midlifecrisis

I used to do some freelance work with my old SLR and took two years of photography in college before deciding a degree in CAD would help me support my family better. I am finding that some newer models of point and shoot can allow one to control depth of field as the lenses are very fast on some newer models. I am looking for something versatile and light. I do not expect DSLR quality photography. If I did I would bring my heavier camera and lenses.

That was a great report. I know now where not to go. I got sick in Bangkok and was happy with the private hospital service. I also recall that it had few patients also. Is that hospital sort of the public option?

have the German version?

Some of the hotel booking sites for Pattaya and so forth can break it down by area so it cannot be that difficult technically. I did go to some of the links and it was, as MM stated, a rat's nest. I did not look at if the listings were current or not, another potential issue I'm sure.

Yes it would be nice to hear from others who have flown recently.

I will check it out thanks! And you are very welcome. Incredible stuff!!!!

It is always disappointing to read about the bad treatment other's receive. I wonder if that attitude helped them lose money on the North American route before?

what is a good point and shoot in your opinion? I have been looking at a Sony RX100 iii but its only drawback, beside price, is a reduced telephoto capability but it is a much faster lens. I think it is 24mm to 70mm. Great photos btw - a great eye.

Good news.

to be a few years younger....

I play through the fairway!

Well I was just teasing you a bit. I am actually not a non-mutual groper. That is why I added the second sentence. For a grope experience I would pay for it but I never have. I respect the drivers as drivers. It has been half men and half women up to now. Heck I respect the bar girls. Go with the flow but know the flow. Yes, your driver was cool. She deserved the tip. With my prostate I would hope my next driver is as considerate. However, I have this fantasy about golf caddies..............

oh yes, forgot Penthouse.

If I am in Thailand I want a grope. There used to be a gogo that had fun ladies riding along. Was that Misty's? I never used them but it sounded fun.

Having been to the PI and knowing the history shared between the USA and the Philippines, the poverty bothers me and it makes me wonder why we chose to employ Chinese citizens while allowing our friend and ally to stay poor. The answer of course is world stability. Billions of poor and angry Chinese are a bigger threat than millions of poor Filipinos on an isolated bunch of islands. Luzon is right in the path of many typhoons too. There is a special place in my heart for the PI and her people. Thanks for the great trip report. I stayed close to where you did in Manila - across

For when I can't get to Pattaya anymore. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/japanese-sex-dolls-now-life-like-4040718

Ouch. I saw that. Honor killings and female circumcision are horrific. One thing that amazes me is that Muslim women in the USA buy into this nonsense, when they no longer need to. This is cult behavior. Perhaps we should stop considering Islam a religion and label it a cult!

I had a lady companion in LOS that was praying to an elephant/god statue in Ayutthaya. She is a Buddhist. It is not a monolithic religion. Muslims pray at sunrise, noon, mid afternoon, after sunset and at night and they face Mecca when doing so. If memory serves.

Thanks keeping a notepad for the trip. Six years is a long time.

We have all you can eat Asian places here. They may look a little nicer but it looks to be the same business model. Is there a good supermarket close by besides that? Isn't there one on Central Pattaya? Tops was/is on South Pattaya I believe. I was just making a list today of things to not bring and just pickup in a market, including wine.

The insanity of the human species. In the 1760's the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya and chopped the heads off of the Buddha statues in the temple complex. And they were Buddhists as well. I am not excusing bad behavior. It is simply what we are. This is just another iteration of the same theme.

I am not much good beyond the easy ones any more so I will let you all carry on the good fight.

understood.

David Niven

Here in the US, the wrong house was demolished. It should have been the house next door.