your gold should qualify you for lounge access at marriott, but if not try this for free internet....

go to the lower level of the center bldg.... sitting on the first and 2nd round sofas outside of the bakery (directly under the club) allows you access for free to the internet...

say hello to jack at monet il sarto on the upper level of the mini mall....have ice cream at swenson's

oh and have fun.... find us some new shopping places

Swensons... yum (altho it isn't Haagen Dazs..haha) The tip about internet is much appreciated! Thanks, Bob. I hope you are right about gold level getting me into the lounge.

Enjoy the BKK Marriott and the new perspective it affords on a city you know so well. The resort-style property is so pretty at night, in particular, given the way that it is illuminated, and the boat ride to Thaksin Pier is relaxing.

We stayed there once without club privileges and once with -- I found the centrally located club room quite convenient to use and the cocktail hour canapes and sweets were lovely. It is a comfortable, airy space in which to work on your laptop or read the paper.

Please let us know if any of the restaurants have recently changed.

Looking forward to welcoming back Bangkok's first lady of shopping.

UA882 is the flight that the pandas took to return to Boston from BKK several years ago. It stops in cowtown (Chicago) merelt as an afterthought. It's Boston bound.


Bob is quaking because we will now get an impartial opinion about the Marriott, It's simple. If Carol writes good things about the Marriott, she's trying not to hury Bob's feelings. If she pans it, she's teling the real truth.

Have fun, Carol - looking forward to following along...

Enjoy your flights, and give Maeng a big hug from me. If you have a chance mail me her e-mail I lost it.

Nywoman, be happy to send along Maeng's email address to you. Check your email in a little while (gotta read here first).

Gpanda... Chicago an afterthought! Ha! Tell that to Barack. Chicago is 'on the map' right now.. (Blago) And BTW, my friends from Italy thought Chicago was much nicer than NYC (Bos wasn't in the comparison).

Hanuman....."Bangkok's first lady of shopping"... WOW! But I'm not sure a first lady of shopping shops in the places I go...

one who knows the bargains does indeed shop in your haunts

Carol, are you sure you can't stick around until the end of August and help show me the "ropes" in Bangkok?

Carol, have a wonderful trip. I wish I were headed for Bangkok!

Neopatrick... don't I wish! However, you may be in luck (not sure yet...) DS will be coming over for about 4 weeks, and will probably be around the last part of August. I, on the other hand, MUST head back home at the beginning of the month. Wish I COULD stay on... I would love to show you places like the Pickled Liver (you'd enjoy this place) and Tawandang Night Club (the original one) and the view from Sky Bar. You need to 'hit' all of these places, if possible.

Kathie, we'll be meeting up in HNL before you know it!

Pickled Liver, Tawandang Night Club, and Sky Bar are now all on my list.
Of course, the Pickled Liver was already on my medical conditions list!

Have a wonderful flight and a superb trip Carol. Hope we can meet up at last when we will be in BKK in Jan 2011. I'm also looking forward to your description of the Marriott Executive Lounge and any upgrades your Gold gets you. We just became Gold Marriott members and will stay for a total of 2 weeks at the Marriott on the River so am looking forward to some upgrades that we have not enjoyed during past stays there.

Have a wonderful time.
Sue

Well, my suitcases are done and I am ready to leave tomorrow for BKK like Carol , we will definitely see each other at the Marriott on the River, the Club lounge will be our meeting place..... Carol have a safe flight and see you in Bangkok
Evelyne

Hello Evelyne! Yes, we'll be meeting up at the Marriott soon. I'm so looking forward to it. Peace and quiet is just what I'm seeking for a few days.

I'm at the Marriott Suites OHare right now, spending the night before leaving early tomorrow morning for BKK. This is a really lovely suite! My status got me free internet. Hope it gets me free internet in BKK as well. The price for this suite is only $149. They do a park/sleep/fly as well, with one week of free parking, for about $159-69 maybe... well worth it! Next time I need a park/sleep/fly I'll come back here.

DS Brad drove me up to Chicago and is on his way back home now. It will take him about 3 hrs. He should be home before midnight. We ate at On the Border (Mexican food and very good). It's a chain. I don't know how far reaching it is. They are consistently good, and very fresh ingredients. They are all over the bigger cities in the midwest.

Time to hopefully sleep. Hey, if I can't sleep, I'll just get up super early and get on the 5:05am shuttle and bide my time at the UA first class lounge! That sounds good.

Gotta pick up some good chocolates at duty free for Maeng and the girls at the printing company office.

More later......

look forward to more... can't wait for our marriott arrival on oct 28

The International First Lounge (UA) at OHare is much quieter than the Red Carpet. It's a smaller room. There are showers, which I'm not using since I just showered before heading to the airport.

Food selection is better than the rather sparse selection in the RCC. I'll be getting breakfast on the flight to SEA so will hold off. But there is fresh fruit and pastries and a coffee machine, orange juice, all the liquor you could imagine, if you want to spice up your cuppa-joe. (not me)

There are only about a half dozen people in this lounge. The RCC regular lounge is visible from the big windows here, and I can see that it is also relatively quiet at this ime of the morning.

Long day of flying ahead. I'll check in when I can.

Bye for now!

bon voyage--first class babe..

Bought some See's candy to take to the publishing office. The girls love good chocolates.

Red Carpet Club at Seattle is down an escalator from the departures terminal (N). It's a nice refuge from the crowds of people waiting at food venues and gates up on the main floor. Most seats are empty, so it's quiet.

"First Class Babe".... (thanks, Bob)

Oh... should have mentioned that I met a fellow traveller, an Aussie with British passport, living in Chicago, and working a lot in Singapore! He is telling me that I should go to KL or the Maldives. Maldives look FABULOUS (if I were a lay-on-the-beach sort of person). Anyway, he says that KL would be better for hand-made market shopping over Singapore. I'm thinking 'side-trip' for a few days, if I can't get Maeng to go to Samui.

Carol, you are visiting my home RCC!

I think the Maldives are great for a lay on the beach type person, but they hold no interest for me. And, as a crafts shopper they wouldn't be your cup of tea either.

We found little in terms of hand-made crafts in KL. There is the Central Market that has some nice hand-woven textiles, but not a lot else. There are a few places for hand made crafts in Singapore, but it also is not a crafts shopper's dream. You would be better off in Indonesia for crafts.

BTW, I don't know that you have been to Hanoi. There are some wonderful crafts to be had there. We met a woman from Zurich who was buying dozens of interesting hand-made purses for her boutique in Zurich. That would be more to your liking.

I have to agree with Kathy...Not alot of craft items in KL. Penang had more of a choice, and I think you would enjoy it. 3-4 days and you could have a very nice diversion. air Asia for a cheap flight. Lots of good hotel choices also.

hanoi is not a bad idea really... you would love it...look at the Gia Boa Grand hotel....that is where we are staying at the edge of the old town... tons of cheap shopping....lots of different stuff to thailand..

air asia again direct from bkk.....visa upon arrival

excellent idea kathie!!

hello carol....how is narita??

Bob, the visa has to be arranged in advance.

i'm getting mine on arrival... i did do some work on line in advance, but essentially it is a visa upon arrival

In KL, there is a very large government-run craft center near the Bukit Bintang area. It's better than the Central Market, which has stuff from VN and elsewhere sold as Malaysian. That said, I think Langkawi was the best place for batik, etc. that I've been to in Malaysia.

I'll be in Melaka and KL myself next week.

Michael, we visited the government-run crafts center and were very disappointed. I truly could not find anything I wanted to buy. Has it expanded or improved in the last few years? In the Central Market, there are two textile sellers I've bought from each time I've been in KL (only 4 times in 15+ years, so I'm not a frequent visitor). There are some items from outside Malaysia, but all of the textiles were clearly labeled as to origin.

