Middle Man: Episode IV

Dec. 16

Today we went in search of a tailor.  Ted and his friend, V, decided they would take advantage of the availability of inexpensive bespoke suits here.  We first made a stop in Tukcom, then walked across the street to a couple of tailors I'd noticed before.  They checked pricing and fabrics to give them a baseline, then we all headed to AMA Tailors, which received top ratings online.

From the start, AMA Tailors distinguished themselves as customer-oriented.  They seated us on leather sofas and chairs, and brought out a tray of cold drinks - water, Coke, Chang beer.  They even made a point to take a drink out to our driver.  Ted and V negotiated a price for suits, shirts and ties; then they were measured and told to return the next day for the first fitting.

After getting some nourishment, we had Mick drop us up on Buddha Hill, where we would enjoy the view, then walk back to the condo from there.  Ted and V paid for a small bamboo cage of birds, and released them at the top of the hill for good fortune.

Bird Whisperer

Didn't notice before, but the snakes
are coming out of a serpent's mouth

We got a bit turned around on our walk back, as the hill has a maze of walkways with little in the way of signage.  But we soon found our way back to the condo.  Tim had two colleagues in town from India, and had invited them for dinner.  After a quick cleanup, I cooked a meatless Shepherd's Pie for our vegetarian guests.  Ted's friend was absent from the dinner, as jet lag set in.  I found our guests a bit difficult to understand at times, but enjoyed their company.

Dec. 17

V. expressed an interest in seeing the fish market in Naklua, so after our requisite Chinese checkers match, we were dropped at Lan Pho on the north end of town.  The fresh fish market is a fascinating place, with freshly-caught, colorful seafood on display, many of them still flopping around - that's fresh!  We wandered the aisles, often unsure what we were seeing.  This is the market where our driver goes to get the squid he uses for fishing bait, although he goes before the sun is up.

The fish market is next to Lan Pho park, one of the few public parks here.  It has a nice walkway along the water with several exercise stations around.  From the park, we wandered down Naklua Rd., stopping at a Chinese bakery to sample a few treats.  We stopped at Tree Tales for lunch, then hopped on a baht bus down to the dolphin roundabout.  From there we walked down Second Rd. to check out the Art in Paradise museum, but deemed it too expensive.  It's just some op art that allows you to insert yourself into the pictures.  We continued on, crossing over to Beach Rd., and sauntered down the beach.  Tim was charmed into buying a hat and sunglasses by a skillful vendor who told him she could go home if she sold one more hat.  He has such a big heart.  After hours of walking in the heat, we stopped for refreshment and true confessions at Tequila Reef, where Mick came to collect us.  We ordered pizza for dinner, then headed back to AMA for the first of many fittings, and another tray of cold drinks.

Lan Pho Park

 

Dec. 18

Ted was in search of souvenirs to bring back, so we took him to our favorite tea shop, Tea Village, where he purchased some Thai tea.  Then the moment we'd all been waiting for - Star Wars VII!  We decided to make it a real event by opting for a viewing on the porch.  The harsher critics in our group were a bit disappointed by the movie, but I certainly enjoyed it - I especially liked the new characters that were introduced, including BB8.  Son of Han was a bit of a disappointment, I'll agree.  Ben Solo? Ugh.

What's better than seeing the new Star Wars movie?
Seeing the new Star Wars movie in bed!

We split up to do some shopping, and came upon a mime on stilts.  There is always something going on at Central!  Dinner at home, then back to AMA for fitting number two.  Ted and V were going to go to Hollywood with Mick, the dance club that our driver was always talking about.  But reviews online warned of an unsavory element there, so the three of them went to Club Insomnia instead. This place only allowed foreign men and Thai ladies, but Mick was able to talk his way in as Ted and V's chaperone of sorts.  No details were shared - what happens in Pattaya...

Dec. 19

When we took our other sons ATVing, Mick said he knew of a better place.  So this time we followed his lead to Pattaya Safari.  It is a much bigger, nicer complex, but also twice the price.  Mick decided to come with us this time, so the five of us mounted up and hit the trails.  The trails here were really good - much more challenging and scenic.  We passed a couple of elephants carrying passengers, and made our way past farms with cattle, chickens, etc., and through rubber tree plantations.  This was a beautiful, shady area with rocky, bumpy trails and crevasses threatening to upend us at several points.  We came to a stop at a high overlook with beautiful scenery.  No water was offered here, as it was at the other place - that was a disappointment.  The trip back was equally challenging, ending our two-hour tour at the same place we started.  No shower or cleanup was offered here - they could definitely take their facilities up a notch by providing that.  They did use an air gun to blow off some of the dirt, although that was minimally effective.

at the overlook

Before you ask - Ted is wearing his buddy's GoPro

 

our intrepid guides

Pattaya Safari has an interesting mix of attractions - in addition to the ATVs, they have an indoor shooting range and a petting zoo.   We were able to feed an elephant, and Tim got his picture taken with an eight-month-old white lion.  The cub was beautiful and massive, and his handler prodded him into position for the pictures.  Stunning.  Mick went in for a picture as well, but the rest of us opted out.

We headed home to clean up, went back for another fitting, then enjoyed a nice dinner at Cabbages and Condoms restaurant.  This time the weather cooperated, so we were able to snag a table down by the water - lovely.