Bluebells (and baby) in Thailand Feb 09
Feb 12th, 2009, 10:37 PM
#41
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Bella
Poor you and glad you are on the mend. Muffin had terrible food poisoning in Singapore, the hotel was next to a mall and i went out and bought re-hydration salts and practically forced him to take them over the course of the day. I also remembered a story Karen (Bobs wife) had told us about drinking pop so i got him to sip seven-up and amazingly he was well enough to fly the next day.
Love your detailed report, we had more snow in the midlands last night (not too much - although i heard further north they have closed a couple of airports) think the sleet is heading down south so you are well out of it!!
Poor you and glad you are on the mend. Muffin had terrible food poisoning in Singapore, the hotel was next to a mall and i went out and bought re-hydration salts and practically forced him to take them over the course of the day. I also remembered a story Karen (Bobs wife) had told us about drinking pop so i got him to sip seven-up and amazingly he was well enough to fly the next day.
Love your detailed report, we had more snow in the midlands last night (not too much - although i heard further north they have closed a couple of airports) think the sleet is heading down south so you are well out of it!!
Feb 13th, 2009, 10:14 AM
#43
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i was sick about two weeks ago with my first bout ever of food poisoning.....we ate in an upscale italian place in charleston, sc and i had stuffed shells with shredded chicken and cheese.....
as my mother used to say in the summer, "...chicken can be tickle-ish this time of the year..."
as my mother used to say in the summer, "...chicken can be tickle-ish this time of the year..."
Feb 15th, 2009, 05:46 AM
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hey bob - sorry to hear about the ticklish chicken, bella likes that phrase!! smeagol - it is really weird to think of snow at home, we are so warm!! was kind of hoping it would be more spring like upon our return...perhaps not...to everyone - thank you for your comments, we are having a lovely stress free illness free time now!!
hello robert/oksena - was your valentines hotel a certain suite at my favourite hotel? sadly, dh will not pay for that hotel this trip - but we are at the peninsula from 17 to 22 Feb which is nearly as good
and back to our trip report...
hello robert/oksena - was your valentines hotel a certain suite at my favourite hotel? sadly, dh will not pay for that hotel this trip - but we are at the peninsula from 17 to 22 Feb which is nearly as good
and back to our trip report...
Feb 15th, 2009, 06:02 AM
#45
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We had arranged for a car to be delivered to Indigo Pearl at 12.30pm so we could drive to Khao Lak, 1200B per day for our 5 day trip up there. it is some kind of toyota saloon. The drive was really really easy, I even was brave enough to do some thai style overtaking. It took us about an hour and a half.
We arrived at Le Meridien and drove round to the lobby. They ushered us, gave us some orchid necklaces which really pleased Bella, some ice tea, lovely lemongrass scented towels. The lobby with its view down to the ocean was beautiful. We had told them we would arrive at 2pm and we were later than that but our room wasn’t ready and they couldn't tell us how long it would be. I found that quite irritating, esp as needed to get the kids changed if we were to swim, but bit my tongue and we headed down to the bar by the beach to get a light lunch.
Our room was ready afterwards and at first glance seemed to be okay. Quite spacious and light, overlooking the kids pool in the family wing, on the second floor.
After about 20 minutes, we phoned to find out what had happened to our luggage as it was by now 4pm and we really wanted to go out for a swim but all our stuff was in our bags. Reception said they would chase it up. We then drew the curtains right back and we could see the room was really looking quite tired and also was really dusty. The floor was dirty, still had sand on it from the previous customers and had clearly not been mopped which was not great given the baby was going to be rolling around it for the next five days. The bags turned up about 25 minutes after that and by this point, we were feeling quite unhappy about the room and the service so far. Perhaps it was after coming from the Indigo Pearl where the service was so good and were it just the service, we could have let it go but the room was in such a sorry state! DH went to speak to a manager and was told they would either find another room or clean this one, they would call to advise. 10 mins after that, two ladies from housekeeping came to the door and said can we help you. At that point, I decided I would go and speak to the manager. I didn’t really think it was fair of the management to expect us to tell the two housekeepers what to clean in the room.
