papadoc

I used Nam's taxi Friday. Night from swampy to Pattaya, and it wasn't just a pleasant drive. BUT not once did she use a mobile phone during the journey. Some discreet use in a taxi is understandable for the business ,however I've had previous drivers not only talking the whole journey but search and scanning for data as they fly along at 120 kph. So yes I will use Nam again Papadoc Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD When I was at home I was in a better place. Alas, we travellers must be content.

Thanks a million Kratos for your prompt reply. I'd like to give them a go again as always happy there. Except that last trip where I needed urgent communication so I shortened my trip. Currently trying for a booking. regards Papadoc

This has been my favourite spot for a few years. However, I checked out early last year as Wi Fi was hopeless. Anyone stayed here recently and can advise current efficiency of their Wi Fi Internet Would appreciate anyones responce to this. Papadoc

What are you doing to me EP! We are not supposed to make plans for Pattaya. However in the past, you have always done a couple of restaurant reviews which has lead me to seek out new (for me) treats. Since last november I have created the following list of 8 for this November. Thats just about every meal catered for, as your recommendations are generally that good, that I usually visit at least a couple of times each. Pakbungloyfah second RD close to second mikes store. The balcony restaurant Soi Bukhao Wok and Rock Soi Bukhao The greek Place Pattayanis off Soi Bukhao nr soi 21 49 Baht Ribs place Soi Bukhao The Brooklyn diner (schnitzel and Pizza) The globe trotter. The sea food (off soi 7) Not mentioning all the other places I already know about - steak houses, buffets, PBG, The near Tuc Com crowd etc. Thanks a million Evil, I'm really looking forward to this. regards Papadoc

La Cuisine au Beurre? It may be this place which is in the lanes behind/side of Tuk Com Near Le Petite Planet Both are very good for reasonable French Food Bon Appetite Papadoc

I recall Evil wrote a very good report about this place a few weeks ago...cos I put it on my list for November...

i agree

Thanks Evil.. I really do appreciate your revues and will be into them in November. when comme d'habitude, I will post many pictures of my meals Hope to see you around on a crawl. regards Papadoc

Hi Teelack. I had just receieved an email from Thai offering about AUD $830 return from Brisbane. So I checked from AKL and they want over NZD 1700 of your money (over AUD1500) Thats terrible. (i got a cheapie on Philippine airlines back in April for my November trip). I flew with China Southern once from Shanghai to Shenzhen, the flights OK but from Aus they go up via Guangzhou... (The old Canton) and back via Beijing) Too long a journey for me. good luck with your search.

Thanks Teelack.. I enjoyed that. Quite a Pommie flavour there! regards Papadoc PS Hope you be up there in November (30OCT - 20NOV)

Yes, he sure is. Responds to comments and does his best to fix problems saspo. There are pages and pages of favourable comments on other boards also. Not being a Walking St. fan I love staying in this region. Not only a very comfortable place but I love being in that area. Just so good to be close to LK Metro/ Dianne/ those great Sois with laundry, haircut, bars and restaurants between 2nd and 3rd Roads. It has a great atmosphere around there. I booked a couple of months ago for arrival 30 October for three weeks. You have to book early. I always have a couple of (good) meals in the Chinese restaurant. Next door you have one of the best Ribs and a fair Fish and Chips shop (Neither of these are Ian's now). Cherries and the golf club nearby, plus many local choices for breakfast. Can't wait to get back.

Thanks Teelack. Always good to clarify things. Now I know it's whatever I like to call it providing it sounds a bit like "back cow" regards

I got whisper of a cheeky Philippine Airlines special as they commence flights out of Brisbane in June. $575 return.. But couldn't book a seat on it as quote "Full up". So phoned Philippine airlines direct and booked myself to Manila and back. Then I said can I go on to Bangkok? Certainly but that would make the fare $667.98 ($180 air fare, the rest Taxes!!) So I'm off for 3 nights Angeles City (Haven't been there since 1983) on my way to Bangkok on 27 October. Full of happiness... At last I have something to dream about for a few months. Papadoc

Thanks eveil, am saving them up for next visit regards Papadoc PS good crackling also available in Aus!

I spoke too soon. It didn't work for me I'll keep watching this space. I have available "use full editor" on this page but not on my TR Papadoc

Thank you You never know who's question you're answering. Papadoc

Checked in on Friday for a week and was asked for credit card. I said no I will pay in cash, which I did. So they haven't and will not see my card. I've had enough of hotels and rent a car holding out thousands of Baht for a few weeks. They blame the banks, banks blame them. Papadoc Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD When I was at home I was in a better place. Alas, we travellers must be content.

