Hello, everyone! We arrived in Bangkok just before midnight Saturday night. Today is our first day "home" in Bangkok.

We always like to include some new things in Bangkok, and one of the items on our list was the Kukrit house. We had planned to do that on our return stay in Bangkok, but an entry in the Nancy Chandler book noted that it is only open Sats, Suns and holidays, so we went there this afternoon. For those who enjoy house museums, put it on your list. We spent an enjoyable hour there. Thanks to Craig for the recommendation!

We had hoped to visit Face this morning for massages. Unfortunately, our emails went unanswered. We had lunch there since we were in the area, and made spa appointments for Tuesday. The spa manager said something about the office being closed, so apparently, no one is reading email right now!

Nice to hear from you Kathie. Glad you enjoyed Kukrit house. Hopefully you are receiving the usual red carpet treatment at the ROS.

Welcome back Kathie! The gods must love you as it's cooler today with nice sunny sky.

Glad you've arrived "home". Say hello to the staff at the ROS from the Pandas. Report prompt, penalty avoided. This is what we're looking for.

Kathie,
Have a great time. Keep posting if you can.

I think you will probably miss Brad as he is heading for Manila Mon-Tues-Wed for the big pool tournament. He posted his phone number, if you want to give it a try though.

Hope you can try Maeng's Little Kitchen sometime. If you do, pls tell her that you are fodors friends of Carol and Brad! She will be so pleased.

Carol

Have fun Kathie - are you going to Chote Chitr while you're there?

Have fun, kathie. Kukrit House was one of my "new things" last year and we also enjoyed it-- although, unlike Prasart I wouldn't suggest it for first timers. This year I'm thinking the winery will be my "new" thing along with Tong's fishing village.

Would love to hear if you find some wonderful new restaurants.

Kathie, hope you and Cheryl have a ball! Sounds like you're already well on your way! As luck would have it (isn't this two years in a row now?) we're going to miss you by a matter of days.
Keep a seat warm for us--we'll be on our way shortly!
Safe travels--can't wait to hear about SL!

Hope your visit this year is as good as always. Had thought we too might be back at the ROS for a few days this November but will only do a short trip this month to Japan. Was looking forward to another treatment at Face. Have fun!

Thanks to all of you for your good wishes. The weather has been lovely as Hanuman notes. And of course we're getting the red carpet treatment at the ROS Towers. Most of the Tower employees have been here for years and they all welcome us back. There are lots of guests who stay here at the same time each year so we have lots of Tower Lounge friends we enjoy seeing again.

We do plan to go to Chote Chitr tomorrow, and we may try to get there again on our way back, though I think we have too much on our list. Gloria, we are also hoping to make it to Pen on our return trip. (and I agree the Kukrit house is not a must do place for first-timers.)

We had lunch today at Lemongrass, an old fave I've been eating at for more than a decade. It's located just down the soi from where Guenmai always stays at the Emporium Suites.

We bought a 20 trip Skytrain card, and are now thinking we should have gotten 30...

Today was also the day of our dental appts. at Bumrumgrad. World class care at Thai prices!

Carol, we are hoping to vist Maeng's Little Kitchen on Wednesday. We fly out to Sri Lanka on Wednesday evening.

Also, we will be here for Loy Krathong which is Nov. 21-24 this year. We had good timing on that!

Sounds like a great start. Enjoy!

Kathie-- you and I agree on Lemongrass. It's one of my favorites although I know others on the board don't like it as much. The first time I went there was in the late 80s and I was taken there by Connie Mongsau (not sure I am spelling her last name properly). She was Jim Thompson's best friend and was with him the weekend he disappeared. At the time she owned an antique store at the Oriental and we had become friendly. She died about 8-10 years ago.

I think one of the special experiences for returnees is getting to know the staff at your hotel. The ROS staff sounds like the staff at the Oriental in that they have been there for years. It's why I don't move around.

Kathie,

Lots of old friends, familiar places,familiar faces,favorite restaurants, dental appointments.....sounds like you are reporting from home, not on a vacation.

Thanks for the live updates....they are the best. I know Cheryl is taking a lot of pictures. Can't wait for the report from SL.
All of our Aloha!

Glad you arrived safely and are having a great time! Glad you made it to the Kukrit House. I liked it,too. I think I was there about 2 years ago. I might go back to it again since I didn't have as much time as I wanted to spend there the first time. Have a great rest of your trip. Happy Travels!

Hi Kathie!
Glad to hear you are having a great time.

Are you planning on visiting SJ and shopping for jewelery while you are there? I've never been, but since you recommend it so highly, I think we will go on this next trip. My mother is looking for a ring with a pink stone (pink saphire perhaps?).

Is it possible to get there via skytrain? Where are they located?

I've seen a couple of references to Maeng's Kitchen....what's so special about this restaurant and where is it?

Can't wait to here more.

greetings from london....glad the trip is going well...hi to C....have a wonderful time in sri lanka....we are all dying to read your reports..

B&K

Kristina...You absolutely can not get to SJ by skytrain. You need to call them and have them send a car for you. You can call and talk to Lily and let her know when you need a car sent and then also deal with her for your jewelry purchase. They've always sent a car on the spot when I've called so it shouldn't be a problem. I've always called and talked directly to Lily. Happy Travels!

Hi Kathie, Lovely to read your reports. We depart on Wednesday from the States, and won't get to the ROS lounge until breakfast on Friday. Sorry to miss you.

Kathie, how close is Face to the ROS? Is it easy to take a taxi or do they provide transportation? May try to book for friday afternoon.

Thanks for all your help. Have a wonderful holiday.

Safe travels.

I'm so jealous! Thanks for sharing!

TC...I can answer the question about Face. It's on the other side of town from the RO Sheraton. I live one skytrain stop...Prom Phong station... from Face. I have left my apartment and arrived at Face within 20 minutes by taking the skytrain and by walking.

Face is at the Thong Lor skytrain stop on the east/west Skuhumvit line.
If I were you, I'd jump on the river boat and go to the Saphan Taksin boat stop which is the end/beginning of the north/south skytrain line. Then get on the skytrain and go to the Siam skytrain stop (the interchange)...(about 5 short stops from Saphan Taksin) and change to the Sukumvit Line (Direction: On Nut). Then get on the Sukhumvit East/West line and go to the Thong Lor skytrain stop...6 stops. When you get to the huge Emporium mall which is very visible...(this is my area)...then you'll only have 1 more stop to go.

At Thong Lor station you'll have only a 5 minute walk, if that, to Face. It's at Sukhumvit, soi 38. The soi is not numbered with a street sign, but it's the first one and one without a street sign. It's on the south side of Sukhumvit...the even numbers are on the south side and the odd numbers are on the north side of Sukhumvit. Emporium Mall...up at the Prom Phong...stop is on the south side of Sukhumvit to help you get your bearings.
I would take the skytrain as the traffic can be beyond awful. Hope this has helped. Happy Travels!