www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I use Costa Rica and Panama as my long weekend trips from work. My 4 to 5 days off on holiday weekends.
When I take my week long + vacations that is what South East Asia is for. With Thailand being my favorite destination.

But, I don't limit my hobby to just Bangkok and the other cities in Thailand. Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Hong Kong have much to offer though more expensive than Thailand. I have had many great vacations in the Philippines.

I hope someday to retire in Thailand as that is my favorite destination of all after 30 + years in this hobby.
Still to this day, I remember the first time my roommate took me to the red light district in Frankfurt, Germany back in the 1980's and that is where it all began for me as a private in the Army right out of high school.

I'm new here. Been to the "Gulch" about 5 years ago now....going back in mid-May to refresh my memory, looking forward to it (trying to convince some friends, but looks like I'm going solo).

For the past several years, I have been traveling to Thailand with extreme amount of regularity due to work (I'm planning my 33 trip in 4 years). With that type of frequency, I'm sure you can imagine I have seen and experienced quite a bit during my visit, especially in Bangkok where I spend most of my time due to work. And speaking of, while the city and people have much to offer in Bangkok, it's also a city where if you don't know your personal limit, it can absolutely consume and ruin you.

Maxbass provides a very good summary of how things can be over there. I'm looking forward to my visit back to CR, I'll certainly provide my input between the two countries in the perspective we all here really care about when my trip is done.