stories to tell about what life had found for him. When I was little, Chet had always been one of the nicest of the older children and I was as delighted to see him return as anyone else. While he tight, western clothes were confusing, the joy in his face was not. As soon as I could I ran up and gave him a huge hug. Not only did Chet hug me back – but for the rest of the day I noticed him looking over at me – at times winking as though he had a secret to share. I wanted to talk to him but like many younger Thai guys, I have always been shy about initiating conversations, so I kept to myself and simply watched Chet talk to adults from a distance. The feast that night was amazing. Chet had brought back food from Bangkok so there were many dishes that we had not eaten in a long time. During the meal Chet sat close to me and made me feel like a part of the attention he was receiving. The meal did make me very sleepy – as I had not feasted like that in many years. So, far earlier than normal I retired to my small room and quickly entered dreamland. Imagine my surprise when I was awakened only hours later by a knock on my door and found Chet on the other side. "Hello Kama," he said. "I want to talk to you." How could I say no? Chet had become what I always dreamed of being – a success in the outside world. He took me on a walk outside the village where we could be alone. Once there he told me to sit down. "Kama," he said. "Do you still dream of leaving the village one day and living in the city?" I was so flattered that he remembered how I used to talk about my hopes and dreams. Not only that, but he was interested in what I had to say! I hastily admitted that I wanted to go, but assured him that I understood that I would probably never be able to. "Don't be so sure," he commented before doing something that would change my life for good. I sat there dumbfounded as Chet leaned in and started kissing me – on the lips! I don't want to give a false impression here. Unlike in the west there are few taboos against men showing other men affection in Thailand. I knew that some men enjoyed this, but had never expected it to happen to me. For that matter, I was shy and had never even kissed a girl. Despite my shock, I found myself responding to his kiss, and when he tongue slipped into my mouth I took his lead and did the same to him. We were soon in each others arms, and to my surprise I felt my cock stiffen in my pants, and soon felt he cock pressing against me through his tight western jeans. After a minute or two, Chet pulled away from me. "Did you like that?" "Yes," I responded - blushing, but unable to hide my bodies natural reaction to his advances. "Then I may be able to show you a way to live in the city and find the life you have been looking for," Chet said. With that he leaned into me again, and took my head in his hands while he kissed me. How could I not kiss him back? Not only was Chet my idol, but he was willing to help me live my dream. I would do anything he wanted and more, just to make him happy! This time the kiss was stronger and Chet started rubbing the bulge in his jeans against the bulge in my pants. The feeling was very erotic and seemed to make my cock grow harder than it ever had before. The more we kissed, the better the sensations flowing through my body became. Soon, Chet started to gently play with my nipples through my shirt – which only caused my heart to start beating even faster. Wanting to return the favor, I soon started touching Chet's nipples as well – which is when he started to moan and hump his crotch against mine even harder. Then Chet started pulling off my shirt and removed his own. His lips made their way to my neck as our naked smooth torsos rubbed against each other. I could feel his male nipples rubbing against my own as our cocks continued to stimulate each other through the confines of our pants. This was the first time in my life I had experienced real lust as well as the first stirrings of what I thought could one day be love. I bucked my own hips against his crotch to make the sweet feeling in my cock get even hotter. A few minutes later I heard the sound of Chet's zipper and felt him press against the back of my head. Confused, I opened my eyes and realized I was looking down at the tip of his very erect dick. Chet pushed my head downwards. I don't know how, but something deep inside me told me exactly what he wanted me to do – and made me realize how much I like it. I allowed Chet to move my face down to his throbbing manhood – which I gently started to kiss. His moans and the small bit of liquid that started to emerge from the tip of his dick told me that I had understood his desires. I had played with myself before, so I tried to simply do what felt good to me. I placed my hands on the base of his dick and started moving up and down while my lips explored the tip of his cock. After a minute or two Chet once again pushed my head down and I realized that he wanted me to take more in my mouth. I let him guide his cock into my throat. It felt like heaven. There was a musky scent coming from his crotch and he dick felt like steel. I could not believe that I was the one who made him so excited. His hard dick was like the greatest gift I had ever been given. Chet then