lol.. actully this is one of the rare times where I did actualy laugh out load.. (refering to carol sending E-mails wishing people happy V day..

simpson
actually you got me nervous im bad with days and I thought I forget V day..

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If Im not mistaken snake head is a fish.. I see it all the time snake head fish soup.. but maybe Im wrong again. I wish it were real snake.
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kuranosuk
oops forgot too show you where saxiphone was.. basicly it was 10 yards from where we were sitting.

Good morning from Bangkok, once again. It is sunny and sticky at 7:40 in the morning... just the way we like it. LOL

Yesterday was really quite funfilled for me. I was on a couple of missions. My first one, to get my husband an Oriental bathrobe (since he left his last one in a hotel somewhere in the USA) took me down to the river to the Oriental Hotel shops. I was tempted to do a longtail boat ride but didn't. The river is such a vibrant part of Bangkok. Bob, I was also very tempted to check out your favorite riverside hotel, but I didn't...YET.

My other mission was to find a particular Jim Thompson silk purse, like one I bought about a year ago. A friend back home asked me to bring her one like it. I've seen the style but not a good color yet. I went to Jim T shops at the Oriental, Isetan store at Central World Plaza, Central Chitlom dept store so far.

I have not been to China town, but I have heard people speak about it. Right now I'm perfectly happy with Pratunam Center, SuanLum night bazaar, MBK, Siam, and Central Chitlom. Plus, I always look at the stuff the street vendors have to offer cheap. (No, that doesn't mean I'm cheap...LOL) Another mission I am on is to find some little trinkets for about $1 or less, each, that my sorority can sell for $5 or more, to make a little money. We give scholarships to future teachers! It's a great cause. I'm the chair person of the ways and means committee so I'm on a hunt for little things to take back to make a little money !

Last night was great fun. The boys took me out on the town once again. You will not believe where we had dinner. It was a 5 star meal, in every way. The presentation of the food was like the best restaurant in NYC. The foie gras was the best I have ever tasted in my lifetime. Good tender steak in BKK is hard to find, but one of the boys said his was the best he's had here. Veal was excellent, as was the fish the others had for main courses. This was an Italian place so I had my usual bruchetta (melted in your mouth), Caprese salad... YUMMMM.. and then a pizza Margherita. For dessert there was fried ice cream with strawberry sauce. Oh... myyyyy... I can still savor it all. We had two bottles of a Chilean cab sauvignon. The bill was about 8750bht for 4 people. Now I know you will want to know where this five star place is. Right? Are you sitting down??? We ate at the Italian restaurant at the Bamrungrad Hospital!!!!! It was absolutely excellent. If you've not been in Bamrungrad, you should have a look (and register.. no, you don't need to have anything "done" to register). You never know when you might need a hospital visit during a BKK stay. This hospital is like the BEST in SE Asia. The hospital is like a 5 star hotel, in and of itself. Check it out. It is on soi 3, I believe.

OK, so after dinner, what next? We stopped off on soi 3 at the famous (or should I say INfamous) Bamboo Bar. Quite a lively place, with loud music, pool tables, and lots of people. Fun atmosphere for the younger set. I guess the US State Dept says not to visit soi 3... but we didn't have any problems. Thank goodness we were a group of 4.

Next stop, a really nice classy bar called the Huntsman. It is located in the basement of the Landmark Building on Sukhumvit near soi 11. This bar is also a restaurant, with good food, so says one of "my boys". The band was Philippino and awesome! If you closed your eyes, you'd swear Whitney Houston was singing to you. Three girl singers, each took their turn singing different tunes with the great backup band playing. Nice bar, nice atmosphere, not sleazy at all. Very classy. You can add this place to your list of really nice bars in BKK.

Off to Hillary Bar on soi 4. This place has pool tables, live band (loud) and a fun partying atmosphere. For the young, young-at-heart, who like to have a good time, dancing and singing along. Not classy... but a lot of fun. The girls who try to get me to play killer were all there last night. NO, I didn't join their game.

When we left Hillary Bar, there was an elephant and mahut outside the door. How many places can you go where you see a live elephant on the street?