I spoke to the manager, explained our perspective and then she said she would sort out another room if she could but that occupancy was very high. So we went back to the room, and waited and waited. By this point it was 5.30pm – 3 hours after we had arrived. DH wanted to leave and go back to the Indigo Pearl or go to another hotel in Khao Lak. We phoned my mum to get the number of another hotel I had read looked at, Baan Khao Lak. We phoned them, they had availability for that night. I went to the lobby to tell the manager that we wanted to leave, we were tired of waiting and the kids were cranky. She told me they had just sorted out another possible room for us – I agreed we would go and see it but warned them that DH wanted to leave. So we went to see the room – it was cleaner and lighter, being on the 3rd floor – but it was still quite tatty but more to the point, DH had had enough by this point.
I went back to the lobby with the lady who had showed us the new room, to sort out checking out. She asked where would we stay that night – by this point I was so tired and worn out with everything, I just cried!! We got to reception, she got me some iced water and a towel and the manager came to tell me that normally they would charge 100% cancellation fee for our package but that they would only charge 1 night. I knew that if I went and told DH that he would blow a gasket so I burst into tears again. She suggested maybe we should just stay tonight and then tomorrow she could show us more rooms and if we weren’t happy, we could leave then. That really seemed like the best idea to me – I just couldn’t face getting the luggage back out of the room, into the car and driving off into the dusk to try and find Baan Khao Lak, with two hungry children!! (Suspect DH would have driven us right back to the Indigo Pearl as well). She then said that on the next day, many guests were leaving and perhaps they could put us in a private villa. That cinched it. I was staying put. I went to tell DH who was busy getting our luggage collected. He grimaced at the one night cancellation charge issue but agreed we could stay one night for ease. We went to stay in the third floor replacement room for the night. I shall only mention very briefly that our luggage took about half an hour to come back to the room...nevermind.
DH thinks it is like Fawlty Towers but on a very large grand international hotel scale. The difficult thing is, everyone is really very nice and the service from individual staff members is very charming and committed, but somewhere in this big machine, some oil is needed to keep the cogs running smoothly and efficiently.
From our perspective, I think if from the first time we complained, we had been given a clear idea as to show long it would take to sort out the problem and some free drinks, we'd probably have been quite happy. It was the waiting around not knowing that really wound us up, to the point where we nearly left. I think we just expected a bit more from a Meridien 5* hotel and at the price we are paying
We arrived at Le Meridien and drove round to the lobby. They ushered us, gave us some orchid necklaces which really pleased Bella, some ice tea, lovely lemongrass scented towels. The lobby with its view down to the ocean was beautiful. We had told them we would arrive at 2pm and we were later than that but our room wasn’t ready and they couldn't tell us how long it would be. I found that quite irritating, esp as needed to get the kids changed if we were to swim, but bit my tongue and we headed down to the bar by the beach to get a light lunch.
Our room was ready afterwards and at first glance seemed to be okay. Quite spacious and light, overlooking the kids pool in the family wing, on the second floor.
After about 20 minutes, we phoned to find out what had happened to our luggage as it was by now 4pm and we really wanted to go out for a swim but all our stuff was in our bags. Reception said they would chase it up. We then drew the curtains right back and we could see the room was really looking quite tired and also was really dusty. The floor was dirty, still had sand on it from the previous customers and had clearly not been mopped which was not great given the baby was going to be rolling around it for the next five days. The bags turned up about 25 minutes after that and by this point, we were feeling quite unhappy about the room and the service so far. Perhaps it was after coming from the Indigo Pearl where the service was so good and were it just the service, we could have let it go but the room was in such a sorry state! DH went to speak to a manager and was told they would either find another room or clean this one, they would call to advise. 10 mins after that, two ladies from housekeeping came to the door and said can we help you. At that point, I decided I would go and speak to the manager. I didn’t really think it was fair of the management to expect us to tell the two housekeepers what to clean in the room.
