October 17th, 2006 – Travel to Pattaya (Taxi) from Bangkok
Holiday Inn Bangkok (Bangkok) – Haven Hotel (Pattaya)
Expenses for the day:
Breakfast at Hotel (Bangkok) – Expensive
550 Baht = $17.20 CAD
Hotel in Bangkok (Holiday Inn Bangkok)
8338 Baht for 2 nights = $260.56 CAD = $130.28 CAD per night
Taxi – Bangkok to Pattaya, 2 hours.
2500 Baht = $78.12 CAD
Cigarettes – American Brand (Marlboro)
50 Baht = $1.56 CAD
DVD movies sold by vendors along Beach Road
150 Baht = $4.70 CAD
Hotel Daily Rate – Haven Hotel
960 Baht = $30.00 CAD
Hotel Restaurant Lunch – Rice Soup with Seafood
110 Baht = $3.44 CAD
Not getting use to the time change that well so far, but it's a learning experience. Breakfast at the hotel once again, a great meal but you do pay for it. I had plenty of time for a morning walk and a stop at the Internet Cafe. By 7:00 a.m. the streets were quite busy all ready, many people walking to work.
My taxi was ready by the time I checked out just before noon and we were on our way. Most of the way down to Pattaya the highway is good quality but very busy. It was a relief to get away from all the pollution but there was all ways a hint of it in the air. The quality of fuel used by the vehicles in Thailand is obviously not that environmentally friendly. A haze of blue smoke is evident behind most of the vehicles; some of the smaller vehicles are the worst. We arrive in Pattaya in good time but we have trouble finding the hotel, after a few circles we are successful.
The hotel was not what I expected but I just come from a 4 star hotel in Bangkok and my expectations should have been a little lower. It is situated a half block off the beach but the hotel is very small with no lobby. My check in was done at the counter of the restaurant which is in front of the Hotel. The street in front of the Hotel is narrow with just wide enough for one way traffic. No side walks along this street so you have to move off to the side ever time a small vehicle goes by. It's a little different living along these streets compared to other places I've been. My home for the next 5 days was Room # 116, one feature I did have in my room was a DVD player. It came in handy over the next few days.
After a small lunch at the hotel restaurant I ventured down the streets of Pattaya to see what was out there. Many small shops along the street, the side walk was very narrow with the vendors having they stuff right in the way many times. There are a couple nicer shopping centers along Beach Street that were air conditioned and were set up very nice as if it was back home. Of course the prices were more and haggling was not accepted in the malls, the prices are set. I buy a few movies from the vendors along the street and end up watching one before retiring early once again.
October 18th & 19th, 2006 – Pattaya
October 18th 2006, Wednesday
In Pattaya
Haven Hotel
Expenses for the day:
Breakfast at Hotel
125 Baht = $3.90 CAD
Breakfast on Beach Street
135 Baht = $4.22 CAD
2 shirts bought along Beach Street Vendors
520 Baht = $16.25 CAD
Massage – Oil for one hour
300 Baht = $9.38 CAD
McDonalds Chicken Nuggets – 20 pieces.
150 Baht = $4.70 CAD
Internet usage – 44 minutes @ 2 Baht a minute
88 Baht = $2.75 CAD
Another early rise, unable to sleep past 4:00 a.m. It was a very early breakfast at the Hotel and then another a few hours later down the street. I was making up for my missed Dinner last night, my appetite was alive and well. Found an Internet Café not to far from the hotel, a little more money for the usage but it was a nice location. I spent plenty of time walking along the main street near my hotel today.
Not much else to report today besides doing a little more shopping for clothes and another massage later on in the day. I stopped at the McDonalds for the chicken nuggets to go along with watching another movie purchased at a street vendor.
October 19th 2006, Thursday
In Pattaya - Haven Hotel
Expenses for the day:
Breakfast at Hotel
125 Baht = $3.90 CAD
Shirt
400 Baht = $12.50 CAD
Lunch at good Restaurant
140 Baht = $4.40 CAD
Foot Massage for one hour
200 Baht = $6.24 CAD - plus100 Baht tip
Dinner at Restaurant across the Street from Hotel.
165 Baht = $5.16 CAD
Internet Café
2 Baht per minute = 30 minutes was 60 Baht = $1.88 CAD
I was up bright and early once again going for a walk along Beach Street adjacent to the ocean. Stop once again for breakfast at one of the many restaurants along this very popular street. The long travel from Canada and the big time change is still in effect, I am glad that I have given myself lots of time for this trip. The weather this morning is turning out to be near perfect, I was not too worried about finding shade since I arrived but this morning was a little different. The sun is a little more intense without any high cloud or low laying mist to cover it up.
