|
Fish & Trips lands White Marlin
On Thursday February 10, 2000 the Fish & Trips Soi
Yodsak fishing team participating in the Pattaya Sports Club February
fishing tournament landed a White Marlin. The team was fishing on Captain
Ting’s boat off of Koh Khrum.
 15
kg White Marlin
Throughout the year many marlin are spotted but few are
landed. The local anglers have yet to master the art of catching the
elusive fish. That’s just what happened on this day. Frank Collins,
fishing with a team from Denmark, reported that as many as five marlin
were observed swimming around their boat most of the day, but none would
take the bait.
Finally, late in the day there was a strike. And after
a struggle between man and fish that lasted for more than thirty minutes,
the fish was along beside the boat. After seeing the fish up close, it was
determined that the fish was not large enough to land and should be set
free. Then closer inspection reveled that during the struggle, the wire
trace had wound around the head of the fish and had severely damaged the
fish. Only then was it decided that the fish should be brought aboard the
boat.
When the fish was weighed on the boat it was only thirty-three pounds
(15 Kg). Damage to the dorsal fin of the beautiful fish can be seen in the
photo.
HH regulars take 2000 TAGGS AM-AM
Pattaya Sports Club Golf and The Alternative
Gentlemen’s Golf Society held the 2000 TAGGS AM-AM on Wednesday, March 1,
at Phoenix Golf and Country Club. This is the fourth year that this
tournament has been held and it is hoped that someday in the future the name
will be changed to the TAGGS PRO-AM. The format has always been Four Man
Team Stableford with the best two scores on any hole counting toward the
aggregate.
For the second year in a row, a team of Hare House
regulars ran away from the field and won the championship by seven points.
Russell “Pin High” Finch, Derek “Mr. Moustache” Reaper, Mark “Take
this job and shove it” Campbell, and Harry “a wee one” Riley had an
even one hundred points. Starting off with 49 points on the Mountain Course,
all four team members were contributing fairly equally. The second nine was
played on the Ocean Course, and “Pin High”, who plays off sixteen,
became “Pin Eye” as he shot 36 off the sticks to lead the team to a back
nine total of 51 points.
For their efforts, The Hare House Gang each received a
B1,000 voucher from Delaney’s, a Championship Trophy, and a sweep large
enough to fund their celebration for several days running.
As has been the case in the past, the TAGGS AM-AM seems
to favor the better golfers. The average handicap of the winning team was
sixteen. In second place a team from Lewinsky’s with Dave Mascari, Per
Aschen, Carl Cervin, and Bob Patterson had 93 points and play off an average
of eleven. Dave and Per were also on last year’s second place team, along
with Dave’s brother Steve who was on the winning team two years ago. The
Mascari Brothers seem to like this tournament or maybe they just like the
sweep, the green fees, and the trophies they keep winning.
Losing out on second place in a count back was the Scandi
team of Michael Dige, Peder Gjelstrup, Audi Einarsson, and Hannu Kemila. In
addition to their 3rd place trophies, this team cleaned up on the technical
prizes winning three Near Pins and a Long Drive. Their average handicap was
a very respectable twelve, once again underlining the point that the best
way to do well in this tournament is to have better-than-average golfers on
the team.
The best way to do well after the tournament is to head
for a better-than-average flop house. The Hare House on Soi Post Office fits
that bill nicely. The Heinekens were just shy of having ice in the bottles
and the Mexican dinner sated even the most jaded pallets. Lam Yai and the
rest of the ladies at the Hare House are to be congratulated for another
beautiful buffet. A big thank you is also in order for Benny “The Nerd”
Hansen and Richard Livingston for their help before, during, and after the
tournament. Well, maybe not during the tournament. That consisted mostly of
riding around in a golf cart, drinks in hand, admonishing participants not
to use the circle around the holes as “gimmes”.