I spoke to the manager, explained our perspective and then she said she would sort out another room if she could but that occupancy was very high. So we went back to the room, and waited and waited. By this point it was 5.30pm – 3 hours after we had arrived. DH wanted to leave and go back to the Indigo Pearl or go to another hotel in Khao Lak. We phoned my mum to get the number of another hotel I had read looked at, Baan Khao Lak. We phoned them, they had availability for that night. I went to the lobby to tell the manager that we wanted to leave, we were tired of waiting and the kids were cranky. She told me they had just sorted out another possible room for us – I agreed we would go and see it but warned them that DH wanted to leave. So we went to see the room – it was cleaner and lighter, being on the 3rd floor – but it was still quite tatty but more to the point, DH had had enough by this point.
I went back to the lobby with the lady who had showed us the new room, to sort out checking out. She asked where would we stay that night – by this point I was so tired and worn out with everything, I just cried!! We got to reception, she got me some iced water and a towel and the manager came to tell me that normally they would charge 100% cancellation fee for our package but that they would only charge 1 night. I knew that if I went and told DH that he would blow a gasket so I burst into tears again. She suggested maybe we should just stay tonight and then tomorrow she could show us more rooms and if we weren’t happy, we could leave then. That really seemed like the best idea to me – I just couldn’t face getting the luggage back out of the room, into the car and driving off into the dusk to try and find Baan Khao Lak, with two hungry children!! (Suspect DH would have driven us right back to the Indigo Pearl as well). She then said that on the next day, many guests were leaving and perhaps they could put us in a private villa. That cinched it. I was staying put. I went to tell DH who was busy getting our luggage collected. He grimaced at the one night cancellation charge issue but agreed we could stay one night for ease. We went to stay in the third floor replacement room for the night. I shall only mention very briefly that our luggage took about half an hour to come back to the room...nevermind.
DH thinks it is like Fawlty Towers but on a very large grand international hotel scale. The difficult thing is, everyone is really very nice and the service from individual staff members is very charming and committed, but somewhere in this big machine, some oil is needed to keep the cogs running smoothly and efficiently.
From our perspective, I think if from the first time we complained, we had been given a clear idea as to show long it would take to sort out the problem and some free drinks, we'd probably have been quite happy. It was the waiting around not knowing that really wound us up, to the point where we nearly left. I think we just expected a bit more from a Meridien 5* hotel and at the price we are paying
Feb 15th, 2009, 06:21 AM
#46
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Oh my... I had really hoped you would find stressfree relaxation, but it doesn't sound as if that is the case. Hopefully your new private villa (after putting up with one night in the less than desireable one) will be better.
Enjoy the nice weather. We have a bit of snow on the ground here in the midwest USA. I would love to be on a Thai beach instead.
Carol
Enjoy the nice weather. We have a bit of snow on the ground here in the midwest USA. I would love to be on a Thai beach instead.
Carol
Feb 15th, 2009, 06:28 AM
#47
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We went to a gorgeous beach restaurant the first night - Rim Lay (formerly the Tsunami Survivors restaurant). It is about 50 yards down the beach on the left from Le M. There is very little else on Pakweeb beach near the meridien, which makes the beach very dark at night - and so the stars are vividly clear in the sky, it is beautiful. Rim Lay is a little wooden restaurant with tables on a sandy floor, prices are very reasonable, food is v good. I had a red curry with chicken and rice, which was delicious but John's dish - fried fish with three sauces - was scrumptious. I think probably any of the fish dishes would be good, the fish was perfectly cooked. With a couple of changs and a couple of dishes for Bella, it came to about 600B. We made our way back up the beach - taking a sneaky peak at the ocean front pool villas, in our dreams - and fell exhausted into bed.
The next day, we were at breakfast at about 9am - it is fairly typical fare. We knew that we would be in the minority as English speakers whilst here but were struck at breakfast that we did not hear any English spoken at all, other than by the Thai staff to us. Lots of Scandinavians, Germans, a smattering of French being spoken - but no English. Quite unusual for Thailand - and very annoying for someone as nosy as me. I could only people watch, not people listen! Made John translate for a while but he got bored of it.