started to make love to my face while I rested my hands on his strong inner thighs. His hands played with my hair while my own cock throbbed with the beating of my heart. Part of me craved the release that I knew was soon to come. I wanted to taste every drop of the life forced that lived within his big cock. Then, before he could explode in my tender throat, he pulled my head off his dick. "You sure you like that," he inquired. I could do nothing buy nod my head. "I think that means yes," he said, pointing at my obviously hard cock in my pants. Chet then leaned over to me and started to pull off my pants. I was willing to do what ever he wanted so I lifted up my ass to make it easier for him. Within seconds we were both naked. This older boy now leaned over and kissed me again. This time much more tenderly than before. "Lean back, on the ground," Chet said. I complied and he was soon lying on top of me as we continued to kiss each other passionately. As our tongues danced I felt Chet's hand move between us. He started pushing my legs apart and then upward towards the sky. Next I felt his hand on his cock, which was getting closer and closer to my ass. "Just relax," Chet whispered into my ear. "This is going to be heaven." I could not believe how excited I was. So much precum was oozing out of my piss slit that if I had not known better I would have thought I had already reached my climax. I heard the sound of plastic being opened. A condom wrapper was on the floor. Then I felt the tip of his penis probe at the entry of my virgin ass. I spread my legs farther apart. Nothing had ever felt this right before. I had never wanted anything as much as I wanted to please Chet at this very moment. Ever so slowly his dick opened up my ass and with each tiny thrust he went deeper and my cock throbbed harder as it bounced against my belly. Soon I started moving my ass up in order to take him into me faster. After a few minutes I heard Chet sigh and realized I could feel his balls resting against my butt. I felt fully penetrated and truly alive for the first time in my life. Then the real event started as Chet slowly began moving his cock in and out of my man hole. Each time his dick was fully in me, I could feel my own cock throb. Each time he pulled out I felt empty and thrust my ass at him to get him to push back inside. My own cock was rubbing against his belly and chest as we made love. I could not believe how good it felt to be taken by another man. I kept bucking my own hips in time with his dick to try to get him to fuck me harder and faster. Some part of me had been waiting for this moment my entire life and I needed him to love me, fuck me and take me. When he realized that I was not in pain and was enjoying loving him, Chet started to kiss me harder and fuck me faster. With each increase in tempo I felt hotter and hotter until finally Chet let out a huge moan and started to shoot his load. He pulled out, threw off the condom and let his cock shoot on my back and ass. I could feel every single burst of cum as it blew off back and my butt. Finally, his dick softened and the juice slowly stopped flowing. We stopped kissing and just held each other for several minutes. Then he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Tomorrow, I will tell you how you can get to Bangkok and find the life you deserve." It made me want to kiss him again. cc TotallyOz 2006-2010

Sao Paulo is one of my favorite cities. I do love Rio and enjoy the saunas there. Sao Paulo is a bird of a different feather. Sure, everyone likes to go to Rio de Janeiro to sit on the sandy beaches and check out the well tanned beefcake that always seems on display. But, there is much more to the Brazil gay scene than just the Copacabana in Rio! In fact, one of the most intense gay friendly cultures in the world exists in Sao Paulo – following generations of immigration from Europe and smaller South American countries by people who did not fit in back home, and were attracted to the strong, business friendly economy. Because of this, there is a wealth of languages spoken in the city – and you can easily get by in almost any native tongue, even if you don’t speak Portuguese That said, like anywhere, it is a good idea to learn at least a few key phrases in case you end up in an unexpected situation and to show respect for your host country. Sao Paulo was founded in 1554 by Jesuit missionaries who wanted to convert the native population to Catholicism. It became and independent recognized city in 1771 and has kept growing ever since. Most gay travelers who know Sao Paulo come here for the first time because of the legendary International Gay Pride Parade. This festival is beyond anything you may have seen anywhere else in the world. Every June more than 1.5 million gay, lesbian and transgendered travelers descend on Sao Paulo to hold what has become the largest Gay Pride Festival anywhere in the world – making similar events in New York and San Francisco seem like a cruise in the park! The parade starts in front of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo and moves along the Avenida Paulista towards the Praça da República. It covers a distance of a little more than 3 kilometers over more than five hours. It starts at 2 pm, but most