They Started As Strangers
-- Part 9
They Started As Strangers -- Part 9
I've read that every time a baby laughs, a fairy is born.
And I've come to think they all have moved to Thailand
As it does every day, breakfast came way too soon. I was able to
escape Cookie's leg-lock, and catch my breath for a few moments in the
shower before it was time to head down and join the others at the
breakfast buffet. Cookie's soapy training kicked in, and she
wouldn't let me leave the shower until she lathered every part of me; soup
to nuts.
The Front Desk seemed a little surprised I asked for two breakfast
vouchers, but they handed them over without a problem. A few of the
guys already found a table, so we joined them before going to the
bountiful breakfast buffet.
After breakfast it was back to the room to pack, and then nap with
Cookie until 11:30AM. At 11:30, we made our way down to the lobby,
checked-out, and relaxed in the big chairs facing the Front Desk.
I had hired a bus through NanaTours to take the group to Pattaya and
back. Even though it was a half-hour early, a representative from
NanaTours and the bus company were running around like chickens with their
heads cut off. It's hard to say if they were really doing
anything. They just seemed to be bouncing between the big bus
waiting out front and the NanaTours desk. It didn't matter to me
what they were doing, I just hoped there wasn't a problem.
Anyway, I enjoyed my time sitting in the big chair with Cookie cuddled
up on my right. The light touch of fingertips on my left forearm
brought me back into consciousness. I looked up to see a lovely girl
smiling down at me, and saying hello.
"I'm sorry, honey. I already have a girl."
Some of the guys were surprised because she was quite an attractive
little package.
"You no remember me?"
"Uh, no... Should I?"
With that, she got a strained look on her face and walked away. I
think it was Rama that said, "I don't know about that, Jai. *I*
would have remembered that one." Hmmm… I was thinking
the same thing…
As I watched that fine ass and legs atop high-heels walk out the Nana
lobby door, it occurred to me; she was SchoolGirl!!!
Damn, damn, damn… I shot out of my seat and ran after
her. As I reached her, I touched her lightly on the shoulder to get
her attention. When she turned around I was saddened to see she was
crying.
"SchoolGirl! I didn't know that was you!! You changed
your hair. Your hair is very beautiful."
It was good to see her again, and we spent a few minutes making small
talk.
"Please say hello to me next time you see me, okay?"
"I say hello already, but you no remember me."
"Come on darling, you changed your hair. I will remember
you, jing-jing."
With that she was able to smile through the tears and we hugged
goodbye. SchoolGirl is another girl I wouldn't mind staying in
contact with, even though she's a little hung up on Antman.
Sometimes I wonder… If I ever did win the lottery, I think I
would have quite a collection of bargirls that I just didn't want to let
go… It's a nasty business but some of them are just so nice…
When I rejoined the guys, the NanaTours and bus company representative
started rounding up everyone for the bus. This wasn't a minivan like
we usually get; it was a bus. When I ordered it, the NanaTours lady
told me it only sat 20. Well, we had 20 and there were a few empty
seats, so I was a little disappointed that I had to turn some guys
away. I really do believe the more people that come along the
merrier the journey will be.
Everyone shoved their bags into the luggage compartment, and climbed
into the bus. Cookie and I sat in the front as I was hoping to take
some photos.
It took two Nana guards and one innocent bystander to help direct the
bus into Soi Sii, but once we were on the street we were off. The
driver put a Thai cassette into the music system as we eased our way onto
the expressway.
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Unfortunately, before we could make our way out of Bangkok we were
pulled over by one of Bangkok's finest. The poor bus driver popped
out of his seat and ran back to talk to the cop, but had handed the bribe
over before we could get a camera and take a photo. Bummer…
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Listening to the driver's music, and the lack of traffic made it a
pleasant drive to Pattaya. And before we knew it, we were pulling up
to the Hard Rock Hotel's front door.
