Carol is back in Bangkok!
Apr 21st, 2008, 10:41 AM
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Thanks lcuy... I'm glad somebody out there reads my thread because it's interesting, and not to critique it!! lol
Smeagol, yes we had a very good guide at the Grand Palace. He was the same person who took us to the klongs and to Wat Arun. He was very nice and did a good job.
It was another late night. I'm just getting into bed with my laptop at 1am BKK time.
Busy day it was!!! We finally made it to MBK. G loved it and wants to go back, as DS and K only gave us a little over one hour for a look. I did manage to buy 5 bags in that time though.
We also went to Central World Plaza. I usually don't buy there because I prefer to haggle in the market-type settings instead. DS's favorite cigar shop is now located there. It used to be at Gaysorn. I was happy to see some old friends there for a little visit, as well as showing G a bit of the mall. She was impressed.
We met up with friend Mr Mac, who has the tailor shop/mini mart where our family and friends go for tailor made clothing. He is very busy getting clients lined up in Europe, and making a good business out of it. His shop is located near the bottom of the Jim Thompson staircase exit at National Stadium BTS station, or next to the escalator UP, if you are just leaving JT house at Nat'l Stadium BTS.
We made our way to Siam@Siam Hotel today to have a midday snack. I asked room rates and to see a room and was shown around the place. Wow!! I can recommend this hotel to (um how do I say this...) our younger fodorites. I think the 30somethings would LOVE it. It's very chic Thai. The infinity pool on the 4th floor is awesome. I did not take photos, but trust me, this is a very nice (unique) hotel. The prices at the front desk start at about 5000 baht per night. Internet rates at asiarooms are better. The location, for those who do not know, is a stone's throw from the Jim Thompson house and the MBK mall and National Stadium BTS station.
I don't recall (and don't want to reread this thread) whether I related our latest "problem." We all love the Adelphi Suites. We assumed (big mistake) that we would be able to come back here after our jaunt to Samui next week from Monday to Friday. WRONG!! They are fully booked out! AAARRRRGHHH Well, we (K & G and myself) discussed what we might do for a new place to sleep our last few days in BKK. We had a list of 5 possibilities, that according to the internet were available for our needed dates. That list included the Ploenchit Holiday Inn, the Majestic Grande, the Omni Tower (where DS stays), the Business Inn on soi 11 (kuranosuke has stayed here) and the Sofitel Grande Sukhumvit. I have stayed at the first three and assured K & G that they would be good choices. Since the Sofitel is the closest one to Adelphi, we started our search there. We asked for the rates and to see a room. We need look no further. THIS is the PLACE. It is a beautiful hotel! The internet rates at their web site are quite a bit better than the rates at the front desk. So, we had a look, and then came back to Adelphi to my laptop to book what we want. The only problem with this hotel is the slightly less than great location. It is on soi 6. This is a small narrow one-way soi that makes a 90 degree turn onto the very busy Sukhumvit street can get backed up with stop and go traffic all the way from soi 4 to Sukhumvit. If you were in a big rush to get to an appointment or to the airport, you might want to allow some extra time, just to deal with possible traffic snarls. Other than that, it's a great choice. Sorry Bob, I won't be able to show you my apartment at Adelphi because I will have moved out by the time you get to BKK. And they will be fully booked so probably would not be able to give you a look at their 3 room types. All 3 of us would much prefer to return to Adelphi, but will settle for a really nice hotel room instead of an apartment.
BTW, everytime I've asked, I've been treated very nicely and shown room types, swimming pools, restaurants, spas, etc at the BKK hotels I've looked at. They are always happy to give you a tour!
We enjoyed a happy hour pitcher of margharites at Rojo, which is the lobby restaurant at Adelphi. It's really a great place to sit outside (they have the mist fans to keep it a little bit cooler outside, since it's sooooooooo hot). The people watching is quite good. Soi 8 is not nearly as busy as soi 4, but an interesting mix of folks walking by. Dinner was at 7:30, at the Huntsman. I've reported on this place before. It is an English pub sort of place, with a fantastic Phillipino band. The food is so-so (it's NOT a good place to order pizza), but the music makes up for that. The location is in the basement level of the Landmark Hotel on Sukhumvit, between soi 6 and soi 4 (a short walk from Adelphi).
