I decided to start my trip report early. I will be in Pattaya from 03 July to 15 July. I intend to post preparatory reports on my trip so when I actually come back from my trip I can put together a report focused just on the trip that people will find useful. I also think it is value added to learn about what people do to prepare for such a trip.
First I need to thank everyone that has taken the time to post of this website and have made comments, offered advice, posted pictures, made maps, created newbie guides and have added to the wealth of information here. I have used this site extensively in the research for my upcoming trip. The amount of time that is saved on a trip by reading background information or reading the latest information available is immeasurable. Yes you can blindly go on a trip and have a great time, but why not increase your chances by doing research and learning from the mistakes and success of others. Thank you everyone and please continue to provide information.
The goal of my trip report are twofold. First and foremost is to add to the community of information on this site. My trip reports will be focused more towards newbies but it is my hope that there are nuggets of information that veterans can find useful. My second goal is selfish and that is to have enough posts to be made an advanced member after I return from my trip so that I can add a greater depth to my knowledge base and possibly live vicariously through others until I can make a return visit.
Background Information:
This is not my first Rodeo. I have been blessed that I have been able through my job in the last 13 years to live in 4 separate countries and be able to monger in over 25 countries. Most of my trips have been solo. I have learned a few lessons on my exploits, some of them hard lessons. This will be my second visit to Pattaya but for all intents and purposes this will be my first real trip. My first trip was a year and a half ago, it was limited to 6 days and 5 nights
Due to the nature of the trip I was with four others and we got a villa near Jomtien Beach. I would consider it to be a positive but whirlwind experience. You try to do as much as you can with the limited amount of time but overall it was a good exploratory trip that made me interested in returning. Due to being with friends there were a lot of compromise and often when there is too much compromise you end up with unhappy people. We only spent one night on Walking Street, some of my friends felt very uncomfortable with all the “tourist”. I was able to hit the “major” bars and get a glance. They equally felt uncomfortable with Soi Six, I guess they like the chase and not to be chased.
So LK Metro was the right balance for them and became our second home on the trip. I became familiar with many of the go go bars located there and Devils Den. Most of our “action” was limited to night time, because two of my friends are heavy late night drinkers. Our villa came with a car and a driver but due to “compromise” I was only able to pull the driver for a couple of hours during the day so I used it to explore several of the more well-known massage places. The compromise aspect of the trip really set the tone for me to plan a solo trip in the future and do it my way. I often laugh at the three day rule because I also normally have a two day rule with friends I go on trips with and spending time with them. While it is nice to bullshit with your friends in the bar, it is sometimes difficult if your friend has a different definition of what is fun or their taste in women closely mirror yours. Also I like the aspect of meeting new people and it just seems easier when you are solo on a trip.
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