Hello from Thailand - I'm here!
 

I just flew in from Tokyo and boy are my arms tired.

<rim shot>

I made it! I got to my room in the Shangri-La about 30 mins ago and am unpacking. Shortly a shower then sleep. What a loooong trip.

Let's see if I can keep up with semi-regular postings while I am on the ground here.

First order of business in the AM will be:

1. Find a really good coffee shop for breakfast, and
2. Cotton House for fittings for clothing. I only have two full days before I take off for the next place so I gotta do this tomorrow. I know they typically like 2 fittings, at least. I suppose having a second fitting Tuesday is out of the question. I have 1.5 days here on my way home...

Night everyone! Thank you for all the advice.

Hope you have a fab time in my favourite city... Looking forward to the updates :)

ps. Also a SIM card! #3 for tomorrow - a must get, ASAP.

You're not in Thailand yet, just Bangkok, the gateway to Thailand.

Have a wonderful time! Bangkok is my favorite city as well.

Despite what LL says, Bangkok is part of Thailand.

I'm awake although I think I need a few more hours...

Another question I forgot to ask- how worried should I be about Mosquitos?

In Bangkok? I seldom encounter them. Elsewhere, do use repellant.

I find I awaken at dawn in Thailand due to the time change, then have faded by 7 or so the first few days. Enjoy the early morning boat traffic on the river - I find it endlessly fascinating.

What kinds of fruit did you get in your room today?

Thanks Kathie. I brought OFF wipes - should I also get a mister? Any recos on non-sticky sprays?


Belinda, I see an apple and a pear and two other mystery fruit. They don't look exotic per se but I am not sure what they are.

Q: should I change my last two nights, at the JW Marriott, over to Shangri-La? I really like this hotel. I might have to do so if my Marriott friend doesn't send me the F&F form.. I asked her before I left but I think she forgot about it...

They give you new exotic fruits each day; rambutan, dragon fruit, star fruit... Love the Shangri-La.

I ate most of each of them. Definitely a pear. The Apple like thing tasted Apple-y but I don't think it was an apple. One of them may have been a guava. It looked very nondescript though. Inside was orangey. Excellent.

<<<Despite what LL says, Bangkok is part of Thailand.>>>

I still like the place, but only to top and tail a trip.

Jetlag Schmetlag! A full day and it's only 5 PM.

I walked to Cotton House for a fitting and am having three tailored silk dresses made. The inspiration is Audrey in her Breakfast at Tiffany's frock (from the front, not the same back... and it will be knee length not a gown).

Then lunch at Harmonique: fruit blendie/tom kha gai/satay/mango sticky rice - all for 12 bucks!!

Then a private boat ride to Wat Pho. Barefoot shuffling past the reclining Buddha and a lot of wandering. Gorgeous.

Then a wild cab ride home. To all who said don't drive here: for sure I am not driving in Bangkok traffic. I will be in the sedate mountains up north when I get the car.

Observation of the day: in this crazy traffic, I saw a family on a motorcycle. Dad, little boy straddled in front with arms hanging over handlebars... Mommy behind with a baby.in.her.arms. Only Daddy Driver had a helmet. Baby in her arms. Oy.

<<<Observation of the day: in this crazy traffic, I saw a family on a motorcycle. Dad, little boy straddled in front with arms hanging over handlebars... Mommy behind with a baby.in.her.arms. Only Daddy Driver had a helmet. Baby in her arms. Oy.>>>

You've got plenty of time to build on that. When you get behind the wheel be prepared for lots of defensive driving, and always expect the unexpected.

Meanwhile, enjoy this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftx9xoCa2LY

Any thoughts on Asiatique? I am not very tired, but tired enough that I don't want to put a lot of thought into what I'm doing for dinner/entertainment tonight. Either near the Shangri-La for dinner or the boat ride down to Asiatique looks simple.

Take the boat down, look around a bit , find something to eat. Touristy, but fun . look at the buildings and what they did with the ould warehouses...fish market I think. Take eithe boat back or it is easy to taxi back from there as the road goes in that direction

Flygirl: Refreshing report. And the Audrey Hepburn-style frock sounds really cool. She was my favorite and I've seen most of her movies so many times until I can recite the lines. LOL!
I used to dress very ala-Audrey Hepburn style back in my 20s and 30s especially, hats and all. Smiles. Have fun in my favorite city on the planet!

Happy Travels!

So glad you made it and are enjoying my favorite city! I like Asiatique for a nice place to stroll and have a meal. Great idea IMO.

Hoping you get to stay in Sukhumvit area when you return to Bangkok because it's nice to experience two very different areas of the city.

Glad you are having such a great time!!

Have a look at Banglamphu too.

It's a bit of old Bangkok, perfectly safe, and a lot of the more interesting sights within easy reach.