avatarJose Montanez

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Abstract

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    </div><h2 id="2235">The Story #1</h2><p id="1816">In late February and early March, I visited Thailand. The deployment brought me to Thailand for the exercise COBRA GOLD. I had the opportunity to check out places in Sattahip and Pattaya Beach. Both come with their unique taste. I prefer Sattahip, it’s quiet and relaxed. Pattaya is too vibrant, crowded, and noisy. But there’s a certain allure to it.</p><p id="710c">The first place I went to was Sattahip. This is a port city. Full of restaurants, bars, hotels, and legitimate massage parlors. You have a beautiful view of the ocean with rock formations off the shore.</p><p id="2b29">I only spent one night in Sattahip. So our day consisted of food and drinks. I did get a cool fedora, though. And I needed it. The sun was so bright and hot that day. Of course, it’s Thailand. It’s always hot there. So we needed to stay cool as much as possible. We hydrated with beer and soju.</p><h2 id="1236">The Shenanigans of Story #1</h2><figure id="cf5a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*tgoms5qw3BgrPjB19baJoQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by the waitress at the restaurant of the party animals, to include the author (wearing a fedora)</figcaption></figure><p id="f926">My poison of choice in Thailand was the Thai beer, Leo. I did partake in some soju, but I did not want to mix. Besides, if you have never had soju, it sneaks up on you. Then you end up running the streets of Sattahip as though you took 4 scoops of Jack3d. [The original formula from 2010. Not the water-down version after college kids went HAM and stupid with it.]</p><p id="7339">That day several buddies and I went from the port — came into the country by ship — to the strip. Our first stop was the ATM. We needed baht to pay for the frivolities of the day ahead of us. Then we stopped for the most important thing: food.</p><p id="1f63">From there the day began. We began eating and drinking throughout the entire day. We enjoyed the sun, which is scarce when on ship. We spend most of our time inside working. We don’t get to see sunlight often. You have to make it a point to do so.</p><h2 id="eab2">The Story #2</h2

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<figure id="90d7"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*TkOZtsTMku1_SWsfH6Mj5Q.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by the author</figcaption></figure><p id="4790">The second place I went to was Pattaya Beach. I’m sure you have heard of Pattaya Beach. It is one of the three popular places for expats [expatriates] in Thailand. Bangkok and Phuket are the other two.</p><h2 id="4c9f">The Shenanigans of Story #2</h2><p id="46ed">I spent two days here. Both days were hot and both days we needed to stay hydrated. Thus, we drank quite a bit. This time I had to be the sober[ish] person in the group. I needed to care for two of my fellow compadres. Let’s say they enjoyed their drinks a little more than I did. Nonetheless, that is what we military men do. We take care of one another.</p><p id="d1e7">So off we went. We visited several places along the Pattaya strip. So many restaurants and bars to choose from. Of course, there’s a lot more elicit activity in this city. So you do have to be careful. Nothing to worry about for a trio of military-aged [old] males.</p><p id="60e1">Our experience in Pattaya Beach was very forgettable. I’m being honest. Most of us don’t remember a goddamn thing. Still, we remained faithful and we came back in one piece. A lighter bank account, though. It is what it is.</p><h2 id="3c02">The Dream</h2><p id="81b3">All in all, my experience in Thailand was awesome. The landscape and people were amazing. And the food was to die for. I do want more of it. This is my number one place for retirement if I were to become an expat. Which the wife and I are considering. Let’s see what happens.</p><h2 id="c364">About Jose</h2><div id="4150" class="link-block"> 
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            <h2>Hi! I’m Jose. It’s a Pleasure to Connect with You</h2>
            <div><h3>Medium Non Members Can Read The Full Story Here!</h3></div>
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TRAVELING ABROAD

The Time I was in Thailand

How a beautiful country captivated me and I made it my number #1 retirement spot

Medium Non-Members Can Read The Full Story Here!

Photo by the author

I deployed on a West Pacific float aboard the U.S.S. MAKIN ISLAND. I was part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. This is a crisis response and limited contingency operations unit. During that deployment, I had the opportunity to go to many countries in South East Asia. Here’s the list:

  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • South Korea
  • Philippines

I even got the opportunity to spend some time with my wife in Singapore. And that was awesome!

What you’ll get from this story:

The stories

The shenanigans

The dream

The Story #1

In late February and early March, I visited Thailand. The deployment brought me to Thailand for the exercise COBRA GOLD. I had the opportunity to check out places in Sattahip and Pattaya Beach. Both come with their unique taste. I prefer Sattahip, it’s quiet and relaxed. Pattaya is too vibrant, crowded, and noisy. But there’s a certain allure to it.

The first place I went to was Sattahip. This is a port city. Full of restaurants, bars, hotels, and legitimate massage parlors. You have a beautiful view of the ocean with rock formations off the shore.

I only spent one night in Sattahip. So our day consisted of food and drinks. I did get a cool fedora, though. And I needed it. The sun was so bright and hot that day. Of course, it’s Thailand. It’s always hot there. So we needed to stay cool as much as possible. We hydrated with beer and soju.

The Shenanigans of Story #1

Photo by the waitress at the restaurant of the party animals, to include the author (wearing a fedora)

My poison of choice in Thailand was the Thai beer, Leo. I did partake in some soju, but I did not want to mix. Besides, if you have never had soju, it sneaks up on you. Then you end up running the streets of Sattahip as though you took 4 scoops of Jack3d. [The original formula from 2010. Not the water-down version after college kids went HAM and stupid with it.]

That day several buddies and I went from the port — came into the country by ship — to the strip. Our first stop was the ATM. We needed baht to pay for the frivolities of the day ahead of us. Then we stopped for the most important thing: food.

From there the day began. We began eating and drinking throughout the entire day. We enjoyed the sun, which is scarce when on ship. We spend most of our time inside working. We don’t get to see sunlight often. You have to make it a point to do so.

The Story #2

Photo by the author

The second place I went to was Pattaya Beach. I’m sure you have heard of Pattaya Beach. It is one of the three popular places for expats [expatriates] in Thailand. Bangkok and Phuket are the other two.

The Shenanigans of Story #2

I spent two days here. Both days were hot and both days we needed to stay hydrated. Thus, we drank quite a bit. This time I had to be the sober[ish] person in the group. I needed to care for two of my fellow compadres. Let’s say they enjoyed their drinks a little more than I did. Nonetheless, that is what we military men do. We take care of one another.

So off we went. We visited several places along the Pattaya strip. So many restaurants and bars to choose from. Of course, there’s a lot more elicit activity in this city. So you do have to be careful. Nothing to worry about for a trio of military-aged [old] males.

Our experience in Pattaya Beach was very forgettable. I’m being honest. Most of us don’t remember a goddamn thing. Still, we remained faithful and we came back in one piece. A lighter bank account, though. It is what it is.

The Dream

All in all, my experience in Thailand was awesome. The landscape and people were amazing. And the food was to die for. I do want more of it. This is my number one place for retirement if I were to become an expat. Which the wife and I are considering. Let’s see what happens.

About Jose

Travel
Traveling
Thailand
Thailand Travel
Personal
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