Bob, while the VN government web site calls it a visa on arrival, a visa on arrival means you do not have to make any advance arrangements, anyone can arrive at the airport and purchase a visa. For VN, you must have a pre-aranged visa - you will not be allowed on the plane to VN without the printed email confirmation of your pre-arranged visa or the visa already in your passport. I just wanted to clarify, as the VN government has made it more confusing by their mis-use of the term "visa on arrival."

Hello Carol! My name is Carol too, and I will be following in your travel footsteps. My bf and I will arrive in Thailand right as you leave and will be going to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and a yet to be determined beach vacation. Anyway, I have been reading about your shopping exploits and am looking forward to checking out the places mentioned in your previous trip reports. Hope you have a great trip and please update us on any new finds!

Hello Carol, finally we are at Narita also at the ANA lounge ,all flights are on time so should be arriving in bangkok with Thai around 9:30pm, we will be meeting my son in law who is arriving from shanghai at the same time....hopefully. See you soon at the Marriott

Kathie, yes the merchandise at the gov. craft center is pretty underwhelming, although they did have things I hadn't seen elsewhere. I did find some of the art in the little kiosks around the gardens to be more interesting than anywhere else in KL, which is why I would recommend a visit.

It's been a while since I was at Central Market. It was an interesting place, but the crafts/souvenirs were pretty tacky, I thought. I'll have to visit it again next week, as well as Petaling Street. It's been years since I was there at night.

yes kathie i see the differences.... one advantage to my way is that you do not have to send your passport off in the mails

I typed a wonderful long message from the First Class Red Carpet Lounge at Narita, and the internet was so sloooooow and so poor that it didn't post!! Drat!!

I'm now at the Marriott, in an upgraded riverview room. I get free breakfast in either the club or the buffet. I have one hour of free internet right now, and I'm awake at 1am so I'm typing fast!

The RCC first class lounge at NRT is much quieter than downstairs. The selection of food is somewhat better. There is, of course, liquor galore, but I did not imbibe as I had wine on the flight from SEA to NRT.

The showers were almost identical to the regular RCC ones. The same amenities were there as downstairs as well. If the internet is always this poor at the 'upper lounge' I'd just as soon stay downstairs.

The flight to BKK arrived about a half hour early, and my bags were among the very first ones down the turnstyle. There is now a "fast track" immigration point for first class passengers (I don't know if it includes business class, but it might). No waiting.

Taxi 400 baht (I'm a good tipper) and I paid the tolls, so that isn't included in the 400. The meter registered between 200-300 baht for the trip. I'm not sure if there is still a 50baht charge at the public taxi stand or not. I'm thinking they did away with that fee.

My room is really nice. A very comfortable place for a few nights. I can see the huge pool from my balcony, as well as the view down river. If it isn't too hot, I will probably spend some time on my balcony, just watching the world go by.

Tomorrow is VASU for currency and then off to the printing company. I will probably be there most of the afternoon, and will then go to the Pickled Liver for dinner cooked by Maeng. She called and told me that she can now make her FAMOUS CHILI that she used to make at the Brunswick!!! I can't wait to have some!!! I don't care how hot it is outside. Give me that chili! (and a small order of garlic shrimp on the side).

I hope I can sleep tonight, but I slept quite a bit of my long flights here, so I may be awake for a while, or maybe crash and then get up super early for breakfast.

Evelyne, hope to see you in the lounge!

Carol

Following along and enjoying as usual. You have to give me the name and address of your bkk printer when you are in HNL in Sept. Maybe I can do a visit and write off next trip.....lol

Aloha!

Hmmm... sorry to hear the First Class Lounge at Narita isn't so fabulous.

If the immigration fast track at BKK works for Biz too that would be great!

Get some sleep, Carol. You have lots to do in the morning.

make sure one morning that you go and have the big breakfast....

try the meatballs in the italian restaurant....

Carol: Enjoy the Marriott breakfast on the Riverside Terrace at least one day. It is the BEST we have had in our several trips to BKK. In fact, our December trip includes "breakfast at the MR/S, even if we are staying at the Adelphi. We have stayed at the MR/S for part of a trip, but it is so remote that I wouldn't want to stay there for the entire time. But I realize that everyone is different and has other ideas.

See you at the AS in December!

Sandra

Good morning! I think I slept about 2 hours... so I'm not very bright eyed and busytailed, but at least I'm up. I'm hungrier than I thought, so I will head to the buffet this morning as soon as I've caught up with fodorite reading.

The pool at the Marriott RS stays open until 11 pm... so says the hostess who showed me to my room last night. Great looking pool! If I were the lie-by-the-pool sort, I'd be in 7th heaven I think.

My room is in the wing nearest to the Taksin BTS station, but on the pool side of the building. I can see both the pool and the river. Very pleasant. Thai style. Wooden floor. Balcony w/two chairs is nice, albeit humid. Bed is comfortable and covered with feather pillows (I asked for that). Being a gold elite member has its priviledges!

I wish the bathroom had a separate shower stall... that would be my one BIG request. The slope of the sides of the bathtub make it just a bit tricky for standing and showering; but the mat in the bottom of the tub helps. Lots of nice big towels, which I like. Bathrobe was useful, as were the slippers this morning. Good assortment of channels on the big flatscreen TV. (I like Fox News.. Adelphi Suites only has CNN Int'l and BBC plus a couple of other English channels that I don't particularly enjoy)

HT, I'll be sure to give you the name of the printing company. You should try to see their factory. Very state of the art!

Maeng called me last night, and she says she is once again making the chili that I so dearly love! (did I already tell you that?) My mind is fuzzy and my tummy is rumbling.

I'm off to the office after b'fast in the buffet.

Bangkok is humid. The Club Lounge is humid. But, hey, it's BANGKOK!

Kathie, the RCC 1st class lounge is 'nice'... I guess I'm not sure just what I was expecting. I'll be checking out the ANA lounge on my way home. I did not know what to expect, so maybe disappointing isn't quite what I should say about the RCC First Class Lounge. I DID hear, however, that the 1st class Thai lounge at BKK is absolutely fabulous.. best in the world (?)... this according to the Aussie fellow I met during my trip over. BTW, he only travels first class. Paid for life-long 1st class about 20 years ago, at the price of $270,000!!!!!! (cough cough, sputter sputter)

And now I'm officially STARVING!

Have a great day, everyone.

Carol

(Hi Sandra... yes... see you in DEC at the AS)

There is still a 50 Baht surcharge for getting a taxi from the queue. The AOT has put out a bid for a new company to manage the queue that won't charge the management fee, but that won't be finalized until the end of the year, at best.

i am rarely asked for the 50 B

rhk - that's because you tip so ferociously that even a BKK taxi driver is laid mute.

You laid a mute?

Carol....did not see u today, we have room 631 got ugraded to junior suite, then u have separate huge shower and huge tub...
We are touring tomorrow at 8am with Tong or I think one of her girl Kun, so we will be at the market for breakfast at 7:00am
Hope to see you then
Evelyne

Hi, carol just missed you, passing through BKK from Cambodia on the way to Malaysia. Might be back on Sat.

Since your DH and DS are not with you DON'T forget our date this Thursday!

hey---where is she...??

I'm here. I just typed for about 15 minutes, a nice long report, only to discover that my internet connection dropped off.. (inactivity I guess???) so I can't post what I just wrote!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH Get me back to soi 8!

I'll check in from Adelphi where I can type to my heart's content and not lose my connection in the process.

Breakfast was with Evelyne... lovely!
Hanuman, I'll see you tomorrow for lunch! Looking forward to it.

I'll be back on line once I hit soi 8.

Carol

Carol, how are the rooms at the Adelphi? I'm considering staying there in November. Are the studios big enough or should I go for a deluxe/executive room?

