PATFAN

This may sound like a silly question but how are pork bellies served in the west. I googled pork bellies and sounds like it is unprocessed bacon. The meat comes from the belly side of the pig. So we aren't talked pulled pork or pork chops, or pork sausages, right? I live in the Northeast part of the states. Pork is not that popular where I live. Perhaps down south, pork is more popular. Aside from bacon and ham ,the only pork that I normally eat are pan fried pork strips at a Chinese restaurant I go. BTW, I wouldn't mind trying some fire pork with some white rice next time I am in town.

Hello again, I used Nam's Taxi several more times. On my second trip back to Pattaya I was met by a young pretty lady. I was a bit surprised because I had thought that I was going to be picked up by Bee again. Bee was sick and could not pick me up. I thought that the young lady might be a college student. Her English was pretty good. We chatted a little on the way to Pattaya. I wasn't sure if she had mentioned her name at the airport when she had first picked me up. Boy was I surprise when I found her name was Nam. She is much prettier in person. We talked a bit her business. Sound like she is really trying to do a good job. I wish her luck and would not hesitate to use her taxi service on my next trip to Pattaya. Patfan

Hello I just posted a comment about Nam's Taxi service somewhere else on this forum. I got there because of a link. I made the post there. After reading posting there I read some of the posts. Not sure if I really should have posted there or here. I think here is better.Simply said I was happy with Nam's taxi service. It cost me 1200 baht from the airport to Pataya no extras. Communication was good. Driving was good. My drivers name was Bee and she had a nice Toyota Suv. I will use her service again. Patfan

Pete, Very interesting post. Thanks for taking the time to putting it together and posting it. There is a lot of info to digest. Is there a site that would offer more info on this type of set-up? Specifically a block diagram and/or a wiring dagram of how everything goes together? It seem to me that there are two side to figure out how this system works, the hardware and the software. I think the hardware would cost the most ( and easier to understand) but the software would be the hardest to figure out. What requirements are needed and what different options that one has and choosing the best one. For those of us who are not so technically up-to-date are there stores or websites that offer systems right out of the box. I have never seen something like this at Best Buy or Circuit City. Actually it would seem that there could be a niche of consumers that would love having a set-up like yours. Thanks Again and Happy New Years.. Danny

Where did you buy these Ipod look alikes and how much were they? Did you save a lot? I bought a MP3 player in China a few years ago. I am still having problems getting it to work. I think there is a problem in the format. I tried changing the encoding format in my computer but still not getting it to work. Can you contact the shop you bought it at? Good luck.

Hello, I would try to confirm my reservation. For a fee I am sure the hotel desk people or a local travel agent can check to see if everything is in order. My goodness.. what would you do if you got to airport and they said your flight had been cancel and you would have to wait for the next available seat ? You might be stuck in Thailand for few extra days...or hopefully for a few extra weeks. That would be a shame!! Good luck.

I believe there is now a Eastiny on Soi 7. A few weeks ago they had a sign that said they were now open. They looked as if there had internet services also. I want to, but a didn't get a chance to take a look around. Has anyone one checked the place out yet?

Gus, You do need to apply for a visa for Mainland China. The cost for a Single visit...30 day visa is 30-50 USD. This is according to a Chinese embassy site. I have gotten visa's by visiting their embassy in NY (got it on the same day) and also thru travel agencies (this took about 7-10 days). I believe a visa for Hong Kong is similar to the way we get a visa for Thailand (at the airport). Gulin is a small city. It is fairly modernize. It is a city where Chinese and westerners go for vacation. Yangshuo is a nearby town where you can shop. I believe they have artist community there also. You can shop for Chinese painting there. Between the two places there are touristy things that you can do there. Such as boat rides down the river, explore caves, go to minority parks, see the Elephant rock, eat, shop for cystals and gems and such things. I believe Yangshuo is on the backpacker map. They say the Guilin area is very beautiful. I think this area should be a bit more expense than the Pattaya area. HongKong is a very big modern city. It is more expensive. I think they offer everything but at a price. Hongkong has a special status and is treated as part of China..but different. If you you want to travel back and forth from mainland China and HongKong (several times) then you will need a multistay visa. I hope this info help you. I am hoping to visit China and do a side trip to Thailand at the end of the year. Good Luck and enjoy.

