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American First Timer Seeks Guidance
[quote]coming to thailand for the first time in march . three days in pattaya. any recommendations for a 35-year old american traveling solo?[/quote]before you go, buy yourself a good map. i like the groovy map available on amazon. just search for "groovy" and "pattaya." they also have a map for bangkok.
it focuses on the areas that tourists frequent and ignores the hinterlands. it's detailed enough to be helpful, but compact enough to carry when you're out and about. laminated plastic won't get soggy and tear. lots of business and bars are included.
as you read the forums, use the map to learn where the places are located. searching online map sites helps as well. once you arrive, you'll have a basic understanding of where you are going.
buy a cheap unlocked gsm cell phone on the bay of e. after you clear customs at the airport in bangkok you'll see vendors who will sell you a sim card for a pittance and make sure the voice prompts are in english. you pay by the minute and you can buy a "top up" card from any 7/11. store your hotel's front desk number in the phone. in a pinch they can translate for you.
with only three days in pattaya, you will barely scratch the surface. if you're a once-a-day kinda guy, i would recommend:
(1) go-go club hottie from one of the top places on walking street or soi lk metro, long time, in your room;
(2) soi six sweetie, short time, on the premises; and
(3) banging a beer bar girl who makes you laugh and spending at least a little time with her.
if you've got "power" to spare, consider adding: blow job bar hummer at [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord900][CodeWord900][/url] or the pump station, sudsy soapie sex, devils den dual-girl date or beach road freelancer. if raunch is your thing, visit one of the "hands on" go-go clubs on walking street or head for soi six and buy a few ladies drinks for any of the goers and see how much you can get away with. at the other end of the spectrum, check out the eye candy at baccara, super baby, super girls and airport.
avoid:
changing more than $50-100 at the airport. the exchange rates are better in town.
any place that advertises girls who are *not* from thailand.
getting on an empty baht bus, unless you want point-to-point transportation and you're willing to pay 100-200 baht.
spending all your time on walking street or beach road. soi lk and soi buakaow have lots to offer.
the huge seafood restaurants on the east side of walking street. they are tourists traps. you can get the same food for much cheaper.
renting a jet ski. you will get scammed.
eating in the american fast food joints. even if you are not an adventurous eater, there is plenty of good local food. check out the food stalls in the night market on the east side of sua buakaow opposite soi 19.
bunky