I’ve learned my lesson! This is a ‘Word’ document that I’m going to copy and paste onto my fodors post! Aren’t I the clever one… haha… better than typing for a long time and losing it all because of inactivity on the internet. The good news is, once I get to Adelphi tomorrow morning, that won’t happen again. Plus, I can do internet in my jammies… free… in my apartment! I have to be ‘dressed’ to go into the lounge here at Marriott to make use of my free internet. That’s OK… I‘ll deal with it.
Now, let’s see what I was trying to say for the last two days… before being so rudely ‘dropped’ from my on line connection. After I post this, I will go back and read all the new posts and reply, as needed.
First of all, Maeng and I will go to Samui for 3 nights! Yes!!! She has consented to leaving BKK for that long. I’m very pleased. The bar will be closed Monday and Tuesday as it is a big Thai Buddhist holiday. Many people who work in offices will enjoy a 4-day weekend. Lots of them are travelling. Samui tickets on Bangkok Airways were not cheap, but then, they never are cheap to Samui. I’ve contacted my friend on Samui who owns a resort on Chaweng Beach, and we’re all set. We’re also doing a one-day run to Chiang Mai. That one will be on Thai, on Saturday the 31st, right before I head back home.
Yesterday, that’s Tuesday, I spent about 3 hours at the office, working on the 550 page book project that has been requiring my attention for the past couple of months. There were only very minor things to ‘fix’ and I should see a digital proof on Friday. Hope it looks fantastic. Cross your fingers for me.
Dinner yesterday was at the Pickled Liver. I tried Maeng’s ‘new’ (old recipe) chili. Yum! I can’t explain why her chili is so awesome… it just IS. Dr Jack was AWOL until later in the evening, and by the time he arrived I was gone, as I nearly fell asleep with my face in my chili bowl! I left PL at about 7 and was in my bed at the Marriott, sound asleep, by 8:05! I was really pooped! Too tired to head to the lounge for internet or drink or food.
This morning (now we’re on Wednesday) I had a lovely breakfast with Evelyne and family, here in the buffet. I’m sure they are having a ball today with one of Tong’s guides. I think shopping was a main focus today for them.
Me, I had breakfast, headed to the lounge to post (and lost my long update…see above) and then off to MBK. I wanted to top up my BKK cell phone sim card so that it is good for yet another year. I like keeping my same phone number.
A bit of shopping in the Tokyu department store. Looking for specific clothing items, but did not find what I wanted. I had more success at Paragon though. Maeng and I met up there and then had a Haagen Dazs treat. I needed to hit VASU (32.2 exch rate today) to get some baht for dollars.
Then off to the travel agent to book the trips to Samui and Chiang Mai. I’m really glad Maeng will be joining me, as she needs to get out of town.
Back to the Marriott for a cocktail, canapé, whatever they are offering, in the lounge. I’ll be heading down there shortly. First I’m cooling off in my AC.
I’ve been past the two only ‘real evidence’ of the Red Shirts destruction a couple of times now. Everytime I pass Central World and see the results of the fire, I think that this was truly a horrible thing to have happened. I cannot tell whether re-construction is yet underway, but I’ll be hanuman knows.
The other bit of evidence is a theater which I’ve seen many times from the Siam BTS station (across from Paragon Mall). The theater was destroyed. Again, a horrible result. So sad.
Other than that, Bangkok appears to be back to normal. The skytrain is very busy! I think they are maybe running more trains, as you have to stop along the tracks before Saphan Taksin station to wait while a train coming from the other side of the river is dropping off and picking up passengers. The track at Saphan Taksin is only one way. I wonder if they will have a way to make it two-way at some point?
There is construction at Siam Discovery. I assume they are expanding. I was told that there will be a new shopping/hotel complex next to the parking lot by Central Chidlom department store. There has been a vacant lot there for a very long time. Right now, that lot is occupied by a carnival. There are all sorts of rides for kids. I have yet to see anyone there! My friend at the printing company, whose office window overlooks this vacant lot, says that there is no place to park so that a family could visit the carnival!
Packing up and leaving the Marriott tomorrow after breakfast. Back to soi 8 and my home away from home. Looking forward to visiting Pook and Dang at their home for lunch! And then, Thursday night is quiz night at the Pickled Liver! I can’t miss that! Not that I know all the answers… haha There have been a few ‘fodorites’ teams, but never a winning team. Tomorrow I’m hoping Dr Jack will let me join his team, since I’m a ‘solo fodorite’ unless MichaelBKK and/or vinovino and/or dogster would show up.
Evelyne and family will be meeting Maeng on Friday. We’re going to the PL to eat garlic shrimp, and who knows what else. Maeng will surprise us, I’m sure.
OK. Time to discuss what I like/don’t like about the Marriott, since I leave tomorrow. The resort is, indeed, an oasis in this chaotic city. The shuttle boat ride is quite pleasant. The cold towel (no more bottle of water…) is a welcome relief from the heat. And trust me, Bangkok is hot right now!
I don’t like missing the shuttle boat, since it’s a half hour before the next one. I took a taxi the other day, because I needed to get to the office, and the shuttle had just left. I had the taxi take me to the closest BTS station on the Marriott side of the river. From there, I caught the skytrain and made it into the city just fine.
I wish there was a separate shower in the bathroom. The slant of the sides of the tub is just a bit tricky when standing to shower. I wish the Marriott were only about 5 minutes away from Maeng’s, rather than 45 minutes! This resort is just way too far from Sukhumvit…sorry.
The breakfast buffet gets an A+. The pool gets an A+. The friendliness of the staff gets an A+. My room is very comfortable, the bed is great, and I like the big flat screen TV. I don’t like having to go to the lounge to get my free internet. Yes, you can get on line from your room, but it’ll cost you.
I have not tried the restaurants here at the hotel. I also have not been across the drive into the little mini mall. There has been no time for this. Remember, Bangkok is a city where you can have just ONE thing you MUST do in a day, and NOT get it done!!! (I’m smiling)
I have probably ‘lost’ some of you with this long report. Sorry ‘bout that. For those of you still with me, thanks for coming along. I still have lots to do before heading back home.
Carol

Well, I see that my usual paragraphs did not work very well on that post. Sorry 'bout that.

Re: the Adelphi. mcbg1... are you solo? Do you require a washing machine for keeping up with laundry? I find that the studio is just fine for solo, but me, I keep the washing machine busy just about every other morning, with a load of wash. I travel with only a few outfits, and it is certainly nice to wash them and hang them to dry. The studios do not have the washing machine. The deluxe and executive one bedroom apartments do have the washer. I am always staying in an executive apartment, but this time I'm moving into a deluxe, for at least the next four nights after leaving the Marriott. I'll make up my mind about my last four nights at Adelphi after trying out the deluxe. I may or may not ask to be put back into an executive apartment. We'll see.

But to answer your question, the studio is an adequate size, yes.

I'm having finger foods and a glass of wine in the Marriott lounge. Lovely. Won't need to go out and buy dinner, as there is enough to fill me up right here. I don't like eating a large meal right before bedtime anyway. I'm sure I'll be asleep by 9-10 tonight, as I'm starting to yawn, and it's just 7pm. Jet lag...

Enjoy your day!

See you soon, pook.

Carol

Great post, Carol - lots of good news and info. If you hit the preview button before posting, you can spot things like lost paragraph spacing and correct them before posting. Your post was really not that difficult to read though.

Tell Pook that Craig and Jeane say "Hi".

and give mony, dang and pook hugs from us.....

i agree it would be way nicer if marriott would extend the club internet access to your room....

i can't believe that you have not even walked through the mini-mall... there are a couple of good shops out there...

i very often take taxis to sukhumvit area from the marriott....they use rama III with zooms you quickly over to sukhumvit....the only hang up is usually at the end of asoke where it joins sukhumvit....frequently the traffic is backed up briefly there.... it really depends on what time of day...
but then of course you miss the fantastic ride on the ferry, which we really love....each time we see different stuff along the river, even though we have probably taken that route 500 times...

btw, i am now one nite short of regaining my marriott gold status, and that will be taken care of next month...

Carol, be sure to say hello to Maeng from Leny and I and tell her how much I miss her chili. The Adelphi must feel like going home for you by now, what a great location. PLease say hello to Lars, Pong and Jack for us also. It is hot, sticky and humid back here but I'd rather be hot, sticky and humid there. Have a great time on Samui.

don't need a mag this time in bkk to protect yourself either..