2000 TAGGS AM-AM Results
Winners: Russell Finch,
Derek Reaper, Harry Riley, Mark Campbell, 100 Points
Second Place Team: Dave Mascari, Per Aschen, Carl
Cervin, Bob Patterson, 93 Points
Third Place Team: Michael Dige, Peder Gjelstrup, Audi
Einarsson, Hannu Kemila, C/B 93 Points
Near Pins:
Mountain #4: 3rd Div, None, 2nd Div. Steve Donovan, 1st
Div. Michael Dige. #8: 3rd Div. Peder Gjelstrup, 2nd Div. Vic Cross, 1st
Div. Darren Ottoway. Ocean #5: 3rd Div. Peder Gjelstrup, 2nd Div. John
Ginnane, 1st Div. Thomas Bergwall, #7: 3rd Div. Ray Ryan, 2nd Div. Moe
Deverdenne, 1st Div. Tony Stevens.
Long Drives:
Ocean #9: Ladies Urai Kongnuk, 3rd Div. Lassie Dragland, 2nd Div. John
Ginnane, 1st Div. Audi Einarsson
Baguley and Urupong win Koh Larn Classic
Ellefson the fastest runner this year
Gary Baguley and runner Urupong took first place in the
10th Royal Garden Resort sponsored Koh Larn Classic, organized by the Royal
Varuna Yacht Club.
On Saturday, 26th February, the Koh Larn Classic was
sailed and run for the tenth time. This annual event consists of three
separate parts. The first part is a boat race from RVYC via the lighthouse
in Pattaya Bay to the north beach of Koh Larn. Then follows a Hash run along
the length of the island to Koh Larn Vac, returning to the generating
station and over the hill to the south beach. From there it is a boat race
back to the club.
 The
fastest runner, Ellefson (left) and his helm David Race receive their
trophies.
This whole event is the brainchild of John Stall. For
this year’s race, the Royal Garden Resort sponsored the buffet dinner in
the evening as they have done each year since its inauguration. The T-shirts
were sponsored by Schenker Logistics and the kegs of beer to enliven the
spirits after the race were donated by David Wales and the Hash House
Harriers.
During the morning, a steady southern breeze created an
expectation of confidence in a race without problems or surprises. However,
the weather gods had something else in mind. Just before the start the wind
almost dropped and changed direction to northwest. It was too late to change
the start and with an outgoing tide several boats floated across the line
prematurely. At the first mark, where the boats had to turn north to Koh
Chun, there was pandemonium as helms struggled to round the buoy in drifting
conditions. Gradually the wind increased and after some 50 minutes the fleet
had positioned itself well for the goal at the north point of Koh Larn.
Then the wind played another trick, changed some 90
degrees and continued from the southwest. Most of the boats up front
suddenly found themselves battling against a moderate breeze, while those in
the rear had a nice reach to the drop-off point, arriving before the pack.
Now it was time for the runners to show their strength
and start on the 10 km course across the island, ending at the south beach
where their boats were waiting. The path for the athletes was well marked
with white paper, but some jokers on the island had moved these at a split
to another path, causing a bit of confusion. For most it was not too
difficult to find the correct way again, but some of these brave gentlemen
were delayed a bit by the search.
Those leaving the south beach early on the third part of
the race were lucky to miss a rainstorm which left the rest floating without
making much progress for 40 minutes. When the wind returned, it was already
late, and before the main part of the fleet could reach the North Mark, the
clock hit 5 p.m., and the wind died. The gods showed mercy and allowed about
half of the latecomers to float at a snail’s pace to the finish line, but
four unfortunate ones never made it and had to be towed in.
In the overall results, Gary Baguley, sailing a Nacra
5.5, with his runner Urupong came first, followed by David Race on a Hobie
16 with fastest runner, Ellefson. Peter Herning on a Nacra 6 with runner
Andreas were third. A lively party closed this 10th successful Koh Larn
Classic.
Thanks to the sponsors and to Race Officers Gilbert Leemann and David
Wales for the excellent organization of the event.
