Random had some business to take care of in Bangkok. He invited me to go along with him and S. on a little jaunt up there over the weekend.
On Saturday, we left from the Pattaya bus terminal at about 11:30. The bus takes about 3 hours to make the trip. The fare was a little over 110 Baht ($3 US). I’ve been on a few rides on the Hound (Greyhound Lines) and the Thai buses were on par with the ones I had ridden in the States. Our bus was full and had about a 25 % farang to Thai ratio.
Thinking of populations in non descriptive number terms may not be helpful so try these on for comparison.
The population of Chicago is around 2 million, New York City 6 million and Los Angeles just over 9 million.
Bangkok has a population over 9 million and growing.
On the smaller side; Normal, IL 50 thousand, Wyoming, MI 70 thousand and Cary, NC 106 thousand.
Pattaya’s fluctuating population is estimated to be between 60 and 70 thousand.
Consequently it is truly like leaving one world and entering another.
There are a number of smaller towns between the 147 km (91 miles) that separates Pattaya and Bangkok and but other than occasional views of hills and lots of palm trees, the landscape isn’t much more pleasant than driving through Indiana. (If you have driven through Indiana you immediately understand, if you haven’t, you have something else to be thankful for)
We reached the Bangkok bus terminal by mid afternoon and took a taxi over to our accommodations at a very fine hotel on the Chao Praya River.
The recent bombings which happened in Bangkok over the New Years holiday have made every thing more security conscious. Our taxi had to stop at the hotel entrance while two security staff popped the trunk and examined the under side of the car by walking mirrors on poles around it.
Our rooms were on the 25th floor and over looked the river. After checking in we wandered up to the 31st floor which offered a very nice lounge with free soft drinks as well as a wide variety of snacks. The snacks ranged from simple peanuts to some of the most delicious miniature pastries, cakes and other sweets. Random and I polished off two medium sized plates. There was 1 inch by 2 inch blocks of tiramisu which were down right addictive.
For those of you with out the requisite frame of reference; imagine high ceilings with dimmed recessed lights, red sheer silks hanging down to the plush carpeted floors forming alcoves and an open center area.
In between sets, Random and S. approached the female singer, an attractive black woman with an American accent. Random asked her where she was from and recieved a very serious toned reply "I am from the United States of America".
On Saturday, we left from the Pattaya bus terminal at about 11:30. The bus takes about 3 hours to make the trip. The fare was a little over 110 Baht ($3 US). I’ve been on a few rides on the Hound (Greyhound Lines) and the Thai buses were on par with the ones I had ridden in the States. Our bus was full and had about a 25 % farang to Thai ratio.
Thinking of populations in non descriptive number terms may not be helpful so try these on for comparison.
The population of Chicago is around 2 million, New York City 6 million and Los Angeles just over 9 million.
Bangkok has a population over 9 million and growing.
On the smaller side; Normal, IL 50 thousand, Wyoming, MI 70 thousand and Cary, NC 106 thousand.
Pattaya’s fluctuating population is estimated to be between 60 and 70 thousand.
Consequently it is truly like leaving one world and entering another.
There are a number of smaller towns between the 147 km (91 miles) that separates Pattaya and Bangkok and but other than occasional views of hills and lots of palm trees, the landscape isn’t much more pleasant than driving through Indiana. (If you have driven through Indiana you immediately understand, if you haven’t, you have something else to be thankful for)
We reached the Bangkok bus terminal by mid afternoon and took a taxi over to our accommodations at a very fine hotel on the Chao Praya River.
The recent bombings which happened in Bangkok over the New Years holiday have made every thing more security conscious. Our taxi had to stop at the hotel entrance while two security staff popped the trunk and examined the under side of the car by walking mirrors on poles around it.
Our rooms were on the 25th floor and over looked the river. After checking in we wandered up to the 31st floor which offered a very nice lounge with free soft drinks as well as a wide variety of snacks. The snacks ranged from simple peanuts to some of the most delicious miniature pastries, cakes and other sweets. Random and I polished off two medium sized plates. There was 1 inch by 2 inch blocks of tiramisu which were down right addictive.
We finished our snacks and went outside the lounge to look down at the river and the city. After taking a few pictures we got back into the elevator headed down.
Before reaching the lobby Random stopped us on the fourth floor and we walked past the entrance to the high end spa and followed the sign to the Beach.