Bob, will Marriott gold status give you complimentary in-room internet? What are the most significant benefits that you look forward to receiving?

Bob if you had stayed at Hyatt that many times you would be a Diamond member already and get real benefits.....

Aloha!

I agree about Hyatt. I rarely stay at Mariotts anymore but found it took forever to get points to make much of a reward. But Hyatt offers lots of deals to their Gold Passport members. Most recently -- for any two stays at ANY level of Hyatt you get one free night at ANY Hyatt world wide. So I made a point of staying at four Hyatt Place hotels (averaging about $79 each) for a night each when I needed a motel, and my reward? Two free nights at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong worth about $425 each!

Then they sent me a platinum membership card for several things, including free internet at Hyatts -- something I've been complaining about on here for a while.

I really think Pook, Dang, and Mony are Bangkok's most friendly and welcoming 'host family'! I hope the 'powers that be' realize what wonderful representatives they are, on behalf of their beautiful country.

I am back just a short time ago from a visit to their beautiful home outside of Bangkok, and a delicious (think really YUMMY) lunch! Dang went out of her way to avoid my strange food allergies in preparing her array of delicious delicacies. Mmmm, mmmmm, mmmm! Now I know why I enjoy Asian food. Ah, the flavors... and it doesn't have to be spicy. Pook, please tell Dang that I truly enjoyed all of it, but was particularly surprised by the unique flavor of the taro/sticky rice/gingko dessert!! Fabulous!

Pook's driver came right at the appointed time, to pick me up at the Adelphi on soi 8 to drive me out to the house. Traffic was moving right along on the trip out of the city, but as is typical of Sukhumvit, it was stop and go once you try to return to the city center, and come down that last exit ramp and join the traffic on Sukhumvit! Job well done by Pook's driver. I was delivered back to my home away from home... I think I dozed off during the ride back into the city. Jetlag can be a real bummer.

Thank you thank you, Pook, Dang, and Mony, for such a pleasant time! It was a great way to spend a part of my day.

I'm definitely going to order a pair of those shoes... you know what I'm talking about, Pook.

Now I need to curl up for about a 2-hour nap so I can be awake for quiz night at the Pickled Liver.

Hi John and Leny. Haven't seen your posts on here for quite a while. I will, indeed, give everyone your best. I know the are all going to ask when you two will be returning to BKK!

Craig, thanks for the nice compliment on my post. I'm glad you thought it was informative.

And now, like I said before... NAP TIME!

Oh, before I forget, happy birthday Pook!! Enjoy your dinner with family tonight.

Carol

It was our pleasure Carol. Nice to see you again and have fun in Samui!

i guess the most valuable gold perks to me are the upgrades in room category and the free internet (not always in your room---sometimes only in the club) and club privledges...

for instance, carol reports that on her current stay at the marriott riverside, they only have offered her free internet in the lounge... i will try to push for in room too when i am there in october...

i also like the late checkout---sometimes they will extend that to 6PM...

i do like the hyatt program too....but, recently they have increased their point requirement for stays quite a bit... they do have tons of add ons, even for non-status guests...

btw, i find that if you are a marriott status guest, the renaissance chain treats you in a superior fashion to the marriott.... the same holds true for le meridien in the sheraton group...

but i am currently finding the sheraton/starwoods program to be the most appealing....with their cash and points deals, you can stay for as little as 1200 pts plus $25 for a single night....i find that many of the thai properties are available for 2800 pts plus $45 which is a steal for the likes of the plaza anthanee in bkk.... even the dreaded ROS is the same...

btw, the hyatt does not have an allied credit card program which makes it harder to earn non-stay points....

How did you do at Quiz Night?

What is Quiz Night?

Thursday nights at Pickled Liver they have a trivia contest.

Great fun.

Jack was AWOL yet again. He missed a fun quiz night. Maeng says he is very busy with treating sick people. I have not seen him yet! I do know, from an email, that the new 'stuff' I brought for him was perfect, and very timely. I'm hoping to see him soon.

I sat at the corner of the bar and gave Nick's team a few answers that they did not otherwise know I left right after the music part of the quiz.. I only knew two songs... pathetic. I was really tired and needed sleep. The good news is, I'm now rested and ready to take on BKK. Maybe I slept so well because I'm back 'home' at Adelphi???

Speaking of Adelphi, I'm back in an executive apartment. The deluxes were all full. I'm on the top floor (penthouse). Great view. I'll get a deluxe apartment after Samui. I've already placed my booking request.

Evelyne, I do so look forward to taking you and your family to the Pickled Liver tonight for dinner. I hope you enjoy your evening at the PL. There are some 'colorful' characters there.. very much like "Cheers" the old TV series. "everybody knows your name" It's just a fun place!

John, you and Gene and Gary would make a good team. You'll have to try it sometime. Last night's quiz master was a Canadian guy. He had theme questions. Tricky!

Today, Platinum Mall. I think I'll taxi there. Looks like rain. We had a big heavy downpour that started last night at about 5:00 and it was still in the left-over sprinkles stage when I left quiz night around 9:45.

Pook, there was a guy named Peter at the PL last night, who was also celebrating his birthday. His cake was carrot cake so I passed on eating any. Maeng had mango and sticky rice for me (that was my dinner last night... That's OK. I wasn't hungry!) This morning I'm ready to shower and tear into the breakfast buffet downstairs. Not nearly as big as the one at the Marriott, but still, enough to fill me up. I like the fruit, yogurt, eggs, etc.

Now, off the eat breakfast and take on BKK. Laundry is done for the time being... I did loads in between napping last night.

I want to go to the basement at Paragon and pick up some delicacies for my fridge. They have some of the best looking foods there. Always fresh!

Carol

You only knew 2 songs?

I woulda known em all.

There was one you would NOT have know. You had to be a Brit to get it. The rest of 'em, yeah, you would have known them.

You'd be surprised.

My husband and I are going to BKK in Jan 2011 and using Marriott points. We are Gold members. I was under the impression that the Marriott Resorts and Spas didn't have an Executive Club that was available to us. It was in their website. simpsonc510, it seems you were able to access "The Club." Is that correct?

Absolutely, a_traveler99...I made full use of "the club" during my visit, as a gold elite member. It is not an enclosed 'room' but rather a nicely appointed 'space' on the lobby floor, that has wooden foldable walls around it.. very Thai style, I'd say. Very comfortable. Casual, but not overly casual. No swim suits or short shorts... I think you would be turned away if not properly dressed. But maybe someone else can comment on that, someone who stays there all the time. This was only my first visit to the M R&S on the river.

Let's hope Bob (rhkkmk) can convince the powers that be to open up free internet to gold members IN THEIR ROOMS as well. That would be fantastic. I love powering up my laptop at 'all hours' and I can do that if I'm in my room, in my jammies, or whatever!

Shopping at Central Chitlom Department Store was really good today. I brought 3 shopping bags full of goodies back to my apartment... all for ME! There are some good sales. Guenmai, if you are following along here, they have sales in the British India department, as well as the Journal department. I love both of those brands.

Am enjoying an iced coffee and caprese salad at Monsoon (the restaurant on the main floor at my Adelphi apartment bldg). Can't recommend it more highly. It looks almost too pretty to eat! The chef here does a great job w/presentation. But the salad itself is really tasty too!

Interesting side note... the daily newspaper delivered to my room at the Marriott was the Nation. Here, I don't get a paper delivered, but I can read both the Nation and the Bangkok Post in the lobby, which I do most days. Bangkok Post today reports that the Thai economy is bouncing back quite nicely. Wonder what hanuman thinks about that headline?

