Hunter Sauna 9

10th Floor Ko's House
577 Nathan Road
Yau Ma Tei
Kowloon
Hong Kong
MTR: Yau Ma Tei Station, Exit A, then Exit A1

Open 24 hours
Tel: 2138 8678
Web: http://www.huntersauna.com.hk/  

We're hearing from our friendly GAMs on the street, that Hunter has tried "a Hutong" policy i.e. turning people away on the basis that the place "is full".

We're not sure whether this "Hutongism" is based on age, race or looks or whether there might be a perfectly innocent explanation. Either way, we'd like an updated review of this place.

Copyright © 2006 – 2013 FuelMix All Rights Reserved 

Galaxy Sauna 12

5th Floor, Harilela Mansion
81 Nathan Road Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon,
Hong Kong
MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit C2

Tel: 2366 - 0629
No website that FuelMix knows of

NOTE:   
(1)  NOT open 24 hours - Usually 2pm to 11pm
(2)   Staff do NOT speak good English on the phone. 

Inflation continues to become more prevalent all over Very Rich Megacity for a number of reasons.  Galaxy has jacked its price to HK$70.00. About a 10% increase.

We're hearing it is still ridiculously popular, to the point of being ridiculously packed with ridiculously FUGLY - increasingly Mainland Chinese - GAMs (although mature whites show up there frequently).  And it's still ridiculously crummy and decrepit.  And its clientele are ridiculously loyal.

 Apparently, it's a niche formula that works.

Still, it's the cheapest gay sauna in town to get into. Although you might regret having stepped into it.

Central Escalator 19

2nd Floor, Cheung Hing Commercial Building, 

37 Cochrane Street,

Central, 

Hong Kong

MTR: Central or Hong Kong Station
 

Tel: 2581 9951 (Staff speak very good English)

Easy way to find it: above 7 Eleven and opposite Park N Shop supermarket.

Note: NOT open 24 hours

Opening Hours: 2pm - 11pm.   

We've  been informed that CE allows In and Out Privilege to its customers. If you show up and there's no one to your liking (which in CE happens more frequently than its customers will admit in polite company - especially now that utterly Fugly Mainland Chinese are showing up), you can leave and return any time before 11pm without additional charges.

Only thing is, CE drops dead by about 7:30ish on weekdays, or so we're constantly hearing - nothwithstanding that the staff claim it's "busy" till 11pm.  Make your own choice.

Death of a Gay Ghetto 9

A reader in Vancouver who has been following this series sent us 19 pictures showing the current state of the Gay Ghetto in the West End together with his comments:

So I took these pics today [16 May 2013] of Denman and Davie coming by way of Robson on my way to work.

Denman Street
 
Going down Denman first the two vacant lots have been that way for easily 4-5 years already, there are other shops I tried to take pics of that are vacant next to other ones that are on their way of closing down.

Davie Street


From Denman I went up Davie, I'm totally not a photographer but tried to capture a pic of an old woman giving some street kids cash on the street.  I also took a pic of Hy's Mansion, that former restaurant, it has been vacant for a minimum of 5 years also.
 
At the top of the hill I took more pics along the way, after I took them I thought, this is a total ghetto.  Dollar pizza shops, Dollar shops in general, Denny's.  Pumpjack was empty (but it was a wednesday afternoon), I got a pic of some of the regular homeless sitting on the street, and the building with the blue awning is where Fountainhead Pub is and next to it, what used to be a gas station is now a so-called community garden.   

Across the street from there is yet another cash store, there are two of those within two blocks, there are also two of those weight lifting nutrition type places within two blocks where you often see wannabe gym bunnies leaving carrying a huge protein container with their fake tans, bleached teeth and too many bad tattoos.  If there was ever a ghetto, this is it.
 
Funny enough, a friend of mine sent me a message tonight as he hadn't been on Davie for a while and he couldn't believe how many beggars there were and even saw some woman whip down her pants and take a piss on the street.  He said, "it's not getting better, it's getting worse".

FuelMix says:

They say a picture paints a thousand words and we're grateful for the reader feedback that we're getting on this series.  As we've said before, we're not interested in gratuitously bashing Vancouver.  Yet, for all the hype, the reality appears to be that of a failing urban and social gay ecosystem.

We maintain that Vancouver presents a textbook example of how NOT to run a gay ghetto. We believe we have fairly presented a comprehensive analytical case study and a warning when the gay lifestyle meets drugs, meets sex, meets disease, meets fucked up perception, meets the homeless, meets corruption, meets politics, meets denial, meets Political Correctness.

Well, at least the sidewalks appear to look clean - at least where they haven't been urinated on.

Death of a Gay Ghetto 8

In the post, For Whom The (Taco) Bell Tolls, we said:

Just north of the border from God's Own Country, is the state of God's Meth Lab.  It's unofficial capital is Vancouver (of which we've made detailed comments) that bills itself as World Class City (and which, a couple of years ago was identified as the world's epicentre for the export of syphilis).

A reader in Vancouver noticed that and sent in the following written by a STD Nurse which appeared on Squirt recently.  Underlining by FuelMix:

A while back I put up a post to let you know about the increase in syphilis cases within our community in the Greater Vancouver area, today I would like to give you an update.
 
First the bad news: the numbers of new diagnosed cases of syphilis continue to be at record highs with around 50 new cases each month this year. 85% of these cases are in the Gay, Bi or other MSM community (men who have sex with men) and over 50% of these cases had NO symptoms.

Now the good news: the message seems to be getting out there as we are seeing more and more people coming into the clinic stating their reason for visiting is because they heard there is lots of syphilis around and they want to test.

Right now, we are recommending that:

- If you are sexually active (which includes blowjobs) test every 3 months.