The Beach turned out to be a partially covered pool, surrounded by deck chairs and off on one side a large section of sand covered the floors.
We made it to the lobby and walked out the back and down towards the river and the hotel boat dock. After checking in with hotel dock security, we waited with some other guests for the next boat to take us across the river to a Sky Train station.
The Beach turned out to be a partially covered pool, surrounded by deck chairs and off on one side a large section of sand covered the floors.
We made it to the lobby and walked out the back and down towards the river and the hotel boat dock. After checking in with hotel dock security, we waited with some other guests for the next boat to take us across the river to a Sky Train station.
Bangkok’s Sky Train began service in 1999, has over 23 stations and along 2 lines which cover a combined route distance of 23 km (14 miles). There are on going expansion projects.
We took the sky train to the Siam station and went into the Paragon Shopping Center.
The shopping center has four floors of stores; book stores, department and grocery stores, BMW, Jaguar and Lamborghini dealerships and the obligatory food court.
On the fifth floor is a cinema. The movie we had decided to see, Blood Diamond, had just started playing before we arrived.
We spent the next two hours riding the escalators and, among other things, checking out the BMWs, Jags. The Lamborghini dealership happened to be closed. We also took a look through the book and department stores.
We had remarkably poor service at a place in the food court that was pretending it was a French restaurant (La Café). Looking at the menu, the name was certainly dubious. We placed our order.
The plate that was served to S. consisted of a thin layer of noodles with tomato sauce and cheese. The menu had called it lasagna.
The mini shish kabobs that Random ordered as appetizers did come and were good. I had ordered an Indian dish which was good.
Random’s salad showed up about the time S. had finished her “lasagna” and I had finished my curried chicken and rice. The two orders of “lasagna” that Random ordered showed up just in time for him to say “that’s ok; you keep it, check please."
Going VIP to the movies
We didn’t have too much more time to fill before the movie was scheduled to start so we headed back up to the theater. Random had heard about this particular cinema from a friend in Pattaya. The standard ticket price for a movie in a regular cinema is about 100 baht ($2.85 US). At the Paragon, for 600 baht ($17), you get access to the VIP Theater.
Once you have your ticket you walk across the lobby and are escorted past the red velvet ropes and up a few steps and behind the red curtain.
You find yourself in what Random so phrased as “a scene from some sort of surrealistic porno movie from the 70’s” which I suppose may mean something (or not) depending on one’s frame of reference. I, personally, have no idea what he was talking about.
(Were you implying something when you cleared your throat just now? It sounded suspiciously like you were saying "bullshiiii")
The shopping center has four floors of stores; book stores, department and grocery stores, BMW, Jaguar and Lamborghini dealerships and the obligatory food court.
On the fifth floor is a cinema. The movie we had decided to see, Blood Diamond, had just started playing before we arrived.
We spent the next two hours riding the escalators and, among other things, checking out the BMWs, Jags. The Lamborghini dealership happened to be closed. We also took a look through the book and department stores.
We had remarkably poor service at a place in the food court that was pretending it was a French restaurant (La Café). Looking at the menu, the name was certainly dubious. We placed our order.
The plate that was served to S. consisted of a thin layer of noodles with tomato sauce and cheese. The menu had called it lasagna.
The mini shish kabobs that Random ordered as appetizers did come and were good. I had ordered an Indian dish which was good.
Random’s salad showed up about the time S. had finished her “lasagna” and I had finished my curried chicken and rice. The two orders of “lasagna” that Random ordered showed up just in time for him to say “that’s ok; you keep it, check please."
Going VIP to the movies
We didn’t have too much more time to fill before the movie was scheduled to start so we headed back up to the theater. Random had heard about this particular cinema from a friend in Pattaya. The standard ticket price for a movie in a regular cinema is about 100 baht ($2.85 US). At the Paragon, for 600 baht ($17), you get access to the VIP Theater.
Once you have your ticket you walk across the lobby and are escorted past the red velvet ropes and up a few steps and behind the red curtain.
You find yourself in what Random so phrased as “a scene from some sort of surrealistic porno movie from the 70’s” which I suppose may mean something (or not) depending on one’s frame of reference. I, personally, have no idea what he was talking about.