Adelphi is very busy. There was only one empty table at breakfast this morning! All nationalities stay here, and many are families with small children. It is a very family friendly place. The same staff has been at the front desk and the doormen and bellmen, etc. since I started staying here two years ago! They must be doing something right. Not to mention, I'm always praising this place on the internet... (and no, I'm not a paid spokesperson)

I wish it would just rain and get it over with today. The humidity is a killer. It's also pretty hot out there. A nice (monsoon) rain shower might cool it down a bit!

Think I'll head over the Platinum Fashion Mall for a little bit, by taxi. I would usually take the skytrain to Chitlom and walk thru Central World... but since the fire, it is not open... (so sad) and I'd rather not walk past it to get to Platinum!! (my own way of protesting the redshirts' actions?)

More later. Evelyne, still hoping to see you here at 6, for dinner at the Pickled Liver!

Carol

Just finished a fantastic meal at the Pickled Liver with Evelyne and family. I think they all had a really good time, and they thought Maeng's cooking was delicious! It was a mix of Thai and Indian dishes, plus mango (no sticky rice tonight) for dessert. A really fun evening!

(psst... rhkkmk... Bob, just to let you know, Evelyne's husband Joseline (I've probably spelled it wrong) says HE is the happy sexy Buddha. Maeng rubbed his belly for good luck. You have competition!)

I showed Evelyne and family my apartment at Adelphi, just so they can see what a typical serviced apartment has to offer. I think they were pleasantly surprised. More new customers?

We had another heavy rain this afternoon, but it didn't last very long... not like yesterday. It's still pretty sticky outside however. The rain didn't cool things down very much, if at all.

I read in today's Bangkok Post that the Thais are dropping a bunch of old beat up Chinese military tanks into the Gulf of Thailand in order to create new maring/dive sites. It'll be a while before it looks very interesting, unless you divers just want to see some old tanks up close and personal.. haha. I thought it was a pretty clever idea, and a good use for the old tanks, perhaps.

For those of you who stay at the Marriott on the river, a travel agent friend told me that come August, half of the resort will be closed for renovation, for about 3 months The other half will still be open for business. I don't know which half, and I don't know if there will be a noise problem during renovation? The travel agent did say that Benihana will be closed during that period of time, if that is any clue to which 'half' will be renovated.

I passed Central World today, in a taxi, on my way to the Platinum Mall. It would appear that Isetan (the store at the 'other' end of the mall from the big fire) is open for business. Not sure about Centara Grande Hotel, but it just might have re-opened as well. The rest of the mall and hotel complex appears to be closed. I can't tell whether there is renovation going on. It looks like demolition is underway though, behind the big wall.

Tomorrow I'm meeting Maeng at the weekend market. There are a few things on my list (requests from friends at home) so I do have shopping to do. Not quite the same as when I was buying for a small (hobby) vendor space.

I hope you enjoy your day. I'm going to hit the sack in about an hour.

Carol

Thanks for your quick response. Glad to hear about the Marriott Resort and Spas. We are planning on spending 5 nights in BKK. Then heading to Chaing Mai and Phuket. Right now we have reservations at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel. Sounds like maybe I should change it. Does anyone know what location is best?

If you are a first-timer to Bangkok, you should stay on the river, as it is an oasis in this crazy (but fabulous) city. If you are here to shop, then I'd stick with the Renaissance. I looked at that property for this current stay, but opted to try the Marriott on the river, and then move back to soi 8, my home away from home. I have stayed in this same serviced apartment building for over 2 years now. That's at least 8 trips to BKK, and maybe more than that, at Adelphi Suites.

Ratchaprasong area is the big shopping complex area. You will be close to Paragon Mall, Gaysorn Plaza, Central Chitlom Department store (my fave), as well as Amarin Plaza for Thai handicrafts, and then just a short walk past Paragon Mall is Siam Center/Siam Discovery and then MBK. Everyone has to 'experience' MBK when they come to BKK.

From the river, to get to the shopping, you simply take the shuttle boat to the Taksin pier, and then take the skytrain to the SIAM station. It is connected to Paragon Mall.

Carol,

Yes the Centara has reopen for a while now but I'm not too sure about the mall at Central World. Last I heard was that they are still closed but they rushing to reopen part of it.

Thai economy? The manufacturing and export sector are doing well but the tourism industry, apart from Thai Airways, is stil in trouble. Chiang Mai's hotels are operating at 10% occupancy but Bangkok and Phuket are doing better.

Dang and Mony spent a couple of hours at MBK yesterday "decorating" their phones!

Enjoy the long weekend Carol and don't forget that Monday is a Buddhist holiday here in Thailand and most company are closed for Tuesday as well.

Pook, Are you heading to Hua Hin for the holiday? Maeng and I will fly to Samui very early Monday morning and stay until late Thursday afternoon. Looking forward to the trip!

I'm heading out to Chatuchak in a half hour or so. I might run into Evelyne and crew, as they are also going about the same time.

Picking up a few things on folks's want-lists from home. Small items, basically, that won't take up much space in my suitcases at all. Wish I could post a link to the wooden watches. Sooooo colorful and unique!

Brad's frogs arrived. He just needs to arrange w/his customer to make delivery, and then he'll be flying over to BKK. I hope he is here when Maeng and I get back from Samui, but we don't know just yet.

Pook... How does one spend the day at MBK (THAT, I can understand) decorating their phones (now that one stumps me)??? I made a quick trip to the 4th floor to extend my BKK phone number for another year, at DTac. That took about 10 minutes. Then I left the 4th floor!

Forgot to mention that I hopped into a (dreaded by some here) tuk-tuk to get from Platinum Mall to MBK shortly after yesterday's rain shower. It's always a thrilling ride. Now, you will never (I repeat, NEVER) get me on another motorcycle taxi after my a year or two ago, in rush hour traffic, on one of BKK's busiest streets, trying to make a 6:00 'appointment' w/Dr Jack. Now THAT is a dangerous ride!!!

Carol

Carol,

They put costume jewellery to the casing of their phones. Nice looking but time consuming and you can see people line up to have their phones done.

Yes just about to get in the car and start the drive to HH. Should be there by lunch time!

Thank you so much Carol and Maeng for a fantastic evening, the food was great, the best we had since we arrive, we are definitely thinking of going back sunday night for supper, before you guys go to samui.
Just checking in at the JW Marriott, very nice room but not as big as the one at the Resort and Spa. Hope to see u again on sunday night carol

I would certainly consider going back on Sunday night for dinner at the Pickled Liver. I will try to be there by about 6:00-6:30. Is that a good time for all of you?

I hope you had good shopping, or was it just a look around, today at Chatuchak. I thought it was really hot out there today!! I will go back again. Not sure if it will be tomorrow. We'll see.

I hope you enjoy Kinnaree tonight! And then are you off to Sky bar for a cocktail?

See you at PL tomorrow night, then!

Carol

Just had the pleasure of meeting vinovino this evening. I was in my jammies (stuffed with Via Vai pizza) and my phone rang. It was Maeng. Vinovino had just walked into the bar, and didn't I want to come over and surprise him. So off I went.

Vinovino was eating Maeng's garlic shrimp and enjoying it. I recommended he try the American style chili sometime soon, as it's still my most favorite.

We talked about travel, and hotels, and restaurants. Seems vinovino is also impressed with the same French restaurant that DS and DH loved loved loved. Indigo is the name. It is down in the Silom area, near soi Convent. I hope to try it sometime.

After some pleasant conversation, we parted company, but with the hopes of catching up in Bangkok again sometime in the future! Sounds like vinovino is busy travelling S E Asia a lot these days. Good for him!!

It's always fun to run into another Fodorite!

Indigo is one of the best resaurants in Bangkok. If I get there before you leave we should try it.

Yes, it was a lovely time at the Pickled Liver last night. The food was great, as usual. So nice to finally meet Carol. She is full of energy and a true BKK expert. We even discussed ways to make some money in BKK, and not just spent it

Success at Chatuchak today. I finally found what I was calling 'wooden watches' at a small shop today, so bought a good selction of them. They are really made of coconut shell. Someone came to this same vendor and ordered a big bunch of them for Hawaii, so our HNL fodorites will be seeing them, probably at the International Market Place, one of these days. So colorful! So unique!

