Gossip from the sin Pfuhl.

As Elfi Seitz came to Thailand, Pattaya was little more than a fishing village with operating a brothel. Today is the ex-chief editor of the Munich "Pattaya sheet" and carries a reporter living in the border area between charity evenings, seniors homes and clever Barmädchen.

 

This travel guide! Writes but actually the Baedeker: Cultural offers in Pattaya are rather sparse, most likely this gap will be two internationally renowned Transvestitenshows filled. " Have never heard because of the six Rotary Clubs, which houses the spa? Nothing from the "Power Jam" in the Moon River Pub - the dashing slogan "Let's Fetz?

The authors do not know the German Gourmet Club, the musician George Hilbert, the last Saturday of every month at the German House "popular hits and hit" play? Not to mention salsa classes, the "Pattaya International Music Festival" or the "German Plauderstunde". If the culture is not!

The author of this quote should perhaps once with Elfi Seitz, 63, taken before they write such Schmarrn. This would tell them what. Elfi Seitz is editor in chief of the weekly
"Pattaya sheet", edition of about 5000 pieces. She lives for 32 years in the city. And why? But not because of the many bars and brothel Transvestitenshows, but "because so much else going on, even culturally." Elfi Seitz says at least. And that is why it had to be said.

Your bad reputation, the city is still not happening so quickly. He is stubborn as an untreated gonorrhea. "Good guys come in to heaven, bad to Pattaya" is not random on the T-shirts, which they sell over here.

Before Elfi Seitz lands here, the city was little more than a fishing village with operating a brothel. The Vietnam War GIs enjoyed stressed in Pattaya, one and a half hours' drive south of Bangkok. U Tapao, very close, was her Thai Air Force base and Pattaya somehow the stage, before it is back in the jungle war went. The city was one sin Pfuhl.

Replenishment from Germany

Elfi from Munich on their arrival had no glimmer of the shady goings. Zivilisationsmüde - "stupid and naive" - she moved together with a friend into the adventure. Of course, the two quickly lost their illusions. That there is in the restaurants of young single women swarmed the only way, had nothing directly to do with the emancipation from the home, the feminists raved. The girls here waiting rather that "Bumsbomber" escalated their human cargo. It was the time when Neckermann, TUI, and the gap filled by the American friends left behind. And they succeeded quite well.

LAST EXIT ...

In the South Seas, the Caribbean or the Pacific? Reaching the Cape of Good Hope or to Koh Lanta? In the Moloch of Bangkok or Beijing? German emigrants to make their dream of a new life true.

What drives them? What do they want in the distance? Issues facing blogs correspondent Thilo Thielke in his column "Last Exit ..." after it.

In the city fell Elfi Seitz, despite the wild goings. "It was so beautiful" - here she wanted to stay a while. They first opened a restaurant, then a tailor, had finally next accounting also learned design. Elfi Seitz remained, even as the year was over, the stay they had made.

The town grew up with, incessantly. Where once a small fishing harbor, was the "Walking Street, Pattaya" geile mile "with all the Gogo bars and sex shows. Pubs and grills chicken suppressed the jewelers and tailors, for which the town was once famous. After the fall of the Iron Curtain brought even the Russian mafia, and tons of vodka karrte approached. "Today," says Elfi Seitz, "are officially 100,000 people live in the city, but there are many more, certainly more than half a million."

Many Europeans, retired as backpackers, overwinter here without a residence permit to have. Many girls earn here and are still in their home province registered. In Pattaya meet so Iserlohn and Isaan, and everywhere sprout delicate buds of love. The American author Jon Dennis, who was a phenomenon in a self-experiment approached him, gives them in his travel novel "The Butterfly Trap" eloquent Client: "How you mean? Where you come from and how long you stay ... you handsome man, Mr . Jon. ... I like you darling, we have fun. "

"There are many decent and good people here, including Europeans," says Elfi Reitz, "and many charity events insane." If more want to know, you have only the "Pattaya Blatt" impact. "One and a half million baht to change the owner" is the thick balken headline on page one. It is about a donation of just under 32,000 euros to the German and the Swiss Ambassador to the Child Protection and Development Center in Pattaya presents have.

