Hub

DH, Sounds like a plan......you guys are making it hard not to book a flight. I have dropped two references to Doggies' schedule this week at home to the better half and am waiting for the idea to settle in. The ducks around here have enough to eat as it is. Hub

I know it is pretty far in advance, but (Pie or Callum) is there any idea what the range of tee times may be for the CATZ open? I am looking at potentially flying into Bangers that morning. Hub

Doggie: Sounds like a great plan. I am working on it and will let you know as soon as things firm up. Most likely I will not make both legs of trip and will only do Pattaya leg. Hub

Good advice, but it's my understanding that the HKpriceline and standard priceline are a little different, for example in the case DH cites and Sunny may be better off getting his info from DH relative to the HKpriceline options. Hub

Stamboy: I have used priceline extensively for both work and holidays. Priceline is great for deals if you know how to manipulate it properly (i.e., hotels available in each star level in each area, winning bids). There are also bidding strategies that increase your chances and savings. I have stayed in both the JWMarriott and Westin (both 5*) in Bangkok several times for around $70 US. The westin is available now for around $70. Later this month on a business trip I am staying at a new Courtyard by Marriott in Toronto for $30. Also, I rented a premium car for $42/day via priceline. IM me if you want more information or have questions when you try and use for firat time. Hub

I know that at least on a few occasions my clubs have been MUCH more than 15 KGs. Brought my leather tour bag once by mistake, and packed a bunch into the outer bag as well to save room and protect the clubs. Last year also packed a stone carving from northenr Thailand into the bag. Never had a problem. Hub

I got nailed on beach Road last month because Tilac didn't have a helmet. We had gotten two helmets when we rented, but one flew off bike the night before on Second Road and was smashed. The cop made us pay right away (actually she went in and paid while I grabbed a baht bus as in we were in a hurry) and they kept the bike until ticket paid. Pissed her off as they charged the falang fee of 400 because I was driving instead of Thai fee of 200. Also, they said I had to be there to pay fine, which she held her ground on and they eventually relented and let her pay. BTW, if anyone is renting a bike for a few weeks and doesn't feel like wearing a used helmet, you can get a nice new helmet for around 200-250 baht at one of the malls, as we had to replace the one I broke. Hub

It's the Sanctuary of Truth, I went around three years ago and had fun both at the Sanctuary and Dolphin show (with the exception of witnessing the rudest falangs I have ever seen in Thailand). It's out past the Dolphin Circle in north Pattaya. Take Naklua Road down awhile and take Naklua Soi 12 on the left towards water. Here is a link for a map: http://www.ultima.co.th/assets/images/pttymapen.jpg have fun, Hub

Also used him several times dating back a few years with good results. Hub

I might not be able to make it this year :crying, will keep you posted. I would heartily recommend it to anyone considering playing of any handicap, we had a lot of fun last year. Hub P.S. USA players should check for sand in Pieman's bag.

Good advice. Hub

I've stayed there two different times, once when it had just opened and just again last month and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I am almost hesitant to post about it as I would like there to be vacancies when I return. Wireless broadband internet access for free and 3-4 brand new PCs free use in lobby in very nicely furnished AC room with view of gardens and street and some couches for tilac to sit on. Room service, which I heard was fairly good but didn't try myself. Nice little pool with water fountains on fourth floor roof. Small gym with view of pool (front wall completely glass) and new treadmills and other machines (again didn't use). Kids loved pool and it was under our deck so we let them go a few minutes before us as we could watch them. Pleasant staff. Nice reception area with sitting area. Across from PIH hospital and PIC Kitchen. Underground garage with video security to park your motorbike or car. Quiet Soi, except for some construction that we never heard. They have something for everyone; first time I stayed I brought back two girls a few times no problems. This last time I had two kids with us. Tipped the maid, we had extra towels every day and did great job cleaning up. They brought in a very clean sleeping pad and new comforter for the kids that was perfect as they loved in right on floor in front of TV and it folded up under TV every morning. Sorry if anyone finds a bit of spidy web on the wall as the boy went a bit crazy at first with the Spiderman web shooter I brought him. Big breakfast buffet every morning included in rate. Full kitchen in suite with corian counters, microwave, etc. that was used to make breakfast and snacks for the kids many times. Bathroom very nice with tub with shower, faux granite counters, good water pressure. I stayed in suite, which has risen in price from 1800 to 2000 baht, but still well worth it, IMO. have stayed in regular room for 1,000 baht as well and they are nice. Compared to say, RG, Nova Lodge one bedroom or Eastinny Place suites (the last two of which I have been in over last five months), these are heads above. They book fast and we couldn't get back in after trip to Bangkok last month and they were all full during November weeks in advance. Suite had two nice decks that the kids used a lot and drying rack for bathing suits. Bedroom has locking door and bathroom both doors (one from kitchen and one from bedroom) both locked which was perfect with kids if you get my drift. Suite furniture very comfortable and not "dorm furniture" you see at some places. Suite very big including large master bedroom with large desk area for laptop, big closet and electronic safe that fit my laptop (just). Ilike the location, quiet but not too far from baht bus routes and action (like IMO RG is). Easy walk to second road, a little further to beach road but I had motorbike most times so no worries. Sometimes a baht bus will go up or down soi as well. Close to Big C as it's on Soi 4 and also close to places like Soi 6/etc. I just really liked this place better than all the places I have stayed in Pattaya. If you gave me a choice of the 2,000 baht suite or the $70 priceline rate I got at both the JWMarriott and Westin (both f whiched charged another 400-600 baht/day for internet) last year I would take the suite in a second. Hub