We managed to get a couple of shady beds by the pool - aah, gone are the days when I would be trying to bag the sunniest spot and bronzing myself all day long whilst sipping cocktails. Now I spend all day long chasing the shade and smothering wriggling octupus like children in factor 50. The pool at Le M is huge - and really empty considering that most of the sunbeds between the pool and the beach were full. The sea is almost empty too - how do these people stay cool? So spent lots of time in the pool, particularly difficult to get Bella out of the pool...a lovely relaxing time.
For lunch, we took the car into Bang La On (Khao Lak town) as I had to go to the main dive shop for Wicked Diving (www.wickeddiving.com) to sort out my equipment. Recommended on a dive forum, I had emailed wicked amongst others but was really impressed by the emails I had received from one of the guys who started the business, Paul Land. DH, bless him, was going to look after the kids whilst I played hooky and went off diving for the day. It took a while to sort out the equipment etc and John and the girls had lunch at Viking restaurant nearby whilst I did this. The cost was 6100B, including a refresher dive course as I hadn't been diving for 6 years!! I was convinced I would have forgotten everything. Bella popped into the shop at one point - and we bought her a little snorkel and mask which she was very pleased with.
The next day, we were at breakfast at about 9am - it is fairly typical fare. We knew that we would be in the minority as English speakers whilst here but were struck at breakfast that we did not hear any English spoken at all, other than by the Thai staff to us. Lots of Scandinavians, Germans, a smattering of French being spoken - but no English. Quite unusual for Thailand - and very annoying for someone as nosy as me. I could only people watch, not people listen! Made John translate for a while but he got bored of it.
We managed to get a couple of shady beds by the pool - aah, gone are the days when I would be trying to bag the sunniest spot and bronzing myself all day long whilst sipping cocktails. Now I spend all day long chasing the shade and smothering wriggling octupus like children in factor 50. The pool at Le M is huge - and really empty considering that most of the sunbeds between the pool and the beach were full. The sea is almost empty too - how do these people stay cool? So spent lots of time in the pool, particularly difficult to get Bella out of the pool...a lovely relaxing time.
For lunch, we took the car into Bang La On (Khao Lak town) as I had to go to the main dive shop for Wicked Diving (www.wickeddiving.com) to sort out my equipment. Recommended on a dive forum, I had emailed wicked amongst others but was really impressed by the emails I had received from one of the guys who started the business, Paul Land. DH, bless him, was going to look after the kids whilst I played hooky and went off diving for the day. It took a while to sort out the equipment etc and John and the girls had lunch at Viking restaurant nearby whilst I did this. The cost was 6100B, including a refresher dive course as I hadn't been diving for 6 years!! I was convinced I would have forgotten everything. Bella popped into the shop at one point - and we bought her a little snorkel and mask which she was very pleased with.
Feb 15th, 2009, 06:39 AM
#48
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Back around 4pm, we went back down to the pool for another couple of hours. We had arranged with the hotel that we would shower in our old room and pack up our things and that whilst we were at dinner, they would move our belongings into the villa for us. The last couple of hours at the pool and beach are lovely as the sun is not so hot, we can relax about the children keeping their hats on a bit. Oh - and happy hour is on at the bar...
At 6pm, one of the lobby reception staff took me to check the Lagoon Villa. oooo - very pleased now! The Lagoon Villa is closely situated to the spa pool and only a couple of minutes walk to the main pool and beach as well. It has butler service and you can eat breakfast a la carte at the Baan Thai restaurant as well as buffet style at Cafe Lilawadee. The villa is huge compared to the room. You enter and on your right is a wall of cupboards with central double doors entering the bathroom. The bathroom has a huge central tub and basins to the right and left - hers and his. There is the requisite wc and to the left of the bath, a big walk in shower. Well, walk through really - you open one door and enter the shower, open the door the other side and you go out into an outside courtyard area with a giant outdoor rain shower. It reminded me of hotels we stayed in in Bali. To the left as you go in the door of the villa is the rest of the room - huge bed, huge flat screen TV, sofa and glass windows on all sides facing onto the lagoon (I would call this a giant pond really, but it is lovely especially as there are two black swans and cygnets on it). Through the double doors there is a terrace facing the lagoon with giant sunbeds to sit on. A lovely room - being upgraded to this more than compensated for the hoo-ha of the previous day. We also had been given a nice bottle of Shiraz and giant fruit basket, with a personal note from the GM apologising, which was a nice touch too. So we are now very happy chappies.