From gossip to crime news

Other Top stories deal with the accidental death of Peter Alexander's daughter Susanne on Koh Samui, the sinking of a tourist boat, with 30 people on board prior to Phuket and a python, which is nestled in a beer bar has. In the "Mailbox" complained a German readers have been caused by the activities of its erotic Thaifrau after he had supplied them financially: "At night went to the beauty while he slept but an instant."

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Last Exit Congo: Weltverbesserer the Toll House (16.04.2009)

Last Exit Ko Lanta: Friesentee under palm trees (27.02.2009)

Last Exit Bangkok: Siam Heino on Radio (21.03.2009)

Last Exit Hong Kong: Eisbein instead of sweet and sour duck (10.03.2009)

Since 2002, Elfi Seitz, chief editor of the German newspaper, 1993, she had the English-speaking mother sheet "Pattaya Mail" started. By making it even more when publishing their own TV station "Pattaya Mail on Television" with.

With a shortage of topics they can not really complain. Regularly check Reiner Calmund past, pedophiles are arrested, give Schlager Stars honor. Integral part of the sheet are crime news and the football coverage, due to the Bundesliga was even the issue of the weekly newspaper published on Tuesday. Three-time German reporter and two freelancers reify is now at the newspaper.

YOUR OPINION IS ASKED

Discuss about this article

You can learn a lot in Pattaya, there Elfi Seitz, especially how easily manipulated men sometimes. "If they say 'Hello Darling, handsome man', melt it formally." Particularly offensive finds the bustle yet. Many girls were just "very clever" and understand it, "a good life to secure." On the palm brings them only if 70-year-old seniors still masse children in the world, which a little later to be the mother.

Elfi Seitz must now continue. "Dates," she groans, charity events, music festival, will still represent somewhere. The reporter living in Pattaya can be quite tiring.

Hong Kong Hotel guests are free.

A case of swine flu in their hotel they made a dash through the travel plans: approximately 280 guests were in Hong Kong for seven days under compulsory quarantine. On Friday evening, left the Applause Included in the house.

 

Hong Kong - and jubilantly into the hands klatschend they left on Friday evening, the Metro Park Hotel: After one week compulsory quarantine because of the pig flu has Hong Kong on Friday about 300 hotel guests and employees in the released. They had seven days in a hotel endure after a Mexican guest of the hotel on 1 May be the first Southeast Asian pig flu patient had been confirmed. Among the other guests were at the quarantine of any other cases.

"I'm out there," said Kevin Ireland, an Indian businessman, and reckte his fist in the air. "I was absolutely not like, but now I am relieved." Nevertheless, he was satisfied with how the authorities had treated him. A group of about 50 Hong Kong residents waved flags and cried with the guests who made the coaches streamed: "Welcome home!"

Included were several tourists from Germany, including the couple Eingrüber from Dresden. "For us, a world collapsed," Kathrin Eingrüber had on Monday told the AP by telephone. The 41-year-old and her husband Chris originally wanted in Hong Kong only a three-stop.

The time in the hotel the couple had already become long on Monday: "It has no pool and no gym, where you once could move," said Eingrüber. Also, the Spaniard Francisco Javier Boada said about his time in quarantine simply: "It was very boring." On Thursday evening, however, was already widely celebrated: The Included threw their own masks, danced, drank beer and wine and toasts to the front of the hotel waiting journalists.

As reparation, all hotel guests in advance various gifts of Hong Kong City Hall will receive - including a voucher for two free nights in another hotel in the city. Some guests from overseas wanted to make use of them because they are on Friday evening travel may not in the home were more.

Hawaii to Munich.

Up to 15 meter-high monster waves, surfer death: the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii is probably the most famous surf spot in the world. Of course, acts on the other hand Eisbach in Munich comparatively puny - but here come the professionals from equilibrium.

 

REUTERS; DPA

Banzai Pipeline
Eisbach

What?

Tube notorious that even the world's best surfers all demands.

What?

A water-meter roll, even professionals brings to stumble - because the standing wave unusual Balance Act requires.

Where?

On Oahu, Hawaii.

Where?

On the Eisbach in the kingdom of heaven bridge in downtown Munich.

Attracts tourists, because ...