people start showing up in the early morning hours to avoid the last minute rush. In addition to the parade, there will be cultural events and musical shows with live bands. The parade itself is hosted and opened by mayor. What’s truly amazing about the Sao Paulo International Gay Pride Parade is that it is so new. The first parade, in 1997, only attracted about 3,000 people. But it has grown exponentially over the years into an enormous carnival like atmosphere. This is a huge change in gay cultural acceptance from the late 1930s when members of the Institute of Criminology used to come to study the “passive pederasts” (as bottoms were then known) and the “real men” (read, “butch tops”) who they had sex with. Today, gay culture is well enshrined in the city, which boasts numerous gay and lesbian film festivals and a tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality that is surprising given the macho culture. One of the most exciting events, Sao Paulo Fashion Week is held twice a year in Bienal de São Paulo. In recent years it has started attracting some of the world’s top models and designers, who party hard amid the gorgeous locals. Be warned that getting around Sao Paulo can be difficult – always allow as much extra time as possible to get to any meetings or rendez-vous. The city was built without a well organized planning system – so traffic jams are common at nearly all hours of the day and night. The city itself is an anomaly for South America – it is huge, pro business and supports a giant, successful economy. There are more than 33,000 industries represented in the city – which boasts a population of more than 10 million people – making it the fourth largest, if least known, city in the world! For decades the largest industry in Sao Paulo has been coffee production. In fact, it was this industry that attracted much of the working migrants from Europe who settled here in the late 19th and 20th centuries, looking for secure jobs at decent wages in a city with a comparatively low cost of living. Sao Paulo is very spread out – covering an area of more than 530 square miles. This means that there is always room for new immigration and the gay and lesbian cultural scene is constantly expanding. Like Rio de Janeiro, one of the most popular activities in Sao Paulo is hitting the dozens of beaches that dot the 622 kilometer coastline. Here you can find any type of beach you want – from large and crowded meat markets, to small intimate shores to simply lay down in the sun and work on getting as brown as the natives. By 2004, there were more than 100 recognized gay bars, restaurants, cultural centers and other rainbow themed establishments. With nearly 300 movie theaters, more than 70 museums and dozens of open parks, you are not apt to ever get bored in Sao Paulo, even if you are not in the mood to look for the 10s of thousands of hot studs that roam the streets at night looking for fun. You will also have a much wider choice of “types” to choose from than you would in other cities around the world. Because Sao Paulo has been such a magnet for immigration from around the world, it has become a true mish mosh of cultural characteristics and looks. In other words, while there are any number of tall, dark traditional looking Brazilian men, there are also blondes, brunettes, blacks and backpacking Euroboys to choose from! The newest and trendiest sector of the gay community is called Frei Caneca where you can find any number of gay friendly theaters, restaurants and cruising bars. Speaking of cruising, if you are looking to hook up with random studs and eager guys, we suggest Park Ibirapuera. Not only are there lots of crusiers in this area, it is also home to tons of male eye candy. From joggers, to roller bladders to cute bike boys to fuel your fantasies! Just be sure to always practice safe sex. The ever changing community and thousands of tourists make practicing safe sex in Sao Paulo mandatory. The largest gay area is downtown around Praça da Republica and Largo do Arouche . This is where you will find the largest concentration of gay bars and clubs, gay friendly shopping and hot guys. This is also where you will find tons of drag shows (frequented by both a gay and straight clientele) and, of course, the ever present hustlers. Like any tourist heavy community in the world, you need to keep aware of your surroundings here to avoid getting ripped off – but it is the place to go when you are in the mood to go down. If you have a fat wallet – and fabulous clothes to go with it – take a stroll down to the Jardins part of town. This is where the richest and chicest gays in Sao Paulo hang out. While there are wonderful gay bars and super exclusive restaurants in the Jardin’s area, it can also be a seriously bitchy culture to hang out in. That said, if you like hanging out with the cool boys and have the clothes and looks to pull it off, you can have a fabulous time! No matter what you are looking for, Sao Paulo is a great destination for any gay traveler. You will be in the heart of a huge cultural center, with a gay friendly native population and tons of different types of studs to choose from. cc MaleEscortReview.com 2006-2010

Has anyone been spending any time in Sao Paulo lately? How is LaGoa?