After dinner we went back to see Maeng. She had made mango and sticky rice for us, so we were "expected" for dessert! It was delicious!!
One of our group (the Chicago guy) went to Bumrungrad this afternoon to see about a possible infection. He is supposed to (but doesn't want to) go home on Wednesday. Now he has a good excuse to stay... he is under a doctor's care... so I think he just might extend his stay a bit. We are trying to convince him to come to Samui with us next week as he has never been before.
Oh... we were right by the Hyatt and the Erewan shrine and shopping venue and we heard screeching cats. DS said, "cat fight..." We looked around and saw the biggest cat... I have no idea what breed, but it had a very short stubby tail. It could have been "lost" in a fight, or it could be a manx cat. BIG cat, in any case! I would not want to tangle with it.
Gotta get some sleep. No plans for tomorrow, other than dinner at a place on soi 11 called Zanzibar. It looks really interesting. Sort of a rain forest setting, with live music. Big place. Outdoor and indoor seating. Chicago guy has been there before and says it's good. I have no idea what type of food they serve. We'll find out!
DS's birthday is on Wednesday so we have a big group going to Tawandang to celebrate!
More later...
Carol
Smeagol, yes we had a very good guide at the Grand Palace. He was the same person who took us to the klongs and to Wat Arun. He was very nice and did a good job.
It was another late night. I'm just getting into bed with my laptop at 1am BKK time.
Busy day it was!!! We finally made it to MBK. G loved it and wants to go back, as DS and K only gave us a little over one hour for a look. I did manage to buy 5 bags in that time though.
We also went to Central World Plaza. I usually don't buy there because I prefer to haggle in the market-type settings instead. DS's favorite cigar shop is now located there. It used to be at Gaysorn. I was happy to see some old friends there for a little visit, as well as showing G a bit of the mall. She was impressed.
We met up with friend Mr Mac, who has the tailor shop/mini mart where our family and friends go for tailor made clothing. He is very busy getting clients lined up in Europe, and making a good business out of it. His shop is located near the bottom of the Jim Thompson staircase exit at National Stadium BTS station, or next to the escalator UP, if you are just leaving JT house at Nat'l Stadium BTS.
We made our way to Siam@Siam Hotel today to have a midday snack. I asked room rates and to see a room and was shown around the place. Wow!! I can recommend this hotel to (um how do I say this...) our younger fodorites. I think the 30somethings would LOVE it. It's very chic Thai. The infinity pool on the 4th floor is awesome. I did not take photos, but trust me, this is a very nice (unique) hotel. The prices at the front desk start at about 5000 baht per night. Internet rates at asiarooms are better. The location, for those who do not know, is a stone's throw from the Jim Thompson house and the MBK mall and National Stadium BTS station.
I don't recall (and don't want to reread this thread) whether I related our latest "problem." We all love the Adelphi Suites. We assumed (big mistake) that we would be able to come back here after our jaunt to Samui next week from Monday to Friday. WRONG!! They are fully booked out! AAARRRRGHHH Well, we (K & G and myself) discussed what we might do for a new place to sleep our last few days in BKK. We had a list of 5 possibilities, that according to the internet were available for our needed dates. That list included the Ploenchit Holiday Inn, the Majestic Grande, the Omni Tower (where DS stays), the Business Inn on soi 11 (kuranosuke has stayed here) and the Sofitel Grande Sukhumvit. I have stayed at the first three and assured K & G that they would be good choices. Since the Sofitel is the closest one to Adelphi, we started our search there. We asked for the rates and to see a room. We need look no further. THIS is the PLACE. It is a beautiful hotel! The internet rates at their web site are quite a bit better than the rates at the front desk. So, we had a look, and then came back to Adelphi to my laptop to book what we want. The only problem with this hotel is the slightly less than great location. It is on soi 6. This is a small narrow one-way soi that makes a 90 degree turn onto the very busy Sukhumvit street can get backed up with stop and go traffic all the way from soi 4 to Sukhumvit. If you were in a big rush to get to an appointment or to the airport, you might want to allow some extra time, just to deal with possible traffic snarls. Other than that, it's a great choice. Sorry Bob, I won't be able to show you my apartment at Adelphi because I will have moved out by the time you get to BKK. And they will be fully booked so probably would not be able to give you a look at their 3 room types. All 3 of us would much prefer to return to Adelphi, but will settle for a really nice hotel room instead of an apartment.
