So there we were, living the high life in Pattaya and not a care in the world when Suzi declares that she is unable to stay with me until I return to the UK, she needed to go back to Issan to look after her son. I must confess I was a bit disappointed as we really seemed to be getting on so very well and I was certainly very happy spending time with her but if she had to go then so be it, I could not let it ruin my holiday.
So we made the most of what time Suzi was with me and we had a great time just lazing around and feeling generally happy and off she went and left me with another week to occupy alone.
It was around this time that I began to realise that I was perhaps not the typical ferang that comes to visit Pattaya, I just wasn't interested in taking a girl away from a bar and having meaningless sex. I do believe the way I had been treated by the ex-wife may still have played a significant part in what was going on in my head at that time but although not out to shag anything that breathed I was determined I was going to enjoy the remainder of my time in Thailand.
I decided to go and have a look at Jomtien for a few days so took a tuk tuk and left Pattaya city. The hotel was twice the cost but the room was not that really much better but they did have a nice swimming pool and internet facilities etc. I made use of the pool a few times which resulted in a hell of a sun burn and that is where I gained my full appreciation of just how strong the sun is in this region, it was painful across the shoulders and balding scalp.
What did I find in Jomtien? Not a great deal to be honest, there is a small 'nightlife' scene to the north of the town and a clutch of restaurants that served some excellent food. I decided to vist one of the bars on Thap Phraya, Sally's bar which at that time (I believe it has since gone) was a 50/50 mix of girl and the wonderful ladyboys. I was still not that interested in leaving with anyone and just wanted a few beers and a talk so started to chat with the mamasan Noi). She eventually made her way to my side of the bar and made herself comfortable next to me and we chatted the night away. She was a lovely woman but on departing we just indulged in a lengthy snog - on reflection I wish I had taken her back to the hotel, I think she would have been a lot of fun.
There was one incident that I would like to highlight. As I walked back to the hotel, about 1.5km away from the bar, I was approached by an incredibly spotty ladyboy along the road that runs adjacent to the beach. He was offering sexual favours on the aforementioned beach but there wasn't cat in hells chance that I was up for that. He was damned persistent though and unusually for me I became a little aggressive in dealing with him, eventually he backed off and went back to his fellow girls/boys on the opposite side of the road and chose not to try and rob me, which was his 'real' intention. It's a common ploy and some do go along with it (god alone knows why!)
Anyway, I spent a few days in Jomtien and my overall comment would be it really is more of a family location than that of the single red blooded male looking to for a Thai girlfriend. Compared to Pattaya it is very quiet and if that is what you want then go for it.
More next week.....
So we made the most of what time Suzi was with me and we had a great time just lazing around and feeling generally happy and off she went and left me with another week to occupy alone.
It was around this time that I began to realise that I was perhaps not the typical ferang that comes to visit Pattaya, I just wasn't interested in taking a girl away from a bar and having meaningless sex. I do believe the way I had been treated by the ex-wife may still have played a significant part in what was going on in my head at that time but although not out to shag anything that breathed I was determined I was going to enjoy the remainder of my time in Thailand.
I decided to go and have a look at Jomtien for a few days so took a tuk tuk and left Pattaya city. The hotel was twice the cost but the room was not that really much better but they did have a nice swimming pool and internet facilities etc. I made use of the pool a few times which resulted in a hell of a sun burn and that is where I gained my full appreciation of just how strong the sun is in this region, it was painful across the shoulders and balding scalp.
What did I find in Jomtien? Not a great deal to be honest, there is a small 'nightlife' scene to the north of the town and a clutch of restaurants that served some excellent food. I decided to vist one of the bars on Thap Phraya, Sally's bar which at that time (I believe it has since gone) was a 50/50 mix of girl and the wonderful ladyboys. I was still not that interested in leaving with anyone and just wanted a few beers and a talk so started to chat with the mamasan Noi). She eventually made her way to my side of the bar and made herself comfortable next to me and we chatted the night away. She was a lovely woman but on departing we just indulged in a lengthy snog - on reflection I wish I had taken her back to the hotel, I think she would have been a lot of fun.
There was one incident that I would like to highlight. As I walked back to the hotel, about 1.5km away from the bar, I was approached by an incredibly spotty ladyboy along the road that runs adjacent to the beach. He was offering sexual favours on the aforementioned beach but there wasn't cat in hells chance that I was up for that. He was damned persistent though and unusually for me I became a little aggressive in dealing with him, eventually he backed off and went back to his fellow girls/boys on the opposite side of the road and chose not to try and rob me, which was his 'real' intention. It's a common ploy and some do go along with it (god alone knows why!)
Anyway, I spent a few days in Jomtien and my overall comment would be it really is more of a family location than that of the single red blooded male looking to for a Thai girlfriend. Compared to Pattaya it is very quiet and if that is what you want then go for it.
More next week.....