Recife, the Brazilian Venice Recife, or reef in English, was mentioned for the first time in History, when, in a letter dated March 12, 1537, the Portuguese Crown donated that land to Duarte Coelho. The letter cites the location as an anchorage for ships where, later on, a village would be built. Its first name, Recife dos Navios, referred to the sandstone reefs, a marine rock formation present along the whole coast of Pernambuco state. The location was a privileged one and it wasn’t long before the Dutch noticed it: in 1630 they arrived with 56 ships and thousands of men, commanded by Diederick van Waerdenburg and Henderick Lonck. The Dutch burned Pernambuco’s Province capital Olinda to the ground, forcing its inhabitants to flee to nearby Recife, located only 2.5 miles away. When Count Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, aka “the Brazilian” arrived in Recife in January 1637, he immediately began to transform the city, building palaces, edifices, numerous bridges and beautiful gardens. Nassau, never known for having a small ego, renamed the city Mauritsstaad, after himself. Under his administration the first bridge was built in Brazil, inaugurated in February 1644. The colony flourished, for Nassau supported the development of sciences and art, pioneering studies on zoology, botany and tropical diseases. Unfortunately, his generous expenditure didn’t make him popular among the stingy Dutch, who decided to impose their own rules for the occupation, cutting expenses they saw unnecessary to begin with. Count Maurits had no intentions of submitting to the West India Company rules: he would stay if he could have it his own way, ruling the colony as he saw fit. The disagreement resulted in his return to Europe, in July 1644. When the Portuguese colonial government finally forced the Dutch out, in 1654, the new capital of Pernambuco had 300 buildings, among them two and three family homes, the Church of the Holy Body, the Government Palace, Customs Headquarters, a prison, and also the first Synagogue built in the Americas. The first immigrant ever to set foot in Manhattan Island came from this pioneer Jewish settlement in Brazil. Later on, in 1836, Recife would caught the attention of Charles Darwin: “the city was built on top of narrow and low sand banks, separated one from another by channels of salted water. (…) I doubt we can find anywhere in the world a natural structure with such an artificial appearance. (…) There are several kilometers of absolute straight line, all standing parallel to the coast and never distant from it, (…) a breakwater built by cyclopean hands”. The arrival of the Portuguese Royal family in 1808, and the consequent opening of all Brazilian ports to commerce with friendly nations, deeply transformed Recife. The arrival of British capital demanded the modernization of the port, now used to export the majority of the Brazilian production of cotton and sugar cane, due to its closer location to Europe. During the 19th Century, the majority of the population leaving in what was Recife then were the poor: small merchants, fishermen, artisans and dock workers. The elite could be found in other areas, like Benfica and Boa Vista. The beginning of the 20th Century saw Recife being reformed, the original nucleus that gave birth to the city being demolished with no consideration or respect for its history. The 16th Century Church of The Holy Body, for instance, was demolished, the same cruel destiny was applied to Santo Antonio and Conceição archways, which gave passage to the pioneer Mauricio de Nassau bridge. The new Recife was built to follow the French urban ideas of the time: streets were widened, sanitation plans were created, and among the 1,180 buildings in existence then, 205 were demolished. The city reform attracted, at the beginning, the elites living elsewhere, but not for long: with more ships tracking the port came also more mariners, and with the mariners, more prostitutes. Besides, the elites of that time weren’t used to live in apartment buildings, so the interest in the new city center waned away almost as fast as it emerged. The post WWII era saw the center of Recife occupied by merchants and prostitutes, which used the buildings with no preoccupation with its conservation. Ironically, the lack of interest by the elites in the city center was the factor responsible for its architectural preservation. Later on, in 1987, a new urbanization plan was adopted, aiming at the area