Bob no longer has to speak to the managers, all staff were well prepared before he and Karen arrive, his reputation preceded him and thus all his needs are anticipated and met.

Wow...what a start! Ants and a room change, turned away from tourist sites! I'm jealous despite the ants. Wish we were back in Bangkok. I didn't love Chiangmai either, but think it may have been to the hectic atmosphere of the flower festival. Hope you enjoy it this time. Will you get to Hue? If I recall correctly, you didn't get there on your first trip due to flight delays and weather issues. It is definitely worthwhile. Didn't realize you were moving. Good luck with the home in NH. Have a wonderful trip.

Lol, love your account of being turned away at the temples...

The new house is a good excuse for buying decor. I'm sure Karen is loving choosing fabrics!

Bob,shhhhhhh, see you used the ant trick earlier than usual haha. Use all the ones you have. I'll bring us a fresh batch we can use in VN lol.

What was on the buffet breakfast I know you had?

Aloha!

Wow, for once the touts claiming the palace was closed would be right! Must happen sometimes, of course, like a stopped clock.

Didn't anyone else catch Bob's recounting....???

"So we WALKED ACROSS THE RIVER to Wat Arun....." Seriously? Walking on water? What's next!

Sounds like Bangkok is just as much fun as always.

Lol, Carol, the walking across the river to Wat Arun goes right along with the GP being closed for pressure washing and the King running up and down the stairs at Wat Arun! Bob is pulling everyone's leg.

My thinking was along thursdaysd lines regarding the closing of the GP...

Carol, Bob must know Bangkok better than we do. Either that or the Chao Phraya is mighty low right now.

I think you brought those ants with you, just to position yourselves for the upgrade, manager or not

Re the ants...it was embarrassing to open my fabric at JSThai silk and see the little critters crawling out of it. I have never seen any this small in my life. Our New
England ones are huge black ones. When we got back to our old room , there was a pipeline of them coming in from out doors. They were on the sofa ,desk ,floor. A little creepy. And the best part was the maid came up with a vacuum to remedy the situation. Get out the RAID . ...then I remembered we are in a Buddist country.

New suit is very comfy. Loving having a sitting room.

We get tiny ants in North Carolina. I believe they're called sugar ants, no doubt because they like kitchens. Not in the kind of quantity you're talking about, though.

It's Friday and hot, sunny and humid today.

We took a taxi after breakfast to mr tong's, aka Chang, for our eye glass fix. I had one small repair and selected a new pair of glasses for my car--- not for the car to wear. K selected a new pair of everyday progressive sunglasses and replaced the lenses on her glasses from last year as her vision has changed.

We took a taxi from there to captain bush Rd, near the ROS, for lunch at the now tiny gallery cafe. Lab gai (warm spicy minced chicken salad) and a baked pineapple with cashews, Chinese sausage, yellow rice-- sweet and delicious.

I did neglect to write that yesterday we had lab gai and the best ever Jim thompson pomelo salad at the outlet... I love the rut we are in--- can never get enough lab, thank you GPanda.

We took the ROS boat to taskin pier after lunch and then the anantara boat back to the hotel...

Did I say how much i love this A/C???

We are in for the night now--- it's 3PM.... Maybe a chicken Caesar salad downstairs tonight after drinks and hors' in the club.

What no cashew chicken?

Not yet, saving that for tongue thai

Lim silver is on our list too... You know that neighborhood well...

Has the Gallery Cafe gotten smaller? I will always think of Andy when we eat there.

The Gallery Cafe has moved across the street Kathie into a smaller venue as of last year when Linda and I ate there.

Aloha!

Oh, really? Thanks for the info.

I'm sorry we won't see you and Linda in Bangkok, HT, but we will see you in Kauai!

Really looking forward to it Kathie!

Aloha!

Their new digs are really small, but same friendly service,but no tiger balm smell but there is massage upstairs still... Much smaller menu too.

Bob - Are you planning to stay at the JW Marriott in Hanoi?

Dave

Jw for sure