Vinovino, if you care to come back to the PL tonight, I will be there with Canadians... Evelyne and her family. There is always room for one (two) more at our table at the PL.

Carol

Dr Jack just might show up tonight as well! I talked with him on the phone about 2 hours ago. He says he will 'try' but he has been very busy. It's not like me to be in BKK for nearly a week, and not yet to have seen Dr Jack; but such is the case this time. I hope he can come and join in dinner and interesting conversation, as always. (it's fodorites... would you expect anything less than interesting conversation???)

Dr Jack showed up. Vinovino did not. We all had a great meal. Evelyne said that Maeng's cooking was better than at Kinnaree! Wow!

3:00am wake-up call (ugh) and 4:00 to the airport for a very early fligh to Samui on Bangkok Airways.

Enjoying your report, Carol, even if I'm not going to make it to Bangkok myself this year.

Maeng and I are having breakfast, right by the beach, having checked into our Samui hotel around 7:45am. It is overcast and there is a great breeze blowing. It rained right before we got here.

Seascape is basic, but clean, and right on the beach.

More later.

Sorry, I missed the dinner.Good intentions and all.

I blame it on some rowdy buddies - started me drinking early, way before the sun went down, on an empty stomach no less. Bad idea. Real bad idea. Had another since somebody else was paying, and then another, and another, until....here it comes....the next thing I know, we were watching a "special show" at some less than respectable dive!

Awake in the full light of day, I am so so ashamed and full of deep, deep remore

That should be "remorse" - darn hangover!

Thanks again Carol, Maeng another great meal and that sticky rice and mango..... to die for, we walked back to the hotel but had to stop for another massage....love those massages, Vinovino you missed a nice evening....
Have a great time in samui

Dog in BKK tomorrow. Dunno how long - or where yet.

Looking forward to updates from Carol and the Dogster himself.

Dogster... the least you can do is hang around BKK until the weekend! Not possible to just blow in for a day, I don't think!

We had a walk all the way down Chaweng Beach today, from Seascape (by Poppies) all the way past the Chaweng Regent. That was quite a walk! We stopped a few times to look at the wares in some shops. Then, there was the Haagen Dazs (there are actually two of them at Chaweng) we stopped at the one nearest to Seascape, but still a good 20 minute walk from the resort. We took a songtau back to our hotel. It was overcast, not too sticky hot, and only a sprinkle once, while we were out walking. Not complaining about the weather! Neither of us is here for the sun anyway!

Had dinner with the co-owner of our hotel (who happens to be a friend) and his wife. We went to a great seafood place at Bangpo Beach (past BoPhut from Chaweng). The place is called Jun Hom Seafood. It is my friend's favorite seafood restaurant on this part of the island. It was really tasty... but a slight bit of adventure, as I bit into a hot chili pepper, accidentally. My mouth was burning for a while after that!

We had shrimp cakes, som tum (papaya salad), deep fried fish with cumin, raw shrimp in seafood dressing (the dressing cooks the shrimp so it's edible... I didn't try it), crispy shrimp with tamarin sauce, bar bq squid, veggies and a dipping sauce of shrimp paste and chilis, salted chicken ... a very nice assortment of food. Samui food is different than Bangkok food (says Maeng) as it is a southern style of preparation. Maeng is trying to explain all this food stuff to me... she should teach cooking!

Tomorrow, a ride around the island, for about 4 hours, with a car and driver. The cost is expected to be about 1200bt. Not too expensive. We have both been to many of the tourist attractions, so we will ask the driver to stop at other sorts of places, like local markets and shops of interest.

Evelyne, hope you guys enjoy Hua Hin! And I hope your day with Tong was a lot of fun.

Carol

Almost forgot! I meant to say that at BKK airport this morning, I took note of the madhouse long long lines at the Air Asia counter. Best to arrive at least 2-3 hours before a flight, as you could be standing in a long line for quite a while! They must be offering some great deals on flights. No other counter was quite that busy (but this was at 5am). I think I'd almost prefer to pay for a higher price ticket with another airline and avoid the madhouse at check in!!! Crazy!!

You should have Brian recommend one of the local seafood restaurants.

Samui has seafood dishes that you can't get in Bangkok, and Brian knows the best places.

This particular one is Brian's favorite. You've been there with him.

See you Friday night at PL!!!

Dog might bark there too. What time?

Warning. Today is the Buddhist lent day - no alcohol will be serve, supposedly! You might find some place that will serve you a drink disguised in a coffee cup...

Dogster, Brad will be getting there about 12:30am, as he will be arriving from ORD/NRT at about 11:00pm. I'm having dinner with Dr Jack and will be at Pickled Liver sometime afterwards, maybe 10ish. Hope I can stay awake! In any case, hope to see you there, if you are around at that time.

Maeng and I had a good day today. We got a driver to take us around the eastern half of Samui for four hours for 1200 baht. We went to see the Happy Buddha (better than the Big Buddha, which is such a popular attraction!!!) which is located way up in the northeastern 'point' of Samui. More to see there than at Big Buddha. The driver made a stop at Big Buddha, but we did not look for very long, as we had both been there before. We also saw the Mummy Monk (which has been changed to quite the attraction since I was there in 2002), and Grandfather/Grandmother rock(s), and a couple of places with fantastic views of Chaweng Beach.

After a short rest, we then walked back down to Haagen-Dazs for ice cream! It's a long hike there... and then we walked all the way back! We are getting our exercise!

A bit of rest, then a shower, and then off to dinner on the beach. We walked (yet again) down the beach road to a place called Naam Jim Rim Talay, where we had a great beachside table with a view of lucky balloons being launched, and a few bottle rocket type fireworks being lit. Dinner was Thai food and it was quite good! We had papaya salad, crispy garlic shrimp, pad Thai, and a glass noodles with mince pork that was Thai spicy (so I didn't try that one). The meal was very reasonably priced.

I recalled the last time I was on Samui and we ate at fancy places all 3/4 nights. Not necessary at all!!! You can get a great meal with a super view for a whole lot less than we paid at The Cliff, Poppie's, and The Library!

We have arranged for an all-day boat tour tomorrow, to the National Park islands. Hope the weather is as nice as it was this evening at dinner!

Carol

See you at the PL on Friday night.

Call me when you get the chance.

sounds like fun

I just have one question.

Will the Pickled Liver have time to restock their liquor after you guys finish and before I get there the end of August?

Deoends on what you drink?

i'll have what brad(hiccup) is drinking.

We call that drink "The Brad" pronounced locally "The Blad" - one shot of snake blood mixed with scorpion venom followed by 100mg of viagra for kuranosuke!

would the PL be a good place for a GTG???

Is PL a restaurant? Where is this located?
At the beginning I thought PL is the name of the area where Maeng lives (not sure where I got the idea that Maeng has cooked for Carol at the PL before) LOL

PL sounds like a must-try :-0

Its a pub the "Pickled Liver" that Maeng runs/owns (i think)

it is a bar that also serves food...

it is on soi 11 sukhumvit i believe

http://www.thepickledliver.com/

Maeng is manager of the Pickled Liver and she also cooks.

If you plan a special dinner, she will go to the market and buy everything fresh. Then she will prepare and cook it just for you. Some items are seasonal.

When she cooks for us it is the best Thai food I've ever had.

where is she??

Right now she is on Samui with the OP.

They are very good friends.

Good to see you guys are keeping this thread alive. I was not able to get back online until now. Last night we have really heavy rain. Maybe that caused the internet to go crazy?

The boat trip was very long. The weather was sunny and hot. Maeng and I are not swimmers or sunbathers. What we really wanted was a nice boat trip to view some of the islands off shore. What we got was a 2 to 2 1/2 hour boat trip to the National Park (Angthong Island) that made three stops. The first stop was to drop off kayakers only, so they could get in their boats and kayak around a bit, and meet us in another location.

