Cruising from Singapore to Indonesia

Why take a cruise? Two members of the Pattaya City Expat Club gave their reasons when they shared their recent cruise experience at the Club’s Sunday, July 22 meeting. Last January, members Roger Fox and Richard Smith with their “significant other” in tow embarked on an eight day cruise from Singapore to two ports of call in Indonesia.

PCEC member Roger Fox introduces fellow members to the delights of taking an ocean cruise - a very pleasurable activity which can also be quite economical.

Roger began by first asking what adjectives would you use to describe a cruise experience. He then offered his own suggestions which were pampered, lavish, posh, and big. The latter he explained was the word his Thai partner used to describe the enormous size of the Legend of the Sea. This recently refurbished Royal Caribbean Cruise ship has 12 decks and accommodates more than 2,000 passengers.

Roger then said, why cruise? The reason he said is that it is all inclusive; providing accommodation, food, entertainment, recreation, and transportation to and from your destinations. You can spend your time doing nothing or you can be on the go every minute. You are in lavish and comfortable surroundings with everything running efficiently and you will never go hungry as you are in food heaven.

Roger described the various amenities that were offered by the Legend of the Seas including several lounges, dining areas including a two story atrium style main dining room, various shows in all the venues, swimming pools, and even a rock climbing wall. Roger also showed pictures of the cabins noting that on most cruise ships today, they have more cabins that have windows.

Roger and past chairman Richard Smith share some of the lighter moments of the cruise which they took with their partners, from Singapore to Bali, on the Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Sea. Roger suggested www.vacationstogo.com for more information on cruises around the world.

Also, since there is so much to do and you spend only a little time in your cabin, he would recommend that you book one of the less expensive cabins instead of paying 2 or 3 times as much for a cabin that may be a bit more luxurious, but is still basically the same size.

Roger then explained that they booked the trip through the online cruise booking service of Vacations to Go (www.vacationstogo.com), which offers a listing of the various cruises offered by almost all cruise lines around the world. He also said they offer very good discounts that are probably better than you would get by booking through a travel agent or the cruise line itself. He then explained how bookings are made through them and that they advise you of what, if any, travel documents you will need for the countries that will be visited. Roger did suggest that if you find a cruise you want at a good price, don’t delay. Tomorrow it may cost more as the cruise and cabin type fills up.

Dr Quack (aka Sig Sigworth) presents his medical advice of the week - with a little help from Cliff with the fine print.

Although Richard and Janet were also on the cruise, Roger said that about the only time they saw each other was for the evening dinner in the main dining room where they had arranged to be seated at the same table and sitting. It was at that time they were able to compare notes on what great things they did that day. At this point, Roger turned it over to Richard Smith to describe his impressions and the things to do at the ports of call.

Richard first mentioned the great service from their wait staff and cabin steward. He pointed out that these individuals earn their livelihood based on tips; consequently, they do their best to make sure everything is done to make sure you enjoy yourself. The cruise line recommends the amount of the tip that should be provided, which for their cruise totaled about US $11.60 per day per passenger.

Although everything is included, there are some other expenses to be considered. The next time, he will be sure and join the ‘wine club’ which is a set price paid at the beginning of the cruise which it turns out is a much better deal than ordering and paying for wine by the glass. They offer a similar “club” for soft drinks such as colas.

Richard then showed pictures he took at their two ports of call in Indonesia. He and Janet enjoyed shopping, sightseeing, and trying the local cuisine. They also obtained the services of local guides to ensure they made the most of their time ashore.

Overall, Richard said it was a wonderful trip and, yes, they would do it again - he is already contemplating a 14 day cruise in the not too distant future. Likewise, Roger said he has one in mind that is also 14 days and ends in Dubai when there you make your own way back.

After Richard and Roger answered several questions from the audience, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Judith Edmonds to conduct the always interesting and lively Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand; Pattaya in particular.

Read more about the Club’s activities on their website at www.pattaya cityexpatsclub.com.

Nong Nooch elephants make candles for Buddhist Lent

Pachyderms Christmas, Thupthim and Plaimuk use their trunks to fill dippers with candle wax during the “Nine Days, Nine Temples, Nine Candles” event July 22-30 at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.

Patcharapol Panrak

Three elephants helped Nong Nooch Tropical Garden celebrate Buddhist Lent by lending their tusks for nine days of candle-making.

