I spent two weeks in Thailand, visiting Ko Samet and Pattaya. I relaxed on the beaches, got massages, and ate local cuisine. I also explored Pattaya’s nightlife.
After escaping the floods in Hat Yai, I spent a few nights in Bangkok before heading to the beaches of Ko Samet and Pattaya. Christmas decorations were everywhere in Bangkok, even more than back home.
Here is a beer bottle Christmas Tree found along LK Metro, Pattaya.
On November 28th, I took a four-hour bus from Bangkok to Ban Phe. I visited and got a massage at the Laksika Massage Shop owned by Chollada Naka, whom I met four years ago on Ko Samet. Da had Lily, one of her massage therapists, give me a ride to and from Nuanthip Pier on her motorbike.
Da decided not to move to the place where the big hotel was going up because the construction was delayed. Instead, she’ll stay where she is as she builds up clientele.
I stayed a week at the Runa Runa guesthouse, a comfortable, simple room owned by a Thai woman and a Japanese man. It costs $23 per night.
Throughout the village, major utilities construction was underway, using small concrete mixer trucks and many workers.
My routine was to have coffee, a banana, and a pastry in my room, then head to Chili’s restaurant for a full American breakfast.
After that, I’d get an hour massage at the Sirion massage shop, where Da used to work, and then stop by Da’s brother’s smoothie shop, Wut. Their mango smoothies were art and for just ฿80 – $3 USD.
Avocado and Chocolate
I’d walk 3 miles daily along the beach, relax in a lounge chair under a sun umbrella, and occasionally dip in the bathtub-warm water.
One day, I met an Indian film crew filming a Bengali romance drama. They chose the beach for its scenery and low production costs.
On evenings, I’d dine at the Reef Restaurant for their outstanding filet mignon with mushrooms, onions, garlic, roasted potatoes, and tomatoes, and a mango smoothie for ฿850—$28 USD including tip.
On other evenings, I visited various restaurants by the Gulf of Thailand, enjoying the music and ambiance. I saw several boats with green lights searching for shrimp in the sea.
Some restaurants entertained, including nightly fire shows. The biggest one was Ploy Talay, with 8 PM performances.
My favorite dinners were Penang curry dinners at Buddies Restaurant, located on White Sand Beach.
After a cheap breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, toast, jam, and orange juice, I walked to the beach for my daily 3-mile walk. I settled in on a lounge chair, read a book, and sipped on a fresh coconut or mango smoothie. I read about eight books during my time at Ko Samet and Pattaya.
This bus was decked out on the interior with lots of gold, almost as though President Trump had designed it.
From there, I took a ฿50 bus to my hotel, Harry’s Restaurant, Bar and Guest House, for $39 per night. It was near LK Metro, a popular night spot.
After a cheap breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, toast, jam, and orange juice, I walked to the beach for my daily 3-mile walk. I settled in on a lounge chair, read a book, and sipped on a fresh coconut or mango smoothie. I read about eight books during my time at Ko Samet and Pattaya.
While shopping in the Night Market, I spotted a huge stack of Tiger Balm and bought a bottle.
Over the upcoming weekend, Pattaya will have its Jazz Festival, and here is the setup.
After passing by a facial shop in Mike’s Shopping Mall, I decided to get the ฿499 special ($20 USD including tip). It was a one-hour pampering treat.
Here is what my facial included:
- Complete Takashi Facial cleansing
- Facial scrub and foaming cream
- Ozone steaming unclogs blocked pores
- Remove blackheads and impurities
- Facial massage in Takashi style
- Acne mask light
- Takashi's nourishing treatment.
I also enjoyed oil and foot massages at Nemo’s Massage shop. One-hour massages, including a tip, are just ฿350—$12USD.
I enjoy strolling along the crowded “Walking Street” where tourists mingle with several women and ladyboys advertising their restaurants, discos, go-go bars, beer bars, and other entertainment and food venues.
After my trip, I took a motorbike to the bus station for a 1.5-hour bus ride to the Survarnambhumi Airport (BKK) for my midnight flight on Korean Airlines to Seattle. I had my last Thai meal at a restaurant for ฿830 ($28 USD), including shrimp soup, cashew nut chicken with steamed rice, omelette, and mango smoothie.
I enjoyed the Incheon Airport entertainment, including traditional performers singing K-pop’s “Golden” and a martial arts group showcasing impressive moves.
Quiet lounge chairs allowed me to nap for about 4 hours before my flight. The heated-seat toilets with warm water butt spritzers were also a pleasant surprise.
My 10-hour flight was uneventful, with delicious Korean meals to break up the flight when I wasn’t sleeping.
I arrived in the Northwest during a break in the atmospheric river, which caused massive flooding in low-lying areas. Our Duvall home was isolated with all roads closed. I took the light rail to downtown Seattle, which was freezing with another atmospheric river approaching. I look forward to returning to Thailand and Laos in mid-January for its hot and sunny weather.
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