The reason for the barge processional down the river in June is not for the King's birthday. It is actually to celebrate his 60th year on the throne. I mentioned to my DH and Brad last night about booking the Penn for several nights. "DO IT" they said, even though neither one of them could commit to being here at that time. I know for a fact that DH cannot be here. Brad says he could try... I'll see... don't want to wait too long to decide. The $190 price I'm seeing on the web just might go UP.

I have a couple more comments about the dinner at Mezzaluna last night. I forgot to mention food presentation. If you've looked at my web site you have maybe seen the two food pictures from the Boathouse Grill on Phuket and from the Italian restaurant Sacz at the Majestic Grande. The food at Mezzaluna was presented just as beautifully, if not more beautifully, than that. I wish I had taken photos. It was beautiful to look at. Proportions were very small though. I'm not sure a hearty eater would get full at Mezzaluna. I had to laugh because Brad's Thai girlfriend ate heartily, but you could tell she was not "satisfied"... she wanted spicy!! She is used to Thai food. She isn't satisfied until she has eaten hot hot hot stuff. You won't find that at Mezzaluna...

Also. it seems to be a very romantic spot. I'm sure there was a marriage proposal going on at a nearby table. I saw a gorgeous bouquet being delivered to that table by the wait staff, and lots of hand-holding... I hope she said "yes" because he paid a lot for the ambience!!

IF you decide to go to Mezzaluna be sure to phone ahead. You need to ask for a table by the window. We did not make a reservation so we had a table that was about 10-12 feet from a window. Nice view, but not quite the same as sitting right at the window. The window glass goes from floor to ceiling so there is nothing in the way of the view. If you eat at Sirocco, which is the outside restaurant, you have a "wall" that goes up about waist high, which will partially block your view when sitting down at a table. I think I also mentioned just how windy it was last night. I would NOT want to be trying to eat outside in that cool breeze. Your napkin would be flying away... and FORGET about keeping candles lit.

For those of you who keep up with my shopping, I'm looking once again for things for my sorority sisters to sell for altruistic projects and scholarships. I've bought necklaces once again. They did well once before. Very simple, black "threads" that expand around the neck, with little baubles such as shell or rock or polished woods of different kinds. The price is right. 3 for 100 baht at MBK. They are probably cheaper somewhere else. but for that price it isn't worth trapsing everywhere to look.

I saw the new groom yesterday here in the lobby at Omni. He is just grinning from ear to ear, saying "I'm so happy" and thanking us for coming all this way for his wedding celebration. Very nice fellow. I wish he and his new bride every possible bit of happiness in their life together.

Brad's Thai girlfriend is on a trip to a special temple today. She was leaving on a bus at 3am to ride for 3 hours (can't remember name of town but it means big mountain). Then she will take food and gifts to the monks there, and she will be blessed for "Good Luck"... and following that, she will ride on the bus for 3 hours back to BKK. There are temples for fertility and temples for finding love and so on. Such a fascinating culture here!! The one that she is visiting is up in the mountains. It must be very beautiful there. And peaceful.

I have things to do today, so I should get on with it. This is the place where you might have ONE thing to do, and NOT get it done. I hope that's not the case for me today. I'm here for such a short time as it is.

Let's try to plan a Chicago GTG for sometime in the not-too-distant future. I'm too far away from the city to determine where to meet, but would certainly like to join a group of friendly fodorites for food and fascinating conversation!! Count me in!!

Carol

Hmmm. Since Brad's girlfriend has "found love", was this perhaps a "fertility" temple???? :D

carol...so now i know that my hunches about the restaurants at state building are correct....sitting outside would be terrible in every way....windy most of the time, hot sometimes, lack of view while seated...probably decent food at an over the top price....i would prefer la normandie if i wanted that style...

i will again pass and return to my favorites and to new favorites provided by loyal fodorites...

i'm also not paying $85 for any chilean wine!!!

lcuy
I'll let Brad respond to your suggestion... if he wants to... LOL He and this girlfriend have been round and round several times. It's an on again off again kind of relationship. Right now they are getting along fine. Brad says they are just good friends.

