Flash_Basbo

I 2nd billten. Try reinstalling XP again with a full reformat. I don't know what went wrong last time. First thing to do once XP is reinstalled is download all updated drivers for all programs. Trash Norton's. I used it for years but finally dumped it when I reformatted my computer. Since that time my computer has never worked better. Anything Norton's does can be done by stand alone programs found free on the internet. A few suggestions: Great free virus scan: Tredn Micro The BEST internet browser, also free, is Firefox. IE sucks and in virus prone: Firefox Use an internet site like Yahoo for email to avoid viruses. Or you can use Firefox email client Thunderbird. Outlook is another virus magnet: Thunderbird

Sunny has already made this clear but I just want to second it. I went to Cambodia on a whim and got played in the Riel game on the border. I only lost money on the exchange but it was annoying. US dollars are happily accepted everywhere.

I was in Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong in 2003. It was an incredible party. Like the Fourth of July in America. It was the highlight of my three weeks.

Condo, abbrev. for Condom, short time apartment for one member only.

Do we get to shoot brown people we don't like in LOS as well?

McDonalds? It's actually an interesting question. I met very few Americans in Pattaya yet in a recent poll 1/3 - 1/2 of the board seemed to be American.

btm1735 - Thanks much for the response. Weight loss/muscle defining seems to 1 part art, 1 part science. Never completely understood the process. There is so much info out there it's hard to decide the right course. As you seem to have a good handle of the weight loss process maybe you could give me a little advice? At what point does the body view muscle as a better energy source as opposed to fat? My goal is to lose 8 - 10 lbs. That would get me to my ideal weight. I've radically cut my calorie intake and am doing some very light exercising. I am not very interested in building muscle but don't want to harm my body either. Would you consider jasmine rice a good or bad carb? I'm a carb junky. Cutting out pasta for an Italian like me is painful but I've done it.

Were you able to get rid of the 'love handles' all together? How long did that take? I'm starting to think I'm just going to have to live with them forever.

I got the same letter a day or two ago from Citibank. Decided I would call my other cards to find out what their policy is on the exchange rate; same same, 3%. They're going to nickle and dime us to death.

They have special prices from May thru October right now. See under their Hot Deals link. What do they mean by trariff rate on the graph? The normal rate with all taxes? I'd imagine that the discounted rate is the final amount? A great rate to be sure but is there any way to negociate an even better rate for a two week stay?

That's not LOS is it? Philly?

I got it! Always wondered how you did that. Beastiality

Is there a reason why you haven't made a reservation? I'm still trying to figure out an angle on a reduced price for two weeks. El Cheapo here.

Anybody been able to negotiate a lower daily rate with Areca? Their advertised price of 990thb is good as it is but I'm curious if anybody has been able to get a deal from them?

If they don't answer your emails how good are they going to treat you when you are there?

Very guest friendly.

To be honest I can't remember but I don't think I did. I'm planning on staying at Areca in June. Given conversations I have had with other boardies I have decided to email Acera and negociate a price rather than going through a reservation website. Many seem to think you can get a reduced room rate that way especially in low season. I have even considered just showing-up and negociating in person. That may be a good approach. Then the manager has to make a desicion on the spot. 'Do I want this guys money right now or lose his business although?' I'd imagine that if they have a lot of empty rooms in low season they may bite.

That is what I did in 2003. Many boardies think that deposits are unnecessary and won't pay them. It really didn't bother me. The hotel treated me very well and I had no complaints. Everything was completely above board and legit.

Right past Kiss by maybe a 1/4 of a block on your right. Nice hotel. I'll be staying there in June.

Sold! Thanks for the info. An extra $5 USD for a matress and privacy is money well spent. Does the Thai train system link-up with neighboring countries like in Europe? I'd love to be able to go from BKK to Cambodia or Vietnam without major travel plans having to be made.

2nd Class for 730 thb? Good deal. Are you sharing the car then?

I took the overnight train from BKK but didn't get a sleeper; 515thb. They have large reclining chairs. It was fairly empty the night I rode so I had the entire row to myself. I went during Loy Krathong in November. I think it's their biggest festival of the year. The city was one big party for two days. Highly recommend Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong. Make sure you hit Doi Suthep. It's a beautiful temple complex overlooking the city. This is a good website for Chiang Mai info: http://www.chiangmainews.com/ Sightseeing in Chiang Mai: http://www.chiangmainews.com/sight/index.php This site has great nightlife info: http://www.whorist.com/01Thailand/011MaiNL.htm

I'll be headed to Phnom Phen in July. How much does your driver charge daily?

Trials of the Heart. Good lessons learned my friend. I'm glad to hear you've come out the other side just fine. IMHO, your experience is less a one with a Thai woman and more so with a woman. The stories I could tell you... I'm sure every guy on this board could tell their own version of your odyssey. Lots of other women in the sea.

In getting ready for my trip I've been taking some notes from this and other posts on recommendations. Thought a list could be helpful. Aprox. addresses or food types for those not listed would be cool. * is multiple recommendations. * Sugar Hut - Thai (bit more expensive Thai food, but great atmosphere) * Pink Lady (good cheap menu) * Queen vic - Breakfast (Soi 6 does the best brekie IMHO in pattaya) * Pig and Whistle - Soi 7 does a super Fish N chips * Vientiene * Ruin Thai - Thai Trad Dance - Across from Royal Garden * Nuang Nual - Great seafood, great prices, lots of it, etc * M.K. - (In Big C) (TGs love it) * The Blue Parrot - Mexican (Soi 2 Pattayaland) * Bruno's - Italian (on the way to Jomtien...) * Mata Hari (2nd road soi 7) * LengKee - Thai/Chinese (Go up second rd, up to Tops and the police box at pattaya klang, Turn right and go down about 400m and its on the righthand side on a corner (just before soi bukow) spell check soi bukow.) Green Tree - Thai (Beach Road/Soi 1) Boat Bakery - Cheap? Pan Pan - Italian (Jomtien - just after Bruno's on the opposite side) Art Cafe. - (Soi 16, Pattaya Naklua Road) Spaghetti Factory Shenannigans - English Fra Pattaya - Thai (near Walking Street) always has tasty thai food Montein Hotel - Best Chinese food I've had any where Tang Kay - Superb seafood Uncle Charlies - Steaks Papa Joes - Italian - (Walking Street) Casa Pascal Tequila Reef Rosie O'Gradys - English Royal Cliff Buffet Grill Room (Royal Cliff) - (just the soups made by the table worth the trip out) Au Bon Coin (Soi 5) Dusit Resort - Saturday Buffet (North end of Beach Road) La Gritta - Italian (Beach road, Amari resort) (great steak) Scandibar's Ribs - Beach road Soi 13 (on Sundays?) Lek Hotel - Breakfest (2nd Road, across fron Tim's Bar) Nahng Nooan - Seafood (South Walking Street) Food Fair - Seafood (Walking Street, near Nahng Nooan seafood, Gulf view) The Lobster Pot - Seafood (Walking Street) Ma Maison Hotel - (haven't eaten there since Jan 2003, but it was good then) The Sportsman - English Pub with good burgers and Sunday roast (Soi 13) New Orleans Restaurant - (good BBQ ribs)