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Climb the highest mountains
David Cole, PCEC’s speaker for
the 28th of July, is one of few Australians to have climbed all the highest
peaks on seven continents. He shared with PCEC members the preparations and
climb of Mt Everest, which he summited on 21st of May, 2008.
A quest to climb the highest point on each of the seven
continents was the goal of David Cole, the speaker at the Pattaya City
Expats Club meeting on Sunday, July 28. To climb the seven summits is an
epic and challenging mountaineering adventure; it demands strong
determination, perseverance and endurance - from the cold and unforgiving
environments of Everest and Denali, to the remote ice wilderness of
Antarctica, the plains of the African subcontinent, and to the barren winds
of Aconcagua in South America. David accomplished this goal, being the 8th
Australian to do so, on the 19th of December 2011; a task that took him 12
years to complete.
David said that he would talk about his climbing one of these summits; the
world’s highest. Mount Everest in the Himalayas stands at height of 8,848
meters. David gave a brief overview of attempts to reach the summit from the
first attempt in 1921 until it was first accomplished by New Zealander
Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay on May 19, 1953. Further, he
mentioned that since then, over 3,500 people have reached the summit and 249
died in the effort.
The peak of Everest,
including the traffic jam on the infamous ‘Hilary Step’, as seen from the
South Peak.
David said he first saw Mount Everest in 1992 and it
became his dream to stand on its summit. He displayed many pictures as he
described its distinctive towering shape and commented on how it towers over
everything. He explained the two approaches, one from the South and the
other from the North. When he did his climb in May 2008, he and his 6
companions had to choose the Southern approach as the Chinese government had
closed the Northern approach because the Olympic Torch was being carried to
the Summit on that side.
He then described the Southeast approach showing the trail from base camp to
the summit, which went through the Khumbu Ice Fall (a very dangerous stretch
from the base camp to camp 2), Western Cwm (pronounced coom), Lhotse Face,
South Col, and finally the Hillary Step to the summit. He explained how each
year, a group of locals go up the Mountain scouting the best trail and
fixing ropes along it which are used by the climbers (David said that ropes
from previous years remain, so when selecting the one to use, you try to
find the newest looking one and hope you made the right choice).
Victory! Many questions
followed David’s inspiring presentation.
David then described their activities in base camp, where
they stay for many days acclimatizing to the higher altitude. He explained
the necessity of climbing up from base camp to camp 2 and then coming back
down to base camp, then repeating the process. Eventually, you stay at camp
2 and climb to camp 3 and return, then again repeat the process. This, he
pointed out is done so that you get used to the higher altitude before
moving further up the mountain. He said the objective was to “climb high,
sleep low.” Further, when not actually climbing, they spent most of their
time eating, sleeping, and playing cards.
He also mentioned that most of the time you do not feel very good, much like
experiencing a hangover; likewise not having much appetite. But, eating is
the one thing you definitely need to do to sustain yourself for the climb.
Also, even with acclimatization, you still need to use oxygen bottles to
reach the summit.
Using several photos and some video, David shared his experience in making
the climb. The final leg to the summit is the Hillary Step, almost vertical
and limited room. Thus, at times there is a bit of a traffic jam between
those ascending and those descending.
After expending much effort to get there, David described how he felt upon
realizing his dream when he reached the summit on May 21, 2008; the 49th
Australian to do so. Overall, he said the entire trip from home to Everest
and return took about 2 months. In conclusion, David showed a mannequin
dressed in the mountain climbing gear he used. He then answered many
questions from the audience.
You can read more about his mountain climbing exploits at:
http://www.davidcole.id.au
With the aid of a manikin,
David demonstrates the clothing and gear necessary to climb Everest,
including the ice pick. MC Richard Silverberg looks on.
In parallel with these climbing achievements, David is a
management professional from Melbourne, Australia. Having worked in the
automotive industry for the past 25 years; serving in management roles in
Australia, Malaysia, USA, Korea, and China. Now in Thailand, he is the
general manager of Chassis Brakes International Thailand. He is also an
active runner having completed over 30 marathons or ultra marathons.
After David’s presentation Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg brought
everyone up to date on upcoming events, then called on Roy Albiston to
conduct the interesting and informative open forum where questioned are
asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand. For more about the
Pattaya City Expat Club and their many activities, visit
www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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Hilton announces 2nd lucky
winner of Dine ‘n’ Fly campaign
(L to R) Markus Hesse, Assistant
Food & Beverage Manager, Philippe Kronberg, General Manager, Angila Lampiam, 2nd
lucky winner of Dine ‘n’ Fly with Hilton Pattaya promotion, and Peta Ruiter,
Director of Business Development.
Hilton Pattaya has announced the 2nd lucky winner, Angila
Lampiam, for its Dine ‘n’ Fly with Hilton Pattaya promotion campaign. The prize
includes return airfare for two, two nights’ accommodation and daily breakfast
at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing in China.
Guests spending THB 3,000* at any of Hilton Pattaya’s restaurants, eforea: spa
at Hilton located at Hilton Pattaya or on in-room dining, will have the chance
to jet off on an unforgettable holiday for two to either Hilton Singapore,
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, Hilton Shanghai or Conrad Seoul.
Five winners will either receive return airfares with two nights’ accommodation
and daily breakfast at one of the destinations, or be entitled to a rooftop
party at Horizon on level 34 worth up to THB 100,000.
Promotion period is from 1st May 2013 till 30th November 2013.