Poor guy. :crying How many days did that set you back on the retirement? You can stay at the Skytop to make the $15 back....... Hub

Thanks for the review and i agree on the Eastinny being worth the extra baht. Even better IMO, and you may want to try next time, is the Eastinny Place on Soi 8 (you can negotiate down to 700/night) and just ask for room away from soi as there is a big difference in noise levels. Rooms seem relatively new, nice pool, etc. I have stayed there probably 10 times now. You just have to get over that bad attitude and you'll be fine (good response, BTW). Hub

Mats: Thanks for the report and pics, very interesting. Hub

And that is ON the tee box, while I am trying to hit my tee ball, with 50 baht/stroke bet with Doggie and Pieman (or maybe hypothetical bet, as neither paid up ). It is very distracting during a swing when listening to "Steve rak Mok" and wet kiss noises.

Also, If you've got four or more people, just hire a speedboat in Ban Phe to wherever you want on the island and the park fees you won't likely pay will offset the cost of the boat. decent map: http://www.athailand.com/mf/_Fr/_Se/KoSamet.htm Hub

I would avoid the Malibu Resort. I found it overpriced and away from the action . Better to stay up by Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach). If you are looking for seclusion there are better spots also. Hub

http://www.ash-hotel.com/samedcliff.htm http://www.precisionreservations.com/ph-as...er.htm?cid=8498 http://www.samedvilla.com/ http://www.baywatchbar.tk/ Sai Kaew Beach Resort (1600-2000 for bungalow) Tutu Bungalows– AoPhai Beach (one beach down from Sai Kaew, 800-1000 for nice AC room, no TV) Pudsa beach, quite nice non-ac bungalow on the beach from 300-1000 baht/night. Millwall: I would go either Samed Villa or Sai Keaw Beach Resprt if you can get them. Have fun, I really like Koh Samet and I am jealous as we had too much going on and had to skip our planned trip to the island. Hub

Alan: Nicklaus is missing makeable putts otherwise he should be under par. I have some cake on Lefty, Sergio, Freddie Boom Boom, and Donald (per CT's recco) to win. Hub

Thanks Ben, Nice pictures and tribute. She really will be missed by myself and Oh. Do you mind if I copy these to my hard drive and show them to Oh? We tried to change our flight to take you up on the offer of a trip for the funeral but were unable to do so. Hub

I'll by by to drop some in the hat. I haven't had time to check the board for awhile so sorry if repeating but my fiance was there at the hosptial quite a while yesterday and specifically mentioned the dependence of Om's family on her job/salary from FLB. Hub

Bigmike: This has and is happening in Thailand and often is not as easy to prevent as you indicate. Half in the bag at 2 am in Pattaya, not many are going to do a search for hidden videocams in an atm booth. Hub

I came across this website recently when the EVA site was down and needed to check my flight arrival time for my taxi: http://www.travelsmart-asia.com/hostconten...vailability.jsp It seems pretty handy and has schedules for many airlines so I thought I would post link Hub

The RG is a nice place, but does not meet either the shower (the times I stayed there it was shower in a tub?) or location requirement and I wouldn't call the beds "king size". Hub