bkklover, I think there are a few scarves left at JJ...:)

Packing today, as the shopping is done (yeah, right). I have a bag of my clothing to take to UPS for shipping tomorrow afternoon.

I'm going to hop on the BTS and ride from end to end, end to end, on both lines this afternoon. Dinner is not until 7pm, so I have some free time. There are some new stops beyond Saphan Taksin, and there are always small local markets near the BTS stations that no farangs ever seem to visit. You never know what you might find there.

C

Carol, I expect you are staying at the Adelphi next trip. If so, ask if they will store a suitcase for you. Many hotels will.

I saw on flyertalk that United has some good W fares (SWU upgradeable) to BKK. Under $900 from LAX. $1100 to $1200 (for 881/882) from ORD. Good for departure thru May 7.

I was going to make the same suggestion as Kathie. Lori was telling me that Ponheary has several "locker guests" at her guesthouse - people who come back frequently and so have a storage locker there rather than hauling stuff back and forth. I know there are some commercial storage facilities down in that area, but the Adelphi may be willing to store stuff for free, since you 'live' there.

Oh, and no, there's no daylight savings time in Thailand. It's the tropics, we don't need it. There's barely an hour's difference in sunrise and sunset between June and December.

Hi There

I haven't been to BBK and I am already in love because of your delightful commentary.

Carol, I'm especially enjoying your updates.

My plan is to pass off one of my suitcases to one of my fellow travelers. As I mentioned, I have 2 large suitcases now. One with my "life" for 6 weeks in SEA and the other supplies for the children's hospital.

So, I do think I may shop until I drop. And I will buy a duffel bag along the way.

Having said that, I am pondering what to shop for. Any ideas?
Thing I would like to have:

A new camera with removable lens and flash. My Nikon Cool pix is great. If I can get an amazing price, I may trade up.

Clothes are always fun.

The software called "Light Room." I've just heard about it today and that may be great to pick up.

A Burberry jacket.

Hmmm????

Thanks again for all of your insights. I'm SO excited about this portion of my trip.

Andrea

Andrea-when packing for your six weeks in SEA, take into account the fact that laundry services are plentiful and cheap in SEA. It will be very easy to get your dirty clothes washed regularly.

I'm just now back at my apartment after dinner at Bo.lan. (I was taking notes during dinner) Bo and Dylan both came to our table to welcome us to the restaurant. That was nice.

The location is a bit off the beaten path... taxi essential. The restaurant is done in a Thai style house and the ambience is lovely. The decor, even down to the chairs, some of which have only one arm, and the placemats, are unique. Maeng and I agreed that the presentation of each dish is exceptional, as is the service. Bo.lan would be appropriate for a special occasion meal, for sure.

DS ordered the set course meal which is like a tasting sample meal. I lost count of how many dishes were put on the table. The beginning courses and desserts were served on separate plates for each of us, but the meat dishes were served Thai style.

I admit to not being much of a foodie. I don't enjoy experimenting with new flavors so for me, this place was really not my cup of tea. DS enjoyed it, and said that the tom ka gna (coconut soup) was the best he's had in Thailand; and the green curry beef was also delicious. DS also bit into the hottest pepper he has ever had in is life, and had to wait a bit for the fire in his belly to cool down. I think this pepper (carrot sort of color) is for flavoring the food, not for eating. Live and learn.

Dylan was concerned about my allergy to lemon grass, and so he prepared a couple of dishes for me that did not contain lemon grass. He commented something to the effect that it must be difficult to dine in Thailand. It was very thoughtful of him to prepare special items... it was much appreciated. And then, at the end of the meal, he came out to see if I had had any food reactions, which I had not. But that is partly because I don't experiment with new fruits and herbs and such. If you'd been as close to death as I was, when I went into antiphylactic shock in Paris, you might also dine with extreme caution when you are not the one cooking the meal!!

Mango, Maeng is in your corner on the idea of authentic Thai food being prepared by someone other than a Thai. You really should stop by the Pickled Liver and meet her! You two could have a very lively discussion about "real" Thai food.

Re: the storing of a bag here at Adelphi, since I keep coming back, I don't wish to do that. But thank you for the suggestion anyway.

Mrwunrfl, those fares sound great. I'll have to check them out, as I'll probably be back again next April for a couple of weeks.

Andrea, glad you are enjoying my commentary. Thank you.

I'm having great difficulty keeping my eyes open right now, so I really must close for the night.

C

Andrea, if you are from the US, you can get electronics for less on the internet in the US than anywhere in Asia. And buying electronics in Asia has complications in regard to warranties, rechargers and such. Software, unless it is pirated, will be a similar price in BKK as in the US. You may save a little on designer items, unless you are content with knock-offs. Knock offs vary tremendously in price and quality.