Before I forget, there is a new hotel going up along the river. Actually, it is an old (unfinished) hotel... it was supposed to be a Sofitel. It is across from the Oriental and River City area. It is being refurbished and will open as a Millennium Hilton within the next year, I'd guess. I think it will have a revolving rooftop restaurant... from the looks of the building. That's a guress.

Today my boys are playing in a pool tournament down the street, so I'll be on my own shopping! Still hunting for the right Jim T purse.. this time at the Emporium store and maybe the JW Marriott store. I want to go to the biggest JT store and also the outlet near On Nut skytrain station, but not on my own. They are a little bit away from the safety of my skytrain route, as a woman out on her own in BKK.

Looks like we will try to get to Phuket for a couple of days next week. I'd guess Tues-Thurs. A friend who is a pilot for Bangkok Airways says that passenger numbers for Koh Samui are up 30% from last year. Phuket on the other hand is down to about 10% where it should be at this time of the year. Phuket really needs the tourists to return. We will probably go there and have a look!

Time to get ready for breakfast and then shopping. I'll post again soon.

Carol

sounds like fun carol....that was a pretty expensive dinner for bkk....i make it $52 each....but of course the wine was probably 1/2 the bill...

we did a tour of the hospital 2 years ago and were very impressed...did not know about the restaurant...

as to the JT outlet....take a cab...the neighborhood is fine, even if you want to make the 10-15 minute walk from on nut....it is very safe in comparison to where you hang out in nana...it is 3 or 4 floors....another idea for you is to call the jim thompson main office and ask if they have any of those purses...they probably would help you?????...i think some offices are in that outlet building as well...the 3rd floor is the main general mdse. area...the rest is fabric...

Hey Carol-my mouth was watering at your descriptions of the food at Bamrungrad Hospital. Sounds wonderful. Keep up the great posts!

Carol, be sure to let us know where and what you find for your sorority sale. I haven't been to BKK yet and want to bring back similar things when I go later this year.
I'm enjoying your posts!

I am staying at the Landmark Hotelin a couple of weeks and I note the skytrain stop is Nana and right near the hotel- is this area around the landmark safe or is it sleazy?. We plan to have a meal at Cabbages & Condoms - can you walk from the Landmark to there and if so is it safe?

I have no problems walking around the Nana area, and am doing so everyday, both day and nighttime. The Landmark is in a good location, not sleazy, because it is right on Sukhumvit Road. It is when you walk down the soi (smaller street/alley) that you see the red light districts and such.

I have never eaten at Cabbages and Condoms so I do not know about walking there. BKK is, for the most part, a safe city. It is amazing, knowing that some 13 million people, give or take a few, live here together. This is the land of smiles and the people are usually very friendly and helpful.

I have had no luck finding sorority items yet, but will keep you posted. I did a lot of looking today, but didn't find what I want. I don't know that I even KNOW what I want, but I'll know it when I see it... that sort of thing LOL!

Bob (rmk)... I took the boat down to the Marriott today to have a look. Nice resort. I can see why you would enjoy staying there. And yes, the pool area is really nice. I'd say it is better than the Oriental's pool, and a close run with Penninsula's, but Marriott's is the biggest one for sure.

I don't think I'll try staying at the Marriott though, because I really don't like waiting for the shuttle boat and then making the 20 min ride downriver. The chilled towel and bottle of water when we got under way were very nice touches though, I must say!

I liked the little shopping area right across the front drive from Marriott. Restaurants, Thai crafts, etc., how nice. Makes it easy to keep snacks on hand without having to carry them so far.

I noted a lot of children at Marriott. It is more family oriented than some of the places I've stayed. If some of you are traveling with your children, keep that in mind. Friends of ours with two girls, 7 and 9, were here last month and stayed at Marriott and enjoyed it. The girls love to get into the pool everyday.

We all have our own opinions, and that's fine. We are entitled to them!
In my humble opinion, I get a much better chance to meet the "real" Thai people when I get off the beaten path and out of the tourist areas. I've stayed at Penninsula, Oriental, Intercontinental, plus Grand President and now Omni Tower serviced apartments. They all have their plusses. When I first started coming to BKK I stayed at a small apt place called Patumwan House. I couldn't begin to tell you where it is, other than walking distance to MBK, and it's down a long narrow soi. It is by far the most basic I've stayed in, no pool, very small one-person restaurant, but the friendliness of the Thai people really makes me want to go back to a place like that once again sometime soon. Friends from Australia are staying at Patumwan House right now. I almost envy them!

