paulfort
November 24th, 2014, 02:11
After ten great days in Pattaya it was time to depart Baan Souy and head up to Bangkok, I had advised all be it slightly incorrectly my friend that I was only in Bangkok for one night then leaving early the following morning so not worth him joining me, as he had on my last visit, well I actually had three nights to enjoy so just a little white lie! but then I think perhaps after ten days pretty well stuck with me he was ready for a break and back to his normal world and friends without the old faring in tow! Guess still an element of sadness even a tear in my eye when it came to saying goodbye to my friend, but also a fair bit of excitement and anticipation of a return to Bangkok with three nights "on my own" to explore my favourite city once again!
I had booked my taxi with PT Taxi, confirmed the destination address - Tarntawan Place by email and gave the driver the small brochure - hoping (perhaps a little optimistically!) he might find it without too much difficulty so we departed. The traffic was horrendous, they are building some motorway junction near Chonburi that probably added an hour to the journey but finally we head into the suburbs of Bangkok with the sky line getting closer, my driver then suddenly decided to exit the express way at some junction I certainly didn't recognise, we then drove around for a while, maybe to explorer the local area I really don't know! Eventually he agreed he had left the express way too early, struggled to find his way back on to it, but finally we did and I was vaguely confident we were at least heading the right way again. Eventually we shot over the flyover on Rama 4 road, I immediately recognised the local sky scrappers and the entrance to Lumpini park below to my left so was able to guide my driver to the next available u turn and direct him to Tarntawan Place - thank god I was not a first time visitor and at least I knew the area!
On my last few trips I have stayed at the Rose Hotel, I like the pool and their Restaurant, but the rooms are pretty small and dated, they restrict the WIFI passes to one, short access code per visit then question you and decline if you request a subsequent code, so this time I had decided to return to Tarntawan Place, which I had enjoyed on many previous occasions. I wasn't disappointed, the concierge guy immediately recognised and welcomed me, as did the efficient security guy at the lift, the service was as efficient and friendly as ever and the in room safe a great addition. Despite the slight delay on my journey there was still ample time to have a wonder and see if anything has changed since my last visit in March though I I doubt it had. I changed some more pounds at Natty Gems which always seems the most competitive in the area , I strolled down to Lumpini Park, which I always find a relaxing place just to wonder around and was delighted to see it was fully re opened and tidied following the occupation earlier in the year by the protestors. Last time I still wondered around the park with the same friend I spent most of my time in Pattaya with but it wasn't quite the same and probably not the most sensible thing to have done! The guys at the outside gym were working away as always, one of them who appeared to have just finished working out and looked a bit nicer and leaner than a lot of them was chatting on his phone by one of the benches, I think he noticed me looking/admiring him, and then followed me for a bit, with I think a slight wave when he noticed me looking back at him, not sure why I didn't wander back over and engage in conversation at least, perhaps next time.
The evening soon came, I probably tend to follow my own traditions a little so I headed straight to Hotmail, the small bar at the entrance to Soi Twighlight for a couple of beers as probably the best place to relax and watch the boys heading in to their respective bars in case I notice anyone that particularly appeals to me. After a light bit of dinner at Dicks I headed around to Tawan Bar, it was just opening up at about 8.40pm but a few customers and the usual large mixture of guys, drink prices average for Bangkok , about 380 BHT and the service friendly and not pushy, a few of them clearly recognised me. As often the case there a lot of the guys were a bit heavy and on the "mature" side for me, so after a beer I headed back to Soi Twighlight. Whilst probably the most expensive bar at 400 BHT for a drink I do quite like Dream Boys so headed there, as I entered to be shown to a more obvious seat with a better view of the stage I headed straight to the back of the bar near the small gym area where you can watch the guys working out, the Mamasan recognised me, smiled and laughed and arranged my drink. Whilst loads of boys and a good mix, nothing amazing to me there so I headed to Zeus almost opposite. Again a good mix of boys and slightly cheaper drinks at about 360 BHT, clearly getting ready (or hoping!) for a lot of higher spending Asian customers as several reserved signs with the Whisky, ice and mixers all ready for the show. But whilst a few nice guys including some more muscular dancers on the small podium, I again headed on and into X Boys. Despite my best endeavour to shade my face and look the other way the Lady boy Mamasan immediately recognised and pounced upon me as we if we were the closest of long lost friends, I have in the past had a few repeat offs from him, he/she can be pretty pushy and likes to decide what I like, thinking he knows best! Either way one dancer appealed to me, with a good lean and muscular body, he joined me and we left for a couple of drinks opposite at Hotmail, he was from Cambodia, spoke excellent English, was good company and fun, then on to Tarntawan Place for a great what was left of the evening.............
