les Dennis

Great weekend. Started Friday at the Dubliner where Dennis Taylor (Ex snooker player) joined Lee Shamrock on the stage and told some very amusing jokes. Saturday basically involved jumping from bar to bar looking for the best place to watch the football, and drinking far too much. Licking my wounds today though.

why do people go to places like subway and starbucks and macdonalds and then b1tch about them?

why do people not encourage the local economy and small family joints more?

Kayo. I don't think that qualifies as a bitch, more an observation on their lack of supply and demand. I am personally involved in the restaurant business and I can assure you I dine on local cuisine more than you could possibly imagine.

Why do Subway only give you 2 serviettes when you have ordered a foot long meatball sandwich ?

Your right about the prices at Witches Tavern, far too steep. The Dubliner has some pretty good deals every day if cheap beer/Guinness is what your after. Robin Hood does as well although the foods not too good. The Bulls Head has this Toss the Boss thing on a Sunday, but its only for a couple of hours, but seems to be slipping in popularity.

You could always go to Tropical Murphy's and watch the two finest bands on the island (The Rhoaring Bhoys and Ovada) for absolutley nothing!

Tropical Murphys opposite Mc Donalds have 2 quality Soverign tables and sponsor the Samui pool league.

John 1, I take your point. However someone asked for opinions on properties which I am familiar with and was able to give them an acurate answer. The fact that I gave a factual answer and not a hear say one seems to have set some alarm bells ringing in your head. After living a number of years on the island you get familiar with the fellow expats of which my is one. I can assure you I have no idea who Gunner is and I would assume he/she doesn't know me. On another thread I also gave details of swimming pool sizes but I am not involved with the Santiburi hotel chain or Blessing village!

Jiu jitsu. Whether you approve or not, property and land value in Samui is increasing at a rapid rate. Shut your eyes and pretend the westerners are not chopping down palm trees at a frightening rate if you want, but I can guarentee its happening.

Its a bit ironic that the beautiful scenery is being chopped down so that they can live in the paradise they destroyed to build their house.

The blessing village pool is about 15 metres tops and kidney shaped so not ideal for lengths. Santaburi is about 35 metres long but only good if your staying there. Even if you pay a monthly fee and join the gym/squash/tennis deal it does not include the pool. Which is ridiculous because I have never seen anyone it it!

Hi Gunner.

You seem to have been given a good background into Bang Rak and what it has to offer already. In a nut shell its very nice, runs parrallel to the sea, close to Big Buddah and the airport, and has a new pier opening there soon. I am also aware of Twighlight Pavillions and have seen the show house which is simply magnificent. The materials used have been of the highest quality and the design and decor excellent. The guy you need to speak to is Russell. He is English, also a Gunner and the owner, so no middle man there. He will explain to you that as is often the way in the industry, a showhouse is built and then others sold from plan. That said, he is now back in Thailand and the second is almost completed. He can be contacted on 07811175953, which is a UK mobile but of course will work here.

Good Luck.

A lot of expats that are on a budget or low salary stay at Hi Tec tower off of Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55). It used to be about 6 grand a month for a good room, ubc, air con fridge etc. They also have a pool on the roof and a crap gym. Cant remember the soi number but its opposite Camillan Hospital. I Would suggest the rooms are about 7 now.

For food, entertainment and nightlife, The Dubliner near soi 22 (Washington square) seems to cover all bases. Very entertaining live music, half price food for ladies on Wednesdays, cheap beer tuesdays quiz nights and a Sunday roast to die for. Its one a number of fine dining awards, the portions are very hearty and sensibly priced. The menu meets all your requirements too. The breakfast is undoubtably the best the city can offer!

The trouble with the English rugby side is that our coach is insistant that the players wear their world cup medals at all times; which are very large and heavy resulting in the players being a little slower!

Sorry, but Fish from Marillion has to be the greatest lyricist ever. Heres a sample

Forgotton Sons

Armalite, street lights, nightsights

Searching the roofs for a sniper, a viper, a fighter

Death in the shadows hel_l maim you, hel_l wound you, hel_l kill you

For a long forgotten cause

On not so foreign shores

Boys baptised in war

Boys baptised in war

Morphine, chill scream, bad dream

Serving as numbers on dogtags, flakrags, sandbags

Your girl has married your best friend, loves end, poison pen

Your flesh will always creep, tossing turning sleep

The wounds that burn so deep, burn so deep

Your mother sits on the edge of the world when the cameras start to roll

Panoramic viewpoint resurrect the killing fold

Your father drains another beer, hes one of the few that cares

Crawling behind a saracens hull from the safety of his living room chair

Forgotten sons

Forgotten sons

Forgotten sons

And so as I patrol in the valley of the shadow of the tricolour I must fear evil

For I am but mortal and mortals can only die

Asking questions, pleading answers from the nameless faceless watchers

That parade the carpeted corridors of whitehall

Who orders desecration, mutilation, verbal masturbation in the guarded bureaucratic wombs

Minister, minister care for your children

Order them not into damnation

To eliminate those who would trespass against you

For whose is the kingdom, the power, the glory for ever and ever

Amen

Amen

Amen

Amen

Amen

Amen

Amen

Halt who goes there! - death!!

Approach ... friend

Youre just another coffin on its way down the emerald aisle

When your childrens stony glances mourn

Your death in a terrorists smile

The bombers arm placing fiery gifts on the supermarket shelves

Alley sings with shrapnel detonate a temporary hel_l

Forgotten sons

Forgotten sons

From the dolequeue to the regiment a profession in a flash

But remember monday signings when from door to door you dash

On the news a nation mourns you unknown soldier count the cost

For a second youll be famous but labelled posthumous

Ring-a-ring-o-roses, they all fall down

Ring-a-ring-o-roses, they all fall down

Ring-a-ring-o-roses

Ring-a-ring-o-roses

Ring-a-ring-o-roses, they all fall down

Forgotten son

Forgotten son

Forgotten son

Theyre still forgotten, theyre still still forgotten

Peace on earth and mercy mild, mother brown has lost her child

Just another forgotten son

Stay exactly where you are, don't move a muscle. If you have to ask a forum their thoughts on a career and home moving decision I would suggest your safer where you are.

I fully understand Bishops problem. Food and drinks taste do very from city to city. So If anybody is coming back from Ireland any time soon, could they please bring back me a keg of Guinness as its so much nicer there. Its unlikely that I will pay them but they will be rewarded in the knowledge that I would be very grateful.

Not sure about their availability, but you would have to include;

Quadrophinia

This is spinal Tap

Withnail and I

Casino

and State of grace.

Haven't they raised their prices about a month ago? All are up by about 25% with a few new dishes (Australian) added on their menu as well. About time they sold a decent English draft there.

I'm not sure the Offshore Bar would sell enough draught ale to warrant them getting it in. A keg only has about 5 days life once it's been tapped. Maybe some bottled ales would be a better compromise, even though they won't be available until the New Year unfortunately

Try the bloody marys at the offshore, very good indeed. The chap was right about The Londoner, far too expensive. In that area I find The Dubliner meets all the criteria of what I would like to see in a pub. The drinks are reasonably priced, the food is sensational (Bulls Head food would be better suited in a cafe) and there is plenty of events and promotions throughout the week. I do like my draft Bass, so maybe thats the decider!