Holidays In Singapore And Myanmar

[pauleddy]

I am hoping to visit Spore in October, and Myanmar in November. About 5-6 days in each country.

Can anyone give advice on where to go/stay/have fun?

Singapore--I know that it is expensive. I will be looking for an upper-medium hotel close to the "gay" bars and saunas. I guess that means that I need to put myself in Chinatown or Little India. I don't want a windowless box, and I can't sleep if I can hear the guy next door. If anyone has recent experience and can recommend, pls post or PM.

Myanmar--All new to me. Again, I will looking to cruise and stay in a hassle-free and comfortable hotel. Is there a "gay area" in Rangoon or Mandalay? which is the city or town to visit? I guess that the boys will sometimes be 'escorts' or 'students'. Any tips on where to hang out, cruise, stay, safety etc welcomed.

Yes, I have been on Utopia and the others. Like Spartacus used to be, they are sometimes out-of-date. Personal tips from recent visitors, I find, are the best.

I propose to visit Changi in SPore, and do some sightseeing in both places. However, I am not ashamed to say that, yes, I will be looking at the guys, and not just looking at the temples.

Thanks

Eddy

[LawrenceChee]

Singapore is expensive right now ...ch k out Airbnb.com or agoda and see if they have any deals

If u are looking for a cheap dig, the best hotels catering to those on a budget in Singapore is in geylang area try the hotel 81 chain brand ...the flip side is the best street food is also found in this red light district area

Tops digs to play include boat quay area ...orchard road for shopping therapy and visit the iconic garden by the bays or casino by the bay

[pauleddy]

Not looking for cheap digs. Can pay for medium-high. In KL I stay at Istana, about 3000-4000b a night, 4 or 5 star place depending on what you read. So i need something with at least a double bed, a view, and enough space to walk in. In Sipore, i am trying to find somewhere which is near the "scene" and doesn't need taxis or subways very far. Obviously, guests could be invited to room.

Same for Myanmar applies.

Eddy

[Ijustwannateach]

Paul, I didn't go hunting for them, but I've heard that you can make advance contact with persons of the type you describe in Myanmar online.

In my personal view, as someone who has recently visited Myanmar frequently and is certainly OPEN to gay contacts- things are subtle. I tried to avoid hanging out in the most touristy areas, but on the other hand since you're only ALLOWED to stay in certain hotels, that limits things (and you must be registered with the police by the hotel).

There are some clubs- not specifically gay- where it may be possible to meet gay guys interested both in you and/or your wallet. I didn't feel like pushing my luck at such places though I certainly found them fun if you like a club/dance place. They don't have, to my knowledge, what can be recognised as a regular 'gay scene' in a Western nightlife sense- they barely manage to have a 'straight scene' in that sense.

Some people will send out 'vibes' as you encounter them. Don't be afraid to try to talk with them- many people speak English well and enthusiastically, even if it's only because their grandmother taught them. People will flirt and be willing to start talking anywhere. Don't go where you would go as a tourist, go where the people would go in their daily routine- teashops, restaurants, markets, etc. Just as in a Thai sense, guys are not 'macho'. A tall, cute, bouncy Chinese guy who said he was looking for girls kissed me goodnight in front of his friends at one place.

You'd be better off making long-term friends and perhaps things could develop from there- that's for Myanmar, anyway.

[asanee]

for SIN; visit trevvy.com (click on some button down-a bit hidden-to see the forums etc.) its from SIN and has all the info. Perhaps, if not too inclined to the hotelscene, try those new B+B sites, ebab.com for this segment.

It is not true that one can only stay in a few HTLs in Birma/Myanm: though on the other hand a few very rundown local overnightplaces will not take farang. Prices have gone up a lot (see travellers forums) as noted in last edition of usual guides. This country is suddenly in heavy demand. In the usual turist places, there ra eloads of cheap gusthss available too. The problem is more with visitors or overnight guests-though even that may have chanegd suddenly in this country so full of changes now.

[pauleddy]

Thx to both of u for the replies.

For Myanmar, I get the picture, and it is what i expected. I wd welcome any more specific details e.g. Rangoon or other cities? Which hotels allow guests? And have been found to be convenient i.e. near to the invisible gay scene, or at least allowing flexibility as in near the centre of town and not 10 km in a taxi?

For Singa, I have been given a note with the names of 2 hotels which were upmarket (with good beds and view, and near the bars and saunas) but not Hilton prices. But, 3000-4000baht Tarntawan prices are fine by me.

But, silly me, I lost the scrap of paper. Any help wd be good. As an example, I found the Istana in KL on Agoda following a friend's advice. It is just perfect, no problems with guests, has room deals even tho' it is 4-5 star, huge beds, wifi, and about 5 minutes stagger from Blueboy and the Friday night club.

Sorry not to sound more adventurous. I am very happy to accept boring but specific advice, rather than spend 4 days walking up blind alleys and into out-of-town suburbs (as I did in my distant and mis-spent youth).