revitalization. Today, the 220 square kilometers of Recife is populated by more than 1.5 million people. Like other cities of the Northeast (and also Rio de Janeiro), the majority of its population is poor or very poor, the middle and upper classes representing a small minority in power. Nevertheless, Recife’s atmosphere is one of permanent happiness and freedom, its people are very upbeat and ready to party at all times. Considered the biggest cultural center of the northeast, and the third most important gastronomic center of the country, the Brazilian Venice offers the tourist hundreds of places to see and things to do. The gay tourist can feel home here, where there is even a famous gay clown, the first in the whole country, the 41 years old local celebrity Mauricio Santana. Gay sports are also emphasized by the Metrópole Gaymes, created in 2004, “the first GLBTS (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Sympathizers) sports competition in Recife”. The second edition of the event took place this past January 22, in the sands of the gay section of Boa Viagem Beach, in front of Hotel Savaroni, a well known and frequented gay area in Recife. The Gaymes are a mockery of regular sports competition, not to be taken seriously, just another occasion to gather and party. Thousands of people showed up to watch competitions like “goal kicks” (contenders must try to make as much goals as they can, penalty style), “chicken toss” (competitors must toss plastic chickens at a distance, the biggest distance achieved wins), and the traditional tug-of-war. This year the event became an annual gathering, sponsored by the Mayor Office, with gays from Brazil and all over the world invited to participate and have lots of fun. Speaking of fun, Brazil is probably the country with the majority of gay parades in the whole world. Judging by the numbers, you’d think that the whole Brazilian population is gay. This year there are more than 50 parades already booked in the Gay Calendar. Beautiful Olinda, just a couple of miles away from Recife, booked two: the first one in March 4, and the second in June 30. The Recife Gay Parade usually takes place in September, between Praça Oswaldo Cruz and Páteo de Sao Pedro, in the city center. These three gay parades attract, annually, thousands of people, among gays and lesbians, transsexuals, drags, curious heterosexuals, the undecided, the ones still in the closet, and also sympathizers, all willing to have lots of fun in a very high energy charged atmosphere! Carnival takes by storm both cities, Recife and Olinda, and is an unforgettable experience. Contrary to the Carnival taking place in Rio de Janeiro or Bahia, where everything is carefully planned and well charged for, in Recife and Olinda Carnival is still a spontaneous popular manifestation. Of course there is planning but the roots of it were not destroyed by the capitalist idea of charging people to participate, like elsewhere. The city tried, a few years ago, to transform the event on a paid one, but the population seriously revolted against it, so Pernambuco remains one of the states were Carnival still is what is supposed to be: a guttural, cathartic collective manifestation where anyone can be a part of it, an event where collective demons are exorcized and energy batteries are recharged. In Recife, Carnival starts before the regular calendar, with several important club events like Baile dos Artistas, where the King (Rei Momo) and Queen of Carnival are elected yearly. This ball takes place at Clube Santa Cruz, and is sponsored by the Mayor Office. Baile dos Estandartes, organized by Galo da Madrugada, takes place at Clube Português. The Municipal Ball (Baile Municipal) is another famous one, with customs competition and the election of a queen for the night. The traditional Balmasquê is a national happening with elaborate masques competition and also the election of Garota Recifolia, also sponsored by the City of Recife and Recifolia Blocks. Club events are the only gatherings charged in the city. In Boa Viagem Beach, Carnival is a street event, like everywhere else in the city. Trios Elétricos (bands cruising the beach avenue, singing Carnival rythms in non-stop fashion, attracting the participation of the public) are the norm, with abundant free distribution of “batidas”, a mix of the strong sugar cane liquor with local fresh fruit juices, a scene that would terrify Pilgrim oriented American law enforcement!... There are more