Back "Home" in Bangkok again
Oct 30th, 2012, 06:52 PM
#61
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Happy birthday, Nov 1, taconic. Yes, it is "tomorrow" for us. We are now 9:45am Halloween day, and it's rainy here. Hoping it clears up before I head out for shopping, a movie, and then HALLOWEEN excitement.
Guenmai, I leave Bangkok on January 7. Sorry we will not cross paths here!!
Onetwothree... I saw your thread. You are travelling to Thailand during a lovely time of the year. I will be here also, Dec 18-Jan 7. My family spends Christmas/New Year holidays here very year, from Illinois!
Guenmai, I leave Bangkok on January 7. Sorry we will not cross paths here!!
Onetwothree... I saw your thread. You are travelling to Thailand during a lovely time of the year. I will be here also, Dec 18-Jan 7. My family spends Christmas/New Year holidays here very year, from Illinois!
Oct 30th, 2012, 08:05 PM
#62
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Wow. You will be there a little longer than us. Our friends sent us about 10 links over an email. I'm not too impressed by the links as of right now, as some pages are 'not found.' Took a look at your hotel, the websites seem like the fonts are much smaller or in a different type than US websites. It seems that will take some getting used to. What is your favorite thing about Bangkok? What draws you there? There were two previous times we planned on going, but those plans fell apart. This time, we have to do it, no chickening out. Going to the library to get some Fodors books (to read and take a break from the computer). We depart Bangkok on New Years Eve, in order to get home and recover from any jet lag before returning to work.
Oct 30th, 2012, 11:55 PM
#63
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"onetwothreefourfive on Oct 30, 12 at 7:10pm
We looked up the YMCA at 1 Orchard Rd but it says its in Singapore. The Marritt looks nice. Reasonable rate. Thanks!!"
Yes, it's in Singapore, where I'm headed after Bangkok. I fly on Singapore Air.
Happy Travels!
We looked up the YMCA at 1 Orchard Rd but it says its in Singapore. The Marritt looks nice. Reasonable rate. Thanks!!"
Yes, it's in Singapore, where I'm headed after Bangkok. I fly on Singapore Air.
Happy Travels!
Oct 31st, 2012, 12:39 AM
#64
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Guess who I saw today.... Maeng!! I was at Nana BTS station, going towards Chitlom to go shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall. Maeng was also at the station. She was just leaving the area, on her way to work at Suk 11. Her cooking school seems to be doing well. After teaching classes, she then runs the Suk 11 restaurant in the evening, until it closes. I was very happy to see her and to see with my own eyes that she is OK. I did not ask her about the events of the recent past. That's for another time, another conversation.
Well, I took two Thai 'girlfriends' (from Sports Academy)shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall today (we only shopped the smaller building, with all the purses and shoes) and did not go into the bigger mall... so no Coco Banana today. Can you imagine buying 4 'party dresses' for 1000 baht!!?? Yes! Cute ones. Not farang sizes so not for me. Pretty tee tops for less than 100 baht each if you buy 3 of them! Bags, shoes, skirts, tops, dresses... it was really a very fun afternoon.
I'm going to let the guys go bowling and then take in their movie and I'll catch up with them later on this evening. Right now I'm relaxing. I'm going to just stay put in my apt for a while, with my computer and the news on TV.
I'll need energy for tonight!! (no, I'm not in costume)
Well, I took two Thai 'girlfriends' (from Sports Academy)shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall today (we only shopped the smaller building, with all the purses and shoes) and did not go into the bigger mall... so no Coco Banana today. Can you imagine buying 4 'party dresses' for 1000 baht!!?? Yes! Cute ones. Not farang sizes so not for me. Pretty tee tops for less than 100 baht each if you buy 3 of them! Bags, shoes, skirts, tops, dresses... it was really a very fun afternoon.
I'm going to let the guys go bowling and then take in their movie and I'll catch up with them later on this evening. Right now I'm relaxing. I'm going to just stay put in my apt for a while, with my computer and the news on TV.
I'll need energy for tonight!! (no, I'm not in costume)
Oct 31st, 2012, 04:59 PM
#65
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Halloween in Bangkok (on soi 4) is an experience!! We had a great time. Some of the guys in our group were in costume. The people watching is amazing! It always is, but last night was even MORE so. I had dinner at Monsoon before catching up with everyone. Lots of laughs, a few cold beers, even a couple of shots of tequila... I'm up this morning and feeling fine. I have to pack today because I'm heading home tomorrow morning.
This afternoon is the GTG on soi 24 with the rhk's, the Ht's and the Mcbeanie's. I'm not sure who else will be there. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody and catching up on all the latest travel news and stories.
The evening will start at the Beer Vault for quiz night, followed by the Pickled Liver quiz night. There will maybe be a few more cold beers and I'll bet there's Thai food and snacks involved also!
Last minute shopping this morning? Probably. I don't think my two suitcases are full yet.
I checked in on line this morning, with United, for the flights tomorrow. I'm on the waiting list for upgrades.... fingers crossed!!! But doubting my success.....
Carol
This afternoon is the GTG on soi 24 with the rhk's, the Ht's and the Mcbeanie's. I'm not sure who else will be there. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody and catching up on all the latest travel news and stories.
