The second time in Thailand was organised by myself rather than as a package deal, so the total cost was considerably cheaper. A return ticket flying by Thai Airlines non stop to Bangkok cost just £425 (booked through WestEast Travel), and the total cost of accomadation for 15 days was approx £250. On the first trip to Thailand I stayed at the Horizon Beach Resort in Patong where you are charged 3000 baht to invite a guest back, I would not be making the same mistake again. I initially stayed for 4 days at the legendary Nana hotel in Bangkok, which is right at the centre of the action. Whilst there I visited the Nana Entertainment Plaza and Soi Cowboy, the highlight was the amazing show at the Long Gun bar, which consisted of magical acts, interesting cigarette smoking, dart shooting , and playing the horn - which gives new meaning to blowing ones own trumpet. There is a fantastic massage parlour located near the Rembrandt hotel just of Sukhumvit Road which I would highly recommend. This was my second time at this particular massage parlour. I started with a foot massage on relaxing leather seats and an anything goes oil massage all for 500 baht. Life does not get better than this, believe me ! Shopping in Bangkok included purchasing mega cheap computer software at Pantip Plaza, and the Emporium shopping centre on Sukhumvit Road where I purchased an origional artwork of a sailing ship for 3000 baht and tasted the delicious food on the top floor.
Part of the holiday was a trip across the border into Camodia to see the temples of Angkor. This was a land trip by coach from the Northern Bus Terminal to the border where I crossed into Poipet, at 7.30pm. Perhaps this was not one of the wisest decisions as Poipet is a wild west type of town, I was put at ease though when one the many eager helpers told me I would not be kidnapped! I’d left my teddy bear at home so it was fortunate there was a beetle to keep me company in the one night only (thank God) Guesthouse. Next day I managed to hitch a ride by taxi to Siam Reap, a 3 and a half hour journey on some of the most bumpy roads in the whole world. Well after all that I saw the famous temples which were absolutely magnificent. After 3 days I returned to Thailand , my next visit to Cambodia would be most definitely by plane.
I’d promised a friend that I would visit Pattaya, so this is just what I did. Compared to Patong, Pattaya is like eight times the size and has eight times as many guest houses and hotels. After walking around the streets for an hour viewing different guest houses I finally arrived at a guest house just of Chaloem Phrakiat road on soi 13. Whilst booking the room at reception there was a row between an Englishman and the receptionist, apparently the man had dropped cigarette ash onto the bed sheets, so the hotel was charging him 500 baht for the replacement of the sheet, perhaps this was a little excessive. However these were the rules which are clearly stated on a notice in the living quarters. The ladies in Pattaya come in all shapes and sizes so it is makes good sense to be a little selective, it’s like in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where the protagonist must pick the holy grail.
All in all it was a fantastic trip, If you want to see some of my exploites I’ve posted some videos onto the internet site YouTube, just type in ‘Goorney’.