than a dozen of Trios Elétricos all over the city, you couldn’t miss them if you wanted to! Some, like Trio do Camisão, distribute over fifty thousand condoms to the population, reminding everyone of the dangers of sex without protection. The Trios Elétricos presence in Boa Viagem is an assurance that the beach is “the” place to hang out during Carnival. Considered the most democratic Carnival in the world, Recife’s Carnival attracts thousands of foreign tourists every year, offering a mix of several Brazilian musical styles like frevo, maracatú, ciranda, caboclinho, rock, manguebeat, e reggae, a diversity unknown in the rest of the country. There are more than 300 organizations taking care of this business, organizations known as “blocks”, besides eight decentralized foci and five special projects, all to make sure that Carnival here is unsurpassed by any other state in the country. Galo da Madrugada (Early Morning Rooster), the biggest Carnival block in the world, cited by the Guinness Book of Records, open the streets festivities in the early hours of Saturday morning in São José neighborhood, a wake up call to thousands of people who will follow the block, dancing and singing, until the end of its presentation. Every corner of the city, every neighborhood is taken by the electricity of hundreds of blocks, formed decades ago by Carnival lovers, receiving more and more participants every year. Anyone can follow a block on the spot, the only demand here is that you must be willing to have fun and take it easy. Street Carnival is always a great occasion to meet new people, mingle with the locals and even find that hot guy you dream about. The city of Olinda, only 2.5 miles away from Recife, is known to gather the biggest street Carnival of the planet: you definitely want to be here during afternoons or nights. The biggest Carnival block in the city, “Virgens de Olinda”, gathers yearly over 400 thousand people, something you don’t want to miss. During Carnival, its streets are packed with dancers, people wearing very colorful costumes, all following the street blocks and musical bands playing frevo, maracatú, afoxé and the traditional giant dolls. Olinda was the first capital of Pernambuco state, and here you’ll see kids guiding tourists, explaining the city history to visitors in carefully composed verses. Even if you don’t understand Portuguese, you don’t want to miss these children guides, for they are very well trained and disciplined, and will take you to places you should visit, like Mercados da Ribeira e do Varadouro, the Mirante do Alto da Sé, the Seminário, the Museu de Arte Sacra, among several colonial buildings offering an example of the architecture of Olinda’s past. Both cities, Recife and Olinda, are always busy, offering year round excellent options of nightlife. In Recife, every Tuesday night is Páteo de São Pedro night, in the city center. If you like to dance, this is the place to go with lots of music produced by local afoxé groups, capoeira societies, reggae and rap local bands. About 1,500 people, mostly tourists, participate in the weekly event, coordinated by Brigada Zumbi dos Palmares, and sponsored by the Mayor Office. Before you go to the clubs, take a peek at Galeria Joana D’Arc, in Avenida Herculano Bandeira, where you can have a dry martini or the popular caipirinha, at hot bars like Revolução Industrial, Hai Kai (Japanese menu), and Creperia Anjo Solto, where the party energy is always present. Anjo Solto is also a reference point for gays, a place where you can gather information about what is going on in Recife’s gay scene. Galeria Joana D’Arc is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Boa Vista is considered the gay neighborhood of Recife. Probably because of its very center location, Boa Vista saw, in the last decades, the multiplication of gay businesses around its area. The crossing of Rua José de Alencar and Rua Jeriquiti, in the very heart of the neighborhood, is the most circulated area in Gay Recife nights: here anything goes! While cruising here, don’t forget to visit the local mall, known as Shopping Boa Vista, warmly called by the locals Shopping Boa Bicha (Good Faggot Mall, at Avenida Conde da Boa Vista). The Shopping is open Monday to Saturday, up to 9pm, and is a great place to meet hot studs, twinks, even the common closet gay, a definitely abundant species south of the Equator. At the food quarter you’ll find another hang out area: here gays usually cruise “in