Thanks for the additional replies. Both of those sites look useful. The ocopustravel.com had a nice feature that was as the Chairman said... it works in real time. I talked to my friend today he said that he has arranged for a room at the Royal Twin Hotel on Second road. I did not see any review in the Hotel section for that hotel. Has anyone stayed there before? Any comments? He did say that the price was about 2000 baht a night, of which I thought was a bit expensive. But then again he will have a room for sure and it is during high season and Christmas is coming. Thanks again

Thanks for the replies. My friend is still emailing for a room in late December. I gave him your recommendations and also I suggested he tries Garbor's site for some hints. He is also looking at the Jomtien area. The FLB Bar's hotel section is a good one. It always worked for me as a starting place. But like other have said Christmas time is the high season and reservations should have been made earlier. Thanks again.

Hello Guys, I have a lucky friend who will be visisting Pattaya at the end of December. I told him about this site and he loves it. I suggested to him to get his hotel reservation early. I guess I should have told him very very earlier. I have always used the Hotel Reviews to gather info and the contact the hotels direct and that has always worked for me. He has tried the Flippers, the Eastinys, and The Residence Garden. They are all booked up . Is there a hotel consildator website that will find a good room for him in Pattaya? Or does anyone have any other hotels that they can suggest he try. I was going to suggest he try the Lek, Sandy Spring, and the Hard Rock. Thanks Wish i was in Pattaya now. It's been raining in the N.E. for a week and has turned chilly.

Hello JML, A few more days and you will be in Thailand. I am envious!! There are many touristy things to see and to do in Pattaya. Seeing the tigers is a great thing to do. If you can, bring a camera with a zoom because you will get some awesome pictures of the animals. I recommend visiting the Sanctuary of Truth. It is a large Temple made of carved wood and they also have two ponds with dolphins in them ..where you can feed them and see the shows that they put on. That place is maybe 15 minutes away from Pattaya and a hired baht bus might cost you about 100 baht each way. Pattaya has a waterpark and some go-cart tracks...they are a blast. Another thing that is very entertaining is the Ladyboy shows. They put on a very great show and they are deceptive good at imitating women. Hope you have a good time. Please tell us about your trip when you get back. PatFan

Marketinsider Three things to do away from the bar scene that might be fun or interesting are: 1- A visit to the Santuary of Truth...a huge temple built out of wood reflecting several S.E. Asin religions. There are also several different other things to do there. See and feed the dolpins.( call for the 2 showtimes). A boat ride,etc. 2-Go to the Zoo..I think it is called The Thousand Year Park. tiger and bears up close,feed the crocs,see the shows. 3- Go carting. This was a blast!! If you can bring a TG, they will enjoy themselves there and they can help you find the places. There are many other things in Thailand to do if you are willing to travel. A day trip to the Bridge over the River Kwai is very interesting I hear. I wanted to go but I didn't have enough time. I wonder if any of other member have made that trip. Many Brits seem to be interested in visit that place. I went up to Chiang Mai for a few days. I went to an elephant training camp. I really enjoyed that. I can Be such a tourist!! Like rbav84 said most of know why we go to Pattaya, It is a great place and there many fun things to do ...in and out of the bars!! Have fun

Can anyone tell me if the bar across from the Flipper on Soi 8 is still in business?. It is the one with the Big tree with all sorts of material and ribbons tied around it (why do they do that?) I think it is called the Bupha Bar. I looked to see if it was listed on the various Beer Bar listings but only found a listing as The Big Tree Bar..you got to love the originality they come up with when naming the bars!!! It didn't have an internet address. I enjoyed spending a lot of time there talking and playing games with the girls. It is true thou...be careful about selecting a BG too close to home (the flipper). The girls can and do see everything!! Thanks in advance for any replies.

