Twice Divorced in Pattaya
Well, let me start, as I should, by thanking everyone who has gone before me and shared their experiences so that those of us who follow will have an easier time in maximizing our experiences. Although this is my second trip and, therefore, not a total newbie to Pattaya, I feel I am better prepared than I was during my first trip as a result of all of the information that has been shared on this, and other, site(s).
I’ve finally been able to make my return trip after a couple of other attempts in October and November, both of which had to be cancelled as a result of a couple of surgeries and, although I’m not completely healed, I’m on my way to Thailand. I don’t intend to do a day by day report as doing so can be pretty taxing, particularly when you are posting to a few different sites, and particularly when you are enjoying yourself so much that it is difficult to remember details. Yep, I’m one of those guys who believes that if you remember everything the next morning you must not have had too good of a time. However, I do hope to note some of my memorable moments.
This TR certainly isn’t intended to serve as a guide for anyone, but to simply share my experiences as I go along and to give something back in appreciation for all of the help and information I’ve received from others. There were a few TR’s that were posted by various BM’s that I considered exceptional and really helped to pass the time waiting in anticipation for my return trip. Although I don’t expect that this will equal those reports, I do hope you’ll enjoy it nonetheless.
[u]January 17[/u]
Normally I drive to Newark Liberty airport (depending upon where I’m traveling to) in order to depart on my trips. However, this time I decided, as a result of winter weather and the fact that I was going to be gone for a month, to take the train instead. I had taken the train previously on a trip to Newark and thought that it was a pretty convenient and reliable way to get to the airport.
I was out on the morning of the 17th running some errands prior to going to the train station when I received a call saying that the train I was scheduled to take was cancelled and that I would need to take an earlier train. No problem. I’d have an extra 1 ½ hours to kill at the airport, but better to get there earlier than to not get there at all. I arrived at the station at the rescheduled time, although the train was 40 minutes late when it departed from the station, and another hour late when it departed New York City en route to Newark airport. I was starting to get concerned that I wasn’t going to make my flight and wondered whether or not this was a sign of things to come. It’s still too early to tell, of course.
Fortunately, I did catch my flight and we finally departed Newark. One thing I wasn’t aware of was that we had a short layover in Anchorage, Alaska. So, for you guys flying EVA Air out of Newark thinking you’re going straight to Taipei, Taiwan, and on to Bangkok, you’re not. It’s not too bad, only about a 45 minute layover, but I’m one of those guys who, when I fly, would prefer to get on the plane and not have to get off until I’ve reached my final destination.
One nice thing about the airport in Anchorage is that it had a smoking lounge. Normally I bring along nicotine patches any time I have to take a lengthy flight, but had forgotten them this time. So the layover was helpful in that respect. Just for informational purposes, the Newark to Anchorage leg was roughly 8 hours, the Anchorage to Taipei leg was 10 hours, and the Taipei to Bangkok leg is 3 ½ hours.
As mentioned earlier, I flew EVA in the premium economy (Evergreen/Elite) class and I’ll tell you, were it not for that, I don’t think I could do this trip. I flew premium economy on Thai Air on my previous trip last May and it was excellent. EVA’s is comparable and well worth the additional cost which, I believe, was another US $300 over economy class. And, besides, they’ve got some great looking stewardesses working these flights. Now that the boring part of it is over, stay tuned as there is more to follow…..
share a car from airport to Pattaya 23 Jan
Arriving at 10:45 on Friday, 23 January. I've arranged a car to pick me up to go to Pattaya. Anyone interested to share the ride, PM and we'll arrange to meet. Total charge is 1000 baht including tip and tolls.