search of”, or simply use the place as a gathering point, where the night just ahead is carefully planned. Still in the area, you never know what you can find at the erotic movie theatre Cinemix (Rua da Soledade) nearby Edifício Módulo, its reference point used in Boa Vista. Cinemix is open seven days a week. Gays who live in Boa Vista usually hang out at Pirandello (Rua José de Alencar) Pihousen (Rua Jeriquití) or Sete Cores (also on Rua Jeriquití), simple and cozy bars where hospitality is the main concern and the food is always good. These bars are your options if you just want to talk to friends, relax and try to hook up with someone before you go about whatever business you have in mind. Questão de Gosto is another option nearby, if you are curious about local comfort food, a great place to eat aipim, also called macaxeira (yucca), ingredient always present in their dinner menus, Monday to Friday. The most famous and not to be missed gay club in Recife is the Metrópole Dance, the queen of the night, preferred by locals and foreigners in the city for the last four years or so. Located in Rua das Ninfas, different nights attract different looking people and different music. Metrópole is always open on Fridays, Saturdays, and the night before any holiday. Every night is strippers night show, with participants coming from all over the country. The club was already spotted by Revista Veja, the most important weekly magazine in the country, as “the best gay club in the whole Brazilian northeast”. Also in Boa Vista, Cabaré Kit is a party you don’t want to miss. Inaugurated less than a year ago, Cabaré Kit happens once a month always on Thursdays, gathering electronic music, arts and fashion, two permanent fashion shows, several other art interventions during the night, besides go-go girls dressed in 20’s style, shaking their butts at the sound of the music, instigating even further the always present party atmosphere. Rua Corredor do Bispo is a favorite on Sundays. Here you want to hang out in two bars: Define and/or Meu Kaso Bar (MKB), this one located at nearby Rua Oliveira Lima. Even though architecture and infrastructure is not exactly their main attraction, MKB tends to be the favorite between the two, when it comes to Sundays program: their nights offer a mix of disco, brega and pagode two local music styles. The highs of their nights are the drag queens and performers shows. End of August/beginning of September. Time to visit the annual Semana de Artes Visuais do Recife, a huge arts programming sponsored by the city government, with all sorts of exhibitions: paintings, sculpture, performances, movies, drawings, conceptual art, videos and interventions galore, even a Gay ET: last year a participant, allegedly a gay artist from the recently discovered planet Sedna, exhibited gadgets from his planet, selling everything at very cheap prices. Hmmm… I wonder how much is the Real worth in Sedna!... You can’t leave the city before visiting Mercado São José, an old penitentiary transformed in regional cultural center. There you can purchase excellent examples of local artisans products like sculptures, leather bags and sandals, clothing, paintings, have a delicious lunch and collect information in any of the cells, about tourist events and places to visit during your stay. Mercado São José, located in Rua Floriano Peixoto, in Santo Antonio neighborhood, is open from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 7pm, on Saturdays from 9 to 6, and on Sundays from 10am to 3pm. If you like ceramics you can’t miss the Oficina de Cerâmica Brennand, in Engenho São João, Várzea neighborhood. This is a permanent exhibition of 1500 pieces created by ceramist Francisco Brennand, located in the midst of the ecologic Mata Atlântica protected area. Brennand is considered the best ceramist in the whole northeast of Brazil. The area also contains a plant producing 20 thousand square meters of ceramic per month. Open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm. Also a must to visit is the Paranambuco (Rua Bom Jesus, Recife neighborhood), a space reserved for local culture propagation, functioning, at the same time, as stores and cultural center, where you can gather information on artisans and their products. Here you can buy products representing typical artistic manifestations of the interior of the state, like the clay dolls of Caruarú, ceramic artifacts from Tracunhaém and hand made delicate linen from Passira. Still