Kristina and Krismom's trip to Thailand and Cambodia
Dec 3rd, 2007, 09:47 AM
#23
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That GTG bag took a round-about way of getting to Bangkok. I mailed it to Bob and then he mailed it or gave it to Carol and then she took it to Tong. I also gave one to Lily at SJ who was delighted to receive it. Maybe I should have had more than 50 of them made. I have a couple left and folks are still asking for them when I tote mine around. I'm holding on to my last two. Happy Travels!
Dec 3rd, 2007, 06:55 PM
#24
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Waiting for the plane to Siem Reap. Seems to be free WiFi here in the new airport.
Don't bother with Bangkok Airways Lounge, unless you have lots of time. It's stuffy and far away. Free internet and coffee but not much else.
Tummy troubles last night and today. Too much spicy food I think. Doesn't have the same symptoms as food poisoning.
Taxi to airport was surprisingly fast. Cab driver said it would take an hour, it only took half that. 250 (incl small tip) baht plus 65 for tolls. Had to tell him to use the meter though, even from the hotel.
Cuisinred-wait until you see the photo of the dog!
Boarding the plane...
Don't bother with Bangkok Airways Lounge, unless you have lots of time. It's stuffy and far away. Free internet and coffee but not much else.
Tummy troubles last night and today. Too much spicy food I think. Doesn't have the same symptoms as food poisoning.
Taxi to airport was surprisingly fast. Cab driver said it would take an hour, it only took half that. 250 (incl small tip) baht plus 65 for tolls. Had to tell him to use the meter though, even from the hotel.
Cuisinred-wait until you see the photo of the dog!
Boarding the plane...
Dec 4th, 2007, 09:51 PM
#25
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In SR now. Spent the morning with Ponheary at Angkor Wat and yesterday at Rolos (?) group which I did not see last time.
Wow, have things changed in the last 5 years here. What a building boom! When I was here in 2002 there were 250,000 people visiting per year. Now, 1.7 million this year to date! Crazy.
I've posted the first half of our day with Tong. Bear with me, I wrote it at 5AM and did not proofread. No time to do photos yet.
Having fun...more to come!
Wow, have things changed in the last 5 years here. What a building boom! When I was here in 2002 there were 250,000 people visiting per year. Now, 1.7 million this year to date! Crazy.
I've posted the first half of our day with Tong. Bear with me, I wrote it at 5AM and did not proofread. No time to do photos yet.
Having fun...more to come!
Dec 6th, 2007, 01:45 AM
#28
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Hello!
Had another wonderful day with Ponheary and Lori today.
Started out by going to Knar school to see all the good they've done there.
Then out to Bantey Srei where it was a complete zoo. When I was here last there were maybe 20 people in the temple with us. Today, there were probably 500.
We visited another smaller temple with elephants on the corners, can't remember the name but it was lovely, and virtually empty.
Back to hotel for lunch by the pool where I was able to use Skype on my laptop to have a video converstation with my lovely husband back home. Isn't technology wonderful??
After lunch we went out to Ta Prom and a couple of other smaller temples.
Tomorrow will be our LONG day. All the way out the school at Koh Ker to bring our donation.
I've been trying to upload to my website but I can't seem to get connected, sorry. Pix will have to wait.
Had another wonderful day with Ponheary and Lori today.
Started out by going to Knar school to see all the good they've done there.
Then out to Bantey Srei where it was a complete zoo. When I was here last there were maybe 20 people in the temple with us. Today, there were probably 500.
We visited another smaller temple with elephants on the corners, can't remember the name but it was lovely, and virtually empty.
Back to hotel for lunch by the pool where I was able to use Skype on my laptop to have a video converstation with my lovely husband back home. Isn't technology wonderful??
After lunch we went out to Ta Prom and a couple of other smaller temples.
Tomorrow will be our LONG day. All the way out the school at Koh Ker to bring our donation.
I've been trying to upload to my website but I can't seem to get connected, sorry. Pix will have to wait.