At 6pm, one of the lobby reception staff took me to check the Lagoon Villa. oooo - very pleased now! The Lagoon Villa is closely situated to the spa pool and only a couple of minutes walk to the main pool and beach as well. It has butler service and you can eat breakfast a la carte at the Baan Thai restaurant as well as buffet style at Cafe Lilawadee. The villa is huge compared to the room. You enter and on your right is a wall of cupboards with central double doors entering the bathroom. The bathroom has a huge central tub and basins to the right and left - hers and his. There is the requisite wc and to the left of the bath, a big walk in shower. Well, walk through really - you open one door and enter the shower, open the door the other side and you go out into an outside courtyard area with a giant outdoor rain shower. It reminded me of hotels we stayed in in Bali. To the left as you go in the door of the villa is the rest of the room - huge bed, huge flat screen TV, sofa and glass windows on all sides facing onto the lagoon (I would call this a giant pond really, but it is lovely especially as there are two black swans and cygnets on it). Through the double doors there is a terrace facing the lagoon with giant sunbeds to sit on. A lovely room - being upgraded to this more than compensated for the hoo-ha of the previous day. We also had been given a nice bottle of Shiraz and giant fruit basket, with a personal note from the GM apologising, which was a nice touch too. So we are now very happy chappies.
Feb 15th, 2009, 06:46 AM
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We had another delicious meal at Rim Lay (now DH's favourite restaurant) that night whilst Le Me moved our bags. We had dropped off the most enormous bag of washing there the night before - and collected it that night, beautifully washed and pressed. The meal came to around 600B again - we both had fish, yum - and the laundry to around 900B (I told you it was a big bag!!). It was lovely coming back that night to the beautiful villa - the girls were really excited, Bella by the GIANT TV on which she could watch cartoon network from her bed and baby BB by the enormous floor space which she could crawl around at great speed with glee. In fact she got so excited, we couldn't get her to sleep until about 11pm...
I was quite nervous that night, about diving. The last time I had been diving (in the Perhentians in June 2002), I'd had a funny turn under the water and nearly passed out. It had happened on my last dive there and since then, I hadn't been due to pregnant, inclement weather etc. The experience had by no means put me off diving completely, but had certainly made me more aware of the implications of something going wrong...At wicked's suggestion, I was taking a refresher dive course to go over my skills with a private divemaster and to give me a chance to get my confidence back in fairly easy shallow conditions. After lunch, I would go on a fundive with the same dive master. Oh - also I was being picked up at 7am so reluctantly set my alarm for 6am...
I was quite nervous that night, about diving. The last time I had been diving (in the Perhentians in June 2002), I'd had a funny turn under the water and nearly passed out. It had happened on my last dive there and since then, I hadn't been due to pregnant, inclement weather etc. The experience had by no means put me off diving completely, but had certainly made me more aware of the implications of something going wrong...At wicked's suggestion, I was taking a refresher dive course to go over my skills with a private divemaster and to give me a chance to get my confidence back in fairly easy shallow conditions. After lunch, I would go on a fundive with the same dive master. Oh - also I was being picked up at 7am so reluctantly set my alarm for 6am...
