Back to Bangkok!!
Oct 29th, 2009 | 11:02 AM
#122
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
childlife, I think we all have our favorites.
Wat Po (sometimes spelled Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace are all withing a block of each other. I consider that complex the one must-see place in Bangkok.
As Bill says, take a water taxi to the area from the Skytrain.
Jim Thompson House
great food, greata spas
Tell us what else you are interested in so we can make appropriate recommendations.
Wat Po (sometimes spelled Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace are all withing a block of each other. I consider that complex the one must-see place in Bangkok.
As Bill says, take a water taxi to the area from the Skytrain.
Jim Thompson House
great food, greata spas
Tell us what else you are interested in so we can make appropriate recommendations.
Oct 29th, 2009 | 02:46 PM
#123
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
The Grand Palace isn't so grand in my opinion. Save this for when you have more time in Bkk.
Go to a rooftop bar for a drink, Banyan Tree hotel or the State Tower. or a nice wine bar, V2
Suan Luum night market or Chatuchak market.
MBK, for sure..
Go to a rooftop bar for a drink, Banyan Tree hotel or the State Tower. or a nice wine bar, V2
Suan Luum night market or Chatuchak market.
MBK, for sure..
Oct 29th, 2009 | 03:44 PM
#124
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Wat Arun, Grand Palace and Wat Po for sure. Jim Thompson and shopping in general - not sure that mbk would be anywhere near the top of the list, though. Lady boy show is for repeat visitors. Views from state tower are worth the hassle (strict regs on attire) of going there.
Oct 29th, 2009 | 04:46 PM
#125
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Childlife, for the shopping aspect, it depends entirely on what sort of things you want to buy! MBK is at the top of the list for SOME items (but the prices are more expensive than if you can find the very same thing (ie quality) in the "bowels" of one of the street market areas).
Chatuchak (the weekend market) is fabulous, even tho hot and crowded! For me, it's definitely worth the trip! As is the Pratunam Market area, which is just beyond the large mall called Central World Plaza Mall (my favorite Hagen Dazs place is in this mall).
If you want a more "normal" shopping experience, there are malls galore, offering the extremely expensive designer items (Gucci, Prada, LV, etc) and in very fancy upscale settings; but there are also more interesting malls that have Thai designer goods at prices that are easier on the pocket book... but also NOT available in "western sizes" usually, if it's clothes you want.
I agree with the idea of going to one of the rooftop places for a nightcap. I'd suggest Sky Bar, located near the river, in the State Tower building. Dress in smart casual for this place, and sip your ONE drink slowly as the price will raise an eyebrow. The view from the 64th floor is awesome!! Go at dusk so you can watch the city light up.
I know where to get the face stringing/threading (whatever you call it) so I'm going to do that today!!! So excited to try it! It's a small salon on soi 8, where I have been getting my hair shampooed recently, for 150 baht. They do the facial hair removal upstairs from the hair salon. I'm sure it will not cost much, so I'm willing to try it out! I was told I might find a place to have it done in China Town, but I would have noooo idea where. This soi 8 salon is practically right next door to my apartment building. It could not possibly be handier. Hope this technique lives up to my expectations.
Tonight we will have dinner with Dr Jack. Hopefully Maeng can join us as well. She will need an evening away from the PL for a while, since last night was so busy for quiz night.
So far I have two very full (think STUFFED) suitcases, and am looking at what there is left to pack, trying to decide what size duffel bag I might get. I don't really want to take stuff home in a huge rice bag....! Those huge rice bags are real attention getters....! Anyway, there is a luggage store on the corner of Sukhumvit and soi 4, and I know for sure I can find something there for a good price. It only needs to survive the trip home! Not looking for super sturdy or name brand or anything like that.
Brad will be busy trying to deal with a (possibly very big) problem today and in the next week. Hopefully everything works out OK and he gets what he needs. He lost his passport, perhaps in a taxi, or perhaps while playing pool... he is not sure. He re-traced his steps to see if the places he had been on Wednesday evening might have found his passport and were holding on to it for him. No luck.