BTW, everytime I've asked, I've been treated very nicely and shown room types, swimming pools, restaurants, spas, etc at the BKK hotels I've looked at. They are always happy to give you a tour!
We enjoyed a happy hour pitcher of margharites at Rojo, which is the lobby restaurant at Adelphi. It's really a great place to sit outside (they have the mist fans to keep it a little bit cooler outside, since it's sooooooooo hot). The people watching is quite good. Soi 8 is not nearly as busy as soi 4, but an interesting mix of folks walking by. Dinner was at 7:30, at the Huntsman. I've reported on this place before. It is an English pub sort of place, with a fantastic Phillipino band. The food is so-so (it's NOT a good place to order pizza), but the music makes up for that. The location is in the basement level of the Landmark Hotel on Sukhumvit, between soi 6 and soi 4 (a short walk from Adelphi).
After dinner we went back to see Maeng. She had made mango and sticky rice for us, so we were "expected" for dessert! It was delicious!!
One of our group (the Chicago guy) went to Bumrungrad this afternoon to see about a possible infection. He is supposed to (but doesn't want to) go home on Wednesday. Now he has a good excuse to stay... he is under a doctor's care... so I think he just might extend his stay a bit. We are trying to convince him to come to Samui with us next week as he has never been before.
Oh... we were right by the Hyatt and the Erewan shrine and shopping venue and we heard screeching cats. DS said, "cat fight..." We looked around and saw the biggest cat... I have no idea what breed, but it had a very short stubby tail. It could have been "lost" in a fight, or it could be a manx cat. BIG cat, in any case! I would not want to tangle with it.
Gotta get some sleep. No plans for tomorrow, other than dinner at a place on soi 11 called Zanzibar. It looks really interesting. Sort of a rain forest setting, with live music. Big place. Outdoor and indoor seating. Chicago guy has been there before and says it's good. I have no idea what type of food they serve. We'll find out!
DS's birthday is on Wednesday so we have a big group going to Tawandang to celebrate!
More later...
Carol
Apr 21st, 2008, 11:36 AM
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Hi Carol- In Bkk again? Some people! 
This time make sure you try the street food at the corners of Silom Road and Convent St. There are also a few hole-in-the-wall restaurants around there that are packed with Thais. If you are feeling for something different, try Kuppa (39 Sukhumvit Soi 16). It is a casual but upscale international restaurant. Food is very good and a nice place! If you go up the JJ market, Sofitel Centara has a great indoor/outdoor Thai restaurant called Suan Bua that is really good.
If you're feeling like a drink and a beautiful view of the Bkk skyline try the V9 wine bar. Very upscale and indoor. Its in the Sofitel Silom..you'll love it!
Have a great time!
Kurt
Be happy you are there...Its such a dreary, wet day here in Wash DC!!
This time make sure you try the street food at the corners of Silom Road and Convent St. There are also a few hole-in-the-wall restaurants around there that are packed with Thais. If you are feeling for something different, try Kuppa (39 Sukhumvit Soi 16). It is a casual but upscale international restaurant. Food is very good and a nice place! If you go up the JJ market, Sofitel Centara has a great indoor/outdoor Thai restaurant called Suan Bua that is really good.
If you're feeling like a drink and a beautiful view of the Bkk skyline try the V9 wine bar. Very upscale and indoor. Its in the Sofitel Silom..you'll love it!
Have a great time!
Kurt
Be happy you are there...Its such a dreary, wet day here in Wash DC!!
