50th Anniversary trip
 

Off to Bangkok this PM for 2 weeks via JFK. Giving Qatar Air a first try---fantastic 2 for 1 offer.

Week before last we spent in Panama with our family in a fantastic rental house (mansion). All 11 of us were very comfortable. The pool hardly found a minute with no waves as the teens kept it really busy. We were on a large piece of property so the kids could make as much noise as they wanted to, and they did. Some golfed, others rode horses on the beach, the teen boys rented a wave runner, the women and some husbands went to the spa at the nearby JW Marriott. Our cook kept us well fed with panama foods, and lots of vodka, rum and wines were enjoyed. This was the family celebration.

Now Karen and I will enjoy a more sedate celebration in Bangkok first, then Hua Hin (at the new Marriott) and finally back in Bangkok for several days at the Peninsula for our actual anniversary on Dec. 18.

We awoke to our first snow of the year today, but don't expect that it will present any problem--a few inches at best.

We have no schedule planned for the trip so it should be totally relaxing. We return home on Dec. 20th just in time for some Christmas cheer.

Speaking of which we offer all of our Fodors friends a most Merry Christmas and/or other year end holidays celebrated, and a most HAPPY NEW YEAR.

There will be no trip report, just some ramblings here from time to time, mostly about food and any new discoveries.

Bob

Have fun Bob and Karen! And keep the 50th anniversary celebration going. Happy, happy, as you would say. Looking forward to seeing you both in NYC between Christmas and New Years.

Congratulations on the anniversary.

Have a great trip, and Happy New Year to both of you.

Many congratulations to you both. Have a great time in Bangkok.

Congrats to you and Karen! I'm glad the Panama house worked out so well.

We also awoke to snow this morning - a rarity in Seattle. The snow is gone now, but we may see some on and off all day.

Enjoy your anniversary celebration in Bangkok!

Congrats! MC & HNY!

Great to "see" you here again and know you are happy to be back in Thailand. The Panama trip sounds perfect for celebrating your 50th. Happy Anniversary!

I hope you will post lots of ramblings and new and revisited discoveries. Your posts help me visualize being in the country I love!

Happy 50th!!!

Seasons Greetings to you and Karen. Sounds like a relaxing time which is what you two need after this fun filled last month actually the whole year lol.

We are used to your ramblings Bob so please ramble on here for your loyal fodor followers. I await your every crumb thrown our way :)

BTW Linda says tell to Karen " make sure you get a lot of spa time in haha".

Have fun you guys and give our love to Pook, Dang and Mony.

Aloha!

Fifty years--what milestone!! Congratulations, M.r and Mrs. Rhkkmk.
How nice that you had your multigenerational trip and now have "couples"time back where it all began...just the two of you.
No doubt "lots of vodka, rum and wine" in Panama kept you in a rambling there. May you happily ramble on through your next trip!

Happy 50th anniversary, Bob and Karen! Have a wonderful time in Thailand. I know you'll find some new interesting places to visit while you're there.

Happy 50th anniversary Karen & Bob. What a wonderful way to celebrate this milestone. Wishing you both many more happy years together.

Interested to hear about your thoughts on Qutar Airlines. And, of course, Happy 50th.

Oh, joy -- I have just happily rejoined Fodor's forum after a three year hiatus (marked by too much work and not enough fun, etc.) and what could be better than finding these trip plans and a thread from so many of the people who taught us how to travel in Asia.

Warm congratulations, Bob and Karen. May your celebration of your 50th be everything that you are hoping it will be. I hope that you post more than you suggest you will. Please "ramble" so that we may ramble along with you.

In the summer of 2014, we spent an idyllic week at the Bangkok Penn (with value rates not to be matched in high season). Lovely to start the day with that fabulous breakfast on the terrace over 3 newspapers.

Planning to go back to BKK in January for my husband's landmark birthday and our round-number wedding anniversary (less impressive than your 50 years though) so we will be following you and Karen from Logan. We are looking at the Penn and wondering whether to return or try something new. The MO is too pricey and I seem to remember that Kathie soured on the ROS after a good long run. Wondering about the S'la (Krungthep?) or back to the Penn or what.

Best wishes for wonderful travels. I need to start catching up on everyone's TRs and comments. Wow, Fodorites never stand still -- especially you two.

Happy Anniversary!

Maryalice (Marya_ beginning in 2004 but I had to re-register in a new name in order to update my email address appropriately)

Happy anniversary to both of you! 50 years! Wow! And how wonderful that you are both doing what you love to do, both with your family in Panama and with each other! Enjoy your "sedate" anniversary trip to BKK!

MA?.. lots of new bkk hotels in the last few years. Anantara riverside remains our fav along with the penn... sh-la is just toooo big.

So we tried Qatar and I think we liked it quite well. Best airline dinner I have ever had--a few small pieces of chicken in an intense tomato sauce with rice, raisins, etc.