(Were you implying something when you cleared your throat just now? It sounded suspiciously like you were saying "bullshiiii")
For those of you with out the requisite frame of reference; imagine high ceilings with dimmed recessed lights, red sheer silks hanging down to the plush carpeted floors forming alcoves and an open center area.
A half dozen low glass covered tables with low back black leather lounge chairs or love seats. At the far end of the open center area a short wet bar. A few well dressed Asian and European men and women sitting in couples or threesomes, some with highball or wine glasses in front of them.
The smiling young man who had walked us to our table returned and set out metallic rectangles with a menu etched into the surface of one side. A list of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks followed by a list of snack foods including nachos, caramel corn, salt and vinegar popcorn in addition to the regular buttered variety.
I ordered bottled water and Random a cola and popcorn. Within a few minutes our drinks appeared in front of us in heavy highball glasses. Random kept looking around the room as if searching for someone. He noticed me watching him, looked back, raised his eyebrows and laughed. “Well, maybe it’s too late.” He said.
“Too late for?” I prompted.
“G. told me there were girls that offered free massages before the movie.”
In a few minutes our waiter came back and escorted us to the theater asking us which seats we had. Movie theater seats are numbered in Thailand.
We entered the theater. It was a standard size theater. The seats were another matter altogether. Every row across was broken up by low wall dividers separating sections. Each section contained two king-sized Barcaloungers with extra pillow and blanket.
We settled into our seats. There seemed to be fewer tedious commercials before the previews than at an American theater. The previews are of both American as well as Asian movies.
After the previews, martial music started playing, I recognized it as the Thai national anthem which is played on the Thai television channels every day at 18:00. Everyone immediately stood up at attention until the last note is played.
We settled back in and without further eloquence, the movie starts.
I have never been a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio but I do have to admit he did what I thought was a good job in this film The other male lead; Djimon Hounsou was incredible.
The smiling young man who had walked us to our table returned and set out metallic rectangles with a menu etched into the surface of one side. A list of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks followed by a list of snack foods including nachos, caramel corn, salt and vinegar popcorn in addition to the regular buttered variety.
I ordered bottled water and Random a cola and popcorn. Within a few minutes our drinks appeared in front of us in heavy highball glasses. Random kept looking around the room as if searching for someone. He noticed me watching him, looked back, raised his eyebrows and laughed. “Well, maybe it’s too late.” He said.
“Too late for?” I prompted.
“G. told me there were girls that offered free massages before the movie.”
In a few minutes our waiter came back and escorted us to the theater asking us which seats we had. Movie theater seats are numbered in Thailand.
We entered the theater. It was a standard size theater. The seats were another matter altogether. Every row across was broken up by low wall dividers separating sections. Each section contained two king-sized Barcaloungers with extra pillow and blanket.
We settled into our seats. There seemed to be fewer tedious commercials before the previews than at an American theater. The previews are of both American as well as Asian movies.
After the previews, martial music started playing, I recognized it as the Thai national anthem which is played on the Thai television channels every day at 18:00. Everyone immediately stood up at attention until the last note is played.
We settled back in and without further eloquence, the movie starts.
I have never been a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio but I do have to admit he did what I thought was a good job in this film The other male lead; Djimon Hounsou was incredible.
I felt the movie was well made. I would not recommend it to people who are overly sensitive. The violence is graphic and based on events and circumstances true to life.
While the movie moved me and I thought it was well done, it had a similar after taste to another heart wrenching movie about violence and conflicts in Africa called Hotel Rwanda. When one looks at such images and thinks about the death, destruction and misery going on, seemingly with out end, the emotions can feel staggering.
When I think about the billions and billions of dollars the American government has and will spend to start and continue the latest Iraq war while all but ignoring wars of terror that have been going on in Africa for decades (and longer) I am alternately dumbfounded, angry, enraged, and depressed.
We got back to the hotel late. As we had left the theater I had begun turning into "pretzel boy". Random and S dropped me off and went up to the top floor restaurant and listened to some live jazz and drank some over priced wine.
While the movie moved me and I thought it was well done, it had a similar after taste to another heart wrenching movie about violence and conflicts in Africa called Hotel Rwanda. When one looks at such images and thinks about the death, destruction and misery going on, seemingly with out end, the emotions can feel staggering.
When I think about the billions and billions of dollars the American government has and will spend to start and continue the latest Iraq war while all but ignoring wars of terror that have been going on in Africa for decades (and longer) I am alternately dumbfounded, angry, enraged, and depressed.
