Back in Thailand
Jan 23rd, 2011, 07:59 AM
#41
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Oh dear, this is news I was hoping would be called poppycock, but I fear there IS truth to the Marriott R & S BKK turning into an Anantara. It does have a great location, but why not grab up some other site that's available? Seems Mr Heinike already owns most of Thailand anyway.- That includes the new high end mini mall next to the JW Marriott Phuket, and Anantara and Mai Kao Beach Club (Marriott.)
Hanuman, no we will not be in Krabi Thurs and Fri, still here at the JW Marriott Phuket Beach Club in Paradise. Back to BKK next Sunday 30th Jan.
Sue
(late Sunday evening)
Hanuman, no we will not be in Krabi Thurs and Fri, still here at the JW Marriott Phuket Beach Club in Paradise. Back to BKK next Sunday 30th Jan.
Sue
(late Sunday evening)
Jan 23rd, 2011, 10:42 AM
#42
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The Riverside Resort and Spa is rebranding but not changing ownership. It has been part of Minor International for years. You might ve curious to explore their website which lists their holdings, which are many. http://www.minorinternational.com/
Jan 24th, 2011, 03:12 AM
#46
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The days are whizzing by.. We have been in Thailand for two weeks now and today begins our 2nd week at the Phuket Marriott Beach Club.
We have met some very nice couples (all British)and have lots of laughs and quiet conversations around the Tranquility Pool. In the last part of the afternoon a "new" family (we think Russian) arrived two men a woman a baby and 7 or 8 yr old boy. Our area of Paradise was shattered with screaming and shouting and LOUD LOUD shouting, the young boy had a great set of lungs on him and the ground almost shook from his shrieks and shouts. Three couples got up and left, some other couples we didn't know at all started trying to shuhhhh them with no result. Too bad as there is a lovely pool next to Tranquility that has a kiddie area which is really nice and parts of the pool for relaxing adults. Planned on writing more but our new friends just called and we were chatting for 20 mins and now I need to cook dinner.More later
Sue
We have met some very nice couples (all British)and have lots of laughs and quiet conversations around the Tranquility Pool. In the last part of the afternoon a "new" family (we think Russian) arrived two men a woman a baby and 7 or 8 yr old boy. Our area of Paradise was shattered with screaming and shouting and LOUD LOUD shouting, the young boy had a great set of lungs on him and the ground almost shook from his shrieks and shouts. Three couples got up and left, some other couples we didn't know at all started trying to shuhhhh them with no result. Too bad as there is a lovely pool next to Tranquility that has a kiddie area which is really nice and parts of the pool for relaxing adults. Planned on writing more but our new friends just called and we were chatting for 20 mins and now I need to cook dinner.More later
Sue
Jan 24th, 2011, 05:36 AM
#47
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This is the more - Mon night. Yesterday, Great times by the pool - other than the above incident which did not happen today.
Sorry to report two not good eating experieneces. Last night (sun) we went to the big Pub in the new Mall next to the Marriott & Anantara -, Bill Bentley, ugh our food was horrid, we left more than we ate, and even the draft Chang had a skunk taste to it, we even left half of our beer..Perhaps it was what we chose and others have not had a bad experience, however, will not go back.
Monday evening:
More relaxing by the pool, walking on the beach. Vince is a big early morning beach walker and had seen this area of eating establishments and stores some 15 mins walk from our Villa. We decided to have lunch there as two couples had said they had eaten there at night and had great food.