We both eventually fell asleep and he left at about 5am and I fell back to sleep, sort of good for me as whilst I had visited Bangkok many times before I had never actually tried a Massage, I had researched it a little (partially on this site) and also joined www.thaimassageboy.com (http://www.thaimassageboy.com) which whilst clearly only some massage establishments are included the site has many pictures of what some of them offer and I was determined to try it out this holiday and explore a few.
I will update on that and the remainder of my time in Bangkok soon.....
I had booked my taxi with PT Taxi, confirmed the destination address - Tarntawan Place by email and gave the driver the small brochure - hoping (perhaps a little optimistically!) he might find it without too much difficulty so we departed. The traffic was horrendous, they are building some motorway junction near Chonburi that probably added an hour to the journey but finally we head into the suburbs of Bangkok with the sky line getting closer, my driver then suddenly decided to exit the express way at some junction I certainly didn't recognise, we then drove around for a while, maybe to explorer the local area I really don't know! Eventually he agreed he had left the express way too early, struggled to find his way back on to it, but finally we did and I was vaguely confident we were at least heading the right way again. Eventually we shot over the flyover on Rama 4 road, I immediately recognised the local sky scrappers and the entrance to Lumpini park below to my left so was able to guide my driver to the next available u turn and direct him to Tarntawan Place - thank god I was not a first time visitor and at least I knew the area!
On my last few trips I have stayed at the Rose Hotel, I like the pool and their Restaurant, but the rooms are pretty small and dated, they restrict the WIFI passes to one, short access code per visit then question you and decline if you request a subsequent code, so this time I had decided to return to Tarntawan Place, which I had enjoyed on many previous occasions. I wasn't disappointed, the concierge guy immediately recognised and welcomed me, as did the efficient security guy at the lift, the service was as efficient and friendly as ever and the in room safe a great addition. Despite the slight delay on my journey there was still ample time to have a wonder and see if anything has changed since my last visit in March though I I doubt it had. I changed some more pounds at Natty Gems which always seems the most competitive in the area , I strolled down to Lumpini Park, which I always find a relaxing place just to wonder around and was delighted to see it was fully re opened and tidied following the occupation earlier in the year by the protestors. Last time I still wondered around the park with the same friend I spent most of my time in Pattaya with but it wasn't quite the same and probably not the most sensible thing to have done! The guys at the outside gym were working away as always, one of them who appeared to have just finished working out and looked a bit nicer and leaner than a lot of them was chatting on his phone by one of the benches, I think he noticed me looking/admiring him, and then followed me for a bit, with I think a slight wave when he noticed me looking back at him, not sure why I didn't wander back over and engage in conversation at least, perhaps next time.
The evening soon came, I probably tend to follow my own traditions a little so I headed straight to Hotmail, the small bar at the entrance to Soi Twighlight for a couple of beers as probably the best place to relax and watch the boys heading in to their respective bars in case I notice anyone that particularly appeals to me. After a light bit of dinner at Dicks I headed around to Tawan Bar, it was just opening up at about 8.40pm but a few customers and the usual large mixture of guys, drink prices average for Bangkok , about 380 BHT and the service friendly and not pushy, a few of them clearly recognised me. As often the case there a lot of the guys were a bit heavy and on the "mature" side for me, so after a beer I headed back to Soi Twighlight. Whilst probably the most expensive bar at 400 BHT for a drink I do quite like Dream Boys so headed there, as I entered to be shown to a more obvious seat with a better view of the stage I headed straight to the back of the bar near the small gym area where you can watch the guys working out, the Mamasan recognised me, smiled and laughed and arranged my drink. Whilst loads of boys and a good mix, nothing amazing to me there so I headed to Zeus almost opposite. Again a good mix of boys and slightly cheaper drinks at about 360 BHT, clearly getting ready (or hoping!) for a lot of higher spending Asian customers as several reserved signs with the Whisky, ice and mixers all ready for the show. But whilst a few nice guys including some more muscular dancers on the small podium, I again headed on and into X Boys. Despite my best endeavour to shade my face and look the other way the Lady boy Mamasan immediately recognised and pounced upon me as we if we were the closest of long lost friends, I have in the past had a few repeat offs from him, he/she can be pretty pushy and likes to decide what I like, thinking he knows best! Either way one dancer appealed to me, with a good lean and muscular body, he joined me and we left for a couple of drinks opposite at Hotmail, he was from Cambodia, spoke excellent English, was good company and fun, then on to Tarntawan Place for a great what was left of the evening.............
We both eventually fell asleep and he left at about 5am and I fell back to sleep, sort of good for me as whilst I had visited Bangkok many times before I had never actually tried a Massage, I had researched it a little (partially on this site) and also joined www.thaimassageboy.com (http://www.thaimassageboy.com) which whilst clearly only some massage establishments are included the site has many pictures of what some of them offer and I was determined to try it out this holiday and explore a few.
I will update on that and the remainder of my time in Bangkok soon.....