Sailfast

Thanks for the update. I notice the Grand Business Inn is up to 1600 per night. They really jacked up their prices. I have stayed there for as low as 1100. Too bad, it's a nice hotel, but not worth 1600 IMHO

My flight in is booked and I managed to get 40 days off from work this winter. Talk about pulling something out of your ass!! Now here is where it gets sticky.... My extended stay will reduce my budget. I plan on staying in Pattaya for about 3 weeks to a month. I don't think I can afford my favorite place (the Res. Garden). It has priced itself out of the market in this economy. I love the food, grounds, staff and little balcony, seperate living/kitchen area and two TVs. I would like to find something similar. Any suggestions for an alternative? I'm thinking of asking MM if I can just sleep on the bar

Directed at women, but, this is rather funny and possibly has some facts. Bottom line, these women in the ads look rather scarey.... http://current.com/items/89053755_target_women_botox

I've had good luck at the Grand Business Inn, soi 11. It was new three years ago and I have paid 1100-1200 baht range for a very nice room and a decent breakfast. Price may have gone up though as last time I was there was early late 2006

Guess what, lots of them are fake. This one, however, is real.

Jib Jab rocks... ARGGGHHHHH!!!! (sorry...been sailing, can't help myslef)

I tend to eat it then fuck it

I agree with the above. The only way to save $$ is to get the ticket in another persons name. The fees to transfer, buy or trade miles seem to work out almost as expensive as purchasing an economy ticket.

Not with a take-out only counter/window that sells mainly fish and chips wrapped in "newspaper". Then again I don't live there so maybe I missed those.

Grand Business Inn, Soi 11. Stayed there many times, but not in over a year as I skipped BKK last trip. They where charging 1200 baht inc. breakfast, no joiner fee. This is a fairly new property and the rooms are pretty nice.

I can second doghous's club rentals. It was a couple of years ago but they where very good quality Taylor Made. Solar golf is the company name me thinks...

I don't think Ib will mind me passing this info along... "Sadly, Elvis Ballard, Asia's top Elvis impersonator, who for many years performed at Jomtien Boathouse and Captain's Corner, passed away from cancer at noon on 19th July. Jomtien boathouse / Captain's Corner are sponsoring the funeral rites at Wat Chai Mongkolsala 2 in South Pattaya on Wednesday 23rd July at 7pm. Kannikar and I sincerely hope to see many of you there. Cremation is on 24th July at 3:30 pm. Elvis Ballard was cheerful up to the very last moment of his life. His main concern was for his wife and 11 year old daughter he would leave behind. We are now working on a memorial tribute concert for Elvis Ballard at Jomtien Boathouse, and a date should soon be fixed. Several artists have pledged to perform, notably Elvis Ritchie ( Richie Newton http://www.pattayamail.com/422/who.htm ) Rick and Harpic among others. All proceeds will go towards Elvis Ballard's daughter's education. In addition, a Website will be set up to accept donations for this purpose. Donations can of cause also be given at either Jomtien Boathouse or Captains Corner With Kind Regards Ib Ottesen"

Don't forget to check Cathay's website. I have been looking at tickets, and the best deal that I could find is from direct off thier website.

I'm going to respectfully add that I think Porn Ping Towers is in desperate need of a makeover. The rooms are old and very dated. Not really worth the money. I my laptop and charger managed to take out the power in my room to the point that they needed to move me....no fuse??? Scarey. I could also hear varmints living in the walls behing my bathroom. The service was good, food OK and the two pools and two nightclubs made for an interesting stay, but, I will be looking for a new place next trip to Chang Mai. It's a shame because it could be really great.

Dammit!!!!!!! You are making me homesick

Give yourself a few days to regroup before you return to work. I only give myself a day or two and it kills me. You will be DRAINED when you get back. It will take about ten days to get back into real life. I'm not saying you need all 10 days off work, but give yourself MORE than a weekend or be prepared to suffer. (I prefer a longer trip and will suffer for it.) I suffer no jet lag upon arrival, but, the jet lag coming home just kills me. Jet lag and the combination of 5 weeks of partying will do things to your body you can't imagine.

