|
The Hard Rock plucks the right chord for the blind
True joy is expressed in many forms, the most common
being a smile. But when that smile comes from a child who lives in
darkness, it tugs at the heartstrings. This was the scene at the Hard Rock
Hotel Pattaya last weekend when over 30 children from the Redemptorist
Centre for the Blind were treated to an afternoon enjoying all the hotel
has to offer.
Thai tradition during the Songkran festivities features
traditional cultural values such as making merit and paying respect to
one’s family. The Hard Rock Hotel has made Pattaya its home and has done
just that over the Thai festive season.
 Even
though this child cannot see, anyone looking could see her joy as she
splashed about, a joy shared by her helper, Redemptorist Centre for the
Blind volunteer Tim.
The blind children of various ages started the day
enjoying the cool sensation of splashing about in hotel’s swimming pool.
Ably guided in the unfamiliar surroundings by the Redemptorist Centre
volunteers and hotel staff, the children splashed around the pool with the
younger ones staying in the children’s pool and the more adventurous
trying their hand in the larger section. The cool water was refreshing on
such a humid day, bringing a smile to many - including the hotel staff.
Tim, a volunteer at the Blind School said, “It’s
good for the children to get out and about, it gives them more confidence
in the outside world.”
Tim occasionally takes the children to Pattaya Park
where they now know the surroundings, and where some are adventurous
enough to try the waterslides.
Following their swim, the children were served dinner,
graciously served by Hard Rock’s staff and management, followed by a
concert.
Community projects such as this are part of Hard
Rock’s policy of creating a better world by acting locally on a global
scale, with one the of the precepts being ‘All is One’.
Cristina sings up a Songkran storm at the Hard Rock Hotel
Famous Thai singer Cristina Aguila sang up a storm over
the Songkran festivities, as hoards of people packed the poolside at the
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya to listen to their favorite singer live in
concert.
 Cristina
Aguila (left) signs the famous “star guitar” and presents it to Hard
Rock Pattaya GM Andrew Koo.
The Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, billed as “The most
happening hotel in Pattaya” hosted numerous activities over the
traditional Songkran weekend. Special guest, VJ Mathew Dean from MTV
showed up to participate in the fun and games and give away prizes before
main event.
During the main attraction, Cristina sang many of her
hit songs and had the crowd screaming for more at the end of her set.
In true Hard Rock tradition, Cristina signed the
‘star guitar’, which will hang on the wall at the reception counter
where all stars sign their name to signify their visit to the Hard Rock.
After the signing ceremony was over Cristina was mobbed
by her adoring fans, all anxious to get an autograph and get close to this
charismatic singer.
Following the concert, the Hard Rock put on a mega-rave
foam party with hard rockers dancing the night away and celebrating the
traditional Thai New Year in modern fashion.
The Hard Rock Hotel hosts a foam party every Saturday
night for all party animals.
Lots of fun at the Thai Garden Resort’s annual staff party
The Thai Garden Resort recently held its annual staff
party. The venue was - where else? - the hotel’s Moon River Pub. Since
the regular performing musicians from Trinidad are considered staff as
well, the entertaining group was a local Thai band, and of course played a
lot of Thai songs, which were much appreciated by all the Thai staff.
 Thai
Garden Resort GM Rene Pisters honors employee of the year Sangravee
Niemnoy.
The mood was high right from the beginning and
everybody enjoyed the shows, performed with a lot of skill by staff
members. Yet it got even better when the big raffle drawing started. Great
presents like a bicycle, TV-set, and refrigerator amongst many other nice
presents were given away.
Staff and management enjoyed the party and even Pattaya
Mail’s Peter Malhotra, who came to join for a while, was so
impressed he sponsored another prize on the spot.
Are you ready for Xtreme Games?
No, that’s not trying to cross Pattaya Second Road on
a Saturday afternoon during Songkran. A different kind of high flying
thrill seekers looking for the ever-addictive adrenalin rush were hanging
out in Pattaya last weekend.
 A
cyclists does a helicopter move during the Xtreme sports competition at
the Hard Rock last weekend.
The event, Xtreme Games, featured in-line skating and
skateboard demonstrations, as well as pro-stunt bikers performing on the
tennis courts of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya. The display also featured
the ‘in-line pro high air challenge’ with skaters vying for the title
of the highest jumper.
While the rest of Pattaya engaged in the more placid
fun of dowsing anyone and everyone with water, throngs of people turned
out last Saturday and Sunday to watch the madmen fly through the air and
perform seemingly impossible stunts on wheels. The weather was humid but
the action was hot as tourists and locals watched in awe as these guys put
their wheels to the test flying, twisting, flipping and somersaulting on
the tennis courts in front of the hotel, also featuring some spectacular
wipe outs.
The results of the ‘in-line pro high challenge’
weren’t available at press time but be assured, this is not the last
time Pattaya will see such an event.
|