Some of the guys were staying at other hotels nearer to Walking Street,
but before they walked through the grounds to Beach Road to catch a baht
bus, we all promised to meet at Starz Café in the HRH for dinner.
Starz Café is a little pricey for dinner in Pattaya, but the food is good
and because we had so many newbies with us, we didn't want to hit
Pattayaland until it was dark and *all* the neon was fired up.
Check-in at the Hard Rock Hotel was painless. One of the guys
drew a smoking room and it was pretty nasty inside, but the Front Desk
promptly gave him another room.
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Antman
Antman led Bubbles, Doozy, and Wifey down the beach to rent some
jet-skis.
Photo courtesy of Doozy
No matter how many times Antman asked him,
the tout always said Antman wouldn't get wet.
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Looks a little nose-heavy to me...
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
I'm sure the tout was amazed they all got soaked
Meanwhile, Cookie, Lady, MikeM, Reeb, and I relaxed in the lobby bar,
and had a choo-chee party. I don't think Cookie ever had choo-chee
before, but one bite of the stuff had her peeling off the fish and putting
the rice on my plate.
Not even choo-chee could cheer up Lady
Before heading up to the room to nap the afternoon away, we showed
Cookie and Reeb around the HRH grounds. While at the pool, we
reserved our favorite cabana for the rest of our stay.
The HRH has a real sand beach
And a swim-up bar
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Antman
Cookie is a delight to have around; she's well behaved in public, and
the moment our room's door closed she didn't have to be told to bust out
the girls. If we were relaxing with a few drinks, as soon as my
glass was half empty she would sort out another one. Cookie was a
lot of fun when it was time to have fun, and she was nice and quiet when
it was time to kick back. I could get used to living like this…
The HRH welcome gift
We awoke a little late from our afternoon nap, and had to shower
quickly to meet the guys on time in the lobby. Unfortunately, Antman
and Wifey were crazy late, and everyone waited for them instead of moving
on to dinner.
Starz Cafe
Bubbles entertained everyone while
we waited for Antman and Wifey
Starz Café at the Hard Rock Hotel had some sort of celebration going
on; in addition to their fine dinner menu, they offered a nice
buffet. On top of that, there was a small floorshow.
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Part of the HRH floorshow
Photo courtesy of Reeb
It's hard to explain what went on in the floorshow. Some girls
wore masks and would sing a song revealing interesting make-up jobs.
Some songs were in English and some were in Thai. The girls were
cute, and the show was entertaining. I'm glad I got to see it.
The food at Starz Café is pretty good. I prolly wouldn't go out
of my way to eat there, but it was good. Bubbles is a vegetarian
(which earned him some extra points with the girls) and we were always
concerned if he could find something to eat, but he never had a problem;
even at Starz Café.
In the middle of dinner, Wifey handed her mobile to me. I thought
it was one of Antman's ex's on the line, and I was more than a little
frosted; it wouldn't have been the first time that he stiffed me dealing
with one of his ex-girlfriends when I was with a girl, because he was
embarrassed to do it when he was with his girl.
After dinner, we made our way around the pool and out to Beach Road to
catch a baht bus to Pattayaland. All of the beerbars and streets lit
up with neon were something new to the boys. Sure they had seen Soi
Cowboy and Bangla Road, but that didn't prepare them for Pattayaland,
Walking Street, and the baht bus ride around the area.
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Beach Road view from a baht bus
Down Walking Street, it was nice to see some of the girls dressed up
for Loy Krathong.
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Photo courtesy of Reeb
This girl was so damn cute,
but she just didn't want to smile for us
Photo courtesy of Reeb
It looks like we could be in for a fun time tomorrow
We got to FLB around 8PM, and settled in for a round or two. Even
so, everyone was chomping at the bit to leave. Bubbles and Doozy
wanted to hit the bars, but Reeb, MikeM, and I were more interested in
investigating Loy Krathong a little more.