- If you are HIV positive and having regular blood work done, ask if it includes a syphilis test.

- If you have been told you are a contact to syphilis get tested AND treated as it can take up to 3 months after an infection for the standard test to show an infection.

- If you notice any sore on your genitals or unusual rashes on your body, especially on your hands or feet, get tested sooner.

Syphilis is easily treated and if treated early will not lead to any serious complications (If untreated, it can be very serious).

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for helping to get the syphilis message out there, but I have another favour to as, let’s keep the testing going and get these numbers down sooner than later. Tell your friends to get tested. Not just your sex partners, but other guys that may be at risk (i.e. having sex with other guys). If you know someone that has never tested offer to go with them for their first test as it can be scary for some people. If you are worried about testing ask a friend that you trust to go with you.

Thanks guys,

stdinfonurse

We have no further comment.

Death of a Gay Ghetto 7

Our coverage of the Death of Gay Vancouver continues.  A reader over there sent along an invitation by Tourism Vancouver, that's doing the rounds, for a press junket to Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast between May 17 - 22, 2013.  He rolled his eyes when he saw it.  Underlining by FuelMix:

Hi there

In partnership with Vancouver, Coast and Mountains tourism region, Tourism Vancouver is running a super-fun LGBT press trip to Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast from May 17 - 22. 

We have one spot left for the trip! If you are interested, or know someone who is, we'd love to hear from you. 

Trip details are below.

We are looking for a journalist with a confirmed assignment. If interested, please respond by Friday, April 26 and provide information on your potential coverage.

Hope to hear from you!   

XXX 

----------------------------------------

LGBT Press Trip: Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast, B.C.

Vancouver’s gay and lesbian events are celebrated city-wide. Gay-focused activities include Pride Week (a mainstream event celebrated by locals and tourists, gay and straight alike), Vancouver Queer Film Festival and nearby Whistler’s WinterPRIDE gay ski weekend. Boasting the largest gay population in Western Canada, Vancouver and the surrounding areas entice more and more discerning gay visitors each year. 

Trip Overview: Beginning in Vancouver, media guests will experience the best of Vancouver’s gay culture (including the city’s gay neighbourhoods and nightlife), world-class cuisine, must-see attractions and more. Afterwards, attendees will take a quick 40-minute ferry to the neighbouring Sunshine Coast. With same-sex marriage legal in B.C. since 2003 (as it now is in all of Canada), the Sunshine Coast is the perfect romantic getaway for gay travellers. Here, guests will experience the laid-back, dreamy charm of the collective communities dotted along the waters of Howe Sound, experience ‘glamping’ at its finest in luxury tenthouse suites and get out on the water for some outdoor adventure.

Dates: May 17 – 22, 2013

Locations: Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast, B.C.

Includes: Flights from Canada and the United States, ground transportation, accommodations, meals and all activities. Vancouver accommodation hosted at the trendy Opus Hotel Vancouver, and Sunshine Coast accommodation hosted at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort and Spa (in tenthouse suites), and Painted Boat Resort). Sorry, no guests.

Hosted by:  [xxxxxxxxx]

Contact: [xxxxxxx]

----------------------------------------------------

FuelMix says:  

1.   We're not sure whether it's bravado or desperation or confusion, but a close reading of the official blurb bears the hallmarks of all three.  For starters, we're not sure why the "journalists" are being asked to provide information on their "potential coverage" even before going there.

2.   As for Vancouver's gay and lesbian events being "celebrated city-wide", that seems to be a bit of a stretch.  Are they confusing venues in different parts of the city, with actual celebrations.....?

 

3.   We beg to differ that Pride Week is indeed a mainstream event.  There is a Pride Parade which every year, gets into a bitching fest with the city as to its route. And as for Pride Week, other than advertising blitzes in the Food and Beverage outlets and clubs on Davie, we're not aware of any other serious mainstream interest - other than the obligatory congratulatory ads no doubt fueled by Political Correctness.

 

4.   In previous posts, we've already reported how underwhelming gay events in Whistler have turned out to be with the same cast of characters trucked up from Vancouver.

5.   It would appear that having the largest gay population in Western Canada does not equate to high quality.

6.   As for the "best of Vancouver's gay culture (including the city's gay neighbourhoods and nightlife)", we're baffled.  We've heard repeatedly from those living there just what a depressing scam that is purportedly manipulated and controlled by a bad - mouthing, drug dealing clique. Whilst it's true that the gay diaspora has split between the West End and the Commercial Drive/ East End area we would challenge Tourism Vancouver to state how the city's gay culture is in any way noteworthy.

7.  What is striking about the invitational blurb is that the focus isn't actually on Gay Vancouver, but rather on regions around it which at best, might be gay friendly.  In other words, it's not the "gayness" of the locality  - it's the potential appeal they might have to a gay tourist.  We've commented on this before in this series that Tourism Vancouver had shifted the emphasis to what might generally appeal to a gay man.  We suspected this was a result of realizing that Gay Vancouver itself had very little to offer the discerning gay traveler.

8.   The invitational blurb is carefully worded to suggest that there is a seamless integration between a high quality gay scene in Vancouver and other apparently international standard attractions within and around Vancouver.  We would suggest that the contrast between the actual gay scene in Vancouver and anything else, would be quite jarring.

9.  We're happy Tourism Vancouver is taking the initiative, but we would respectfully suggest that they be less confused and obfuscating in what they're actually advertising as a gay destination.  By our reading, it ain't Gay Vancouver - because there's not much to say or brag about. And therein lies the point. Gay Vancouver - even if it has more than one neighbourhood and forms part of the largest gay population in Western Canada -  cannot stand on its own.