Bangkok, here I come... AGAIN!
Apr 28th, 2010, 09:09 AM
#83
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Shopping was adequate today in CM. I bought more of the cute animal shaped bags and some other summery bags. I have enough stuff to fill a rice bag going home. I am shipping 5 big bags from CM, on top of the full rice bag. I guess shopping was pretty good, over all. I've got one more trip to the weekend market on Sunday, but will only pick up a handful of items.
Lunch was at MK at Chiang Mai Airport Plaza. Wow... was it good! Maeng was with us so she did the cooking of the sukiyaki. We had all sorts of stuff in our soup. Really delicious! I recommend it, if you don't mind cooking your own pot of food. Everything is very fresh.
Dinner was at the great Thai food place that is directly across from CM airport. We checked our bags in with Thai first and then went to the restaurant. We had plenty of time by checking in first, and claiming our seats, having dinner, and then heading back to the airport about 10 minutes before boarding time for our BKK flight.
Flight was not even close to being full. It was on a 777 2-class plane. We were in economy. The configuration on Thai is 3-3-3. Pleasant (short) flight back to BKK. Not a single bump! Did not sleep this time.
I'm back in my apartment on soi 8. We noticed a military presence on Sukhumvit tonight. Maeng says she has never seen that before. I understand they are trying to keep red shirts from taking over around Asok. I need to read the thread on escalation of protests to see what is happening.
Anyway, back, safe and sound, from 3-day/2-night trip to CM. Saturday will be a day trip to Hua Hin with Maeng. Not sure yet if Brad will also go along. Tomorrow, quiz night!
Now I want sleep.
Carol
Lunch was at MK at Chiang Mai Airport Plaza. Wow... was it good! Maeng was with us so she did the cooking of the sukiyaki. We had all sorts of stuff in our soup. Really delicious! I recommend it, if you don't mind cooking your own pot of food. Everything is very fresh.
Dinner was at the great Thai food place that is directly across from CM airport. We checked our bags in with Thai first and then went to the restaurant. We had plenty of time by checking in first, and claiming our seats, having dinner, and then heading back to the airport about 10 minutes before boarding time for our BKK flight.
Flight was not even close to being full. It was on a 777 2-class plane. We were in economy. The configuration on Thai is 3-3-3. Pleasant (short) flight back to BKK. Not a single bump! Did not sleep this time.
I'm back in my apartment on soi 8. We noticed a military presence on Sukhumvit tonight. Maeng says she has never seen that before. I understand they are trying to keep red shirts from taking over around Asok. I need to read the thread on escalation of protests to see what is happening.
Anyway, back, safe and sound, from 3-day/2-night trip to CM. Saturday will be a day trip to Hua Hin with Maeng. Not sure yet if Brad will also go along. Tomorrow, quiz night!
Now I want sleep.
Carol
Apr 28th, 2010, 06:03 PM
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"The only thing I don't like about this report is the fact that I'm not there..." Dogster, that can be remedied. Come on over!!
Bob, both Brad and Maeng say that it is very do-able to go to Hua Hin for one day. I have friends who've done it on the train. We'll do taxi. I'm up for it! We will just walk the beach, eat, visit Maeng's friends, and maybe SHOP... (I understand there is a market) My rice bag is not yet full... haha
There is a continuing low rumbling sound outside my window this morning. I'm hoping it isn't the military having to spray from their water cannons to keep the reds away... but I'm thinking it is construction noise. Not bothersome at all. There is a building/structure... that has been left unfinished since I've been coming here in 2001. It is right next to Nana BTS station (great location). It occupies the area 'in front' of the Grande Sukhumvit, which is on soi 6 (used to be Sofitel) and sits right on Sukhumvit Road. Anyway, the structure has been occupied by dogs and food carts as long as I've been coming. Now, the structure is coming down. Something new will (finally) be going up in that location!!! Yippeeee... the old building has long-been an eyesore. I am assuming a new hotel, but it could be another shopping plaza. We shall see. Pook, do you know?
Did laundry this morning, and will now be off to breakfast and then a hair appt at 11:00 at Tub Tim, my current favorite... a very local sort of shop.