(OK, off my soap bos)

Last night I took a box of Swiss chocolates to the cook at the Brunswick. Ming is the sweetest tiny little person, and such a great cook, and I just wanted to give her chocolate to say thanks. Today she had made a plate of mango and sticky rice just for me, that was out of this world. I tried to give her a tip, as she would not let me pay for the dish. She would not take the tip either!

Bob, I did venture out to a number of Jim Thompson stores today. One of the girls at the "main" store called the Outlet store and found out that they did NOT have what I was wanting, so I will not venture out there. No need to. They no longer make the bag that my friend at home was wanting. That's too bad, as it is a really gorgeous silk bag. I get such lovely compliments all the time when I carry it.

Tonight will be a nice quiet evening. I think I'll just have a bowl of that wonderful chili at the Brunswick about 8pm after resting up a bit. No late night for me... unless the "boys" think of something irresistable!

I hope all of you have an enjoyable trip to BKK in your future. This is truly a world class city!

Until tomorrow....

Carol

Troontraveller, Cabbages & Condoms is a large pretty restaurant, but we thought the food was below mediocre and the service was the least warm & friendly of any other restaurant in Thailand. There are lots of other restaurants in Bangkok that are much better -- Harmonique was our favorite. Lots of other recommendations on this board from other posters, including Carol. Where are you staying - river or downtown?

yes you can walk there from your hotel...cabbages that is....it is a ways in that hot temp....the area is ok...just keep to your business...the nana area, both sides of sukhumvit are a bit on the sleezy side, but we have never felt unsafe in any way at any time of day....late at nite, i don't think a pretty young woman should perhpas walk there alone, nor would you in any major city....too many drunk crazy foreigners looking for easy prey....and that's not at a church...

some of the sois are heavily travelled which makes them much more safe...this is one of the areas of low life in bangkok...in the midst of all of this are fine hotels and restaurants...

if your main fine dining thai experience is going to be cabbages and condoms, may i suggest that you re-think it....as stated above the food is at best mediocre....harmonique is far better as is lemongrass and others...i prefer crepes and co, next door to cabbages for a meal, but it is not thai---more international...

harmonique is off of new road, near the river on soi 34 or 36---directly next to the main post office on new road....take a taxi or skytrain to taskim and then walk back along new road to the soi...its on the left when coming in that direction and there is a large colorful arch over the soi---very distinctive....the restaurant is then on your right down about 200 feet...no reservations necessary...very reasonable and delicious food...

MMM.... Im salivating over the chili..

somehow the landmark security keeps meny of the freelance girls away from loitering.. the hotel seems nice and safe I am a member of the fitness firt center there. ..

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I think a good gift too buy is the book that the king wrote. it recently has been put into a comic verssion.. the quality of the art and paper are very good,. the litle story about dog is kind of ciute. and he (the king) shares some insite on his life. 149 baht.

king Bhumibol Adulyadej's book (comic) is called "the story of Tongdeeng..

I'm not sure why Im posting this.. but it seems like a nice gift too bring back the kids..

at first I was thinking simpson could sell this online but I think she would need a royal seal of aproval or something like that.

I thought the food at Cabbages and Condoms was good. I agree that there is much better, but the food was certainly worth a short diversion. Also, thge service at C and C was better than that at Harmonique and we've easten at Harmonique 3 times. The food is better there.

toon- we were at the Landmark with our daughters last month... I wouldn't call it sleazy in the least...just busy and crowded.

We did quite a bit of walking around the hotel and on the side sois and had no concerns at all. From the hotel to Nana is about 50 yards...you pass a couple of banks and a fence with some t- shirt vendors.

In addition, there are plenty of cabs available at the hotel...you'll pay $1 for about 10 minutes of cab time if you go on the meter.

Good morning once again, fodorites.

To institcher:
I should have mentioned to you that I have purchased a number of items for my sorority over the past several years. I try to get new things each time. The first thing I brought back was a collection of tote bags and small purses with the bright elephant print that you will see when you come here. There are some really lovely bags and you can negotiate the price down to just a few dollars if you try.