Bob
We don't splurge all that often on a nice meal in BKK, and especially now that we are trying to diet. We just bought fresh produce at a super market and will eat salads and fresh fruit and yogurt and such. Dining at the top of State Tower was a special treat, none the less, one that will NOT be repeated... too expensive, and the food wasn't any better or worse than the Bed Supper Club. But I'll admit the view at State Tower beats looking at beds and white sheets.. ha ha ha.

Re: the wine. We've been so educated by our friends who live in Italy. When we are with them in Tuscany and Umbria, we always have the most fabulous local red wines and grappa. It's hard to come down to earth after that. We just can't help but look at the better wines that we know, rather than something less appealing, but cheaper. Call me spoiled...

Tonight I will probably have a bowl of Ming's chili and cheap beer, or maybe I'll try the garlic shrimp. Price is really cheap! (and Ming, as you know from my posts, is a fantastic cook). We are trying to enjoy the Brunswick as much as we can because rumour has it that it is going to probably be closing next month. The man who owns the building is remodeling the apartments above, and wants a nice lobby for his tenants and guests. Pool tables and a bar are not in his plans. It's really too bad!!

Carol

maybe brunswick will move some place else in the area...
i bet rents are soaring in bkk like every place else...

have you been to grand palace yet....??

kuranosuke:
just catching up on this article...guess i must dig out my happi coat out of mothballs, lol

carol: Loving your report...lots of info for our upcoming trip...When are you going to the Grand Palace????

Aloha!

Sawasdee kah and aloha and hello!

It is another marvelous day in BKK. The sun is shining through just a little bit of a haze. Should be another fab day. We just cannot believe this weather!!

No, Brunswick will probably not locate in the same area again. And it's really too bad, because they have a large following. The prices are beginning to rise very quickly in this area. The new Nana Square, the new Majestic Grande, plus two new places on soi 6 that I've been watching over the months are now ready to open. I should write down their names and take photos. Soi 6 is a very small soi with room for 1 lane of traffic only. I walk down this soi to the skytrain so I don't have to pass all the sleazy parts of Nana. The two new places may be serviced apartments and they may be new hotels. Not sure... Anyway, there is growth in this area so the prices for rentals is going up up up. I'm most sorry for Ming... she is such a dynamite little lady (about 4' 10" and full of energy). She talks to all the patrons and gets to know them. And she remembers them too!! Kuranosuke, she remembers YOU.

Kuranosuke... I tried Ming's garlic shrimp last night and it was fabulous! She usually puts oysters in her sauce but I told her I don't care much for oysters so she left it out. But wow, you were right. It's a great Thai meal!! I will definitely have it again before leaving for the US (especially since I don't know where Ming will be the next time I come to BKK). Has anyone every had white fungus salad?? That's another very tasty dish of hers, but a bit spicy.

No, I've not seen the Grand Palace yet. LOL I know I really should do this. I wonder how many BKK travelers wait until their 9th trip to this fab city to do that tour!!! ha ha ha

I've got special requests for items for my sorority sisters that just might take me to China Town. I'll let you know what I think of that area, if I get there. We'll see if Brad will venture there with me. I don't think I want to go alone just yet.

More later... Have a great day.

Carol

ming remembers me? why? i did not cause a fuss. unless she remembers me because of who i was with. lol.

Ming remembers orgy7 and his girlfriend also. Ming is a remarkable lady. She has a gift of remembering faces. As I said, she loves to talk to the patrons at the Brunswick.

Ummm ... I forget... who was with you when you went to the Brunswick?

Carol

Carol- Was anyone dining at Sirocco when you were there? I made reservations there and I'm little worried after reading your post about how windy it was. Thanks.

feargal: Yes there were many diners at Sirocco. They probably all enjoyed their meal inspite of the breezy night air. It just would not appeal to me to have to pay attention so things don't blow off the table. I don't think I'd let the wind keep me from eating there, if that's where you are wanting to dine.

