Craig and Jeane from Bangkok 2007
Feb 16th, 2007, 02:41 PM
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Craig and Jeane from Bangkok 2007
Hi everyone. We arrived in Bangkok last night. Our Thai flight from JFK was delayed by about 1-1/2 hours but other than that everything went smoothly. One of the things I like about the JFK flight is that it takes off at a very quiet time - virtually no lines at security, no crowds in the Business Class lounge. We had no glitches at the new airport. There is a "fast track" line at immigration for Business Class but we didn't need it as all of the lines were short. Luggage arrived as we showed up but we did stop at the Duty Free and at the ATM first. AAC was there waiting for us. The arrivals area was not the madhouse I expected. We were able to pay for our limo and tolls with a credit card - our greeter had one of those portable credit card machines.
Right now we are on the Club Floor at the Intercontinental - great location across from Central World Plaza, sky train right at the hotel entrance. Today we will be spending time at Rajawongse Clothiers so I can get some more suits made and then its Jeane's turn at T Silk Place (at OP Place) so some new outfits for her. Not the ideal itinerary in terms of locations but we have the time. After T Silk, we will head over to check out the MR Kukrit house. Will try and report more tomorrow morning.
Right now we are on the Club Floor at the Intercontinental - great location across from Central World Plaza, sky train right at the hotel entrance. Today we will be spending time at Rajawongse Clothiers so I can get some more suits made and then its Jeane's turn at T Silk Place (at OP Place) so some new outfits for her. Not the ideal itinerary in terms of locations but we have the time. After T Silk, we will head over to check out the MR Kukrit house. Will try and report more tomorrow morning.
Feb 16th, 2007, 05:54 PM
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Hi Craig and Jeane,
Glad you arrived safely. We're a week behind you (just like last year). Have a couple of questions, since you've just done the flight...we're business class Thai from JFK. We have aisle-window up in the front section, but since I've been nursing a lousy back, don thinks we should switch to aisle aisle in the middle. (so we don't step over each other as I head for the galley to stand up.) Any thoughts about seating on that plane?
Secondly, we have meds and stuff to carry on board. Are you limited to two quart sized bags? Any thoughts suggestions about that process?
Sorry to interrupt the beginning of your trip with these questions. If you don't reply, I'll understand. It's time to enjoy.
Safe travels. We look forward to your trip reports.
j and d
Glad you arrived safely. We're a week behind you (just like last year). Have a couple of questions, since you've just done the flight...we're business class Thai from JFK. We have aisle-window up in the front section, but since I've been nursing a lousy back, don thinks we should switch to aisle aisle in the middle. (so we don't step over each other as I head for the galley to stand up.) Any thoughts about seating on that plane?
Secondly, we have meds and stuff to carry on board. Are you limited to two quart sized bags? Any thoughts suggestions about that process?
Sorry to interrupt the beginning of your trip with these questions. If you don't reply, I'll understand. It's time to enjoy.
Safe travels. We look forward to your trip reports.
j and d
Feb 17th, 2007, 01:23 AM
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Craig and Jeane,
Glad you made it to BKK. You arrived just as I was arriving back in the USA from my own BKK trip! Sorry our paths did not cross.
I like the Intercontinental very much. I think I've stayed there twice in the past. Do make sure you partake of the breakfast buffet. If you get a chance, ask to see a room next door at the "new" Holiday Inn. That's where I spent my last five nights.
You will not pay a departure tax at BKK airport anymore. I found that out on my return. As has been discussed here, the departure tax is now part of your BKK ticket.
If you haven't registered at Bumrungrad, you should do that. Very easy to do. You don't need to make any appointments. International patient registration is on the 9th floor. Only takes a minute...
Carol
Glad you made it to BKK. You arrived just as I was arriving back in the USA from my own BKK trip! Sorry our paths did not cross.
I like the Intercontinental very much. I think I've stayed there twice in the past. Do make sure you partake of the breakfast buffet. If you get a chance, ask to see a room next door at the "new" Holiday Inn. That's where I spent my last five nights.