... in winter at the World Championship hell rides from stars such as Kelly Slater or Andy Irons can admire. These are the viewers up close and personal at the events, because there are hardly any surf spot where the giant waves on the beach so close break.

Attracts tourists, because ...

... the surfers in their wet suits in the middle of the city, a unique sight, and the banks of the brook for lunch invite.

Risks and side effects?

Already some have overestimated his abilities here. On average, calls the "Pipe" (nickname: cement mixer, meat mincer or ogre) each year, a death toll - also because just below the water surface conceals razor sharp lava stone.

Risks and side effects?

In some cases only 40 centimeters deep water lurking several rows of stone blocks, which falls on bruises and bone fractures may result.

Wen you here?

Lots durchtrainierte Short-makers, with the surfboard on the beach beproud and say things like: "Very nice, but yesterday the waves were bigger."

Wen you here?

For example, the German youth surfing champion Paul Guenther, who frequently trains.

Why go now?

Because even in the summer of surfing enthusiasts have a chance of survival - only in November and December, the waves reach heights of more than ten meters.

Why go now?

Because the future of the wave fun in Munich is still not resolved - the Bavarian Finance Ministry wants to impose fines for surfers, because swimming in the Eisbach is officially banned.

Did you know?

In the case of a serious accident in the pipeline lost Jack Johnson in 1992, several front teeth and had to be sewn with 150 stitches to be - he decided to point out, with the stop and was surfing popstar.

Did you know?

Per second shooting, on average, 22,000 liters of water under the bridge out of heaven - the equivalent of the mass of 22 cars.

Stay at home only if ...

... If the term "surfing" on browser and wireless, not to think of the adrenalin kicks in the water.

Stay at home only if ...

... years of fidelity to the TV show "Baywatch" has led to the sight of surfers in Press sausage wetsuit can not endure.

THE DUELL

Under the heading "The Duel" compares blogs regularly ONLINE German and an internationally renowned tourist attraction. Applies in the future, among other things: Babelsberg to Hollywood, surfing in Munich against surfing in Hawaii and the Berlin Wall against the Chinese Wall. Click here to view all past articles to read!

Briton secures "best job in the world".

His hobbies are bungee-jumping and diving in the world finals of the castings for a Ranger Island in Australia was the Englishman Ben Southall enforce - more than 34,000 fans island had applied for the job.

 

Sydney - A British social worker has been awarded the "best job in the world" get. The 34-year-old Ben Southall sat against more than 34,000 competitors from all over the world and is now half a year on an Australian island living.

He is in a villa on Hamilton Iceland live on his work order includes activities such as walking on the beach, snorkel and relax in the sun. In return he must an advertising blog to write about the island and from time to time the swimming pool scrub. But he is 150,000 Australian dollars (80,000 euros) fee received.

Southall include bungee jumping and scuba diving to his hobbies, used in Africa as a tourist guide and most recently in a charitable organization worked. In his application video are pictures in which he kisses a giraffe, an ostrich rides to and participates in a marathon. Now he stood on the last round of finals with 16 participants who are on the ground were examined. His job, he joins on 1 July.

"I hope I can fulfill the high expectations," Southall said after his victory. "My swimming skills are hopefully good enough, and I look forward to the duties and responsibilities that the job entails." He announced that he together with his Canadian girlfriend in the luxury villa on Hamilton Iceland will recover.

"Ben has a passion for real competitions Queensland demonstrated," said Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor. His ideas for the Ranger job and his ability to challenge, would have impressed the judges and secured him the victory.

AUSTRALIA-QUIZ

AP; Australian Tourist Commission; DPA

What happens if a Bikie with a Stubbie prefers to Barbie? Or, if a tourist on Table Mountain stapft Uluru? Each year, more German flying to the other end of the world. Are you prepared for the Australia-adventure? Test your knowledge in Reisequiz!

The online betting PinnacleSports had the last Dolmetscherin Clare Wang from Taiwan as a favorite run. It was not by the organizers from the pool of 34,684 applicants have been selected, but from Internet users, their short video presentation was the best. Also, the two Australian competitors stood by the book makers in demand.

The best 16 candidates were allowed to camp in one of several islands off the Queensland experience. There, they had to swim in competitions and while snorkeling, and demonstrate daily in their own blog about their experiences. Even their sovereignty in dealing with the numerous media representatives on the spot by the jury was closely monitored.