The second stop was at a nice beach, where there were steep steps up to a 'nice view' which many people were climbing. It was a narrow, steep, winding, (think workout) ascent to what, I don't know. Lots of people, very crowded. Maeng and I started up the steps, got about halfway, and decided this was a ridiculous attempt just to get a view!!! We came back 'down' and then found a couple of chairs to sit on, in a shady people-watching spot.

Lunch was on the boat right after this stop. The kayakers met up with us here, and a second group of kayakers was set on their way after lunch.

The third stop was for snorkeling, and to pick up the second bunch of kayakers, who came to the boat right on time. The snorkelers kept snorkeling for about an extra half hour, which made us quite a bit later than the schedule on the brochure. To make a long story short, we did not get back to BoPhut pier early enough to have dinner with friends (the guy who owns the resort, and his girlfriend). Drat!

I was disappointed that they did not follow the schedule as promoted on the brochure. I was disappointed that Maeng and I did not just hire our own speedboat (like we did in Krabi) to take us where WE wanted to go... no swimming, no snorkeling, no kayaking, just a nice ride out to see the islands.

The bathroom on the boat was pretty disgusting. I used it only once... that was quite enough, thank you. There were no toilet facilities at BoPhut pier when we got ashore. It was a bit of a wait to get back to Seascape to 'let loose' if you get my drift!

Today we fly back to Bangkok. Frankly, I'm ready. Samui is getting too crazy for me. At least, Chaweng Beach is too crazy. Lamai and Bophut looked pretty crazy as well. But last night was the full moon party, so maybe it has just been a gathering of crazy people, just waiting to attend their crazy party.

Anyway, another four-hour 'tour' with the same driver we had the day before yesterday. This time we want to go to the towns on the west side of the island before going back to the airport at about 4:00.

OK, I see you've been discussing the PL. Yes, Bob, it would be a really good place for a GTG. As I have said before, it is much like "Cheers" bar, from the TV show. There is an interesting 'cast' of regulars, and the food, cooked by Maeng, is absolutely the best Thai you'll get.

Time for breakfast now, and then packing and our tour.

Gotta run.

Carol

Carol & Brad,

How about a Sunday GTG? Detail in email sent.

Sounds OK with me.

Great Brad & Carol confirmed. Dogster are you interested? evelyne13? vinovino? Michaelbkk? Anybody else?

I'll send an email out to those the email address.

Opps meant to say "I'll send an email to those taht I have the emails information".

Carol,

If you get this message in time, ask your driver to take you up through the centre of the Island. There are some magnificent places in the mountains with some great places to eat that offer incredible views. This is a part of Samui that many people miss. There is a place called the Secret garden which is quite unique. Just avoid all the 4 wheel drive trucks on their "Jungle Tours"

We are in HuaHin until monday,won't be able to make it

Shane, wish I would have seen your message. I would have enjoyed a trip thru the middle of the island. I saw the places you mentioned on my Samui map. We stuck to the west coast area today, pretty much.

Hanuman, Sunday should be Ok. I think I vote for dim sum. It's something I've never tried before, I don't think. I hear about it all the time!

Evelyne, I hope you enjoy Hua Hin. I have only been once, and it was for only a very short time (one day visit) so I cannot give much help as far as dining and/or shopping.

I'm back in BKK now. We left Samui about 6:10pm today, which was over a half hour late (rain delay). We enjoyed visiting Ban Taling Gnam resort for coffee and snack (and photo ops) on our island drive today. We also stopped to walk around the main shopping area of Nathon. Maeng bought some tiny little dried fish (two bags...two different kinds) and some dried squid. Strange looking to me, but she said the staff would enjoy them back at PL.

We got back into Bangkok and I made my way to Adelphi after dropping Maeng at PL. I'm checked into a 'deluxe' apartment this time, rather than my usual 'executive' apartment. The deluxe is actually quite a bit smaller. Not too much bigger than a studio! I really prefer my executive apartment, but I shall stay put. No problem.

The PL was having quiz night tonight, so I headed on over to see what was going on. I didn't join any team. I was too late for the Q & A part. They were finishing the music part of the quiz, and then there were two pages of picture questions.

I had some of Maeng's chili and said hello to Dr Jack and a couple of other people who were there that I know. Back to Adelphi to get settled in and then get some sleep!!!

More tomorrow... a very busy day! Hope I can get everything accomplished that I need to!

Carol

i am sure pook has a favorite dim sum place, but we love the liu rest. on the 3rd floor of the conrad hotel (lunch)..... also the limited dim sum offerings at the peninsula's chinese restaurant are really unique and delicious...

I'm sure the Pullman will be good. Looking forward to it.

Dogster, are you still around? Wondering if you'll be at the PL tonight. They have live music, which I'm not too crazy about... may have to just sit outside for a while. But that means I can't talk with Maeng at the bar.

Last minute things to do today. Busy schedule, but as of 3:30, most of it is done! It's really hot and sticky out there today. If I did not have so much to accomplish, I'd be chilling out in the air con in my apartment! If I were a swimmer, I'd be dipping into the pool, for sure.

DS arrives tonight! Chiang Mai day trip tomorrow! More busy time ahead.

Sunday will hopefully be a day of much more calming activities! Packing Sunday night, heading home Monday. My two weeks have flown by... don't they always!!

Gawd, Carol - you sure keep busy. Yup, I'm around but I dunno about the PL tonight. Live music and you're not arriving till 10 p.m... the Dog gets tired early these days. I'll see you on Sunday dim sum if all fails.

Thank you for clarifying the PL and Maeng as the manager/master chef...the idea of special dinner is something we'd be interested, but how do we plan for this?

The dimsum gathering sounds good...I wish the GTG happens in Jan instead

Dawg, it looks like Brad's flt will be arriving about an hour early, according to United's web site (about 10:15 instead of 11:15ish). I'm getting sleepy myself, but I am determined to be at the PL.. probably by about 10:45. I hope the music isn't too loud!

Dim Sum on Sunday would be great! Hope to see you there.

Carol

karen wants to make sure that you try the "dessert" dim sum which are white puffy clouds with sweet egg custard in it....they also have them with a lovely bbq pork in them.... they are larger than a silver dollar....

i can't think of any that you would not like except any with raw veggies (carrot) in them....

so how did you like dim sum??

Bob it's Saturday today and our dim sum GTG is set for Sunday lunch. Now that Dang has found out that it's Carol first dim sum meal she's trying to search for a better place!

If anybody else is in town and would like to join in the GTG please let me know on this thread - with Carol's permission of course.

...and mine. The dim sum virgin will not be sitting alone at the table. Any additional guests will have to gain the Dogster seal of approval.

"dim sum virgin" another perfect nickname for Carol!

i still like the liu rest. for dim sum the best in bkk....i have also had it at pan pacific and peninsula

i'm sure there are many other places...

i forgot it was to be a sunday meeting...

My head is still spinning from our whirlwind trip to Chiang Mai today. We flew out at 7:45 this morning, so we arrived in CM about 9am. We flew back to BKK at 5:15pm. So we had roughly 8 hours (really 7 hours, because we had to be back at the CM airport for check in about 4pm.

We didn't discover any 'new' shopping places today, as we were more or less on a mission. There were about 5 things that had to get done. They were mainly in three locations. No Bosang Market today. That wasn't in the plan. No visit to the 'animal bag' store. That wasn't in the plan either. No stopping at the CM Airport Plaza Mall, as there was no time for that either.

Our day was spent at our friend, Tim's (a she), shipping company, Bantawai (Hangdong Market) and the frog factory, plus the food market that Maeng loves to visit, to get food items that are not available in Bangkok, for the staff and patrons at the Pickled Liver.

Breakfast this morning was in the Thai lounge and on the plane. Lunch was in Tim's office. Maeng had bought two chickens, sticky rice, crispy pork, pork satay, cucumber salad, plus peanut sauce and another sauce that looked too spicy for me, so I didn't try it. Everything tasted soooo good. It all came from the fresh market in CM. It was a really lovely lunch. Dinner wasn't really necessary tonight, as I just ate my snack box from the Thai flt back to BKK! I'm full.