Eddy

[Ijustwannateach]

Paul, if you like nice places, you'll pay a premium- the 'better' hotels have been getting so much business that it doesn't matter that generally they're also kinda going to seed- Asanee's right that the rates are up, almost twice as much as things were a year ago.

While it is technically possible to stay anywhere, it is still my impression that foreigners need to be registered and many places that don't routinely do that simply won't be equipped/willing to do so. If you could organise staying with someone in their home before you go, you would save a lot of money that way.

I haven't really dealt with the issue of 'questionable guests'- the guests who stayed with me were people who registered as additional guests and were quite aboveboard... However, at some of the 'medium-expensive' places- I noticed on returning from dancing late at night that there were a number of 'interestingly' dressed women checking in and out quite unfashionably late- mainly via leaving/picking up their ID at the hotel desks. Also, while I was eating lunch one day, an Indian man who took an interest in chatting with me advised me that I could find female company at a certain rate around certain hotels. So those things are out there, but I'm really not more aware of it than that. The best advice I can offer is head to the clubs and SOME of the gay guys there will probably be likewise minded- oh, and there's a pedestrian bridge next to the city pagoda (not the Shwedagon, the other main ancient one that's right in the middle of downtown next to the less touristy market) where a couple of guys seemed to be trying to cruise me but I wasn't interested. AFAIK, there really AREN'T any specifically gay venues in Yangon; in theory there are 'gay outing nights' at one or two of the clubs but I don't think those make much of a difference from what I could tell- there would be a few gay guys anytime, but never a horde of them.

As far as hotels, I'd say start down town (where the Trader's Hotel and the big tourist market building are) and choose your distance and your price from there.... I'm guessing that the top top places might have scruples about 'questionable' guests, but once you go beneath that a bit (and just a little bit) then anything goes.

[tombkk]

Yangon:

The Traders is a good hotel, if you are willing to spend US$ 300/night. Last time I stayed at the somewhat cheaper (but in in walking distance) Park Royal, a mere US$ 200/night. My customer now told me about the Summit at US$ 85/night, near Shwedagon Pagoda, but I haven't seen it yet. I'll try it next time, will report back.

As far as the gay scene is concerned, I haven't seen anything. Maybe I didn't have the time for it, maybe I'm just not as attractive as IJWT. Ladies for the night were offered to me at US$ 50 to100 though. Which shows a bit with regards to supply and demand.

[pauleddy]

Thanks Tom

Did u think that the Traders was worth 100 usd more the The park Royal? I need a big soft bed, bar, and all the works.

Eddy

[tombkk]

Thanks Tom

Did u think that the Traders was worth 100 usd more the The park Royal? I need a big soft bed, bar, and all the works.

Eddy

I would say they are on the same level but what do I know. I find those prices outrageous.

Funny thing though, the Park Royal has a sign saying it's a five-star hotel, while the Traders has a sign saying it's a four-star hotel.

[THAILIBAN]

Paul, I didn't go hunting for them, but I've heard that you can make advance contact with persons of the type you describe in Myanmar online.

In my personal view, as someone who has recently visited Myanmar frequently and is certainly OPEN to gay contacts- things are subtle. I tried to avoid hanging out in the most touristy areas, but on the other hand since you're only ALLOWED to stay in certain hotels, that limits things (and you must be registered with the police by the hotel).

There are some clubs- not specifically gay- where it may be possible to meet gay guys interested both in you and/or your wallet. I didn't feel like pushing my luck at such places though I certainly found them fun if you like a club/dance place. They don't have, to my knowledge, what can be recognised as a regular 'gay scene' in a Western nightlife sense- they barely manage to have a 'straight scene' in that sense.

Some people will send out 'vibes' as you encounter them. Don't be afraid to try to talk with them- many people speak English well and enthusiastically, even if it's only because their grandmother taught them. People will flirt and be willing to start talking anywhere. Don't go where you would go as a tourist, go where the people would go in their daily routine- teashops, restaurants, markets, etc. Just as in a Thai sense, guys are not 'macho'. A tall, cute, bouncy Chinese guy who said he was looking for girls kissed me goodnight in front of his friends at one place.

You'd be better off making long-term friends and perhaps things could develop from there- that's for Myanmar, anyway.

you have been visiting Myanmar frequently ?

that's somehow hard to believe.

You can stay in more or less ALL hotels that are registered. non-registered are only the cheapest rundown joints where no Westerner would really want to spend a night (with the walls spitted at everywhere and such).

OF COURSE there is a gay scene, and it is well-organized with frequent and weekly Partys at upscale Clubs (which OF COURSE do exist). Just be aware that those places are being patronized by Hi-Class-people (be they gay or not), who in many cases come from families associated with the military / Junta. Needless to say, a foreigner is not necessarily welcome there, as foreigners are being seen as a threat to their (mostly illegally gained) wealth, while they were exploiting the country. only very rich guys can afford to pay the entrance fee at such places (pioneer Club for example), which might be 5-10 $, which is almost a weekly salary for a regular worker.

those Parties / events are being published on several websites and Myanma messageboards.

outside of Yangon there is no such thing as an organized gay-scene though, maybe except for the yearly Thaungbyone-festival, which I attended both in 2010 and 2011 and was the most exotic and spectacular thing I ever saw/did in my life. Tenthousands of locals (families with children happily enjoying themselves and next to groups of gays and Ladyboys) at night, and me the only non-Asian face (there were are handfull of Western tourists during daytime, but noone at night - and it goes on 24 hrs a day for 7 days).