As a German candidate, was until last
Mirjam Novak from Erlangen in the race. Among its competitors were, inter alia, a Dutch photographer, a Japanese and an Indian receptionist radio DJ.

Hope for more bookings

The tourism authority had the action as an advertising campaign invented. The response exceeded all their expectations. "Every night we are there for two minutes on the news, two minutes is good news," said tourism director Anthony Hayes. "We strongly believe that we are after this campaign in the next twelve months, get more bookings." He can now well imagine from the Ranger-Casting ", an annual event to make."

The successful campaign has already emulated on the plan set. This was also Taiwan announced soon
A similar selection process to start around the country as a tourist destination known to do.

 

They had it in the course of numerous Australian tender, where margins. First broke the internet for several days together because of the onslaught was too great, which frustrated many potential candidates. Then the organizers had to admit that it is using the popular video of a woman who is a Great Barrier Reef tattoo can sting, even had invented.

For vortices caused a Russian participant, previously illegal porn mitgespielt had and therefore was disqualified. And on YouTube, a joker dressed as Osama bin Laden and turned out to be perfect candidates for the Inseljob dar.

Spa bath in wine.

Tasting with saber String, Erotikbad in red wine: In South Africa's Cape Peninsula are especially creative wine growers to visit their property unforgettable. For 350 years, fine wines grown here - some of the finest goods are now Germans.

 

Jean-Vincent Ridon has a character set: In its 1500 square meters is just great vineyard in the heart of Cape Town, he has the French flag with the Gallic cock, and his slogan "Vive la différence" leafy. Blue-white-red as the blue sky with white clouds above Table Mountain and the red African soil, on which he can grow great wines. "This all started," says the self-confident young Frenchman, "in the middle of Cape Town, not in Stellenbosch and Groot Constantia."

Ridon is globetrotters. He studied political science, was investment banker, a DJ, a gallery owner in Paris and has worked in Belgium, Turkey and the United States lived. "But wine has always been my passion," he says. 1996, Jean-Vincent Ridon to Cape Town, fell into the city with a Mediterranean flair - and sat in a big goal: He wants the tradition of winemaking in South Africa's "mother city" re-awaken.

Exactly 350 years it is since then in the small Dutch supply station, the first crop was introduced. On 2 February 1659 quoted the founder of Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck in his diary: "Today - God be praised - was the first wine from grapes from the Cape pressed."

From Germany, France and Spain, the Dutch settlers in mid-17th Century in the belly of its merchant ships in the vines Kapkolonie brought, carefully wrapped in linen with earth-filled bags. On the slopes of Table Mountain, at the Signal Hill, but also in the midst of today's city center tried it, wine unit. Even where in Greenpoint today, the new stadium for the 2010 World Cup emporwächst, planted the settlers - but unsuccessfully - Vine. And in Oranjezicht, now a noble residential area below the Table Mountain.

They raised eight years ago Ridon its flag on an old, forgotten Weinfeld. In 2005 he brought under the label of "Signal Hill", the first harvest: 600 bottles of Clos d'Oranje, a Shiraz, the South African wine Pope John Platter in 2006 gave five stars, the highest award. "I have a lot of experimenting," says Ridon to, "because much of the old tradition has been lost."

National Shrine of the wine

Many lives, however, even today - to sound the full name of the ancient vineyards of 'Lost All "to" Vergelegen ". "All the Lost" at the Swartland wine is in its fifth generation of family ownership. Vergelegen, with its five-star wines are from 1700. "Groot Constantia" before the gates of Cape Town has become a sort of national shrine has become: 1685 by Governor Simon van der Stel was founded, the carefully restored property as a "mother" of the wineries in South Africa - and is the center of the 350-year celebrations of South Africa viticulture.

The Germans were beginning: The abgewirtschaftete Weinfarm the Frankish couple Elke entrepreneurs and Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin purchased 1999, was already 1690 by Governor van der Stel granted a German settlers were. The Dauphins christened the historic Good after nearly one kilometer long avenue of century-old eucalyptus trees "Allée Bleue. Then they left it by the artist couple Gundel and Emil Sogor a Gesamtkunstwerk durchstylen and won for the basement of their Pinotage Champion Gerda Willers at the first harvest of the Veritas Double Gold, the highest award for South African wines.

