Took a speedboat from Pac Berra pier, about 2 hours with a couple stops along the way.
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Stayed at the Akira Resort on Pattaya Beach, just a few minutes from where the boat docked.
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The resort had three large pools, the main one in front had a swim-up bar.
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They put me way in the back, the block of units farthest from the beach.
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I booked a room with direct pool access
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The nice thing about being in the back was none of the other 31 units in the block were occupied, so I had the pool to myself.
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I set-up my own personal swim-up bar
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Despite having few lodgers, the resort still featured a full buffet breakfast, which I enjoyed with a beach view
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Some more photos of Pattaya Beach. I dropped my mask after a day because no one else was wearing one
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At night, the resort featured a 2-for-1 happy hour. Two drinks for just 200 baht.
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A kid next door provided a fire show
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I didn't realize the island was so small, you could get anywhere by walking. Shaped like a boomerang, only about 3 km long and 2 km wide. Home to about 800 permanent residents, including 500 Sea Gypsies (Chao Ley), who originally settled the island. Reggae is popular and you see young guys in dreadlocks.
Walking Street dissects the island.
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I was surprised to find about half the businesses open, without many customers, but at least they were open.
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The all-U-can eat seafood place was closed, not surprisingly, and a few bars, but many places were open
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Plenty of fresh seafood was available
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Restaurants were either empty or near-empty, however.
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Besides Pattaya Beach on the south shore, the other main beaches are Sunrise Beach on the east coast and Sunset Beach on the northwest. I took a walk over to Sunset Beach around dusk and passed the Art Garden Guest House along the way. 500 baht bungalows, not on the beach.
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Sunset Beach was much smaller than Pattaya Beach, a few hundred meters long
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I awoke before dawn on my departure day to visit Sunrise Beach but it was overcast so I went back to bed. I'll see it next time!
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