Where to next?

Where to next?
The question what I think of various SEAsian countries comes up occasionally. Here the answers (sightseeing, infrastructure, prices, climate, visa). What I think of boys from SEAsian countries was posted here: https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2019/05/dating-seasian-boys-1-overview.html and https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2019/05/dating-seasian-boys-2-filipinos.html

Cambodia
I have spent the last two years doing visa runs to Cambodia. Infrastructure is poor, so is sightseeing (other than Angkor Wat). But it's easy to get to, I prefer land travel over flights. And boy business is great! However my favourite Donald there is always busy. My last trip was 30 days, and I could meet him only once. Even worse, my messages not read for days, I can't even discuss this issue. I think the situation is the following: for me he is number one, I would go anywhere any time to meet him. But for him there is family first, then work, then friends, then his dogs, and at best I'm in fifth place. To save me from experiencing the same situation again, go somewhere else.

Vietnam
Good infrastructure, food, sightseeing. Boy business okay (boys I met in Vietnam for free; Vietnamese money boys in Bangkok I wouldn't touch with a barge pole and their presence in some Bangkok gogo bars is yet another reason not to go there (Bangkok gogo bars)). Now 15 days visa free stay for Germans, and I can see myself making use of that in the future.

Thailand
Great as a travel hub in SEAsia and overall best place for me. Good infrastructure, food, sightseeing, boy business. I have learnt the language and have a lot of experience in travelling. I would spend more time in Thailand (up from already 6 months a year), but visa free is only 30 days and I'm not in the mood to apply for tourist visa (as I did before Covid) or extensions. So now it's one month in Thailand, one month elsewhere.

Lao
Lao is like rural Thailand. Even the capital Vientiane is dusty (soil), whereas Udon Thani is clean. I read somewhere that the rich from Vientiane go to Ubon for shopping because of more choice. To go to Lao, I have to pay for a visa, change money, get a SIM-card or roaming. Language not so much a problem, most Lao can speak Thai. To me, Lao is like Thailand's dusty backyard. I will go again some day for the new train in northern Lao and some temple and mountain business in southern Lao.

Philippines
More expensive to get to and not as safe as other SEAsian countries. I have met several Pinoys in Thailand, none of them convincing. In particular every time I had thoughts of going to Philippines, I met one and “meh”.

Meh [mɛ] EXCLAMATION expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm: "meh, I'm not impressed so far"

2019 in Hongkong I met one cute, he approached me and we exchanged facebook. But my messages not read. If there had been a clear signal, I would have gone (but Covid would have put a stop to that).

Taiwan
Great infrastructure and sightseeing and food. But I have to consider seasons, in winter too cold, in autumn typhoons. In summer I'm in Germany, that leaves only spring to go to Taiwan. More expensive to get to. Hotels far more expensive than in SEAsia. In most SEAsian countries I can stay in a decent hotel for under 20 USD, in Taiwan that gets me a bed in a dormitory. That means I have to make the most of my stay and can't do "office days" (stay in and work on computer, as I do elsewhere in SEAsia). Boys great in sauna, but online dating very poor for me.

Indonesia and Malaysia
I have been to both and by infrastructure, sightseeing, boys it would be candidates for a repeat. But they are Muslim countries and Islam is a subconscious threat to my lifestyle.

Singapore and Hong Kong
A bit more expensive than other SEAsian countries. Sightseeing limited by their small size, however Hong Kong has amazing hiking that could keep me occupied for weeks, stretched over years of passing for a few days when travelling Thailand/China/Hong Kong/Taiwan.

South Korea and Japan
Both further away, expensive and long flight to get too, and expensive to stay. Whereas a Thai friend told me she would skip Taiwan and go to Japan or Korea instead. Furthermore, I speak basic Chinese, but no Japanese or Korean. For climate, only time to visit would be in summer, but then I'm in Germany. Boys not my center of attraction. Furthermore, I have read/heard several times that there are gay venues in Japan that do not allow foreigners (or you need a Japanese to introduce you). Here is the one occasion this year to use “Go penetrate yourselves” (figuratively and literally) because it perfectly expresses my sentiment.

Myanmar
My favorite country in SEAsia. Great sightseeing and boys and okay infrastructure. Boys the most exotic in SEAsia, and easy to meet in online dating or massage (unfortunately no gay sauna in Myanmar). During Nov2023 I was planning for a trip to Myanmar in Dec2023, but watch the civil war situation and commit (i.e. buy flight tickets, get health insurance, apply for visa) as late as possible. Even though it would have been no problem to get to Myanmar begin of December, I would stay the full 28 days of tourist visa, and a lot can happen in that time.

Great stuff from gay massages on facebook, line, twitter. But you don't have to go to Myanmar to meet Myanmar massage boys, the massage places in Saphan Khwai and Inthamara are mostly staffed with Myanmese. However, in Myanmar prices lower, better attitude (from previous visits), more authentic.

I reached out to some acquaintances from before Covid. One asked me to bring him a pair of white Nike sneakers size 47-48. Even though it was clear for me from the beginning, I didn't tell him I will not buy and bring those shoes. The reason is not so much money, but the following. Buying shoes for myself is an unpleasant experience that I want to delay as long as possible. Buying shoes for someone else, I would have to spend hours because I'm not familiar with the subject and can't incorporate it in my daily business. For 28 days I would bring a full suitcase, no space for a pair of shoes. By cancelling my trip to Myanmar, I avoided telling him I will not bring those shoes.

