Laurel and Hardy in Drag Do Bangkok
Dec 2nd, 2017, 08:15 PM
#43
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I asked our traveling companion about her sapphires.... P FAMILY! SKIP THIS SECTION
She purchased a couple of 1.2 c blue sapphires set in a very simple gold setting to be used as pendants for $200ish. Another slightly bigger pendant in a more elaborate gold setting and perhaps a 1.4 c stone about $240.
Loose stones are cheaper of course, but the jeweler told her the cost was in the stones.
We use Thai Stone Jewelry located around the corner from you on soi 4, in the very grotty Nana Hotel (1/2 block down on the right). We have been using them for over 20 years with great success. They are family owned and very honest. Tell them bob and Karen sent you. Walk into lobby, walk straight and their small shop is on the right right after the tour desk.
She purchased a couple of 1.2 c blue sapphires set in a very simple gold setting to be used as pendants for $200ish. Another slightly bigger pendant in a more elaborate gold setting and perhaps a 1.4 c stone about $240.
Loose stones are cheaper of course, but the jeweler told her the cost was in the stones.
We use Thai Stone Jewelry located around the corner from you on soi 4, in the very grotty Nana Hotel (1/2 block down on the right). We have been using them for over 20 years with great success. They are family owned and very honest. Tell them bob and Karen sent you. Walk into lobby, walk straight and their small shop is on the right right after the tour desk.
Dec 3rd, 2017, 01:24 AM
#44
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This hotel we are staying in is amazing. 65 and I have a handicapped room right on the beach with a ramp to go down to the ground. Few steps away from the adult pool. Got up at 5:30 a.m. to see sunrise. Washing some clothes and spend day either in pool or lounging under an umbrella. Breakfast is included with room. Every conceivable item you could imagine. American, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Thai. At least 150 different items. I love the Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Delicious. Two glasses this morning.
Dec 3rd, 2017, 01:41 AM
#45
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Every day traveling with Bob and Karen is an adventure. We were so busy in Bangkok and Hanoi that this is such a treat to just relax.
I am so thankful to them for arranging this trip. Of course with their billion point level at Marriott, the staff are taking exceptional care of us and we got a room upgrade.
We had pina coladas out by the pool this afternoon. Pool men bring towels, water, move chairs when moving to the beach. They try to learn your name-it is very nice. 69 and I had room service last night. 69 had a cheese plate and I had a huge bowl of chicken soup with rice noodles. Lots of chicken in my soup.
69 and I love to watch say yes to the dress Asia. I thought the American mothers could be horrible-well today a mother talked about how fat this bride was. She had some lovely curves but was no way fat. Another future mother-in-law bought a dress to the store she made for the bride. The bride tried it on-horrible. Owner of store said this was the first time a dress was brought into his store for the bride.
I am so thankful to them for arranging this trip. Of course with their billion point level at Marriott, the staff are taking exceptional care of us and we got a room upgrade.
We had pina coladas out by the pool this afternoon. Pool men bring towels, water, move chairs when moving to the beach. They try to learn your name-it is very nice. 69 and I had room service last night. 69 had a cheese plate and I had a huge bowl of chicken soup with rice noodles. Lots of chicken in my soup.
69 and I love to watch say yes to the dress Asia. I thought the American mothers could be horrible-well today a mother talked about how fat this bride was. She had some lovely curves but was no way fat. Another future mother-in-law bought a dress to the store she made for the bride. The bride tried it on-horrible. Owner of store said this was the first time a dress was brought into his store for the bride.
Dec 3rd, 2017, 06:27 AM
#47
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Had a great dinner here on the property. Cod with very small potato medallions with a lemon sauce. Passion Fruit creme brûlée for dessert. Great fun and laughter.
Karen and Bob are being upgraded to a suite tonight. We went with Karen to see the suite before they decided to move. Absolutely fantastic. Fourth floor, living room could easily hold a cocktail party for 30, two toilets, four poster bed but if that wasn't enough, a double balcony with a view of the entire waterfront with water right beneath them. It is called the aqua suite. Since they are on a hill, we told them they can use our facilities since we are next to the pool.
They have weekly activities here. We are taking a lantern making class on Tuesday. This place is like a very, very expensive summer camp for adults. 65 and I looked in some shop windows tonight and saw black pearl necklaces. We will price them tomorrow (just for fun).
There are security guards everywhere round the clock. I think they are at each building just to make sure only guests are walking around. We called for a buggy (long golf cart) to pick us up after dinner. Waited for 15 minutes. They were very busy checking people in. There is now a direct flight from Bangkok and China to the island and soon there will be a direct flight from Dubai.