Their Doha airport is weird.... I would guess it is a work in progress-- we were parked at a bus gate---annoying. Airlines really doesn't compare to Emerites, but then generally the fares are cheaper. Excellent young staff, multi-national.

35 minutes from airplane door to our taxi... little or no traffic into city.

Renaissance Hotel, with all the Marriott platinum upgrades. 3 nights here then a move to Hua Hin.

The city seems a bit somber and less lit up. Lots of billboards written in black commentating the King's passing, as well as memorial pics of him.

Great to be back in Bkk.

Bob, I'm interested in your observations of Bangkok in mourning for the King.

While waiting for Bob to weigh in on mourning customs and rituals in observable Bangkok and Hua Hin, a minor note on the surprising US-Thai connection the King represented.

Tribute flowers continue to be left at the King Bhimibol Aduljadeh Square here in Cambridge, Massachusetts, located close to his birthplace. Does everyone know that the King was born here in Cambridge at Mt. Auburn Hospital? The monument is a pilgrimage site.

So, to put it a bit whimsically, the world's longest reigning monarch was born here at the site of the American Revolution.

MaryAlice, Mt.Auburn Hospital, who ever would have guessed that!
Congratulations Karen and Bob on your Golden Anniversary.

Fitful night's sleep. Great breakfast in the club.

Taxi to river city shopping car which continues to be much improved. K had a full oil massage for an hour and I had a leg and shoulder message... both fantastic.
We visited with our friend Penny at JS Thai silk across from the massage place but ordered nothing.

The ride at 10 AM was a breeze. It was almost like a holiday, no traffic. The city seems a bit somber and bleak. Lots of black and white clothing still in existence as a tribute to the late king. No longer a requirement however. We saw a farang tour at river city and their bright clothes looked oddly out of place. Kathie, the people still seems sad and are perhaps apprehensive about the future.

We took another taxi to sukhumvit soi 93 to the Jim Thompson outlet. Tomorrow their warehouse sale starts at BITEC so the offerings at the outlet were slim. We had a nice lunch in their cafe and K bought two lengths of cotton cloth to have pj pants made. A couple of small gifts for Xmas were also bought. We are going out to the warehouse sale tomorrow--- perhaps just out of curiosity.

We did experience the usual heavy traffic from soi 93 back to our hotel-- about 45 minutes--- 145 B-- about $4.

No plans for the rest of the day.

I hope you find plenty of things to buy at the JT warehouse sale.

Are there more shops open in River city? It felt like a ghost town a year ago.

Yes tons more shops incl a huge one on the ground floor near the old exihibitation space.

Even a veteran bkk goer gets ripped off: our taxi asked for flat fee of 400B for ride to BITEC today and I agreed as he would pay highway toll too. DUH-- 150 B on the return in heavy traffic..

Bought only a few items--- interestingly K feels prices are the same at the outlet, only they have way less to choose from.

Dinner was in the hotel last night... simple satay gai for me and Caesar salad for K.

Tonight it may be Italian at L'Opera on soi 23 ?

Tomorrow at 11 a car will come for us and deliver us to the new Marriott in Hua Hin. I need to make up Carol's bed for her arrival shortly.


Benita--we keep saying "benita will like this... B will like that" as we drive by places...

It's soi 39, my mistake....it is fabulous

That is interesting that the sale at BITEC isn't better than the outlet. I've always been disappointed that we haven't been in Bangkok for the sale. Now I don't need to be disappointed.

We have never eaten at L'Opera in Bangkok, but did eat at the one in Yangon.

What is BITEC? Haha its all that traveling with Peter that made you weak when confronting those Bangkok taxi drivers. We loved L'Opera...wish we were there

Aloha!

Thank you for even thinking of me. Trust me, I am hanging on to every word you write. Every morning I hop on Fodor's to see what goodie you might have left!

Bob and Karen...my best wishes on your Big 50. More to come!

Stu Tower

L'Opera was magnificent as usual. It is an old fashioned Italian place with great food, great friendly service and a candlelit atmosphere.

My ravioli with boar Ragusa to die for. No fusion here.

Our driver came for us at 11 this AM. 2500 B for one way to Hua Hin in an SUV...3.5 hours-- yuck, but comfortable.

The new Hua Hin Marriott is very nice. Located directly on the beach with several pools and a lagoon type pool. We were upgraded to a pool access room, which means you step right off your deck into the lagoon.

We had a simple meal in their Amber restaurant tonight. Mango and sticky rice for dessert, of course. Benita, wait till our try this!!!

We plan 6 days of total relaxation while here.

It was a bit sad to drive by the former king's favorite palace here today--wondering if anyone will use it again???

We plan to visit a restaurant here that Pook (Hanuman) has suggested to us-- you know it will be good-- Italian.

What do you mean rice and mango for dessert-how about having it for the entire meal. Remember, dessert first. Boar?? That would be a new taste for me.