Now, tonight I need to start my packing routine. I will check three bags (yes, again) for the trip home. I need to systematically adjust the weight in each bag so that one isn't too heavy! Bob, this is the only 'travel planning' I do!!! haha

I'll check in tomorrow after dim sum. Dogster, so glad you are going to join us!!! That's great!!!

Now, go out and enjoy your day!

Carol

after "the wedding" today i will check in and see how the dim sum was.... i'm sure you will love it..

Yeah, I saw on CNN about 'the wedding.' Did you get an invite, Bob? Surely they remembered to put your name on the guest list.

A rather busy 'last day' in Bangkok, but not nearly as hectic as CM yesterday.

Looking forward to dim sum at the Banyan Tree with hanuman and dogster.

I HAVE HAD THE DS at banyon tree several years ago....i had forgotten about that.....it was good and the view was of course fabulous......go on up to vertigo and take a look....remember i prefer it to sky bar....more comfortable more room...friendlier staff

I have just returned to soi 8 from the Banyan Tree, and my first dim sum experience, and I give it a thumbs UP UP UP!! It was great! I think my favorite dishes were probably the Peking duck and the salmon, but everything I tried was really excellent. I can no longer be called the dim sum virgin! Everyone's guidance was much appreciated. I can't begin to tell you everything I ate! And yes, Bob, the view was really nice. We did not venture on up to Vertigo (been there, done that) but I can understand why you enjoy this place. (I still prefer sky bar)

Nice to see Pook, Dang, and Mony again; and dogster, or was it your impersonator again, was also in attendance, as was my DS. And thank you, Pook, you really did not have to treat! We had a great time, a great meal, and of course lots of talk about Bangkok and Asia travel in general. I think a trip to Kathmandu might be in the not-too-distant future. Sounds really exotic! With the dog as our guide, what could be better?

Dogster said "what happens at dim sum stays at dim sum" so I won't tell everything we talked about! Let's just say, a small town mid-western girl had her eyes opened a bit! lol

I have some last minute shopping to finish up. It's after 3:15 so I won't be heading to the weekend market, just down to MBK area. My 3rd bag isn't full yet... hahaha!

Hope to see dogster at the PL around 5:30-6:00. DS may or may not be playing in a pool tournament that just got started. I dropped him off at the tournament venue on the way back to soi 8. We'll see if he ends up at Maengs in a little while.

I don't think I'll be needing supper tonight. Dim sum lunch was enough to keep my going for quite some time. IF I get the urge to eat, I think a 'final' caprese sald might be just the right ending to two fun weeks in BKK.

Carol

Carol I just loved Huahin and the Marriott is fine, I was afraid a bit from some negative comments on trip advisor but for a beach resort it is great. Buffet breakfast is fine and we eat supper at the night market seafood place, u pick your shrimps or fish and they grill it for u to perfection, going back tonight (last night), have a safe return home.

I don't think I'll make it to the PL tonight. I have been diverted by secret affairs.

Carol..glad you liked Dim sum. It is a nice way to get to try a lot of different tastes. Good luck with your final shopping and safe trip home.

Final shopping is done. Everything fits in my 3 bags (all of which are stuffed full). Now for a little bit of probably restless sleep... don't want to miss the alarm or wake up call. I tend to keep opening my eyes and checking the clock!

Dogster, do try to get together with Brad sometime while the two of you are here at the same time. Don't let a 'Brad's tour of Bangkok' go to waste! On the other hand, I think a 'dogster's tour of Bangkok' would be pretty tough to top!!!

I'll catch up with everyone on the way home. I have to report on the ANA 1st class lounge in NRT, if you recall. Plus, DS says the newly configured 747 1st class is really fantastic. Can't wait!

Carol

don't tell us about the 1st class as most of us much prefer coach class

When I walked in the door at the Thai first class lounge, I was asked if I wanted something to drink. I requested a cup of coffee. I was asked if I wanted to sit in my own 'room' or out in the open lounge. I've opted for my own 'room', which is like a nice livingroom complete with sofa, chairs, table, big screen TV, desk... electricity for my laptop.

When my coffee was delivered, I was asked if I wanted some breakfast. When I said 'yes' the hostess said she would bring me the menu. (MENU)... I ordered cereal and fruit. But you could have eggs, breads, some other menu items that I did not know what it was....

The menu goes on for about 6 pages. Sandwiches. Snacks. Breakfast items. Soups. Salads. On and on.

This is quite a treat! I'm sure there are fabulous showers here, but I have not found them yet (don't need a shower just yet... just had one).

I'll go eat my breakfast now, watch the news, and then come back here. I've allowed myself at least an hour in this lounge this time around.

It's fantastic!!!

Carol

First Class lounges are just great, aren't they? I don't get to use them nearly often enough!

you have it all wrong ladies.....the coach class lounge with heavy smoke, body odors and water converted from god knows what is where it is best.... we would not trade for the 240,000 miles it takes to visit that lounge

bon voyage

rhkkmk, when you reach a certain status level in life and at UA you don't need miles anymore.....just SWU's,lol

Aloha!

besides she's probably got a gazillion miles stored up anyways....all 1-K ers do,lol

Aloha!

true.... if the clinton wedding wasn't enough this weekend, now our very own carol is travelling in first class with a wig...

IMO the hairstyle is a shorter version of Sarah Palin's.

i'm sure carol would see that as a compliment....

Guys, guys, guys (and gals) thank you for carrying on in my short absence. I only have 15 minutes in the ANA first class lounge, as we circled above NRT for a l-o-n-g time, and then I had to run to my connecting gate within a 15 minute timeframe. Thank goodness I was in the fast track thru immigration/passport/security.

Got to the gate, expecting to walk right onto the plane (only a chance for toilet stop), but we are delayed for 15 minutes due to the late arrival of my 882 from BKK. (late?.. NRT made us LATE...we left BKK on time)

Anyway, this lounge is not nearly so impressive as the Thai lounge at BKK! No comparison. And there is no time for a shower, so I can't tell you about the facilities. Barely have time to log one, drink one fast cup of coffee, and get out of here! Thank goodness, we leave from gate 45, which is right down at the bottom of the escalator from this lounge. If it were not for the location, I would not be sitting up here right now. Close .... very close.... to my gate is quite necessary this time around.

Service with a polite smile. Welcome... a cold wet cloth, and 'what would you like to drink'...

That's all there is time for.

Forgot.. the TV in the Thai lounge swivels, so I could move it w/remote control to any comfortable position, depending upon which chair or sofa or desk I had selected for seating. COOL!!!

Bob, I know you love the 'main lounge' area the best. To each his/her own. I'll take this one, frankly.

See you in when I get home, in about 16 hours.

Carol

(yes, that's a compliment... about the hair)

Glad to hear that the lounges were such a great experience. AF at Kennedy was really a let down, let's see what the Paris one is like. Leave for Sweden in 3 hours to attend our family royal wedding

I love traveling business or first class, a life style that it is very easy to get used to.
Bon Voyage Carol

I'm home! It took three hours to make the drive from OHare. I was really getting sleepy the last 35 miles or so. I slept pretty good on my flt home, but I'm sure I'll be jetlagged for a while.

Anyway, home to my own bed, and pizza and wine for dinner!

go easy on that wine.....the boys will have it in for your tomorrow after being gone for 2 weeks...

Welcome home, Carol!

Just doesn't sound like you had ANY time to relax at the ANA lounge but glad it was convenient...

Welcome home - Jeane and I look forward to seeing you in October.

Your luck is almost as bad as mine Carol. The last time I was in that lounge I was suffering from the leftover effects of food poisoning. As you saw you didn't miss out on much unless you are into noodles. Welcome home and see you soon!

Aloha!

Glad you made it home safe. All is good here except for the usual delays with this printing project. Nothing a longer stay can't fix.