Dec 6th, 2007, 10:27 PM
#29
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Sounds like a wonderful trip you're having! I am headed to SR in two days and wondering if it's sweltering there? I've been really lucky with the weather so far. Am looking forward to meeting Dara and possilby Ponheary too.
Dec 8th, 2007, 12:30 AM
#30
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Moremiles-It was hot there, but it was cloudy on and off, which helps.
Sun and clear skies make for better photos, but cloud cover helps with the heat.
Make sure you bring a bottle of water in with you when you tour the temples.
Just said goodbye to Ponheary and Lori this morning and back in BKK at the ROS now. Went out to weekend market. So crazy and hot I did not buy anything but food.
Yesterday we went out the Koh Ker to visit the school we're supporting. Wow, what a trip! I can't even begin to put it into words yet. Also saw two very romote temples, Koh Ker and Baeng Malea (?). Both incredible and we had them practically to ourselves.
I have until 4PM by myself here in BKK tomorrow. Anyone have any advice as to what I should do alone?
BTW, no problem getting a late check out with SPG Gold status.
Sun and clear skies make for better photos, but cloud cover helps with the heat.
Make sure you bring a bottle of water in with you when you tour the temples.
Just said goodbye to Ponheary and Lori this morning and back in BKK at the ROS now. Went out to weekend market. So crazy and hot I did not buy anything but food.
Yesterday we went out the Koh Ker to visit the school we're supporting. Wow, what a trip! I can't even begin to put it into words yet. Also saw two very romote temples, Koh Ker and Baeng Malea (?). Both incredible and we had them practically to ourselves.
I have until 4PM by myself here in BKK tomorrow. Anyone have any advice as to what I should do alone?
BTW, no problem getting a late check out with SPG Gold status.
Dec 8th, 2007, 02:53 AM
#32
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Lori!
Ah, we miss you too! We had such a good time talking to you. So much fun!
You are doing amazing work there woman. Stay the course. And take care of yourself.
Will email you when I get home.
Ah, we miss you too! We had such a good time talking to you. So much fun!
You are doing amazing work there woman. Stay the course. And take care of yourself.
Will email you when I get home.
Dec 8th, 2007, 03:17 AM
#33
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Ok. Finally got connected to my web server!
There are now photos posted from the rest of Bangkok day 1 and the first half of our day with Tong (BKK day 2).
I think I've taken over 800 photos so far this trip. Managing them is the hardest part.
There are now photos posted from the rest of Bangkok day 1 and the first half of our day with Tong (BKK day 2).
I think I've taken over 800 photos so far this trip. Managing them is the hardest part.
Dec 8th, 2007, 06:51 PM
#34
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the kurik house off of sathorn is very interesting--only open on weekends...
prasart museum if you can get a reservation...
monk bowl alley
ko kred island
relax at the pool and have a nice luncheon at the lord jim at the oriental--make res for river view table...
prasart museum if you can get a reservation...
monk bowl alley
ko kred island
relax at the pool and have a nice luncheon at the lord jim at the oriental--make res for river view table...
Dec 8th, 2007, 07:01 PM
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Hi Bob-
thanks for the recommendations.
I'm finding myself feeling a bit lazy. Contemplating heading over to MBK for a little while. Also considering not leaving the comforts of the hotel but I really think I should force myself to get out.
It's very odd for me to be here by myself. I've never traveled alone before and it just feels weird. I hope my Mom is going to be ok by herself for a week and not too lonely. I know poeple do it all the time, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd want to.
thanks for the recommendations.
I'm finding myself feeling a bit lazy. Contemplating heading over to MBK for a little while. Also considering not leaving the comforts of the hotel but I really think I should force myself to get out.
It's very odd for me to be here by myself. I've never traveled alone before and it just feels weird. I hope my Mom is going to be ok by herself for a week and not too lonely. I know poeple do it all the time, but honestly, I'm not sure I'd want to.
Dec 8th, 2007, 07:20 PM
#36
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i'm loving the report...
ROS does not get it.....it seems they are always renovating and making people mad....one day of our stay the fumes were so bad we had to get out of the room.....
we however never heard any river noises....
we felt the boat is a bit of a joke in comparison to the others...