Carol
Bob, both Brad and Maeng say that it is very do-able to go to Hua Hin for one day. I have friends who've done it on the train. We'll do taxi. I'm up for it! We will just walk the beach, eat, visit Maeng's friends, and maybe SHOP... (I understand there is a market) My rice bag is not yet full... haha
There is a continuing low rumbling sound outside my window this morning. I'm hoping it isn't the military having to spray from their water cannons to keep the reds away... but I'm thinking it is construction noise. Not bothersome at all. There is a building/structure... that has been left unfinished since I've been coming here in 2001. It is right next to Nana BTS station (great location). It occupies the area 'in front' of the Grande Sukhumvit, which is on soi 6 (used to be Sofitel) and sits right on Sukhumvit Road. Anyway, the structure has been occupied by dogs and food carts as long as I've been coming. Now, the structure is coming down. Something new will (finally) be going up in that location!!! Yippeeee... the old building has long-been an eyesore. I am assuming a new hotel, but it could be another shopping plaza. We shall see. Pook, do you know?
Did laundry this morning, and will now be off to breakfast and then a hair appt at 11:00 at Tub Tim, my current favorite... a very local sort of shop.
Carol
Apr 28th, 2010, 07:11 PM
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of course it is possible but an overnite would be so much nicer really....
the mini mall across the street from the marriott is quite a nice little place, but probably no bargains there.... some good food however... i will be interested in your impression of the market...
the mini mall across the street from the marriott is quite a nice little place, but probably no bargains there.... some good food however... i will be interested in your impression of the market...
Apr 29th, 2010, 03:16 AM
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Bob, an over night would be much nicer, yes, but at this point it is not possible. I'll take the day trip as that is all we can muster. I will give my opinion of the market, if we should make it there (hopefully).
I was at Phrom Phong (Emporium and NaRaYa) today for an hour. When I came out, it was pouring down rain, and me with no umbrella. Luckily it was only two steps to the protection of the BTS from the NaRaYa doorway. I immediately came back to my apartment. When I got to soi 8, it had not rained at all! The two locations (Emporium/soi 8) can't be much more than maybe a mile apart, if that! Rain in the soi 8 neighborhood would have helped cool things down a bit. Darn!
Vinovino, the watermelon smoothie has become my favorite afternoon refreshment at Monsoon! I had one again a few hours ago. Thanks for that suggestion! Much appreciated.
Off to quiz night at the Pickled Liver. I'm not sure how many team members we'll have tonight. DS and I may just join another team rather than be just the two of us. The competition is really pretty stiff! Some of these people do quiz night several nights a week, I think, at various locations around Sukhumvit. I like trivia, but I'm not that much of a fan!
Carol
I was at Phrom Phong (Emporium and NaRaYa) today for an hour. When I came out, it was pouring down rain, and me with no umbrella. Luckily it was only two steps to the protection of the BTS from the NaRaYa doorway. I immediately came back to my apartment. When I got to soi 8, it had not rained at all! The two locations (Emporium/soi 8) can't be much more than maybe a mile apart, if that! Rain in the soi 8 neighborhood would have helped cool things down a bit. Darn!
Vinovino, the watermelon smoothie has become my favorite afternoon refreshment at Monsoon! I had one again a few hours ago. Thanks for that suggestion! Much appreciated.
Off to quiz night at the Pickled Liver. I'm not sure how many team members we'll have tonight. DS and I may just join another team rather than be just the two of us. The competition is really pretty stiff! Some of these people do quiz night several nights a week, I think, at various locations around Sukhumvit. I like trivia, but I'm not that much of a fan!
Carol
Apr 29th, 2010, 08:31 AM
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The "Fodorites" team of 2 people (DS and me) did amazingly well tonight. There must have been at least 10 teams, each with at least 5-6 people. We had just the two of us, and we ended up in about 4th or 5th place! You guys would've been proud!!!
Maeng's garlic shrimp was on the menu one last time before I go home. The other nights that I'm still here are pretty well 'booked' so this was my last taste of Maeng's cooking.
