Laem Chebang

[Michele Monro]

It’s been a few days but unfortunately I have had a rotten chest infection that I haven’t been able to shake so easily. I would say more than 300 people have it on board and of course the air conditioning is pushing all the germs through to every cabin. I have had to resort to antibiotics and even though I am four days into the course it doesn’t want to go away. The upshot was that I had to miss a couple of ports but I wanted to make sure I’m fighting fit for Hong Kong so best to miss a couple of smaller ones than a major port stop.

Last Friday we were in Laem Chebang and much of its old laid back charm remains, despite its rapid transformation into the country’s ‘Riviera’ – a major gateway for visiting cruise ships. Located on Thailand’s east coast, this tranquil region of fruit orchards, gem mines and oyster and orchid farms, is now also a great place for swimming, snorkeling and experiencing traditional Thai village life. Laem Chebang is also the gate to the wonders of Bangkok. This enchanting city on the Chao Phraya River is a fascinating place where you’ll find temples with gold leaf spires and graceful statues of Buddha.

Having been to Bangkok many moons ago I opted for a trip to Pattaya, Fifty years ago it was a sleepy little fishing village and few tourists ventured because it was a difficult place to reach and the age of the package tour had not yet dawned. However, things were set to change quite dramatically. In 1959, the year I was born, several truckloads of American troops arrived in Pattaya for some rest and relaxation. They stayed a week, had a fabulous time and the word spread with more troops arriving regularly. The present-day town would be unrecognizable to those first American visitors with Pattaya now the country’s busies beach resort. The southern end, called The Strip, is much livelier that the quieter northern end..

Thirty-six of us chose the ‘Poolside Retreat’ and 45 minutes later our bus was pulling up in to the Siam Bayshore Hotel. Nestled on the beach, the hotel and restaurant lay on one side of the road while to pool and the bar was on the other side. It was a beautiful facility and after cooling off in the pool, Lucia and I went walkabout to explore the local stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts in the nearby streets of Pattaya. I have to say the place was rather seedy but like every secret agent on a mission, I managed to find a shop that sold XXXL shirts, which Lucia had been looking for since the trip started in Southampton. We took our wares back to her brother Nick who we’d left by the pool and very soon we were back out heading to the same shop but this time with Nick and Terry, another member of our group. I think they exhausted the shop of all their large sized stock and we headed back to the hotel laden with their best plastic bags.

The hotel served a wonderful buffet lunch and after another swim it was time to head back to Arcadia. We reached the port by 3.30pm and because we weren’t due to sail until 6.00pm we decided to check out the cruise terminal, which was now set up with dozens of colourful stalls. The difference now, was that unlike Pattaya, there was a veritable supply of quality items. The only problem was that no one accepted credit cads, well each stall holder said their machine was broken!! Big coincidence. I ran out of cash before long but tht didn’t stop me borrowing a few dollars from Tess, who’d appeared off another tour. We were all very naughty and in fact bought 7 pairs of shoes between the three of us (Lucia, Tess and myself) but what fun we had. Even though I’d sent Tess’ husband Bill back to the ship with my beach bags, we got back to the ship laden with supplies. Hot tailing it to our usual place in Deck 9 for the sailaway, all the usual faces were comparing their bargains.

Cody the photographer, who was on a rare night off, sweetly offered to give me a night time camera lesson which helped a lot, but my problem is that my camera’s lens is not powerful enough to capture the sort of shots I wanted to get, that and the zoom isn’t strong enough – but Hong Kong is looming, need I say more? I’ve entered my macro shots into the second of the Camera Club’s competitions and they’ll all be displayed on the 13th.

It took me quite a while to tidy my cabin and hide the evidence of my shopping spree but one thing I know for sure – I need another suitcase! I went up to the Belvedere to grab a tray for dinner and standing in line I heard a familiar voice. Turning round I was delighted to see Ed Stewart and his wife Ellie. He normally works the ships but this time he is on holiday and playing at being a passenger. They invited me to join them for dinner and boy did I laugh at Ed’s anecdotes. It was a joy seeing him and I’ve never forgotten his kindness in turning up at mum’s funeral. He’d never met her but as he’d been unable to attend dad’s service he felt he wanted to be there as a mark of respect to dad. They are leaving the ship in Hong Kong, which is where he’d first met dad when he’d flown back to the country to promote his first big hit ‘Portrait of My Love’.

Ed had originally flown over with his bass guitar on his shoulder to join up with two lads who were doing their National Service, to play in a band but when he arrived the two boys had been posted to Aden. Instead Ed ended up working for Radio Hong Kong.

I was very grateful for another sea day as I cannot shake this infection. I definitely feel better but the day is a real struggle and I had to go to sleep sitting up last night to stop the fluids building up on my lungs. I’ve cancelled my tour to the Mekong River as it is over six hours of travelling. Instead I stayed close to the ship and kept taking my medicines.

I met up with Ed mid-morning and I gave him a signed copy of my book for Uncle Ray as he is hoping to see him while he’s in Honkers. Ray Cordeiro was also working on Radio Hong Kong when dad got his first show ‘Terry Parsons Sings’. Ray is actually in the Guinness Book of Records for being the longest running DJ on air with his show ‘All the Way With Ray’.

I went to the water-colour lesson but I’m not sure that I’ll stick it out as it’s a little back to basics for me. He’s treating us like children and all we did for the whole lesson was blend primary colours to make others. I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet that doesn’t know that mixing red and yellow makes orange!

[mariana44]

How nice for you to meet up with Ed Stewart-I always liked his radio shows and were sorry when they stopped.

I am surprised you get chance to breathe on this trip--it all sounds very busy and hectic---but wow, what an experience.

[Marian]

I remember Ed Stewart opened our hospital fete when our daughter was a few weeks old, that must have been 42 years ago!
I liked him ever since.
Your trip is continuing to enthrall us Michele.
I hope you have managed to throw of the chest infection by now, and you'll be immune from any germs for your rest of your trip. Keep well.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Another great story Michele, but sorry about your chest infection, and hope it soon clears up
How nice that you have met up with Ed Stewart, and as Marian has said Ed is involved in charities and raises much needed funds.
We particularly remember when Ed interviewed Al Martino live on his Sunday BBC 2 programme from Al's home in Los Angeles, and we know that this interview was instrumental in Al returning to perform in the UK after an absence of Twelve years.
We have seen Ed since in some lovely shows with the Paper Moon company.
Keep enjoying the trip Michele. It sounds fantastic.

[Christine Hampshire]

So nice that you met up with Ed Stewart and his wife Ive always liked Ed I
used to love his radio show, and he played a lot of the album tracks a change
from the big hits as much as I like them. It sounds so lovely this adventure of yours, hope the infection soon clears up for you.
Christine

[ROBERT M.]

I think we all agree, Ed "Stewpots" radio show on a Sunday teatime was something to really look forward too .............and he played great music too including plenty of Matt

[maureen & harry]

More great reports again Michele. It's better than being on "Wish You Were Here"..... with Judith Chalmers.

So pleased you have met up with Ed Stewart and his wife. We have lots of happy memories listening to Ed's Show on the Radio.

Glad to hear they have invited you to do another talk as the "new people" on board would have missed a treat otherwise.

Hope your chest infection is clearing up and you will be better soon.

[Sandra]

We agree with all the previous comments and look every day for the latest news updates from you Michele.

Please tell Ed Stewart that all your Forum family love and miss hearing him on the radio

Hope that you are feeling better now.