in Rua Bom Jesus, you want to pay a visit to the first Synagogue established in the Americas, the Sinagoga Kahal Zur Israel, built in 1637. This street is a very important one, historically speaking, linking US and Brazilian histories forever: the first Dutch settlers to arrive in Manhattan, in the 17th Century, the first builders and immigrants of what we know today as New York City, came from this street. Also deserving your attention are Barracões de Santo Amaro, the first cemetery of Pernambuco, located in the neighborhood of the same name. Here, the barracks assembled by the colonizers were used to store black slaves as soon as they arrived from Africa. Many died shortly after arriving, as a consequence of the horrendous long trip conditions. The ones that died were buried here, near the barracks. No wonder this was to become the first cemetery of the city. Also in Recife you don’t want to miss Arraial do Bom Jesus, Paredão de Frei Caneca and the Arrecifes, the large extension of reefs that follows the whole city coast. Here you can still see the cannons installed by the Portuguese and the English, in the beginning of the 18th Century, besides the ruins of two fortresses built by the Dutch. You can reach the location by car or by boat. Gorgeous Olinda, considered World Heritage by Unesco, is a special chapter when it comes to art, gathering a huge number of artists who usually work in the streets. The local artistic production includes anything, from the traditional giant dolls to sculptures, hand made colorful fabrics and wall rugs, masques and paintings. We suggest a visit to Mercado Eufrásio Barbosa, in Varadouro neighborhood, and Mercado da Ribeira, in Cidade Alta. Mercado Eufrásio Barbosa is housed by what was once the Casa da Alfândega Real, where European products used to be sold. The neighborhood name, Varadouro (gold stick), is a reminder of the costume of exhibiting the best European fabrics available, hanged in long wood sticks with pieces of gold on the edges. Mercado Eufrasio Barbosa is open from Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 5:30pm. On the other hand, the Mercado da Ribeira building (Rua Vieira de Mello) dates from the 16th Century. Some history books claim the building was used as a commerce gathering point by slave traders in the past. Today, it houses several artisans stores, wood carving artists, a bookstore and the drawing specialized Oficina Guaianazes. In front of the building you’ll find the ruins of the Old Senate, where, in 1710, Bernardo Vieira de Mello first manifested in favor of the adoption of a Republican form of government for Brazil. Open daily from 9am to 18:30pm, with some stores remaining open until 9pm. The cute little stores of Alto da Sé are another very good shopping option. Besides, when you reach the Igreja da Sé, you’ll be at the highest part of the city which offers the most breathtaking views of Olinda, a view you’ll never forget. If you still have time, take a look at Igaraçú, a very old city located 18 miles north of Recife. The oldest church in Brazil, a small chapel, is located here. Igaraçú is also near the famous island of Itamaracá, located at the same distance from Recife. Separated from the continent by the Jaguaribe River, Itamaracá is the place to visit if you are tired of the agitated city life: its beaches are very calm, offering natural swimming pools and reefs, surrounded by palm trees and beautiful sand dunes. This is a very sought after beach by practitioners of nautical sports. No matter what turns you on, Recife and Olinda offers you everything you can think of and much more. Waste no more time, come to Recife. The Brazilian Venice is waiting!... cc 2008-2010 maleescortreview.com

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I learn so much on this site. Thank you guys for the expert advice. I am a tipper. I always have been. Not sure I could not tip but you have given me a lot to think about. Thanks!

Hey Tomcal, did those boys look familiar to you? They looked really Brazilian to me.

Gross. JK I love a shaved, cleaned and trim bush. If it is perfectly shaped, I just love to touch and play and lick.

Camp is one of my favorites. Very cute movie. I have not seen Summer Storm. I have been looking for it but no luck.

What about Jeff Stryker? I'd love to see a statue of him. I saw him in a play in NYC. I forget the name (help me those of you with good memory). But, he was unforgettable in the play (by those with good memory).