The TV in the back of the PL was showing what looked like it might be more skirmishes between the military and the red shirts tonight, somewhere... I could not quite get what the guys who were watching it were trying to say. Maybe it was footage from a few days ago, but I thought they said it was going on tonight. Wish I knew for sure.
Carol
Maeng's garlic shrimp was on the menu one last time before I go home. The other nights that I'm still here are pretty well 'booked' so this was my last taste of Maeng's cooking.
The TV in the back of the PL was showing what looked like it might be more skirmishes between the military and the red shirts tonight, somewhere... I could not quite get what the guys who were watching it were trying to say. Maybe it was footage from a few days ago, but I thought they said it was going on tonight. Wish I knew for sure.
Carol
Apr 29th, 2010, 05:28 PM
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I almost forgot, I ran into "Mike from the embassy" a month or so ago. He puts on his own quiz night at Jusmag about once a month. I don't think there's one this month, but maybe next time you're back there will be one.
The market in Hua Hin is mostly food, so it might be of more interest to Maeng than to you. However, you may want to stop in at Plearm Wan, an old-style (like 1950s) marketplace with shops selling lots of retro items. Maeng will probably really like it, and you might find something different as well. It's on the main highway, a little north of the palace as I recall.
The market in Hua Hin is mostly food, so it might be of more interest to Maeng than to you. However, you may want to stop in at Plearm Wan, an old-style (like 1950s) marketplace with shops selling lots of retro items. Maeng will probably really like it, and you might find something different as well. It's on the main highway, a little north of the palace as I recall.
Apr 29th, 2010, 05:40 PM
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Thanks for that bit of info, Michael. Sounds good! Plearm Wan. I've written it down. Hopefully I'll remember to look at the piece of paper! lol
I'm going to try to get down to the river today, as well as the 'ends' of the lines, I think. My BTS ticket still has plenty of rides left on it, and the rice bag is nearly full (and I've not yet returned to Chatuchak to pick up some things that I know for sure I want to take home) so today is maybe meant for exploring. The sun has no clouds blocking its intensity right now, so I'll bet it gets pretty not.
We have dinner with Dr Jack and Maeng tonight.
Carol
I'm going to try to get down to the river today, as well as the 'ends' of the lines, I think. My BTS ticket still has plenty of rides left on it, and the rice bag is nearly full (and I've not yet returned to Chatuchak to pick up some things that I know for sure I want to take home) so today is maybe meant for exploring. The sun has no clouds blocking its intensity right now, so I'll bet it gets pretty not.
We have dinner with Dr Jack and Maeng tonight.
Carol
Apr 29th, 2010, 05:59 PM
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Yeah, mostly food in the Hua Hin market, other that cheapo tourist trinkets, but the food part's great. I didn't really see any fabrics or clothes to buy. Lots of galleries too, but uninteresting to me. Then again, I'm not a shopper. An interesting town historically, but getting more Disneyland-ish by the day. Very doable in a day.
Enjoying all the eating and partying.
Enjoying all the eating and partying.
Apr 30th, 2010, 06:16 AM
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Back from dinner, and it feels so nice to be in my air conditioned apt once again. It is still pretty hot outside at 9pm.
When I returned tonight the staff at the front desk gave me a navy blue Adelphi Suites tote bag that contains an AS cap, an AS travel mug, and an AS polo shirt!!! How nice!!! I think they realize that this is my home away from home...
We stood along Sathorn tonight for about a half hour before finally getting a taxi to stop, pick us up, and take us to Suk soi 11. The first three taxis that stopped refused to come here. Red shirts have caused traffic snarls and routing problems. There are some places that it is just difficult to get to now. Anyway, we finally got a taxi and made it back to Sukhumvit.
I hopped on the skytrain this morning and went to the river, but I didn't take a boat or do any walking around. I just had a quick look and then back onto the skytrain to MBK, where I spent a couple of hours today. Then, to On Nut. There is a local market at On Nut, but it was not yet open when I went down there, so I just went into Tesco Lotus. Only a handful of farangs ever go to Tesco Lotus at On Nut! I am sure some Thais wondered what this American lady was doing there... lol
Looking forward to Hua Hin tomorrow. It's just Maeng and me. We thought we had one other 'girl' going with us, but she had to cancel out. Maeng and I will have a lovely time, I'm sure. I'm not much of a foodie, but I do enjoy trying the Thai dishes that Maeng recommends. I'm sure we will eat well. We will also shop, walk the beach, and visit Maeng's friend who lives in Hua Hin.