We went to this little place and were warmly welcomed ordered a Crab soup in coconut milk, with gangala, and a whole sea bass BBq'd. It was a very simple place and we were OK when the Chang beers were brought to us, BUT .... the moment our crab soup was brought to us we were devoured by flies... not a few, but hundreds. The food was delicious. but it was worse than anything I'd ever seen on TV with the terrible Bi Afran situation. Not kidding. After putting our crab shells on a plate at the farthest corner of our table as we ate as a somewhat decoy, I got up and moved to another table, just hoping that things would improve. They were still BBQ'ng our whole fish which came to us and the same swarm of flies descended on us again. Two other couples had not ordered seafood and they were relitavely left unscathed. Our Whole fish which we had hoped would be crispy from the BBQ, had been wrapped in foil and was esentially steamed. OK, but not what we were hoping for. Meanwhile, a family member from the establishment, stood over us at the new table and fanned a menu over us trying to disperse the flies while we tried to eat- to try to keep the flies away. Others from the Marriott had not mentioned this problem, and, all staff kept telling us, come at night - no flies. ( I do believe that as others who have gone at night have not mentioned our problem)
There was a nice beachwear concession next door and I bought three very lovely sarongs so not a totally lost afternoon. ......However, walking back to Paradise at the Marriott a 15 min trek I was in agony wanting to get to the toilet. Not to go into that too deeply, it was a desperate sprint to our Villa, Phew, made it - and, 6 hrs later no further indications of digestive problems.
Cooked in tonight. Home made Apple stuffing rolled Pork Tenderloin, with Yukon Gold Potatoes, baby asparagus and wine glazed sauce.
Left the pool about 5:30 PM , hearing thuder and seeing some black clouds coming in. Wow a really good tropical storm. The sky opened up and poured buckets down. Lightening and thunder were just overhead and the ground shook. Everthing is refreshed and washed down by nature.
Sorry to report two not good eating experieneces. Last night (sun) we went to the big Pub in the new Mall next to the Marriott & Anantara -, Bill Bentley, ugh our food was horrid, we left more than we ate, and even the draft Chang had a skunk taste to it, we even left half of our beer..Perhaps it was what we chose and others have not had a bad experience, however, will not go back.
Monday evening:
More relaxing by the pool, walking on the beach. Vince is a big early morning beach walker and had seen this area of eating establishments and stores some 15 mins walk from our Villa. We decided to have lunch there as two couples had said they had eaten there at night and had great food.
We went to this little place and were warmly welcomed ordered a Crab soup in coconut milk, with gangala, and a whole sea bass BBq'd. It was a very simple place and we were OK when the Chang beers were brought to us, BUT .... the moment our crab soup was brought to us we were devoured by flies... not a few, but hundreds. The food was delicious. but it was worse than anything I'd ever seen on TV with the terrible Bi Afran situation. Not kidding. After putting our crab shells on a plate at the farthest corner of our table as we ate as a somewhat decoy, I got up and moved to another table, just hoping that things would improve. They were still BBQ'ng our whole fish which came to us and the same swarm of flies descended on us again. Two other couples had not ordered seafood and they were relitavely left unscathed. Our Whole fish which we had hoped would be crispy from the BBQ, had been wrapped in foil and was esentially steamed. OK, but not what we were hoping for. Meanwhile, a family member from the establishment, stood over us at the new table and fanned a menu over us trying to disperse the flies while we tried to eat- to try to keep the flies away. Others from the Marriott had not mentioned this problem, and, all staff kept telling us, come at night - no flies. ( I do believe that as others who have gone at night have not mentioned our problem)
There was a nice beachwear concession next door and I bought three very lovely sarongs so not a totally lost afternoon. ......However, walking back to Paradise at the Marriott a 15 min trek I was in agony wanting to get to the toilet. Not to go into that too deeply, it was a desperate sprint to our Villa, Phew, made it - and, 6 hrs later no further indications of digestive problems.
Cooked in tonight. Home made Apple stuffing rolled Pork Tenderloin, with Yukon Gold Potatoes, baby asparagus and wine glazed sauce.
Left the pool about 5:30 PM , hearing thuder and seeing some black clouds coming in. Wow a really good tropical storm. The sky opened up and poured buckets down. Lightening and thunder were just overhead and the ground shook. Everthing is refreshed and washed down by nature.