ROS does not get it.....it seems they are always renovating and making people mad....one day of our stay the fumes were so bad we had to get out of the room.....
we however never heard any river noises....
we felt the boat is a bit of a joke in comparison to the others...
Dec 8th, 2007, 11:21 PM
#37
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Bob- the boat is a joke due to it's infrequent runs (only every 1/2 hour) and excruciatingly slow trip to the pier.
Pen. and Oriental boats are much faster and more frequent.
ROS boat just has nice padded bench seats.
We were on the 16th floor last night and there was some party down by the pool with loud music and someone screeching into a microphone. It was like we were there, it was so loud. And yes, we could hear all the boat traffic on the river too. They really should have double paned the windows.
Would I stay here again? I don't know. Yes, if "free" with points, no if I had to pay out of pocket. I like being on the river, but the location is a little annoying.
And what's the deal with taxi drivers here? With Every Single One we had to insist they use the meter. Very frustrating.
Mom got to Chiang Mai fine, but sent me a cryptic email:
"more later about taxi-you wudda been proud".
What the heck does that mean???
So I leave for the airport in less than an hour. What a whirlwind trip!
I'm already trying to figure out how we're going to get back next summer. I think I've waited too late to get tickets with FF points to fly to Vietnam in Business class.
I have much writing left to do and hundreds of photos to cull through. Stick with me and I will post here when I update the trip report on my website.
Pen. and Oriental boats are much faster and more frequent.
ROS boat just has nice padded bench seats.
We were on the 16th floor last night and there was some party down by the pool with loud music and someone screeching into a microphone. It was like we were there, it was so loud. And yes, we could hear all the boat traffic on the river too. They really should have double paned the windows.
Would I stay here again? I don't know. Yes, if "free" with points, no if I had to pay out of pocket. I like being on the river, but the location is a little annoying.
And what's the deal with taxi drivers here? With Every Single One we had to insist they use the meter. Very frustrating.
Mom got to Chiang Mai fine, but sent me a cryptic email:
"more later about taxi-you wudda been proud".
What the heck does that mean???
So I leave for the airport in less than an hour. What a whirlwind trip!
I'm already trying to figure out how we're going to get back next summer. I think I've waited too late to get tickets with FF points to fly to Vietnam in Business class.
I have much writing left to do and hundreds of photos to cull through. Stick with me and I will post here when I update the trip report on my website.
Dec 8th, 2007, 11:28 PM
#38
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Update from Mom:
"we hadn't even left the hotel when he said " you pay me 500 baht plus the 50 bht surcgarge---i told him to take me back...and we agreed on the meter plus tolls...."
Can you believe that? And this is a taxi driver the bellman specifically told me he knew. Grrrr. I can't wait until the skytrain is built. And no, I don't want to hire a private car for 3x the price; just does not make sense to me.
"we hadn't even left the hotel when he said " you pay me 500 baht plus the 50 bht surcgarge---i told him to take me back...and we agreed on the meter plus tolls...."
Can you believe that? And this is a taxi driver the bellman specifically told me he knew. Grrrr. I can't wait until the skytrain is built. And no, I don't want to hire a private car for 3x the price; just does not make sense to me.
Dec 9th, 2007, 01:45 AM
#39
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We actually liked the fact that the boat had set times to leave for the BTS. It made planning easy.
The noise at night comes from the restaurant across the river. It always seemed to die down around 10:30 p.m..
The noise at night comes from the restaurant across the river. It always seemed to die down around 10:30 p.m..
Dec 9th, 2007, 04:12 AM
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Our room at the Pen was only on the 7th fl. and we had no noise issues even with wedding ceremonies being performed below us with the reception after! The location is difficult though-am planning next trip to try out restaurants for late lunches cause by the time we got back to the hotel, we didnt' really want to leave again. I only had one taxi driver not use the meter and that was from the Pen to the airport-I only had to say it 3x and he turned it on-wasn't uncomfortable at all. Sorry you had such hassles with taxis! Is Lori still here? I meet up with Dara tomorrow.
