losgrad

Yes, places like Beergarden or Le Pub would be great.

Sorry, i didn't realize it was a private conversation we were 'interjecting' ourselves. I'll stay out of it then....

Yes, one-on-one tennis matches and thread fucks seem to be common... Ageing is inevitable, so we got older reading this... "Why so serious?" Agree to disagree

Since my early school years, i began thinking of careers and retirement. Each day i'd enjoy, but each night i'd make plans. Yes, i saw some friends die while we were in school, some early in their careers, some in the peak of their professions and some as they neared retirement; but i also saw many senior citizens (including my parents) who seemed to have insufficient funds to enjoy their aged years. I partially agree with 'You Only Live Once,' so i have enjoyed a very active life of experiences, things and travel; but also partially agree one needs to save for the future. Fortunately, my ex- had the same philosophy though she was more biased towards the future even now when we ARE both senior citizens . At some point, we determine when the pendulum swings towards enjoying and spending with less regards to the future. In Pattaya, i see many expats who are enjoying a fantasy life at a relatively bargain rate compared to what we could afford in the West. However, i also find it interesting that some guys who never married, no kids have only minimal retirement funds. As with many things in life, it's not all black and white, but "shades of gray." Caveat Lector.... Yes, since aging is inevitable and savings 'tend' to grow. On aging... time doesn't necessarily have to deteriorate one's health. i am healthier now than i was 20 years ago, e.g. Benjamin Buttons . Twenty years ago in my mid-40's my health was horrible - obese, multiple mini-strokes, high blood pressure, stressed to the max with family (teenagers :) and work (mid-career), etc... My ex- and i continued to save towards the future even when i began to doubt if i had a future. At the peak of my final career and my kids completing their undergraduate education, we divorced and i retired early to take care of myself. My health has improved tremendously although some joints seem worn. i know i'll slow down, but without prescription drugs, only a bin of vitamin supplements . We can't stop the aging process, but we can enjoy the resources and wisdom accumulated over the years. P.S. I asked a few of my retired expat friends, if they would exchange being 25 again, retaining the knowledge they have now, but giving up all of their financial resources; would they exchange? Most said, YES!? i, however would not as i don't want to go back to night school, working two jobs, raising kids, saving, etc..and not sure i would have done things any differently as I completed my "Bucket List" and more..., i.e. no regrets! How would you answer this question? 25 AGAIN? Just for fun, here's a trailer from the movie, "17 Again."

Jacko, Sorry to hear about your significant loss. A faster surge protector or quality UPS may have helped, or sometimes a disconnection; otherwise sometimes, "Shit Happens!" That was a BIG lightening storm and sounded very close to us and we're near Big C Extra.. Thanks for the report. Now, I'll look into quality surge protectors and UPSes for my electronic stuff. .

Thank you for this article. I found it interesting and got quotes from the top 2 companies recommended. Since my needs are a little different the quote indicates I need to call and talk with them as my travel dates are 364 days or 90-100 days 3 times a year. Allianz, the 3rd Company was the only one with an Annual plan which is what I have been using. It's also referred by California AAA Auto club which is my Auto and home insurance. I pay for USA health insurance coverage for my wife and I for our regular and sometimes extended visits to the USA as a hospital visit in the USA could really break the bank. What concerns me is coverage overseas in Thailand and other countries we visit and emergency medical transport, so the Travel insurance covers those concerns. Hmm, but in regards to the OP, it won't help if I jump or am pushed from a high floor balcony :)

Yes, for your next visit, please have "Travel Insurance" unless you have a significant balance attached to your ATM card. Some expats (a few in my condo building) have left Thailand due to "Health Care" costs. For visitors, Travel Insurance will at least take care of you for most medical issues until you get home. Health Care insurance is somewhat expensive here, especially for us senior citizens, but Travel Insurance is a relative bargain assuming you have some kind of coverage in your home country. P.S. My wife thinks it's better to get hospital care from the top private hospitals, but once the 'procedure' is done, to transfer to a government hospital where the nightly rates are much cheaper. I haven't tested this yet, but hopefully i never have the opportunity.