Now I am going to tell you what I saw in Bangkok at the Anatara Hotel. Karen, 65 and I were in the pool. The hotel has a very large pool surrounded by lush trees and small pools of water for plants, etc. Karen and 65 decided to get out of the pool but I stayed in and talked to them while they were in their lounge chairs. I looked across the pool and saw this greenish/brown thing in the water. I thought it was someone in a swimming cap but saw that it was a four foot long lizard that was climbing out of the pool. I hollered to the girls to look. The pool guy walked over and shoed the lizard past some people in their chairs and off it went into the bushes.
Later that evening while we were waiting for Karen and Bob to meet us for dinner at the hotel, we asked the hostess and waiter where the lizard lived. We told them that the lizard was in the pool in the afternoon, they oh no the lizard is never in the the pool. They were surprised by our story and said there were two lizards and they were husband and wife. We do not know if we saw the male or female. I hope I haven't already told this story. If I have I apologize. There is so much to write about my head is spinning. If that animal swam past me, I would have definitely kept left out of that pool in single bound.
Karen and Bob are being upgraded to a suite tonight. We went with Karen to see the suite before they decided to move. Absolutely fantastic. Fourth floor, living room could easily hold a cocktail party for 30, two toilets, four poster bed but if that wasn't enough, a double balcony with a view of the entire waterfront with water right beneath them. It is called the aqua suite. Since they are on a hill, we told them they can use our facilities since we are next to the pool.
They have weekly activities here. We are taking a lantern making class on Tuesday. This place is like a very, very expensive summer camp for adults. 65 and I looked in some shop windows tonight and saw black pearl necklaces. We will price them tomorrow (just for fun).
There are security guards everywhere round the clock. I think they are at each building just to make sure only guests are walking around. We called for a buggy (long golf cart) to pick us up after dinner. Waited for 15 minutes. They were very busy checking people in. There is now a direct flight from Bangkok and China to the island and soon there will be a direct flight from Dubai.
Now I am going to tell you what I saw in Bangkok at the Anatara Hotel. Karen, 65 and I were in the pool. The hotel has a very large pool surrounded by lush trees and small pools of water for plants, etc. Karen and 65 decided to get out of the pool but I stayed in and talked to them while they were in their lounge chairs. I looked across the pool and saw this greenish/brown thing in the water. I thought it was someone in a swimming cap but saw that it was a four foot long lizard that was climbing out of the pool. I hollered to the girls to look. The pool guy walked over and shoed the lizard past some people in their chairs and off it went into the bushes.
Later that evening while we were waiting for Karen and Bob to meet us for dinner at the hotel, we asked the hostess and waiter where the lizard lived. We told them that the lizard was in the pool in the afternoon, they oh no the lizard is never in the the pool. They were surprised by our story and said there were two lizards and they were husband and wife. We do not know if we saw the male or female. I hope I haven't already told this story. If I have I apologize. There is so much to write about my head is spinning. If that animal swam past me, I would have definitely kept left out of that pool in single bound.
Dec 4th, 2017, 12:48 AM
#50
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Monday-Breakfast with the troops. Delicious as usual. Looked at two shops, one with small trinkets and the other very expensive pearls. Well, maybe not for some people but too expensive for me.
Took buggy back to room to change into suits. It was sunny and very hot. Swam in pool-lovely. The pool we go to is right beside our room and it is for adults only. This morning there was a family with four adults and two kids (we think in one room) and they were in the adult pool. You can be assured Karen took care of that situation
I had not been on the beach yet so decided to walk down. Found the easiest way down. All stones and very big last step. 65 was down there sunning. Walked into water-it was like bath water but strong waves. You can walk out a great distance and still up to your waist. I decided to submerge myself. The waves were very strong and even though I tried to stand up, I just couldn't. The waves were dragging my ass slowly on to shore where I could not possibly stand up. But as usual 65 came to my rescue. I got into deeper water where she could help me stand up. Of course, I was laughing so hard I could hardly control myself. 65 kept telling me to focus, just focus so I wouldn't be tipped over in the water. I will definitely not go into the water unless it is calmer.
We took a lantern making class. Lots of gluing and cutting. Mine looks horrible, it is supposed to be symmetrical, but mine has some extra and unbecoming growth areas. But it was fun, and now have a real appreciation how much work goes into a lantern. It rained while we were taking the class so didn't miss pool time.
We are now watching wedding shows since we are having a thunder storm and drinking green tea with Jasmine flowers.
Dinner coming up soon.
Took buggy back to room to change into suits. It was sunny and very hot. Swam in pool-lovely. The pool we go to is right beside our room and it is for adults only. This morning there was a family with four adults and two kids (we think in one room) and they were in the adult pool. You can be assured Karen took care of that situation
I had not been on the beach yet so decided to walk down. Found the easiest way down. All stones and very big last step. 65 was down there sunning. Walked into water-it was like bath water but strong waves. You can walk out a great distance and still up to your waist. I decided to submerge myself. The waves were very strong and even though I tried to stand up, I just couldn't. The waves were dragging my ass slowly on to shore where I could not possibly stand up. But as usual 65 came to my rescue. I got into deeper water where she could help me stand up. Of course, I was laughing so hard I could hardly control myself. 65 kept telling me to focus, just focus so I wouldn't be tipped over in the water. I will definitely not go into the water unless it is calmer.
