Heading to Thailand for the holidays again!
Dec 23rd, 2009, 05:44 AM
#102
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i'm wondering if the beads came from the same shop that K and B did their shopping....was it the next to last shop at the end of the corridor right next to several ATM machines....?
was its name: coco banana? or did all the items have "cb" tags on them??
if so that is quite a shop with tons of appealing items... it is run by an older asian woman and her two young assistants...
not much bargaining however.... i tried....
was its name: coco banana? or did all the items have "cb" tags on them??
if so that is quite a shop with tons of appealing items... it is run by an older asian woman and her two young assistants...
not much bargaining however.... i tried....
Dec 23rd, 2009, 06:34 AM
#103
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Coco Banana it is, Bob! I tried to speak to the older Asian woman about the particular beads in question, but she did not speak English. One of her assistants did, however. So I could communicate what I wanted.
We had dinner at Tacos and Salsa Mexican Restaurant on Sukumvit tonight. It is located on the even numbered side of the street, about halfway between Asok and Phrom Phong. The food wasn't too bad... but we really got ripped off on the price of the Patron margheritas we had! Waaaaay more than they were worth, although they tasted pretty good.
DH had his usual fajitas. I have to say, fajitas is something that looks different everyplace you order it! This was, by far, the most unusual presentation. The chicken was presented on the typical hot skillet, but it wasn't sizzling. It had been cooked elsewhere in the kitchen. Along with the chicken there were vegetables, lots of vegetables... enough to satisfy any vegetarian! There was broccoli, asparagus, baby corn ears, red and green peppers, a small ear of sweet corn, etc. I couldn't count all the different kinds of veggies. There were only 2 tortillas for making the fajitas. Most places, you might get 4 or 5.
The guacamole was good. The salsas were way too hot for me to eat. Brad enjoyed his enchiladas and refried beans, which he said were hotter than in the USA. I'm not sure we would return to this place, but it was certainly memorable.
Time for some shuteye. My eyes are wanting to close as I type.
Dogster, if it's true that dogster does what he says he will do, then we'll see you at 4 on the 25th... right? Hope so. You will enjoy the PL. I'm sure of that. There are some interesting characters there... you may want to write about a few of them on fodors!
Carol
We had dinner at Tacos and Salsa Mexican Restaurant on Sukumvit tonight. It is located on the even numbered side of the street, about halfway between Asok and Phrom Phong. The food wasn't too bad... but we really got ripped off on the price of the Patron margheritas we had! Waaaaay more than they were worth, although they tasted pretty good.
DH had his usual fajitas. I have to say, fajitas is something that looks different everyplace you order it! This was, by far, the most unusual presentation. The chicken was presented on the typical hot skillet, but it wasn't sizzling. It had been cooked elsewhere in the kitchen. Along with the chicken there were vegetables, lots of vegetables... enough to satisfy any vegetarian! There was broccoli, asparagus, baby corn ears, red and green peppers, a small ear of sweet corn, etc. I couldn't count all the different kinds of veggies. There were only 2 tortillas for making the fajitas. Most places, you might get 4 or 5.
The guacamole was good. The salsas were way too hot for me to eat. Brad enjoyed his enchiladas and refried beans, which he said were hotter than in the USA. I'm not sure we would return to this place, but it was certainly memorable.
Time for some shuteye. My eyes are wanting to close as I type.
Dogster, if it's true that dogster does what he says he will do, then we'll see you at 4 on the 25th... right? Hope so. You will enjoy the PL. I'm sure of that. There are some interesting characters there... you may want to write about a few of them on fodors!
Carol
Dec 23rd, 2009, 08:37 AM
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lol. Dogster didn't say he WOULD - he said, after having met you, that it sounded like a very good idea and he would feel comfortable doing so. Any friend of yours... etc.
But what if he gets drunk before the turkey arrives and disgraces himself? [highly likely] What if he falls head-first INTO the turkey? What if the turkey doesn't like him? What if his pants fall down in the excitement? There are cameras everywhere. Life is full of existential angst.
Let me work out where I'm going on the 26th first. All plans run out as of midday Boxing Day. I have a sudden yen for Kathmandu - but I believe the Maoists have gone on strike again. When is the full moon? Everything is up for grabs.
But what if he gets drunk before the turkey arrives and disgraces himself? [highly likely] What if he falls head-first INTO the turkey? What if the turkey doesn't like him? What if his pants fall down in the excitement? There are cameras everywhere. Life is full of existential angst.
