gunzel3808

What a gross sight. Fat men and tight jump suits - what a shocking combination. Should be banned. I never go down to Sydney Station when this mob of fatties turn up to head off to Parkes. I prefer to remember Elvis when he was slim and had real talent. Not in his waning years.

Ah no, the camels are better looking that most of their owners.

Ha, ha. Serves him right. Gym junkies.

Thanks once more firth1974. I visited this magnificent place in August 1982, when there was considerable restoration activity taking place. We visited late one afternoon and it was just before closing time and the place had an aura of tranquility which I will always remember. What a surprise it must have been for those that discovered it in 1814.

Thanks for the photos firth. I was in Java in August 1982 when a volcano near the railway town of Tjibatu southwest of Bandung was erupting. Everywhere was covered in grey ash and the driver of our vehicle (the brother of an old school mate of mine) was petrified of driving thru the countryside. But as I was paying for his driving and I was confident we were all going to be OK (and we were) I insisted he keeping driving. It was very óut of this world' and despite a few scary moments it was all OK and I would do it again. I think this particular volcanic eruption was the one that caused problems for a certain British Airways 747. Google it and you will see what I mean.

A beautiful place and shows what a depth of culture that is to be found in Indonesia. I recall visiting the palace in 1982 and I was very impressed.

Yes as Midlifecrisis comments, there is an interesting history between the USA and the Philippines. They are a generally a well educated nation (at least for the middle classes) but they have this major problem with religion and the belief that everything uttered by members of the Catholic clergy is the truth and must be followed to the letter. Result, a massive population, which is increasing at an unsustainable rate far outstripping their resources be that to educate, feed, and employ only a fraction of that mass of peoples. Possibly the US should have done more for them but the reality is the PI's is its own worst enemy and what with the massive and endemic corruption, general lawlessness particularly with the current president it really is the basket case of all of Asia. The rest of Asia is moving forward at a tremendous rate leaving the PI's way behind.

They are gorgeous beaches Grubert. Thanks for images of a part of the PI's that I have never visited and possibly unlikely to ever visit. I do want to revisit the PIs, maybe in 2017, but most probably a direct flight down to Negros, after a very quick change from arrival in Manila, which holds very little to attract my attention these days. Thank you.

Thanks Billions for these very interesting images which hit the spot in varying degrees, as I am sure you appreciate. They show the true nature of Pattaya - from the straight tourists to the downright seedy characters who inhabit this town we love and hate in almost equal doses I am sure. The variety of sexes on show from órdinary' males and females to ladyboys, trannys, etc, etc! In stark relief and colours you show the town as it really is. Thank you.

I have fond memories of visiting TOPS for just the very reason the poster has commented. It was well located and in the end that has to be a factor in its demise for sure. The land becomes so valuable that either another mall, unlikely but possible or yet another high rise condo block but with the current poor returns on such developments maybe not.

Thanks for the photos and info, Idefix. I haven't been to Jomtien for years. I suppose I was put-off by all the Ruskies, lack of the amenities Pattaya has to offer and general rundown nature of the place. But the view from the beach along the tide way is very different and worth another look I think. Thank you.

It all looks so clean & tidy & as stated, lacking in customers. Very un-Thai.

Like with most price rises everywhere an increase in such a basic service will undoubtedly flow on thru the system. Unfortunatley.

The number of Central shopping plazas is somewhat confusing.

I have not used TCs for decades, preferring cash advances from bank accounts and credit cards, however, with bank charges now running at rip-off rates I have resumed taking cash and also loading cash in a joint account with the wifey that we have in Thailand.