So today he has to go to the Lumpini police department and file a report. Then he will go to the US Embassy and ask for a new passport. If I understand correctly, he will be given a temporary "passbook" that will be good for maybe one year (?) and then a new passport will be sent to him at home in the US. Anyway, he will be dealing with this problem for a few days. He has 1 1/2 weeks left in BKK so that should be plenty of time to get something done about it so he can get out of the country. Will try to post here to let everyone know how it goes.
He has his old passport (why would he carry that, unless it just happened to be in the pocket of his suitcase... he seems to have a collection of business cards, boarding passes, hotel bills, you name it, in this big pocket in the lid of his suitcase). Anyway, he has the old passport, and he has his plastic coated ID card which he uses when flying within Thailand. This ID card is made by copying the first two pages of your passport, so it has passport number, photo, your signature, etc. and serves as a legal ID when traveling. (and yes, Pook, he went all the way to Chiang Mai and back and never had to show his real passport... just the ID card was fine) For those of you who might want one, I guess you get it made at the places that do photo printing. The cost is probably less than 200 baht. Dr Jack has one, and uses it all the time. When Brad shows his ID to friends, they all say they are going to get one. I should get one too...
Time for breakfast. I'll check in later to let you know how my face stringing went!! (ouch???... don't know yet)
C
Chatuchak (the weekend market) is fabulous, even tho hot and crowded! For me, it's definitely worth the trip! As is the Pratunam Market area, which is just beyond the large mall called Central World Plaza Mall (my favorite Hagen Dazs place is in this mall).
If you want a more "normal" shopping experience, there are malls galore, offering the extremely expensive designer items (Gucci, Prada, LV, etc) and in very fancy upscale settings; but there are also more interesting malls that have Thai designer goods at prices that are easier on the pocket book... but also NOT available in "western sizes" usually, if it's clothes you want.
I agree with the idea of going to one of the rooftop places for a nightcap. I'd suggest Sky Bar, located near the river, in the State Tower building. Dress in smart casual for this place, and sip your ONE drink slowly as the price will raise an eyebrow. The view from the 64th floor is awesome!! Go at dusk so you can watch the city light up.
I know where to get the face stringing/threading (whatever you call it) so I'm going to do that today!!! So excited to try it! It's a small salon on soi 8, where I have been getting my hair shampooed recently, for 150 baht. They do the facial hair removal upstairs from the hair salon. I'm sure it will not cost much, so I'm willing to try it out! I was told I might find a place to have it done in China Town, but I would have noooo idea where. This soi 8 salon is practically right next door to my apartment building. It could not possibly be handier. Hope this technique lives up to my expectations.
Tonight we will have dinner with Dr Jack. Hopefully Maeng can join us as well. She will need an evening away from the PL for a while, since last night was so busy for quiz night.
So far I have two very full (think STUFFED) suitcases, and am looking at what there is left to pack, trying to decide what size duffel bag I might get. I don't really want to take stuff home in a huge rice bag....! Those huge rice bags are real attention getters....! Anyway, there is a luggage store on the corner of Sukhumvit and soi 4, and I know for sure I can find something there for a good price. It only needs to survive the trip home! Not looking for super sturdy or name brand or anything like that.
Brad will be busy trying to deal with a (possibly very big) problem today and in the next week. Hopefully everything works out OK and he gets what he needs. He lost his passport, perhaps in a taxi, or perhaps while playing pool... he is not sure. He re-traced his steps to see if the places he had been on Wednesday evening might have found his passport and were holding on to it for him. No luck.
So today he has to go to the Lumpini police department and file a report. Then he will go to the US Embassy and ask for a new passport. If I understand correctly, he will be given a temporary "passbook" that will be good for maybe one year (?) and then a new passport will be sent to him at home in the US. Anyway, he will be dealing with this problem for a few days. He has 1 1/2 weeks left in BKK so that should be plenty of time to get something done about it so he can get out of the country. Will try to post here to let everyone know how it goes.
