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Duck Duck to Go.... Some lovely duck from the shop across the road. Along with some tasty shrimp balls, mellow broth and some fabulous sauces (rice also of course). Total - 135 baht (not including Chang).

Here's my latest acquisition - my older brother is feeling his age these days and is having problems with his balance and other physical abilities so he has decided to give up on riding. Myself and a mutual friend are co-executors on his will and he told us recently that he plans to leave all of his machinery and tools to us, and would we like an advance on our inheritance? Well, gosh - if you insist; so out of three British bikes, I will take two and the friend one to add to the considerable collection he already has. This particular example is registered as a 1968 Triumph Trophy TR6 but has been built using parts from various other bikes so it's not a "numbers matching" original, but it looks good and sounds good and took little to get running after sitting for a couple of years: Stay tuned for the next machine, which I hope to get home and running before long...

I settled in and spent the next week in Diani Beach enjoying the local restaurants, nightlife and a couple of companions I had kept in touch with via whatsapp. While there is plenty of opportunities to meet women pretty much anywhere you go, having a couple of somewhat "known quantities", did pay off in the best ways you can imagine, as there was already a built in comfort level with them and the conversation over dinner and drinks flowed easily. And having some great meals only enhanced the time spent with them. My accommodation was tucked back off the main road about a 300 yard distance past a gate guard entrance, just off the main Diani Beach Road. And just across the road and down maybe 100 yards was a fantastic Italian restaurant that made a delectable cheese and spinach ravioli dish that was among the best I ever had. It was so good, I went back a second time for the same dish a few days later, alone this time. A 15 minute walk away, there was a popular chain called "Java House", where they served all manner of hot and iced coffee, a variety of desserts and assorted sandwiches. Because of it's convenient location, it made for a perfect spot to meet with Njeri, a bartender at a popular nightspot. I'd got her number on my previous trip and we finally made a connection this time, and it was as good as I had hoped it would be. Though she had just one night off per week, she worked it out with a work colleague to pull a shift for her so we could spend more time together. The other woman who would occupy my time in Diani, was Miriam, who in addition to working as a part time model, was employed in the transport business that involved getting farm produce to the market. She was as smart as she was gorgeous, and it took me a couple evenings with her to close the deal. But once we did, it was the kind of experience that one imagines he will have when embarking on such a journey. Miriam, in addition to her looks, was a truly classy woman with a great personality once she felt comfortable, and I guess my charm and sense of humor won her over. We had a tremendous time together and she left open the possibility of more to come upon my return. Living ten time zones away, despite the words and promises one might say, I know the deal as far as these things can go. But the thought was definitely a pleasant one to contemplate, and besides, I'm looking at a return in the spring of '23, so who knows? Here's a few shots of the ladies and the delicious food. Miriam wore this gorgeous, colorful dress. Even the Massai beach guard couldn't take his eyes off her!

Lamb shank, roast potato and glazed carrots and parsnips. Should have taken the pic before adding the gravy (lamb drippings and Bisto)

Happy hour about to end so doubled up on the cocktails, not sure what the free shot is.

Few snaps from the rear of ''Tree Town'' at about 02.00 hrs...

Baked Cajun chicken and roasted potatoes.

Just completed online check in and booked an aisle seat. Plane looks quite full so unlikely to get a couple of empty seats bext to me.

Salmon steak (lidl's, so gawd knows where it came from!) and salad.

A photo survey of the damage to the beach after last night's storm. On the north end near Soi 5 repairs underway. Surprisingly south of Klang I saw no beach erosion. Across from the Soi 13's in the past had some of the worst erosion. Today nothing.

The Beach........... Wild old sky which is now precipitating quite strongly as I type.... Bottom half of soi 8 a few bars getting banged about. A few gutted hotels now...... Not to many lights on in Somerset..........

You would absolutely love Kenya, mate. Though lacking the numbers of Pattaya because of size, there are plenty of UK expats, as well as Germans, Scandinavians, and other Europeans and a smattering of Yanks who either live there year round, or spend a majority of the year there with one or two trips back home for a few weeks. One huge advantage the European guys have over Americans, which I tried to explain to the ladies when I told them why so few Americans were here and if they had a white man for a boyfriend he would most likely be European, was that from about 5-6 airports in Europe, you can reach Nairobi in 8 hours nonstop. A guy can have breakfast at home, head for the airport, fly down, and meet up with his gf for a late night dinner in Kenya that same day. For me, it's a 30 hour journey, so not a lot of guys from the States willing to do that, or have the time necessary, to make it feasible. Hell, after 8 hours, I might be leaving my aisle seat to take a leak in a cramped airline bathroom 33,000 feet above Greenland! Not to mention at least half of Americans, maybe more, couldn't find Kenya on a map.

Monday 5th September Soi Buakhao about 21.00 hrs.

Better than being filled with noxious real smoke. (Entered for bad taste joke of the year.)

I managed to get to the Zero Bar on Soi Buakhao last night just before the mass flooding A few (not quality) snaps I took as it all unfolded in front of me.....