Apr 21st, 2008, 03:10 PM
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Carol thanks for the notes on [email protected] been seesawing on booking it for a few days in May. Want something new, different, and that sounds like the place. Any major downsides that you saw?
Apr 21st, 2008, 04:30 PM
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I'm up early this morning trying to get some laundry done, so time to get on the laptop while I wait to hang up a few items before they wrinkle. I'm going to try out the drying feature on some things that won't wrinkle or shrink!! If it works well, I'll try some of my tops and pants to see if they come out OK.
Thanks lcuy... those two silly "boys"... just means we girls gotta stick together! haha Thanks for the defense!! And tell Andy that I'm not writing books anymore, so perfection is not important. I'll bet he relies on the spell checker when he types. Probably uses Word, which also has a proper grammar feature. Actually, Beth probably proofs everything he writes... lol
Jim, I see no really big downsides for the Siam@Siam, unless you consider its location along a very busy street with lots of traffic. However, the hotel lobby is on the 4th floor (with the pool) and the rooms start on floor #14 (?) or at least they did on the elevator we took! So no real problem with traffic noise that I could detect, and I was there during the busy part of the daytime. I picked up their menu to keep. It's like a newspaper, so not something they would not want you to take along. The "headline" on the front page is "Everyday's a Party@Party House One." There are notes about a "pool BBQ" every Thursday @1500++ baht per person. Latino Sabotase classes (salsa dance) every Thursday. They have a Philippino house band named Powerjam that they say won the battle of the bands contest. Five "cool" guys and a girl called Satrina. Siam@Siam is definitely very hip, very new, very now. Give it a try! You can report back to let us know if it meets expectations.
Kathie, yes, the Adelphi has been discovered. Perhaps I should have kept quiet about this little gem back in February when I first stayed here. Oh well, I'll just have to book earlier. But I am anxious to try out the Sofitel. We can see the fancy pool area from our windows here on the back side of Adelphi. It's really nice. Can you believe breakfast buffet there (not included in our "good" internet price of 3170++) is 650 baht per person per day!!! YIKES!!! I think we'll try it once, but then I'll just get my yogurt and pastry at 7-11 after that! lol
Mango, thanks for the tips on new places. We will be going out to JJ this coming weekend so will keep your suggestion in mind. Also, DS will make sure we make it to V9 as he loves the place. I know we'll hit Sky Bar once. It also has that great view.
Our German friends really want to try street food, so we may have to do that. I'm a little bit more cautious so we'll see if I partake of anything. There is plenty to offer right here in Sukhumvit so we don't need to go to Silom to find street food stands. DS raves about a place that everyone says is the place to go for the best chicken on the street. It is located across from the Pratunam Center mall and opens up very late, I guess.
There is a really FANTASTIC honey pork that is cut in tiny pieces and served in a baggy with a wooden stick for picking up the pieces. It's right in JJ market and is excellent. I have not a clue of the location... too confusing inside the market. I just follow DS as he knows the way.
We have no set schedule each day, other than I know that I'm going to Tawandang the 23rd and to Samui the 28th to 2nd and home May 5. Other than that, it's completely flexible!
I'm rambling, I know, but did you read my type on the first-times thread? FOOD massage when I intended to type FOOT massage. An interesting concept... lol
Gotta run. Not sure where the road will take us today. I'll report back in later on tonight.
Have a great evening.
Carol
Thanks lcuy... those two silly "boys"... just means we girls gotta stick together! haha Thanks for the defense!! And tell Andy that I'm not writing books anymore, so perfection is not important. I'll bet he relies on the spell checker when he types. Probably uses Word, which also has a proper grammar feature. Actually, Beth probably proofs everything he writes... lol
Jim, I see no really big downsides for the Siam@Siam, unless you consider its location along a very busy street with lots of traffic. However, the hotel lobby is on the 4th floor (with the pool) and the rooms start on floor #14 (?) or at least they did on the elevator we took! So no real problem with traffic noise that I could detect, and I was there during the busy part of the daytime. I picked up their menu to keep. It's like a newspaper, so not something they would not want you to take along. The "headline" on the front page is "Everyday's a Party@Party House One." There are notes about a "pool BBQ" every Thursday @1500++ baht per person. Latino Sabotase classes (salsa dance) every Thursday. They have a Philippino house band named Powerjam that they say won the battle of the bands contest. Five "cool" guys and a girl called Satrina. Siam@Siam is definitely very hip, very new, very now. Give it a try! You can report back to let us know if it meets expectations.
