RhinoTusk

They're not exactly camera-friendly

A few from last weekend while I was having an Irish Coffee

President Lyman in "Seven Days in May" "I think someone should just take this city and flush it down the fuckin' toilet."

Hedley Lamarr in Blazing Saddles. "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto."

There are bars very near the hotel. I booked during a 50% promotion, 6000 baht for 2 nights, excluding breakfast and internet. In-room wifi was 400 baht for 24 hours but free wifi was available in the lounge. I topped up my micro-sim and used 3G but could sometimes pick up the free signal from my 3rd floor room. Besides a great pool, squash and tennis courts, a billiards room, table tennis, and a fitness room.

I hadn't been to Hua Hin for 10 years so thought I'd check it out for a few days. Caught the 8:05 AM Diesel Rail Car from Bangkok's Hualamphong Station for a very relaxing 4 hour ride, even had a meal delivered to my seat. Double the minibus fare but much more comfortable. Stayed at the Hilton. I particularly enjoyed the large pool Water slide for the kids and a swim-up bar A bunch of bars within a few blocks of the hotel with friendly ladies Another concentration of bars around Soi 80, but not many customer Lots of seaside seafood restaurants, tourist prices I ate at a french place called Le Bistro. Service and presentation were great but food was mediocre. The night market didn't seem to have much The Centera looked very nice with colonial style, but pool couldn't match the Hilton. Last visit, I stayed at the City Beach Unless I take up golf, it will probably be another 10 years before I'm back to Hua Hin

Thanks

I have a Hua Hin trip report but my images are 4 meg and I only have 1.5 meg of image space left.

Norman Bates, Psycho "Well, let's not start sucking each other's dicks quite yet."

Here are a few more shots around town and along the Ping River

Sorry about that. I stand corrected. Whatever this is.

