Yujin

After four seasons, last night was the final episode of TURN: Washington’s Spies. I’m a big fan of books, movies, TV shows based on actual historical facts. Overall, the TV series was fairly consistent with historical facts although there were some dramatic liberties taken. There aren’t too many TV shows like this so I’m going to miss it, but that weird melodious voice of the actor who played the British officer Simcoe will be forever stuck in my head (an ear worm) . http://www.amc.com/shows/turn

I just finished reading Walter Lord’s “The Miracle of Dunkirk: The True Story of Operation Dynamo”. Lord’s recounting of what happened at Dunkirk gives a new meaning to “cluster fuck.” I'm looking forward to watching the movie.

I never stayed at the Baron Beach Hotel, but on my last visit to Pattaya (3 years ago), I took a tour of the hotel since I was thinking about staying there on my next visit. Overall, the hotel had the the look or the decor of a Tiki bar or a rundown Trader Vic’s restaurant (there aren’t that many Trader Vic’s around anymore so you’ll have to Google and look at some pictures to get my comparison). The room that I looked at was one of their cheapest and it was a very old and basic. I believe they have some remodeled rooms, but those are the higher priced one. The photos on their website are

I never used it, but on my last stay, Areca had desktop computers in the lobby that allowed guests to access the Internet. I believe usage was free.

If you have an e-reader, I highly recommend subscribing to BookBub for a weekly alert on free and discounted e-books that match your interest. It’s a good way to build up your e-book library. My problem is that I’ve downloaded more e-books than I can possibly read in my lifetime. https://www.bookbub.com/home/ Currently, my favorite authors are Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, and Joseph Wambaugh. I’ve read every novel that these three authors have written. I recently finished Stephen King’s “11/22/63”. It’s a very long novel to read. The first 1/2 was a little slow, but the second 1/2 w

For some reason, the "hotel review" section wouldn't let me post this review so I'm posting it here. http://www.arecalodge.com/ I’ve visited Pattaya five times over the past 15 years. On each visit, I’ve stayed in different hotels. This is my first stay at the Areca Lodge. I stayed there for seven nights in mid-March 2015. I booked directly through their website and I was charged one-night stay to hold my reservation. I booked a DELUXE room at an internet price of THB 1,900 (inclusive of VAT). When I arrived, the front desk offered me a one-year membership in their ACE Club for TH

With the Russian ruble rapidly losing its value, I read on the Bangkok Post that Russian tourism to Thailand has dwindled to almost nothing and hotels that catered to them are struggling to fill vacancies.

From this news article, TransAsia has 68 pilots, some 29 pilots were suspended after failing or missing safety tests, a week after a fatal crash. Ten (10) pilots failed oral proficiency tests designed to show how they would handle an emergency. If these numbers are correct, more than 40% of TransAsia pilots have been grounded. It kind of reminds me of the problems that they have in India where airline pilots were found to have paid bribes to avoid proficiency flight exams but still get certified and hired as pilots. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31404500

My room window / balcony did not face 2nd Road. It faced south. It wasn't completely quiet, but bearable since it wasn't the rhythmic electronic thumping sound that drives me nuts. I once stayed in a hotel on Soi 8 and I asked for a back room to avoid the music from the beer bars. It didn't help. That was real bad.

I tried to post this in the hotel review section, but no luck so I'm posting it here: Hotel: Bay Breeze Hotel Website: http://www.baybreezepattaya.com/ Dates of stay: Oct 12 - 16, 2010 This was my first stay at the Bay Breeze. I reserved a “standard room with balcony” for 800 Baht (US$27) per night. This was a low season rate. I liked the location. It’s down Sai Song Soi 11 off of Pattaya 2nd Road. When I got off the BKK to Pattaya bus, the baht driver said he was familiar with the Bay Breeze. I even gave him the map that I had printed off the Bay Breeze’s website. I soon

Several years ago, I experienced the same thing. I had a late arrival so the Dynasty (Bangkok) wanted my CC information to guarantee the room. They only ask for CC information on late check-ins. I decided to "roll the dice" and not give my CC. I showed up around midnight and they had no room for me. I went to the Majestic Suite and Nana Hotel without any luck so I started walking down Soi 4 until I found a hotel. After a 18-hour flight, I had some anxiety about not finding a room. If you've got your heart set on staying at the Dynasty, you're going to have to give them your CC infor

My biggest concern about the A380 is the 800 passengers. If an emergency happens, it'll take a long time to evacuate the plane and imagine the panic, the pushing, and shoving to get out. You'd be smothered to death trying to escape. I recently saw a TV show about airplane disasters. One of the disasters occurred on the ground when two planes collided on the runway and the planes caught on fire. Many of the passengers died of smoke inhalation.

Thanks! I thought "cheeky cow" was a term of endearment. It could have been a problem if I had used it with the wrong (or right) woman.

"I went for a pint with this one bird and she turned out to be a real cheeky cow." I'm assuming "cheeky cow" is a British slang. I did a quick Google search, but I couldn't find a clear definition as to what it means. Could one of our esteem Brits can give me a translation as to what "cheeky cow" means in the context of the above first sentence, i.e., is it a compliment or an insult? Thanks!

Winston's need to return home for proper medical treatment is an important lesson for all of us. Many of us have health insurance through our employers or credit cards that will cover treatment overseas. However, getting back home is the problem if you're seriously ill or injured and can't fly via a commercial airlines. The only "travel" insurance that I buy is medical evacuation or air ambulance coverage through http://www.medjetassistance.com/ You can purchase coverage for an entire year or several weeks. A friend of mine had the fortune or misfortune of using their

What price range do you consider "cheap"? If this fits into your price range, you might want to consider Woraburi Inn on Sukhumvit Soi 4 : http://www.woraburi.com/new/woraburi_inn/w...raburi_inn.html When I stayed there several months ago, there were several European families with small kids staying there.

I stayed at the Pattaya Centre Hotel last May (2002). I had never stayed there before. I did some research and the reviews were so-so. I had read that it went through recent ownership or management change and the rooms were remodelled. Since I thought there might have been some positive changes and I liked its location, I decided to give it a try. Instead of booking through their Internet site, I e-mailed them to ask for a better rate. They responded with the following rates: Standard Room 942 baht; Superior Room 1,060 baht; Junior Suite 1,295 baht; and Panorama Suite 1,648 baht. These

In Pattaya, it's the swimming pool at the Hard Rock Hotel. It's the best pool I've seen in all of Thailand.

In response to Fatboyfat's posting: When did you stay at the Eastiny Inn? I stayed there last May and they nevered charged me a guest fee. At least I don't think they did. . .

I usually arrive in Pattaya via public bus from Bangkok. In Pattaya, I take a baht bus to my usual hotel on Soi 8. The baht bus driver always know where I'm going when I tell them "Soi 8." Next time, I plan on staying at the Residence Garden Inn; however, I've never been there before. In fact, I don't think I've ever been in that neighborhood. What are the chances the baht bus driver will understand me when I say "Residence Garden Inn?" Is there a nearby well known landmark or street that's more likely known to a baht bus driver?