Kathie, yes, the Adelphi has been discovered. Perhaps I should have kept quiet about this little gem back in February when I first stayed here. Oh well, I'll just have to book earlier. But I am anxious to try out the Sofitel. We can see the fancy pool area from our windows here on the back side of Adelphi. It's really nice. Can you believe breakfast buffet there (not included in our "good" internet price of 3170++) is 650 baht per person per day!!! YIKES!!! I think we'll try it once, but then I'll just get my yogurt and pastry at 7-11 after that! lol
Mango, thanks for the tips on new places. We will be going out to JJ this coming weekend so will keep your suggestion in mind. Also, DS will make sure we make it to V9 as he loves the place. I know we'll hit Sky Bar once. It also has that great view.
Our German friends really want to try street food, so we may have to do that. I'm a little bit more cautious so we'll see if I partake of anything. There is plenty to offer right here in Sukhumvit so we don't need to go to Silom to find street food stands. DS raves about a place that everyone says is the place to go for the best chicken on the street. It is located across from the Pratunam Center mall and opens up very late, I guess.
There is a really FANTASTIC honey pork that is cut in tiny pieces and served in a baggy with a wooden stick for picking up the pieces. It's right in JJ market and is excellent. I have not a clue of the location... too confusing inside the market. I just follow DS as he knows the way.
We have no set schedule each day, other than I know that I'm going to Tawandang the 23rd and to Samui the 28th to 2nd and home May 5. Other than that, it's completely flexible!
I'm rambling, I know, but did you read my type on the first-times thread? FOOD massage when I intended to type FOOT massage. An interesting concept... lol
Gotta run. Not sure where the road will take us today. I'll report back in later on tonight.
Have a great evening.
Carol
Apr 21st, 2008, 05:59 PM
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Carol,
Your on the spot blogging is terrific. Its like the show, "You Are There." If the BKK tourist board hasn't put you on retainer yet - they should. Have a great time over there, and let us know if you find a really good banana flower salad. That is one thing, of many, you just can't find on this side of the date line. Have fun. Tengo
Your on the spot blogging is terrific. Its like the show, "You Are There." If the BKK tourist board hasn't put you on retainer yet - they should. Have a great time over there, and let us know if you find a really good banana flower salad. That is one thing, of many, you just can't find on this side of the date line. Have fun. Tengo
Apr 21st, 2008, 07:25 PM
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if HE uses spell check it must be broken....and the typing skills leave a lot to be desired....he likes those big words to try to confuse we common folk....
for the price you are paying at the new place you could be at the marriott....haha
for the price you are paying at the new place you could be at the marriott....haha
Apr 21st, 2008, 08:09 PM
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Carol- Wow, you sound like you're living it up! Go for it!!
Funny you mention the pork (sun-dried?), as my wife was feeding me it tonight with khao neeow! (Fyi, the best kind is in MBK...Just go to one of those stores on that have all kinds of pre-packaged foods and you'll see the reddish-looking, dried sheets of sweet pork in clear plastic bags). While you're in MBK, if hungry, go to "Tha Siam" on the ground floor (You'll see the evil-looking pig sign). Their soup is fantastic, but you have to be sure to use the ingredients from the spice rack they give you (a scoop or two from each of four). We go there at least 4 times each trip!!
Enjoy!
Kurt
Funny you mention the pork (sun-dried?), as my wife was feeding me it tonight with khao neeow!