I have also bought cell phone bags. You will see some of the cutest little beaded bags to wear around your neck for your cell phone. Also, I've seen some this trip that clip around the handle of your purse. I plan to get some of those.

If you go to NaRaYa at Central World Plaza, first floor.. by Zen, you will see some great little cosmetic bags very nicely packaged,and cheap. They also have some great carry on sized printed cotton bags, like Laura Ashley, for only a few dollars.

I have also purchased paper fans (the hand held size) made out of home made paper with flowers printed in the paper. They are very lovely, in the shape of a flower. Easy to carry in ones purse. And very inexpensive.

Today I am doing some serious shopping for sorority items. I'm starting off at MBK as I have not yet really looked there yet. I've been here for a week and I haven't really "shopped" MBK... that's amazing!! I will also return to Pratunam Center before the items I saw the other day are gone.

Wish me luck!

It IS REALLY Valentines Day today, so a happy day to all of you.

Carol

the jim thompson outlet on soi 93 sukhumvit rd is also a good place for the soriorty items you seek...lots of little silk items: glasses cases, cig holders, lipstick holders, note pads, small picture frames, jewerly holders for travelling, hankies, t shirts, small scarfs, etc...all under $10 and many far less...

sorry to disagree but the nana area is about as sleezy as it gets....not right on sukhumvit, but try walkiing down soi 4 and the sois off of that and some of the other near-by sois....i love it for the local color and lots of foreign color, but it does not get like that in many other places in this city...i think it is just as bad as patpong at 10PM and later...
if you only walked from landmark to nana station, and not throughout the nana section of town, you probably did not see anything unusual, but it is there and in your face less than 20 feet off of sukhumvit...

gpanda is correct....the service is not great at harmonique...don't go there if you are in a hurry to get some where.....cabbages did have better service but we thought the food was tasteless or better siad was lacking in taste....i think it has been sanitized for the western palate...we have not had anything at harmonique that we did not think was absolutely delicious except one crab dish that they pushed on us on our first visit....it was ok...i think we might have been leary of the crabs too....the morning glory with garlic is to die for....yum yum...

We had a carb curry at Harmonique that was delicious - LOADED with fresh crab that was better than anything we've had around the Chesapeake bay, which is crab central. In addition to tasteless food at Cabbages & Condoms, we had fish that was not fresh & had to send back. We had ordered the same dish (whole fish with various dipping sauces) at several other places in BKK & it was fresh & delicious. We thought the service was slap-dash also. Clientele included quite a number of middle-aged farang men with their Thai daughters and several large tables with what appeared to be tour groups.

I bought several copies of the King's book about his dog ("the story of Tongdeeng") that orgy7 suggests as gifts for my dog loving, thailand loving friends. They all loved it. Only problem with the books is that they are heavy in multiple copies even though they are in paperback. They can also be hard to find as they seem to sell out as soon as they arrive.

Carol- you mentioned that friends of your stayed at the Marriott with 7 and 9 year old girls. Could you ask them if they had any difficulty reserving a room with 2 children? I'm thinking of staying at the Marriott in June with my 2 children (ages 6 & 8)but the online reserv. services say they can't accomodate 4 in a room. Also did your friends have any concerns about crossing the river with the children? Mine don't swim and I'm concerned b/c the boats don't have life jackets. Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated.

one year ago two families asked me to check out "family rooms" in bkk for the 4 of them...some with small children...i asked at the marriott, sheraton and other places....all said NO ONLY adjoining room!!! this included the senior manager at the marriott....one child yes but not two...it is not a thai concept i guess...no double doubles either...

Good morning everyone.

I did not realize that Valentines Day was such a biggie in Thailand. I spent a good portion of the day at MBK and I swear every man was carrying flowers! Getting a dinner reservation last night for a nice meal was nearly impossible. Our group split up a little bit. Two of "my boys" and I, plus their dates, went to a nice Italian place on soi 2. Soi 4 is such an unbelieveably busy street, but one block over there were NO CARS. This restaurant is very good, but nobody knows it is there. Some new condos are being built on this soi, so hopefully business will get better, if they can just wait for construction to be finished.

