Annual Fall Asia Trip
Dec 3rd, 2015, 03:51 PM
#281
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Bob forgot to mention that there is a shuttle bus in Hanoi between terminals. So if you fly in domestically, you collect your luggage, go out to the street to get the bus to the international terminal. Everything Bob and Peter had read , we had the impression we had to walk, and it is a ways if it were hot,raining,
Dec 4th, 2015, 06:52 AM
#283
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I have friends arriving in Bangkok on Sat. morning on their first trip to Thailand. They will be in Bangkok during the official celebration. I am pretty sure the Grand Palace will be closed. Will there be any tourist sights open in the next few days? If not, do you have any recommendations on what they can do?
Dec 6th, 2015, 11:56 AM
#286
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Glad you are having a terrific time. The Hyatt Regency Da Nang looks great, especially the beach. We will put it on the list, we have wanted to visit Vietnam. (How many connections from the US East Coast to get there...?)
Pls say happy birthday to the King for us. May he live long and prosper.
Pls say happy birthday to the King for us. May he live long and prosper.
Dec 7th, 2015, 01:49 AM
#289
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Ok, so I am a shurka....
Lots more has been open during the king's birthday than I remember in past years.
I'm guessing all the royal sites are closed.
We settled in to the Renaissance, diagonally opposite from Central chitlom department store, and right on the skytrain.
Btw, in the attached shops there is a hairdresser, a full service bank with an ATM, and a great little bagel shop with really good sandwiches.
Our room is a decent size on 14, but not as large as last year, both are corner suites. We look out in one direction toward the Royal thai sports club, the Anantara Siam and the st Regis, from the other direction we see central chitlom and plenochit Rd, Lang susan Rd and the sky train.
Lots of construction work still in this area-- they are making the small big, and the big bigger.
Friday we took a cab to Silom village, where K wanted to look for some hand made shoes at a shop there. The shop is winding down with only a dozen pair left--shame. We did visit Jinny handbags in the same mall, and she had some luck there... From there we took another taxi to River City shopping to pick up K's custom made tops. All fit beautifully. I did note the prices have increased quite a bit, but penny does lovely work and K likes to patronize. We brought all the fabrics from home---amazing what treasurers you find in closets when you are moving.
K did want a few things tweaked on her clothes so while they were doing that we each had a shoulder and foot/leg massage for an hour---640 B total.
Yet another taxi took us to the Anantara Riverside to pick up our left luggage. While we were there we had a light lunch in Uno--chicken tikka sandwiches in a rollup.
Dumb taxi driver almost ran out of fuel on the way back to our hotel in huge traffic. He stopped meter and then started it up again, over charging us 35 B. I paid him what I wanted to and walked into our hotel. The doorman dealt with him.
Saturday was the King's official birthday. Low key around town this year--- we note far fewer of the huge paintings of him around town and some very small ones instead.
We attended the Thai craft show at the Jasmine center on soi 23. As always the items sold are of a very high quality and very reasonably priced. Check for monthly sales on: www.thaicraft.org
From there we headed over to the platinum fashion mall. Mostly K shopped for shoes in the annex. She bought several pairs ranging in price from $8. to maybe $18. Most are leather and some are very glittery.
We also bought new IPad covers for about $11. each.
Dinner in the club again. I am really enjoying the thin cut dried meats and hot dishes offered each night. The drinks are good and unlimited and K gets her wine fix.
Lots more has been open during the king's birthday than I remember in past years.
I'm guessing all the royal sites are closed.
We settled in to the Renaissance, diagonally opposite from Central chitlom department store, and right on the skytrain.
Btw, in the attached shops there is a hairdresser, a full service bank with an ATM, and a great little bagel shop with really good sandwiches.
Our room is a decent size on 14, but not as large as last year, both are corner suites. We look out in one direction toward the Royal thai sports club, the Anantara Siam and the st Regis, from the other direction we see central chitlom and plenochit Rd, Lang susan Rd and the sky train.
Lots of construction work still in this area-- they are making the small big, and the big bigger.
Friday we took a cab to Silom village, where K wanted to look for some hand made shoes at a shop there. The shop is winding down with only a dozen pair left--shame. We did visit Jinny handbags in the same mall, and she had some luck there... From there we took another taxi to River City shopping to pick up K's custom made tops. All fit beautifully. I did note the prices have increased quite a bit, but penny does lovely work and K likes to patronize. We brought all the fabrics from home---amazing what treasurers you find in closets when you are moving.
K did want a few things tweaked on her clothes so while they were doing that we each had a shoulder and foot/leg massage for an hour---640 B total.
Yet another taxi took us to the Anantara Riverside to pick up our left luggage. While we were there we had a light lunch in Uno--chicken tikka sandwiches in a rollup.