After spending a little time on the internet it was time for some shopping at the local shops. There is quite a variety of shops along the streets. Many single merchants are set up along the side walks and if they have what you want that would probably be the best deal. There are a few air conditioned shopping malls that have plenty to offer but the prices are higher. I stop for lunch at a restaurant on top of one of these shopping malls and get a good lunch for under $5.00 CAD. After lunch I try out an hour long foot massage for about $3.00 CAD. It is not hard to see that I could get addicted to these massages.
Pattaya is an unusually unique place to visit. I had heard stories about this place and all the women that hang around. Now I know with my own eyes what is here, there is young ladies everywhere I go that just want to be with you. It's like the tables are turned with the women chasing the men. It's just a way of life for them and of course the only difference is that you do have to pay to be with them. My early morning strolls along the beach are all ways interrupted with ladies coming up to me saying they want to be with me. You feel a little special the first while but after a few days it is all most an annoyance. I was awfully tempted to just have one walk with me for the day just so the others would leave me be. I did stay single for my visit too Pattaya, Honest!
After plenty of walking today I decided on lunch just across the street from the Haven Hotel. It was then another movie on the hotels DVD player before bed.
October 20th, 2006 – Pattaya
In Pattaya - Haven Hotel
Expenses for the day:
Breakfast along Beach Street
150 Baht = $4.70 CAD
Starbucks Coffee
80 Baht = $2.50 CAD
Lunch
165 Baht = $5.16 CAD
Good Maps of Bangkok and Chiang Mai
220 Baht each = $6.88 CAD Each
Cigarettes
60 Baht a pack = $1.88 CAD
Vodka – Good brand name
270 Baht = $8.44 CAD
Foot Massage
200 Baht = $6.24 CAD plus a 100 Baht tip
Big Macs – MacDonald
65 Baht each = $2.03 CAD
It's yet another early morning with breakfast along Beach Street near the ocean. The weather is starting off great once again but later in the day we get a little rain to cool things down. I go for a long walk near the beach, hoping it will help my aching back that has been bothering me for the last few days. A few pain killers and I feel much better.
After lunch I try yet another foot massage out and then do some more shopping. I stay inside the air conditioned shopping areas for most of today, the humidity is high and it feels warmer yet. So many 7 – 11 stores around Pattaya and everywhere else in Thailand, you don’t have to walk too far to find another one. Another thing there is plenty of is motor bikes, they seem to be so many on the streets and lots more sitting around for anyone to rent.
After dinner I strolled down to the one side of Beach Street that is called the Walking Street. Traffic is closed off for the night and the place comes alive with many restaurants and bars on both sides of this street. There is even more girls here than other places in Pattaya. Many of them are just trying to get your attention to come into their establishment. I was just a little sorry that I never took my camera with me tonight. Much to see, Lots of lights and night life in this area.
October 21st, 2006 – Pattaya
In Pattaya - Haven Hotel
Expenses for the day:
Breakfast at Hotel
140 Baht = $4.37 CAD
Oil Massage
300 Baht = $9.36 CAD plus 100 Baht tip
Sizzlers Restaurant Salad Buffet
160 Baht = $5.00 CAD
Trousers
480 Baht = $15.00 CAD
Suitcase
1450 Baht = $45.31 CAD
Foot Massage
200 Baht = $6.24 plus 100 Baht tip
DVD Movie
150 Baht = $4.70
Burger King – Chicken Sandwich Meal
150 Baht = $4.70
After having breakfast at the hotel this morning, I give the phones a try with my phone card. I only talk with Chris for a few minutes and it costs me plenty. They have different phone cards to choose from and I picked the wrong one. The pay phone wanted plenty of extra coins as I talked and I am not sure how many Baht I had to plug in. I ran out of coins in no time and our conversation was short.
After a little time on the Internet it was time for the first of two massages today! An oil massage before lunch, a great way to relax and it's helping my back tremendously. After lunch it was a little more serious shopping once I found out my suitcase was broken. Not to worry there was plenty of them around to choose from, I just had to find the right size and then haggle with the price. Then I made sure a taxi will be picking me up for the trip back to Bangkok tomorrow. I asked the lady that runs the restaurant and hotel to book one and it was easily done.
Later on in the day it was time for a foot massage before walking along the shops once again. Picked up one more movie and decided on Burger King for dinner. There wasn’t a lot for take out service with the other restaurants; I guess maybe they would if I asked. I just found it convenient to use to old standard take out places. The day went by quick with two massages taking over an hour each time. They know what they are doing and for the price they charge, it is the best bargain in Thailand that I know of yet.