where is she??

Right now she is on Samui with the OP.

They are very good friends.

Good to see you guys are keeping this thread alive. I was not able to get back online until now. Last night we have really heavy rain. Maybe that caused the internet to go crazy?

The boat trip was very long. The weather was sunny and hot. Maeng and I are not swimmers or sunbathers. What we really wanted was a nice boat trip to view some of the islands off shore. What we got was a 2 to 2 1/2 hour boat trip to the National Park (Angthong Island) that made three stops. The first stop was to drop off kayakers only, so they could get in their boats and kayak around a bit, and meet us in another location.

The second stop was at a nice beach, where there were steep steps up to a 'nice view' which many people were climbing. It was a narrow, steep, winding, (think workout) ascent to what, I don't know. Lots of people, very crowded. Maeng and I started up the steps, got about halfway, and decided this was a ridiculous attempt just to get a view!!! We came back 'down' and then found a couple of chairs to sit on, in a shady people-watching spot.

Lunch was on the boat right after this stop. The kayakers met up with us here, and a second group of kayakers was set on their way after lunch.

The third stop was for snorkeling, and to pick up the second bunch of kayakers, who came to the boat right on time. The snorkelers kept snorkeling for about an extra half hour, which made us quite a bit later than the schedule on the brochure. To make a long story short, we did not get back to BoPhut pier early enough to have dinner with friends (the guy who owns the resort, and his girlfriend). Drat!

I was disappointed that they did not follow the schedule as promoted on the brochure. I was disappointed that Maeng and I did not just hire our own speedboat (like we did in Krabi) to take us where WE wanted to go... no swimming, no snorkeling, no kayaking, just a nice ride out to see the islands.

The bathroom on the boat was pretty disgusting. I used it only once... that was quite enough, thank you. There were no toilet facilities at BoPhut pier when we got ashore. It was a bit of a wait to get back to Seascape to 'let loose' if you get my drift!

Today we fly back to Bangkok. Frankly, I'm ready. Samui is getting too crazy for me. At least, Chaweng Beach is too crazy. Lamai and Bophut looked pretty crazy as well. But last night was the full moon party, so maybe it has just been a gathering of crazy people, just waiting to attend their crazy party.

Anyway, another four-hour 'tour' with the same driver we had the day before yesterday. This time we want to go to the towns on the west side of the island before going back to the airport at about 4:00.

OK, I see you've been discussing the PL. Yes, Bob, it would be a really good place for a GTG. As I have said before, it is much like "Cheers" bar, from the TV show. There is an interesting 'cast' of regulars, and the food, cooked by Maeng, is absolutely the best Thai you'll get.

Time for breakfast now, and then packing and our tour.

Gotta run.

Carol

Carol & Brad,

How about a Sunday GTG? Detail in email sent.

Sounds OK with me.

Great Brad & Carol confirmed. Dogster are you interested? evelyne13? vinovino? Michaelbkk? Anybody else?

I'll send an email out to those the email address.

Opps meant to say "I'll send an email to those taht I have the emails information".

Carol,

If you get this message in time, ask your driver to take you up through the centre of the Island. There are some magnificent places in the mountains with some great places to eat that offer incredible views. This is a part of Samui that many people miss. There is a place called the Secret garden which is quite unique. Just avoid all the 4 wheel drive trucks on their "Jungle Tours"

We are in HuaHin until monday,won't be able to make it

Shane, wish I would have seen your message. I would have enjoyed a trip thru the middle of the island. I saw the places you mentioned on my Samui map. We stuck to the west coast area today, pretty much.

Hanuman, Sunday should be Ok. I think I vote for dim sum. It's something I've never tried before, I don't think. I hear about it all the time!

Evelyne, I hope you enjoy Hua Hin. I have only been once, and it was for only a very short time (one day visit) so I cannot give much help as far as dining and/or shopping.

I'm back in BKK now. We left Samui about 6:10pm today, which was over a half hour late (rain delay). We enjoyed visiting Ban Taling Gnam resort for coffee and snack (and photo ops) on our island drive today. We also stopped to walk around the main shopping area of Nathon. Maeng bought some tiny little dried fish (two bags...two different kinds) and some dried squid. Strange looking to me, but she said the staff would enjoy them back at PL.

We got back into Bangkok and I made my way to Adelphi after dropping Maeng at PL. I'm checked into a 'deluxe' apartment this time, rather than my usual 'executive' apartment. The deluxe is actually quite a bit smaller. Not too much bigger than a studio! I really prefer my executive apartment, but I shall stay put. No problem.

The PL was having quiz night tonight, so I headed on over to see what was going on. I didn't join any team. I was too late for the Q & A part. They were finishing the music part of the quiz, and then there were two pages of picture questions.

I had some of Maeng's chili and said hello to Dr Jack and a couple of other people who were there that I know. Back to Adelphi to get settled in and then get some sleep!!!

More tomorrow... a very busy day! Hope I can get everything accomplished that I need to!

Carol

i am sure pook has a favorite dim sum place, but we love the liu rest. on the 3rd floor of the conrad hotel (lunch)..... also the limited dim sum offerings at the peninsula's chinese restaurant are really unique and delicious...

I'm sure the Pullman will be good. Looking forward to it.

Dogster, are you still around? Wondering if you'll be at the PL tonight. They have live music, which I'm not too crazy about... may have to just sit outside for a while. But that means I can't talk with Maeng at the bar.

Last minute things to do today. Busy schedule, but as of 3:30, most of it is done! It's really hot and sticky out there today. If I did not have so much to accomplish, I'd be chilling out in the air con in my apartment! If I were a swimmer, I'd be dipping into the pool, for sure.

DS arrives tonight! Chiang Mai day trip tomorrow! More busy time ahead.

Sunday will hopefully be a day of much more calming activities! Packing Sunday night, heading home Monday. My two weeks have flown by... don't they always!!

Gawd, Carol - you sure keep busy. Yup, I'm around but I dunno about the PL tonight. Live music and you're not arriving till 10 p.m... the Dog gets tired early these days. I'll see you on Sunday dim sum if all fails.

Thank you for clarifying the PL and Maeng as the manager/master chef...the idea of special dinner is something we'd be interested, but how do we plan for this?

The dimsum gathering sounds good...I wish the GTG happens in Jan instead

Dawg, it looks like Brad's flt will be arriving about an hour early, according to United's web site (about 10:15 instead of 11:15ish). I'm getting sleepy myself, but I am determined to be at the PL.. probably by about 10:45. I hope the music isn't too loud!

Dim Sum on Sunday would be great! Hope to see you there.

Carol

karen wants to make sure that you try the "dessert" dim sum which are white puffy clouds with sweet egg custard in it....they also have them with a lovely bbq pork in them.... they are larger than a silver dollar....

i can't think of any that you would not like except any with raw veggies (carrot) in them....

so how did you like dim sum??

Bob it's Saturday today and our dim sum GTG is set for Sunday lunch. Now that Dang has found out that it's Carol first dim sum meal she's trying to search for a better place!

If anybody else is in town and would like to join in the GTG please let me know on this thread - with Carol's permission of course.

...and mine. The dim sum virgin will not be sitting alone at the table. Any additional guests will have to gain the Dogster seal of approval.

"dim sum virgin" another perfect nickname for Carol!