My spy tells me he only fell once whilst trying to negotiate soi 15 this morning...

Thursday and friday i was hiking in the scottish highlands,4 munros,here is one from bein leith mhor summit in torridon.

Homemade coronation chicken and rocket

Just rocked up at my local.

Other side of the road now, this is where all that water is going... under all those grates.... and out here...

Keys (the old Secrets) sort of open, this is what I've put in another thread...... . . Finally entered last night about 23.30, very interesting dark ambient lighting, lots of lighting flashing about and quite a heavy artificial smoke level........no draught beer yet.....briefly a few cords of some Bollywood hits were heard and then silence.....there were 3 very pleasant ladies behind the bar who remembered me..nice.. so we started off by slagging off all the old governors etc...lol...I settled for a small bottle of Leo 90 Baht, didn't bother to look to deep at the menu because many items and serviced have not had their I's dotted...licences etc.....The only other people present were are few people I would have imagined have some connection to the Indian Sub Continent and they were in that raised area where all the bottom licking went on.....I suspect they may have been management........As i was about to leave..Mooli (spelling) return after some nose bag from a local cart....had a chat for about 5 minutes, she looks quite well looking forward to catch up with old friend and making new ones in this new venture......

Finally entered last night about 23.30, very interesting dark ambient lighting, lots of lighting flashing about and quite a heavy artificial smoke level........no draught beer yet.....briefly a few cords of some Bollywood hits were heard and then silence.....there were 3 very pleasant ladies behind the bar who remembered me..nice.. so we started off by slagging off all the old governors etc...lol...I settled for a small bottle of Leo 90 Baht, didn't bother to look to deep at the menu because many items and serviced have not had their I's dotted...licences etc.....The only other people present were are few people I would have imagined have some connection to the Indian Sub Continent and they were in that raised area where all the bottom licking went on.....I suspect they may have been management........As i was about to Leave Mooli (spelling) return after some nose bag from a local cart....had a chat for about 5 minutes, she looks quite well looking forward to catch up with old friend and making new ones in this new venture......

I recently had the misfortune to spend a few days in Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for an operation on my eye. Here's some photos from my stay. View from the room on the 12th Floor looking northish towards Laem Chabang. Patients aren't allowed on the balcony itself. The kitchen area. Fridge, microwave and kettle all came in handy. There was also an en-suite, easy chair, bed-settee and work table and chair in the room as well as the hospital bed. Slow but free wifi. Supplies in the room on arrival. I was really pleased by what I thought was a box of biscuits but which also turned out to hold some milk and cold tea or something similar, drastically reducing the biscuit volume. Room service menu. I only discovered it in a drawer on my last day so no comment on the offerings. There was also a menu for one of these fancy bakery/coffee places. Sorry for the pic quality. Hope you can read it. Some of the meals I had. Not 5 star hotel nosh, but ample portions and more than enough to fill me up. A couple of goody bags brought in by friends (why are Thai girls all so keen to visit you in hospital?). Visitors weren't allowed on the wards without a Covid test so in both cases the bags were brought up by a nurse. All in all, not a pleasant experience but hopefully on the mend now. Any questions on the hospital experience just ask away and I'll do my best to answer.

Prior to booking my flight for late July through the 3rd week of August, I had no idea Kenya was going to have a Presidential election, which took place on August 9th. Because of the previous history of violence in some parts of the country, people were reluctant to travel. In past elections, there were incidence of roadside blockades, vehicles being burned, people injured or even killed, depending on which side you supported. Obviously for many Kenyans, those memories served to keep many home until the election was over and a winner declared. That meant that many nightlife venues were lacking in patrons that ordinarily might be packed with people coming to the coast from Nairobi and other parts of the country, for a coastal holiday. Several restaurants had empty tables, even on weekends, where normally they might have a bustling trade going on. For the remainder of the week I spent in Diani Beach, it was chill days spent at a beach bar that had a skeletal crew with few customers. The evenings were hit and miss as far as where the nightlife crowd might go to. The most popular place was called "Manatta", a bar-nightclub that seemed to have taken the business from the previous hot spot a kilometer back up the road, "Tandoori", which for years had been the "go to" spot. I spent a few night checking Mannata out and for the most part, it was a decent enough scene. But since the nightclub part wasn't really getting going until after 1 am, I wasn't going to stay out until 3 or 4 in the morning (I think it was open until 6 am) and was headed back to my room much earlier. As I might have enjoyed a nice, late afternoon visit from a young lady who would take care of my "needs", a good 4-5 hours out and about at night was good enough. As the trip progressed, having a late afternoon session with a willing companion would more often that not, become the norm, which would then basically free me from searching out anyone in particular at night, especially a waitress working at a pub or lounge, save for maybe getting her number to make plans for her day off. I would get way too many numbers and have way too little time to meet them all. Ah, such are the problems a guy has to endure on the Kenya Coast. A few more of the great food, one from a small roadside spot and the other from a German place. Both were fantastic and priced under $9 USD. Then there was Sarah, a young lady from Nairobi I have known for about 5 years. She took the train to Mombasa from Nairobi and became my "wife" for 3-4 days. A very accommodating woman with a healthy appetite, and I'm not talking food! She came down to stay with me just before the election as she wanted to leave Nairobi due to any potential violence that might happen. She didn't have to worry as things were pretty calm. But I didn't mind her company one bit. Not our first go around. Nor will it be our last. The split was very amicable.