Feb 15th, 2009, 07:19 AM
#51
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The early morning wake up call gradually penetrated my land of nod and I hauled myself our of bed, leaving everyone else blissfully snoozing. I showered and left the room before I had a chance to lie down for 'just a few minutes' and wake up two hours later. I had a very peaceful light breakfast with a few other early risers and waited in the lobby for my lift to the pier. I was there early and read my book. The pick up was a few minutes late - by this point I had convinced myself that if they forgot about me, I wouldn't really mind. Seconds later, a songthaew pulled in front of the hotel lobby. I hopped into the back. A Swedish couple were in there already, they were staying on Kho Khao Island - at this place http://www.khokhaoislandbeach.com/ and recommended it as a good place for families. The woman wasn't diving but snorkelling - I joked that I wished I was joining her. I was only half joking though!! We then pulled up a dirt track to pick up another couple staying at the Andamania. He was German and she was Thai, getting married next year. Both couples were really friendly and as always, it was good to exchange stories. The German guy had been to Thailand first in 1974 having driven his car from Germany to Calcutta and then flown from there to Bangkok. I wish I could see some photos from back then!! He must really have seen some changes in Thailand during that time.
We drove down to the pier, picking up the divemaster I was going to dive with along the way, Henrik. As soon as I met him, I wasn't really nervous any more. During fun dives in the past, I've not always had good experiences with some divemasters. Some are really just out there for their own laughs and not looking after their clients very well at all. This was NOT the case here - Henrik was great, really level headed, calm, informative. So all was well, I started to look forward to the trip.
We stopped at the pier, visited the happy room and hopped onto the boat. I say hopped - I sort of more had to leap onto the boat. I think the tide was out and so the boat was way below the pier and I couldn't reach my feet onto the boat. I was desperately pointing my feet and inching down from the pier, hoping at some point to feel boat beneath my toes but alas no, so in the end I gave up and took a jump...thankfully by the end of the day, with the tide back in, the boat was level with the pier. Otherwise, I honestly do not think I would have been able to get back onto that pier, I would still be on the boat! The boat was a HUGE speedboat, 2 x 4 horse power engines if that means anything to anybody. It doesn't to me but I was sat next to them and so remember this. I always sit at the back of speedboats - it minimises the bounce and as long as you keep your eye on the horizon, you really are unlikely to get seasick there unless you are just one who is prone to it. There were 3 crew on the boat, 1 snorkelling guide, 3 dive instructors/masters, 5 divers (inc me) and 5 snorkellers - so not crowded at all, we had oodles of room even with all the dive equipment we were carrying. We saw a snorkelling trip going out at the same time and they were packed like sardines into that boat. Our boat had a mix of people booked with wicked and another dive outfit called liquid - the crew were really friendly and relaxed and we were well looked after on the boat. The boat trip over took about 1 hour and 15 mins, quite an easy ride and we were given water and bananas to munch on the way over.
We pulled in first to Honeymoon Bay on Similan Island no 4 - OH THIS PLACE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! White powdery sand, turquoise waters, bleached driftwood on the shoreline, a giant swing built onto a tree. It is idyllic - and guess whose husband hadn't let her bring the camera!! I sort of understood why - we hadn't brought the cheaper zoom lense and we weren't sure on the set up of the boat and trip. But oh was I sorry I didn't have it when I got there...although I did take a few snaps with my very sad and sorry for itself paltry disposable camera...couldn't even really see through the viewfinder what I was taking a picture of but I am sure it will not do this place justice. It really is gorgeous - and it is a good thing it is a national park as it would definitely have some exclusive hotel built onto it by now.
We drove down to the pier, picking up the divemaster I was going to dive with along the way, Henrik. As soon as I met him, I wasn't really nervous any more. During fun dives in the past, I've not always had good experiences with some divemasters. Some are really just out there for their own laughs and not looking after their clients very well at all. This was NOT the case here - Henrik was great, really level headed, calm, informative. So all was well, I started to look forward to the trip.
