Hi Bruce,

Although there have been (and still will be) discussions about the industry on this forum, they tend to be few and far between, and that's how I'd like them to stay. As Shanek says, this is not a Sexpat forum, and so innuendo and the like will rarely make the cut. This is not about taboos; I'm as filthy as the next man in the right company and will talk about anything. This forum is simply not the appropriate venue for such talk.

This something that I wrote in my travel diary many years sgo that I thought may suit this thread.......

A DAY AT THE BEACH...

Let me paint a picture..

It's 6.30am at Kata Beach (could be at many other Thai Beaches) I have just finished a leisurely jog to Karon circle and as it is already 26 degrees i have sweat pouring off me. I take off my Nike's and socks and walk across the sugery white sands to the chair where I have strategically placed my towel. There are only a handfull of people on the beach and most are sweeping and grooming the sand. A copy of the Bangkok post has been laid on my chair as per an arrangement made with the Kata beach hotel staff the night before.

I take off my singlet and saunter down to the water. It is close to the end of the monsoon season but little white-caps are still breaking 20m off shore, just big enough to body surf but the current is gentle. If I came back in 6 weeks time the water would be like glass.

I enter the water. The tempreture is perfect! Refreshing but without any hint of chill. I wade in to my waist and look down at my toes. Even through the ripples I can count every hair and can clearly see how my toe nails glow from the pedicure I had last evening.

After my swim, I head back to my chair to dry off. I lay there reading and watching the small workforce putting the final touches on the beach and surrounds. I get a waft of chicken and corn grilling over charchol and I can feel a grumble just above my belt-line. It smells sooo good but it will have to wait as a buffet breakfast awaits.

I check my watch.. 7.25am. I look to the north and I see Nok and 2 of her friends carrying mats and baskets approaching me. I spoke to her last night and booked a massage for 7.30, a little earlier than she normally starts but as it worked better with my schedule she was more than happy to comply.

Within minutes I am face down, floating on cloud 9. Nok has already washed the excess sand from between my toes and has started gently but forcefully kneeding away all my knots. The sounds of the ocean and the quiet conversation between the other massage ladies sooth my ears and mind while Nok soothes my body.

It is now 11am. I have had breakfast with the family after my massage and shower and I am now playing soccer with the kids on the beach. Tun and Pak, the guys that hire out the surf mats and beach chairs are playing too. I am starting to tire so the kids continue to play with the "beach-boys" whilst I settle back into my chair. Before long Lek has made her way over with her basket of fresh fruit. I have deliberately left some space for some mango and pineapple from her as her produce seems to be so much better than what is on the hotel buffet. Now my tongue,throat and belly feel as soothed as my body and mind. There is only one thing left to complete the morning. One of La's famous bananna milk shakes. I turn my head and before I can even make eye-contact, La is nodding and pealing. Within 3 minutes I am drinking his liquid gold, the morning is almost over.My morning therapy of jog/ swim/ massage/read/fresh fruit and fruit shake has cost me less than $15Aus. This afternoon we may go shopping or visiting a temple or sight seeing along the coast,take the kids on an elephant ride or to a snake farm, the options are plentiful.

Later on we will come back for a swim and enjoy the sunset, drinking cocktails at happy hour for 120 baht, about a third of the price that they would cost at a bar in Melbourne (or Florida)and then enjoy a fantastic Thai seafood feast at Kata Mama overlooking this magnificant beach for around $35 for our family of 4 including a few beers. The only problem is..How do I top this tomorrow? Maybe I cant? I might just do the same..

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I love Thailand this much

Shanek,

Yes, $AUD100 is a bit steep to pay for a round in Thailand when you are only paying $350 a year for full membership. Don't get that in Melbourne. My fees are almost $3000 and because I'm so busy I find it hard to get in two games a month. Figure out the cost of a round Shanek!

I once played in the Mildura Classic many years ago (circa 1985). First Day at Mildura CC, the temperature was 42C; second day at Riverside, temperature was 43; third day at Coomealla and the temperature was 44.

Needless to say Shanek, I've never considered playing in the event again. I don't know how you good folk up there can withstand those temperatures week after week during the summer months.

And yes, Hua Hin is a golfing mecca. Did you by any chance play the Springfield CC or the quaint Hua Hin Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Thailand and one of the oldest in South East Asia?

One other thing: About five years ago I played Thaniya Golf City on the outskirts of Bangkok. Stinking hot as usual and every piece of my golf attire was wringing wet with perspiration at the conclusion of the round.

I had a shower and a change of cloths. As I walked out to pay my caddy a big tip because she was so bloody good (she saved me about eight shots with her knowledge), she grabbed the bag of golf attire from my hand and put it on my golf bag. "I look good after", she giggled.

I went upstairs and had a long, long, long lunch with copious tankards of beer to wash down the food.

When I got out to the taxi waiting for me about three hours later, there were my golf clubs, perfectly cleaned and shining, my golf shoes looking like brand new, my bag washed down and polished, and my golf attire neatly folded in a plastic bag. She had washed, dried and ironed the clothing whilst I was getting half sozzled upstairs.

I have never forgotten that and I gave her another big tip as well. She certainly deserved it.