You will not pay a departure tax at BKK airport anymore. I found that out on my return. As has been discussed here, the departure tax is now part of your BKK ticket.
If you haven't registered at Bumrungrad, you should do that. Very easy to do. You don't need to make any appointments. International patient registration is on the 9th floor. Only takes a minute...
Carol
Feb 17th, 2007, 07:34 AM
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Hi
You guys should keep a blog so that we could also get to see some pictures. My wife and I have been to Thailand a couple of times and I think it is a great destination. We are going back in May this year and hope to visit Bangkok and Samui
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
You guys should keep a blog so that we could also get to see some pictures. My wife and I have been to Thailand a couple of times and I think it is a great destination. We are going back in May this year and hope to visit Bangkok and Samui
Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures
Feb 17th, 2007, 08:03 AM
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re: the quart size bags -- what needs to be in them are your liquids, max each item is 3oz. meds in pill form aren't part of that. I had mine in a separate part of my carry on.
If you want to take bottled water on the plane, buy it after you go through the last security check. I got mine at the airport after bag checkin but before going to the gate and thought that was good enough and it is not.
Craig -- hope you're both having a great time !
If you want to take bottled water on the plane, buy it after you go through the last security check. I got mine at the airport after bag checkin but before going to the gate and thought that was good enough and it is not.
Craig -- hope you're both having a great time !
Feb 17th, 2007, 04:07 PM
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It is Sunday morning. We have just completed a delicious breakfast on the IC Club Floor overlooking downtown and the golf club/horse track. The IC is a godd hotel but no better than the Plaza Athenee where we stayed for a few days last year. The location however, is more convenient for shoppers and access to the skytrain is better. Overall we prefer the Penn where we will be staying upon our return from Myanmar.
Stopped by Rajawongse yesterday - all three suits that I had ordered prior to coming were ready and the fit only needs a few adjustments. They look great. George Bush (Senior) had apparently made another visit late last year so while we were there we enjoyed a photo album of the event. There was also a very nice letter that he wrote thanking them for their services as well as a check which did not appear to be cashed. If anyone is curious, the former president is a Bankamerica customer. I told Victor that we would be back to pick up the suits when we returned from Myanmar.
From there, we headed to T Silk Place. We took the skytrain to Taksin Pier where we took the boat over to the Oriental hotel and walked to OP Place. We were glad to see that a canopy has been installed at the area of the pier where you wait for the hotel boats. Last year it was quite miserable waiting for the boats in the hot sun. The hotel pier is very busy with the addition of the Hilton and ROS boats. Jeane had been communicating with T Silk Place via slow mail for the last month or two - exchanging dress photos and fabric samples. The effort really paid off for her - she had ordered a long dress and another skirt/top both of silk. The garments are quite stunning and the fit was almost perfect. We were only there about 15 minutes. Again, we will pick up the finished pieces when we return from Myanmar.
From OP Place we wanted to go to the MR Kukrit house. We called for a taxi but it was obvious to us that the driver had no clue where we wanted to go. After showing the OP Place doorman our Nancy Chandler map and consultations with other OP Place staff, he was able to explain to the taxi driver where to go. It was an easy trip to the house by cab but we would have never found it on our own. Our timing was good in that we were able to join a tour just as it was starting. It lasted about an hour and it was quite interesting to see how Kukrit lived and the things he acquired over his lifetime. Definitely recommended for those who have done most of the other touristy things in Bangkok.
After the tour we walked to the main road and hailed a taxi to take us back to the hotel. We decided we would check out Narayana Phand, the handicraft store which we had been to last year and was right around the corner from the IC. We walked around a bit but did not buy. Jeane wanted to check out the upscale shops in the arcade adjacent to the hotel. One jewelry store in particular has a white bracelet with inlaid black onyx that fits her wrist perfectly - I predict she will be purchasing it before we leave - stay tuned.