He has his old passport (why would he carry that, unless it just happened to be in the pocket of his suitcase... he seems to have a collection of business cards, boarding passes, hotel bills, you name it, in this big pocket in the lid of his suitcase). Anyway, he has the old passport, and he has his plastic coated ID card which he uses when flying within Thailand. This ID card is made by copying the first two pages of your passport, so it has passport number, photo, your signature, etc. and serves as a legal ID when traveling. (and yes, Pook, he went all the way to Chiang Mai and back and never had to show his real passport... just the ID card was fine) For those of you who might want one, I guess you get it made at the places that do photo printing. The cost is probably less than 200 baht. Dr Jack has one, and uses it all the time. When Brad shows his ID to friends, they all say they are going to get one. I should get one too...
Time for breakfast. I'll check in later to let you know how my face stringing went!! (ouch???... don't know yet)
C
Oct 30th, 2009 | 02:01 AM
#127
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Hi There
Thanks for the many great ideas. I've summarized your comments and come up with a hit list of sites.
Would you arrange them in an order that that makes sense in terms of time and locale?
Also, can I get around to these places on my own or should I hire a guide to get around quickly? The company that arranged my trip to Cambodia and Laos has a rep in BKK as well. Thanks and thanks!
Jim Thompson House
A Boat Ride on the River to various Wats (Wat Arun)
Calypso Cabaret (Lady boy show at the Asia Hotel)
Wat Po (sometimes spelled Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace are all within a block of each other. I consider that complex the one must-see place in Bangkok.
Take a water taxi to the area from the Skytrain.
Sunset at the Sky Bar, located near the river, in the State Tower building. Dress in smart casual for this place. The view from the 64th floor is awesome!!
A few shopping options depending on the location: Suan Luum night market, Chatuchak market, Pratunam Market area or MBK. MBK sounds interesting just to see the magnitude of the place.
My suit case is bursting at the seams with my purchases in Cambodia. And I am also lugging around a 50 pound suitcase with donations for the hospital. Viet Nam air has charged us over $200 in luggage fees for a total of two flights. (ugh) So, I'd really have to LOVE something to buy it.
Regards and thanks!
Thanks for the many great ideas. I've summarized your comments and come up with a hit list of sites.
Would you arrange them in an order that that makes sense in terms of time and locale?
Also, can I get around to these places on my own or should I hire a guide to get around quickly? The company that arranged my trip to Cambodia and Laos has a rep in BKK as well. Thanks and thanks!
Jim Thompson House
A Boat Ride on the River to various Wats (Wat Arun)
Calypso Cabaret (Lady boy show at the Asia Hotel)
Wat Po (sometimes spelled Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace are all within a block of each other. I consider that complex the one must-see place in Bangkok.
Take a water taxi to the area from the Skytrain.
Sunset at the Sky Bar, located near the river, in the State Tower building. Dress in smart casual for this place. The view from the 64th floor is awesome!!
A few shopping options depending on the location: Suan Luum night market, Chatuchak market, Pratunam Market area or MBK. MBK sounds interesting just to see the magnitude of the place.
My suit case is bursting at the seams with my purchases in Cambodia. And I am also lugging around a 50 pound suitcase with donations for the hospital. Viet Nam air has charged us over $200 in luggage fees for a total of two flights. (ugh) So, I'd really have to LOVE something to buy it.
Regards and thanks!
Oct 30th, 2009 | 04:07 AM
#130
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
You do the Calypso Cabaret in the evening (skip the dinner option and just do the show- I think its abiout $25 with one drink but its worth it - you will enjoy it- we have done it twice and will do it again in January when we are in BKK.
Shopping- MBK if the heat bothers you and the weekend market if you can take the heat. Bargain a bit.
Try to do the Grand Palace early in the morning (come on Mango - its the number one attraction in BKK bar none!)- in fact most agree that early morning and late afternoon/evening is the best time to venture out and about as the mid day is pretty hot and humid. We usually hang out at the hotel/pool during the mid day to re-charge.
Also my wife likes to get a massage everyday. We have a woman who is very experienced and she comes to the hotel to give my wife a 2 hour facial and body massage - cost - $25 - now that is a pretty good bargain.