It didn't look like that earlier! This was posted on FB: 302133411_652489726194119_254029612835110792_n.mp4

Coming out today😶

When living here the options are unlimited. But.... sometimes the more you have the more hassles you can have. Hitting you up for money, etc. There is good reasons for the 3-day rule, that's for sure.

Thailand will always have men visiting for the company of ladies. It’s just going to be up to them if they want to pay these new gogo prices, or find a cheaper option. We know the online freelancer game has increased exponentially. For sure it’s a different game now, I won’t be able to comment first-hand until I go over again. I think the biggest factor in how many baht you part with, is how long you’re in the country for. 2 week millionaires, as you say, won’t mind paying 5K just for LT, when it doesn’t even exist where they come from, or if it does, it’s 70,000 a night( $2K in major USA city sounds right). So for them still a great bargain, assuming she’s a looker. But the expat who’s in town for a while, speaks some Thai, is kind and not shy to just say “Hello” to random girls, in THIS ERA of SMARTPHONES……he should have an encyclopedia of #’s and getting it for very cheap. When I was in CM for 7 months, way back in 2009, gogo girls still wanted 3K, FL 2K. With a crappy little Chinese phone, I had at least 15 regulars, never paid more than 1K, and only slowed down because I kind of settled down the last 4 months. It’s not worth it to get serious and still want to f—k around 6 nights a week. Any guy who stays a while will have lots of options But inflation is a reality, everything rises with time, I don’t expect to pay in 2025 what I did in 2009. But I also won’t pay 700% more, I can guarantee you that……

Absolutely one of the best bars I have ever been in. Had some great nights in there, memories that will never be forgotten. Babydolls I'm talking about....

The new road surface on WS came through unscathed too. Soi 16 canal waters were running fast. One section of the footpath has been taken over by the jungle.

It was actually a replacement aircraft, and airline, from the one I had originally booked with, East African Airlines. The propellers caused a nonstop vibration through the entire 1 hour flight and it was a bit strange to look out the window and see the landing gear emerge and unfold from underneath the wing! But the cost for a one way ticket was only $36 USD, so I wasn't expecting many bells and whistles. I just wanted the flight to get me there, which it did without incident.

yesterday at a local public garden...

Extensive areas of land like this where I live, and when I see your photos it often makes me wish I was twenty years younger and had my old legs back again - nice country and thanks for posting.

I stayed in its sister hotel Centra by Centara couple of weeks ago. There is a little alleyway from Soi Diana that lets you in round the back and zero road works takes about 90 seconds. Soi and hotel is signposted clearly. Only problem you will have is noise from Soi 15 but traffic you will be fine.

Community Garden near my home...

Butcher's sausages and giant burger in a panini roll.

This will get my post count up..lol....Soi 15...........

I wonder what's going up here...... These next 2 pics of Soi Arab makes you think nothing happens here, saw the cyclist David Strachan (you tube) down here at night it was choker .... There's your sunset..........

A few from this afternoons wanderings, not to many from the beach.......Tiny update Soi Buakhao..... The new restaurant..... Popped in here the other night.....175 for a Sapphire glass of draught, think it was tiger about 00.05... Not to much going on. pool table second floor excess to there up stairs at the rear of the room.... Noticed the past few nights on the Baht Bus to W/S.......near cheap charlies..... Jogging on with this one...Have we got a name yet, anyone.... down to the muddy stuff,,,,,,, But concrete down outside the 7-11.....

Only time I've been to Africa is to Gambia on the West side. Really enjoyed it and had the pleasure of some lovely ladies company 😉

Arizona Cactus Garden on the Stanford University Campus (Palo Alto, California) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Cactus_Garden

Brings back memories of spending 4 days in the same hospital after having a bladder tumour removed. My main recollection was of the lovely nurses staring at my 'lance of love' and the girlfriend keeping a close eye on their hands.

I think 'Baby Dolls' got a guest relations liaison officer (or similar) and pinched most of the customers. 😀

1987 got the sleeper from Bangkok to Hat Yai on the way to Koh Samui,no airport there in those days. The compartment we(me & a hottie from Cowboy)were in folded up into up & down sleeping compartments & I wanted us to be together as I'd never shagged on a train before.She wanted none of it as there was only a flimsy curtain between us & the corridor and the other occupants.Anyway she was upstairs but she soon found out she was accompanied by an ants nest so had to come downstairs to me & so I had my wicked way😄. Well the title of the thread is 'For the train lovers'....😂