Today I ordered three new blouses (men's style shirts actually) from my usual tailor. He will have them for me on Saturday sometime. He knows there is no big rush to have them ready before then. He is making copies of a shirt that I brought to him so fittings will not be needed. I told him I was sure I would be happy with the fit.

We also went to Siam Ocean World, the new aquarium at the new Siam Paragon shopping mall. Guenmai, you were right about it being very nice. We were impressed. We did not quite know what to expect, and our expectations were met and then some. The displays are really lovely. Worth a couple of hours... I'd go back again when I could spend more time. I'm afraid we did a rather rushed look-through in about an hour, maybe a little less. There was no line to buy tickets and we walked right into the place. There were lots and lots of students (school groups, I would assume) today. But the students seemed well behaved and enjoyed their outing.

Tonight's dinner is at the Majestic Grande restaurant called Sacz. I've written about this place before. It's a really nice Italian place with foie gras that is hard to beat. Not very dietary... lol

Andy: we went to the cigar shop today at Gaysorn. I didn't see the usual familiar faces there, but the place was busy with new customers. Business is good there!

Tomorrow we will decide if we are going to CM for just one day (with no hotel stay) or if we are going for one night. Thursday if we go for just one day, or Thurs and Friday if we stay over. We will buy our tickets at a travel agency on soi 4. You can buy your tickets the day before you travel and pay not penalty or higher price. We fly on Thai, and always book the Royal Exec class (business). If we do a hotel stay, I'm sure it will be at the Sheraton as always.

I met a lovely young Thai girl today who hopes to go to either Virginia or maybe Chicago to be an au pere (sp). She was just delightful! I hope she can find a host family so she can live out her dream of going to the USA and learning more about our culture.

My tailor, who also organizes tours, asked me today about seeing the Royal Palace! I think I might get there on my 10th trip to BKK. There is not enough time to do it this trip.

We have tickets in hand and will go to Chiang Mai tomorrow morning on Thai, Royal exec class. We will spend one night at the Sheraton. There is a bit of shopping to do in the markets and then we will return to BKK on the last flight out on Friday night. I'm looking forward to this trip. I'll probably report back when I return.

I got a tip on buying some handmade jewelry for a good price. I've seen some of the girl's pieces and they are very nice. I just might buy a lot... I'm always being asked about jewelry by my friends at home. I've bought myself a number of things but never tried to pick things out for others. We shall see...

Time for some sleep. Gotta' get up in the morning and pack for a short trip.

Carol

carol, where is the jewelry---CM?

have you been to gifted hand on soi 23?? actually the tiny soi parrell to soi 23... she has hand made nice things...

The jewelry is not in CM, it's in BKK. It is shown along Sukhumvit after about 1 am when people are getting off work. The girl works at one of the pool halls that Brad frequents. I'm anxious to see more of her stuff. I've seen Brad's girlfriend wearing her earrings and they are lovely!! Brad bought a pearl and silver pin to give to a friend back home. It's lovely too. I will either have to try to stay up very late or else arrange to meet the girl at the pool hall before her shift starts. I am going to try VERY HARD to get a number of pieces (I may buy out her stand... it's about $6-8 an item!!)

We're off to CM in about 1 1/2 hours so I must get ready to leave. I'll take the laptop with me, but may have to stop by the internet cafe in the night market. Not sure if I'll post here or not.

Carol

Back on line again. I did not have free wireless during the quick overnight trip to Chiang Mai other than in the Royal Orchid lounge at BKK airport.

We had a very lovely, though hectic, time in Chiang Mai. We were delayed in departing yesterday for two hours. Never did know why. Usually, Thai Airways is apologizing up one side and down the other if there are 10 minutes late!!

This was a buying trip after all. I was not sure what I would find, but I did pick up a few new things. I was really pleased with the selection and prices at the Bo Sang markets. We decided that this place is cheaper than the night market in CM, and the CM night market is cheaper than what you find in BKK. Everyone gets their cut along the way.