Dumb taxi driver almost ran out of fuel on the way back to our hotel in huge traffic. He stopped meter and then started it up again, over charging us 35 B. I paid him what I wanted to and walked into our hotel. The doorman dealt with him.
Saturday was the King's official birthday. Low key around town this year--- we note far fewer of the huge paintings of him around town and some very small ones instead.
We attended the Thai craft show at the Jasmine center on soi 23. As always the items sold are of a very high quality and very reasonably priced. Check for monthly sales on: www.thaicraft.org
From there we headed over to the platinum fashion mall. Mostly K shopped for shoes in the annex. She bought several pairs ranging in price from $8. to maybe $18. Most are leather and some are very glittery.
We also bought new IPad covers for about $11. each.
Dinner in the club again. I am really enjoying the thin cut dried meats and hot dishes offered each night. The drinks are good and unlimited and K gets her wine fix.
Dec 7th, 2015, 04:03 AM
#290
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Sunday--- K began our packing. This was the trip when we were buying nothing... Yea... That 10-12 meters of heavy fabric does not count I guess. We are in to a 3rd suitcase now.... Maybe the airlines will be kind to us.
For lunch we went to the local bagel shop and had delicious sandwiches on sesame bagels.
We walked over to Amarin Plaza, almost next door.
I got cornered by an Isreali skin care guy who gave my sagging face, 1/2 of it, an instant face lift. Kit was only $1000.---pass.
I went to the hair salon you can see from the street--Chalachol, and Ball cut my hair... He is a classic haircutter and very personable... With a relaxing shampoo and a styling blow dry I was a new man--650 B. Maybe my best cut since my sister stopped cutting my hair.
K made a few purchases at the Green Cotton store--natural undied cotton.
I found a shop to replace my watch battery and to replace the watch strap. Also wound up buying a new every day Casio watch with a bright night light.
K got some wine in the club and brought it to our room. I ordered a taxi for 7 to take us to Lemoncello Pizzeria off of soi 11, sukhumvit. We were meeting some thai friends and this was their suggestion... So much more than pizza... All excellent... A very busy place.
Monday, our last full day in Thailand for this year.
In the morning we took a taxi to Emporium mall and crossed the new over sukhumvit walkway to EM Quarter. This fabulous new combo upscale food and shopping venue was suggested to us by Hanuman. And as usual he is spot on...
BTW, Emporium itself has had a huge face lift and sets a new level of lux, with among other things uniformed door men who salute and click their heels as you enter or leave.
We took the lift to floor 9. From there you wind your way down a wide ramp, a la Guggeheim, with all matter of lovely restaurants, many with exterior views over the city. In the center atrium is a continuous loop of greenery which is constantly kept wet with dripping water, thus creating a rain forest affect.
At level 6, there is a multi level green garden with vistas of the city and lush greenery, waterfalls, streams, etc.
Along the way down we stopped at an English restaurant, Jones and Mowlem. I had a delicious shrimp Caesar salad, Karen had fish and chips, a la England. Further down we stopped for sorbet.
Taxi back to the hotel... Great taxi zone, side door emporium leading onto soi 24.
For lunch we went to the local bagel shop and had delicious sandwiches on sesame bagels.
We walked over to Amarin Plaza, almost next door.
I got cornered by an Isreali skin care guy who gave my sagging face, 1/2 of it, an instant face lift. Kit was only $1000.---pass.
I went to the hair salon you can see from the street--Chalachol, and Ball cut my hair... He is a classic haircutter and very personable... With a relaxing shampoo and a styling blow dry I was a new man--650 B. Maybe my best cut since my sister stopped cutting my hair.
K made a few purchases at the Green Cotton store--natural undied cotton.
I found a shop to replace my watch battery and to replace the watch strap. Also wound up buying a new every day Casio watch with a bright night light.
K got some wine in the club and brought it to our room. I ordered a taxi for 7 to take us to Lemoncello Pizzeria off of soi 11, sukhumvit. We were meeting some thai friends and this was their suggestion... So much more than pizza... All excellent... A very busy place.
Monday, our last full day in Thailand for this year.
In the morning we took a taxi to Emporium mall and crossed the new over sukhumvit walkway to EM Quarter. This fabulous new combo upscale food and shopping venue was suggested to us by Hanuman. And as usual he is spot on...
BTW, Emporium itself has had a huge face lift and sets a new level of lux, with among other things uniformed door men who salute and click their heels as you enter or leave.
We took the lift to floor 9. From there you wind your way down a wide ramp, a la Guggeheim, with all matter of lovely restaurants, many with exterior views over the city. In the center atrium is a continuous loop of greenery which is constantly kept wet with dripping water, thus creating a rain forest affect.
At level 6, there is a multi level green garden with vistas of the city and lush greenery, waterfalls, streams, etc.
Along the way down we stopped at an English restaurant, Jones and Mowlem. I had a delicious shrimp Caesar salad, Karen had fish and chips, a la England. Further down we stopped for sorbet.