Power Center - building a strong judo club
in Pattaya
Judo is a martial art and an Olympic sport, which
originated in Japan. One of its main characteristics is the ability of
Judokas to fall every possible way without hurting themselves. The idea of
judo is to use the opponent’s own strength to defeat him, that is why it
is particularly appropriate for all people, especially women, used as a
self-defense. At the same time, it is a good physical exercise.
 Kim
Gawriel, Judo National Coach of Thailand (right), Sombat Pipatpongse,
President of the Judo Association Thailand (middle), and Olivier Sailhan
(left), the owner of the Power Center, with three students.
Sombat Pipatpongse, the president of the Judo Association
of Thailand recently went to visit the Power Center in Pattaya. Since the
Power Center will shortly become a member of this Association, Sombat is
seriously interested in developing a strong judo club in Pattaya. He
promised that his association would provide the Power Center with new Judo
mats in early March, to upgrade the existing equipment. With these new top
equipped facilities, the Power Center will be able to organize official Judo
competitions in Pattaya. At the same time, members of the Judo Thai National
Team are planning spend some time training at the Power Center, since their
teacher, Kim Gawriel is the National Team’s coach.
Of course, all athletes of other Martial Arts taught at the Center will
also benefit from these new, specially designed mats. They will definitely
improve the quality and safety of the Center.
Ranong for a Visa Run
by Gary Hacker
Pattaya City
My mind was drifting back to Pattaya and a beautiful
girl that I had met when all of a sudden there it was, the highway sign in
large letters, “Ranong ———>”, right turn.
Ranong was our destination. We had spent the previous
night in Prachuap Khiri Khan and found a small inexpensive hotel on the
River (B360). For dinner, we had chosen the first of the three or four
foodstands that lined the river a short distance from the hotel; it was a
memorable seafood meal and we enjoyed the fresh fish and prawns as much as
the jokes and laughter of the good natured Thai proprietor.
My best friend Bobby, his Thai girlfriend and myself
were on our way from Pattaya to Ranong to get Bobby his required 90 day
Visa Stamp. We had heard that it was a simple one-day process and a short
boat ride over to Burma and back to fulfill the requirement. Some friends
told us about a famous Hot Springs Hotel on a knoll over the highway that
featured a spa, a great pool, and hot baths using the natural mineral
water from the adjoining hot bubbling natural springs and we were all
looking forward to taking some time off.
We had set off on Saturday morning in the pickup truck
loaded with our two motorbikes, several bottles of red wine and a few
assorted suitcases. The first night we made Prachuap and after a “not
too early” start on Sunday, we arrived at Chumphon at noon. The turn to
the right took us into the mountains and the scenery improved immediately.
We rolled down the windows to enjoy the fresh scent of the green forest
and slowed down to pass through small towns and past quiet country
schools. The road was good, even with all the turns, and we talked and
sang and enjoyed the ride immensely.
As we entered Ranong, we could not miss the large white
structure on our left with the red roof and the faded sign announcing the
Jansom Thara Hot Springs Hotel. At one time, this hotel had to be a shrine
to the city and the owners. Now it has faded for lack of upkeep and is
frequented by a few former guests and overnight travelers who are passing
by. The white paint, or what is left of it, has streaked with black stains
and peeled off in small sheets. Even the signs look old and worn. The
lobby is still quite impressive, and the clear blue mineral pool in the
rear courtyard can be seen in the background. The guestrooms are spacious
and revert back to the luxury of years past. My room looked down on a
rippling river and its surrounding thick green foliage and the view looked
like a backdrop to a stage show, so beautiful to be almost unreal (Room
209).
The quoted room rate is B1,170, which can be negotiated
down in slow season. This includes a full American breakfast for two in
the hotel dining room. Foodservice is minimal, as my request for a
hamburger by the pool was answered with some luke warm french fries and
the news that “they were out of hamburgers”. The same held true on my
order for a Margarita that was a prominent item on their menu. Most of the
staff is undertrained and some have a tendency to be a bit rude.