(Fyi, the best kind is in MBK...Just go to one of those stores on that have all kinds of pre-packaged foods and you'll see the reddish-looking, dried sheets of sweet pork in clear plastic bags). While you're in MBK, if hungry, go to "Tha Siam" on the ground floor (You'll see the evil-looking pig sign). Their soup is fantastic, but you have to be sure to use the ingredients from the spice rack they give you (a scoop or two from each of four). We go there at least 4 times each trip!!Enjoy!
Kurt
Apr 22nd, 2008, 01:26 AM
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Hey Tengo, thanks for the really kind words about my on-the-spot blogging. I don't look at it that way... for me, it's just avoiding panda's penalty if I do it while I'm here!!! I prefer to write it as it's fresh in my mind rather than a week after I get home. I'm gettin' old and forgetful... lol!
Yes, Bob, I thought about the price of the Marriott. But my German friends (K & G) want to stay here in the Sukhumvit area. The river is "too far away from everything..." (their words) but maybe they will stay down there on a future trip. They will most definitely come back.
I needed to visit a salon today to get my hairdo trimmed up a bit, and DS was busy. So, K & G ventured out on their own and had a great time taking a tuk tuk to see the Golden Buddha. I think they got a good deal... 80 baht for the trip. The driver waited for them, and then brought them back to Paragon, where they then paid him. I talked to K on the phone (we have tri-bands with Thai SIM cards)and he sounded thrilled with their adventure. I'm pleased that they opted to venture out on their own.
We got our flights on Thai for Samui on the 28th. We leave really early in the am from BKK (new airport) and will fly home on Fri 2nd after 5pm. We'll have the better part of five days on the island. Should be lots of fun.
K & G want to go to floating market, River Kwai, Ayutayah on the bus/boat back. I'm game! I've never been, so I think I will enjoy going along with them. DS has to work a couple of days this week (poor boy) so probably won't be able to join us on these two day trips, unless he gets things done more quickly than we anticipate!
Mango (and others) we just heard about another Thai restaurant in the Suk area. I don't know the name yet, nor the address. It is supposed to be really fantastic. I'm pretty sure we are going to try it out in the next few days. I will tell you that all I know right now is that it is a short distance farther down soi 4 from the Omni Tower and then down a side street to the left, a little ways.
Mango, your soup at MBK sounds pretty good, but I don't do spicy. Glad your wife cooks Thai food for you. Wish I could get DH to do the same... haha
Jim, Adelphi is great, but so is Siam@Siam. I personally would probably not stay at Siam. It's for a younger crowd, IMO. But someone mentioned to me today that Siam is really a bit far away from all the activity in the Sukhumvit area. I had not thought of that before, when you asked me about the possible negative things about the place. If one wants night life, Siam has it, on site, but if you want to go elsewhere, then it is located in a pretty quiet area from what I could tell. Up to you, Jim. Adelphi has soooooo many plusses IMO. I'll be staying here again in Dec/Jan. I'll book it early, just to make sure I don't miss out.
I'm really anxious to find out about the PA primary going on back home. I'm not saying who I support (a few of you know) because I don't talk politics on fodors. Let's just say, this is a really exciting and interesting 2008 election!
More later... We're having dinner at the Zanzibar (I think) on soi 11. I'll have to give my report after I see what it's all about. It certainly does LOOK interesting from the streetside.
Carol
Yes, Bob, I thought about the price of the Marriott. But my German friends (K & G) want to stay here in the Sukhumvit area. The river is "too far away from everything..." (their words) but maybe they will stay down there on a future trip. They will most definitely come back.
I needed to visit a salon today to get my hairdo trimmed up a bit, and DS was busy. So, K & G ventured out on their own and had a great time taking a tuk tuk to see the Golden Buddha. I think they got a good deal... 80 baht for the trip. The driver waited for them, and then brought them back to Paragon, where they then paid him. I talked to K on the phone (we have tri-bands with Thai SIM cards)and he sounded thrilled with their adventure. I'm pleased that they opted to venture out on their own.
We got our flights on Thai for Samui on the 28th. We leave really early in the am from BKK (new airport) and will fly home on Fri 2nd after 5pm. We'll have the better part of five days on the island. Should be lots of fun.
