trav05

My flying when working was always with American Airlines. So I have stuck mostly with Ft.Lauderdale/Miami to Dallas to Hong Kong on American then Cathay to Bangkok. Sometimes Dallas to Tokyo has some great fares then Japan Airlines to Bkk. I did a couple Phl to Doha to Bkk on Qatar. Great flights . Little shorter than going west. Little more expensive. Had a ton of miles from work travel so have always done first or business. This past December Cathay had a sale on Premium Economy. I gave it a try and was very happy. Seats are the same as domestic first class. This was Boston to Hkg to Bkk. Still living in Ft.Lauderdale I need positioning flight for long haul. I don’t require much service. Have a book and movies, a bottle of water. You can leave me alone. PE was great for this. I’ll be back to US end of April. Bkk-Hkg-Bos-Fll. I’m originally from Boston and have family there. I have started using this as Asia gateway. Lots of new flights have brought Asian prices way down. British Airways has just started selling seats to Asia going East. From Boston/NYC can make trip under 18 hours. A little searching you can find some great deals.

I live in Ft.Lauderdale and Bangkok. I do this flight several times a year. I figure from door to door it’s about 30 hours. 3 flights. Longest is Dallas to Hong Kong at between 16-17 hours, depending on winds. Good book, downloaded movies, I’ve just gotten used to it, but it is a long trip.

Me to. Anything 2nd floor and up I need elevator. Hanoi is an old city and just starting a modern building boom. We were there last weekend and stayed in an Airbnb 1 bedroom newer building. It had an elevator. $25.us. Usually when I stay in a place my first question is about, A/c and pool. In Hanoi it’s, is it an elevator building. Going back in a couple of weeks, but staying in a hotel. Many of the hotels in the Old Quarter of the city have been turned into upscale boutique hotels. Many buildings didn’t have elevators so they had to install them. Something we take for granted, kind of new to them.

Nynakedtop has is correct. Ownership change. While now still gay friendly, many long time staff were let go. They now cater to many tour groups. Just not as comfortable as with the old ownership. Airbnb is huge in Bangkok. Any trip over a week you should probably look for condo.

Vietnam is close to legalizing gay marriage.

Yes. I’m in Bangkok now. The only people that pronounce the S are the Americans. But I admit I didn’t know it till I started hanging out in a Thailand many years ago. Also, Viet Nam is two words as is Ha Noi.

Here in Florida doctors will give you written prescriptions or call them in.

Because of this same cost issue, my Doctor told me to go to Bigmountaindrugs.com. Canadian They got me generic viagra for $2.50 per pill. It’s turned out to work better for me than the real thing.

I take about $100 with me. ATM is everywhere now. No need to take much with you. Get cash locally locally and get better exchange rates.

Bigvalboy I agree. My condo in Bangkok is a one bedroom, but only 400 square feet. And that’s depressing.

I’m in Bangkok now. I use Uber 2 or 3 times a day. If you put your Thai phone number in your account, Uber sends out promo coupons faster than you can use them. Sometimes can ride 2 or 3 days for free. And Uber Eats is starting to catch on.

In my 6 years of going to Hanoi no one has ever talked to me about the War. Something just not discussed. Americans are openly welcomed. Only in the museums is it really seen. They are very proud of their country and capitalism is showing up big time now. The internet has opened up the world to people outside the big cities.

My boyfriend is Vietnamese and can almost always name the country another Asian is from. When he is asked if he is Vietnamese, he answers, “I am from Vietnam”. Many Asians are country proud They don’t use the work Asian as often as we do, they say the country.

He was in Bangkok. It was his first time and he was truely excited about the trip, planning it for 6 months. It was a birthday trip. He was to meet a friend for dinner. No showed, friend went to hotel and was told he passed earlier in the day. He complained of health issues on flight over. Went to hospital in Bangkok. After couple of days felt better and got out and about. Very sad and he will be missed.

Despardo, Bangkok is one of the safest cities in SE Asia. Much of what you say used to be true, but things have gotten much better over the last few years. Many of the street vendors have been moved to dedicated areas, or are allowed in busy street areas only a couple days a week. I dont use tuk tuks at all. But again, government has cracked down on them a bit. More customer friendly now. Not to say there aren't a few bad apples. A hot dirty ride. Use taxis, very cheap, or as mentioned Shytrain. As an American, I've never been taken advantage of. Though I have many times been asked if I want a boy or girl, I just say no and that's the end of conversation. This usually only happens when you are alone. The Montien Hotel is in a great location, but as I mention in a previous post, same problem as Rose Hotel. They are in the middle of a big construction zone. The OP mentioned only needing a couple of nights and wanting Tawan Club. That's why I say Tarntawan or Raya. Tarntawan has lost its luster, but very customer friendly and if only 2 nights, location can't be beat. Your right about the heat and humidity. Spring time takes as much A/C as you can find. I live in Bangkok 6 months out of the year. My US address is in South Florida. I spend lots of time in the heat.

The Rose is in the middle of a construction zone now. Not such a good place. They are tearing down the Montrion Plaza and building upscale shopping center. For 2 days the Tarntawan may be your best best. 1/2 block to Tawan. Tarntawan is under new ownership, but is very good at allowing company. Customers now seem to be tour groups. Check out the Raya. Next door to Soi Twilight. There is a new Red Planet and Amari about 2 or 3 blocks down Surawong. Taxi from airport is about $12-15 us. Not nearly as bad as the horror stories people like to tell. Just hand driver address of hotel. Tell him to use meter. He he doesn't, just get out and get next one. Since they started using the ticket that you get from machine with taxi number on it, much less issues. When are you looking to go. Hot season starts in about 6 weeks.

I fly in Asia quite a bit. Most flights board in 15-20 minutes. Same planes as used in the US that take 30-40 minutes.

They are all over SE Asia. They ever have the at Narita Airport in Tokyo and that's pretty modern.

Here in Bangkok, an overnight with a Thai boy will run about $60.00. My friend said in Singapore he was able to get $100.00 for a night. A little less for hourly. Considering the boys working the clubs make around $500. a month in Thailand, my friend made close to $2500.00 for a month in Singapore. That's a lot of money for these guys.

Living in Bangkok, I meet a lot of guys from Singapore that come here for the weekends. Then they can let their hair down an have some fun. A short flight, they all go home Sunday night. I have a Thai friend that escorts. He went to Singapore a month ago and made a small fortune working off Hornet. He's headed back next month. As Tristen said, clients very conversative. Most will meet my friend at hotels, as they don't want friends or neighbors to see anyone coming or going.

Bigvalboy, Uber is ok from the Ft.Lauderdale Airport now. I live about 10 miles from Fll. It cost me $15.00 and never wait more than 5-10 minutes. I haven't used them from the airport, but will next trip. Taxi cost me $40.00. Most of my flights get in late in the evening and every time I have to argue with the driver to turn on the a/c. I'm done with the taxis. I've used Uber in Bangkok a couple of times from out of the way streets. Cost is about equal to taxi, but when no taxis around, perfect solution.