Shopping- MBK if the heat bothers you and the weekend market if you can take the heat. Bargain a bit.
Try to do the Grand Palace early in the morning (come on Mango - its the number one attraction in BKK bar none!)- in fact most agree that early morning and late afternoon/evening is the best time to venture out and about as the mid day is pretty hot and humid. We usually hang out at the hotel/pool during the mid day to re-charge.
Also my wife likes to get a massage everyday. We have a woman who is very experienced and she comes to the hotel to give my wife a 2 hour facial and body massage - cost - $25 - now that is a pretty good bargain.
Oct 30th, 2009 | 07:04 AM
#131
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Face threading didn't hurt at all! I'll definitely do it again, if needed, in December when I come back to Bangkok. The cost at Tub Tim salon (just steps inside Suk soi 8) is 300 baht. A shampoo is 150. So I had the works for 450 baht (plus tip for each of the girls who worked me over).
Bangkoklover, if you are reading and following along with this thread, I went to Central Chitlom store today to see if Od is still there, working at the salon on the 2nd floor. You were right!! The salon is GONE!!! I can't believe it! I want OD... I want OD.... I want OD.... where did he go?
We had dinner with Dr Jack and Maeng tonight. Interesting, as always. Jack does pro bono medical work around BKK.. so he always has interesting cases to report..... He seems to get involved in some that are real puzzlers for the docs on staff. A Dr House sort of thingie... if you've ever watched that show on cable.
I got my ID card made today from my passport. It's a credit card sized ID card, laminated, and made from a photo copy of the first two pages of my real passport. The cost was 100 baht, at the photo developing shop on the ground floor at Wave Place building, Phloenchit sktrain station.
DS got his police report filed, then went to the embassy, only to find out that it is always closed the last Friday of the month!! So the new passport has to wait until Monday. I'm going to ask to go along so that I can get extra pages in my own passport. I realized today that I do not have enough room for stamps/visas as I will make my trip to Europe in November and then back to Bangkok in December! Additional pages are a must.
It's an early evening. I'm back in my apartment and just about ready to fall asleep at 10pm. Tomorrow, DS and I will go to a town south of BKK about an hour by taxi to visit friends at their new house. Should be fun!
Ho hum... nighty-night. My day is coming to a close, and many of you are just getting started with your Friday. Enjoy it!
Carol
Bangkoklover, if you are reading and following along with this thread, I went to Central Chitlom store today to see if Od is still there, working at the salon on the 2nd floor. You were right!! The salon is GONE!!! I can't believe it! I want OD... I want OD.... I want OD.... where did he go?
We had dinner with Dr Jack and Maeng tonight. Interesting, as always. Jack does pro bono medical work around BKK.. so he always has interesting cases to report..... He seems to get involved in some that are real puzzlers for the docs on staff. A Dr House sort of thingie... if you've ever watched that show on cable.
I got my ID card made today from my passport. It's a credit card sized ID card, laminated, and made from a photo copy of the first two pages of my real passport. The cost was 100 baht, at the photo developing shop on the ground floor at Wave Place building, Phloenchit sktrain station.
DS got his police report filed, then went to the embassy, only to find out that it is always closed the last Friday of the month!! So the new passport has to wait until Monday. I'm going to ask to go along so that I can get extra pages in my own passport. I realized today that I do not have enough room for stamps/visas as I will make my trip to Europe in November and then back to Bangkok in December! Additional pages are a must.
It's an early evening. I'm back in my apartment and just about ready to fall asleep at 10pm. Tomorrow, DS and I will go to a town south of BKK about an hour by taxi to visit friends at their new house. Should be fun!
Ho hum... nighty-night. My day is coming to a close, and many of you are just getting started with your Friday. Enjoy it!
Carol
Oct 30th, 2009 | 06:02 PM
#132
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Hi All
If this posts twice, I'll apologize.
I've arranged the sites and am looking forward to making a final plan for my 2 day BBK whirlwind tour.
Can you have a look and see if I have arranged them in order of appropriate locales and times?