K & G want to go to floating market, River Kwai, Ayutayah on the bus/boat back. I'm game! I've never been, so I think I will enjoy going along with them. DS has to work a couple of days this week (poor boy) so probably won't be able to join us on these two day trips, unless he gets things done more quickly than we anticipate!
Mango (and others) we just heard about another Thai restaurant in the Suk area. I don't know the name yet, nor the address. It is supposed to be really fantastic. I'm pretty sure we are going to try it out in the next few days. I will tell you that all I know right now is that it is a short distance farther down soi 4 from the Omni Tower and then down a side street to the left, a little ways.
Mango, your soup at MBK sounds pretty good, but I don't do spicy. Glad your wife cooks Thai food for you. Wish I could get DH to do the same... haha
Jim, Adelphi is great, but so is Siam@Siam. I personally would probably not stay at Siam. It's for a younger crowd, IMO. But someone mentioned to me today that Siam is really a bit far away from all the activity in the Sukhumvit area. I had not thought of that before, when you asked me about the possible negative things about the place. If one wants night life, Siam has it, on site, but if you want to go elsewhere, then it is located in a pretty quiet area from what I could tell. Up to you, Jim. Adelphi has soooooo many plusses IMO. I'll be staying here again in Dec/Jan. I'll book it early, just to make sure I don't miss out.
I'm really anxious to find out about the PA primary going on back home. I'm not saying who I support (a few of you know) because I don't talk politics on fodors. Let's just say, this is a really exciting and interesting 2008 election!
More later... We're having dinner at the Zanzibar (I think) on soi 11. I'll have to give my report after I see what it's all about. It certainly does LOOK interesting from the streetside.
Carol
Apr 22nd, 2008, 06:01 AM
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carol...why don't you see if tong or ratt or one of the others would drive you out to floating market....its so much nicer to have the car to escape back too?? it makes for a very nice long day....
Apr 22nd, 2008, 07:26 AM
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Just back from dinner at Zanzibar, on Sukhumvit soi 11. Thought I'd report in. I really liked the setting of this place, sort of like a rain forest outside, but there is also inside dining (which we did). Nice table linens and furniture. Very tastefully decorated. There is a nice little jazz band for entertainment which plays (outside)at a level that allows for conversation. I always appreciate that I can talk over the band, if I'm in the middle of conversation with someone.
We all liked the food a lot. Very tasty! Varied menu. There was a selection of Thai dishes as well as Italian pastas and pizza. Tonight is the night I should have had the pizza, not at Huntsman!!! German friend K tried it and said it was really quite good. Anyway, food was nicely presented and tasted delicious. Our bill was 6195 baht for five people (no bottle of wine). I did NOT like that the itemized bill was in Thai, so you could not tell what was what. Grrr!! I like to see what I ordered, and listed at the price I expected to pay. Couldn't tell!!! And I also did not like that there was a 7% VAT tax added to the bill. I don't think I've ever seen that tax on a food bill. What about the rest of you? Have you seen this before? May or may not return to Zanzibar in the future.
And now, SLEEP!!!
Carol
We all liked the food a lot. Very tasty! Varied menu. There was a selection of Thai dishes as well as Italian pastas and pizza. Tonight is the night I should have had the pizza, not at Huntsman!!! German friend K tried it and said it was really quite good. Anyway, food was nicely presented and tasted delicious. Our bill was 6195 baht for five people (no bottle of wine). I did NOT like that the itemized bill was in Thai, so you could not tell what was what. Grrr!! I like to see what I ordered, and listed at the price I expected to pay. Couldn't tell!!! And I also did not like that there was a 7% VAT tax added to the bill. I don't think I've ever seen that tax on a food bill. What about the rest of you? Have you seen this before? May or may not return to Zanzibar in the future.
And now, SLEEP!!!
