Hello from Bangkok
 

We arrived late last night and got checked into a very lovely apartment at the Omni Tower on soi 4. This is the same place where I have stayed the last couple of times here. I do enjoy the location even though it is a bit of a walk to the skytrain station at Nana.

Have not yet gotten a new SIM card for my phone at MBK but will do that today. I bought my own GSM phone my last time here and have used it in Europe as well. It's so easy to get a new SIM card and new phone number each time. Then you just buy your calling minutes. We think it's a good deal.

The view from the 30th floor at Omni is really awesome. I can see the Banyan Tree, the Conrad, the Plaza Athenee, the Baiyoke Tower, the Majestic Grande, and the JW Marriott, plus other landmarks I can't identify. I will post pictures on my web site at cjscollection so everyone can see our view and our apartment. We have two small balconies in our huge bedroom. One wall is almost all glass and the view is gorgeous!! The kitchen and bath are both small but very serviceable. The livingroom is a nice size as well. The furniture is comfortable.

Made a quick trip to the Brunswick after hanging up my hanger clothes last night. DH wanted to go to sleep, but I went with Brad and friend to say hello to Ming. Yesterday was her birthday!! I did not know that ahead of time. Lucky for me, I came prepared. I gave her two boxes of chocolates. Always a big hit here.

I'm going to have some breakfast, do a little shopping in the mini-mart in the lobby here at Omni, and then head out. I've seen a few old friends already. One friend is getting married on Saturday. He is Danish and his future bride is a lovely Thai-Chinese girl. I am very happy for both of them. I look forward to meeting both of their families while we are here.

I was late leaving Chicago on my flight to NRT on UA, and had only about 15 minutes to get to my NRT to BKK flight. I thought for sure my roomy exit row seat would be given away. Yes, it was!!! But the good news is, they offered me business class instead. I had not slept much at all in economy from ORD to NRT and was feeling pretty pooped, but once I stretched out in that business class seat, I slept like a baby. The lights really "went out!!!" and it felt great. So I woke up this morning about 7, and will probably crash this afternoon... we'll see.

Anyway, Bangkok... here I am once again!!! I'll be reporting often so stayed tuned.

Carol

Glad you made it safely, Carol. Too bad we weren't there at the same time. It would have been great seeing you again. Tell your Danish friend,"Tilykke!". What part of Danmark is he from? I've lived there. Happy Travels!

bingo---i was thinking it was about time for a carol fix!!!

don't forget....we want new and fabulous restaurants.....also want to hear about bango or bago.....the new shopping center you spoke of last fall...

i have the loy krathang date....the peninsula sent it to me...they asked how you are by the way....hahaha

hello to brad and dh....

bob

Glad you're safe and sound in Bangkok - I wish I was there! We're all awaiting your reports.

Guenmai,
Our Danish friend is from Hillerod. I don't think that is the proper spelling?

Its great to have Mom & Dad here.

We just got back from shopping for a few groceries at the new Siam Paragon food market. Wow!!! It was totally amazing!! We had a pretty full cart, with fresh fruit, cereal, coffee, some produce, etc. A nice touch was the boy who bagged our groceries walked the cart out to the taxi stand for us!! We gave him a tip, of course, but how's that for service.

There is a cigar room at the food market. You can buy your cubans there and smoke them. I guess the place is not busy at all. Nobody knows it's there yet (now they will... ha ha ha). There is quite a nice liquor department there as well. We picked out some bottles of wine (3) only to find out that unless you are buying about 15 bottles, you cannot buy them before 5 pm. What sort of liquor law is that!!! So we put them back on the shelf and will wait until the appropriate time of day to buy them. To get to the cigar room, you have to go into the liquor department and then go upstairs.

We are paying cash for our apartment. It saves us a 3% charge if we do it that way instead of using the credit card option. We exchanged currency at a rate of 39.5, which is not quite the rate I got a few months ago when I was here. The price for the apartment is 3100 baht per night. Take a look at pictures of room 3012 at my web site, cjscollection. On the left side of the home page there is a link to Photo Galleries. Click on the "Asia" album.