Yes, a few years ago, it was 'affordable' within many westerner's credit card limits or savings (median US savings account balance of $5,200 in 2013), but in the last 5 years we have seen significant increases in hospital costs. Outpatient still seems to be a good deal, but Inpatient prices are approaching Western countries insurance reimbursement rates. As Thailand became promoted for medical tourism, they took advantage. I know one expat who had to sell one of his two Thai condos to pay his hospital bills after a 2nd motorcycle accident. It's more important than ever to be prepared with health and/or travel insurance or if you self-insure to really put that big money aside...unless you just want to call it quits anyway. Some of each for sure. Years ago, I installed a higher railing in my condo because the original owner who had never lived in the unit raised the balcony floor tile work making the original railing low enough for a midget to lean over. Luckily, my condo association is less strict than others (or they just haven't noticed) that probably wouldn't permit any noticeable visual exterior modifications. I told my Thai wife she'd need a couple of strong guys to push my 90 kgs over the higher railing :). Yes, i also know of at least one guy who had a terminal illness and in lieu of deteriorating in a hospital purposely took a dive. Not a balcony per se, but in the last few years there have been reports of guys jumping over the higher floor railings at BKK airport after being dropped off for their flights home. In regards to other ways to die here, yes, being a walker requires you to be careful of the pavement while also watching for speeding baht buses and motorbikes (aka "Death Race 2000"). Is it just me or do baht buses and motorbikes seem to actually speed up when they see us cross Beach, 2nd or 3rd Roads? The Indians walking 3-4 abreast now make it a little safer for other pedestrians as they slow traffic, but yeah, when i'm riding my bicycle, motorbike or driving my car WTF are they doing? Yes, i would assume statistically our local Pattaya population would not be 'normal' in many surveys. Well, be extra careful approaching your high balcony, avoid touching live electrical wires, crossing streets while intoxicated and generally being worth more dead than alive :) or deciding to living happily in the ever after... Hmm, another reference to Pattaya's "Happy Endings."

Is she pregnant? :)

After a hiatus, last night i decided to skip Windmill or Bacarra as my first gogo stop and dropped in at "Sugarbaby," where some of the servers still remember me :). Although there were other customers, i was happy to have my 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th choices all join me for a drink :). It was good to meet you 'Patna.' You're a very cordial fellow and when i left you were again caught in the cashier's booth :). Take care and i'll be dropping by regularly.

Yes, I had that condition for a few years and eventually kicked the addiction after some painful days and nights of headaches. A month later I started drinking coffee again, but have kept to small dosages so now when I miss a day or two, no problems.

Yes, in moderation I think a little caffeine and the trace elements in coffee is healthy. Yes, agree it is the quantity of caffeine consumed (instant has less caffeine as do some cheaper coffees) and now that I consume less it's also more a habit than an addiction. Be aware and careful with all we do. Let's be around for awhile!!

I also remember trying the Lek buffet breakfast about 10 years ago and Evil's report brought back the memory.... Earlier this year, i was In Beijing at a 4 star hotel (at least the rooms), where the food displayed in their buffet looked perfect. The deserts must have been made with a 3-D color printer using paper and cardboard, the fruits freshly painted in bright colors, the meats made of textured cotton or something. Anyway, the appearance of the foods were exceptionally deceiving. As many things in life, it's not always as they look. Enjoy.

The original is off Soi Lengkee with large rooms. I've not used the newer one off Soi Buakow, but heard it's better.

Happy 75th!! When in Hawaii, in the mornings after my gym workout, i love getting Spam Musubi wrapped in Nori (seaweed) from the nearby 7-11. Of course, the best ones are sold in the specialty shops where there is a line out the door. Not the healthiest, but moderation in all tasty things (donuts, frappes, steaks, fried fish, etc..). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi#/media/File:Homemade_Spam_Musubi.jpg P.S. To make them a little healthier, I now prefer those made with brown rice .

When my daughter was a teenager, i used #25 and now in her 30's, that's what she remembers :); not her actions and behaviors. 25. My father taught me about JUSTICE . "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Before I retired, I would have agreed as I was working long hours to make money and expected my investments and properties to work too. Now, it's all about spending my money, enjoying it with an empty property in either my home country or here waiting for my impromptu visit and just making sure the money lasts until the end. P.S. I have very appreciative grown kids whom I regularly give big gifts, otherwise they are doing fine. They've had many more advantages and opportunities than I.

I agree with Jacko. Rent in various locations to experience the subcultures within some of the many local neighborhoods. I stayed in various locations before I rented a small apartment for a year, then purchased a double condo in another neighborhood. After 6 great years in my condo, it's still functional for our lifestyle, but now I wouldn't mind living in another area I recently rented (staycation :) - pros and cons. P.S. It's much easier to buy a place here than to sell.

Took pictures with camera inside a plastic protector: Beach, 2nd Road and 3rd Road.