After resting in the hotel room for a while, we ventured out to the skytrain and headed to the Soi 16. Many on this forum have said great things about the lunch buffet at Rang Mahal, the Indian restaurant at the Rembrandt hotel. I am happy to report that although it is pricey, dinner there is excellent. We ordered one of their specialties, a delicious leg of lamb marinated in spices along with two vegatable dishes, rice and naan bread. It was way too much food - the leg of lamb is for two people minimum but it is a WHOLE leg of lamb. For those of you that stay in serviced apartments, it would be a great "doggie bag" item though. Other than that, it was a fabulous evening. The views from the restaurant (26th floor) are fantastic - we had a window seat in a room that although it was not Rambagh Palace was quite nice indeed. There was also musical entertainment - sitar player etc. We left so stuffed that we skipped dessert. Rang Mahal would be a fine place for a special occasion meal.
Today we will head out early to the Weekend Market for a couple of hours - mostly just to see it - we've never had the opportunity. In the afternoon we will do a klong tour - we are hoping that there will be lots of activity since it is Sunday. In the late afternoon, we meet up with Lori (of PLF fame) and then an early dinner since we leave for the airport tomorrow at 5:45 am.
This will be my last post for a while as communicating from Myanmar is said to be difficult - maybe we'll get lucky but I'm not counting on it.
Stopped by Rajawongse yesterday - all three suits that I had ordered prior to coming were ready and the fit only needs a few adjustments. They look great. George Bush (Senior) had apparently made another visit late last year so while we were there we enjoyed a photo album of the event. There was also a very nice letter that he wrote thanking them for their services as well as a check which did not appear to be cashed. If anyone is curious, the former president is a Bankamerica customer. I told Victor that we would be back to pick up the suits when we returned from Myanmar.
From there, we headed to T Silk Place. We took the skytrain to Taksin Pier where we took the boat over to the Oriental hotel and walked to OP Place. We were glad to see that a canopy has been installed at the area of the pier where you wait for the hotel boats. Last year it was quite miserable waiting for the boats in the hot sun. The hotel pier is very busy with the addition of the Hilton and ROS boats. Jeane had been communicating with T Silk Place via slow mail for the last month or two - exchanging dress photos and fabric samples. The effort really paid off for her - she had ordered a long dress and another skirt/top both of silk. The garments are quite stunning and the fit was almost perfect. We were only there about 15 minutes. Again, we will pick up the finished pieces when we return from Myanmar.
From OP Place we wanted to go to the MR Kukrit house. We called for a taxi but it was obvious to us that the driver had no clue where we wanted to go. After showing the OP Place doorman our Nancy Chandler map and consultations with other OP Place staff, he was able to explain to the taxi driver where to go. It was an easy trip to the house by cab but we would have never found it on our own. Our timing was good in that we were able to join a tour just as it was starting. It lasted about an hour and it was quite interesting to see how Kukrit lived and the things he acquired over his lifetime. Definitely recommended for those who have done most of the other touristy things in Bangkok.
After the tour we walked to the main road and hailed a taxi to take us back to the hotel. We decided we would check out Narayana Phand, the handicraft store which we had been to last year and was right around the corner from the IC. We walked around a bit but did not buy. Jeane wanted to check out the upscale shops in the arcade adjacent to the hotel. One jewelry store in particular has a white bracelet with inlaid black onyx that fits her wrist perfectly - I predict she will be purchasing it before we leave - stay tuned.
After resting in the hotel room for a while, we ventured out to the skytrain and headed to the Soi 16. Many on this forum have said great things about the lunch buffet at Rang Mahal, the Indian restaurant at the Rembrandt hotel. I am happy to report that although it is pricey, dinner there is excellent. We ordered one of their specialties, a delicious leg of lamb marinated in spices along with two vegatable dishes, rice and naan bread. It was way too much food - the leg of lamb is for two people minimum but it is a WHOLE leg of lamb. For those of you that stay in serviced apartments, it would be a great "doggie bag" item though. Other than that, it was a fabulous evening. The views from the restaurant (26th floor) are fantastic - we had a window seat in a room that although it was not Rambagh Palace was quite nice indeed. There was also musical entertainment - sitar player etc. We left so stuffed that we skipped dessert. Rang Mahal would be a fine place for a special occasion meal.
