Good Vibrations at the Asia Adult Expo

By 'Passionista'

Can you find love in the gilded charms of a sex toy called Yva? The organizers of the 2nd Asia Adult Expo, that took place recently in the Venetian Macau, would certainly like you to try.

I examined the toy in question rather dubiously – a ‘pleasure object’ in 18K gold designed by Swedish brand LELO that seemed almost too delicate and valuable to survive the furious working over I would imagine a much-appreciated sex toy might have to endure in the course of its lifetime. But it certainly was very pretty to look at…

Of course the LELO Yva was merely one of the countless dildos, vibrators and sexual aids that were on display at the AAE 2009, which according to the organizers was 80% bigger than last year’s exhibition.

But in this part of the world, where there’s no bling without a buyer, an 18K gold version of something – anything! – must signify it’s ahem, coming up in the world, right?

Indeed, sex toys seem to be enjoying a newfound aura of respectability and mainstream acceptance these days – I’ve even seen a few of them popping up at the neighborhood Watson’s.

Perhaps adult toy manufacturers are finally wising up to the fact that not everybody is in the market for gelatinous 14-inch schlongs artfully named ‘Anal Fist Intruder and rubber vaginas ("I’ll have the ‘extra-lifelike’ version with real pubic hair, please" – niiiice!). And a classier category of sex toys – or should I call them, sensual objects or relationship enhancement aids – are beginning to emerge.

At the fair, I found the biggest stand-out items came in discreet shapes and high-quality, intriguing materials (who ever thought Pyrex glass could be sexy?) that would have felt equally at home in someone’s display cabinet as in their toy box.

Some sported the latest gadgetry – an ‘intelligent’ vibrator that could be programmed to remember what settings got you off, and another one that vibrated according to the beat of whatever was playing on your iPod. Now you don’t need another reason to listen to your favorite rock n’ roll track over and over again, I suppose!

It was fun – and funny – to see toys that must have been borne out of the ingenuity of people who liked to keep their pet monkeys well-lubricated and well-spanked, wherever and whenever.

All I can say guys, is that somewhere out there might be a portable, single-use Japanese onacup with your name on it. From the “rolling head” to “lip service” or the “double hole – sweet or bitter”, you never know when these sweet suckers could come in handy for those spontaneous uh, self-actualization emergencies.

Speaking of men and their equipment, it was somewhat ironic that the only real phallus on show belonged to penile portrait artist Pricasso…and it looked decidedly limp and unimpressed with the idea that its primary purpose in life had become swirling paint repeatedly over canvas.

Seeing though that the fair was pretty much a catch-all for the horny, bored and dissolute Macau set, it was no surprise that the booth consistently drawing the biggest crowds belonged to the adult video network. Leery mainlander men pushed, shoved and pressed against each other tightly in the hopes of catching a glimpse or photo of their favorite Japanese adult starlet.

The starlets themselves, it must be said, were disappointingly tame. They sat demurely on stools and were dressed rather primly in a range of Cosplay outfits, from Chinese warrior princess to Venetian ballerina to fetish deep-sea diver. (Analyze that, Freud!)

Still, I’ve had Halloweens in Lan Kwai Fong that were a lot more exciting.

The racy performers that were supposed to heat up the main stage never quite materialized either. The only show I watched involved some kind of over-dramatized courtship ritual between two people in silver lamé body suits. She pirouettes… he flexes. She runs… he follows. She turns her back… he’s on his knees. Not exactly riveting stuff.

Granted the organizers were working under tight restrictions – no nudity, no porn etc – but in the effort to steer clear from presenting the seedy side of adult entertainment, they also managed to ignore the cheeky, naughty aspects of sex that well, make it so fun and sexy.

Still, kudos to them for expanding the AAE showcase this year to include higher quality distributors and more premium toys, as well as some well-known brands. I’m looking forward to bigger and better next year.

Mwah for now,
The Passionista

The Passionista writes on behalf of Hong Kong sensual lifestyle store, Passionately Yours. To find out more about the world of sensual accessories, sex toys, romantic games, gifts and fashion for passionate adults, please visit www.feelpassionately.com

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