We spent our one night at our usual hotel, the Sheraton Chiang Mai. We were upgraded to suites free of charge. The hotel was very full. I was actually surprised at all the activity in CM this trip. The markets at Ban Tawai (Hang Dong) were crowded. There were actually four busloads of shoppers being dropped off and picked up.

We had dinner at the Good View along the Mae Ping river last night in CM. Food was good, service pretty good. Seven people ate about 10 dishes, Thai style, plus a bottle of wine, for about 4000 bt. I like the place, but I have a hard time enjoying a dinner when there is music playing loudly and you cannot hold a quiet conversation. The Good View had a live band playing, and it was loud.

We were on the last flight out of CM tonight at 9:10pm so we had time for an early dinner today as well. We ate at Dalaabaa. It was delightful! I really enjoyed the ambiance. The place looked like a Thai style house with multiple rooms, lots of windows, and gardens. The food and service were excellent. Three of us ate about 6 dishes Thai style plus a bottle of wine (the best one on the menu) for 2150bt. Great meal. I would definitely want to come here again on a return trip to CM. The only complaint here is that the place has only one restroom, and it's a "his and hers"... NOT so nice. If you have to wait in line to use the restroom on a busy Friday night, it would not be so pleasant. But other than that, I would recommend the place for a good meal and a good price, and in a very nice atmosphere.

And now I need to sleep. I'm really tired. It was a hectic day with quite a few things to accomplish in CM. My bed at Omni back in BKK looks very comfortable indeed!!

Carol

carol---tell us the details of the wedding....or did i miss it??

what did you find to buy in CM or do we need to wait for your site offerings??

bob

if you are at miracle grande again could you take a pic of the pool area and put it on your web site?? i think we might try it in november... thanks

Good morning Bob

I put some wedding details in earlier in this thread. I never really went in depth as it would be too long!! It was really very special though. I wish I had been at the actual ceremony because it sounded very romantic! I think the line of the groom and all his friends trying to "buy" their way into the house to marry the bride is the neatest thing!!

I bought more purses in CM. They are not beaded this time. Beaded is still available though. I will be taking them to a show shortly after I get home so might not have time to put them on the site before they are sold. There is a very good chance that I will be in Thailand again in a few months!! I really want to spend more time in CM sometime. We always go for just a couple of nights at the Sheraton. Time goes by too quickly!! If I have more time to explore, I know I could find lots more products.

I found some very simple jade necklaces that are really nice. I bought a number of those. I will also be looking at the handmade jewelry of the girl who works at the pool room. Maybe I will call her today and arrange to see her things. Time is running out.

I don't recall mentioning the Miracle Grand... did you mean the Majestic Grande??? That one is right through soi 4 and is in view from our Omni apartment. I can walk past there anytime. The pool area is supposed to be very nice. Maybe they would show me a room too! If so, I could put photos on the web site. I'll let you know.

I have to go pick up my tailoring sometime today. The guys are playing in a pool tournament at 1:00 at Time Square on Sukumvit, at about Asok station. I shall try to go to the new Pratunam competition... an indoor market close to Pantip, called Platinum. It is so new that it may not be very full of vendors yet. I shall maybe find out today. I had to buy a new duffel bag in CM to bring things back, so I have room for a few more goodies if I should find something there.


Carol

i did mean majestic grande....the other one is near the airport....if you have time i would appreciate it, but don't make a special trip

bob

let us know about the new market also...

did you ever get to sogo or sago??

Things are beginning to get more active here in BKK with regards to the Chinese New Year. I think it will be a pretty BIG deal. I don't think I'll wander into China Town, but there are fire crackers exploding down on the street as I type, on soi 4 and in this area. I may observe from the safety of the 30th floor... ha ha ha

Bob, I went to Amarin. Sogo is similar. I need to go there as well. I'll be sure to report back on Platinum. I may get there today. I'm sure there will be some things closing for CNY on Sunday and Monday. I go home on Tuesday, so today might be pretty hectic!!! Lots to get done.

Carol

Good morning. What a gorgeous day it is in Bangkok today. DH was just saying how much he has enjoyed the weather this visit. This is the BEST time of the year to be here. No quesiton.

