Hate Saturdays, but Love the Girls, and One in Particular

Crossed the border and was hustled into a little side room where I bought a 180-day visa. No questions asked. I was slow at filling out the visa request, so the agent took it from me and finished it. I was out in five minutes $30 lighter.

Got a room at Cascadas (advanced reservation). Arrived at 2:00. The security guy said I could not check in until 3:00. Showed him my VIP card. He said that would give me a discount on the room, but not an early check in. Used to be that the VIP card allowed you to check in after 1:00. On one occasion I was able to check in at 11:00 am. Times have changed. He told me that I could leave my bag downstairs at the club until after 3:00. I argued with him a little more, but I was not going to win, so I left my small bag and coat downstairs. (I tipped the bag check guy $2.) The only interesting development was that when they returned it, they had taped the zipper tabs together (which had not been done before). I am guessing to reduce the claims of theft. In the 4+ years I have been going to TJ, I have often left a bag at the club counter. Never had a problem with anything missing, including cash or an expensive camera.

This was a hunting trip and I didn’t want to run into any of my ATFs in HK, so I left to explore other clubs. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I knew if I saw one of my ATFs, the little head would be telling me that the hunt was over. Did a walk-through of Chicago Club and Bar Tropical. CC was dead. I haven’t seen it this quiet on a weekday afternoon, much less a Saturday. TB was lively, but I wasn’t ready for much of anything yet. Time was up and I got my room on the 4th floor. It was one of the small rooms in the main building, but last time I got a double room in the new section and the extra cost was not justified; the small rooms have been remodeled and are a little cramped, but very nice. The plumbing and infrastructure still sucks. They are still noisy, but the beds are comfortable and there is a decent quality TV. I like the channel that shows replays of club events.