There was a set menu last night (for V Day) as was the case in most of the nicer restaurants. We had a very nice bruschetta, plus a carpaccio with almonds (I was thinking it was ham, but it could have been horse) but it was delicious! Then we had a linguini with asparagus in a wine sauce, also delicious; the main course was a veal that was sliced paper thin... and delicious. The dessert was similar to a tiramisu, and was only OK, I'm afraid. The wine left a lot to be desired. We had only one bottle (for 5 of us) and it was a chianti in "basket" bottle... you know the type. I will have to ask my son for the name of this place as I did not pick up a business card. He will tell me, and I shall post it later.

Today we plan a shopping expedition to Pratunam. I am hoping that I find lots of goodies.

The Jim Thompson outlet is probably a very good place to get those cosmetic bags and jewelry cases, etc. BUT, I've already gotten that sort of thing a couple of years ago, and I am always on the lookout for new and different things. Especially for my sorority.

Gotta run for now. I'll post more later.

Carol

Carol - Am enjoying your postings w/so much detail. Will be interested in hearing about the results of your shopping.

Sawadee kah from BKK, dear friends.

It is another sunny and hot, but lovely, breezy day in BKK. We have decided NOT to go to the beach for a few days, but to stay right here in BKK. I'm so glad. I see my vacation coming to an end very soon, and there are still so many things to do and see right here. Phuket will have to wait for the next trip here.

Yesterday was the day for shopping at Pratunam. We went first to the Prat Center, air conditioned, and good prices. It is like a weekend market or Suan Lum night bazaar, except that it is inside. There are many stalls that have not yet opened for business, as I think this is a fairly new place. I know it took Suan Lum quite a while to catch on, and the same will happen with Pratunam Center. The next time I am here, I am sure it will be busier, with more offerings for sale.

We also saw a basement market in that area, where there were many more little stalls. We barely scratched the surface in this place, as we found it by chance, having passed by on our way from Pratunam Center to Pantip. I would like more time in this basement market in the future, if possible.

There are also hundreds and hundreds of street stalls in the Pratunam area with many more items for sale. This is also an area worth visiting again.

A note about knock off jeans... I am very tall so I do not usually try to buy clothing in BKK as it is not nearly long enough for me. I am sure there were many bargains on clothing items in Pratunam (the garment district of BKK) but I did not really spend any time looking.

As far as shopping goes, I did find some really cute beaded bags and things at Pratunam and got them for great prices (better than at MBK). This is technically NOT a shopping trip for me, but I thought that if I found something new and unique, I would buy it. And I DID!!

I also found some very cute butterfly pins for my sorority. They were 20 baht each... such a bargain! I think they will do very well at my next sorority meeting.

If some of you have not been to Pantip, you must put this place on your to do list. It is a shopping mall just for computers, software, and electronics. What an amazing place! One of "the boys" got some very good deals on an MP3 and a digital camera.

Dinner last night was a wonderful bowl of Ming's chili at the Brunswick. I was too tired after Pratunam and Pantip to do much more walking. It was chili and a beer and an early evening for me. Today I am rested and ready to go again! We shall see if any of "the boys" want to go down to the river for a longtail ride and a stop at River City. We have a friend with an antique shop there, and I've not seen it before.

I thought I would tell you a bit about this apartment building where I am staying, on Sukhumvit soi 4. Omni Tower is a very nice building of about 35 floors. My small apartment (son says 80 sq meters)is on the 20th floor. There are two outdoor elevators that I love to ride up and down as the view of BKK is very nice from here. There are also inside elevators, but no view! LOL You must go through a security door to get to the elevators, so the hotel is quite secure and safe.

The lobby is very big, with lots of sitting area, a restaurant, internet cafe, laundry, travel desk, tailor, mini mart for snacks, hair dresser, etc. This lobby is where I sit in the "hot spot" to do my posting every morning. There is always a flurry of activity here. It is great for people watching. The people staying here are really varied and of all ages. We have a movie or tv crew here... I don't see anyone who I recognize... and there is a contingency of lovely models from India doing some sort of photo shoot as well. It is no wonder this place is so popular and often booked up.