It was good to see CodeMonkey again. I had hoped to spend more
time with him, but he had BFed a lovely girl from FLB and I had Cookie so
things didn't work out this trip. But I do intend to get a few
pointers from him and go after his record…
We checked bin and the gang met in front of FLB for a quick pow-wow.
Everyone was comfortable with where they were going, so we promised to
meet at breakfast tomorrow and were off.
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Shotover
Photo courtesy of Shotover
Photo courtesy of Bubbles
Photo courtesy of Bubbles
Photo courtesy of Bubbles
Cookie, Lady, MikeM, Reeb, and I headed toward the new pier to check
out the Loy Krathong festivities. With ever step, we would see more
and more people carrying their krathongs and making their way to the
shore.
Near the pier, there was a clearing in the sidewalk were vendors were
busy building krathongs to sell. We lingered for a few moments, and
I tried to get Cookie to buy a krathong but she wouldn't have it saying it
was a big waste of money. I thought it might be nice for her but if
she's not into it, no problem for me.
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Photo courtesy of Reeb
There was a clearing by the pier where they set up a big stage.
It looked like there was a beauty contest in progress to select Miss Loy
Krathong - Pattaya. Some of the girls were really beautiful, and it
was enchanting to see them dressed in their traditional costumes.
When we finally made it to the pier, Cookie would take advantage of
opportunity to point out wilted krathongs on the shore and say,
"See? Wasted money! You pay for krathong, fibe minute
later it garbage." Even if I thought it might be fun to do,
there was no arguing with her…
MikeM and Lady bought krathongs, and paid some young kids to launch the
krathongs past the surf (such as it was). The surf wasn't really
that big (maybe only a couple inches) but unless the krathongs were
launched well past the tiny surf, they didn't stand a chance. MikeM
got his money's worth, and we enjoyed watching the krathongs float off the
coast for a while before the wind blew them ashore.
After walking to the end of the pier and back, we started our way down
Walking Street. Walking Street was really packed now with all kinds
of people; gawking tourists to punters to bargirls to girls in parade
configuration dressed in their finest costumes.
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Photo courtesy of ShadowDweller
Photo courtesy of Shotover
Photo courtesy of Shotover
It was fun. All I can add is if you haven't been to Pattaya for
Loy Krathong give it a shot. It's a blast.
Photo courtesy of Bubbles
Photo courtesy of Bubbles
Photo courtesy of Doozy
Photo courtesy of Doozy
We sampled a few bars on Soi Pattayaland 1 and 2, and then decided to
walk on the beach. The beach was packed with Thais launching
krathongs, and only a few farangs watching the spectacle. Reeb and I
hired a couple beach chairs, and everyone one else wandered away including
Cookie.
Photo courtesy of Antman
Photo courtesy of Reeb
Reeb and I relaxed in our chairs and watched the locals launch their
krathongs and small hot-air balloons. We noticed a woman selling
hot-air balloon kits but before we could get off our asses and buy a
couple,
she was put out of business by the local police. They asked her to
hand over her stock and when she refused, the police were not shy about
tearing it all from her grip. Where I come, that would have landed
her in the pokey. But the cops were happy just to get their hands on
the balloon kits. I wonder if they had a big party to attend later
that night…
The gang wandered back and we all continued to relax a while on the
beach before deciding to make our way back to the Hard Rock Hotel.
Walking from Second Road to the entrance of HRH, it looked to me like
Cookie was genuinely happy. On one hand it's hard to tell as she
always has a smile on her face, but there was something about her that
made me think she was really happy to be out that night.
As soon as we got back to the room, Cookie was out of her clothes and
into a HRH robe. She knows I don't like cigarette smoke, so she went
out on the balcony to light up. It was a nice night, so I decided to
join her for a while.
Photo courtesy of Antman
There was a warm breeze that night, and we enjoyed our stay on the
balcony watching the hot-air balloons drift down the shore.
Photo courtesy of ShadowDweller
It was another good night...
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