Even the Hamburg shipowner Roland Seidel is one of the old pieces of jewelry, the van der Stel was once a German handed over to a new life. He bought wine in 1997 "De Leuven Jagt on Paarl Mountain with magnificent view to Table Mountain. The old name had lost much of its luster. Seidel built under the new name, "Seidel Mountain" became one of the top wineries from South Africa, a Erlebnisgut bronze foundry, glass blowing and an art gallery.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

South Africa: Cup of Good Hope (30.03.2009)

Walschreier at the Cape: Because he blows! (05.11.2008)

Romania Wines: Pinot yellow gold, ruby red Kadarka (12.12.2008)

Château globally: How Globalization helps German vintners (20.12.2008)

Montepulciano wine region: the small death of the Vino Nobile (29.09.2008)

At worst, the decay of traditional South African wine industry the 250-year-old "Buitenverwachting" taken in Constantia. 1980 should be parceled and as an investment property sold. The Hamburg entrepreneur Richard Mueller acquired the historic property, without having seen it. Originally it was thought of as a real estate investment. But the family fell in love with the piece of earth, the son of Lars Maack it carefully rehabilitated and expanded it to Mustergut from, which includes a Nobel restaurant that has for years on the Cape gourmet temples counts.

The first great boom experienced German winegrower tradition at the Cape after the Second World War. "In the fifties and sixties was the whole of German wine in South Africa dominated," says Hildegard von Arnim. That was also the time when her husband, Achim von Arnim, his heart was discovered in the wine. Actually wanted to shoot the old Prussian officer family brewers are.

But it was different: He learned the wine from scratch, he studied at Geisenheim and built 1982 the wine and Sektgut "Cabrières" on high above Franschhoek. On Saturdays, visitors can see him on a tour of the cellar in his element Experience: Then the Baron köpft the champagne bottles with a saber. From visitors, the 64-year-old karate enthusiast and makers of the black belt to be happy with a kiss reward.

Stones against tourists from the capital.

Two meals for the price of one, souvenirs for a Dollar: In Cancun restaurants and hotels are fighting desperately to tourists. The fear of pig influenza has fatal consequences for Mexico's tourism industry - and even hostility towards day-trippers from the capital.

 

Acapulco - It's anything and drüber in the Mexican tourism industry: While in Acapulco stones at cars from major cities to fly to the supposed virus makers distribute, begging the hotel manager of Cancun just to accommodate guests for their empty houses. The excitement shows how the country dependent on tourism - and how dramatic the consequences of influenza are pigs.

Just over a week, the country has an outbreak of epidemic acknowledged. Since the tourism industry is experiencing a devastating collapse, as Finance Minister Agustín Carstens admitted. Nevertheless shifted Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo a planned PR campaign for the time being - it is now after the end of the crisis started. It was now time is not the best time to for Mexico as a holiday destination to advertise.

The Mexican resorts are experiencing the crisis very differently: Buffeted is particularly true Topziel Cancun, which is otherwise mainly foreigners respond. But now stay away in droves. Around 40 percent utilization is already below what was usual, accused the president of the Hoteliers Association, Rodrigo de la Pena. Estimated 2.4 million U.S. dollars (1.8 million euros), the city alone during the first weeks Flu lost.

Cancun: 70 percent of the reservation is canceled

They do all the businessmen to tourists courtship of restaurants offer two meals for the price of one, with shops selling handmade art dolls or chains suddenly for a dollar. "It is absolutely necessary that our hotels have guests," says de la Pena. It was "in a serious financial crisis".

And it should get worse: In the past few days were about 70 percent of reservations have been canceled for Cancun, says the Tourism Ministry. Already this week, the utilization is at 45 per cent fall.

A 46-percent drop reported the Pacific coastal town of Huatulco. Probably the heaviest blow but journeys Mexico City, where an estimated 85 percent of vacant hotel rooms.

In addition, at least 64 cruise ships less than planned in Mexican ports, 134,000 additional tourists will be missing. Even airlines such as Continental Airlines, the country does not control anymore.