I am going to get a personal tour of the Banyan Tree Hotel (as I posted on another thread here a bit ago) and will let everyone know what I think of it. A very dear friend here at Omni is having his 40th (BIG) birthday party at Banyan and so he has made some good contacts there. He is spending a great deal of money, renting an entire floor!!! I wish I could be here for his party, but alas, I shall be back home in the USA. In any case, I should get a very good personalized tour of the place in the next day or two.

I shall post again tonight or tomorrow. Have a great day, where ever you might be...

Carol

carol...tell us some more about your market experience and the prices...also can you be specific about where that basement mini mall is?? thanks
bob

simpson.. of what you've posted you have not even scratched 10$ of Pratunam..

word from my sourse in the garment district is that the English guy that financed Pantip cneter took a hit and had too sell out..

TIP if ya really want too find the good deals. go too the whole sale/retal shops at bayoke 2. the stalls outside buy from them and obviously mark up a bit too pay cost of product. lease of stall and too bribe the police.. No I mean give gifs too the good men in brown...

RTHKNK Im not sure Pratunam is suttable for a gentlmen like yourself.. it's a hot. smelly, supper bussy catacomb. of mini malls... it remends me of the midle East.. lol I've been mentioning this place for years,.but now people are interestd

what kind of things to they sell there?

WOW, i realy messed up that last post.. it was pratunam center that had problems... Pentip is bussy as hell as always..

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10%
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carol---i can't go to bed without an installemnt on your trip...where are you???? i'm sleeepy..

bob

Good morning once again from BKK.

Bob, I don't have my map with me, here in the lobby at Omni. It is upstairs in the room. The street for the basement market is the same street that Pantip faces (if you know where that is). The basement market is on the opposite side of the street from Pantip, and down about a block, going towards the street where Nari Phand and Central World Plaza are located. I wish I knew my street names... you would think after 7 times here... LOL

I hate to give away my "secrets" about purchases!! I like to buy the beaded bags that are now so popular. I can get them in various sizes and for anywhere from about $2.25 to $6 for some styles, others as much as $17. If you look at the costumes the Thai girls wear in Thai dance, you know why they are so great at beadwork here. I try to find beadwork that is unusual and I don't buy just "anything" just to say I've bought something.

Yesterday was our river day, I guess you'd say. Son and I went on a canal boat tour. I love to do this. Seeing life along the canals is always so fascinating to me. I took many photos that I can't wait to share with my sorority sisters back home. (I'm doing a travelogue in May, since I've been on four continents in the past year... it's a "Where in the world is..." sort of travelogue) The canal boat tour was arranged at Saphan Taksin skytrain station. Just as you are ready to go down the stairs at the river end of the station, you will see a tourist stand. We stopped here and arranged for a canal boat and guide. The 1 to 1 1/2 hour tour cost us 500b each. We tipped the guide and driver 100b each when we were at the end.

We had the canal boat driver drop us off at River City Shopping Center instead of back at Saphan Taksin since we wanted to visit our friend's antique shops on the 4th floor at River City. Our friend ended up inviting us to dinner... on a dinner boat cruise!! (I cannot tell you the price as he paid for it) The boat was with Wanfah Restaurant & Cruise and was booked at the ground floor outside, river side, at the River City shopping center. It was very very nice. The boat was not one of the large modern streamlined ones that you see. It was more on the line of a rice boat style. There were maybe 50 people on board. There were two menu options. One was very Thai (I stayed away from this one as it had some things I cannot eat due to my food allergies). The other option, which was very tasty, was a seafood dinner. I had a tuna salad, a creamy mushroom soup, some rice and fish, and a basket of prawns, oysters, and crab, plus French fries. Very tasty.

There was a Thai dance show for about 25-30 minutes of the 2 hour boat ride. We heard Thai music played on traditional Thai instruments throughout the sailing. The breeze was very nice last night, making for a very pleasant dining experience!

The name of the Italian place on soi 2 from a few nights ago we THINK is something like Pandalisco. It is a nice quiet place with good Italian food... not GREAT Italian food like we had at Bamrungrad Hospital... but it was nice for Valentines Day, and we did not need a reservation!