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Rare Thai Coins, Medals and
Banknotes feature in Hong Kong auction
Another large bullet coin is also
offered for sale, a 20 baht or 5 Tamlung minted during the reign of King
Chulalongkorn, Rama V. The weight is around 300 grams so it does not take too
much space in the wallet. This is a commemorative coin minted in CS 1242 (1880)
for the ceremonial cremation of the King’s mother Somdet P’ra Deb Sirindhra.
This coin is also very rare and the estimation is US$ 40,000 to 50,000.
Jan Olav Aamlid
From 19th to 21st of August one of the world’s largest numismatic firms,
Stack’s, Bowers and Ponterio, is conducting their 179th and 180th auction in
Hong Kong. This is one of the auctions leading up to the Hong Kong International
Coin Convention taking place from 23rd to 25th of August where more than 120
exhibitors from 20 counties will attend.
This sale is a great chance for collectors and other interested parties to buy
some very attractive rarities of Thai coins, medals and banknotes.
For more information, contact Jan Olav Aamlid, House of Coins, email:
[email protected]
The following will be among the highlights of the auction:
This Thai Silver Coin does have
the highest estimation in this sale, US$ 120,000 to 150,000. The coin is an
attractive “bullet” coin minted in 1864 to commemorate the 60th birthday for
King Mongkut, Rama IV. The coin has a face value of 80 baht but is also called a
Chang or 20 Tamlung. This is the largest Thai coin; the weight for this specimen
is 1186 grams. It is also described as the rarest of all Thai coins. Only 8 pc
are known, and three of them are in museums.
A Tamlung from 1864 described
as The Finest NGC Certified. The grade is MS-61 meaning Mint State 61. This is a
very good grade for this early, large silver coin from the reign of King
Mongkut, Rama IV, commemorating the King’s 60th birthday. The coin is very
interesting with the central Thai inscription on the reverse “Kingdom of Siam”.
On the reverse the coin also has the inscription in Chinese “Cheng Ming Tung
Pao” meaning “Negotiable Currency of Cheng Ming”. This coin weighs around 60
grams and is estimated from US$ 30,000 to 40,000, so for those looking for a
silver investment this is not recommended.
In 1907 during his second trip to
Europe, King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, visited the Paris Mint. During the visit the
chief engraver of the Paris mint from 1896, Henri-Auguste Jules Patey, also a
sculptor, portrayed the King with a sculpture. The King was very happy with the
result and ordered coins to be produced using the sculpture for their design.
Unfortunately the King passed away before the coins were put in circulation, and
the coins were distributed as a memento at King Chulalongkorn’s cremation. In
the Hong Kong sale the complete set, 1 Baht, 1/2 Baht and ¼ Baht is offered as a
Pattern Essai Set dated RS 127-8 (1908-09). These coins are all marked ESSAI,
and in very good condition with nice toning. 19th of February 1993 Spink-Taisei
had a similar set in their Singapore auction. In their catalogue they write that
the ½ Baht is extremely rare, the others very rare. The estimation in 1993 was
US$ 180,000 to 220,000 and the buyer at that time paid US$ 190,000 plus
commission. The estimation for the set in the Hong Kong sale is US$ 75,000 to
100,000, which seems very conservative.
( An unrecorded gold medal,
considered the first Non-Monetary Thai medal, is offered with an estimation of
US$ 70,000 to 90,000. This very same medal has been auctioned once before, at
Swiss Bank Corporation sale 42 on 25th of February 1997, the price was at that
time CHF 52,000 plus commission. The medal was made to commemorate the 17th
birthday of King Chulalongkorn and was also awarded to the winners of a
competition designing decorations for lamps in the Grand Palace and other royal
residences. The competition was also for the first time open for foreigners
which can explain why the only known gold medal appeared in Switzerland.
On 21st of August Stack’s, Bowers
and Ponterio will be selling banknotes. In the Thai section there are 16 notes,
all of very high rarity. A 1000 Baht note dated 11th February 1933 with the
portrait of King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, is estimated at US$ 40000 to 60000. The
note was approved by the Ministry of Finance on 30th of May 1934, but it was
never put in circulation as King Prajadhipok abdicated on 2nd of March 1935. The
note is of the highest rarities, only a few are known to exist.
Another interesting note is
the 1000 baht from 1948. The notes were produced by Thomas de la Rue and sent to
Thailand. For different reasons the note was never put in circulation, one
reason given is that the authorities were worried that a high denomination note
would create inflation. During the reign, from 1946, of the present King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, the highest denomination in circulation until July
1975 was the 100 Baht when the 500 Baht was introduced. The 1000 baht was
introduced in June 1992. Only a few of the 1000 Baht from 1949 are known to
exist, most of the notes were destroyed, and therefore the estimation is US$
15,000 to 25,000.
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Centara Grand holds 2nd wedding fair of summer
The international wedding package is one of the many
themes available for the bride and groom.
Warunya Thongrod
The Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort showed off its wedding-package offerings
at the second of its summer bridals shows.
The Aug. 2-4 “Mirage Bridal Show & Wedding Fair 2013” followed an elaborate
bridal parade July 22 at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. Thai, European and
Indian couples dressed in traditional costumes marched with long drums down
Beach Road and into the mall.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh opened the event with hotel General Manager Robert
Lohrmann. Centara cooperated with Raun Wiwah Pattaya Co. to put on the
exhibition to showcase the hotel’s wedding packages, including its “one-stop
service” with teams of professionals that design weddings according to the
customer’s culture, be it European, Thai or Indian. Prices begin at 940 baht per
person and offer options such as cocktail bars and Chinese buffets. Couples who
previously married at Centara provided testimonials to the service.
Wedding packages begin at 150,000 baht for 100 guests and include food, room,
spa package for two and lodging for the newlyweds. For more information, call
038-301-234.
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