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this is one of those deranged Europe board posters

This will be my third try to start this post so am hoping it will finally post.

Well, my exciting trip to Thailand starts in a few days and I am so excited I can hardly control myself. Last year I hosted a Fodor's GTG in Portland, Maine. I was told by the attendees that I should consider seeing Bangkok. As I am a Paris girl, Bangkok was not exactly on my radar. But when Bobby and Karen Kimball suggested I should travel with them next November for their 21st trip to Thailand, I started to think about it. Before I knew what was happening, the Kimball's had started an itinerary and my cash was dwindling right before my eyes.

Yea, it posted, and Bobby I am not deranged-crazy, yes-but not deranged.

My daughter's mother-in-law said she wanted to go with me so the players were set. Unfortunately, my friend Nancy had a medical situation that unexpectedly came up and she was not allowed to travel such a long distance. Nancy, we will miss you and will be thinking of you often. My Paris traveling companion came to the rescue so once again Laurel and Hardy in Drag are on the road.

My title pretty much describes the two of us. Hardy is a tall rather large woman (hereinafter referred to as 69) and Laurel is a tall thin woman (hereinafter referred to as 65). I am planning to blog every day so friends and family can see that we are not lost somewhere in the underbelly of Soi Cowboy. And, anyway, I will never write a trip report when I get home nor would I be able to remember what I did on a daily basis.

As some of you may recall, I am pretty much a control freak and when I travel I have every I dotted and t crossed. This trip I have had to let go and let Bob. He and Karen have made all the arrangements for everything and I know we are in very capable hands.

Packing-it is the nightmare of every trip for me. I have looked on Youtube at various packing videos for Thailand. Why is there not some older woman showing all the stuff she takes to Thailand? Instead there are all these 00 size girls showing how they get everything in a backpack. Of course, they can do that, their 8 bikini tops and matching bottoms could fit into one of my bottoms. And I am guessing that stomach issues are not a worry and as long as they have deodorant and soap on a rope they are set.

I, on the other hand, take enough medication to cure any ailments for the entire Bangkok population. I do not understand why I do this, I know there are 7-11's everywhere. It is like a security blanket for me. I should discuss this with a shrink.

How can I put this delicately, I sweat. I can break out in a sweat walking to my car, so I presume, I will be going thru two sets of clothes a day. But, being true to form, I have packages of Woolite. I bet the thought of Woolite never crossed the minds of those size 00.

I am hoping when I start to pack in the next few days, that I can pull out some of the clothes I am planning to take. If weight wasn't a problem, oh the fun I could have packing.

Since, I usually stay in one location on a trip, and we are staying in five hotels, I have packed all my stuff in those mesh bags to try to keep organized. It will be interesting to see if this new system works for me. Next topic, shoes!!!

Heading to Thailand in January - sort of last minute plans for three weeks there. Will be in Bangkok for five days at the beginning, so I'm going to follow your posts and look for ideas!

Scdreamer, thank you for following along. Hope I can give you some great ideas.

If you are planning to wash clothes in the bathroom sink (I do it on every trip), note that shampoo works fine, no need for Woolite. Also, you may need a universal sink plug, and I usually take a couple of plastic hangers as those twisted cords with suction cups don't cooperate with me.

https://www.globaltravelproducts.com...k-stopper.html

It will be hot and humid, synthetics don't work well, you'll be better off with cotton. For a multi-month trip I usually take one pair of evening pants, three pairs of daytime, and a few tops. I use my collapsible umbrella as a sunshade in Asia.

we will whip you into shape on day 1.

we are looking forward to having you and "65" as travel companions.

thursdaysd - I always use shampoo to wash my clothes when I am traveling, but generally bring them into the shower with me. Much easier to adequately rinse them! I also bring along a couple hangers with clips for hanging my cotton capris to dry.

we mostly use local laundrys

Well, my husband always likes the local laundry idea, and that's his go-to - but I've had too many items run through a high heat dryer. And don't even get me started on BLEACH.

No, it's the shower for me ...

And there was the time in Cambodia my pants came back with yellow splotches...

Karen has already told me she never sends out white clothes for washing.

Benita
Know it's last second but if you can get your hands on a couple inflatable hangers they are the best for drying shirts t or otherwise.

I will be home tomorrow and have left my heart in Taiwan. Sorry Nippon but Formosa has won.

Also all of you have a blast.

Thanks, I will look for hangers today. Glad you had a wonderful trip. I really enjoyed following along.

btw, I do not blow up hangers as a part of my contract

What a great start. This should be interesting.

Today is the day! Am so excited. I relooked at the stuff I am taking and took out one pair of shoes, one top and a skirt. But as I am sitting here writing this, I still feel the urge to repack those items. Just in case. But I am trying to resist the urge. I need to visit a meeting of Packing Anonymous.

I have heard about the mosquitoes in Thailand. Now that I am older I do not get bitten as much as I did as a kid but the mozzies love 65. We have packed, Off Deep Wood, something with deet, mosquito repellant bracelets, and loofa soap with more mosquito stuff. We should be all set. I am more concerned how terrible we will smell. I do not think there is enough deodorant in the world to mask what we will smell like.

We are taking the bus to Logan Airport in Boston this afternoon, eating, drinking and waiting for our 1:30 am flight to Hong Kong, then Bangkok. Planning to see Bobby and Karen in Logan. Their flight leaves several hours before ours. The fun begins.

Have a glorious trip!