Thanks for the comments, gents. Attractions Wat Chedi Luang Right in the middle of town, the remains of a massive temple damaged by an earthquake in 1545, when it was home to THE Emerald Buddha. Dating from the 14th century, must respect these magnificent structures that stand the test of time. Wat Phra Singh What I remember of Wat Phra Singh during my first trip was how a farang stole my new Nike tennis shoes I had left outside when I entered the temple, so beware. We waited until everyone left and found a beat up-pair of New Balance, two sizes too small, but I had to wear them until I could find some shoes in my size. There are lots of other beautiful old temples in the city. Night Bazaar A huge indoor-outdoor market, including the Kalare Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market, selling handicrafts. Sunday Walking Street Market Every Sunday at 4 PM, they close Ratchadamnoen Road for the Sunday market. Goods appear to be of a higher quality than the Night Bazaar, and prices may also be better, because you see Thais shopping there. I hired a tuk-tuk driver for a half-day to take me to some of the tourist attractions to the north. Monkey School Monkeys doing cute tricks, performing amazing feats, shooting free throws and climbing the pole for a slam dunk, diving for coins, etc. Good fun and only 200 baht admission. Karen Village The long neck folks, selling some cool handicrafts. Admission to their village was 500 baht, pretty steep. Everyone was very pleasant and polite, for 500 baht they should be. Crocodile Farm Some guy kissing crocodiles, putting his head into their mouths, and reaching into their stomachs. For 300 baht, I'd give it a pass. Tiger Kingdom Like Pussy? Chaing Mai City Arts and Culture Center Housed in a 1920's building on Prapoklao Road, near the 3 Kings Monument, that was formerly Provincial Hall, a multi-media display of the history and evolution of the city, as an independent capital to the present day. Visitors are shown a movie, subtitled in English, to promote an understanding of Chaing Mai's roots, and a set of exhibits. Admission 90 baht. Even the local history of the farang is included. Chaing Mai Zoo and Aquarium A 200 acre zoo with 400 species represented, including giant pandas from China, koalas and ostriches from Australia, penguins from South America, the only Indian rhino in Thailand, a happy family of hippopotamuses, flamingos, zebras, giraffes, lions, tigers, camels, sheep and many varieties of birds. 100 baht you unlimited access to the shuttle bus and tram. Some of the exhibits also required an extra ticket. The panda exhibit for example, was 100 baht extra. For 150 baht, you were allowed 20 minute access to the snow-dome, a facility with controlled temperature of -7 degrees. There really wasn't any snow, just ice. They provide a winter coat and boots, and the Thais bundled up, but it wasn't so cold my my standards, in fact I couldn't even see my breath. They provided an inner tube that you could take upstairs and slide down an ice rink. Otherwise, I just sat around until my time was up, thinking what a rip-off this was, but when I went back outside I felt instantly refreshed. It didn't feel uncomfortably hot anymore. This nirvana lasted for about 10-15 minutes until my body temperature caught up and I reverted to being hot and sticky. The acquarium also requires an extra ticket, 225 baht I think, and was quite disappointing. There were a few small sharks and some exotic fish but really not much. I'd skip it next time. Sayuri Soapy Massage I was saving the best attraction for last. After spending the entire afternoon at the zoo, walking steep hills in 34 degree heat, I'm completely drenched in sweat. You may hear people say that Chaing Mai is cooler than Bangkok, it's only at night. My flight leaves at 10:40 PM, I'm checked out of the hotel, a fresh change of clothes is packed on top of my bag, but what I really need right now is a bath. Mongering wasn't a priority this trip, there are far better options at home in Bangkok, but I'd heard about Sayuri Soapy Massage, supposed to be the best in town, and this seemed like a good time to check it out. It's not on my Nancy Chandler map but google maps has it, so I have my driver drop me at the Nawarat bridge and I hoof it from there, about a 15 minute hike. You learn never to arrive at these places in a taxi or tuk-tuk. I'm the only farang present, old Thai guys sit around sipping Chang beer gawking at a couple dozen girls in the fishbowl. One group of girls have a 'B' badge, one group have no letter, and the largest group have an 'M' badge. A single girl sits on the couch in street clothes, a sideliner, she's very pretty, but no more than some of the 'M' girls. Some girls could grace high end Ratchada soapies, this is better than anything in Pattaya. Honey Massage may have nicer facilities but that's trivial, the girls are all that matter. Papasan writes on a piece of paper, B-class or no letter, 2000 baht, M-class 2500, S-class 3000. These are farang prices, but maybe not the tourist price. I ask for one of the M-class girls that had eyeballed me when I entered and ignited a flame, she was absolutely gorgeous. 25 years old, firm body and good English. She thought I was a local because I arrived without a driver. I was led to a small pink room with mirrored ceiling and walls but just a standard-sized tub. An air mattress is leaning against the wall, but I don't ask for it, I've had enough of those. Instead, I enjoy her deep tissue and foot massage. Since I have my camera, I ask to take a picture. "No, cannot", she says. GoGo girls rarely decline a photo but soapy girls have a much different attitude about being photographed. Her sex was awesome, I tipped appropriately and left feeling even more refreshed then after the Snow-Dome. The one-hour flight home was very relaxing.