Who wouldn't with Anne Hathaway in it. Yummy Papadoc Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD When I was at home I was in a better place. Alas, we travellers must be content.

I've had a very pleasant two weeks at China Garden Hotel Soi Lenkee. I was so very comfortable in this place. Initially somewhat concerned as I knew there was no lift; But Ian assured me I would be on the first floor, just one stair flight to cope with. Still I hoped it wasn't a case of a flat wall one side and no rail. I don't usually worry about these sort of things but just after I booked I got an unsolicited pm from a BM criticising this place and suggesting a report would follow "warts and all". I never did see any report from them, warts or not. And it just goes to show that one -one sided negative opinion is worth fuck all. You just have to read the hundreds of others here. The stairs are easy to cope with a short one about six steps, followed by a normal one (about 12). A good handrail and very easy to cope with, respectfully for the one level. The room is fine and serviced well. I love the shower, its one of those rain shower ones about 10 inches in diameter, and it works great. As I had a double bypass June and now Insulin diabetic. The clear fridge is good for my medications and special munchies and drinks I need and enjoy. And I'm saving just over a thousand Baht a day because I usually stay at the Areca Lodge, where I use the pool once or twice, sometimes. Of course the next door Cabaret is gone so that's a real bonus. However: On the second day I was so frustrated with the lack of connection with the Internet, that I was using a net cafe, so I sent Ian an email. Within 24 hours a technician had arrived and the net has been brilliant since. No I didn't say good, or OK, I said brilliant. E mails, FaceBook, communicating on the forums, uploading photos and no prob with the IPad OS 6 upgrade last week. Using Skype for video calls local and to Aus. My room is always serviced when I get back from my first morning stroll and this morning I mention that the TV has a fault. It was fine but this last couple of days the pic has gone really bad and unwatchable. (I may have hit an incorrect button on the control). When I returned all was fixed. So tomorrow, it's time to leave and I think it appropriate to post this in my current TR and also this extract in the China Garden thread. Thank you sincerely Ian I appreciated the comfort and a pleasant experience in a great part of town. Papadoc Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD When I was at home I was in a better place. Alas, we travellers must be content.

The soup Dragon ! Do you mean the one with glasses? Isnlt that Sally ex Soi 8...

I just got a msg from Air Asia advising my flights now changed from Swampy to Don Muang OCT/NOV

The first time I ever had ribs was in Nellie Cashmans restaurant (I think) Boot Hill AZ . USA about 1981. Loved them ever since. I can get a brilliant steak at the wonderful Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane... But its going to cost me AUD 30 - 40. So I am very happy to discover decent acceptable eateries where I can have enjoyable meals for under $6 and even if you get the western steaks etc we are still only around $12- $15. I often have a nice one at Patricks in the lane off Soi Dianne or The previously mentioned Cafe Orleans. I'l leave it at that for now I nearly got carried away there and thinking about some of my favourite places around Sukhumvite Bangkok. Now look what you've done....I'm feeling hungry now.... Papadoc http://www.breakfastcreekhotel.com/downloads/breakfastcreek_steak_Menu.pdf

I'm an experienced traveller (Been visiting Pattaya since 1975) and enjoy discovery and finding new gems in my travels. However, sometimes it’s good to get a 'heads up' on changes and new ventures. I'm looking forward to some ribs later this year. On my next trip I will be staying at China Gardens. This has been well praised on the boards. Last trip I enjoyed dinner there and at the Jolly Friar (after reading forum comments). It’s an example of how helpful to us is the information passed on by the likes of EP. Thanks a million once more. I have been visiting Tuc- Com for years and never dreamed there were little French restaurants to try around the corner! Thanks once again for being our eyes and taster for what’s happening around town. I also read that another old favourite The Orleans Café has moved and changed. Its not all about the food! I also intend to visit some of those ‘gentlemen clubs’ and darkside places this year. I missed out last October as the crawl was on the day of my arrival so just missed it. So that is why we put up with occasional crap and ignorance and smart arsed comments by a few pr…s from time to time. And why this has always been my favourite board in Asia. Keep up the good work and the pen scribing Evil ‘till October au revoire Regards Papadoc

Evil, Many thanks for that info. Will visit on next trip regards papadoc

Just add my bit to all of the above Really enjoyed the good food well presented Couldn't eat it a all. 2 dishes and rice. Sharing three with rice would have been fine Regards papadoc Ps. On my first night I ate at the jolly friar... Also excellent