Today we will head out early to the Weekend Market for a couple of hours - mostly just to see it - we've never had the opportunity. In the afternoon we will do a klong tour - we are hoping that there will be lots of activity since it is Sunday. In the late afternoon, we meet up with Lori (of PLF fame) and then an early dinner since we leave for the airport tomorrow at 5:45 am.
This will be my last post for a while as communicating from Myanmar is said to be difficult - maybe we'll get lucky but I'm not counting on it.
Feb 18th, 2007, 07:29 AM
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Craig - do you bring your own fabric to have the suits made at Rajawongse, or do they provide it (wools?). We have not used a tailor on previous BKK visits, but have been thinking that we should do so next time given the posts. Is there a general price range for having a suit made? Do they also make sport coats? Thanks for any info.
Feb 18th, 2007, 09:20 AM
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Craig, thanks for your report. The Kukrit House is on our agenda for next trip.
I was also interested in your comments on Rang Mahal. Others have praised teh lunch buffet, but since I prefer to stay away from buffets, I've never been there. The dinner sounds more to my liking. I'l hhave to put it on the "possibly" list for November.
I was also interested in your comments on Rang Mahal. Others have praised teh lunch buffet, but since I prefer to stay away from buffets, I've never been there. The dinner sounds more to my liking. I'l hhave to put it on the "possibly" list for November.
Feb 20th, 2007, 02:01 PM
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Hi Craig and Jeane,
Great to hear from you from BKK. I hope that the rest of your trip is going well. Your organization with your tailored clothes really paid off. I loved your feedback about the Kukrit House and Rang Mahal. You give the rest of us many reasons to go back to BKK!
Can't wait to hear about Myanmar!
Terry
Great to hear from you from BKK. I hope that the rest of your trip is going well. Your organization with your tailored clothes really paid off. I loved your feedback about the Kukrit House and Rang Mahal. You give the rest of us many reasons to go back to BKK!
Can't wait to hear about Myanmar!
Terry
Feb 27th, 2007, 10:19 PM
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Posting from Yangon's Savoy Hotel ($4/hour) - we return to Bangkok tomorrow. Myanmar has been fabulous. There were two big highlights:
#1 - The sunrise hot air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan - this is probably one of the most amazing, surreal things we've ever done on a trip. I can't imagine going to Bagan and not doing this. Words can not describe how awesome an experience it was. Will post some photos on our website as when we return to Connecticut.
#2 We had a wonderful guide "Joyce" at Inle Lake. We spent 4 days with her - 2 by car and 2 by boat. She is Pao as are many people in this area. On our second day, she invited us to come to her home and meet her family. We kind of expected this but the big surprise was when about a dozen family members came into the room where we were sitting with a big birthday cake and tons of food to celebrate Jeane's birthday - very, very special.
Internet is kind of slow here so I will post much more about Joyce, our experiences with her, contact info and photos plus the usual excruciating details on the rest of our trip in the coming days.
#1 - The sunrise hot air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan - this is probably one of the most amazing, surreal things we've ever done on a trip. I can't imagine going to Bagan and not doing this. Words can not describe how awesome an experience it was. Will post some photos on our website as when we return to Connecticut.
#2 We had a wonderful guide "Joyce" at Inle Lake. We spent 4 days with her - 2 by car and 2 by boat. She is Pao as are many people in this area. On our second day, she invited us to come to her home and meet her family. We kind of expected this but the big surprise was when about a dozen family members came into the room where we were sitting with a big birthday cake and tons of food to celebrate Jeane's birthday - very, very special.
Internet is kind of slow here so I will post much more about Joyce, our experiences with her, contact info and photos plus the usual excruciating details on the rest of our trip in the coming days.
Feb 27th, 2007, 11:36 PM
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Glad you had a good time Craig. We were just watching the video of our Myanmar trip last weekend and all my friends and family members all said that the balloon ride was the best part of the trip.
