JohnHolmesJr

—"It keeps going and going and going" (Energizer Batteries ad) —"Just one more thing" (Columbo, "Columbo") —"Let's be careful out there" (Sgt. Esterhaus, "Hill Street Blues")

—"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" (Vicks Formula 44 ad)

—"Baby, you're the greatest" (Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, "The Honeymooners")

—"Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" (Arnold Drummond, "Diff'rent Strokes")

I wanted to say hi to all, and I like you forum. I just didn't want to start a whole new thread. Some other forums I belong to get a little pissy about newbies and starting new threads to introduce themselves. So I just revived this one to use as my "hello board". —"Here's Johnny!" (Ed McMahon, "The Tonight Show") Hope no one minds?

I agree with you to an extent. No, the food at Tequila Reef does not resemble the Mexican food found in the border cities. I find some of the dishes rahter close to what you would find in Central and Southern Mexico. Yes, I agree, that some of the dishes they serve are not the best. I would suggest the hard shell tacos, the make your own tortillas, the chips and salsa (mix the darker with the lighter it makes a great taste) to be pleasant, and how can you beat their frozen margaritas? I find the Mexican Salad to be a good dish as well. The Tijuana Taxi burrito is one of my favorites, as is the chili burger with lots of jallopino's on it. To each his own, I find the Sportsman and El Toro to be sub-standard in my tastes. But that's jsut it isn't it? We all have different taste buds.

I am looking at a Hospital in Bangkok, Burhamgrad, not sure of the spelling as I do not have my notes with me. I am also looking at one in Chonburi City that is ultra cheap, and seems to have doctors educated from the West. Last, but not least, the hospital in Pattaya. I am leaning away from the one in Pattaya, as I will be too tempted. Even with a cut up ass, I would want to get out there and get in the action. Also, Bangkok is just not my favorite city, and that is the highest priced one that I have looked at in Thailand. Most of Bangkok is just not "Thailand" to me. Call me nastalgic (again spelling not my forte), but give me a trip out in the sticks any day over that parking lot they call Bangkok. Chonburi City seems a nice quiet place, with not so many distractions. I have a friend that lives there also, and he highly recommends the hospital. So, I am leaning towards Chonburi City for price and for the tranquility. I am open to discussion though.

I have chronic piles, hemroids to some people. What my doctors in the States have told me, they need to remove the bottom portion of my sphincter, or area where the fecal matter comes out, and then use some of my large intestines to re-connect and build a new sphincter. I know, sounds funny, but I have been battling hemroids since I was a teenager.

I am in need of a major surgery, nothing life threatening. As this surgery is pretty expensive in my home country, I am exploring the option of having it done in Thailand. I have done the costing research, and read all the testimonials in the brochures. So I have done my home work so to say. What I am looking for is some first hand data, from some people that have actually had a surgery performed in Thailand. There is nothing better than first hand experiences. Thank you all in advance. Great site by the way.

When traveling Southeast Asia, I try to primarily use Thai Air. One reason being, I know some of the language, and it seems to be a big hit with the stewardess'. I do think that Thai has some of the best looking stewardess' in the air. I have flown Singapore Air several times, when Thai did not cover my destination. I will say that I enjoyed the flights, and the improved aircrafts. One thing I did notice, was that the stewardess' were not as polite as their Thai counter parts. I find China Air, and China Southern, to be complete rubbish! These are just my personal perceptions to the two airlines I choose from when flying in Asia.

I enjoy the food at Tequila Reef, and find it to be closer to Mexican food than the resteraunts in the States. I often times think that people in the States think that the food served to them is athentic. In most cases, that is far from the truth. Chinese food in the States, actually only represents Chinese food from only one province of China, and is very "Americanized".

I had this problem yesterday when I joined the forum, but today it seems to not be an issue.