There is a surprise birthday party for the groom-to-be at about 7 tonight so that doesn't leave us much room to do any serious restaurant sampling. That will have to come in the future days.

I'll be in touch...

Carol



Believe it or not, we ran into 8 people with "connections" to our home town. A family of four, who came to Thailand on our recommendation a few years ago, are here for their 4th time. Then a young couple who are teaching English in China (the girl is from the same town as the family of 4) and two other people. What a small world. We had no idea they would be here at this particular time. Turns out, we were on the same UA flight last night!!

Carol, glad to hear you made it safe and sound back to BKK. I can't believe how often you go there. Can you adopt me? ;-)

Brad...I've been to Hillerod many times. You spelled it as correctly as possible as Danish has three extra letters in its alphabet that aren't found on a non-Danish keyboard. Happy Travels!

Carol...Yes, the market at Paragon is VERY nice. The same market is in the Emporium Mall, but just on a smaller scale. I was in the Paragon one for a long time and got some groceries and thank goodness the skytrain is right there and when I got off at Prom Phong station I was right at the apartment, so I didn't have to slep groceries very far at all...from one sky train station to the next. Happy Travels!

Carol- Did you buy your GSM phone at MBK? If you don't mind me asking, what kind did you buy and how much was it? I am thinking of buying a phone when I get to BKK, but how do you know which one to buy?

carol, great pics. are the rooms larger at the omni than the grand pres., and is the distance the same to the nana bts? don't forget to try ming's garlic shrimp.

Hello everyone, once again, from a delightful and sunny Bangkok!!

kuranosuke... thanks for the reminder about Ming's garlic shrimp. I shall try to remember that. I spent a lot of time with her last night as we were at the same birthday party, for our Danish friend who is getting married tomorrow morning. He celebrated his birthday last night and it was a fun party. Imagine a birthday and a wedding and only one day apart. Maybe of his Danish relatives are in town, and I must say they are an interesting and energetic group of nice folks!! Big Vikings, one and all!!!

Re: the apartment. I'd say that THIS apartment that we have now is larger than what we had a Grand President, yes. But some of the apartments here at Omni are quite a bit smaller. It's all in the luck of the draw. We rented from Syncate Company Limited, which has an office on the main floor here. We have rented from "the girls in the basement" as we call them, but maybe they are not so reliable. This new rental company seems right on top of things. Our Danish friend who lives here in an apartment said that Paul at Syncate is very reliable, so we are renting from him. This is what Paul calls a "one bedroom premier" apartment. The cost is about &75 per night at 3100 baht. We get maid service everyday. Can't beat it!! The apartment number is 3012, if you want to rent it sometime. The double balcony off the bedroom has the best view of Bangkok (NO, not the river...).

As far as walking to the skytrain, it is just a little bit farther from here to Nana than it was from the Grand President. I take soi 6 and not soi 4. I don't need to walk down Nana with all the bars and such, so I take what appears to be an alley, but you have to watch out for the car and motorcycle traffic as you are walking along.

feargal... I bought my phone at MBK. There are tons and tons of phones there, some are used and some are new. I bought a new one. It's a very common type Nokia. It doesn't take photos or have all of the fancy gadgets. I just wanted something that I could use to stay in touch with folks here. But I can also use it in Europe when we travel there, twice a year. All I need to do is buy a new SIM card each time. I bought my new SIM card at MBK yesterday and also bought calling minutes, all for 300 baht. The phone itself was about 6000 baht, new. I think I've had it for a year. You can buy used for less. You will be absolutely blown away by the choices you have in phones at MBK!! It is all up to you, which features you are wanting. If you go to the 4th floor at MBK you will be able to walk around and have a zillion choices! It is impossible to just pick ONE.. so it's like saying "eenie meanie miney mo.." and then just stop and say, "I want to get a phone." I happen to go with "1, 2 Go" phone service this time. So did my husband. He also got his new SIM card yesterday. His phone is one that isn't yet available in the USA. A Swedish friend has one and my DH fell in love with it. It's like a mini-computer in a phone, with a keyboard and screen on the inside. It's the Nokia 9300. We were looking for them here in BKK yesterday but did not see them at MBK. They might have them at Pantip though. Anyway, DH bought his 300 baht SIM card and minutes, and he used up a BUNCH of his minutes by surfing on the internet on his phone. It costs a lot of money to do that. I can get by cheap because I only use my phone for making and receiving calls. lol ha ha ha

guenmai... I bought the best tasting fresh watermelon at the market at Paragon. I ate a lot of it for b'fast this morning. I'm going to Central Chitlom and maybe back to Paragon to look for something special to wear to the wedding parties tomorrow night. I hope I can find something to my liking. I know how hard it is for "Westerners" to find things that fit here, although I've had good luck at Central.