Quite different from the situation in Acapulco: While breaking even here the number of visitors, but the city appears to be not so unhappy to be. The reason is obvious: Acapulco is just five hours by car from Mexico City away, and the main cities you can see now much better go than come.

Gasoline boycotts against major cities

Finally, it is Mexico City, where the majority of flu cases have occurred. "Anyone who has symptoms should not think: 'If I go to Acapulco, where the weather is so beautiful, it is even better.'" Fresh Air, tequila and disco visits were not the right therapy, said Mayor Anorve Manual. "We ask these people, therefore, responsible to be aware and wegzubleiben." Already bars and restaurants were closed and boat tours canceled, only the hotel had opened.

When warnings have it, some residents of Acapulco, however, not stop: At least four cars with the flag of Mexico City had been with stones as they had reached Acapulco, said the highway police.

Petrol station workers reported that gasoline boycotts against major cities. "We can be contagious and should stay away," says Miriam Tankwartin around Arizmendi. "The city should impose a quarantine and no more rauslassen." Who is still up to Acapulco creates, must be based on a frosty reception lie in wait. Employees of a beach restaurant they would have ridiculed as they are compatible with Bikini on the respirator and was accused Martha Rubio, vacationers and assured: "I do not let the mockery of me."

And with the tourists beat back cynicism: Borrowing from the famous T-shirt slogan: "A friend of mine was in Mexico, and all I got is this lousy T-shirt", it says now: ". .. and all I got is the flu pig! "

Advanced neglect.

From the bald head to the bearded hippie in a few seconds: The time-lapse video shows a Munich student, as a one-year hike in China has changed. Actually, he wanted to walk up to Germany - but a sudden self-knowledge led him to abandon.

 

The room is empty, bare. In the middle stands a young man and looks with a serious look into the camera. Expectantly? Anxious? In any case decided. Determined, for years on the move to go - by walking from Beijing back to his parents' house in Bad Nenndorf to travel in Lower Saxony.

"I have my things by sea sent home, the key under the doormat, and I losgelaufen," says
Sinologiestudent Christoph Rehage. After one year language course in Beijing, he had no desire to put on the plane, and moved at the hiking shoes.

Here he was not actually a outdoor enthusiast. Cracked feet and clothes were miefende him more of an abomination. "Before I have always argued that we should be like an English gentleman, so even in the jungle still maintained look. But then my neighbor said in Beijing: but let the beard grow easily. That was also a challenge, sometimes really really rough .

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Illustrated book "Hidden China": time travel by bicycle (23.12.2008)

Jean Béliveau World Wanderer: "The hardest thing is the first step" (02.11.2006)

Russian hitchhiker legend: Free to the world (17.04.2009)

It quickly became clear: This unique neglect must be documented! So Rehage also grabbed a video camera and held it himself every day just before the nose. These mini-settings, he has now assembled his film. First, he is almost always alone in the picture, on country roads, hostels and gray before the first snow.

But after exercise, more and more people behind him around, children, whole villages. And also some pictures to his girlfriend from Beijing. He should know their parents who lived in the country's interior. Quite a fiasco, as he reported: "For whom did my bearded appearance is not good. Chinese parents eighth in a very neat appearance."

Itself is no longer appealing

He wandered on, and the film also helped against the loneliness that always came back when he and his small luggage carts through barren stretches of land withdrew. "In this monotony just what I needed to do. The regular work, so the pictures to make and to plan what it should be, which has given me structure."

By and by the routine: running, film, travel blog, run a film. Sometime Rehage asked themselves: Can I actually stop? Slowly came the grimly before. "And then, quite suddenly, in the middle of the desert, I have noticed: I myself am no longer sympathetic." In Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang province, he heard, from one day to the other for exactly 4646 kilometers. Only he went to the hairdresser or on foot: In the film we see how a Chinese bekittelter knows him by the hair and beard removed. Back to baldness - and yet he looks quite different than the first images.

Of course, the journey has changed him - but even more its sudden end, as is Rehage secure. Something just on principle to do this is for him no longer in question. "I am no longer stresses as, for example at the university. I've learned that there is no question of any external circumstances to overcome and very hard to be. The point is that you can always change." That's why he wants to not even say whether he wants to go again to the rest of the route planned to run. An indication, however, there is already: Since a few months he learns Russian.