First six months 2020
First six months 2020 happily living in Thailand with a view to die for. For most of December & January we have had severe pollution in Pattaya (and elsewhere), the government seem to lack the skill & the will to solve this unhealthy problem. Most of it seems to come because farmers burn off their sugar cane crops, surely they would be easy to find & 6 months in jail may make them think twice next year.
The first was January 10 & finally we got clean air on January 26, however within a couple of days the pollution was back. The 2nd photo is June 12th, what a fabulous clear day it was.
Beach Quarter
Mid January the old Mantra site (part of the Amari Hotel) is almost completed, can’t wait for it to open. 🙂
Two new chairs
I’m guessing I spend 8 to 10 hours a day in both these chairs.
Pothole & one of the Squabblers
Pothole, aka John Martin has 2 sons aged 9 & 11, this is Tyrone who has just busted open his piggy bank to find just over B110,000 or $5,300 AUD, both sons are very good savers.
Fabulous chicken teriyaki skewers.
The food park at Central Marina is one of my favourite eating spots. Normally I have a wonton soup & 2 chicken skewers for a B100, or $4.80 AUD, this day I had 4 skewers for B60, or $2.90 AUD.
Genki Soi 4 North Pattaya
A very authentic Japanese restaurant with good quality reasonably priced food.
View from my balcony
Without a doubt I am lucky enough to see some of the best sunsets in the world from my condo, for more please follow THIS LINK.
New drains on Beach Road
For many months they have been digging up Beach Rd to improve the drainage system, only time will tell if it’s worth the effort. 🙂
Painting Markland Condo
These guys seem to have no fear. 🙂
Spiderman is here wearing thongs. 🙂
I would certainly have a heart attack if I tried this. 🙂
Toast Skagen
My favourite entree at the Beefeater restaurant.
Clean up Pattaya Beach
The beach will be clean, the water not so much. 🙂
Holiday Inn at happy hour
Drinks & dinner at Holiday Inn with Mark Yagalla, buy a bottle get one free. 🙂
Healthy lunch at home
It’s hard to find good avocados in Thailand, most of the time I use them for smoothies. The avocado bistro in Bangkok is an exception.
Soi 2 North Pattaya
Lots of construction & renovations happening in Soi 2, I’m directly above this hotel on the 20th floor in Markland Condo.
Rain at last
It’s March 15 & this is the 1st significant rain we have seen this year.
2nd Road North Pattaya
Only 9 am & this tall LadyBoy is dressed to kill. 🙂
The result of the Coronavirus
March 2020 and Chinese tourists are not allowed to swarm into Pattaya, many business owners are suffering but residents like myself are loving the peace & quiet.
February 2020
What a fabulous smile, this is little Charli with her mum Laura, my gorgeous niece.
Two of our local lads at the Holiday Inn
Greg Clee & David Rose enjoying a drink at the Holiday Inn.
My million dollar view
From my balcony on March 26 2020.
First six months 2020
Now anybody who has been to Pattaya & some parts of Bangkok knows the uneven footpaths are rather treacherous. Yesterday morning while walking I was briefly distracted which resulted in “a leap of death.” With 109 kg crashing to the ground strangely enough, (don’t laugh) it was my two big toes that came out the worst. Both toenails were damaged rather badly, but I assure you my friends I was shaken not stirred, I’m guessing no morning walks for a few days. 
Takeaway only
Starbucks & the few restaurants that are open can only serve takeaway due to Covid-9 restrictions. No big deal, I’m happy to sip coffee by the beach. 🙂
Pattaya beach has never looked so beautiful.
However the thing I miss most are the restaurants.
More drinks at the Holiday Inn
John Martin & David Robertson, aka Pothole & Chocolates. Chocs lives in Surfers Paradise & spends quite a bit of time in Pattaya, he rents one of Pothole’s studios in Markland, & pays far too much rent. 🙂
Beautiful clouds
April 20th & a beautiful morning.
Combating the virus
Who is that masked man?
Hamish has a barbecue
That’s Jonathon Sheaffe & his girlfriend Anne with Hamish Elton.
Sausages & chicken
So much food & such little time. 🙂
Proud father with baby Jasmine
One month old & gorgeous.
Creme brulee
Perfect end to lunch at the Longhorn Steakhouse.
Amazing cloud
May 5th at sunset.
Robin Hood Tavern
Sunday roast is very good value at around $16 AUD.
First six months 2020
Another of the many business closures due to Covid-19, this was a massage parlour in Soi 1 opposite my condo.
Pattaya Bay looking fabulous
I never grow tired of the view from my balcony.
Ancient timber ferries
Lots of character but I( would not like to be onboard in a storm. 🙂
Beach re-opens June 1st.
After many weeks you can now go to the beach.
First six months 2020, at last a foot massage
I can now enjoy a massage after the salons have been closed because of Covid-19.
Lunch at Miyazaki
Teriyaki chicken was delicious.
Best pancake I have ever tasted.
Holly’s cafe at Terminal 21.
Magnificent clouds June 1st 2020
The view from my balcony.
Safe at last
Building lifeguard towers on Pattaya Beach. 🙂
And here it is.
I really wonder if it will ever get used. 🙂
Soi 2 hotel construction
View from my balcony June 29th.
Holiday Inn opens again June 25
So happy to be able to relax here after 2 months of shutdown due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Delicious food
Fettuccine with smoke salmon & asparagus, washed down with 2 glasses of Wolf Blass shiraz.
Thanks for visiting my First six months 2020 photo blog, life in Thailand has been very good even with the virus restrictions.
For what it’s worth in my humble opinion the danger from Covid-19 has been greatly exaggerated.
Here are some more posts to check out
Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you
book through these links below. Book now & pay later.
Plus free cancellation .
For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.
That’s all folks
Counter only started June 16 2020.
This gallery contains 2 photos
Hamish & I live in Pattaya Thailand & his nickname there is “Oyster Man”. 🙂
I must admit I am also an Oyster, a couple of years ago I had some wonderful huge oysters in Sendai, please check out THIS LINK.
6,600 Yen or $89 AUD.
These look wonderful. Here is their web page for bookings & information.
The pièce de résistance without a doubt.
How good does this look?
The hairy crab (kegani in Japanese) or horsehair crab is found in the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. It gets its name from the spiky hairs that cover its entire body. This little critter is smaller than the snow crab and the red king crab, making many people say it is more difficult to eat, but it has a dense , sweet flavor, making the effort of cracking open that shell well worth it. People who call themselves true crab lovers will often choose the horsehair crab. It is often boiled in saltwater to bring out its rich original flavor, then cut into sections and eaten by hand.
As I said earlier Hamish said Ezo was his favourite restaurant in Niseko, put it on your bucket list.