Gloria, if you're out there this morning, I'll be calling you at the Oriental sometime this afternoon. If I read correctly, you will be coming home from Rangoon sometime today. I'll wait and call the Oriental later so that you have time to get settled in once again. Looking forward to a glass of wine with you and your friend if she cares to come along. Hope she is finally feeling 100% after her illness. Maybe we can just meet up at the Oriental. That might be the handiest thing to do. I've not been down to the river yet, so that would give me an excuse to do so.

bob... your name came up last night. Brad was trying to explain about "The Dome" restaurant. He said you thought it was Sirocco. It definitely is not Sirocco. It's inside, upstairs on the second level of the dome. We are going to eat there some night. It won't be right away though, as we are busy with the wedding tomorrow and preparations, shopping, etc. and Brad is off with the wedding party to the beach that he reported about the other day here on fodors. I can't recall the name right now. Anyway, the wedding group is staying at the Tides tonight and will return tomorrow sometime for the wedding ceremony and the big party (parties) at the Banyan Tree.

I've got to get DH moving, and quickly. He is either #1 getting measured for a new jacket or #2 trying to find one at Central or Paragon TODAY so he can wear it tomorrow night. We are both unprepared for this wedding party, which we did not know would be of a more "formal" dress!!! YIKES!! The tailor here in the lobby can make him a jacket in 24 hours. We know this because a couple of the "big Vikings" had them made and they were delivered during last night's birthday party. So DH knows that he can opt to do that as well (no, he's not at big as the Vikings.. but he is a more traditional "Westerner" sized guy with a bit of a beer gut even though he has lost 25 lbs on his diet so far). So we shall see what we shall see.

Hey everyone, have a great day, wherever you are. I'll get back with you later...

Carol

Carol-
I'm enjoying your day by day report.

I also have some cell phone questions. You said you bought a sim card for 300 baht.
How many minutes do you get for that? Do incoming calls count as part of those minutes (I think they do not on European cells but wondering about Thailand)?
What about calls back to the US? How are those minutes charged as opposed to calls made within Thailand?
Finally, are you (or anyone out there) aware of how the cell service is in Southern Thailand, specifically around Krabi?
Thanks!

I want Carol to adopt me too!

Love your reports Carol. I print them out each time you finish a trip, and want to use some of your tips, SOON!

Hi Kristina
I'm waiting for DH to finish his shower so I'm still lurking around here on fodors.

The 300 baht includes the SIM card and calling time. The price is 4 baht for the first minute and 2 baht for the rest. The 300 baht lasts as long as it lasts... but I should be fine for my 12 days here. I'm 99% sure that incoming calls are not charged against minutes. I honestly have not made calls to the US as I keep in touch by emails instead. I carry my laptop with me when I travel and then sign up for the local wireless or other internet service (1500 baht for one week).

You should be fine with cell service in Krabi. All the Thais have cell phones. I think they would be up in arms if they couldn't use them all over the country. Although some of the very remote islands might not be in range.

The SIM card is actually very cheap, and is included in the price of the 300 baht calling plan. In Europe, I paid 10 euros for my Sim, which included some calling minutes also (10 euros worth) but I bought extra time as it gets used up quickly if I made very many calls.

