Posts Tagged ‘Leisure’

Thailand: My First Night In Pattaya

It was seven-ish and I was sitting in a nice-enough room overlooking the front doorway to the pub above which I had just moved in. The pub was the Pig and Whistle on Soi 7 in Pattaya. Across the lane was a big hole, which they were hoping to construct a hotel in and next door to that, right opposite me, was a small bar with one woman sitting on a stool outside it. Not that there was a wall there, it was open on two sides. The Soi was lovely and quiet, I thought. I also thought that I might go and sit in that little bar and talk to that woman, if my friend was late, because I would definitely see him arrive from two metres away, the width of the Soi.

So, I went to the bar in the pub at 19:15 to await my friend who said he would arrive at 20:00. It was much busier than thirty minutes earlier but not noisy and I sat at the bar. The first thing a barmaid did was say hello, give me a menu and step back. I did not really want to eat, I only wanted a beer as I assumed we would be eating together later, but I wanted to read the menu anyway.

‘A pint of Boddington’s’, I said. It arrived and the girl began laying a setting for me. I tried to explain that I was not hungry, but it was no good. Like in Spain, most people eat and drink at the same time. All the while the girl was smiling at me. Then she said: ‘You live upstairs? My name Charli. What you want to eat?’. So, I gave in and ordered something and rice.

‘You first time in Thailand? You no can eat. Too spicy’, she said with a grin. ‘Oh’, I replied, ‘but I want to try. ‘I put only 50-50 for you’, she declared and was gone.

I battled my way through that meal and it took a Boddingtons and a bottle of water. Charli had been right, it was too hot for first-time foreign visitors and she had reduced the chilis by 50%. I have always heeded a Thai’s counsel on food ever since.

I moved to by the window to see what was happening as it was dark by 19:30 and I was curious. Within thirty minutes Soi 7 had changed totally. I could see hundreds of young women and tourists walking about. I wanted to go out and join in or at least sit in the quiet bar across the lane, but I’m embarrassed to say that I was too scared, so I sat put, rivetted to the Pig like a rabbit in a hunter’s beam.

My friend arrived on time and after we had been chatting for an hour, he said: ‘Drink up, I have someone I want you to meet’. This was it, we were going into that mele. A waitress held the door for us and the noise and the heat were tremendous. Especially the noise. Every metre at least two or three girls would yell: ‘Hello, sexy man, you want a drink’. Trying to say no courteously to each call was impractical, so I just stuck close to my pal.

Luckily, we only had about fifty metres to stroll and we sat down in another bar. My friend said hello to several ladies and then said, this a girl I have been going out with for some time. I was astounded as I had never heard him talk about her, ever. She was gorgeous, but could not speak English, so I sat in the din in silence. Not for long through, as my friend said, I have a blind date for you and he introduced another girl to me who was equally beautiful, but with whom I could speak a little. She was captivating and I was captivated. The pandemonium seemed to pass away, but it was only because I was concentrating on my new friend. The four of us had the best time and the best food I had ever had in my forty-nine years of existence.

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The Style And Class Of Tissot Watches

Since 1853 Tissot watches have been ahead of the pack as pioneers of the watch industry. The company’s signature “Innovators by Tradition” is a complete description of this fantastic Swiss watch manufacturer because innovation and high quality build has always been their hallmark.

In recent times Tissot has become part of the world largest producer and distributor of watches, the Swatch group. Now their products are being sold in over 155 countries worldwide. It has been a long journey from the company’s humble beginnings, over one and a half centuries ago in the small town of Le Locle in Switzerland’s Jura Mountains.

It has been possible for them to lead the way in innovative design due to their high tech product development using special materials and advance functions. They produce a wide range of high quality watches at more affordable prices than any other Swiss watch manufacturer. This affordability does not mean compromise on the company’s commitment to excellence.

Official timekeeping.

Tissot has also been the official timekeeper of NASCAR,FIBA ,AFL ,CBA , Moto GP and the Championships of Ice Hockey, fencing and cycling. This shows commitment to high performance and precision watch making.