Let me work out where I'm going on the 26th first. All plans run out as of midday Boxing Day. I have a sudden yen for Kathmandu - but I believe the Maoists have gone on strike again. When is the full moon? Everything is up for grabs.
Dec 23rd, 2009, 11:37 AM
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Dogster,
Almost anything goes at PL. You will fit in just fine regardless of how drunk you get. Pants falling down, don't worry Maeng will have a T-shirt for you.
Bob it is the same shop and the same beads that Beth bought.
Daily bulletin on my knee: Surgery in January
Almost anything goes at PL. You will fit in just fine regardless of how drunk you get. Pants falling down, don't worry Maeng will have a T-shirt for you.
Bob it is the same shop and the same beads that Beth bought.
Daily bulletin on my knee: Surgery in January
Dec 23rd, 2009, 01:09 PM
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So glad to tune in to this spirited (as usual) thread. I'm going to have to enjoy Thailand vicariously through your posts Carol and the high level commentary that attends. Hi to Bob, Andy, Craig and Kathie while I'm checking in. Hope Dogster is no longer such a sick puppy. And to Z, I find the great belly laughs and authenticity provided by posteres on this board a very good antidote to existential angst. Sipping a margarita on a pristine beach near Sayulita (1 hour north of Pto Vallarta) also is an excellent anti angster. Carol, do give us a full report on Xmas doings in the land of smiles.
Dec 23rd, 2009, 04:24 PM
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NYwoman, is this a knee replacement? I hope all goes well for you and I hope you can get up and dance soon afterwards!!
Christmas in Bangkok is really amazing. If you are in the central city, which I am, you see an amazing array of lights and decorations. Every mall has its own display. Emporium has an interesting take on a fake tree filled with lights. The biggest display is in the huge courtyard in front of Central World. Lots of people mingle amongst the decorations and snap photographs. Shoppers are out by the hundreds of thousands. Many of them are sporting packages, which means they are spending a bit of money. Every mall I've visited is busy, many would even be considered extremely crowded (Platinum yesterday). I have not set foot back in MBK since first arriving but I'd venture to guess that it is also extremely crowded.
The skytrain is so full you sometimes have to wait for the next train to be able to squeeze in! People seem happy; if I smile, there is always a smile in return. Traffic on the street sits at a stand-still much of the time! Bangkok is BUSY!
Is it just me, or is anyone else noticing more uniformed security type guys this time around. Having security in a city with millions of Thais, plus hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe, is a good idea IMO. But it makes me wonder if we are expecting something to happen???
Dogster, OK, maybe I "heard" a reply that said "Yes, I'll be there." But I do hope you will come to the PL tomorrow at about 4. I can guarantee you a good time, and just as NYwoman has mentioned, Maeng will give you a t-shirt if your pants fall down... lol She will laugh along with everyone else if your face ends up in the turkey! Please do join us. I think if you experience the Pickled Liver for the first time, it will be a place you return to, again and again. You should spend your last day in BKK with friendly people, not sitting at a computer trying to figure out where you are heading the next day! Good luck, anyway, with whatever you decide to do.
Looks like a glorious Christmas Eve Day today. I'm glad I'm not in Illinois, where there is snow on the ground and freezing rain coming down! ICK
We will leave by about 2 this afternoon for Ban Bueng. Brad and I have been to the weekend house of our Danish/Thai friends before. It is waaaay out in the countryside. We had a hard time getting a driver to take us back to Bangkok the last time we were there, which was on Halloween night; hope we can get someone reliable to be there to pick us up and bring us back to Bangkok tomorrow at about noon!!! DH thinks if we reserve a (more expensive) driver through our apartment hotel, we will be much more certain that we have a way back into the city. He just might be right!
Robbietravels, glad to have you along on this journey! Enjoy your time on the beach in Mexico.
WHERE IS MANGO?? Is he avoiding me? Is he hiding in the shadows? Has he been banned here again for something I'm not aware of? Has he headed for a beach with his wife for a few days?
Carol
Christmas in Bangkok is really amazing. If you are in the central city, which I am, you see an amazing array of lights and decorations. Every mall has its own display. Emporium has an interesting take on a fake tree filled with lights. The biggest display is in the huge courtyard in front of Central World. Lots of people mingle amongst the decorations and snap photographs. Shoppers are out by the hundreds of thousands. Many of them are sporting packages, which means they are spending a bit of money. Every mall I've visited is busy, many would even be considered extremely crowded (Platinum yesterday). I have not set foot back in MBK since first arriving but I'd venture to guess that it is also extremely crowded.