Enjoy your day!
When I returned tonight the staff at the front desk gave me a navy blue Adelphi Suites tote bag that contains an AS cap, an AS travel mug, and an AS polo shirt!!! How nice!!! I think they realize that this is my home away from home...
We stood along Sathorn tonight for about a half hour before finally getting a taxi to stop, pick us up, and take us to Suk soi 11. The first three taxis that stopped refused to come here. Red shirts have caused traffic snarls and routing problems. There are some places that it is just difficult to get to now. Anyway, we finally got a taxi and made it back to Sukhumvit.
I hopped on the skytrain this morning and went to the river, but I didn't take a boat or do any walking around. I just had a quick look and then back onto the skytrain to MBK, where I spent a couple of hours today. Then, to On Nut. There is a local market at On Nut, but it was not yet open when I went down there, so I just went into Tesco Lotus. Only a handful of farangs ever go to Tesco Lotus at On Nut! I am sure some Thais wondered what this American lady was doing there... lol
Looking forward to Hua Hin tomorrow. It's just Maeng and me. We thought we had one other 'girl' going with us, but she had to cancel out. Maeng and I will have a lovely time, I'm sure. I'm not much of a foodie, but I do enjoy trying the Thai dishes that Maeng recommends. I'm sure we will eat well. We will also shop, walk the beach, and visit Maeng's friend who lives in Hua Hin.
Enjoy your day!
Apr 30th, 2010, 06:44 AM
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Carol,
This weekend is a "long weekend" so HH will be very crowded IMO. Monday and Wednesday is a holiday in Thailand so many people will skip Tuesday and start holidaying from tonight. Traffic through the town, with only 2 traffic lights on the main road, can be bothersome.
This weekend is a "long weekend" so HH will be very crowded IMO. Monday and Wednesday is a holiday in Thailand so many people will skip Tuesday and start holidaying from tonight. Traffic through the town, with only 2 traffic lights on the main road, can be bothersome.
Apr 30th, 2010, 03:26 PM
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Hi Everyone -
Made it here yesterday morning after a flight delay out of Narita. The weather is hot hot hot.... Took a walk yesterday afternoon towards the Shangri-La Hotel and got my half hour foot massage. Saturday looks like another hot day here.
Made it here yesterday morning after a flight delay out of Narita. The weather is hot hot hot.... Took a walk yesterday afternoon towards the Shangri-La Hotel and got my half hour foot massage. Saturday looks like another hot day here.
Apr 30th, 2010, 03:47 PM
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Hi sunshine!! My last full day here is Sunday. I plan to go to the weekend market, but do you want to meet for coffee somewhere in the afternoon?
Off to Hua Hin in about an hour, but I'll be checking this thread when I get back tonight around 10pm.
Bob, I'm sure Maeng can direct traffic... She can do everything!
Hanuman, thanks for the heads up about the holiday. DS is heading to Samui for the week.
Off to Hua Hin in about an hour, but I'll be checking this thread when I get back tonight around 10pm.
Bob, I'm sure Maeng can direct traffic...
She can do everything!Hanuman, thanks for the heads up about the holiday. DS is heading to Samui for the week.
Apr 30th, 2010, 08:14 PM
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Hi Carol,
I just got back from doing a tour of the Palace. It is sooo beautiful. I took alot of pictures. I am doing a full day tour on Sunday of the floating market and rose garden. Then dinner with my vendor. So I won't have time to meet. Maybe next time if you are here when I am. I am going to get another massage today I think after I cool down.
Have a safe trip back and hope you enjoyed the weekend market.
I just got back from doing a tour of the Palace. It is sooo beautiful. I took alot of pictures. I am doing a full day tour on Sunday of the floating market and rose garden. Then dinner with my vendor. So I won't have time to meet. Maybe next time if you are here when I am. I am going to get another massage today I think after I cool down.
Have a safe trip back and hope you enjoyed the weekend market.