I got a haircut and shampoo yesterday at Central Chitlom dept store (600 baht) and I'm still trying to decide if I am happy with it. I think I am. It wasn't so much a "CUT" as it was a thinning out of my thick locks. I think I lost 5 lbs of hair... enough to make a good wig or at the least, a hairpiece! "Odd" is now going to color my hair on Sunday afternoon and then he will dry it in its naturally curly state. (I usually opt for straight) I can't wait to see what the natural curl does, now that I've lost so much of the weight of my hair.

There are not plans for today, but the Grand Palace is a strong possibility, as is a trip to Nari Phand and Central World Plaza. I may also return to Prat area as it is just down the street from Central World Plaza.

Everyone have a great day, where ever you are...
Carol

thank you carol---now i can go to bed...always a nice bed time story....your saga...
bob

Thanks Carol for the answers to my questions. I've only had time to read as far as the Feb 12th posting. Happy Travels!

Good morning everyone.

Bob, we are dining at Biscotti tonight. I was anxious to let you know that we have a reservation there for 7pm and we are looking forward to your favorite place. I shall report my findings afterwards.

I made it to Nari Phand yesterday and was very happy with my shopping results there. My sorority sisters will be very pleased, I think. There is a store on the street level, just before you enter Nari Phand, that sells cosmetics bags (Khun Daeng is the name). I found the cutest little cloth toothpick holders for 25 baht each. They fold open with toothpicks on one side and mirror on the other, and a snap clasp. Really cute! Who could resist! And sooooo many choices of fabric. No two are the same.

Son and I visited a couple of new places as we were "in the neighborhood" yesterday. A friend has an apt in a condo bldg just behind four seasons, overlooking the horse track. Very nice location. While there, we walked through Four Seasons... a very nice hotel lobby. I like that this hotel isn't one of the big hi-rises, but feels a bit more like an oasis in a big bustling city. We look forward to dinner, as noted above, at Biscotti tonight at Four Seasons.

We also walked through the new shopping center at Erewan Hyatt. Very upscale. I note that the shopping isn't called Grand Hyatt Erewan, just Erewan, but it is connected to Grand Hyatt Erewon. Son had a cigar and I enjoyed a glass of wine at Devon cigar shop in the Hyatt. Nice place! We've been here before. It's nice to see familiar faces, and people remember you from times past. A nice touch.

My tailor friend helped me yesterday with a little project... that of getting labels made for my "stuff" as the items do not have labels inside. I shall stitch in MINE! I will see how expensive they are when I am shown my samples on Saturday. I shall then pick what I like and have maybe one thousand made. Son will bring them home for me as I have to leave Monday morning early and they will not be ready for me that quickly. When I buy things I can ask them to put my labels inside!!

Yesterday's lunch was at Jim Thompson house. I had a nice tom kah gai soup with rice, and son had sea bass. We tried a new dessert, a strawberry chocolate mousse. WOW!! The choc mousse was in the shape of a piece of pie (but very small) with cut strawberries piled high on the top. The pie was "wrapped" in a "basket of chocolate"... drizzled chocolate, basket woven, then let to set, and then formed around the piece of mousse, and left to harden. I don't know if you can picture what I am describing, but it was awesome!

Today we tour the Banyan Tree with the events planner. If no one is staying in the Presidential Suite, we shall have a tour of it. I am particularly excited to tour this facility as it was rated so highly in the travel magazine "Best of..." on another thread. Being a travel writer sometimes has its perks!

Last night's dinner was one LAST bowl of Ming's chili. Tonight is Biscotti, Saturday night will probably be Mateo at Intercontinental or maybe the Huntsman at Landmark, and then on Sunday night a big group goes to The Bed Supper Club for my last night in town.

I hope you are having a great day, where ever you might be heading.

Carol

carol...my wife always has the crab apetiser...if you read this in time, give it a try...i'm sure you will find good wine there as well...
their desserts are very good...

your dessert description was perfect...have you ever been to the JT main store cafe...its quite good...put it on your future list...they have marvelous desserts there as well...

enjoy your weekend....you will be back soon i am sure...work on that web site...

It is nearly noon in BKK. I am unusually late in posting today. I was working for several hours on son's book and lost track of the time.