To this present day Tissot watches continue to surprise their dedicated and happy customers with innovative products, keeping the relentless pioneering spirit alive which has taken the company through its journey over the last 155 years.

Firsts for the watch industry.

Presenting a first is no strange thing for them to do. The first pocket watch with 2 time-zones came from Tissot in 1853, and these days they have revolutionized touch screen technology with their acclaimed T-Touch Watch. This has proven to hold the company in good stead. Now Tissot watches are being sold by 16,000 outlets over five continents proving their products offer customers a huge range of diverse functions and styles to suit all tastes.

Over this journey of one and a half centuries many leading famous people have worn these fantastic time pieces, including actress Sarah Bernhardt, singer Carmen Miranda, Elvis Presley, Grace Kelly and Nelson Mandela. Proving Tissot watches are a great accompaniment to a great person.

When you next purchase at watch you would be wise to consider Tissot.

One of the most popular brands on our store is Tissot watches. Visit New Wristwatches, where we find the best deals for Men and Ladies Tissot wristwatches.

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Why I Came To Thailand

I first came to Thailand in 2004 and I arrived here more of less by accident. I had travelled a lot in Europe: Russia, Western Europe, Scandinavia, North Africa and north South America, but I had never found the time to travel to Asia.

One night, I was chatting to a friend who had travelled extensively throughout the world and he was telling me about his favourite country, to where he had been returning year after year for fourteen years. Knowing my friend’s experience as a traveller, I was very taken aback to hear that he had been choosing to go to the same place in Asia for fourteen years.

I had to ask him which part of huge Asia held such an enticement for him and he said Thailand. I knew next to nothing about Thailand, except that I had had a few meals at a near-by Thai restaurant over the years. I also knew from collecting stamps as a kid that it used to be called Siam. Anyway, my friend asked me if I’d like to go. I said that I would ‘one day’ and meant it.

He surprised me by stating that he was going to Thailand for a month soon and that I was welcome to go with him, if I wanted. I replied that I had a few jazz festivals to go to soon and maybe I would, if there was at least a month between them and if I could get a flight and if… I could hear myself putting him off, but I did not understand why I was delaying.

A number of hours later, I went home and being an avid Internet surfer, I checked out a bit about Thailand on the travel brochure sites. It looked really fantastic. The prices were good too except for the flights. Hotels were cheap to reasonable and food and drinks prices were low compared to where I lived. So, I checked the dates of the two Jazz festivals and they were thirty-three days apart. Now for the flight. I spent well into the next morning checking flights and discovered one for the day after the first festival leaving from our local airport. It was far from the cheapest flight, but it gave me more time.

In a reckless moment, I booked it there and then online. I then found a pub with rooms to let online that my friend had said he went to on quiz evenings and thought that they would be open by now serving breakfasts. I sent them an email and a reply came back twenty minutes later. I had been lucky again. The boss was in the middle of checking yesterday’s figures, when he saw my email come through. However, not sure of his Internet ability, he wanted me to phone him right away. I checked my watch, it was still 4AM so I phoned.

He took my booking on trust and so I did not have to make a payment. I had been told about Thailand, made up my mind to go and booked the flight and room all within five hours and I could not wait for nine o’clock to come to inform my friend that I would be going too.

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Looking Ahead To The 2012 Summer Olympics

Sometime around the 8th century B. C., athletes came from Sparta, Croton, Rhodes, Athens and other city-states of the ancient world to compete in competitions on Greece. Some of these events were chariot racing, boxing and running. This gathering of strong and fast competitors would become the forerunner to today’s summer Olympic Games. The Olympics of today is considered the top athletic stage in the world with more than 70 countries sending their athletes to try to take home a medal. The 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London, United Kingdom. The games will run from July 27 through August 12.

The selection of London as host city for the 2012 games goes back to 2003. Nine cities were vying for the honor of being chosen. These cities were London, Madrid, New York, Havana, Moscow, Istanbul, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Leipzig. By 2004, the number of contenders had been narrowed to five: London, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow. In 2005, on July 6, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced that London would be the city to host the games in 2012.