The evening will start at the Beer Vault for quiz night, followed by the Pickled Liver quiz night. There will maybe be a few more cold beers and I'll bet there's Thai food and snacks involved also!
Last minute shopping this morning? Probably. I don't think my two suitcases are full yet.
I checked in on line this morning, with United, for the flights tomorrow. I'm on the waiting list for upgrades.... fingers crossed!!! But doubting my success.....
Carol
Nov 1st, 2012, 01:30 PM
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The GTG at Marriott Executive Apartments on soi 24 was nice. Lots of travel talk along with laughs and the usual. This is a nice apartment hotel building, but would not work for me due to the location. Too inconvenient to 'lower' Sukhumvit where I spend my time! Still, a lovely choice. The macbeanies are very happy with it, and that is what counts.
Quiz night at the Beer Vault ended in a #1 winning score! Yeah!!! Quiz at the Pickled Liver ended in a LAST place... that was a TOUGH quiz. Still a fun time. Saw Dr Jack one last time before heading back home.
It's 4:30AM in Bangkok and I am packed and ready to head to the airport in about 15 minutes. Still hoping for those upgrades, but we'll see. It looks pretty good for BKK-NRT so I should enjoy the SLEEP for at least 4-5 hours. Not looking so good for the long haul. I'll report in from NRT.
Carol
Quiz night at the Beer Vault ended in a #1 winning score! Yeah!!! Quiz at the Pickled Liver ended in a LAST place... that was a TOUGH quiz. Still a fun time. Saw Dr Jack one last time before heading back home.
It's 4:30AM in Bangkok and I am packed and ready to head to the airport in about 15 minutes. Still hoping for those upgrades, but we'll see. It looks pretty good for BKK-NRT so I should enjoy the SLEEP for at least 4-5 hours. Not looking so good for the long haul. I'll report in from NRT.
Carol
Nov 1st, 2012, 11:04 PM
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Hello from Tokyo. Getting up at 4:00am is NOT my idea of fun, but we do what we have to do to get to/from Bangkok!!
Upgrade cleared from BKK to Tokyo, but not looking good for the long haul. I have a good book to read, so it will be OK. I also have a slew of free drink chits (which I will share with others in the back of the bus with me!!!).
Work work work to do at home before leaving again in a few days for Tulsa OK and then Europe on Thanksgiving day!
Upgrade cleared from BKK to Tokyo, but not looking good for the long haul. I have a good book to read, so it will be OK. I also have a slew of free drink chits (which I will share with others in the back of the bus with me!!!).
Work work work to do at home before leaving again in a few days for Tulsa OK and then Europe on Thanksgiving day!
Nov 2nd, 2012, 12:41 AM
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So our friends from Germany posted on facebook they had to pay 1400 baht to check in BKK today. (they were there for a week) I'm reading all I can in fodors and fb to see how to manage our trip. Thank you for posting your trip. It is fun to read.
Nov 2nd, 2012, 11:53 PM
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Carol: So, by now, who knows where you might be, I guess in flight somewhere. As for getting up at 4AM, well I wouldn't be a happy camper on that one either. A lot of times I don't even get to bed until 4AM, being the night owl that I am. My idea of an early-morning wake up is 10AM or later. LOL!
Happy Travels!
Happy Travels!
Nov 3rd, 2012, 06:29 AM
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Onetwothree... I don't understand what you are saying about your German friends. Did they have to pay to enter the country? That seems a bit strange.
Guenmai, I'm now home. I got into Chicago about 3:45 and was home-sweet-home by about 8:40. I managed to stay awake for the drive! BTW, when we leave Bangkok in January, we are leaving via Frankfurt (Thai A380 first class) and that flight leaves at almost midnight! I like THAT time much better than getting up at 4am.
Guenmai, I'm now home. I got into Chicago about 3:45 and was home-sweet-home by about 8:40. I managed to stay awake for the drive! BTW, when we leave Bangkok in January, we are leaving via Frankfurt (Thai A380 first class) and that flight leaves at almost midnight! I like THAT time much better than getting up at 4am.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 07:09 AM
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we went over the asiatique for dinner tonight... the place is quite something... we had a res at baan khanitha and the food was good. slightly disorganized because they only opened 9 days ago.
tons of nice looking restaurants and lots of shops... K said it was hot off the main drag, where P & I sat and waited.
a very nice addition to bkk. tons of young thais wandering around and tourists as well.
tons of nice looking restaurants and lots of shops... K said it was hot off the main drag, where P & I sat and waited.
a very nice addition to bkk. tons of young thais wandering around and tourists as well.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 09:00 AM
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Onetwothree... that must mean that they either over-stayed their tourist visa and had to pay a per-day overstay fine before exiting, or their departure tax was not included in their plane tickets. You used to have to go to a separate window and pay departure tax at the airport. I cannot recall exactly how much it was... but that's what it sounds like to me. My tickets have included that tax since a number of years ago. I was concerned about my 'free' frequent flier tickets having that tax included. I was never asked to pay before I could leave the country, so it must have been included in the fees one has to pay for a 'free' ticket (NOTHING is ever FREE...)