Happy Holidays!!! And as corny as it may sound ......... ....... Peace on earth and good will to all Men........ I hope everything is going well in that town taht we all love!! Hope to be there in two weeks for too ST!!!!

Thanks, guys for your input. It is good to know that I should have a nice room waiting for me when I get to Pattaya. I was a bit concern because it was around the high season and from many of the recent posts... hotel rooms were getting harded to get. In the U.S. You normally have to use a credit card to guarantee your room if you are arriving after 6:00. Thanks again.

I have booked a room at Eastiny Place for a little less than two weeks in mid January. The rate is 900 baht is a nite. Depending on one's opinion on the value of the Baht the rate is okay or maybe a liitle higher than normal. For me I am happy with having a reservation at a hotel which seems to be highly recommended by many posters and it is in a good location. I have only one concern.. I am arriving at Pattaya a little after 7:00 pm and I am not being asked for a deposit. Is this normal for this time of the year? I just reconfirm my reservation and nothing was said about a deposit. I prefer not to have to give a deposit only because it sounds like a hassle (from some of the posts that I have read) to give a deposit. Can anyone one tell about me about their past experiences with deposits for Hotel rooms in Pattaya? Thanks in advance for any input. P.S. I hope i can find a good shower technician! ;D

If you go the Trip report section and then go to the fifth page You will find a posting Tittled "Trip Report-Sept 2003". Look in there. That may give you some answers to your questions. Sorry but I don't know how to put the address to get you to that page with just a click. ::)

Mark, Thanks I will try to get a room at Eastiny Place. Dan

Whoops..I meant the 7th picture.

Thanks for posting the pictures. It is nice to see what you might get. I am trying to get a room for mid-January. The two Eastinys seem to be a good choice. I like the Flipper but have heard that they are booked up. I have read the reviews on the two Eastinys. It is a little confusing because at times I am not sure which one they are talking about. E. Place is nearer 2nd road and E. Inn is closer to Beach road, I think . My question.. is one a better choice than the other? Thanks...I do have one more question do all the rooms come with a "Shower Technician" like in the 4th picture or is she an Option?

Thanks for your input. I have to get a reservations soon for at least the first couple of days. Do you guys think the Flippers will have any openings after the Christmas rush is done? Also which Flipper do you think is better? Two times I have started at the Flipper on Soi 8 and both times I changed over to the Flipper on Soi 7. It seemed that they always tried to put me in a dumpy room on Soi 8. I guess I need to ask to look at their better rooms!! I think I paid 1050 baht for a suite room at the flipper on Soi 7. I could see the Big Tree beer bar (Bubpha) from my balcony on the 5th floor. The room was very good and the service was good. The maid always did a nice job. The reception desk was friendly and the restaurant was ok. They had a nice pool and in room massages. [smiley=grins-jump.gif] Thanks Again.

U.S. or Hong Kong Dollar..... ??? I just checked . It is U.S. dollars. Perhaps a bit expensive but will be a good chance to clean up after a long trip. A short trip around Hong Kong sounds very enticing but I would hate to miss my connection. If I had more time I would have try to stay over a couple of days in Hong Kong to do some sightseeing. Thanks for the info/suggestions.

Thanks for the info. I went to the web sites that you suggested. Showers are available for $9. Thanks again

I will be stuck at the Hong Kong Airport for about 5 hours. Any suggestion of what I can do there? I am flying Cathay Air ...cheap seats :-/. Are there any Shower rooms there like Tokyo airport? If so does any one know where and how much? Thanks..This is a great site and Pattaya is a great place! ! I am looking forward to having a few at the FLB Bar. ::)