trav05

AM~shower gym shower~go out~pool~shower~go out~home~bed~repeat cycle AM...east coast summer humidity often requires more 'freshening up' than other lo-cals...

LMAO...thanks for the invite, but my next trip is to Bangcock. My days of going down, down south are long gone. You didn't see Fort Lauderdale on that list of US cities did you. ;)That's because were in Trump country, and we cling to our guns and religion down here..(OK that was joke)

@trav05 I've only used Qantas PE, and it's ages since I've flown domestic US AA first, but I agree PE is great. I've chatted with AA flyers who use CX and JA to fly to Asia. I have looked for flights to the US from Australia and CX PE has been a good deal, even when I've looked at including connecting flights on domestic carriers at both ends (rather than buying those separately). It's years since I have flown CX, but I've chatted about them and I remember them as being great.

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.

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/07/happy-dance-.gif
 
Fort Lauderdale 91

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.

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.

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.

Vietnam is close to legalizing gay marriage.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

I have a place in Bangkok and could not more enthusiastically recommend it!!!!

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.

As an Asian I guess I can answer this.
 
Asian people in general don't get as easily offended to the point where we make a fuss. If you are familiar with the World Series this year a baseball player on Houston Astros made a slanted eye gesture towards Yu Darvish of the LA Dodgers who is half Japanese. darvish's was very gracious and said don't make a big deal out of it.
 
But to answer question, I won't say offended but it it just highlights the naive of people to expect a Japanese person to play a Chinese. This was an issue when Joy Luck Club came out which was about Chinese women. The goal was to find Chinese actresses but they could not find right fit so they settled for Japanese and Filipina in one instance I think.
 
I will also say that Asians in general are racist. I have been around enough of them (my whole life). So we won't cry racism if it happens. Bit there is a sense of "we are better than you" even towards other Asian races.

The tributes that I've seen on both sites speaks volumes about the kind of man he was. I wish I knew him. I hope he goes in peace.

I considered all of that and more...well except for the culture part. . Culture I get from traveling not from the locals, though you can find it if you look. . I chose Fort Lauderdale, first and foremost for year round boating, and water front property that you could actually use as 'water front' property, then added to that warm climate, cost of living, active gay subculture. I don't do earthquakes or cold weather, and when I turn on the tap, I want hot water every time, not once and while, and when I call an ambulance, I want to know they will be here in a few minutes or less, and when I put my money in the bank, I want to know it will be there when I come back.
 
Sure it's Trump country, but there are plenty of us boys around so that I don't pay them no mind. When I did retire, I wanted a new experience, meet new people, a bit of an adventure, mix things up a little. Life's not a dress rehearsal, this is it, so I was willing to jump into uncharted waters. No place is perfect, but so far so good.