"The Rose of the North", the hub of northern Thailand, 5th largest city in the kingdom. It had been over a decade since I was here, brought a girl from Nana Plaza and we did an elephant camp, river rafting, visited an orchid farm. I rented a car and we drove up the mountain to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, then visited the nearby Bhuping Royal Palace and the ultra-touristy hilltribe village. I went alone this trip, staying at the Raming Lodge on Loi Kroh, just a block outside the moat in the southeast section of the city. A deluxe room included airport pick-up and in-room wifi. The hotel had a pool that I could lay around in The hotel was a 10 minute walk to the night bazaar and I thought it had a nice mongering sound to it. There were several beer bars along Loi Kroh with friendly ladies. Halfway to the night bazaar is the Chaing Mai Entertainment Complex (CMEC), a cluster of about 30 bars surrounding a boxing ring. Not exactly a hotbed for stunners but girls were only asking 1500 LT. GO GO Bars Adjacent the beer bar complex is Star XiX You climb the stairs and pay 150 baht for a drink coupon before entering. They do it this way after losing so many potential customers that entered the bar and left without buying a drink. Get the picture? Slightly better is Spotlight, on Kotcasarn, facing the moat. Three girls on stage wearing bikinis, Chevas Regal 140 baht. The best of the lot was Foxy Lady, across the street from the Dusit D2 hotel. Long Island Iced Tea: 240 baht, more conventional drinks about half. LIVE MUSIC North Gate Jazz Co-op A tiny, hole-in-the-wall bar with (sometimes) great music, but can be hit-and-miss other times. Jack and Coke, 180 baht. Highly recommended. The Brasserie Rhythm and Blues The sign out front said live music at 7 PM, but didn't start until 9. Boy Blues Bar Not a gay hangout but a rooftop blues bar in the Kalare Night Bazaar. Just follow the music when you hear Willie Dixon's Hoochie Choochie Man. Jack Daniels & Coke 130 baht. Singha Beer 80 baht. Rasta Cafe The band was partial to Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I was twice the age of anyone else in the bar but I was having a flashback. Long Island Iced Tea, 250 baht. Sax They no longer feature live music upstairs (maybe during high season), but I enjoyed the ambiance of this place. Margaritas 75 baht during happy hour. Discos There's Bubbles, adjacent the PornPing Tower hotel. Didn't have the opportunity to check it out Backpacker Bars A set of bars around Zoe in Yellow, near the 3 Kings Monument on Ratwithi. They were setting up for their 6 year anniversary party. EATS Khao Soi The local dish. Noodles in yellow curry, topped with crispy noodles, add a chicken leg and you've got a tasty lunch for 40 baht. La Terrasse In an ally off Loi Kroh, just a few blocks from Raming Lodge, this place is fantastic. I ordered the plate du jour, duck breast with mango in red vinegar sauce flamed in Grand Marnier (420 baht) with a half liter of red (590 baht) and creme brulee for desert (150 baht). A truly outstanding meal for 1160, considering most of the cost was for the wine, and they presented the check with a fine chocolate truffle, and without government tax or service charge added. La Fourchette Across the street from Wat Chedi Luang, casual setting. I ordered the plate du jour, duck confit in triple cherry sauce. The waitress said it takes 8 hours to prepare the sauce, and I can believe it. Miguels Cafe Fresh Mex, chicken burrito for 170 baht. I like my burritos a bit larger but the price was very reasonable. Service was also very good, after I finished my strawberry margaritas the waitress asked if I'd like another pitcher. El Diablo's Burritos Burritos were larger than Miguel's, and complimentary chips and salsa, but margaritas were much more expensive, 150 baht vs just 90 baht, although I believe they used better tequila. I was surprised to see so many Mexican restaurants. I'm sure they also had some fine Italian restaurants but I didn't have the opportunity to try any. Next: Attractions

Looks interesting, I've been meaning to try it out.

The panhandlers around Central Station were a real pain in the ass. Many were drug addicts so if you gave them money they would ask for more. I learned to say "Ich verstehe nicht" and crossed my fingers they understood as little German as I do. I recall being in Amsterdam in 2001 and I gave a gilder to a panhandler. He was a large man, about 6 ft 4 in, mixed race with a thick British accent. When I reached into my pocket for coins, I happened to have a five gilder coin that he really hassled me about. NO WAY I was giving him 5 gilders, but he really gave me a lot of grief. Less than a year later I saw his picture on the front page of the newspaper. It was Richard Reid, the shoe bomber. I never would have remembered him if he didn't harass me so much about the five gilder coin.

I remember a middle eastern tourist taking a photo of one of the Brazilian women and she went after him.

Nice to see the Old Sailor Bar again The Grasshopper, from the mid-1990s Central Station De Wallen

They're not coming as long as Aeroflot is flying over the Ukraine.