Gotta run.
Carol

Carol-
Thanks for the details. Sounds like you get about 150 min worth of local calls which should be plenty. I'd really be interested to know how many baht per min the card charges for calls to the US.
I make 1 or 2 international trips a year and I keep thinking I should just bite the bullet and buy an unlocked phone.
My last trip was to Spain and I brought an old tri-band phone I had with me only to discover it was locked by T-Mobile and there was no way to unlock it or get any kind of service on it.
When you get a chance, can you let me know what you think the least expensive phone I could buy at MBK (for use both in Asia and Europe) would be? In a perfect world, I'd be able to put my Sprint card in it here in the US, but if it's cheap enough, it might be worth it to buy just for travel.

Hello again everyone. What an eventful day this has been, with a nice surprise along the way.

DH and I had to shop for our special clothes for the big wedding reception tomorrow night. We found things we liked at Central Chitlom store. The wedding itself is in Chonburi and is small and private. The reception is at the Banyan Tree and should be a lot of fun.

I enjoyed meeting face to face with Gloria at the Bamboo Bar at the Oriental. I also enjoyed meeting friend Ann, who seems to be doing just fine after her illness of a couple of weeks ago.

I was surprised to meet yet another fodorite!! A newbie to fodors (coripep) and husband were also at the GTG. They have been in BKK and Thailand for their first time, and have loved it, I think. Sounds like they will be coming back again (and again). We had a lovely time talking about travel and various adventures. Fodorites are such nice people!! Gloria and cori met at Cotton House and also at Ban Orapin, I think it was... isn't it a small world??

The jet lag is really catching up with me today so this a short report, other than to say I enjoyed some of Ming's chili for lunch and it was wonderful!! I have already asked Ming about the garlic shrimp, kuranosuke, and she will make it for me in a couple of days.

Kristina... I'm going to guess that you could spend about 2 to 3000 baht on a used phone. All the phones at MBK are unlocked and will require a SIM card, to my knowledge.

More tomorrow...
Carol

keep t coming carol...enjoy that wedding..take tons of pics..tell us about the flowers which in thailand will be unbelievable i am sure

carol, thanks for the info on the rooms. cell phone info also good.

laurie, lucy, and me. anyone else?lol

Good to hear that you're having a great time. I'm at Kinkos at a computer since I had to drop by and check a very long...therefore..."truncated" e-mail that came across on my e-mail machine at home. I don't own a computer. The e-mail was regarding my teak Buddha and Monks that I bought at River City... a few weeks ago... and had shipped. It was either ship them or buy three extra seats on the plane for them. Smiles. Well, they will be arriving around next Wednesday....hope they have had a nice trip across the seas and that the containers don't contain sea water which can be a problem. I have two close friends who've worked at the docks...for two decades...here in L.A. area... and unload containers and say that water damage can be a big problem since water gets into the containers from time to time which is one reason to pick up cargo as soon as it arrives. I have to pay all of the fees before Buddha and the monks will be released and allowed to come home. And I'll have to go to two companies plus customs with paperwork. The fee at one company alone is $109. and at the warehouse at least $55.00...they go by weight...and then customs will want its share of money. I've been on the phone with the companies for over an hour today....a headadche. Have a great time at the wedding. Thai weddings are so beautiful. I once crashed one on the grounds of the Siam Intercontinental Hotel, where I used to stay. It was fabulous! I sat with friends/family of the bride and we had a great time chit-chatting. Happy Travels!

Carol-have a great time as I know you will. Keep us posted on your doings about town. I was just there and I'm already envious. tempus fugit.

Just remembered that when I was in BKK, I met an American who had bought an unlocked cell phone on Ebay for about $40. He brought that with him to Thailand and bought the Sim card there. He said that was the cheapest way he found to do it.

Good morning from Bangkok! It's great to wake up in the morning, check the fabulous view, and then turn on the computer to "chat" with friends!

Andy and Kristina: Buying the phone on eBay is a good idea. That's where Brad got the fancy-schmancy Nokia 9300 for DH for Christmas. I know he saved a ton of money on it. They are not yet available in the US. The SIM card works great in it here. I hope it works that well in Europe. I'm sure it will.

Guenmai: I hope you can get your goods home safely and without costing an arm and a leg. But it sounds like they made a very quick trip. Some of our containers take two months to get to Illinois.