Today is the GTG at the Intercontinental Hotel at 5. Bob, I hope you make it on time... LOL I'm so looking forward to meeting some more fodorites. Isismonroe, I note that you are safe and sound back in BKK. Are you at Patumwan House again? We'll see you very soon.

The boys were unsuccessful at winning the big pool tournament yesterday, but there is always another time (today!).

I have last minute shopping to do, a few simple requests from friends at home. I think I'm going to probably fill two suitcases plus a wheel-aboard carry-on. Lucky for me, if I need to, I can check 3 70-lb suitcases with my premier executive United Star Alliance gold card!! I needed that much weight coming home from Switzerland in December... that's a whole 'nother story!!

Bob, I'll try to get those Majestic Grande photos taken and posted today. I've added a few photos at cjscollection already, a couple of the Dalaabaa Restaurant in CM as well as my gorgeous suite at the Sheraton CM, and photos of Patumwan House too.

Happy Chinese New Year to all. I think today might be quite exciting in Bangkok! Some places will be closed, but I think most will be open and ready to do business as usual.

Carol

looking forward to your results from today...bob

Carol

Would love to hear about Chinese NY

Also, re: CM beaded bags -- I'm curious if these are the small round/heart shaped or rectangular bags I found.

Hello everyone. When I was out and about today, there were a number of places with the Chinese dragon costumed people dancing to drums and such. We are waiting for fireworks which we might see from our balcony (30th floor) which faces the main part of the city and China Town. We're not sure if they are tonight, but if they are, we're ready!!

Bob, I got the royal treatment at the Majestic Grande today. The guest services lady showed me three room types and the pool, spa, gym, and their restaurants too. It was a great tour. And she didn't mind at all that I took photos (cjscollection is where they will be posted shortly). Room rates run from 3200bt for a basic room to 18,000 bt for the biggest suite in the place (it was booked so I did not get to see it..). A nice room on one of the executive floors will run you 3500bt and includes breakfast. The rooms are not large. I only saw one style room that had a balcony, and the price was 6800bt for a grand exec suite. I'm used to having the space in a one bedroom apartment so I think it would be difficult for me to go back to a hotel room!! Call me spoiled...

Bob the pool area was nice, but not large. The spa was nice, as was the gym, all on the 7th floor. There is an international buffet on the 7th floor (dine@7 is the name, I think). This is where breakfast is served. I do think breakfast is standard with any type of room.

There is a great Italian restaurant on the ground floor (Sacz). Great meal here, if you like Italian food. They serve a marvelous foie gras.

It was a pleasure meeting Isismonroe and Russ today. Michaelbkk, we missed you. We sat for about 1 1/2 hours in the lobby bar at Intercontinental. Isis brought me a lovely basket of flowers!! It was a thank you for telling them about Patumwan House. They are very happy staying there and are pleased with the money they saved over the 4 and 5 star hotels. We had a wonderful time talking about travel and so on. I hope to see Isis and Russ at a GTG in Honolulu this summer!!

I got to see the jewelry girl today. She has some very nice designs of her own, as well as stuff from her village in the north. I bought quite a number of pieces!! She was happy and so was I. I think I will not have much left to put on my web site after going to a trade show in a few weeks. I'm sure I will buy more from her.

You folks like recommendations for good dining options in Bangkok. Well, I've got a new one for you. We ate tonight at Gaysorn Plaza, basement level, at the restaurant called Mistral. There is a sister restaurant in Seattle. It was a marvelous dinner. Four of us dined (with one bottle of wine) for 14,000 bt plus tip. Every dish was very tasty, well presented, and enough to fill my tummy. They offer a 7-course set menu for 3900bt (Brad had that!!). The menu is not Thai. It is more of a La Normandie type menu with emphasis on French dishes, and no coat and tie are required.

A friend had recommended this restaurant to us so we decided to give it a try. We were the only ones in the place, I think. We had our own private diningroom. The table could seat probably 8 people (maybe a fodorite GTG size???). There are three private diningrooms as well as the bigger more open restaurant. The place stays open late, even though it is located in the mall. It has a late night exit into a parking garage where you can catch a taxi.

