What a fine day we have just enjoyed in Pattaya. Even though it’s a growing resort with Hilton,
Marriott, Holiday Inns, Starbucks and McD’s, as well as smaller local hotels
and bars, (not to mention the darker side of sex tourism) it’s still also very
much old Thailand too with its street sellers of hot and cold Thai food and
fruits, market stalls thriving on the bartering effect and a very clear culture
of great service.
We arrived early a.m.
in a complimentary shuttle bus, which had a guide who quite unexpectedly gave
us all maps and talked us through all the high spots, including recommendations
for Thai massage. I expertly managed to
avoid the supermarket wine hunt by having an hour of Thai massage whilst that
hunt took place. That meant that the
more gratifying activities (wandering through Pattaya Night Market, finding
some sun wear and seeking out an excellent location for us to eat Pad Thai and
Chicken, Cashews and Rice) were mine. Just like the rest of our cruise so far, today
went very quickly and by 3 before we knew it we were back on the shuttle bus,
by 4 in the jaccuzzi stretching and listening to music, and then it was time to
get ready for dinner.
At our dinner table all 6 of us seem to have started to
limit the intake a little bit, skipping a starter, a buttered roll, or a pudding
here and there, or going for melon and sorbet rather than death by Belgian
chocolate filled chocolate pudding, for example, and being a bit more realistic
about our expectations of how much we thought we could get away with in the fat
stakes! Not too much though, there’s
still lots of choice, and advice from the waiters ;)
It’s Sunday, and it would appear that Manchester United are
playing Liverpool, kicking off here at 8:30 p.m. Needless to say I was walking solo round the Promenade
deck, not only without Khachik, but there was a distinct absence of walkers in
general – Liverpool and Man U supporters.
So I did 8 laps. It’s warm out
there again tonight – it’s air conditioned inside so as you step outside the
hot air hits you and warms your clothes up, similar to opening an airing
cupboard. Today was 32C and it feels
about the same tonight on the deck. I seem to have developed a distinct liking
for all things hot! I do love the smell,
feel and taste of the tropical sea air.
And I do love Thailand, the resorts, the cities, the villages, the
tourist spots, the history, the temples and the more obscure hidden gems. Thankfully in 4 days we will be coming back,
but first we have days in Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia, and one sea day.
For now we are sailing southwards in the Gulf of Thailand
overnight to Cambodia, arriving at 8 a.m. and setting off on a morning excursion
the Contrasts of Sihanoukville. Bye for
now. Back tomorrow! x