Friday 11th April 2008

We set our alarm for 7am this morning so that we could say our goodbyes to Mark and Lisa. They were checking out and leaving Bangkok for Phuket. We went to their room while they finished packing and then waited with them in the lobby. When they were gone we went back to our room, found out that check-out time was 12pm and then went back to bed. We woke back up at just after 11am and still couldn't be bother to get out of the giant bed, but somehow dragged ourselves out. With everything packed, we checked out, left our bags in reception and then headed over to the Khao San road on the canal taxi to collect my suit.

It was unbelievably hot today, and we couldn't be bothered to walk anywhere - taking tuk-tuks and taxis everywhere. This afternoon we had a look around and then, after getting our bags from the hotel, made our way to the bus station. Even though it was almost 5pm, we decided we were going to go to the beach for a couple of days and caught a bus to Pattaya.

The bus got to the other end and at about 8pm and we caught another, smaller bus to the beach front. Pattaya looks crazy - it reminded us immediately of Patong in Phuket. We wandered the streets until we found somewhere half decent to stay, which we thought would be hard after being spoilt for three days, and then went out exploring.

Our first impressions were right - Pattaya IS crazy. It's also pretty seedy, with loads of strip clubs, massage parlors and bars. There were also TONS of ladyboys about and there was a real party atmosphere in the air. We had some food from a street seller and then went to one of the 'better looking' bars, which had a great live band.

See ya Mark and Lisa... it's been a blast!