We stopped at the pier, visited the happy room and hopped onto the boat. I say hopped - I sort of more had to leap onto the boat. I think the tide was out and so the boat was way below the pier and I couldn't reach my feet onto the boat. I was desperately pointing my feet and inching down from the pier, hoping at some point to feel boat beneath my toes but alas no, so in the end I gave up and took a jump...thankfully by the end of the day, with the tide back in, the boat was level with the pier. Otherwise, I honestly do not think I would have been able to get back onto that pier, I would still be on the boat! The boat was a HUGE speedboat, 2 x 4 horse power engines if that means anything to anybody. It doesn't to me but I was sat next to them and so remember this. I always sit at the back of speedboats - it minimises the bounce and as long as you keep your eye on the horizon, you really are unlikely to get seasick there unless you are just one who is prone to it. There were 3 crew on the boat, 1 snorkelling guide, 3 dive instructors/masters, 5 divers (inc me) and 5 snorkellers - so not crowded at all, we had oodles of room even with all the dive equipment we were carrying. We saw a snorkelling trip going out at the same time and they were packed like sardines into that boat. Our boat had a mix of people booked with wicked and another dive outfit called liquid - the crew were really friendly and relaxed and we were well looked after on the boat. The boat trip over took about 1 hour and 15 mins, quite an easy ride and we were given water and bananas to munch on the way over.
We pulled in first to Honeymoon Bay on Similan Island no 4 - OH THIS PLACE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! White powdery sand, turquoise waters, bleached driftwood on the shoreline, a giant swing built onto a tree. It is idyllic - and guess whose husband hadn't let her bring the camera!! I sort of understood why - we hadn't brought the cheaper zoom lense and we weren't sure on the set up of the boat and trip. But oh was I sorry I didn't have it when I got there...although I did take a few snaps with my very sad and sorry for itself paltry disposable camera...couldn't even really see through the viewfinder what I was taking a picture of but I am sure it will not do this place justice. It really is gorgeous - and it is a good thing it is a national park as it would definitely have some exclusive hotel built onto it by now.
Feb 15th, 2009, 07:33 AM
#52
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So, from the shore, I suited and booted up and went through the set up of the equipment. It was coming back to me, slowly...we walked down to the shore in full regalia bar flippers, putting those on after entering the water. The first 20 mins or so of the dive were spent going through skills underwater but in shallow depths, no problems and after that as I had quite a lot of air left, we actually had quite a long time to dive around the reef offshore. Wow, I had forgotten how much I love diving, I mean really love diving. Underwater it is so peaceful and tranquil, you forget everything as you focus on what is around you, spotting new discoveries. The visibility was excellent as well and an abundance of beautiful colourful shoals of fish. We surfaced and with wobbly legs I walked to shore - there had been quite a strong current to swim against at times, I really need to get in better shape! Lunch was delicious - steamed rice with various thai dishes including a really unusual sweet curry with eggs. Food always tastes great after diving I find and I welcomed thirst quenching watermelon for after. We all rested happily on the shore for a while after before hopping on board the boat to go to the next dive site.
The next dive site is called East of Eden, I think on island no. 7? This time, we were diving from the boot and then descending down into deeper water. Visibility again was excellent and I had a lovely dive. It was a drift dive which means that you are diving with the current - it is great, you just float along with little exertion most of the time (although you might have to swim against the current a little if you want to slow down). Its like you are floating along a little stream underwater, watching ocean life go by. Saw loads of different fish - angel fish, trigger fish, puffer fish, moray eel, oh the list goes on. What I was really excited to see was a fantastic amount of live corals and a real variety, beautiful. Sadly, it was over all to quickly - and no more diving till, I don't know when
. Diving is very addictive - if I didn't have children, I would have been on a liveaboard the next day!! more soon...
The next dive site is called East of Eden, I think on island no. 7? This time, we were diving from the boot and then descending down into deeper water. Visibility again was excellent and I had a lovely dive. It was a drift dive which means that you are diving with the current - it is great, you just float along with little exertion most of the time (although you might have to swim against the current a little if you want to slow down). Its like you are floating along a little stream underwater, watching ocean life go by. Saw loads of different fish - angel fish, trigger fish, puffer fish, moray eel, oh the list goes on. What I was really excited to see was a fantastic amount of live corals and a real variety, beautiful. Sadly, it was over all to quickly - and no more diving till, I don't know when
. Diving is very addictive - if I didn't have children, I would have been on a liveaboard the next day!! more soon...