Guenmai: i remember a thread where you talked about coupons at Central. I was shopping at Central yesterday, which I often do here, and they once again mentioned the coupons. I've never taken the time to find out about them, but this time the girl took me to the place where you show your receipt and dip into the fish bowl for your coupons. I did it, and got a lot of 10% off ones, but I also got a 15% off, which is good until Valentines Day. I'm sure I can find something else to buy there to make good use of my savings. Ha ha ha I've seen a gorgeous new print at the Jim Thompson store there. I might have to see if that fabric is available in other pieces. Or maybe they'll MAKE me something... lol... what do you think, guenmai???

The wedding is already in progress, in Chonburi, with family and very close friends. Brad is there, so he will have to report in. I'm looking forward to the big parties at the Banyan Tree tonight!! DH got 24 hour service on a suit downstairs at Omni, and I found a long silk skirt and silk blouse to wear. I'm going to get my hair and make-up done. Ming recommended a place on soi 8 where I can get it all for about 500 baht!!

Did I remember to say that I met Gloria's friend Ann last night at the Bamboo Bar? Nice lady. She certainly has had some experiences this vacation, but looked great. And there is no way she looks to be in her 70's. I'd never have guessed that age.

I must comment on the BKK weather. It has not been humid and the temps are so much more pleasant than I remember from my last several trips here. This weather is absolutely perfect!! Family emailed that we are getting ice layer and then about 6 inches of snow on top of it at home today. I'm SOOOO glad I'm here!!

Bob and kuranosuke: I'm already thinking about GTG's in Boston and Honolulu. Now that I've gotten into this routine of meeting Asia fodorites I want to meet MORE. When are "we" planning another GTG??? I really do hope that Gloria can come to one of them. I know you would all love to meet her. She's an interesting and friendly lady. If SHE would arrange a GTG in Chicago, maybe we could get newbie Coripep and husband to join us. They'll be moving to Chicago soon. I'll let them explain that one. They are right now flying home to Seattle.

Re: flowers... I've seen some of the most gorgeous bouquets in the last few days. Some were just to say "Happy wedding day" and then there were flowers for the groom's birthday, which was just two days ago. I'm sure the flowers at the parties will be absolutely wonderful. I'll take lots of pictures. I only wish that the actual ceremony would not have been so far away, not to mention.. "private".. because I think I would have been very curious about it. The groom says there will be lots of pictures, so I'll take him for his word. He and his bride are not yet honeymooning so they will be around Omni at least part of the time while I'm still here. I think they will honeymoon in the US and will come by our small town for a visit!! We can't wait to show them a good time.

While sitting with Gloria and Cori I made a very humble announcement to them. I was very honest and forthcoming when I said that in my 9 trips to BKK I have yet to see the Grand Palace and the wats. I've been to Wat Pho, but that was for a Thai foot massage.. you may recall my story some time ago about twisting my ankle on my first trip to BKK, on the very FIRST day of sight seeing... Anyway, I confess that I've not ever been to THE most important sights here. Will you all forgive me? My trips to Bangkok are primarily to visit with dear friends. This is like a home away from home for me. I don't know if I can find the time now to be a tourist in this city!! BUT, if I can swing it, I want to be here when the King and the barges go down the river in June!!! I just may book my room at the Pen while I'm here now.

We'll chat more later... have a great day, where ever you are.

Carol

thanks for keeping us up to date....i just heard from the king...gloria has refused a seat on his boat for the procession (she does not like the spray from the river), so he is offering you a seat on the #2 barge...interested??

As it happens, Bob, the king's procession is going to be on June 12th which will also be my 60th birthday. Since he will be celebrating his 60 years on the throne I definitely think I should be right up there with him. :-).

It was great meeting Carol, Cori and John! Off to a party. More later.

Hi Carol,
Enjoy reading your live trip report.
The confession about not seeing the Grand Palace yet made me laugh. You can always buy a postcard of the Grand Palace!

Hope to see you in Bangkok later this month. We are now in Dalat, then heading to Ho Chi Minh and back to Bangkok on January 28.

carol, hi gtg sounds good to me. if we do it again in august, it will be bon dance time here, so we maybe we could include it as part of the gtg. i understand peter-san(ht) is a world class bon dancer. lol.

howzit, isis.

