Carol, so glad to hear that you are doing well.

We look forward to seeing Bob and Karen on Sunday.

The fare was from an e mail I received from emerites.

Our friend pat tried a couple days later and it was sold out. She called and they told her there were only 10 seats per felt....lucky us.

For those of you interested in what is going on with me in Chiang Mai, you can read about it on my blog right here. I am not going to be posting daily updates on fodors. You can all make up your own minds as to how you would like to do your Thailand trip.

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...2015-2016.html

There are as many ways to visit Thailand and SE Asia as there are people. And, rhkkmk, your "apology" was totally false and is therefore totally rejected. Many expats living here do end up sort of recreating a similar life left behind in the US. I do suppose it makes them feel comfortable and it is difficult for retirees to totally change gears in an alien culture. There is nothing wrong with that for the full time retirees, but it would not be for me; while I love to visit, in the end, I like to go home. Again, read the blog if you want to know and don't take others' interpretations of what they think it said for the truth. Read a lot of what everyone says and then do your trip your own way and have fun--no matter what others think about the type of trip you did. I can't imagine, for example, a trip to Bangkok centered on the Paragon Shopping Center and huge meals in restaurants twice a day. Maybe a meal like that twice in a trip would be enough for me, but different strokes for different folks. So, if you want to shop and eat, shop and eat. There are a lot of choices in Thailand.

Enough said.

why doesn't lauren start her own thread?

I guess she would just prefer to give s...t directly to me.

I guess she would prefer to give sh.t directly to me...

Have spent the last two days in the room working out the details for our April Italy trip, plus some swim time and of course eating. K returns to the room daily about 1 from the beach.... We swim to our nearest pool bar, split a sandwich for lunch with some Minou (a lime soda drink), K then reads on the deck and I swim some more... Then maybe a nap and it is cocktail time--6-7 in Olive bar and then dinner and finally some American tv and sleep. Great life if you don't weaken.

So as to the trip: We drive to NY, long term car park, fly emerites nite flt to Milan, rent car and drive to Venice, 7 day house rental (Airbnb) on Guidicci (bad spelling--island across from zazette in Dorsoduro--quieter and away but still close to tourist activities--- right on canal with terrace), train to Verona for 3 nights, rent another car and drive to lake maggiore and stay in a B&B we stayed in a couple of years ago for 2 nights, drive back to Malpensa, fly to JFK, spend night on Long Island, ferry to new London and then home---13 days... Really looking forward to it, but it's not Thailand!!!

I am jet-lagged and in need of sleep, but I can't let this pass....

Lauren, it really isn't cool to hijack an other poster's threads and especially not cool touting your own blog. You've now done it here four times, and that was before you misunderstood Bob's comment.

I- and I'm sure others who read about your last trip understood exactly what he meant; you did seem to have more than your share of problems. He explained and you were very rude. Again, this is HIS thread.

Those of us following Rhkkmk's post are interested in BOB and KAREN"S trip, not your links and certainly not your argumentative and unkind comments.

If you can't say something nice...please go say it on your own thread.

@rhkkmk<<<I guess she would just prefer to give s...t directly to me.>>>

Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned. Don't throw it if you don't like it being thrown back!

Lauren: there is an old saying... Do not tug on Superman's cape!

Lucy you were in my dream last night! I don't remember any of the details other than giving you a big hug!! Hmmmmm.. wonder what we were up to, and WHERE!

Bob, keep up the resting and relaxing. The older I get (and the more health problems I seem to be having) the better it sounds to visit the bar, take a dip, and sit in a shady deck chair and take a nap! Wish this upcoming Europe trip would be so relaxing, but NO we will be on the go for 3 weeks!

Yea carol, but it's germany and Austria and Switzerland... How bad can that be.. Just buy a gun if it gets to you...

As always Lcuy you score.. Go rest

Hope you are feeling 100% now Carol! You are clearly a woman of steel!

Bob and Karen- Wish we had crossed paths this year- The laughter, food and drinks always are the best with you Needhamites...Oh wait, are you now New Hamsters?
Sorry to hear you are forced to travel with the HTs again.
>:-)

Lucy... hahahaha!!! (or 555 as they say in Bangkok)

Someone has to entertain them and give HI a break... The constables will be able to fumigate the cells while they are away.

OH DON'T HESITATE, USE MY THREAD TO REPORT ALL YOUR TRAVELS.... EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU....

Hmmmmm all caps!

There was a longish TR inserted above, now removed

Grayish day today, but some sun... Decent enough to swim... Lunch at pool bar and more Minou.

Dinner tonight at Olives-- pasta, canolonni and Caesar salad...