Maybe switch to Gmail. Gmail has auto back up every few seconds to save your work.

I spent 10 days in Mexico last year and thought about having this thai girl meet me there. I figured the cost of the flight might be worth 10 days of Thai beaver but getting the visa seemed like too much trouble.

Snopes is an amazing site, can't understand why more people don't use it before posting "true" stories or forwarding stupid emails. We are long over due for another John Cleese letter

Wow, this place looks great. I'm a big fan of the Soi 7 original and that place doesn't have as nice a view All the best!

Well the good news is that the people at Snopes.com are researching it and they are good at exposing the bullshit. Anyway, I agree that this sounds made up. Here is a link to another supposed "Australian" writer that was exposed as a fake: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/america2.asp NOW here is a Canadian classic Be sure to click the audio link to listen to the original audio: http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/news/unique/am_text.html

Darlington again? lol... Maybe this is a sign and I should skip LOS and head to Darlington for a month next winter

I stayed there for a couple of months. I worked for a hotel co. in Florida that did business with Airtours and met a tall brunette from Darlington named Angie who was the Airtours rep...memories... It's a long story and thank god I'm still single Back in the day she was hot! Now she's probablly not Lovely people up that way, but a bit boring.

http://samuibaansaensook.com/home.html I found this gem of a place in January. Prices are very reasonable and the place is just as nice in real life as in the photos. I paid more than the internet price and I thought I was getting a deal. Security guard at night by the gate and he will check ID's, and sometimes hold them. Nice guy and I should have thrown him a few baht when I left, but I forgot This place is a five to ten minute ride from the action and you will need a motor bike or car. Easy to get to the bars by the lake though, just be carefull w/ the booze and driving. Lots of massage places down the road though and they will come back to the villa with you. There are photo's showing a bathtub and that must be the two bedroom unit because all I had was a shower. Check the screen on the window/vent in the bathroom or you will have mozzies and moths in there if you leave the light on at night. The management is a bit of a pain in the ass and there seems to be lots of Thaiconfusion going on, but over all she was nice. There are two properties with similar names so print out the map and show it to the airport taxi guy. They took me to the wrong property first and of course they soaked me again when I needed to move on. The desk staff at both properties seem to believe they are connected, but, didn't have phone numbers and could not check reservations etc.... it's a clusterfuck if they are under the same ownership. I will go out on a limb and say that the villas are a bit bigger than they look in the photos. Electric stays on when you leave the room. The maids will turn off the AC after they clean though. My villa did not have hot water. I didn't need it as the water was pretty tepid. I cannot imagine you need it in the hot months (I stayed in Jan.). Of course the girls didn't care. Very quiet and the room curtains are nice and dark, also the windows are tinted. You can sleep all day Nice little porch with a couple of chairs to smoke a stogie and enjoy a cocktail. I think this place would be ideal for long term stay if you don't mind being away from the beach. Here is a cut and paste from the website, I added some comments in { } Room Accommodation Facilities Villas Accommodation Facilities Digital safty box 21'' colour tv 5.3cu.ft. refrigerator air-condition sofa bed chair table ware bath , shower with water heater ,hot shower {NO HOT WATER IN MY VILLA BUT NOT NEEDED} electricity water kettle sandwich toaster running water ADSL High Speed Wireless ( Laptop ) {THERE IS WIRELESS, BUT IT'S A BIG PROPERTY SO DON'T EXPECT MUCH} internet {YOU PAY TO USE A COMPUTER IN THE OFFICE LOBBY IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LAPTOP, BUT YOU HAVE TO KICK THE KID OFF WHO WILL BE PLAYING GAMES ALL DAY} phone / Fax Large safty box ( front office ) laundry {OVERPRICED AND OFF PROPERTY} car, motorbike ,jeep rental {AGAIN, OVERPRICED AND OFF PROPERTY counter tour parking/car park transfer to the beach/bar and nightclub/shopping centre {YOU WILL PAY} children care/ kid club ( programe at brochure ) security

I know it's bad etiquette to wear a hat inside, but I'm curious, why is it a disrespect to Veterans?