Myanma guys are not Macho ? Wow that's utter nonsense. They are the most Macho non-Muslim guys anywhere in South-East-Asia, same level as regular Filipino guys. And Chinese are not actually of "Bhamar" ethnicity, so they can not be really counted (and are only a small minority anyway).

Oh and, particularly In that connection you need be aware what is GAY and what is HOMO in Myanma - very important ;-)

[THAILIBAN]

Yangon:

The Traders is a good hotel, if you are willing to spend US$ 300/night. Last time I stayed at the somewhat cheaper (but in in walking distance) Park Royal, a mere US$ 200/night. My customer now told me about the Summit at US$ 85/night, near Shwedagon Pagoda, but I haven't seen it yet. I'll try it next time, will report back.

As far as the gay scene is concerned, I haven't seen anything. Maybe I didn't have the time for it, maybe I'm just not as attractive as IJWT. Ladies for the night were offered to me at US$ 50 to100 though. Which shows a bit with regards to supply and demand.

well, now as the "Mainstream" discovers Myanma (why so late - the regular people would have been happy if many more visited much earlier), prices are indeed becoming ludicrous.

So the Park Royal is 200 $ now in low season ? Well, I paid 63 $ in August 2011 and it was indeed a nice place to stay with a great Pool, very professional staff and a decadent BF-Buffet that made me feel guilty when I was thinking under which circumstances the average Myanma citizen lives.

Traders would have been 75-80 $ in August 2011 (still have the 2011 hotel-pricelist of the entire country here on my table, which my Yangon travel-agent-buddy gave me). I loved the Traders for it's very Central location and the big Coffee-Shop / Lobby lounge, where the WiFi was fast by Myanma Standards and free if you spent at least 5$. I spent hours there several times a week to do my work, with barely any other guests around. they had a "afternoon-snack-buffet" too (in the Philippines they would call that MERIENDA), it was 12 $ if I remember that right, a lot of small bites that could easily go as a late-lunch, plus coffee/tea as much as you want.

SUMMIT PARKVIEW, a decent 3-star with a quite okay BF-buffet, very near to Shwe Dagon Pagoday but not near to anything else (except the great but expensive Myanma-style "FEEL MYANMA FOOD"-restaurant , cost 38$ in 2011 (stayed there too in 2011) - ah so it's 85$ now, well, good on them, they have only doubled their rates within 1 year, not tripled as the other hotels.... 55555+

In low season of 2010, I stayed at the SEDONA in Northern Yangon (with one of the nicest Pools I have seen anywhere in a City-Hotel in Asia), which was 55$ that time, now 250$ if I remember that right. I met the CEO of Sedona-group (Singaporean company) during the ITB BERLIN 2012, but didn't dare to raise the topic ;-)

Let's make no mistake about that - MYANMA has transformed to one giant RIP-OFF-destination in less than 12 months thanks to the skyrocketing demand and the greedyness of the hoteliers there, only topped by BHUTAN. Dual Pricing (more than double for foreigners) for food has long been a standard in many Restaurants - as they can not read the Myanma-language Menu, and even the numbers can not be read by the average visitor.

More and more Airlines are suddenly "discovering" Myanma, shuttling in thousands of tourists on package tours, but the Hotel-inventory is still the same, so prices will continue to rise (even though the new government finally realized the problem and set a limit for each category). I am really really grateful that I was able to travel to this country while it was in its early stages of transformation in 2009/2010/2011. I would have wanted to go there in 2012 too, and my Myanma-friends (yeah I found real friends between the locals there in a very short time - unthinkable in Thailand even after 10 years living here) where inviting me more than once, but I gave it a miss in 2012. now it's only for those who don't care to pay frivolous amounts of cash. and staying at a private home as a foreigner is still illegal - though this will probably change rather sooner than later.

Oh, but I wish the people of Myanma all luck of this world. They are so lovely, welcoming, open-minded and smart, and have been going through so much hardship over the past five decades.

[onthemoon]

I don't know about "mainstream", I go there for business. I'd like to go for a vacation sometimes. Before mid (or so) of last year, there was no reason to go; I don't know why you bring up 2009.

Anyway, the hotel prices follow the law of supply and demand. And airlines don't discover Myanmar, but where there is a demand (which does have to do with the opening that started last year), there will be supply. It is easier to schedule a flight than to build a hotel though.

But the hotel shortage will be eased, as we are learning here.

[pauleddy]

Thanks for all of that---/those/---diverse opinions.

I only need a fairly central "gay"-friendly hotel which is near the "areas" and could be 300 dollars although 200 is about right.

Same for SG--not many comments about SG?

Eddy

[taiwanatoa]

Wow, I didn't know there were such rich Farangs living in Thailand. I wish I could get that kind of money teaching here!