Jan 25th, 2011, 02:12 AM
#49
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It was a swarm of biblical proportions Bob. Yes I'm known to embelish, but I made Vince tell others by the pool what it was like and even he, (Mr. I'll diminish this story - downplay the drama) had to say it was rather overwhelming.
My Vince, even after 40 years of marriage hasn't yet fully grasped he's not a carefree bachelor anymore, able to doss down wherever. You cannot take a member of the fair sex to campsites infested with creepy crawlies and military beach huts (which he wants us to go to on Hawaii) I would have thought after all this time he would understand that my idea of camping is an ordinary 3 *hotel room.
For those who have seen the British series "Keeping up appearances" He calls me Mrs Bucket,(no physical resemblance) and he thinks he's Richard. But I do have to smile just thinking about how Hyacynth (Mrs Bucket) would have handled the fly situation.
My Vince, even after 40 years of marriage hasn't yet fully grasped he's not a carefree bachelor anymore, able to doss down wherever. You cannot take a member of the fair sex to campsites infested with creepy crawlies and military beach huts (which he wants us to go to on Hawaii) I would have thought after all this time he would understand that my idea of camping is an ordinary 3 *hotel room.
For those who have seen the British series "Keeping up appearances" He calls me Mrs Bucket,(no physical resemblance) and he thinks he's Richard. But I do have to smile just thinking about how Hyacynth (Mrs Bucket) would have handled the fly situation.
Jan 25th, 2011, 04:42 AM
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"....my idea of camping is an ordinary 3 *hotel room."
Me, too, Sue!!
Sorry about the fly problem. Hope the tummy has not continued to suffer.
Your time sounds too relaxing for me. I can do a beach walk when it isn't too sunny. I can't sit by the pool for hours. I don't swim, but I like the beach scene. I need stimulation. I need retail therapy and interesting places to people watch. That's just me! Anyway, I'm still enjoying your report. Don't stop.
Carol
Me, too, Sue!!
Sorry about the fly problem. Hope the tummy has not continued to suffer.
Your time sounds too relaxing for me. I can do a beach walk when it isn't too sunny. I can't sit by the pool for hours. I don't swim, but I like the beach scene. I need stimulation. I need retail therapy and interesting places to people watch. That's just me! Anyway, I'm still enjoying your report. Don't stop.
Carol
Jan 26th, 2011, 03:25 AM
#52
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A very nice aspect of this time with our new and previous (from 2 yrs ago here) friends is I'm getting my English accent refresher course. The only problem is this lovely lady Irene from Ireland who has the sweetest voice and lilting accent, I'm finding myself doing English/midwest American/Irish lilt accent. Even had a dream last night and everyone was talking in the soft Irish accent.
The last two days have been cloudy with a few little fine sprinkles, but it's still warm and, I got a nice tan today. I had every intent of going to the gym but ended up having a lazy day by the pool. Meanwhile, Vince did a two hour early morning walk on the beach, swimming in the pool and ending the day with an ocean swim. Everyone says he is the fittest of us all - yet he is the one saying the trip from Chicago to Thailand is too far now that he is older....poppycock.
Again we went to the Coffee Club in the Mini Mall and ate in the open air Courtyard a beautiful evening. Very good Thai food though several people have said they have had Western meals such as grilled salmon and to quote "it was to die for"- we keep meeting up with others that we now know and this ended up with a table of four.
A little concerned that the front page and many articles in the BKK Post are reporting both Yellow and Red shirt demonstrations in Bangkok. Not totally sure but it seems that some are going to be lengthy, not the 24 hr bi monthly red shirt demo. It concerns me on many levels to know that this country of smiles has a continuing disagreement that may ignite at any moment. Several business' and tourist organizations are worried too. On a personal level, I too am a bit edgy about going back to Bangkok on Sunday where we are to spend the next 5 nights. Our family (daughter and son) already suffered major disruption during the yellow shirt closure of the BKK Airport where they were stranded in Cambodia and couldn't get back to the USA. They spent 3 days trying to re route at pretty big expense and loss of vacation time.