The skytrain is so full you sometimes have to wait for the next train to be able to squeeze in! People seem happy; if I smile, there is always a smile in return. Traffic on the street sits at a stand-still much of the time! Bangkok is BUSY!
Is it just me, or is anyone else noticing more uniformed security type guys this time around. Having security in a city with millions of Thais, plus hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the globe, is a good idea IMO. But it makes me wonder if we are expecting something to happen???
Dogster, OK, maybe I "heard" a reply that said "Yes, I'll be there." But I do hope you will come to the PL tomorrow at about 4. I can guarantee you a good time, and just as NYwoman has mentioned, Maeng will give you a t-shirt if your pants fall down... lol She will laugh along with everyone else if your face ends up in the turkey! Please do join us. I think if you experience the Pickled Liver for the first time, it will be a place you return to, again and again. You should spend your last day in BKK with friendly people, not sitting at a computer trying to figure out where you are heading the next day! Good luck, anyway, with whatever you decide to do.
Looks like a glorious Christmas Eve Day today. I'm glad I'm not in Illinois, where there is snow on the ground and freezing rain coming down! ICK
We will leave by about 2 this afternoon for Ban Bueng. Brad and I have been to the weekend house of our Danish/Thai friends before. It is waaaay out in the countryside. We had a hard time getting a driver to take us back to Bangkok the last time we were there, which was on Halloween night; hope we can get someone reliable to be there to pick us up and bring us back to Bangkok tomorrow at about noon!!! DH thinks if we reserve a (more expensive) driver through our apartment hotel, we will be much more certain that we have a way back into the city. He just might be right!
Robbietravels, glad to have you along on this journey! Enjoy your time on the beach in Mexico.
WHERE IS MANGO?? Is he avoiding me? Is he hiding in the shadows? Has he been banned here again for something I'm not aware of? Has he headed for a beach with his wife for a few days?
Carol
Dec 23rd, 2009, 05:41 PM
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IP here in Austin, TX, where the Mexican food is sublime. I can't imagine what it's like in BKK. Sunny weather here most times, though, and temps in the 60's. We've left frigid Indiana behind.
I have news --- our dear compadre, travelaw, is about to reappear. She and her family are going to south India in January and she hopes to give us a live blog as she travels, so check the India posts after the first of the year.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday no matter where your travels take you. We're heading to west Texas on 12/26. If the drug cartels don't murder us and bury us in the Chihuahuan desert, I'll make a brief report on the U.S. board. Feliz Navidad!
I have news --- our dear compadre, travelaw, is about to reappear. She and her family are going to south India in January and she hopes to give us a live blog as she travels, so check the India posts after the first of the year.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday no matter where your travels take you. We're heading to west Texas on 12/26. If the drug cartels don't murder us and bury us in the Chihuahuan desert, I'll make a brief report on the U.S. board. Feliz Navidad!
Dec 23rd, 2009, 08:54 PM
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Tacos and Salsa is run by a real Mexican person, as opposed to the other Bangkok attempts run by Americans. Another Mexican guy said it was really good, although I haven't been there yet. There's a new place in Mahatun Plaza (the big building right at the Ploenchit Skytrain station) as well.
Carol, you may have forgot, but there was a spate of small bombings all over Bangkok on new years a couple years ago. Any place that is putting on a big show - which Central World is as usual - is laying in extra security to make sure there's no repeat.
No such luck with entertainment venues. One year after the Santika fire, it's estimated that 90% of Bangkok's nightclubs are still unsafe.
Oh, and airport taxi drivers are on strike over the elimination of the 50 Baht surcharge.
Carol, you may have forgot, but there was a spate of small bombings all over Bangkok on new years a couple years ago. Any place that is putting on a big show - which Central World is as usual - is laying in extra security to make sure there's no repeat.
No such luck with entertainment venues. One year after the Santika fire, it's estimated that 90% of Bangkok's nightclubs are still unsafe.
Oh, and airport taxi drivers are on strike over the elimination of the 50 Baht surcharge.
Dec 23rd, 2009, 09:33 PM
#116
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Michael, that's one of the reasons we tried Tacos and Salsa. A friend of ours who divides time between BKK and a house he owns in Mexico says that it really does taste quite authentic. It is truly different from the Tex-Mex we get at home, but DH says it was really very good, even though not the type of fajitas he has grown used to.
