In-Between the US and Japan Part 2- Pattaya

We were there in Pattaya during the Thai New Year which is called Songkran people throw water over you, so if you go to Thailand during new year just be prepared to get wet. I mean get wet, I'm not talking drop of water here, buckets and high pressure water guns are the order of the day. Sounds a bit stupid and it probably is but if you don’t worry about getting wet it’s all good fun and everyone is real friendly.





Songkran apparently was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors. The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by gently pouring a small amount of water on other people’s hands or over a shoulder as a sign of respect, (amazing what you can find out on the web)


Now it’s time for a big party especially in places like Pattaya so just be prepared to get wet if you go at New Year. There we as many westerners throwing water as Thais, the profits of water gun makers must go sky high as well as it seemed like every other Thia wanted to sell one.

Now if i tell you there was a lot of bars that would be an understatement, it must be in the thousands. The main bar area seemed to be in an area called Walking Street, but there was also a lot of places around Soi 7 and 8, i was only there for a a few days so am sure there are lots of other places. Along with all the bars and things there was plenty of good restaurants, the beach which always had water sports.Went to a gym while i was there it was one of the best I've been to this was probably because it had only just opened and was in a brand new shopping mall, it was a bit novel as you could take kick boxing lessons, gave this a miss though even though the guys doing it were only small they were fit, fit a a butchers dog so to speak.

Went into a bar that was actually holding a kick boxing match or Muay Thai as it's called. Found out later there was lots of bars that did this to attract customers. The guys doing it were probably older or had not made it professionally but they were still a lot fitter than almost anybody else there. Was bit like the old boxing tents at places like the Goose Fair in Nottingham used to be but they did not take challengers from the audience.

After the fight the boxers would come round for tips, felt a bit guilty tipped the first one well but didn't realise they came round separately for tips and did not share them so the second one didn't get much, it was early and had to make the money last and I'm a Yorkshire man after all.

Forgot to add it to Part 1 but the photo below is of the outside of the MaMason hotel which was on Soi 13.

Spent about a week in Pattaya then went back up to Bangkok for the last weekend before i flew back to the UK.

Stayed in a hotel called the Dynasty Inn for one night and then the Dynasty Inn Grand for two nights. Dynasty Inn is about 1400Baht/night and its sister the Grand which is a real nice hotel is about 2500Baht/night.

Can recommend them both but the Grand is much nicer as you can tell from the price, if you want to spoil yourself fore a couple of days it's good, lovely pool and good gym.

It's up a bit of a back street and pretty quite not a lot of people get in the bar or restaurant because of this the bar lacks a bit of personality, did not come to go to the bar in the hotel though.

Couple of photos of the street stalls just outside the Dynasty Inn.

Couldn't find the one with the giant deep fried cockroaches on or the ants but they do have them and I'm told they're delicious, but unfortunately not for me.

Anyway that's pretty much It, going back to the UK then to the US and then to Japan which is where the next installments will be from, may even start a new blog, not sure what to call it though.

In-Between the US and Japan Part 1

Haven’t updated this blog for a long time now so will just fill you all in on what’s been going on. I left the US on the 28th March things got a bit hectic but till then and did not have a lot of time to post any updates, this is what been going one since i I left the states.
Was due to go to Japan on the 16th May after leaving but that turned out to be the 2nd June, writing this form Japan right now which where the next installment of the blog will be penned from? or more correctly typed badly from.
Anyway since leaving at the end of March as most of you already know I’ve been back in England over to Thailand back to the US back to England and now I’m in Japan.
Just filling in the gaps really, took a holiday with a mate of mine in Thailand mid April, flew over on Emirates airlines which are pretty good and well priced. Only problem is going through Dubai which makes the trip longer, here’s some pictures of Dubai airport, never seen an airport anywhere where there are so many people sleeping on the floor, all the construction workers I guess for the work going on there, most seem to be from India or some where like the Philippines.

Anyway finally got to Thailand had a night in Bangkok before going to Pattaya the next day, stayed in a hotel called the Fortuna http://www.fortunabangkok.com/ not bad but probably would not use it again, cost about 1400 bhat/night which is about 22 quid. By English standards it's cheap but in Thailand it's probably getting to around mid range as you can get rooms if you want for 600bhat/night but i wouldn't recommend them too much. Went to a supermarket called Foodland which is in the next street (Soi in Thai) to the hotel, this is one of the places i like to eat when I'm in Bangkok, good food, good price and fast service.

Next left for Pattaya, for anyone who’s has ever been there you know what it’s like but for anyone who’s never been before and I was one of those, it’s party central.

I got a taxi there cost me about1400bhat which is a bout 22 pounds, should have got the bus for 200bhat, i knew this but as i'd been been in a bar most of the afternoon playing pool and couldn't be bothered with the extra hassle, i was on holiday after all.
Pattayas on the beech, it’s not a great beach but at least it’s got a one, I’m told the beach's down the coast a mile or so are better.
It’s not exactly a family holiday although there was quite a few there especially Thai’s on holiday, on the other hand if you’re young free and single it could be just what you are looking for, problem is I'm old and single, god did i really say that.

Anyway got to Pattays and stayed in a place called the MaMaison a French style hotel but run by a guy from Switzerland or at least that where i thought he said he came from. http://mamaison-hotel.com/ This hotel i can recommend just over 1000bhat/14 quid/night clean and good, restaurant was great.

Couple of shots of the balcony of the hotel.

View of Pattaya beach and yours truly, am going to write a part two to this bit of the blog as it is a bit long to get it all in one.