The last two days have been cloudy with a few little fine sprinkles, but it's still warm and, I got a nice tan today. I had every intent of going to the gym but ended up having a lazy day by the pool. Meanwhile, Vince did a two hour early morning walk on the beach, swimming in the pool and ending the day with an ocean swim. Everyone says he is the fittest of us all - yet he is the one saying the trip from Chicago to Thailand is too far now that he is older....poppycock.
Again we went to the Coffee Club in the Mini Mall and ate in the open air Courtyard a beautiful evening. Very good Thai food though several people have said they have had Western meals such as grilled salmon and to quote "it was to die for"- we keep meeting up with others that we now know and this ended up with a table of four.
A little concerned that the front page and many articles in the BKK Post are reporting both Yellow and Red shirt demonstrations in Bangkok. Not totally sure but it seems that some are going to be lengthy, not the 24 hr bi monthly red shirt demo. It concerns me on many levels to know that this country of smiles has a continuing disagreement that may ignite at any moment. Several business' and tourist organizations are worried too. On a personal level, I too am a bit edgy about going back to Bangkok on Sunday where we are to spend the next 5 nights. Our family (daughter and son) already suffered major disruption during the yellow shirt closure of the BKK Airport where they were stranded in Cambodia and couldn't get back to the USA. They spent 3 days trying to re route at pretty big expense and loss of vacation time.
Jan 26th, 2011, 04:42 AM
#53
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Interesting bit of news about reds/yellows both doing demonstrations. Maybe hanuman will weigh in. I've not read the BKK Post on line since coming back home a few weeks ago.
We were also impacted by the BKK airport closure, as we had tickets to fly into the country for the holidays. Lucky for us, the airport re-opened about 4-5 days before our arrival. But we were viewing the situation from Europe, and not from at home in the USA, so were a bit edgy as well. DH was flying into BKK from ZRH, not ORD.
Take care. Do keep us posted. I've got my April BKK ticket, so I hope things have not gotten worse by that time. Hopefully it is all peaceful and short-lived.
Enjoy the peacefulness of Phuket!
We were also impacted by the BKK airport closure, as we had tickets to fly into the country for the holidays. Lucky for us, the airport re-opened about 4-5 days before our arrival. But we were viewing the situation from Europe, and not from at home in the USA, so were a bit edgy as well. DH was flying into BKK from ZRH, not ORD.
Take care. Do keep us posted. I've got my April BKK ticket, so I hope things have not gotten worse by that time. Hopefully it is all peaceful and short-lived.
Enjoy the peacefulness of Phuket!
Jan 29th, 2011, 01:40 AM
#54
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Today is our last day after 14 days of real vegitating by the beautiful pools or sitting on a swing by the peaceful ocean. We have been again very pleased and happy with our now 5th stay at the Phuket Marriott Beach Club. A splendid property in a really tropical beautifully designed project. At no time does anyone feel they are stacked up near neighboring guests, all walks to pools or restaurants are beutifully landscaped winding paths with gurgling streams nearby and lots of huge pots with growing lillies and artful plants everywhere.
The Pool "boys" are just the best, they can't do enough to make your time there better than perfect, laying out towels, bringing iced water, iced towels and even little daily baskets of fruit to everyone. They are amazing and I will miss them and their lovely smiles.
The weather has been unseasonable for this time of year and for the last 4 or 5 days we have had quite a bit of cloud cover (which I don't mind at all, as you can still get a nice gentle tan happening with that) and late afternoon and evening heavy thunderstorms. A couple we were talking to who have come here this time of year every year for the last 7 years said this was extremely unusual weather much more like March or April here.
Tommorrow morning (Sunday) it's back to wonderful Bangkok for our final 5 days in Thailand. I'm already beginning to feel sad about leaving even though we are heading on to Hawaii. OK, I'm not complaining, especially when I see the weather in Chicago where Vince and I live and our son, and NY where our daughter lives who tried to take her flight to vacation in Barbados last Thursday (it was cancelled) and is now trying to do it again today and I'm seeing more snow is forcast for Saturday there.
