Flash_Basbo

Is the Long Horn right on Beach Rd. down near the lower Soi's (2-6)? Almost all wood construction with a patio? I think I ate there... pretty good...I think... Damn I wish I had written all that stuff down. Now when I get back I'm going to have to figure it all out again. I had BG on the brain 24/7...

In 2003 I spent $761.00 (roundtrip total) Chicago to BKK on United. Check Yahoo Travel or Travelocity (same same) for deals. Leave your dates open and choose from the dates United has available. Right now they have deals from $695.00 + taxes. As you look farther out, closer to summer, the prices seem to rise. I'm concerned I'll pay a lot more to travel in June as planned. Lowest fare I can find is about $1100.00.

nidnoyham - I think American football has so many players because of injuries and specialization. Every play, every player has a very specific job. Some plays are designed with specific players in mind so they come on and off. I think there are a lot of rookies on the rosters as well that are not playing too much but learning. It's a very complex game in the end. I know some people have difficulty watching the game because it seems slow. But the beauty is in watching the play execution. It's a very strategic game. BTW, don't judge American football on the Superbowl. It sucks. It's all commercialism. I was disgusted when after the Ray Charles tribute they annouced that the soundtrack to the movie Ray was on the charts and for sale. I bet they had vendors walking around the park yelling; 'HOTDOGS, BEER, RAY CHARLES CD'S!!!' Watch any game during the regular season to see a real American football game.

Thx Bigfoot. I didn't realize there was any action back there. I remember a lot of building going on. Are there more bars in the area as well?

In many ways I agree. I liked Areca quite a bit. I was thinking of staying at Sabai Inn again just because they are about 100 baht cheaper per day. If I can negotiate a couple of free days I'll do Acera in a heartbeat. BTW, where is Lolita's? Is it new? I don't remember it being there a year ago.

Which hotel gave you this deal: Sabai or Areca?

I'm thinking about staying at Sabai Inn. Do we get a discount at SabaiDee?

Hey pattayahappy - Followed your links and read-up on Pattaya. Loved the 'Russian liquid courage' caption! Are all Russians as bright as those three? Anyway followed the links to the Chiang Mai Mail. It's like drug city up there according to the articles. My question: What the heck is Ya ba? http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd16 If you all want a sad little laugh read-up on these two: 'Drug trafficking couple arrested for overloaded underwear - Police probably think the man was nuts' http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd17

Thanks all. I think I got my answer. Never hurts to ask but I suppected I'd have to eat it. No biggy. $695- on United from Chicago to BKK is a deal by any standard.

I don't fly much and I surely don't just go one-way and stay. But in June my plan is to fly to LOS, travel around SE Asia, and wind-up in Taiwan teaching English (or something like that). With that said a round trip ticket on United is cheaper than oneway. So I'll have this return ticket I won't be able to use. Is there anyway get something back on it? Any idea if airline will allow you to change the terms of the return for a fee or something? Got a feeling I'm stuck but it's still cheaper than oneway. Maybe one of you more experienced types have an idea what to do with it?

I stayed at Sabai Inn and Areca my first time out. Acrea is just a few years old. I had a great experience staying there. The rooms were nicely designed. Very light and airy with a balcony. A little off the beaten path if you like things quiet. It's about a block back from 2nd road but Pattaya is so small you are never too far from where you want to be. CheshireTom make a great point about Sabai Inn as quoted above. During my first trip I hadn't bf'd more than one girl at a time but I plan to e-recitfy that. Sabai Inn standard rooms do have huge beds and large showers (no tubs which I hate). Someone also posted that they now have in room safes which I like. Can't decided where to stay myself. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks CheshireTom. That's exactly what I needed. I'm trying to decide between Areca and Sabai Inn for a trip in June. In 2003 and stayed at both and was satisfied with both. They are about the same price (Arcea 990b and Sabai Inn 900b). Both have the complimentary breakfast. I thought Areca was nicely designed. I liked the bright room with a balcony. I heard they have a fitness room now as well. Sabai Inn had a better location though and a much larger room. I need sunlight so I definitely wouldn't stay there if I couldn't get a room with a window for a decent price. The room safe is a selling point as well. Decisions, decisions...

I stayed at Sabai Inn for a few days in 2003. It was a last minute situation and they said they only had one room available. The price was right so I took it. The room was appointed nicely but it was an interior room without an outside view. I did have an excellent view of the hallway though if I openned the curtains! I highly recommend these rooms for exhibitionists. I was wondering what you all have found to be the difference between standard and superior rooms? The website doesn't detail the difference. Are all standards interior rooms?

I'll check it out Gus. Thanks All.

I stayed at Areca for a week in late 2003 and would very much recommend it. At that point it was brand new. The rooms were clean, staff was friendly, and I never had a problem with guests. I'll be staying there again without a doubt.

I was checking out some ticket prices for my second trip to LOS. Eva has a great deal but I know nothing about them. I've only ever taken US airlines. Because the trip from Chicago to BKK takes about a full day I want to make sure that I'm not stuck on a Greyhound with wings. Anybody flown them before? What did you think?