Mango, not swine flu (or is it Mexican flu) I hope... Take care.
Carol

carol, maybe you could open a whole new career for yourself....you could start being the opposite of a ladyboy and go into the mens room and act macho and primp in front of a mirror

I'll bet that would really go over big in Galesburg. Does carol chew tobacco?

Hi Carol- It was not swine flu, very fortunately. I really just went in to confirm it wasn't something bad. Thanks for asking and again I'll include it in the trip report.

M

lol... chew tobacco? Would I be called a ladies' man? Might have to lift some weights to put on a bit of muscle in my upper arms.

Mango, glad it's not swine flu. Take care. Looking forward to your full report.

Seriously, I have to report on yet ANOTHER fantastic fodors GTG. Trackcoach turns out to be a young (20s) couple from Canada (Calgary). Absolutely delightful! We met up at the atrium restaurant/bar at Times Square at 3:00 pm as planned, and JUST NOW parted company at nearly 10pm. Actually I'm the one who parted company as I need to try to get a few hours sleep before getting up really early to fly home! I left the group in Brad's hands, at Maeng's. They were eating mango, mangosteen and rambutan and drinking beer and mai tais!!

We started out having coffee/beer at Times Square at 3pm. Then, we went downstairs there to the nicest pool room in BKK at this time (turns out they are pool players...go figure) so Brad and Derrick played a game or two while Chrisann and I watched and chatted.

Brad and I had a 6pm dinner res with Maeng and Dr Jack at Via Vai (pizza place, soi 8). We asked our newbies to join us! I'm so glad they did. They got to meet Jack, Maeng, and Tie (not sure how you spell it but it sounds like Thai) and everyone was helping with things to see and do in Bangkok. I think we've got another couple who are falling in love with this city.

After dinner, I showed Derrick and Chrisann and Tie my studio apt at Adelphi. Then we walked across to soi 11 and found a table at the Pickled Liver. Maeng served up the mango, etc. and drinks. More travel conversation and a lot of laughs. I really hated to leave!!

In all, I think Derrick and Chrisann are off to a good start on a 3-month visit to S E Asia. I can only hope that we introduced them to some good contacts and gave them a few helpful tips about Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.

I really hope they will stay in touch here!

I really must get some sleep now. I'll probably report from Tokyo, and then from my own computer at home, in 30+ hours or so.

Enjoy your day.

Carol

Your trip is over all too soon!

You are so right, femi. I really did not want to leave this morning... and especially at 4:45AM... flight at 6:50.

But, good news. Free upgrade from BKK to NRT, on the newly reconfigured business class 747. DS Brad says these seats are really nice. I'll find out very soon. I'm sitting in the Thai Lounge at BKK, and my flight boards in about 15 minutes.

I had to do a buy-up from NRT to ORD (old style 747) but I really need to sleep since I have a 3+ hour drive once I reach OHare! I don't want to be sleeping behind the wheel! You never can predict what the buy-up will cost, as there are many factors that go into the price, not just mileage traveled. This time it was $689. I used my UA visa card so I'll get miles!!

This trip has been extremely enjoyable. I always love to come back to BKK. A really nice "extra" this time was meeting two new fodorite couples. I might even say REALLY NEW as they both just began posting in April of this year. It is so nice to connect names and faces. If you've not done so, I can report with 100% certainty that the Asia fodors travelers are among the nicest folks you would ever meet!

And now the long journey back home begins. Enjoy your day. I guess we all know where I'm spending my next 18-20 hours.

Carol

At least your not in cattle class,lol. Have a safe trip home!

Aloha!

HT, thank goodness for that! The cattle car was full of small children this time. Most were quiet, but there was a little girl of about age 2 who didn't sleep much.

I like the new flat bed seat. But I have to say that I did not really like being totally FLAT. I raised my head a bit as it was more comfortable. The on-demand movies/TV/games are nice, although I didn't do too much with it, as I slept a couple of hours instead.

NRT red carpet has finger sandwiches today! Wow! Usually it is cheese and crackers and bananas and drink. I was really surprised to find ham/cheese and egg salad sandwiches too. Good for them! I always enjoy the finger sandwiches in the Thai lounge at BKK. Good to see that idea catching on.

Wondering if DS is connecting up with Derrick/Chrisann today, especially since they all like to play pool!

I notice many more Japanese are wearing face masks (swine flu protection). There was a group of 4-5 workers wearing blue "hazard" or "hospital" type coats, masks, goggles, etc and carrying bags of trash. Isn't that over kill??? I mean, the regular strain of flu kills tens of thousands of people and you don't see the masks then! Oh well...

No body temp screening at NRT when entering the airport... but then, I'm just passing through. I don't know if you would have to be screened upon arrival if you were staying in Japan. Something tells me, they would be doing something to be cautious here.

And now, onward! Chicago awaits!

Enjoy your day.

Carol

WELCOME HOME.....there was just a riot demonstration at our hotel but they left and it is quiet again.....we leave tom orrow nite and look forward to being home until october takes us to south africa....

but the GTG comes first on oct. 10 in newton, MA

I'm home!! I'm sitting at my own desktop PC. Good to be back here, even though I didn't want to leave Bangkok.

I slept almost the entire flight from NRT to ORD. I knew I would have to get in my car and drive for 3 hours after landing, so I'm glad I could sleep. But that didn't make it any easier to do that long drive....

Bob, hope you and K make it home OK on Wednesday. S Africa? You guys sure get around. When do you go back to BKK?

Hi Carol, sounds like another great trip.

I was in BKK a couple of times the past month. Went to the Pickled Liver, met Maeng and saw your picture on the wall. Also shot some pool at The Player. Had the lunch special at Via Vai. Took in a couple of movies at Central world Mall. Soi 8 doe feel comfortable and is so close to Nana station.

Degas... Maeng told me that "someone" from the internet came in. I quizzed her about it, but she could not really tell me much... just that someone asked about me! COOOOOOOL!!!

Next time, try staying at the Adelphi Suites. It's right across from Via Vai. I'm glad you tried my reco's. And yes, soi 8 feels very comfortable... like home.

So glad you are up to traveling once again! Some day we can hopefully meet up. There is always the HNL GTG in September.

Carol

our next scheduled time in bkk is apr-may-june, 2010 after two stressful weeks with gpanda in bali

bob, been out of town for a week, with limited internet access, so i missed much of this report. and yes, you know that i'm a rumor monger. i had wild thoughts about having dinner with the two ladies from jacks bar. i've been there, and they are all very lovely. plus, hiring a bar lady as a tour guide....why didn't i think of that???

seems like you had your usual fab time in bangkok, carol. :-)

Yes, it was a fab time, Ken. You should take a couple of Jack's girls out to dinner in a hi-so place. Interesting!!

Carol, based on your past advice, I've stayed at the Adelphi Suites several times. I must try the garlic shrimp at the Pickled Liver the next time I'm in BKK.

Degas... glad you've taken some of my suggestions. I wonder if we've been at Adelphi at the same time anytime in the past? Would love to say hello sometime.

Do try the garlic shrimp. It's Ken's (kuranosuke) favorite, and I've grown to love it as well. When I land in BKK at 11:00pm and get my second wind, I head to Maeng's to get a plate of garlic shrimp. It's a nice way to ease back into BKK life. And the Pickled Liver stays open late.

I wouldn't encourage eating raw seafood in Thailand, but has anyone ever tried goong cha nam pla? This used to be my favorite dish in the states when we'd go out to drink and do Thai karaoke. Btw, the fiery spiciness causes your endorphins to spill out and you really feel great after a couple drinks.
We don't do this anymore from the nasty parasite stories we've heard!