Isis..You're still in Asia? or is this a new trip?
and ks- Bon dance GTG.. That would be fun!!

OK, I hope this posting doesn't sound like I'm a rambling fool. I must write about this wonderful wedding experience from yesterday before I lose the details from my aging brain!!

(Hello isismonroe... are will still on for a GTG someplace on the 29th? Let me know!!)

THE WEDDING:
If you remember, I'd been telling you that the wedding party headed for the beach resort in Bang Saen so that they would be relaxed and ready for the next day, which started very early. My details are sketchy because I was not there, but from Brad, who WAS there on behalf of the groom, I have these few but wonderful details.

The groom (L) and his entourage go to the home of the bride's (P) father with the dowry (YES, the groom PAYS UP) and other gifts. The "gate" to the father's house is closed so that L and his friends and family (male and female) are blocked from entering. P and her entourage are watching from the balcony above, as L and friends share their gifts and a big box of cash and try to please P's father. When he gives his OK, the gate is opened and everyone is happy.

The friends of the couple sit outside and talk and laugh, while the bride and groom and their parents, along with a lot of monks, are having the actual wedding ceremony inside the father's house. It lasts at least an hour, with chanting and spraying water, and so on. (Remember I said that the wedding is private) Son Brad just happened to pass by the house and noticed L and P on their knees inside, with all the monks, and then the rest of the entourage gathered outside the window to watch. Everyone is dressed in casual clothing for this.

Later on, at 5:30 the reception is about to begin at the Banyan Tree, 60th floor restaurant, which is reserved for the night. The view is awesome from up there, if you've been to Vertigo or Sky Bar you know. The reception was a beautiful merging of two cultures, Thai and Danish.

Brad was one of the speakers on the program. He spoke for L, along with other friends, many from Denmark. P had friends who spoke on her behalf as well. Then L and P speak to the gathering and to one another, expressing their love and devotion. I really think there were few dry eyes during L's speech to his beautiful bride. It was sooooo beautiful and from the heart.

Another tradition that we saw, a Danish one, is the groom's male friends picking him up off his feet and removing his shoes. They cut the toes out of his socks (I forget the exact reasoning) and give the pair of scissors the the bride. If L should ever stray, P can "cut off something else!!!"

The Danes gather around the bride and groom for their first dance, moving in closer and closer, until the music ends and they throw rice on the couple.

Thai tradition... the bride and groom cut the first pieces of cake and serve them to their parents, one at a time, with bowing and kisses.

This wedding party was such a beautiful and joyous event. I can see why Gloria talks about the wedding parties that take place at the Oriental. And everyone dresses to the nines for these things. Trust me... DH and I were glad we did our shopping so we would fit in!!!

There was a professional photographer capturing everything. I can't wait to get a copy of the DVD to share with friends at home who could not be here, but how know L and P very well because they spend a lot of time here in BKK.

The partying went on into the wee hours. DH and I gave up about midnight. The food, wine, flowers (oh my gosh... the FLOWERS!!!!) were just fabulous. I don't know how to express just how lovely the whole party was. And I think from Brad, that the Thai wedding was really very romantic. Maybe HE will find HIS Thai bride some day???

Today will be quiet. There is a pool tournament going on... you know where my guys will be!! I'll be at Pratunam I think. Time for some shopping for my sorority sisters again.

Everyone have a great day. I'll have time to "lurk" around here today so I can answer questions if anyone wants to ask the. You won't have to wait 24 hours for another posting, I promise.

Carol

What's a bon dance?? I can't wait to see this.. HNL here we come! August will be fine with me, as far as I know.
Carol

Hi everyone,
We are now 1 3/4 months into our Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam trip.
The Bon Dance GTG in Honolulu sounds great!
Carol, Jan 29th is a go. What is a good place and time for you?

Isis
I'd like to meet around 5:00 in a quiet place such as Face Bar. But I know that's a skytrain ride and a short hike down the soi, for both of us. I'm trying to think of a place that might be in between. Are you staying at Patumwan House again? You are a short hop to places like Paragon, Intercontinental, Hyatt, Gaysorn, etc. It might be better to try something like an eatery/bar in the lobby at Gaysorn. It's nice there and not such a zoo as some places. The eating area at the new Paragon is huge, and we might not know each other... after all, we've never met...