We took a lantern making class. Lots of gluing and cutting. Mine looks horrible, it is supposed to be symmetrical, but mine has some extra and unbecoming growth areas. But it was fun, and now have a real appreciation how much work goes into a lantern. It rained while we were taking the class so didn't miss pool time.
We are now watching wedding shows since we are having a thunder storm and drinking green tea with Jasmine flowers.
Dinner coming up soon.
Dec 4th, 2017, 05:08 AM
#51
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Dinner was here at the resort. Ate at Red Rum next to our building. We were under a lovely portico while it poured with lovely island breezes. Had huge
prawns on the barbie-fabulous. Dessert was Pana Cotta with pepper raspberry and chocolate ganache. (t was called Red Pepper Soup. We made a reservation for tomorrow night.
65 took a picture of me flailing in about 8 inches of water before she rescued me. When she showed it to me at dinner I just howled with laugher because I know how silly, ridiculous and funny I looked.
OMG we are having so much fun. Taking a tour of the island tomorrow.
prawns on the barbie-fabulous. Dessert was Pana Cotta with pepper raspberry and chocolate ganache. (t was called Red Pepper Soup. We made a reservation for tomorrow night.
65 took a picture of me flailing in about 8 inches of water before she rescued me. When she showed it to me at dinner I just howled with laugher because I know how silly, ridiculous and funny I looked.
OMG we are having so much fun. Taking a tour of the island tomorrow.
Dec 4th, 2017, 06:44 PM
#53
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Thanks Bob and Karen for the advice (and Kathie of course). I've never bought expensive jewelry abroad - but this could be the trip. Am also entranced by the Jim Thompson museum shop - uh oh. Thank you for the wonderful trip report. I'm going to make my husband read the part about laundry (he is resistant to washing in the sink/shower but to my mind is worth not worrying about someone else ruining your clothes - and of course there was the $500 laundry bill at one hotel in Greece...don't ask) anyway, great trip report, I am an avid fan.
Dec 5th, 2017, 08:30 AM
#56
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I am one who has bought just a little jewelry abroad both at Bob and Kathie's jewelers 
Both are fantastic bargain places and mentioning Kathie from Seattle or Bob and Karen will get you the best pricing. Good luck!
Aloha!
Both are fantastic bargain places and mentioning Kathie from Seattle or Bob and Karen will get you the best pricing. Good luck!
Aloha!
Dec 5th, 2017, 08:17 PM
#60
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1 p.m. took tour of Island. While we were waiting in lobby, the Manager, Thai, (or as he is referred to as The Dean of the University). Bob and Karen are good friends with him, so he sat down and talked to us for about 30 minutes. Very charming, personable, handsome and capable. Very young to be a manager of this 5 star resort.
Went to Pagoda first. I climbed a few steps to landing and Karen and 65 climbed to top.
As I was walking around about seven Vietnamese started talking to me (do not know what they said) but I finally figured out they wanted to take their picture with me. One of the ladies came up to my waist. Each one came over and had their picture taken with me. Big, tall women was their event of the day. I was more than happy to make their day.
Then to Pearl Farm. Did not buy anything. Probably rip off, do not know.
Next, bee farm. Lots of bee hives. Did not take the tour since there might have been snakes. Karen and 65 didn't see any, but I was not taking any chances.
Last stop was pepper shop. They grow their own pepper plants and also have bee hives. Had a wonderful beer they made there.
Fish sauce shop was closed by the time we got there. The landscape was very interesting and how these people live was fascinating. Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore.
Back to hotel for dinner at Red Rum again. Beautiful breezy evening.
Went to Pagoda first. I climbed a few steps to landing and Karen and 65 climbed to top.
As I was walking around about seven Vietnamese started talking to me (do not know what they said) but I finally figured out they wanted to take their picture with me. One of the ladies came up to my waist. Each one came over and had their picture taken with me. Big, tall women was their event of the day. I was more than happy to make their day.
Then to Pearl Farm. Did not buy anything. Probably rip off, do not know.
Next, bee farm. Lots of bee hives. Did not take the tour since there might have been snakes. Karen and 65 didn't see any, but I was not taking any chances.
Last stop was pepper shop. They grow their own pepper plants and also have bee hives. Had a wonderful beer they made there.
Fish sauce shop was closed by the time we got there. The landscape was very interesting and how these people live was fascinating. Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore.
Back to hotel for dinner at Red Rum again. Beautiful breezy evening.