Pachyderms Christmas, Thupthim and Plaimuk used their trunks to fill dippers with candle wax during the “Nine Days, Nine Temples, Nine Candles” event July 22-30 at the Najomtien tourist attraction.

Deputy park director Manij Narintharak kicked off Nong Nooch’s celebration of Khao Pansaa with a drum ceremony in the park’s Wiwat restaurant. Kasemkittisophon, abbot of Samakheebanphot Temple, presided.

After the ceremonies, the candles will be presented to temples according to belief that those making merit by offering light, will have bright virtues.

The candle making ceremony originated since Sukhothai era, as, when Buddhist lent arrives, monks need to remain in their temples for three months, forbidden to spend the night elsewhere. The ordained monks would have to attend temples, pray every morning and night, and in the past, there was no light; therefore, monks would have to rely on oil lamps or other forms of light. Thus, Buddhists would make candles for monks to use when they would pray during the three months of ordaining.

In rural areas, the candle making ceremony is conducted with spirit and fun and when candles are made, they are paraded three times around the temple, lit for worship. Some areas would decorate candles and parade the candles around the city. Donating Buddhist lent candles is considered as the highest form of merit making, as candles are considered the light lighting the way to higher intellect and a prosperous life

Hard Rock throws thank you party for Russian tour agents

Ian Sutedjo (left) (director of sales and marketing for Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya) and Svetlana Katorgina (right - senior sales manager for Russia & C.I.S. for Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya) present a thank you award to Russian tours guides Lyria and Tatyana from Russian tour company Biblio Globus.

Manoon Makpol

The Hard Rock Hotel threw a party for Russian travel agents, thanking them for making the hotel a top choice among Eastern European tourists.

General Manager George Carlos Smith hosted the July 20 cocktail party and awarded Hard Rock and Paramount guitars to Svetlana Katorgina, the senior sales manager for Russia and C.I.S (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries for the hotel and Ian Sutedjo, director of sales and marketing.

There were performances, dancing and singing by the beach club department, who invited tour guides to join in the dancing on the stage.

Paradox delights fans at Tavern by the Sea

Fans rake up gifts thrown from stage.

Warunya Thongrod

More than 200 screaming fans filled the Tavern by the Sea for a concert by Paradox.

The July 21 show at the Amari Orchid Resort & Tower pub, the band formed in 1996 by education students at Chulalongkorn University performed songs from their 2011 album “Daydreamer,” punctuated by the screams and antics of entertainers Charnnarong Wangyen and Nattha Kamolrattanakul, who joined the musicians during live shows.

Fans raked up gifts thrown from stage and showed delight at the “screaming joker” show of fire breathing and water throwing. The highlight came when Joker Nattha appeared to “bleed” on stage.

Paradox works their fans up into a frenzy.

Fans go wild grabbing beach balls with band members’ signatures.

Paradox fans support the band at Tavern by the Sea, Amari Hotel.

Room 39 clicks at Soul Lounge Sessions

Members of the band Room 39 sign a guitar, as is tradition at the Hard Rock before a concert.

Warunya Thongrod

YouTube musical sensation Room 39 were given a chance to meet their web-surfing fans during a concert at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Soul Lounge Sessions.

The Thai pop group, most famous for its cover of the 2011 U.S. hit “Price Tag,” by Jessie J, debuted their new single “Neung,” and performed other original material, including “Rabai Choey Choey,” “Sathanee Sudthai” and “Keb.”

The trio, led by lead singer Tom Issara and Mon Chutimon, and guitarist Waenyai Oran first performed together as “The Mosquito” at a Thai restaurant in Los Angeles, then began uploading cover-song videos to YouTube, where they built up a devoted fan base.

Renamed after the number of the apartment where they practiced, Room 39 finally won a recording contract and released its first single, “Sunday Morning” last year.

The Soul Lounge Session hosts concerts each Friday and Saturday.

Room 39 give their fans a great performance during the Soul Lounge Sessions, at the Hard Rock Pattaya.

Room 39 fans can hardly wait to make it inside Hard Rock Pattaya to see their favorite artists.

nternational fans grab the best seats in the Soul Lounge for Room 39.

Fans are up out of their seats, dancing the night away during the live show.

Room 39 band members pose for commemorative photos with fans.