I ate Alaska scallops appetizer and mahi mahi entree. Others tried the lamb and artichoke soup and the frog legs and monkfish. Everyone was very happy with what they ordered. The 7 course meal included appetizer, soup, entree, sorbet, sashimi starter, dessert, cheese plate, I forget what all was eaten (and I thought I was taking good notes). I may put a photo or two on my web site at cjscollection.

Tomorrow is my last day in BKK. The time has just flown... I knew it would. There will be packing to do, as well as last minute gifts to buy. We will go to someplace special for dinner, maybe Bed, maybe Sacz, or maybe Face. It's my choice. I'll decide tomorrow. Right now I'm too full to think about eating again.

Enjoy your day, where ever you are spending it.

Carol

I posted a few photos of Majestic Grande and also one of the diningroom at Mistral at cjscollection. Just click on the photo gallery link on the left side of the page, and then chose the Asia album. These new photos are at the very end right now, until I have time to place them in the album in a more neat order... ha ha ha.

Today is my last day in BKK. I'm really hoping to get to the new Platinum Fashion Mall (that's the new competition for Pratunam Center). It's located almost next to Pantip and on the same side of the (busy) street as Pantip. I can almost see it from my balcony. Wish I could fly like a bird... I'd be there right now!!! LOL

Do put Mistral on your list of eating places in BKK for a special dinner. It was very nice! Tonight we will go to either Face or Bed or Sacz. It's my choice, since it's my last day in BKK for this trip. Hoping to return in 3 to 4 months. I'd really love to be here in June when the King rides on the royal barges down the river, but it's such a busy time for me at home that I don't think it's possible. Darn!

Carol

Made it to Platinum Fashion Mall at last. Located very close to Pantip, it was easy to find. It has been open for about two months. Well organized, it is five floors of stalls, similar to a night bazaar, but air conditioned. The floors I explored (in a short tour) had clothing and accessories. I didn't see much in the way of Thai souvenirs. There were very few stalls not occupied yet, even for such a new location. I will go back here when I have more time to explore.

Dinner my last night night in BKK was with groom and family/friends as well as Thai friends from the Brunswick. We ate at Sacz. This is really a very nice restaurant!! I recommend it very highly, if you like Italian food the way I do. It is located at the Majestic Grande hotel lobby level, on soi 2 Sukhumvit.

Time to finish last minute packing before heading to the airport. These 6:40am flights are toooo early! I wish UA would get better scheduling when the new BKK airport opens (when ever THAT is).

Carol

Carol:
We are on the same UA flt to Narita at 6:40 when we leave....I have Sacz on our list of places to eat when we get there in 3 weeks.
Aloha!

i have gotten around the late nite arrivals and the early morning bkk departures by flying air france...check it out...

Thai Air and Cathay Pacific also have good timing in terms of arrival and departure.

Home again, home again, ziggety zig..

I'm back home in my small midwest town, which has had some dramatic changes during my absence. Two of our older more historic buildings burned to the ground a week ago. Such a shame!!

I got home around 4pm and sat down in my favorite comfy chair. The "lights went out" and I woke up again about an hour ago. It's going to be tough to get back into central time!

I'm planning my NEXT trip to BKK. I hope all of you have a great time on your adventures to Thailand, or where ever else they might take you.

Carol

carol....i saw you posted that you were going back to bkk in may, but elsewhere i thought i had read that you could not see the barge procession in june....is this true??

bob

Yes, Bob, it's true. I can maybe squeeze out a couple of weeks in May but there is no way I can go in June. Too many prior commitments. I really wish I could see those barges. I've been to the barge museum and they are really quite a sight to see. I think it would be awesome to see some 50 of them going down the river (from a room at the Penn).
Carol

ttt for interest person in majestic grande hotel

FYI
I've added some Majestic Grande photos to my web site photo gallery at cjscollection. Click on the left side of the page, the photo gallery link, and then click on Asia album.
Carol