I also have lived in 4 states and, although I don't live there now, the best locale is unquestionably San Francisco- great weather year round, plenty of sunshine (there's a reason why Portland is green!)overall a great place to live and work. It always makes those top ten cities of the world lists- not just the US! I agree with you Portland is clean and green but the weather is the pitts pretty much year round and that is why we had to leave. Just gotta see the sun on a regular basis!

Ya, I love SFO as well. And it is only an hour flight for us! :-)

I disagree that the weather here is the pits year around. It rains 180 days a year on average and we get about 36 inches of rain per year. We have gorgeous weather in the summer!But you go ahead and stay where you are and tell EVERYONE how much Portland sucks! Keeps people from moving here! :-)

OK we can agree to disagree on the weather.

Hi Shade,
Have to agree with your comments about Thai airways. They used to be so good. As a result, we went out of our way to book them for our trip to Rome in late Sept. We took advantage of this arrangement to stop over in Bangkok. We absolutely loved Bangkok but found Thai's service to gave gone backwards big time! That contrasted sharply with Singapore airlines who were outstanding, as usual, on a long haul business trip a month before. Thanks for the tailor tip and excellent review

hello really appreciated to have the opportunity to read it befaore my first voyage...thanks a lot... [email protected]

Nice review, Shade. I happened to be in BKK the same period as you. Weather was very nice. I'll be going back at the end of January and will try to post the details. We didn't do much other than shopping and eating (Thai wife's faves!).
Memorables were a drink at Vertigo on the top (64th) floor of the Banyan Tree, a wine bar high-up in the Sofitel Silom, and, the Thai restaurant "Coffee Bean by Dao". Not upscale dining, but fantastic food in a chic environ. Another excellent dining experience was at "The Good View" on the Choaphrya in Bangrak. Awesome Thai food by Thai standards.
We really wasted alot of time due to a very loose itinerary, so we decided to go back in Jan. Will try many of your recommendations!
Regards,

Curt

ttt

awesome report. I have 2 pages of notes from it. Will definitely have my bf go to the tailor you mentioned. Thanks so much for the restaurant recommendations!

Shade, Any such tips on Phuket/beach areas? cheers!

Travelgirl -

Your timing is impeccable. One of my colleagues wore a beautiful suit to work today that looked exactly (as in 100% the same) as one of the ones I just bought in Thailand. Same fabric. Same pattern. Exactly.

His suit was a high-end Hickey Freeman that he had bought off the rack with one pair of pants for $1,200. Mine was from Rajawongse, made to measure, that I bought with an extra pair of pants for $300.

Shade

On Phuket...I have not been there since 1997. I loved it. The only tip I have is renting a motorbike for $5 a day and cruising around the island. My wife and I have never had so much fun. It's like Hawaii without any traffic.

Shade

Shade
The traffic on Phuket just might be a tad busier now than you experienced, even though tourism is down. If someone is renting a bike, I hope they will be careful!! And remember, they drive on the left side!!

Son has a British friend who had another Brit friend visiting with him for a while in Thailand. They went to Samui, I believe it was, and the visiting friend got killed on a motorcycle. So to anyone renting, it's not a free for all. Do be careful!!