Also, do you think I can do this on my own or shall I hire a guide to help whisk me around?
Day One
Wat Po (sometimes spelled Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace are all within a block of each other The Grand palace is best viewed when it opens at 8:30 a.m.. Then walk over to Wat Pho.
A taxi to the Jim Thompson house and lunch at the cafe.
Then walk down to Siam Square and shop til you drop. OR massage.
Calypso Cabaret in the evening - (Lady boy show at the Asia Hotel)
Day Two
A Boat Ride on the River to various Wats (Wat Arun)
A few shopping options depending on the location: Suan Luum night market, Chatuchak market, Pratunam Market area or MBK.
Take a water taxi to the area from the Skytrain.
Sunset at the Sky Bar, located near the river, in the State Tower building. Dress in smart casual for this place. The view from the 64th floor is awesome!!
Thanks again. We are enjoying the final leg of our Cambodia/Laos trip in Luan Prabang. We are staying in Heaven!
Andrea
If this posts twice, I'll apologize.
I've arranged the sites and am looking forward to making a final plan for my 2 day BBK whirlwind tour.
Can you have a look and see if I have arranged them in order of appropriate locales and times?
Also, do you think I can do this on my own or shall I hire a guide to help whisk me around?
Day One
Wat Po (sometimes spelled Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace are all within a block of each other The Grand palace is best viewed when it opens at 8:30 a.m.. Then walk over to Wat Pho.
A taxi to the Jim Thompson house and lunch at the cafe.
Then walk down to Siam Square and shop til you drop. OR massage.
Calypso Cabaret in the evening - (Lady boy show at the Asia Hotel)
Day Two
A Boat Ride on the River to various Wats (Wat Arun)
A few shopping options depending on the location: Suan Luum night market, Chatuchak market, Pratunam Market area or MBK.
Take a water taxi to the area from the Skytrain.
Sunset at the Sky Bar, located near the river, in the State Tower building. Dress in smart casual for this place. The view from the 64th floor is awesome!!
Thanks again. We are enjoying the final leg of our Cambodia/Laos trip in Luan Prabang. We are staying in Heaven!
Andrea
Oct 30th, 2009 | 06:42 PM
#133
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Andrea,
Just one thing. Keep in mind that Chatuchak is the weekend market, so visiting that market can only happen on a Saturday or Sunday. It's a fantastic market! I do hope you can include it in your plans.
The river boat ride to Wat Arun... This wat is right across the river from the grand palace area. You can visit it that same day, and then, save your boat ride for what is called a klong tour. This one will take you into the smaller canals where you can get a glimpse of life in Bangkok. You arrange the length of your klong tour, so you can spend anywhere from 1 to 3 hours or so. You might include a visit to the Royal Barge facility, which is interesting... although not all of the royal barges are here... but it is a glimpse at what they look like. Only takes a few minutes to walk thru.
Sounds like you are really enjoying your trip so far. I hope you fall in love with Bangkok, as so many of us here on this forum have. It's an amazing city.
Today we are off to Bang Boen (sp) and I am looking forward to it. Our Danish friend has been working on his "weekend" house for several months, getting it ready to live in full time. He has invited us to spend the night, but we will not do that until we return to BKK in December. We will spend Christmas Eve at the weekend house, and have a traditional Danish dinner.
We've not seen rain for two days now in BKK. Yippeeee! Once again the sun is shining this morning. Don't get me wrong... it'll be hot out there! But I don't think we'll have to dodge raindrops or downpours today.
The Adelphi is celebrating their 2nd anniversary at 10am in the lobby. When I came out from breakfast, I noticed they were setting up a fancy display of some sort. They invited me to come down and take part (since I "live" here...haha). We'll see. But I am curious to see how they will celebrate. Probably monks/Buddha/incense/blessings... ? Maybe I should make time to see this.
I guess you guys in the US get to set your clocks back tonight (Halloween). I don't know if BKK does daylight saving time or not. I'll have to figure out the time, if it changes or not, so I don't miss my flight on Tuesday!!