Carol
Apr 22nd, 2008, 05:05 PM
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Mango
Yep, I've seen the katoeys. It's interesting that some people don't seem to pick up on someone's gender. Not that I have any issues with that!!! LOL
Bob, if other restaurants add the VAT, it isn't obvious (as in a separate listing on the bill) as it was last night at Zanzibar. In any case, the food was really good, the atmosphere was really very nice, even though on busy soi 11, and we all were pleased with the evening. The jazz music was a nice "quiet" mood enhancer. It was like an oasis in the chaotic city.
Today is Brad's birthday. We will have a big party tonight at Tawandang. It might be up to 25 people coming! Should be a good time.
I'm not sure what K & G will want to do today. Now that they are not concerned about venturing out on their own, I might just get time to go without them to the secret market with Maeng!!! K & G can go exploring Wat Po or China Town or whatever suits their fancy. They are not "into" the shopping thing (yet...haha). DS has to go to the office today to get going on a couple of projects he has to accomplish on this trip.
PA polls have just closed and CNN is reporting how things are going. Interesting TV viewing as I prepare to venture out for the day in BKK.
Weather is HOT HOT HOT, but we have only had one shower, and that was last night, late, so it did not keep us from doing things in the city.
Oh, Chicago friend is on UA right now, headed back to ORD, unless he made a 180 turn around at the airport!!! Too bad.. but I understand he had things to do at home. His Bumrungrad visit resulted in some meds to take for a week or so, nothing serious.
Carol
Yep, I've seen the katoeys. It's interesting that some people don't seem to pick up on someone's gender. Not that I have any issues with that!!! LOL
Bob, if other restaurants add the VAT, it isn't obvious (as in a separate listing on the bill) as it was last night at Zanzibar. In any case, the food was really good, the atmosphere was really very nice, even though on busy soi 11, and we all were pleased with the evening. The jazz music was a nice "quiet" mood enhancer. It was like an oasis in the chaotic city.
Today is Brad's birthday. We will have a big party tonight at Tawandang. It might be up to 25 people coming! Should be a good time.
I'm not sure what K & G will want to do today. Now that they are not concerned about venturing out on their own, I might just get time to go without them to the secret market with Maeng!!! K & G can go exploring Wat Po or China Town or whatever suits their fancy. They are not "into" the shopping thing (yet...haha). DS has to go to the office today to get going on a couple of projects he has to accomplish on this trip.
PA polls have just closed and CNN is reporting how things are going. Interesting TV viewing as I prepare to venture out for the day in BKK.
Weather is HOT HOT HOT, but we have only had one shower, and that was last night, late, so it did not keep us from doing things in the city.
Oh, Chicago friend is on UA right now, headed back to ORD, unless he made a 180 turn around at the airport!!! Too bad.. but I understand he had things to do at home. His Bumrungrad visit resulted in some meds to take for a week or so, nothing serious.
Carol
Apr 22nd, 2008, 09:08 PM
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My Friend is in Pattaya at the moment and he said he has never known it so hot. A work collegue is in Samui and she said it is also hot hot hot......
WISH we were on ou way to the land of smiles....
WISH we were on ou way to the land of smiles....
Apr 23rd, 2008, 01:58 AM
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My German friends and I went down to the river today and rode the Express Boat up and down. We stopped at Wat Po and at China Town. If you are on the river (on the shaded side of the boat) it isn't too bad. If you are sitting in the sun it gets really steamy! We did appreciate some nice breezes today, though. And then, getting a seat on the air conditioned skytrain ride from Saphan Taksin back to Nana was like a dream come true...lol.
Bob, I'll see if I can't arrange for it to be just a little bit cooler for your arrival! I promise to do my best.
Time to change for the big birthday party at Tawandang. This is my favorite nightclub in Bangkok. Such a fun way to spend an evening! Good food, good live entertainment, and great company tonight! Who could ask for anything more...
Carol
Bob, I'll see if I can't arrange for it to be just a little bit cooler for your arrival! I promise to do my best.
Time to change for the big birthday party at Tawandang. This is my favorite nightclub in Bangkok. Such a fun way to spend an evening! Good food, good live entertainment, and great company tonight! Who could ask for anything more...
Carol