Competition to be named host was heavy. Each of the cities did all they could to impress the judges. During the selection time, many people believed that Paris had an upper hand. The attempt for the 2012 games was Paris’ third attempt in a few decades and it was also thought that they were “due” to win. But, London had an ace up its sleeve.

In the 1980 summer games in Moscow, and again in Los Angeles in 1984, a young British athlete won gold in the 1500 meter race. Both times, his wins were dramatic and unexpected, as he beat out another British competitor who was regarded by many as the dominating force in the race. The winning athlete was Sebastian Coe and the man whom he defeated was Steve Ovett, the favorite in the race. Twenty years after his amazing upset, Coe would play a big role in winning the nomination for the 2012 Summer Olympics for London.

Barbara Cassani, chairperson for London’s Olympic bid committee, resigned in 2004, after the first phase of the bidding process was complete. She strongly believed that a person with close experience in the Olympics should head up phase 2.

Cassani recommended Sebastian Coe as leader of the second phase. In July 2005, Coe made a presentation to the IOC at one of its important meetings. This presentation was viewed as very successful and possibly a key deciding factor for the award going to London.

The games of 2012 will include 26 sports. Baseball and softball will not be played in London; however they do remain Olympic sports. Women’s boxing has been added for 2012. The Paralympics will also take place and will feature 20 different areas of competition.

The Summer Olympic Games have a rich and fascinating history. Through the years, spectators have been awed as they watch men and women reach higher highs and faster speeds. People have marveled at seeing one nation go all out and do the impossible to upset the favored nation’s team and become the victor. Let’s hope the same kind of excitement is in store for 2012.

As a recognized leader in sports travel and tours, we provide 2012 Summer Olympics packages and Summer Olympics hotels and accommodations, with preferred seating and guaranteed tickets. Also available are the Rugby World Cup packages, accommodation, and tickets for the perfect experience in New Zealand in 2011!

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5 Reasons To See The Houston Aquarium Aside From Other Houston Attractions

When you go to Houston, there are many things waiting for you to marvel. Houston attractions are a must see when you go to Texas. They are indeed marvels to both young and old, male or female. Nobody, not even the past feeling, can neglect these Houston attractions.

There are at least 6 Houston attractions you can enjoy. They are: Space Center Houston (NASA), Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Resources, Houston Zoo, and the Health Museum. The one that is most favored among all the Houston attractions is the Houston Aquarium. You may ask why this is considered to be the most favored. Here are five reasons to see the Houston Aquarium:

1. Uniqueness. Among all the Houston Attractions there are, the Houston Aquarium is the most distinct because what you can see here is not the usual things you see wherever you go. The things that you can see here you must need to go deep to see because as the name implies, the Houston Aquarium hold creatures of the deep.

2. Hundreds of Species. Here in the Houston Aquarium waits hundreds of species to be noted and appreciated. For sure, you will see the splendor of the deep when you visit this place as one of the many Houston attractions available. This is one way to learn while having fun.

3. Interactions with the creatures. In the Houston Aquarium, you do not just get to see the creatures of the deep, all those hundreds of species, but you can interact with them by playing with them or feeding them. This would add to the fun of the experience and the learning. By interacting with them, the memory of the moment will remain clearer within you.

4. White Tigers. Yes, also within the Houston Aquarium would be the amazing white tigers of Maharaja’s Temple. They’re absolutely astonishing to watch since the normal tigers are striped yellow. They are just marvelous to check out in white. This is why it is best to visit Houston Attractions, particularly the Houston Aquarium since not merely they offer sea creatures but they provide to catch sight of rare land animals.

5. Never get hungry. In this Houston Aquarium is found tempting dining places to meet your appetite. In this way, you don’t have to concern yourself with being hungry while enjoying dozens of sea creatures and having a peek of those amazing tigers. There are very accessible eating places just within the bend at the Houston Aquarium.

Now these are five big reasons why you need to visit the Houston Aquarium apart from all other Houston Attractions. This could certainly be one place where your dreams do come true.

The next time you are visitingHouston, make sure you take the time to visit the Houston Aquarium and other attractions in Houston. This is a great way to spend time with the family this summer!

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