Let me know what you think. I'm open to suggestion. Looks like we've got a bit of time to make up our minds. I'll have a look while I'm out today to see if there is something that might be a good meeting place.

Carol

Carol- the reception sounded lovely! Especially the part about bride and groom serving cake to parents...much nicer than the "shove cake in each other's face" that seems so popular in the US these days.

A bon dance is basically a harvest festival.They were brought to Hawaii by the Japanese who came in the early 1900s to work on the plantations, and are esentially the same as the were in Japan at that time. Oddly enough, Japan has "moved on" and they don't really do this anymore. Our Japanese exchange students always found them very interesting.

Most temples in Hawaii will have their dance both Friday and Saturday night on one weekend in the "season". The schedule will be printed in the newpapers at the start of the season.

There are lots of dance groups that practice all year, and will make the rounds each weekend to show their stuff. They will have matching kimono, and are typically groups of little Japanese grandmas. More and more though, younger people are getting interested, and not just those of Japanese ancestry. The dances are done in a circle around a sort of tower erected for event, and everyone does the same motions. You are free to join in with the group. It is very festive with the paper lanterns, decorations, and loud, old style Japanese music.

WE go for the food though...the temple members spend a lot of time preparing the food and sell it in little booths. Teriyaki strips, corn on the cob, mochi, plate lunches (well, dinners) and many other goodies. YUM!

I always encourage visitors to go to a bon dance. They keeps old traditions alive and raise money for the temples. Best part is that they are free and open to the public! Just make sure to wear good walking shoes though, parking gets tight at many of them!

how about the sheraton grande or the jw marriott to meet?? both have nice bars, expecially the marriott with its soaring ceiling...and music or the 4 seasons for that matter....

senses at gaysorn is nice on the 2nd floor...

thought i would help the ladies out..

we will attend brad's wedding in bkk...two for filet

lcuy
Thanks for the information on the bon dance. I look forward to seeing it in person in HNL in August. Should be great fun. I will plan to stay on the island for a few days since I'll be traveling all the way from Illinois...

Bob, when Brad has a Thai wedding, we'll all have filet. It might not be at Banyan Tree... um, Omni has a restaurant on the ground floor... will that do??? ha ha ha

I just talked with one of the Danes at the pool tournament (my guys lost in the first round... too bad) and he straightened me out on the cutting the toes out of the socks thing. I guess in Denmark it can get pretty "violent" as the groom might try to keep from being picked up so he fights with his friends. The Danes didn't want to scare the kind and gentle Thai people so they toned it down a lot. Anyway, the scissors are just a souvenir for the bride... no cutting something else... I rather thought that would be the case... ha ha ha ... these guys are real jokesters!!) but the whole idea behind it is something about fertility; and it is suppose the tie the couple together when the new bride stitches the socks together again. The groom is not supposed to try to wear the same socks for another wedding to someone else.

I believe we are going to Sky Bar and the dome tonight. The restaurant is Mezzaluna. Brad says it is better than Sirocco. I've not dined at either one before so will enjoy it, I'm sure. We're dieting so don't expect us to sample anything too full of calories!! But I will try to report on what's on the menu and at what price. I'm sure we'll have at least one bottle of wine so I'll try to write down price/brand, etc.

Bob
Thanks for all the suggestions on places to meet for a GTG here in BKK with isismonroe. It got me thinking about hotels in the neighborhood. I think the Intercontinental might be a good choice. It's right at the skytrain station (Chit Lom) and easy to find.

Isismonroe,
With that in mind, what do you think about the Intercontinental lobby bar? 5:00 next Sunday afternoon. Is anyone else in town then? Gloria, are you and Ann still here? DH and Brad will be, but they are playing pool every Sunday in tournaments that they do not want to miss out on.

Perhaps I'll just start a new thread on a BKK GTG on the 29th and we'll see what turns up. Maybe orgy7 will be available then, or maybe JamesA.