Tell us about the new Marriott in Hua Hin... Is it a new building or did they remodel an older hotel? Where is it located? Is it close to the lovely old Sofitel?

Kathie-- it, the hotel, is in the exact same location, but totally new except for the two buildings at sea front, but they look totally new as well, but gov't said they must remain cause they are too close to ocean for current rules. The blogs are "low rise", mostly 3-4 stories.
I just came from the large lovely adults only pool smackdab in the center of the property. The bldgs are in a "U" shape with pools and a large lawn in the middle. There are lots of green plantings, some older tall trees and lots of 15' hedge dividers.

There are lots of kids here. Don't know if that is the norm, but this is a holiday weekend. There is a big kids club, a pool for them, a water slide and some other kid friendly areas, like a tree house.

There is a lounge chair area along the sea front set up in stadium platforms, which is nice. There Is a seaside bar and a fish restaurant by the sea.

Not sure kathie if this is the place for you?

Our room is very nice, comfortable, with a terrace with direct access to the lagoon---way smaller lagoon than at Khao Lak.

Food seems very very good and the pastry is the best we have had in Thailand (paying attention Peter?).

HH seems to have continued to grow. The road from bkk has been much improved, but it still takes 3 hours to get here.

The hotel colors are pleasing-- greys, cocoa browns, white with pops of color here and there. Few if any flowers. Lots of bamboo, willows and shrubs they are training as archways and topiary.

Benita-- one very common dessert is a 1/2 a mango, sliced, and served with a good portion of sticky rice with a sweet coconut milk reduction and pine nuts on top.......fantastic.

Btw, as I told you, not a snake to be seen!!!!!

We asked the tailor about custom made dresses and she said the price starts at 800 B--- about $ 25... that seems too cheap, let me ask K what she said....

Think about a January date to come down to lunch-- bring Ali and whoever... K will show you jewelry and clothes she has made and other junk...


K is at the pool all day today. We just had lunch at the adult pool--- we shared a chicken roll up and K had a coke and I had a strawberry/raspberry smoothie. Maybe $20..

The maid left a great little elephant on our bed today, made from towels.

Because we are Marriott platinum and know the director of rooms here, we are greeted by name often. People come by all the time and ask if we need anything, etc.... It is nice to be known nd appreciated for our loyality. Carol, they are already practicing for your gala arrival. They have never had a 1Ker and platinum at the same time.

We plan to hang out until Friday, doing not much of anything. We will visit a restaurant or two Pook has suggested, but other than that just relax

Boar is a ham like meat, which they chop and shred. It is mild and makes a rich sauce taste when combined with tomato sauce. Send Will down Maine to shoot one and Ali can experiment with it for you.

K just came in the tailor said dresses start at 600, so neither of us have this right. That may just be tailoring costs if you bring your own fabric which we often do--- from Jim thompson.

Kathie...the adult pool is very nice and private. The pool guys do a good job keeping families and kid out of there. As Bob said the area is surrounded by a high hedge, but it does not prevent the shreeks of kids reaching there. This is a Thai holiday, so there might be an inordinate amount of families with small children here now.

There also is no club here. We do get breakfast and 1 hr of drinks(6-7) from a limited menu. There was no wine on the list, but after some phone calls I did get some.

Food has been good so far. Had. Nice long walk down the beach this am toward the Hilton.

Thanks, Bob and Karen for the info.

Headed for the big fish restaurant last night at the seafront, but after looking at the menu decided to stay in the beach bar.

We shared sashimi nachos and the most wonderful tuna lab-- quite hot (spicy) as it is meant to be. A unique take on laab using raw chopped tuna--we loved it. We each had a lime tart for dessert-- tasted like key lime pie. Small but satisfying meal.

Looking forward to another big breakfast this AM.

I forgot to say that yesterday's lunch was at the adult pool where we shared a chicken wrap and fries.

Just so you know---we are eating tons of the best pineapple...

Eorgot to ask..have you moved into the retirement home yet? Is it in Natick or ? Dear friends of mine are moving to a rather posh one in the vicinity from their long time residence in Wayland. Name of it?
stu

Boar is a ham like meat lol. Wild pigs :)

Does best pastry mean that Karen is limiting your selections :)

The hotel has gotten considerably quiet without all the families gone. Walked noth on the beach yesterday and I think Kathie what you and I think of as the Sofitel is now the Centara. In looking at a map the Sofitel looks to be way north of town ..even north of the Sheraton.

Weather could not be better..warm, but not real hot and muggy. Off to another wounderful breakfast., then today's walk on the beach.

Ah, yes, Karen, what was the Sofitel is now the Centara. I had forgotten that.

Looking around more I see many shrubs ready to bloom, especially yellow hibiscus.
Bright yellow ones. Perfect for carol's arrival.

Carol-- they have buggies to take you around the hotel, if you want one.