It could turn out to be a great trip (boy business and few other foreign tourists), but I can't see myself checking the news every day to see if it's still safe where I am. And with all land borders controlled by insurgents*, only way out is a flight.

*Anyway, there would be no public transport, I would have to hire car and driver at high price, and at control points “I'm doctor ChristianPFC on my way to Thailand in an important mission and request passage” probably would not work.

On the subject of going to unsafe areas for holiday: https://www.nzz.ch/international/afghanistan-darf-man-ferien-bei-taliban-machen-ld.1753194 “Holiday with the Taliban”, it is now possible to travel to Afghanistan for tourism.

China
When I first wanted to go to China in 2018, I was shocked to find out a tourist visa costs 150 USD. No country I have been to is worth 150 USD for a tourist visa. In particular I would stay only one or two weeks on first trip. Later I learned about 144 hours visa free transit, but when the time came to put that into practice, Covid hit and delayed all my plans for 3 years. But now, contrary to Myanmar which requires a visa and a health insurance, China abolished health declaration on 1nov2023 and allows 15 days visa free visit for German and several other from 1dec2023. Two steps in the right direction, let's go to China!

Copyright 2023 ChristianPFC

Cruise Club Singapore

Cruise Club Singapore

I wanted to have a look at several gay saunas and bars in Singapore to compare with Bangkok, starting with Cruise Club (after a tip from a local that I would find twinks most probably there, whereas other places have mainly old and/or fat men).

Not a sauna (there is no sauna), but a club. Entry for members only, 1 year membership 10 SGD. I had to fill out a registration form and was issued a membership card. Staff fluent in English. Staff asked if I have been to similar venues before. Kind like asking the Pope if he ever read in the Bible.

Four different opening times depending on day of the week. Up to four different entry prices depending on time. Weekend evening is the most expensive, 28 SGD = 700 THB (that’s exactly what I pay for night in Saranrom: 500 for the boys and 200 for short time hotel).

Door from reception to locker room is locked, staff unlocks to let customers in and out.

Very high ceilings, you could put another floor in. Some areas have floor that is unpleasant to walk on barefoot.

1^st floor = Ground floor reception, locker room, shower, smoking area (called “Puff”, which is what we call a brothel in German), tanning bed, Jacuzzi.

2^nd floor maze, rooms (spacious, can barely reach both walls on the shorter side with stretched out arms)

3^rd floor large lounge area but empty because too cold and windy, bar, newspaper, free drinks

Saturday, 04.10.2014

Naked day, towel/underwear permitted on ground floor, member of staff asks everyone to leave towel when going upstairs. For other theme days check website http://www.cruiseclub.sg/ Read here as well for detailed reports: http://www.blowingwind.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=30886

There were about 150 customers, many hanging around in the locker room (because only there is good light?), which was crowded. Maze was full, standing room only, some areas kind of traffic jam. However, the lighting was horrible. Dark except for LED from aircon and others, with one rotating colored disco light and flashes.

I leave totally devastated and depressed and pity Singaporean gays and thank God that I don’t have to rely on this place (high price, horrible light) for getting gay sex. Cancel all plans for further sauna and bar visits. Babylon sauna is cheaper, more space, more facilities, better light.

Customer base at Cruise Club looked promising, I saw some cute boys and with better light in the maze I am sure I would have found a partner, which makes it even more depressing.

From their website (my comments in italic):

– Indoor Tanning Machine (weird, tanning machine in Singapore and skin whitening cream in Thailand)

– Lighted Deluxe Heated Jacuzzi (note at reception: not in operation)

– Ambient-lit Steamroom (I didn’t find the steamrom)

– Workout Gymnasium

– Luxurious Lockers (Just: lockers; there is nothing luxurious about the lockers)

– Internet Station (one computer)

– Mind Blowing Dark Maze (TOO FUCKING DARK!)

– Meditation Rooms (that’s a nice one! In Babylon they call them “rest cabin”)

– Movie Studio (where?)

– Rooftop Cafe serving full meals, snacks and drinks

N.b. This report is based on one visit (usually I go twice, but entry is expensive and conditions highly unsuitable for me. I wonder if they have better light in maze for underwear day, but I doubt it.)

There is a slight chance that I just got there on the worst possible time, but droves of Singaporean gays go to Bangkok to party, there must be a reason!

Verdict: if you have the chance to go to Bangkok’s gay saunas, don’t bother with Singapore’s.

Copyright 2014 ChristianPFC

Haw Paw Villa / Tiger Balm Garden in Singapore

Haw Paw Villa / Tiger Balm Garden in Singapore

Easily accessible by MRT, free entry. Details and history see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haw_Par_Villa

There used to be three such places (Singapore, Hong Kong, Fujian China): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Balm_Garden, this is the only left in its original form.

There used to be a villa on top of the hill, which was demolished shortly after WWII. A pity, signs say it had an interesting architecture and interior decoration.

Entrance to the ten courts of hell. Used to have a roof in the shape of a dragon, now bare concrete.

 

Copyright 2014 Christian