This has been a relaxing and fun part of our trip, made all the better for meeting some very nice people from England and Ireland whom we have spent hours getting to know and quaffed a few wines with and shared meals. Very nice indeed, we've all swapped names addresses, and offers of meeting up in our home areas if anyone travels there and, several planning to return to the same venue this time next year. Still have to talk Vince into that as he's not keen on the long flight. To be fair it IS about twice the hours /distance as from England.
OK off to BKK in the morning and back to the pampering of the Marriott Resort & Spa.
Sue
The Pool "boys" are just the best, they can't do enough to make your time there better than perfect, laying out towels, bringing iced water, iced towels and even little daily baskets of fruit to everyone. They are amazing and I will miss them and their lovely smiles.
The weather has been unseasonable for this time of year and for the last 4 or 5 days we have had quite a bit of cloud cover (which I don't mind at all, as you can still get a nice gentle tan happening with that) and late afternoon and evening heavy thunderstorms. A couple we were talking to who have come here this time of year every year for the last 7 years said this was extremely unusual weather much more like March or April here.
Tommorrow morning (Sunday) it's back to wonderful Bangkok for our final 5 days in Thailand. I'm already beginning to feel sad about leaving even though we are heading on to Hawaii. OK, I'm not complaining, especially when I see the weather in Chicago where Vince and I live and our son, and NY where our daughter lives who tried to take her flight to vacation in Barbados last Thursday (it was cancelled) and is now trying to do it again today and I'm seeing more snow is forcast for Saturday there.
This has been a relaxing and fun part of our trip, made all the better for meeting some very nice people from England and Ireland whom we have spent hours getting to know and quaffed a few wines with and shared meals. Very nice indeed, we've all swapped names addresses, and offers of meeting up in our home areas if anyone travels there and, several planning to return to the same venue this time next year. Still have to talk Vince into that as he's not keen on the long flight. To be fair it IS about twice the hours /distance as from England.
OK off to BKK in the morning and back to the pampering of the Marriott Resort & Spa.
Sue
Jan 29th, 2011, 05:48 AM
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Have a safe flight back to BKK, Sue. If there is any news about red/yellow demonstrations, I'd be very interested to know about it. I've started looking at BKK Post on line, but it is not the same as being there and seeing it (if there is anything to see).
Illinois is a bit 'warmer' the last day or two, but it looks like the bottom will drop out once again, starting early next week. If it were me, I'd stay in HI until about April... haha
Carol
Illinois is a bit 'warmer' the last day or two, but it looks like the bottom will drop out once again, starting early next week. If it were me, I'd stay in HI until about April... haha
Carol
Jan 29th, 2011, 05:30 PM
#57
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Will let you know about the demonstrations Carol. I would appreciate Hanumans' take on the situation too.
Iucy, Vince would consider bellows, however, we are going to be at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club for 13 days on Kauaii. That's more my cup of tea. We get to Oahu on 4th Feb and to Kauaii on the 5th.
5 more nights in Bangkok beginning today.
Sue
Iucy, Vince would consider bellows, however, we are going to be at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club for 13 days on Kauaii. That's more my cup of tea. We get to Oahu on 4th Feb and to Kauaii on the 5th.
5 more nights in Bangkok beginning today.
Sue
Jan 29th, 2011, 11:57 PM
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Politics.....best discussed over a bottle, or two, of wine. Just came back from a wonderful brunch with Kuranosuke - Mahalo my friend and looking forward to welcoming you to our home on the 3rd.
Sue - do you guys have plan on the 3rd? If not would like you to join us for a little GTG with us and Kuranosuke & co. Let me know either here or email me at [email protected]
Sue - do you guys have plan on the 3rd? If not would like you to join us for a little GTG with us and Kuranosuke & co. Let me know either here or email me at [email protected]
