Another trip to the "land of smiles"
The incomprehensible political and economic situation and the lack of direct flights to European warm countries do not leave us, Siberians, the freedom to choose a place where you can see that it is summer and people go without jerseys! The choice is predetermined - either Thailand or Vietnam. Well, sometimes India is also offered! However, in October it is already cold in India, and in Vietnam - waves, showers, jellyfish... Yes, and the hotels there are located according to the principle: "cloakroom - a bathhouse across the road! " That is, it is not a fact that you will be able to reach the beach! The risk of being hit by an unknown motorcyclist is very high! That's why I chose Thailand. Once again. . . the twelfth time! The choice fell on the hotel "Loma" in the North of Pattaevka. And for the simple reason that last year they rested in Green Park. And Loma is a hotel of the same chain. Yes, and I do not like multi-story stone "humans". And here - a cozy area with a complex of two - three-story buildings, surrounded by tropical trees and shrubs.
The birds are singing, the squirrels are jumping on the branches, the sound of the surf is heard...
That's how I imagined the upcoming vacation. . . But, alas! We flew to Utapao. In the best Soviet tradition, two of the five check-in desks in the arrivals area were open. Naturally, I had to stand in line... Then, well, they drove us to the hotel for a very long time. Nearly three hours. And this is thirty-five km. ! From Suvarnabhumi, despite the many times greater distance, they traveled faster! "Loma" met us with an incomprehensible loud hum, interspersed with a rattle... The source of this noise was identified very quickly: it was emitted by air conditioners installed on the balconies of the rooms... Boybell showed us to a room on the second floor of a three-story building... He showed us a safe, TV and froze in the stance of a hunting dog at the sight of game... They gave him a 20 baht tip. He was indignant: "Not enough" Come on, full! "Pushed him out of the room!
In general, this type is some kind of muddy, he and the driver of an electric car (on which he didn’t take anyone anywhere! ), he and a boy-bell, he and a cook (fried eggs in the dining room), he and a promoter of massage parlors and pharmacies (constantly lured! ). . . Having got rid of the intrusive servant, we looked around in the room. The room is small. On furniture, walls, plumbing, the sadness of antiquity. But not the one that antique dealers are chasing. . . The old room in dilapidated furniture, old plumbing, streaks on the walls. The rooms are extremely old! The fridge was not defrosted when we arrived. And the shelf on its door was broken long ago. There was nowhere to put bottles of drinks. . . The tiny safe was not attached to anything. Take his armpit and take it away with all the contents......... But you can't call it cleaning! They don't even make the bed properly! Linens were never changed!
Yes, they come when they want. Usually during the afternoon sabai! By the way, about food: the assortment of dishes for breakfast is monotonous and meager. Even pineapples with watermelons were very rare. Poor quality coffee. Sausages - from "prosthetic" meat. To match them ham. The only thing that can provide you with calories is fried bacon and scrambled eggs. But they only give you a couple strips of bacon. And even then not every day! You have to look for a place to eat. The hotel is very well located: the city center is nearby, but there is no noise and fuss. It is half a kilometer walk to Pattaya Road. Up to "dolphins" - a little more... But most catering points are sharpened for rich burghers, but not for Russian tourists. And the prices in purely Thai eateries are extremely inhumane - a portion of tom yum cheaper than 120 baht could not be found! The famous "buffet" NAI POR on North Street (near "Macro" - entrance 289 Baht in one helmet.
Plus separate payment for drinks. The "Festival" is even more expensive. Popular among Russians "4471" is also not cheap. The most inexpensive catering points were found on the way from the Sanctuary of Truth. . . Paradoxically, but true: in fashionable cafes not far from Tuk-Kom, the prices are quite humane! Okay, enough about daily bread. I'll tell you about why you have to endure almost eight hours of flight in a cramped charter Boeing 757 - about the sea! From the place of our current deployment to the beach - about fifteen minutes walk along the crap smelly streets. But the trip to Thai Harlem is worth it - the sea is clear. Very clean. We swam in a bay not far from the "Tsentar". There are trees on the shore where you can hide from the scorching rays. And let the fans of the noisy and dirty Kolyan convince me with foam at their mouths that there is nowhere to swim in Pattaevka - I won’t believe it!
We have been swimming in this bay for the second year and have no desire to go to Kolyan and other beaches! Of course, you can also swim in the hotel pool. The pool is small. Clean and warm. But there are no toilets near the pool! But there are no Thai "carrots" in the pool! There were no excursions this year. There was no particular desire. And they don’t offer new original excursions! Well, tell me, what is the thrill of an excursion-a trip on a quad bike around the outskirts of Pattayovi? ! And how can you call those self-running strollers that they offer for a trip a quad bike ? ! Summary: Will I go next year (or sometime) to Thailand? Don't know. Apparently not! Thailand has long ceased to be a "land of smiles". At least for the Russians!