Trip 8 begins

I begin trip number 8 to Thailand this evening (well... actually early morning at this point as it's past midnight). Just 24 hours and I'll be in a hotel in Bangkok...

Pattaya International Hospital

A view from my hotel room balcony of the Pattaya International Hospital where I went to get checked up when I thought I had the flu. The service is amazing and very inexpensive. There's just no comparison between medical care in Thailand and in the US. 

pool

I thought this pool design was interesting. This is at a nearby hotel where we had breakfast. 

Soi 7

Small streets are called Soi's. They are like alleys in the US except that there are a lot of businesses on both sides. That draws people and vehicle traffic. 

motorbikes

Motorbikes are the best way to get around town, although not necessarily the safest. Here Gigi and Beem prepare to head off. 

inside the massage/bar

Here we have Jack who just moved here from Illinois, and Per a ship inspector in Norway who is spending the considerable vacation time his job offers in his new condo in Thailand, and Beem. 

massage and bar

Two things that are popular here are massage shops and bars, and in this case you get both in one spot. This shop is located on the bottom floor of a huge condo tower on the beach. 

Trip 7 begins

Trip 7 begins as all trips to by relaxing in the Eva Air lounge in San Francisco before beginning the long trip across the Pacific.

This picture was taken by my laptop camera.. which is not so good. 

fireworks over the bay 

yes, you can sleep and bowl in the same building 

stepping back a bit 

Karaoke at a bar 

seat belts not required 

Life jackets available to some.. 

Relaxing on the beach at Ko Larn 

Ferrys to Ko Larn island. 50 cent a ride 

At one of the thousands of bars in town 

Many days we had brief torrential rains which caused instant flooding on the roads due to lack of good drainage 

Another "all you can eat for $3.50, cook at your table" restaurant 

The British love to create clubs wherever they go so they've created a great club in Pattaya for ex-patriots and I attend the saturday meetings when I get chance. The local news covers the meeting as well and last week I turned on the TV to find myself on TV watching the speaker. 

The Thai Elvis entertains at the hotel every week. 

Pattaya Bay by night 

 

David, a man from Florida who teaches English in Thailand after a military career in the US, needs a ride home after drinking at the bar. So he rents a motorbike from the bar for $5/day. 

 

Pattaya Bay from Buddah Hill