On the plus side, every drop of water in the hotel
comes from the Hot Springs; in the morning or after dinner, a soak in your
large bathtub is a must. We looked at the cavernous space on the front
corner of the hotel used as a dining room and nightclub and decided to eat
out along the riverfront.
Our first day in Ranong we spent on the “Visa Run”.
As you drive down the divided road to the pier, watch for the Thai
Immigration Office on your right. If you come to the entry gate at the
pier, you have gone too far. You can park in the Immigration Office and
take a shuttle just past the pier entry gate and walk across the street
through the first gas station. We heard there was a public boat going back
and forth to Burma but we never found it. There are a large group of
long-tailed boats parked along the dock, all vying for your business. The
standard rate is B50 per person for as many as they can jam into one boat
or you have the more preferred option of chartering an individual boat for
B300. The trip takes about 25 minutes each way and of course there are no
lifejackets provided.
After your passport is “stamped out of Thailand” at
Thai Immigration earlier, you journey across the wide river to a tiny
unattractive shack perched on a rock and flying a Burmese red flag. The
short flight of worn stone stairs are slippery and treacherous and an
interesting challenge after stepping from the rocking boat; the procedure
is fast, two men writing rapidly by hand and making the necessary entry
and exit stamps in your passport while extracting your five US Dollars or
five hundred Thai Baht.
Back across the River and back to the Thai Immigration
Office for your new entry stamps. The entire procedure can be done in
about two hours baring any crowds or hang-ups.
The food in Ranong is unbelievably good. Fresh seafood
of all descriptions is available everywhere and at affordable prices. We
usually ordered five or six plates of delectable cuisine and enjoyed every
bite. Most over-water dinners came in at less than B400 for the three of
us.
Today we are relaxing around the hotel pool and looking
forward to another delicious seafood dinner tonight along the river.
Tomorrow we will overnight in Krabi before driving through to Surat Thani,
turning north to Bangkok and back down to Pattaya. We may do an overnight
in Petchburi to cut down the driving time. We may even extend for a few
days.
There have been other visa runs, many requiring
expensive flights and exhausting schedules, but this trip has been fun,
informative and pleasurable. We might even do it again.
Feel free to email me if you have a question about exit
or re-entry <[email protected]>
Firebird - Prince Bira Trophy this Sunday
On Sunday the 12th of March the Firebird-Prince Bira
Regatta is on the programme at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. Some 50 or more
fireballs will then be at the club and the RVYC expects a number of them to
participate in this traditional long distance race. Originally this race was
for fireballs only, but after the number of firebirds at the club had been
reduced sharply by the fire, the race has been an open event since 1992.
RVYC hopes many catamarans will join the race also.
Members of the RVYC and their invited guests are eligible
to participate in any class recognized by the RVYC. Briefing is at 9:00
a.m., starting times are 10:00 (Monohulls) and 10:10 (Multihulls).
Course: start at RVYC flagpole, south mark to starboard,
Koh Rin to port, Koh Riang Kwian to port (to be decided by R.O.), Koh Krok
to starboard, north mark to starboard, finish at RVYC flagpole. Time Limit 6
hours.
Prizes for Monohulls & Multihulls each: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
(8 or more participants), 1st, 2nd (5 - 7 participants).
On Saturday, 11 March, the Springs Series begins
(continuing on 25-26 March, 1-2 April). Once again, members of the RVYC and
their invited guests are eligible to participate in any class recognized by
the RVYC. A minimum of 5 boats is required to form a class.
Briefing will be at 13:00, races begin at 14:00. Course:
one of the RVYC standard courses with two back-to-back races. Time Limit 80
minutes per race, 15 minutes between first and last boat.
Prizes for each class: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (8 boats or more), 1st, 2nd (5 - 7
participants).
White Marlin
Occurs throughout the Oceans from latitudes 35ฐS
to 45ฐN. Though this pelagic and migratory species is usually found
in deep blue tropical and warm temperate waters, it frequently comes in
close to shore where waters aren’t much deeper than 8 fathoms.
