rhkkmk

don't forget---WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER VISITING CATS...Yikes

simpsonc510

Never touched 'em Bob. Only looked. All were special breeds. Beautiful! They even have Maine Coon.

The drive across southern Thailand from Khao Lak to Surat Thani is all jungle and amazingly scenic! Pics on FB. We are back on the main road heading to Chumphon. Should be there in a couple of hours. We stopped at a simple gas pump in the jungle, as my suggestion to get gas as we were leaving lunch at J W Khao Lak was pooh poohed. Let's just say the jungle goes on and on with NO services to speak of.

Lunch at J W was great. We parked and walked around the fabulous grounds. DS and GF would like to stay there next time.

Don, Happy New Year to you. Happy New Year to all!

simpsonc510

I understand that the concept of a cat cafe is popular here in Thailand. So is a bird cafe. People bring their birds to singing competitions. The bird that is loudest wins. Big money! Cats from special breeds and birds with loud voices can be quite valuable.

kmkrnn

And your passport?

simpsonc510

Got it! It was the first thing I got when we arrived at the hotel. Checking in came second. We have yet another huge king bed that would easily sleep 6 adults! This time we have a heart shaped soaker tub instead of the big walk in shower. I prefer the walk in..... but it's just one night.

We had fabulous pizza at Pirate's Terrace again. Super thin crust, not floppy or greasy, great flavor! DH applied his usual priki neu peppers (HOT HOT HOT) and loved every bite. Priki neu translates as "mouse turd"...haha! They are very tiny but oh so potent.

Even though yesterday was a very long drive, I really enjoyed seeing the jungle, mountains, karsts, rivers, tiny towns, etc. It was so interesting hearing Lat's experiences growing up in Isan. Riding on the water buffalo, taking care of them, herding them home from their road side grazing places, etc. And she is such a tiny girl for such a big animal!

I also enjoyed hearing about the resident lizards in their house. The Chinese would like to use their skin for medicine, but the lizards get to stay in the house, so they are more or less protected. They take care of bugs and such and also bring good luck. If you are cleaning and you come across a nest of eggs, you don't bother them. I get the impression that there might be many of these good luck animals residing in the house...not caged. Not sure I'd be socomfortable with that!

Today we drive back into Bangkok. Depending on traffic, it should be a 5 to 6 hour drive. Not scenic like yesterday. Much more urban feeling.

We have one last night, at the J W Marriot Sukhumvit. We will try to have dinner at the French restaurant that foodie Lars recommends, but that depends on time and energy!

Ready to leave Chumphon at 8am!

rhkkmk

Bon voyage

Kathie

If you opt for the French restaurant, please report on it and give us the name. We are always interested in recommendations.

Enjoy your last days in Bangkok!

Florida1

Safe travels home! I would have gone into the cat room for sure! Glad you've had such a great trip!

simpsonc510

Checked into J W executive level room, with the club lounge just down the hall. Will take full advantage of it, since it is one of the best lounges we've found.

The drive today, from Chumphon, was about 6 hrs 20 minutes. Traffic didn't get crazy until we got into the city, and then it slowed to a crawl.

We have 4pm check out tomorrow, and our flight is after midnight. Since we are flying first class we get use of the 1st class Thai lounge at the airport. We will probably go out to BKK at 9pm so that we can relax and snack a while before flying to London and then Chicago.

No French restaurant tonight. Maybe tomorrow afte we check out of the J W. (We will leave luggage here) DH needs a haircut, and he has a barber on soi 8, so we will return to Monsoon.

This nearly-3 week holiday is coming to an end. Back to reality soon

simpsonc510

So, we did end up going to soi 39 to Philippe French Restaurant. If you are a foodie you'll enjoy this place. We had two bottles of rioja (2200 baht each bottle) plus an assortment of mostly appetizers, followed by 4 desserts. The bill was 14,000 baht, so a bit pricy. Portions are small, food is meticulously prepared and presented. Excellent quality all the way around. Pictures are on FB.

Mains were priced from about 700 for fish to 7000 bt for Wagyu prime rib for two people (?). Portions are small but foods are typically rich (I can take only so much of this rich stuff).

I doubt we go back, but it was worth a try. As I said, foodies will enjoy it. Lars praised the place to the hilt. We just think Indigo (which I have promoted many times) is more to our liking.

Kathie

Thanks for the info on Phillippe, Carol.

Have a good light home!

Guenmai

Glad you had a great vacation and have a safe trip home.

Happy Travels!

simpsonc510

Kathie, Pook commented on FB and said he used to go there years ago for their ox tail soup. It is a great place, just too pretentious for my taste. I prefer Indigo!

Enjoy the rest of your vacation, guenmai. Looks like no lunch with you today as we pack up and get ready to leave tonight.

This has been another great holiday vacation in Thailand. Time to head home and get work caught up before we head to Vegas for 9 days in mid January.

Guenmai

That's OK, Carol. We both have had busy schedules. I just got back from breakfast and later will need to go to Paragon to pick up my two pairs of eyeglasses as I'm having lenses put into the eyeglass frames that I bought in Italy last summer. Have a nice rest of your day.

Happy Travels!

simpsonc510

I think we will take time to go to Em Quartier helix for dinner tonight. Pook has told me of a restaurant with good dim sum, which was on my list of must-do's this trip.

We did our breakfast in the club lounge. Plenty of good food there! Won't be hungry for a while.

kmkrnn

Safe trip home. ,sounds like you did enjoy this trip , with a lot of new adventures. Enjoy LV. We are baby sitting that week, but with our. Move it will be just down the street. Fly safe......

simpsonc510

The dim sum place had closed! Big disappointment. We ate at Em Quartier anyway. It was tough picking another place with so many choices! We ended up at Wine I Love Uou. It was ok but nothing special. Will try something else next time.

There is another great Gourmet Market on the street level at Em Quartier. We will certainly shop there next time.

Off to the airport at about 9pm. We have some relaxing time in the Thai first class lounge. Free Moet. Free food (small plates) ordered off a limited menu.

Boarding ìn 45 mintes. While in the lounge, we are enjoying a private room with couch, 2 chairs, coffee table, LG TV with about 40" screen, plus a desk with computer. DH has control of the remote.