We got back to the hotel late. As we had left the theater I had begun turning into "pretzel boy". Random and S dropped me off and went up to the top floor restaurant and listened to some live jazz and drank some over priced wine.
In between sets, Random and S. approached the female singer, an attractive black woman with an American accent. Random asked her where she was from and recieved a very serious toned reply "I am from the United States of America".
We were up by about 8:30 and had breakfast down on the large patio over looking the river. It was a buffet style and had tons of goodies. There were eggs and omelets to order, fresh waffles, all manner of fruit, sausage, bacon, pastries, and breads. Waitresses and waiters came around filling and refilling fresh juice and strong coffee while we looked over the Bangkok Post.
We left the hotel in order for Random to take care of his business and to wander a little bit around the city.
We got back to the hotel around 17:30. I went up to the 31st floor and had a plate of tiramisus and looked out over the city. As I sat there I could hear other guests talking to each other or the hotel staff. I picked up the voices of a French or possibly Belgian couple, a German and another American besides me. Along two of the interior walls were two flat screen televisions showing CNN. In many ways this felt more surrealistic to me than the movie theater.
We ended up staying in for the evening and ordering room service. Random and S. ordered salads and we split two pizzas. For desert Random had some fancy ice cream while S. and I each had a tiramisu.
I fell asleep with out much effort though my dreams were many.
When we got up the next morning instead of going back down to patio, we ate breakfast up on the 31st floor.
After breakfast we checked out and left our bags with the porters out front. S. had wanted to show Random one of the wats (temples) near the Royal Palace so we hailed a taxi and headed out.
Considering that I had been before and S. is a Buddhist we should have realized that both she and I were not properly dressed. To visit a temple one must wear long pants and shirts need to be appropriate.
We got back to the hotel around 17:30. I went up to the 31st floor and had a plate of tiramisus and looked out over the city. As I sat there I could hear other guests talking to each other or the hotel staff. I picked up the voices of a French or possibly Belgian couple, a German and another American besides me. Along two of the interior walls were two flat screen televisions showing CNN. In many ways this felt more surrealistic to me than the movie theater.
We ended up staying in for the evening and ordering room service. Random and S. ordered salads and we split two pizzas. For desert Random had some fancy ice cream while S. and I each had a tiramisu.
I fell asleep with out much effort though my dreams were many.
When we got up the next morning instead of going back down to patio, we ate breakfast up on the 31st floor.
After breakfast we checked out and left our bags with the porters out front. S. had wanted to show Random one of the wats (temples) near the Royal Palace so we hailed a taxi and headed out.
Considering that I had been before and S. is a Buddhist we should have realized that both she and I were not properly dressed. To visit a temple one must wear long pants and shirts need to be appropriate.
Unfortunately we didn’t remember this until stepping out of the cab in front of the temple and one of the attendants rushed over talking to S. in Thai and pointing at a dress code card he had in his hand.
We found another taxi and headed back to the hotel. By now it was around 11:00 and Random had to be back in Pattaya for a visit to the dentist at 14:30. Knowing that traffic would probably be heavy and the bus was slow moving in any case. S. decided that we would take the Taxi all the way back to Pattaya.
Our driver was typical of most taxi drivers I have ridden with in Thailand. I would guess it is evolutionary necessity that makes them so fearless as they dodge and duck traffic, weaving in and out, passing on (and frequently off) whatever shoulder is available. We arrived at the apartment building a little before 14:00.
I had meant to have this all written up and posted (along with pictures) yesterday but one thing and another came up. I will be posting some more of the pictures in the next entry.
We found another taxi and headed back to the hotel. By now it was around 11:00 and Random had to be back in Pattaya for a visit to the dentist at 14:30. Knowing that traffic would probably be heavy and the bus was slow moving in any case. S. decided that we would take the Taxi all the way back to Pattaya.
Our driver was typical of most taxi drivers I have ridden with in Thailand. I would guess it is evolutionary necessity that makes them so fearless as they dodge and duck traffic, weaving in and out, passing on (and frequently off) whatever shoulder is available. We arrived at the apartment building a little before 14:00.
I had meant to have this all written up and posted (along with pictures) yesterday but one thing and another came up. I will be posting some more of the pictures in the next entry.
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