Mr. Smooth

Actually, Kenya Airways, KQ, flies nonstop between Nairobi and JFK, in New York City. Last I checked, they were flying this 4 days a week, down from the 6 days when the route first started in either 2017 or 2018. It is roughly 13.5-14 hours to Nairobi, and about an hour more returning to NYC. But in order for me to make that flight, I would need to book a red eye departing the previous night from California and combined with the 6-7 hour layover after arriving at JFK, it wouldn't do me any good. I'd just as soon depart from the West Coast for Germany, then connect.

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.

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 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.

Sure hope the road construction on Soi 15 is finished by mid-December. I'm booked at the Centara Hotel over New Years into January, it can be seen partially in one or two of those pics. Would be a pisser if the work was still going on and impeding pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic through that area then. But with the rainy season approaching, that will slow progress for sure.

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!

I was originally booked into a studio that was further back away from the water, but the manager informed me she had some ocean view apts without a kitchen available if I was interested. She told me they went for $90 USD per night, but without breakfast, she would give me a discount of $70 per night. One look and I was sold. A few more of the property along with a photo of one of my neighbors and of the "white knuckle express" that brought me in from Nairobi.

Nearly a decade after I took my very first trip to Kenya, I just completed my 10th. And the pull of the country, and the people, remain as strong as ever. Being retired now, rather than be limited in time to a 2 week time frame due to having to be back at work, I was able to extend this trip to nearly 4 weeks, and after being there for that amount of time, I can't ever imagine staying any less time from here on out. I started by flying from Sacramento, Calif up to Seattle, Washington to spend the night before departing on a Lufthansa flight that next morning to Frankfurt, Germany then the connecting flight onward to Nairobi, Kenya. I bought a premium economy ticket for the additional leg room plus having a much wider arm rest, since there wasn't any way I wanted to be confined to economy for what would be a combined 23 hours inside an aircraft. This trip I was able to not have to pay for any Covid test prior to flying either going or coming back, a savings of $360 USD, from the last trip, and which I was able to apply to my accommodations. Lufthansa, though still making mask wearing mandatory, the flight crew was pretty lax in telling passengers to keep them on throughout the flight, even when not eating. A refreshing departure from the last time, back in October, when the flight attendants went up and down the aisles like prison guards keeping a close eye if a mask drifted below one's nostrils on a sleeping passenger.....ahem. A few nights in a fairly brisk Nairobi, well, brisk for them, as temperatures might dip down to 14 or 15 Celsius, about 58-60 degrees, at night, which would cause much of the motorbike taxi drivers to dress as if they were about to embark on an Everest expedition. After a short stay, I would make the hour long flight to the Kenya coast, and where I would enjoy the sights, sounds, food, music and companionship for the remainder of my stay. After flying halfway around the planet on aircraft that featured the latest in state of the art aeronautical engineering, I made the final leg on a Fly 540 aircraft, a regional outfit that looked like it might have flown Humphrey Bogart out of Casablanca in an earlier age. Fortunately, the old dog brought us in safe and sound, as well as a decent view of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at over 19,000 feet, from it's cruising altitude of 23,000 feet. I had reached my ultimate destination and was ready to experience the delights that awaited me after checking in to my digs, The Coral Beach Resort, right on the Indian Ocean. I wouldn't have to wait for long. A few pics of my room and the view outside my patio. About 100 yards out to the Indian Ocean

Dave Grohl, this man is not merely an extremely talented musician, but a rock and roll ambassador. The Foo Fighters just might be the best rock band going these days. Great tribute to Hawkins, and by virtue of the musical heavyweights joining the group on stage, it's a testimony to how they all felt toward Hawkins, as well as to Grohl, to wanting to be a part of this concert tribute. Fantastic show!

Back when ABC's Wide World of Sports broadcast fights in the 70's and early 80's, I saw several fights featuring Earnie Shavers and his reputation then was as described, maybe the hardest punch thrown in boxing. I also remember hearing boxing experts say that he was the greatest heavyweight to have never won the title. Another one gone from the best era of boxing in my lifetime.

Haven't had a look at this thread in quite some time, but the traffic is way down from what it used to be, taking over 2 months to just fill the last few pages. Used to be 50-60 a day. Guess it just shows the interest is waning and people who have either gotten vaxxed, boosted, or had Covid and recovered, are going about their lives and putting this virus in the rearview. That said, with the new boosters upcoming in availability, not all medical experts are on board, and thinks it's not worth the bother, with limited protection in many cases. But, as the bar girls say, "Up to you". Omicron booster shots are coming—with lots of questions https://www.science.org › content › article › omicron-boo...