Its most characteristic feature is the rounded, rather
than pointed, tips of the pectoral fins, first dorsal fin and first anal
fin. Some specimens apparently vary from the norm in that the dorsal and
pectoral fins may be more pointed; the anal fin is more consistently
rounded than the others. The first dorsal fin resembles that of the
striped marlin in that it is usually as high or higher than the greatest
body depth. It differs from that of the striped marlin, or any other
marlin, in that both margins are convex. The flat, movable pectoral fins
can easily be folded flush against the sides of the body. The lateral line
is visible and straight.
In overall appearance the white marlin is generally
lighter in color and tends to show more green than do other marlins.
Several light blue or lavender vertical bars may show on the flanks,
especially when the fish is feeding or leaping. Some specimens have a
scattering of black or purple spots on the first dorsal and anal fins.
A top rated light tackle game fish, the white marlin
can be caught by trolling with small whole or strip baits as well as with
small spoons, feathers or any of a variety of other artificial lures. Live
bait fishing with squid, ballyhoo, mullet, bonefish, mackerel, anchovies,
herring and other fish is also successful. It feeds on whatever species
are locally abundant. The flesh is of good quality and is especially tasty
when smoked.
The Physiological Changes during Chi Gong
by Patrick Stahl, NRG Center
The Brain
The human brain is an extremely complicated system, of
which there are multiple states: normally, in the waking, drowsy or
sleeping state and abnormally, in hallucinatory or hypnotic state. The
“Chi Gong State” is different from those above. During Chi Gong
practice, the amplitude of alpha waves increases, first in the occipital
lobe and later in the frontal lobe. It has been observed that the
asymmetrical alpha waves between the two hemispheres become symmetrical.
All these findings indicate that Chi Gong State is different from sleeping
state and may improve physiological processes of the brain cells with
improved synchronization. In fact, Chi Gong State is not a state of
inhibition but of oriented consciousness and leaves one after practice in
high spirits and able to think quickly and clearly, with sight and hearing
sharpened as well.
The Autonomic Nervous System
Chi Gong may also effect the autonomic nervous system.
Tests of skin potential activities have been used to detect sympathetic
results. Skin potential activities are synchronous and symmetrical on the
right and left sides of healthy individuals, but asymmetry is typical in
patients with neurological diseases and patients with lesions on one limb.
In Chi Gong State, the skin potential activity becomes symmetrical,
indicating better integration of the autonomic nervous system.
Respiration and Metabolism
During Chi Gong practice, the respiration rate may be
decreased to four or five times per minute. Under such circumstances,
ventilation is decreased, but the subject does not feel suffocated. The
explanation is that in Chi Gong State oxygen consumption is much lower
than even in sleeping state. The lowered metabolic rate and decreased
energy consumption probably aid in the recovery of bodily functions.
The Cardiovascular System
There are also functional changes in the cardiovascular
system. Chi Gong often lowers blood pressure, particularly in those with
hypertension, but elevates in hypotensive patients. This regulatory effect
is related to the form of Chi Gong, for example: For lowering blood
pressure, concentration must be focused on the lower part of the body.
There may also be changes in the heart rate during Chi Gong practice. In
most cases, the blood vessels dilate, and the skin temperature of the
middle finger rises by 2-3 Celsius. Immediately after practice, the lower
abdomen, waist and extremities feel warm.
The Digestive System
In Chi Gong State, gastric peristalsis and evacuation
are expedited, stomach tonus is increased and intestinal movements
increase with intensified intestinal gurgling. Gastric and salivary
secretion and activity of salivary amylase all increase.
The Blood and Immune System
Practicing Chi Gong over a long time usually leads to
increase of peripheral red blood cells, white blood cells and hemoglobin.
Sometimes these changes occur immediately after practice. Chi Gong also
promotes the phagocytosis of white blood cells and increases the
lymphocyte transformation rate.
Next week, learn about guidelines for the practice of Chi Gong.
Copyright 2000 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri
Suansuk. |
Pattaya Sports
Club Homepage:
|
|
| |
|
