OK, the sailing was superb, the conditions challenging, and the location exotic, but one thing that made the World’s experience so exceptional was the incredible hosts we had. The staff and members of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club of Pattaya took the welcoming-traditions of the Sailing World and of Thailand and pushed them over the top.
From the day we arrived, the staff bent over backwards to help out – us, the other sailors, and all the hangers-on. Even in times where there was more than a bit of ambiguity in arrangements or the lack of them, they just made things happen. From rooms to cranes to sourcing laundry and tour buses, they calmly and professionally performed magic.
The veranda, kitchen, and bar staff, were the super-hero’s though. They put in 15 + hour days for two weeks straight dealing with over 200 regatta people and regular members while they fed, watered, and feasted all. And always, with a warm smile. For the four of us, we felt as if we were allowed to be part of their family, and enjoyed some of the benefits of being so. For instance when the sponsored free-beer was being self-served and the line-ups long, Nuen or one of the other servers magically appeared and filled our glasses at the table, usually admonishing us for letting them get low. Although it’s our way, it pays to be respectful and kind.
The service was amazing, but the food was insane. This is a club with a relatively small membership yet was cooking up some of the best eats we experienced in Thailand – and at a price that even Americans could afford. And of course, the spice level was up to full Thai standard – with menu items like ‘rocket-salad’, it was no wonder that Noah’s eyeballs tried leaving the building a few times.
We had heard the legends about the club’s boat-boys before we left Canada, but they didn’t even come close. From muscling containers into place, dragging boats and sailors out of the surf and up and down the big hill, to pulling off repairs beyond belief in the simplest of facilities, these guys just rocked. They always had time for a smile and a high-five of encouragement even when they were just bagged. At one of the party nights, they were invited to join us all for drinks and when introduced, the place went wild with applause and a standing ovation. So deserved, so very Thai.
The Royal Varuna members also took their hosting seriously. Ruk was regatta chair and simply and quietly made the machine work. Other members, such as Gilbert and Helmuth had endless advice on everything essential from currents and tides to what doctors to use, where to eat, tailors to engage, and tour buses to hire. Gilbert even set us up and hosted a meal at a distant local restaurant that was to die for. Wow.
Other than improvements to on-water performance, I don’t know how the World Championships at the Royal Varuna can be topped. Our hosts really made the event!