Frankly, I never buy western goods in Bangkok. I'm much more interested in local goods - silks, crafts and such. You can buy charming hand-made purses (one of the things Carol shops for), for instance. For designer goods, I prefer to buy local designer items - lovely and unique. For mid-priced quintessentially Thai designs take a look at the items at Jim Thompson. I have a number of Jim Thompson purses that everyone comments on, and JT makes all kinds of little things with their gorgeous silk fabrics. I also have a stunning silk wrap I bought at JT years ago.

Jewelry, especially sapphires and rubies are a good deal, but only buy from a recommended Jewelry store, Anyone who tells you there is a special government sale or who will take you to a store their cousin, uncle, etc owns and get you a special price is scamming you. You'll end up paying US prices. I have been buying jewelry from the same place for over 20 years. I can get unset stones or jewelry - sapphires and rubies- for one third to one fourth the US price. If you are interested, let me know and I'll post the info.

Carol, thanks so much for your comments on Bo Lan. Tom Kha Gah is my favorite Thai soup. Maybe we'll get to try it there.

oops - I just re-read my post - that's Tom Kah Gai... I must have still been asleep.

Thanks Carol. If I'm in that area I will be sure to stop by the PL, even thought its of a British theme. From what I've read though, it sounds tasty.

Dogster- ever been before?

Kathie

Thanks, that is very helpful information. And I agree with your strategy to buy local, unique items. So, I will look at JT as well. Since I do not have a lot of time, it may workout well to start at JT this time around.

And do most Thais speak English? Is this way the forum suggested mI make my way around town without a guide?

Thanks, we are off to the airport now.

Andrea

Most of the Thais you have contact with will speak English. You have a stop at the Jim Thompson House scheduled, and there is a branch of the store there. There is also the main store - lots more stuff, and an outlet store - bargains if they happen to have things you are interested in.

I've never used a guide in Bangkok. Some people like to hire a guide to take them to places outside the city.

Learn to use the Skytrain.

Mango

When you look at the menu at the PL, you'll say... huh? Too many international sorts of items, from Brit to Aussie, to TexMex, etc.. But if you order from the Thai menu, trust me, it's REAL Thai, as Maeng and her crew fellow cook are both very much Thai. Maeng shops at the local markets almost daily, so everything is fresh and home made. Her lasagna, for example, is made fresh (home made noodles and all) everyday. Yes, the bar has a British pub name/feel/with soccer playing on the large screen TVs. But you'll still enjoy it, I'm sure.

Today is Loy Kratong. We will meet up with Hanuman and his family for the evening. Looking forward to that! I'm sure this will be a fantastic evening, as I've seen some of the candles that are being made, to float on the rivers and lakes. Beautiful!! Simply beautiful!! I'm so glad I'm not scheduled to return home until tomorrow, so that I can experience this celebration.

I see that Illinois is back on standard time... my computer is set on Illinois time. I'm wondering how the airlines make up for that hour, since I'm still scheduled to arrive at my same time at ORD, not an hour earlier... maybe we don't fly so fast??? hahaha

C

Good morning Carol,

Look forward to seeing you guys this evening. We will prepare some "kratong" for you guys so no need to bring them. I'll give Brad a call later to arrange a meeting point.

Hanuman, looking forward to it! Brad will be expecting your call. I think he will spend much of his day at the embassy trying to resolve his lost passport situation. Me, I'm headed there this morning, first thing, to get my extra pages added. Hope it doesn't take too long as I have other stops to make.

Kathie.... just to clarify... Brad liked the tom kai gna. It was not "gai" (chicken), it was beef, thus the "gna" which was Maeng's spelling, I believe.

C

Ok, thanks for the clarification, Carol.

Hello All,

I have arrived in BBK. We got my husband situated for his flight back to the States, so I'm on my own now. What an exciting city!

In 2 weeks, I will be going ot Taipei for one week and will have a lot of free time. Can anyone give input on the shopping in Taipei vs. BBK?

I've decided to look for:

Burberry down jacket,
Some decorations for the childrens hospital in Pakse, Laos,
Toy doctor kits and musical toys for the same,
A tour book for Taiwan
I'd love to get some new business cards made,but I may have more time for that in Taipei.
The black PALI sandals which I typiclaly buy in Hawaii which are made in Taiwan.

Thanks, I'm off for a late lunch and shopping at JT.

Andrea

Hello All,

I have arrived in BBK. We got my husband situated for his flight back to the States, so I'm on my own now. What an exciting city!

In 2 weeks, I will be going ot Taipei for one week and will have a lot of free time. Can anyone give input on the shopping in Taipei vs. BBK?

I've decided to look for:
New lenses for my RX eye glasses,
Burberry down jacket,
Some decorations for the childrens hospital in Pakse, Laos,
Toy doctor kits and musical toys for the same,
A tour book for Taiwan
I'd love to get some new business cards made,but I may have more time for that in Taipei.
The black PALI sandals which I typiclaly buy in Hawaii which are made in Taiwan.


Thanks, I'm off for a late lunch and shopping at JT.

Andrea