Don't you be talking bad about Seger now. I bet his song most played is "Old Time Rock and Roll", ain't it? Maybe if these DJs played some deeper cuts from the classic rock catalogue they play by the same artists, the music might not sound so tiring and repetitive. For Seger, playing "Her Strut" would be a nice change. The Eagles, "Life in the Fast Lane", likewise. And Deep Purple? Easy, play "Hush".

I wish I could play the guitar. My mom wanted me to take lessons way back when I was 6 or 7 years old, she was a huge Glen Campbell fan and hoped her son could learn to play a couple of his tunes eventually, but I just never took any interest in it then. Now, I wish I had given it a shot. I marvel at those who can play, in any genre, and especially with an acoustic guitar. To be able to knock off some instrumentals of hit songs probably would have gotten me a few beers and babes over the years.

I was first introduced to Secrets from my old co-worker and sadly, deceased bm, Rogue, back in it's early days. Loved the interior, the interaction with the girls and how as a customer, you were never hassled about having to buy an LD for anyone, was always "up to you". I think that policy made a customer feel comfortable and made it easier to offer to buy drinks instead of being guilted into doing it like so many other places. I know the girls and Larry as Manager, received the lion's share of the praise, but I also thought the cooks in the kitchen were truly unsung heroes with their very tasty appetizers and snacks. Loved the food there, and as was mentioned by another bm, the beer was always cold and a draft was reasonably priced. With the air conditioning, stopping by to take a break from the heat of the day or night for a few cold ones, cool air, fun interaction with the staff, the great music videos and a bite to eat, it truly made Secrets a must visit. Met a few fine members over the years as well. I'll be curious to know once it re-opens under new ownership, if many Westerners will give it a go or give it a pass and leave it to the Indians to make a success out of it or not?

I always thought the biggest Pattaya "myth", was the ongoing planned retirement of Eyenitnoy and his moving there! Always creating financial charts and graphs, cost estimates vs income potential, buying vs renting, average daily cash outflow, etc...... Does anybody actually know if that "myth" was put to bed and he really did make the move?

Taurean Blaque, who was part of the cast of one of the great cop shows of all time, "Hill Street Blues", died at 82. I remember watching it every week I could in the 80's, and in it's first season, it had such low ratings that NBC threatened to cancel it. But it found an audience when summer repeats were shown and the word spread and would go on to air from 1981 through 1987.

I have a strong suspicion the media in the USA will be promoting that very narrative in the fall. For obvious reasons.

How about that? The US dollar and the Euro are basically a dead heat in equal value. First time since late 2002. That has my mind thinking about a short trip back to Ireland for a week long pub crawl featuring the Black Stuff!

No biggie, point is that is has been many years since the dollar was as strong against the baht as it is now. It would be nice if it can at least maintain it's current value for awhile, say the next year or so.

Great actor! He was on a hot streak in the early 70's that any actor would envy with his roles in "Brian's Song" and "The Godfather". But what was amazing, to show how much Hollywood producers thought of him back in the 70's, he was also offered and turned down the lead in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", that would go to Jack Nicholson, the role of Popeye Doyle in "The French Connection" that went to Gene Hackman ( both won Oscar's in those movies), Han Solo in "Star Wars", that was played by Harrison Ford, the Captain Willard role in "Apocalypse Now", that went to Martin Sheen, and Ted Kramer in "Kramer vs Kramer", that Dustin Hoffman played and won an Oscar. What might have been, eh?

How many years has it been since the USD was exchanging at that rate? Maybe a decade at least?

I'm one of those guys when it comes time for a drinking session where I'll most likely not take any company. Maybe a couple days a week at most. But if out and about on the hunt, then I'm one who prefers a solo jaunt as, like Nightcrawler mentioned before, it's my money and my choice on how much I'll spend, but if out on your own, it's also your decision on where to go and for how long. No need for consulting your mate to see what he thinks, no committee meetings to decide where to go next if among 4-5 guys. Just pay up and move out to wherever your heart desires.

That's my hotel choice for over the holidays too. The rooms looked fantastic and the price I was charged through Agoda couldn't be beat. Quick.....someone get a hold of Buzzin' to interview these two blokes that Steve is talking about to confirm the payment they are giving these girls for the rest of us. I'm assuming neither guy is mistaken for Henry Cavill or Tom Hiddleston?

This past week I just booked my hotel for late Dec and January. Looks like I'm in a very nice location, hopefully the road work I've been hearing about on Soi 15 behind Avenue Mall will be completed by December, and only a few minutes walk from Boomerang. I've seen the YT vids as well regarding the investment and new bars and Gents Clubs. Sounds like the prices won't be over the top either. A very nice option for guys to venture off to from the LK Metro and Tree Town areas if interested in getting down to business before the inevitable pub crawl in those other spots.

Figured I'd use a little play on words, biggs. I see it might have fooled a couple folks. ☺️