We will go to the Pickled Liver when we get back from the weekend house. There is a big costume party going on. I know it'll be lots of laughs. I'll be going as myself... now THAT's scary!!
Carol
Just one thing. Keep in mind that Chatuchak is the weekend market, so visiting that market can only happen on a Saturday or Sunday. It's a fantastic market! I do hope you can include it in your plans.
The river boat ride to Wat Arun... This wat is right across the river from the grand palace area. You can visit it that same day, and then, save your boat ride for what is called a klong tour. This one will take you into the smaller canals where you can get a glimpse of life in Bangkok. You arrange the length of your klong tour, so you can spend anywhere from 1 to 3 hours or so. You might include a visit to the Royal Barge facility, which is interesting... although not all of the royal barges are here... but it is a glimpse at what they look like. Only takes a few minutes to walk thru.
Sounds like you are really enjoying your trip so far. I hope you fall in love with Bangkok, as so many of us here on this forum have. It's an amazing city.
Today we are off to Bang Boen (sp) and I am looking forward to it. Our Danish friend has been working on his "weekend" house for several months, getting it ready to live in full time. He has invited us to spend the night, but we will not do that until we return to BKK in December. We will spend Christmas Eve at the weekend house, and have a traditional Danish dinner.
We've not seen rain for two days now in BKK. Yippeeee! Once again the sun is shining this morning. Don't get me wrong... it'll be hot out there! But I don't think we'll have to dodge raindrops or downpours today.
The Adelphi is celebrating their 2nd anniversary at 10am in the lobby. When I came out from breakfast, I noticed they were setting up a fancy display of some sort. They invited me to come down and take part (since I "live" here...haha). We'll see. But I am curious to see how they will celebrate. Probably monks/Buddha/incense/blessings... ? Maybe I should make time to see this.
I guess you guys in the US get to set your clocks back tonight (Halloween). I don't know if BKK does daylight saving time or not. I'll have to figure out the time, if it changes or not, so I don't miss my flight on Tuesday!!
We will go to the Pickled Liver when we get back from the weekend house. There is a big costume party going on. I know it'll be lots of laughs. I'll be going as myself... now THAT's scary!!
Carol
Oct 30th, 2009 | 10:50 PM
#134
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Carol,Sounds you have had a great time.I missed you as I was in Jakarta and will be in Bangkok within two weeks. Interesting what you said about the taxis at the airport,I found the same thing not so long ago too. By the way I finally found ODD who yes has moved to a new place called Salon & Spa [Ph 02 655 0088 ]. If you go to the back of the supermarket/chemist area at Central and walk outside you will see Mos Burgers.I walked through that shop and it is located in an arcade just near there.Just took some persistence !!!!
I want 50 of those scarves, I hope you left some for me . If the Australian exchange rate keeps climbing I should be there mid Nov but will be in DPS first. Talk about heavy traffic and cheap clothes you should see CGK and Bandung. Mind blowing. Buying silk and scarves at prices starting from 69000 rupiah [ 240 bht ]. Loved Borodur and Yogyarkta, found great restaurants at Yog.Bye for now
I want 50 of those scarves, I hope you left some for me . If the Australian exchange rate keeps climbing I should be there mid Nov but will be in DPS first. Talk about heavy traffic and cheap clothes you should see CGK and Bandung. Mind blowing. Buying silk and scarves at prices starting from 69000 rupiah [ 240 bht ]. Loved Borodur and Yogyarkta, found great restaurants at Yog.Bye for now
Oct 31st, 2009 | 12:41 AM
#136
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,466
Likes: 0
you can geta Klong tour at any of the river side hotels just ask the chap there at the dock side to get you one, or at Sapin Thaksin pier. usually about 1 hour (its just you and the boat/driver) but if i were you i would avoid the snake farm... we just asked him to dive on
Oct 31st, 2009 | 05:30 PM
#137
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
childlife, let me clarify about the water taxis and klong tours. You'll want to take a water taxi on Day 1 from the Skytrain to the area of the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha and Wat Po. Wat Arun is right across the river and can be accessed by a small ferry. (The water taxi is efficient transport, not a tour) Alternatively, you can visit Wat Arun if/when you do a klong tour. The water taxis don't go anywhere near the shopping places you mention. You'll want to take the skytrain to the various shopping centers.