I recall the bombings of a few years ago. Extra security is always a good thing. I guess I was thinking in terms of red shirt/yellow shirt types of demonstrations. Is there anything in the works?
Taxi drivers can strike now, if they want to. I just hope I can get back to the airport when I need to go home in January. I have no doubt about getting there, as I can always just book the hotel "limo" (van) for about 1500 baht. That one is a sure thing. I'll need a van for all my bags anyway... shopping has been awesome. I have to STOP as the extra duffel I bought is already filled to capacity.
Guenmai has been in touch, by email. It was good to hear from her. She was wishing she could be here for the holidays, but was in BKK in late November instead. Bob, Andy, NYwoman, Ken, etc. I do believe she was here the same time you were. Too bad she did not know about your GTG. I told her that we miss her on the Asia boards and suggested she come back! I hope she will follow my suggestion.
I had a quick insalata caprese at the lobby restaurant, Monsoon. It's really a delicious salad, and the presentation is very nice. If you are wandering down soi 8 sometime and want to stop for a snack or cold beer or something (or eat lunch or dinner) you might want to give this new place a try. Business seems to be good. They must be doing something right. The last two restaurants in this location have both closed because of poor business. Monsoon, on the other hand, is doing quite well!!
NYwoman, I hope your knee surgery goes well. I'm glad it is not a replacement, as that one can knock you off your feet for long recovery time. BTW, sounds like I should be buying a few more strands of the glass beads myself, if they are such a popular item. (and cheap)
I have ordered a taxi/driver from the hotel front desk for the trip to Ban Bueng. They assure me that we will not have a problem getting back to BKK tomorrow for Maeng's turkey dinner............
I may be off line for 24 hours, if the weekend house doesn't have internet.
Carol
I recall the bombings of a few years ago. Extra security is always a good thing. I guess I was thinking in terms of red shirt/yellow shirt types of demonstrations. Is there anything in the works?
Taxi drivers can strike now, if they want to. I just hope I can get back to the airport when I need to go home in January. I have no doubt about getting there, as I can always just book the hotel "limo" (van) for about 1500 baht. That one is a sure thing. I'll need a van for all my bags anyway... shopping has been awesome. I have to STOP as the extra duffel I bought is already filled to capacity.
Guenmai has been in touch, by email. It was good to hear from her. She was wishing she could be here for the holidays, but was in BKK in late November instead. Bob, Andy, NYwoman, Ken, etc. I do believe she was here the same time you were. Too bad she did not know about your GTG. I told her that we miss her on the Asia boards and suggested she come back! I hope she will follow my suggestion.
I had a quick insalata caprese at the lobby restaurant, Monsoon. It's really a delicious salad, and the presentation is very nice. If you are wandering down soi 8 sometime and want to stop for a snack or cold beer or something (or eat lunch or dinner) you might want to give this new place a try. Business seems to be good. They must be doing something right. The last two restaurants in this location have both closed because of poor business. Monsoon, on the other hand, is doing quite well!!
NYwoman, I hope your knee surgery goes well. I'm glad it is not a replacement, as that one can knock you off your feet for long recovery time. BTW, sounds like I should be buying a few more strands of the glass beads myself, if they are such a popular item. (and cheap)
I have ordered a taxi/driver from the hotel front desk for the trip to Ban Bueng. They assure me that we will not have a problem getting back to BKK tomorrow for Maeng's turkey dinner............
I may be off line for 24 hours, if the weekend house doesn't have internet.
Carol
Dec 24th, 2009, 12:35 AM
#117
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Carol
I am LOVING your report and only wish Muffin and I were there. I can now picture the infamous Aldephi suites as we went past there last month (which i will detail when i FINALLY get time to finish my trip report)
I've noticed that Guenmai is in the lounge a lot these days..maybe she will take your eoncouragement.
Anyway to ALL my fodorite friends MERRY CHRISTMAS wherever you are.
X
I am LOVING your report and only wish Muffin and I were there. I can now picture the infamous Aldephi suites as we went past there last month (which i will detail when i FINALLY get time to finish my trip report)
I've noticed that Guenmai is in the lounge a lot these days..maybe she will take your eoncouragement.
Anyway to ALL my fodorite friends MERRY CHRISTMAS wherever you are.
X
Dec 24th, 2009, 05:00 AM
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Carol ..if you go back to cocoa banana could you get me 2 more of the mulitcoloed necklaces? I have been wearing mine and my daughters went gaga over it...All those little beads on silver wires. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you, Brad, DH, and to all else who read here...Karen