Taxi back to the hotel... Great taxi zone, side door emporium leading onto soi 24.
Dec 7th, 2015, 10:25 PM
#293
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Sadly Thailand is not in our 2016 plans for the first time in 20 years. Instead we plan on Panama X 2, Dubrovnik Croatia, plus Italy X 2.
2016 will be our 50th anniversary and we will take the whole family to Panama in November.
BUT, there is always the possibility of a Thailand trip in winter, 2017, in addition to a Lombok/Thailand trip in Fall, 2017.
2016 will be our 50th anniversary and we will take the whole family to Panama in November.
BUT, there is always the possibility of a Thailand trip in winter, 2017, in addition to a Lombok/Thailand trip in Fall, 2017.
Dec 7th, 2015, 10:41 PM
#294
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So today is our last 2015 day in Thailand. After the club breakfast (how am I going to survive without pork puff dumplings, sweet dumplings, shrimp dim sum, fresh buttery croissants, thin sliced cured meats, sweet fresh pineapple slices, tea brewed for me, a smiling staff, and 500 other items I did not try on a regular basis.
Karen walked over to Central Chitlom department store and to embassy mall, returning in time for another bagel lunch-- today smoked chicken, bacon, lettuce, mustard and lots of bib lettuce on a sesame bagle.
From lunch K took the skytrain to Siam paragon mall for a look around. For both shopping trips I stayed in the room.
I checked us in to our Eva Air 0340AM flight to Vienna. We are really looking forward to 4 days in festive Vienna which should be all decked out for Christmas. The Christmas markets will be fun for sure. We hope to hear some Christmas music in free church concerts or lunch time concerts, or maybe even snap a last minute ticket to one of the famed venues for which Vienna is famous.
We will be staying at the Renaissance Imperial Riding School Hotel, which seems decently located. Karen said last night that she can already taste a snitzel.
Next report from Vienna
Karen walked over to Central Chitlom department store and to embassy mall, returning in time for another bagel lunch-- today smoked chicken, bacon, lettuce, mustard and lots of bib lettuce on a sesame bagle.
From lunch K took the skytrain to Siam paragon mall for a look around. For both shopping trips I stayed in the room.
I checked us in to our Eva Air 0340AM flight to Vienna. We are really looking forward to 4 days in festive Vienna which should be all decked out for Christmas. The Christmas markets will be fun for sure. We hope to hear some Christmas music in free church concerts or lunch time concerts, or maybe even snap a last minute ticket to one of the famed venues for which Vienna is famous.
We will be staying at the Renaissance Imperial Riding School Hotel, which seems decently located. Karen said last night that she can already taste a snitzel.
Next report from Vienna
Dec 8th, 2015, 04:57 AM
#295
Enjoy Vienna!
Do NOT schedule your stay in Dubrovnik without checking cruise ship arrivals here:
http://www.portdubrovnik.hr/girica1.php
Last time I was there I had to queue to get into the old town.
Do NOT schedule your stay in Dubrovnik without checking cruise ship arrivals here:
http://www.portdubrovnik.hr/girica1.php
Last time I was there I had to queue to get into the old town.
Dec 9th, 2015, 01:58 AM
#298
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Arrived Vienna, but very tired.... Taxis a bit different here: lux Mercedes station wagon and only 37E to our hotel vs maybe $10-12 in bkk.
Hotel is very nice...we are in the separate newer club building--the imperial club.
Remind me to tell you about the iron maiden at Eva air that I had to deal with this AM in bkk.
Hotel is very nice...we are in the separate newer club building--the imperial club.
Remind me to tell you about the iron maiden at Eva air that I had to deal with this AM in bkk.
Dec 9th, 2015, 02:10 AM
#299
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Sounds interesting.... the iron maiden eh?
Love your FB pics of your hotel. Nice!
On my way home from Zurich now. Stopping at Frankfurt. Boarding for Ohare in a few minutes. Ready to go home for a few days!
Love your FB pics of your hotel. Nice!
On my way home from Zurich now. Stopping at Frankfurt. Boarding for Ohare in a few minutes. Ready to go home for a few days!
Dec 9th, 2015, 02:16 AM
#300
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@thursdaysd<<<Do NOT schedule your stay in Dubrovnik without checking cruise ship arrivals>>>
Agree 100%.
We were on small cruise ship [so part of the problem], plus there was also a Costa 'shopping-trolley' cruise ship berthed.
Completely over-ran Dubrovnik old town.
Might be great for the local economy, but it dilutes the pleasure of being there.
Agree 100%.
We were on small cruise ship [so part of the problem], plus there was also a Costa 'shopping-trolley' cruise ship berthed.
Completely over-ran Dubrovnik old town.
Might be great for the local economy, but it dilutes the pleasure of being there.