You don't really need a guide.
What kinds of things are you looking for in your shopping?
You don't really need a guide.
What kinds of things are you looking for in your shopping?
Oct 31st, 2009 | 06:04 PM
#139
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Sawasdee kah everyone,
It is after 8:30 this morning before I am up and about. It was a late night last night and I'm moving a bit more slowly than usual this morning.
Bkklover, thanks for the info on where to find OD. I won't be seeing him on this trip, but will look for him the next time I'm here. I'll bet he is in a temporary location until they build the new salon/spa back in the Central Chitlom dept store. What do you think? Hope we can shop together some day in BKK.
After breakfast yesterday, I decided to observe the celebration in the lobby. The hotel has been in business for exactly two years and so they wanted prayers and blessings bestowed, for more good business. Fascinating! The hotel staff prepared a large white mat on the floor, and then placed 9 much smaller rugs on top of the large mat. The 9 rugs were for the 9 monks who came to pray for, and bless, the hotel and for a good business. There was chanting, sometimes by one monk, sometimes by all nine of them.
There was a large ball of white string, which I now understand would be strung all around the lobby of the hotel, and then for the ceremony it was passed amongst the monks, one to another, in a row, as they are sitting on their small rugs. The ball of white string is then put into what looks like an alms bowl, sitting beside the last monk in the line. The monks hold the string in their praying hands as they chant. The string is intended to encircle the lobby in order to contain any spirits (if I understand this correctly).
There were participants from the lobby, who knelt or sat on the large white mat to pray with the monks. Food was given to the monks.
The ceremony lasted just over one hour. I could not stay for the entire thing as I needed to get ready for my day, but I was fascinated by the parts that I did see.
After the celebration, Brad and I took a taxi to Ban Bueng, which is along the road between BKK and Pattaya. We had a lovely day at the country house. Our Danish friend prepared a hand made pizza for dinner. He was making the sauce when we arrived at the house. The pizzas (there were 2 of them actually) were delicious!!! Move over, Via Vai.... if our friend wants to compete with you, he will take over as pizza king in BKK... lol
When we went down to Ban Bueng we arranged for a taxi to take us there and bring us back. The driver and Brad agreed on a price, the driver said he would hang around Ban Bueng area for the day, basically from noon to about 8pm, and we took off. The ride to BB is about one hour. Brad has been to the weekend house before, so he knew the way.
We had a lovely afternoon/evening, as I said, visiting and laughing, eating, sharing wine and some exotic licorice drink... a good time!! At about 8pm we started looking for our driver to take us back to BKK. No driver. Brad had paid him for the trip down to BB... in hindsight, he should not have paid the driver for anything until we were back in BKK!!!! Lesson learned. Anyway, BB is out in the middle of nowhere. There are no taxis. The shuttle to BKK makes its last trip at 6pm, and it was way past that time. Long story short, it took about 2 hours to find another driver, who then had to drive from Pattaya to BB to pick us up and take us to BKK. That driver knew he had a captive audience, and he knew he could charge pretty much "whatever" he wanted to. We were back in BKK, at the PL, at about midnight!!!
I did not stay at PL very long. Most of the people in costumes had been there and had left by that time, but I got to see some pictures that were taken. Must have been a good party. Too bad we weren't in BKK at 9pm as we had planned.
Today I will pack all my stuff and see what will have to be sent home UPS. It'll cost me... haha I'm going to send home my dirty (and clean) clothes, which are summer weight and won't be needed at home until next spring! I won't pay for 2 or 3 day service. Getting my clothes back a couple of weeks later would be fine. I'll need them in December for my return to BKK. Too bad there isn't a place to keep them all here... haha
Tonight, dinner at BoLan. Brad met and talked with Dylan at the PL the other night. Looking forward to this meal.
Enjoy your extra hour of sleep tonight!
Carol
It is after 8:30 this morning before I am up and about. It was a late night last night and I'm moving a bit more slowly than usual this morning.
