Pattaya is no longer Pattaya. Sure, it is still the sin capital of the world where you can walk down any street any time of the night or day and buy sex, but it is also a family destination. It has been transformed, by and large, by the large influx of Russian package tourists who simply come by the boatload. Every menu, every bar sign, every tourist brochure is written in Thai and Russian. English does not even get an honourable mention. 
Last year, when Sylvia and I stayed in Jomtien Beach, just north of the city, we noticed families upon families of Russians swimming at the pools, playing on the beach and making sandcastles. This year, Josh and I are staying right by Walking Street, the epicenter of the sex trade but instead of selling sex they are selling ice cream. Ok, Ok, kidding, but there are so many other things to do it is absolutely amazing.
Yesterday we took a forty-five minute ferry ride to Koh Larn, an absolutely perfect little island 45 minutes from Pattaya by ferry. It cost 20 baht or 60 cents a person and you were in a different country- almost. The views from the top of the island down to the water were reminiscent of Greece or any island in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, I was on a motorcycle speeding down to the ocean and much too scared to take any pictures. (no, I was not driving) which made it even scarier because what do you do with your hands? The water, when Josh and I finally got settled was crystal clear, although cold. I remember the last time I came to the ocean, in August, with a group of teachers, you could literally sit in the water for hours and not be cold. Now you had to keep moving and it was a little tricky getting in…sort of. It was probably only 76 degrees instead of 78. Some enterprising guy set up a children’s playground in the water consisting of a trampoline, teeter totter, climbing wall and so on. Have you ever tried using the big balls at the gym? Now add the dimension of water and you find out what a challenge it is to even get on the apparatus.
When we were in town, Josh and I could not resist buying suits. It was absolutely too alluring not too. The guy we eventually bought a suit from was an old “mais ben rai” Indian guy who said if you want to buy it go ahead, if not, nice talking to you.
All the rest shook you hand outside, made eye contact, got you in to the store and started measuring you up before you even discussed what and more importantly if you wanted to buy anything. Josh always wanted a gray suit which he bought and I always wanted a white suit which I bought in spite of Sylvia. I did hear her on my shoulder telling me it was going to be dirty all the time, but I bought it in anyway. Interestingly enough, when she saw me today on Skype she said it looked great. I should have bought one years ago!
Today, as we wait for the suit and the return to Bangkok at 3 we have so many family choices. We could go to the tiger zoo, which we might if Josh wakes up early enough, the giant Buddha on the cliff, the botanical gardens, the computer mall in town, the beautiful wat, or just sit by the swimming pool and chill literally). It is only about 80 today, I think.
Tomorrow we are off to Yangon and we will find out if Josh can teach.
Last year, when Sylvia and I stayed in Jomtien Beach, just north of the city, we noticed families upon families of Russians swimming at the pools, playing on the beach and making sandcastles. This year, Josh and I are staying right by Walking Street, the epicenter of the sex trade but instead of selling sex they are selling ice cream. Ok, Ok, kidding, but there are so many other things to do it is absolutely amazing.
Yesterday we took a forty-five minute ferry ride to Koh Larn, an absolutely perfect little island 45 minutes from Pattaya by ferry. It cost 20 baht or 60 cents a person and you were in a different country- almost. The views from the top of the island down to the water were reminiscent of Greece or any island in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, I was on a motorcycle speeding down to the ocean and much too scared to take any pictures. (no, I was not driving) which made it even scarier because what do you do with your hands? The water, when Josh and I finally got settled was crystal clear, although cold. I remember the last time I came to the ocean, in August, with a group of teachers, you could literally sit in the water for hours and not be cold. Now you had to keep moving and it was a little tricky getting in…sort of. It was probably only 76 degrees instead of 78. Some enterprising guy set up a children’s playground in the water consisting of a trampoline, teeter totter, climbing wall and so on. Have you ever tried using the big balls at the gym? Now add the dimension of water and you find out what a challenge it is to even get on the apparatus.
When we were in town, Josh and I could not resist buying suits. It was absolutely too alluring not too. The guy we eventually bought a suit from was an old “mais ben rai” Indian guy who said if you want to buy it go ahead, if not, nice talking to you.
All the rest shook you hand outside, made eye contact, got you in to the store and started measuring you up before you even discussed what and more importantly if you wanted to buy anything. Josh always wanted a gray suit which he bought and I always wanted a white suit which I bought in spite of Sylvia. I did hear her on my shoulder telling me it was going to be dirty all the time, but I bought it in anyway. Interestingly enough, when she saw me today on Skype she said it looked great. I should have bought one years ago!Today, as we wait for the suit and the return to Bangkok at 3 we have so many family choices. We could go to the tiger zoo, which we might if Josh wakes up early enough, the giant Buddha on the cliff, the botanical gardens, the computer mall in town, the beautiful wat, or just sit by the swimming pool and chill literally). It is only about 80 today, I think.
Tomorrow we are off to Yangon and we will find out if Josh can teach.
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