Feb 15th, 2009, 02:22 PM
#54
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>>>hello robert/oksena - was your valentines hotel a certain suite at my favourite hotel? sadly, dh will not pay for that hotel this trip - but we are at the peninsula from 17 to 22 Feb which is nearly as good<<<
Early Bangkok greetings, Bella!
... we missed you, Valentine's, riverside ... (good as ever, three years running, into our three year marriage - suspect it's becoming part of our evolving BKK 'non-expense account' river traditions, along with Loy Krathong) ...
... as for our lodging at the Oriental (yes, her call), not our honeymoon (and that hotel's cherished) 'creme coloured' suite; rather, 'suite times' and fine, exceptionally quiet river views at the 'end of the hall', made even more attractive by a most gratefully appreciated 'frequent corporate guest' rate certain Bangkok hotels have been privately offering of late ... (just like a certain Singaporean airline) ...
... (and, as for 'our Oriental creme suite', I promised it for 'our 25th' - little precious 'kebaya' countered, "our 5th!" ... quite the negotiator) ...
... savour your times, Peninsula side, Lucy. You already know the programme: along with the Bangkok Oriental, simply appreciate one of the world's greatest staffs, from the fine, urbane, GM, 'all the way down', to, yes, the world's most beguiling nurse. She wears the sweet, white 'nurses' hat and uniform, and has the finest 'bedside manner' ... (purely platonic, to be sure) ...
... (and, as for that precious Peninsula v Oriental debate, well, all I can say is being most grateful for 'Mr. K' and his superlative Oriental senior staff for letting 'bygones be bygones' re a certain '97 incident involving yours truly and two rather lovely 'masseuses') ...
... have an uplifting time, Bella. ... (and do give my regards to that lobby hostess) ...
robert
... "Mr. _, are you expecting a female guest?" ...
(Peninsula Bangkok, Concierge/Lobby 'area', 2_.01.09)
Feb 15th, 2009, 04:04 PM
#55
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Ahh... East of Eden, great dive spot. And how is Emma these days (that's the name of the moray that hangs out there). For a really great drift dive, try the south end of Anita's Reef off Island 5. I had a great decompression stop thrill ride over the boulders there.
Glad to hear Wicked is good. I've been hearing nice things about them and hope to check out Khao Lak one of these days.
Glad to hear Wicked is good. I've been hearing nice things about them and hope to check out Khao Lak one of these days.
Feb 16th, 2009, 03:12 AM
#57
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Emma is HUGE - she gave me the fright of my life when she poked her head our of her rock...nearly shot up to the surface!! then swum back to have a look, from a distance! Wd definitely recommend Wicked - I liked the co-operative set up and it had a very friendly feel, no posers!
Bob - more to follow but we really like Le M after our slow start, sad to leave tomorrow. Bella LOVES the pool and the river. Had a really lovely time - just watched a fantastic sunset on our last night
We are off to the Pen tomorrow
Bob - more to follow but we really like Le M after our slow start, sad to leave tomorrow. Bella LOVES the pool and the river. Had a really lovely time - just watched a fantastic sunset on our last night
We are off to the Pen tomorrow
Feb 16th, 2009, 04:17 PM
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DH picked the Pen and wouldn't stump up for the O - I like the brown water there best!! We stayed at the Pen after our wedding in thailand (2006) and they mucked up our booking and after I cried there, we were upgraded to a grand deluxe suite. This crying thing works - if only I could turn on the taps on demand like my daughter can!
re. the rooms at Le M - I wondered if the adult only rooms over the spa wing are in better nick. The family wing rooms were really knocked about but will have taken harder wear from all the kids staying in them. Spa wing looks divine - the pools is lovely.
some more pics on the smugmug site now, but mainly of the kids
re. the rooms at Le M - I wondered if the adult only rooms over the spa wing are in better nick. The family wing rooms were really knocked about but will have taken harder wear from all the kids staying in them. Spa wing looks divine - the pools is lovely.
some more pics on the smugmug site now, but mainly of the kids