Bkklover, thanks for the info on where to find OD. I won't be seeing him on this trip, but will look for him the next time I'm here. I'll bet he is in a temporary location until they build the new salon/spa back in the Central Chitlom dept store. What do you think? Hope we can shop together some day in BKK.
After breakfast yesterday, I decided to observe the celebration in the lobby. The hotel has been in business for exactly two years and so they wanted prayers and blessings bestowed, for more good business. Fascinating! The hotel staff prepared a large white mat on the floor, and then placed 9 much smaller rugs on top of the large mat. The 9 rugs were for the 9 monks who came to pray for, and bless, the hotel and for a good business. There was chanting, sometimes by one monk, sometimes by all nine of them.
There was a large ball of white string, which I now understand would be strung all around the lobby of the hotel, and then for the ceremony it was passed amongst the monks, one to another, in a row, as they are sitting on their small rugs. The ball of white string is then put into what looks like an alms bowl, sitting beside the last monk in the line. The monks hold the string in their praying hands as they chant. The string is intended to encircle the lobby in order to contain any spirits (if I understand this correctly).
There were participants from the lobby, who knelt or sat on the large white mat to pray with the monks. Food was given to the monks.
The ceremony lasted just over one hour. I could not stay for the entire thing as I needed to get ready for my day, but I was fascinated by the parts that I did see.
After the celebration, Brad and I took a taxi to Ban Bueng, which is along the road between BKK and Pattaya. We had a lovely day at the country house. Our Danish friend prepared a hand made pizza for dinner. He was making the sauce when we arrived at the house. The pizzas (there were 2 of them actually) were delicious!!! Move over, Via Vai.... if our friend wants to compete with you, he will take over as pizza king in BKK... lol
When we went down to Ban Bueng we arranged for a taxi to take us there and bring us back. The driver and Brad agreed on a price, the driver said he would hang around Ban Bueng area for the day, basically from noon to about 8pm, and we took off. The ride to BB is about one hour. Brad has been to the weekend house before, so he knew the way.
We had a lovely afternoon/evening, as I said, visiting and laughing, eating, sharing wine and some exotic licorice drink... a good time!! At about 8pm we started looking for our driver to take us back to BKK. No driver. Brad had paid him for the trip down to BB... in hindsight, he should not have paid the driver for anything until we were back in BKK!!!! Lesson learned. Anyway, BB is out in the middle of nowhere. There are no taxis. The shuttle to BKK makes its last trip at 6pm, and it was way past that time. Long story short, it took about 2 hours to find another driver, who then had to drive from Pattaya to BB to pick us up and take us to BKK. That driver knew he had a captive audience, and he knew he could charge pretty much "whatever" he wanted to. We were back in BKK, at the PL, at about midnight!!!
I did not stay at PL very long. Most of the people in costumes had been there and had left by that time, but I got to see some pictures that were taken. Must have been a good party. Too bad we weren't in BKK at 9pm as we had planned.
Today I will pack all my stuff and see what will have to be sent home UPS. It'll cost me... haha I'm going to send home my dirty (and clean) clothes, which are summer weight and won't be needed at home until next spring! I won't pay for 2 or 3 day service. Getting my clothes back a couple of weeks later would be fine. I'll need them in December for my return to BKK. Too bad there isn't a place to keep them all here... haha
Tonight, dinner at BoLan. Brad met and talked with Dylan at the PL the other night. Looking forward to this meal.
Enjoy your extra hour of sleep tonight!
Carol
Oct 31st, 2009 | 07:30 PM
#140
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Carol, I had a chat to ODD and the owner of the salon and it would seem that the rent is far too high in Central, hence the move. The new place is much bigger, brighter and so easy to get about in. More renovation work is expected to be undertaken in 2/3 weeks and the Salon will be closed during this time so I do feel confident when I say they are staying put and not moving. Did you leave any of those scarves for me at JJ ? Animal bags sound great but would not suit my clientele unfortunately. Am enjoying reading your mails and do hope we can catch up one day.
bkklover
bkklover