She tucked that loosely fitting shirt into her jeans, makes her look soft in the middle, she should have left it out.

Number 4 was really cute.

No, I upsized to full frame from Photo AV. Fotofile wanted 10,000 baht more for the same camera. Here's a monitor lizard I found in Lumpini Park today. I don't think you'll get this shot with a cell phone.

I just bought this camera at MBK and was trying it out. Nice girl.

Thanks for the comments. Don't know the names of the live music places except Radio City and have never ventured into any of the upstairs bars. I had a thirst for some Crown Royal whiskey one afternoon so went into the Crown Royal bar, but they don't stock it. Go figure. Here's an interesting article describing the history of Patpong since the 1940s http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/the-banana-plantation-turned-sex-zone/2005/09/20/1126982060480.html A Stickman article from last year http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/StickmanWeeklyColumn2013/Timeless-Patpong.htm The Patpong Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patpong

I visit The Pong about every 3 months and, while I feel embarrassed to admit it, I always seem to have a good time. The Star of Light is world famous, of course. There's been enough jizz generated there to flood a small city. Otherwise very quiet in the afternoon until the workers show up to build the night market. I live so close to Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy that I never come to Patpong to bar fine. I come to Patpong for one reason only: Prices have always been lower and I can order Long Island Iced Teas all night and get really wasted. In fact, I haven't bar fined from The Pong since '03, this cutie from Kiss (not to be confused with Kiss on Soi Cowboy). Last night I took a walk down Soi Thaniya, until a tout informed me this was for "members only" and, while I could take pictures of the street, I wasn't allowed to take any picture of the girls. I always drink in the same 5 bars on Patpong: Kings Castle I & II, Club Electric Blue, Pink Panther, and Bada Bing. I tried the Black Pagoda once after stickman raved about it, before I realized they were an advertiser. I don't know what's going on in the other bars. I've been going to Kings Castle I & II for over 20 years, see my Bangkok Trip Report from 1992: http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/62014-bangkok-trip-report-21-years-ago-w-photos/ The bars are adjacent, they might do well to knock the wall down and consolidate, but they haven't invested in the property since I've been a customer. Looks just the same as 20 years ago, except a Jack & Coke goes for 130 now (still better than paying 180 at Baccara). They used to be prepay on drinks but now the customer signs each receipt, perhaps sending a message that it's going to be difficult to pad your bill. As usual, there were some very attractive girls there. Next stop was Pink Panther. I love it when bars price all their cocktails the same, so a Long Island Iced Tea is 180 baht, same as a Singapore Sling. Since this is Patpong I would expect that it be diluted, but it tastes like rocket fuel anyway, can't even taste the tea. Went down so well that I ordered another. I used to 'sober up' with an Irish Coffee here, but it's no longer on the menu. All the girls dress as coyotes but they seem to have three classes of girls. Some girls bar fine at the usual 600 baht while others bar fine much higher, and some girls can't be bar fined at all. Make sure you know the class of girl before investing 180 baht in a lady drink. At 11 PM they have Thai boxing, I always make sure I'm out of the bar by then. By this time the night market was in full swing and the music bars had their bands playing marginally better than Country Road. Took a break for dinner at Le Bochon. Lobster Bisque, Lamb Shank in a while bean sauce, and Creme Brulee, with a glass of red. No Thai food on the menu, not an appropriate place to bring a bar girl for dinner, but a Star of Light girl under the table would be delightful. Lust of Bangkok? I never saw this place before, the night market really obstructs visibility in the street. Next up was Club Electric Blue, and yet another Long Island Iced Tea. Last stop Bada Bing, and another Long Island for 200 baht. I don't know how you feel after 18 shots of booze but I can hardly remember getting home, think I took a tuk tuk. Found these shots in my camera this morning, so glad I didn't leave it in the bar.

When it starts to look like this, you know you've had enough Otherwise, lively this month on Walking Street