Bob, we enjoyed the meal at Biscotti. Son says the fish he had was the best he has had in BKK. I had the pizza margherita and a rocket salad. The food presentation was very nice, especially the dessert... warm choc cake. Yum... Sorry I did not read your note in time to try the crab. I shall do that next time. I shall also try the restaurant at the big JT store. The one at the JT house is really very nice, and great food for lunch. Thanks for the suggestions.

OK, the Banyan Tree report. I was surprised at the low ceilings everywhere, but I guess it adds to the intimacy of the place. The only high ceiling I saw was in the 39th flr Presidential Suite, which is two floors, almost all glass, and a winding staircase going up to the bedroom level. Nice facility! Lots of sitting area, nice bath with jaccuzzi tub.

The lobby at Banyan is intimate, not large like so many "super" hotels here. There is a waterfall/pool at the end of the bar area, which has fish and birds and turtles. It adds to the calmness of the place. This hotel does not seem to be the place to take children IMHO.

Security is tight at Banyan. Cars must open their trunks upon entering the front door area. Security uses some sort of hand held scanners that they "walk" around the cars as well. I think this may be the place where diplomats and celebs stay???

Standard rooms are quite nice. All are suites. All are WiFi equipt as well as fax machine. There is a sep living room, sep bedroom w/king bed. The bath is nice, with both tub and shower. TV in bathroom is remote control (but NOT recessed into the wall over the tub like at the Penn) The decor is Thai style, I would say. I don't know that I would have rated the room at 100 points, but it is very nice.

We did not see a spa suite, but it has an extra room, which could accommodate kids in a 2-bedroom config. The extra room is the "spa treatment room"... and has two spa type tables.

Prices are $300 for standard suite, up to $1500 for the Presidential suite. The location steers me away from this hotel, even though the facilities are superior. I prefer being near a skytrain station or on the river!

A side note... the Four Seasons will be getting 42" plasma TVs for every room soon, so says a friend who lives here in BKK.

We visited another favorite cigar shop yesterday afternoon, between seeing Banyan and going to Biscotti. Classic Cigars at Gaysorn (basement level) is a great place to meet interesting people. We have met politicians, business owners, Thai and other nationalities. Yesterday we met a young couple who have a seafood export business. They invited us to dine with them at the Jockey Club (members only) but we declined since we were committed to dining at Biscotti. Thai people are very friendly; they always share business cards, which we did, and will probably stay in touch. Another person at the cigar shop, a lady from Scotland, likes to play pool but doesn't know where to go in BKK. Son will show her some tips at Brunswick sometime. Another good contact here in BKK!

There is nothing on the agenda today other than approving my labels. A friend said that BKK is the only place where you can have ONE THING to do in a day, and NOT GET IT DONE!! LOL How true. But we still love it here.

I shall check in later. Everyone enjoy your day as much as I shall enjoy mine here in BKK!

Carol

carol---glad you like biscotti...i have had the choc dessert...you won't sleep tonight or you will have wild dreams....it was outrageous!!!! as our former senate leader once said....

karen wants to know where you are getting the labels and about how much they are costing???

i'm curious---no its noisy...what kind of a book is your son writing??


all my best for a fun ride home....

bob

Thanks for the review of the Banyan. I think I'll pass. It wold take something really exceptional to pry me away from the river.

there is a Subway station near the banyan tree...

----
RHKNK .... the label shops are located in Pratuman area and other wholesale areaos (BOBE) .. if ya walk by a place that has a million labels (stickers) plasterd on a window..bingo.

Carol- Am loving reading your very detailed reports. Thanks.

Just wondering if you (or anyone else) knows when the store Golden Triangle (used to be in River City) is reopening. I thought I had read it would be in early 2005.

i think it was kathie that has reported on that....it is going to be in the new mall being constructed where the intercontinental (??) used to be along plenochit--up near to siam center....you can see this being built from the sky train station...so it should open later this year....i think nancy chandler site also has something about it...

according to the new treasurers and pleasurers book i just received it is going to be in room 417, in siam paragon on rama I---to open late 2005..they have a temp office at tel. 411-4061

Thanks for the info on Golden Triangle, if it's going to be open by next January I better start saving more money. I LOVE that store.