Carol

Carol, we will see you there on Jan 29 at 5 pm at the Intercontinental lobby bar. I already have a picture of you standing in front of the Patumwan House.

Here's another thought for the Honolulu GTG later this year or the year after:
Natsunoya Teahouse; they have private rooms and you can BYOB and the geisha hostesses treat you well. In some rooms you sit on the tatami floor. But anyplace for a get together is fine with me.

I just wanted to report in that four of us went to dinner at Mezzaluna tonight, at the Dome of State Tower. We had a superb meal (although DH says his chicken was not cooked quite enough for his taste). Brad had a dessert that include CHOCOLATE SOUP

Oooops. Hit the post button and didn't realize it. Anyway, the dessert was a cream souffle served with pistaccio ice cream and chocolate soup, the soup being served in a "glass" with a straw. It looked heavenly!! But I was good.. no dessert for me.

The restaurant is upstairs on the second floor in the Dome, although there is another dining venue UP one more floor. It is a private room with a 360 degree view. They are advertising a Valentines Day special for two which includes a private dinner for two in the upstairs room, and three nights lodging I think in the serviced apartments at State Tower?? I think there might be some transportation included in the price as well. 1,000,000 baht ($25k+) for the package. Makes ya' wanna' jump at the chance, doesn't it?? Bob, shall I sign you and Karen up for this great deal?

I noted that main courses on the menu ran from about 1100 to 3800 baht, with a Beluga cariar special for 19,900. There is a fixed price menu 4-5 course meal for 5800 baht per person. Prices were pretty steep when you consider that an entire meal at the Bed Supper Club will run you 1090 baht per person. T

The Chilean merlot wine we drank was about $85 a bottle (we had two). Four people ate appetizers, main courses, a couple of desserts, a couple of special coffees, plus two bottles of Chilean wine came to just under 19,000 baht. We left 20,000 because the service really was great.

Now for the PROBLEMS with the place. It was about 55 degrees in the place. I was freezing. They gave me a scarf to wrap around my shoulders to help warm me up. They gave hot steamy towels between all the courses, which helped a little, if applied on the back of my neck and arms. There were other women wearing scarves around their shoulders so I wasn't the only one who though it was cold. You would think they would take a hint and adjust the termostat a bit.

The silverware... I don't like the design of the handles, with a sort of triangle shape to them. You cannot easily turn them in your hand, to move your fork or spoon at different angles when picking up food.

An explanation of the Dome. There are three restaurants (plus the private 360 dining venue) at the top of State Tower. Mezzaluna (Italian) and Distil are inside the dome. Mezzaluna is UP one floor when you get off the elevator on 64. Sirocco (maybe Mediterranean food??) is outside, and down one floor on the "grand staircase" after you exit the elevator and go outside on 64. The jazz singer is outside the dome, and just above the level of Sirocco (same level as elevator). Sky Bar is outside, at the very end of the Sirocco restaurant, thus the severe drop off which some people do not like. Tonight it was a bit chilly and VERY windy on top of state tower. If you were eating outside you'd be having problems with things blowing away, I would think.

Distil I had thought was only a cigar bar, but that was the wrong information. Distil has fusion food, served inside the dome on the 64th floor, right off the elevator and the cigar bar part of it is on the outside. It's really an awesome (but expensive) location for dining. I prefer to go up to Sky Bar and have ONE drink to top off a lovely evening.

More tomorrow. Now I need to sleep.
Carol

Carol - great report! I love reading report-as-you-go reports. There is always so much more detail!

I wanted to comment on a few things discussed in this thread:

1 - I would DEFINITELY vote for a Chicago GTG. It would be fabulous to meet some of the people I have been reading about almost every day for years!

2 - When FH traveled to Israel this year, he called up T-Mobil and had them unlock his phone. They did it, no problem. He says that they will do this for people who have been good customers. He said a good place to find out about getting your phone unlocked (discusses all different carriers and phones) is:

www.howardforums.com

3) We will be in Thailand in June, but not in BKK on the 12th for the king's b-day. We actually considered for a minute flying in from Koh Samui that day to see it and then flying straight back on the same day. I think we will pass...

Keep the report coming!