Yesterday afternoon, i kept dry walking north on 3rd Road to North Pattaya, stopping at various places for food and drink. At North Pattaya, i walked around the Terminal 21 site to 2nd Road and then started walking south. At the Central Marina Mall, i decided to search for the Easter Bunny :) at the new Playboy Cafe. Now an hour or two past nightfall, i began walking down 2nd Road where i saw water players on the West side of 2nd Road, but it looked like the East side was dry so i kept dry past Soi 6 to Klang, then back east on Klang. P.S. I noticed that the songtaew drivers would slow down in front of the water players giving opportunity to wet the occupants. At this time, the water players appeared to be Thai ladies from nearby beer bars.

Yesterday (Friday) morning, i rode my bicycle to Starbucks on Beach, then to a massage shop off Buakow, then back to my condo by 10 am. For lunch and dinner, i ordered food delivery (Pattaya Meals) and then after 10 pm decided to visit Walking Street. Walked down Klang to Soi Buakow fine, then boarded a baht bus south.... got hit with buckets of water before reaching South Pattaya Road. Returned home by motorcycle taxi as uncomfortably wet . Should've taken a motorcycle taxi to WS. Last year, i was able to take motorcycle taxis to various central Pattaya locations during the day without incident... I prefer visiting WS on Friday or Sunday nights and avoiding the busier Saturday nights, but we'll see tonight.... P.S. Sorry, no pictures as my cellphone is not water resistant, so during Songkran in Pattaya i keep inside plastic protector. One Songkran in Korat, i was able to use my digital camera without incident as whenever they saw my camera, they stopped themselves from throwing water. Not so in Pattaya .

First, thanks for sharing those pictures!! Those models are HOT!!! Girls and Bikes :). I always found it interesting to show your rebellious individualistic attitude you buy the most popular motorcycle and ride in a particular manufacturer group where bikes looked and sounded similar... and of course wear the 'uniform.' For my solo cross continental rides across the USA and Canada, I significantly modified my bikes and removed all identification to where unless you knew the motor, you'd not recognize the manufacturer. For some day rides, I was asked to join some groups without prejudice. Regardless, as long as you rode and did not trailer your bike to various rallys like Sturgis or Laughlin, you were respected by fellow 'riders.' And if I ever use a "chaser" truck, I'd load it up with these girls!! ...might need a big RV chaser too :). Keep the rubber side down!

A budget or financial plan makes financial decisions easier and your goals obtainable. We are adaptable. I've read many internet forum posts where guys advise others to just go for it, live here, don't plan, just enjoy until your money is gone.... I know we won't live forever and some have health issues that may give them a determinate lifespan, but we must each find the balanced plan that supports our lifestyle for however long we have... From the first month of living in Thailand with my Thai wife, i have given her a monthly household budget and against all stereotypes, she pays all of our condo bills, food, weekly entertainment and saves for bigger household purchases. Initially, i provided her the monthly budget in weekly portions, then monthly and for many years now, annually. Separately, i provide myself a monthly 'entertainment' budget and save for major purchases like vehicles, home renovations (house in USA, condo in Thailand), annual travel (2-3 trips a year to USA and holidays - daughter in Hawaii, eldest son in California and youngest on the US East coast). Just returned from a trip to Japan and China. Although the cost of living in Thailand has increased along with negative currency exchange rates, since retiring almost 8 years ago, my expendable income has increased due to various income sources. However, now i have no other planned income increases (unless i rent out my US home or work) so i'll have to plan and adjust my expenses accordingly. Financial health is only one part. We must also take care of our physical/mental health and our relationships. On all parts, I am healthier now than i was 20 years ago. I only plan on 15-20 more enjoyable years, but will always be prepared to adapt and adjust as contingencies may arise, e.g. Thai wife divorces me, then i'll give her all Thai assets which is same as my death so need to expedite :). Plan, prepare, implement and adjust. Chok Dee!!

To bring back on topic.... P.s. i did eat a few of the potato tater tots before taking the pictures Order of pics: Chicken BLT Jim's

Yes, a Thai restaurant that is very good and reasonably priced. On a day i went to Jim's too early and was hungry i just decided to eat next door. It's a very large restaurant with ample seating outside and inside with another separate AC room. I saw a few groups of what looked like office workers come in and eat in the AC room. Since it's right across from a big Thai disco, Dilfer (sp?), i noticed the restaurant hours would cater to the disco customers too. Exploring the new "Central Marina" there are many new eateries in there too. Yes, Pattaya continues to change....