Many Visits to SEA ~~ First Report
Oct 7th, 2011, 05:23 PM
#21
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Hi Sandra. Thanks for continuing your report. I'm rather the same when I get to BKK. I am not there for rushing around. I'm there to 'live' for a couple of weeks at a time. My Thai friends and other expat friends keep me coming back. I agree that having so many friends there makes a lovely difference in how enjoyable it is to spend any length of time there.
Just sat at the beach bar tonight and met a lovely couple from Germany... who go to BKK twice a year!!! Small world. I was telling them about Tawandang. They will try it next March! I'm soooo enjoying chilling on St Pete Beach right now.
Enjoy chilling in CM, Sandra, because I'm thinking BKK is going to be pretty busy for a few days!! See you soon.
Carol
Just sat at the beach bar tonight and met a lovely couple from Germany... who go to BKK twice a year!!! Small world. I was telling them about Tawandang. They will try it next March! I'm soooo enjoying chilling on St Pete Beach right now.
Enjoy chilling in CM, Sandra, because I'm thinking BKK is going to be pretty busy for a few days!! See you soon.
Carol
Oct 7th, 2011, 05:56 PM
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Yup, we are all unique - but some are more unique than others. Indeed, some are <i>too</i> unique.
Some need a bit of effort to discover their uniquity...{yup, that's a new word], some are dreary and unique in equal measure. Some think they are more unique than they are, some think less. None of really know our specialness.
We need a mirror. Oddly, Fodor's provides that.
I never think it matters much <i>where</i> people are. It's how you <i>feel</i> about it. Without fail the dreariest places bring the greatest rewards.
And, like you, I've learnt to turn on a dime and get the hell outta there if my intuition tells me it ain't gonna work out. You've just seen the Chedi benefits. Imagine how these last two days would have been like if you'd just been stoic and sucked it up where you'd booked.
So, really, that's the story. There's the philosophy. You're spinning on the cosmic dime.
Some need a bit of effort to discover their uniquity...{yup, that's a new word], some are dreary and unique in equal measure. Some think they are more unique than they are, some think less. None of really know our specialness.
We need a mirror. Oddly, Fodor's provides that.
I never think it matters much <i>where</i> people are. It's how you <i>feel</i> about it. Without fail the dreariest places bring the greatest rewards.
And, like you, I've learnt to turn on a dime and get the hell outta there if my intuition tells me it ain't gonna work out. You've just seen the Chedi benefits. Imagine how these last two days would have been like if you'd just been stoic and sucked it up where you'd booked.
So, really, that's the story. There's the philosophy. You're spinning on the cosmic dime.
Oct 7th, 2011, 08:08 PM
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Dogster: Any chance you will be able to join us in Bangkok the end of October. Carol is arriving on the 18th, we will be there on the 20th, and Bob and Karen will be there, too, on the 20th (I think). DH and I return to the US on the 26th. However, between the 20th and the 26th we have several things planned, including a GTG on the 22nd. Will also be watching the Royal Barge Procession on TV ~~ no sitting in the hot sun for us.
I am sure Carol and I will also stop in at Haagen Das. Sure would be nice if you can join us.
Happiness is wherever you are.
Sandra
I am sure Carol and I will also stop in at Haagen Das. Sure would be nice if you can join us.
Happiness is wherever you are.
Sandra
Oct 8th, 2011, 05:33 PM
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Another gorgeous morning. So far we haven't had rain except for the one day, about an hour. The temp is so comfortable now ~~ but it will definitely get warm ~~ hot, even ~~ about mid-morning.
B'fast in the Club Lounge is always very good, but now can you excel upon a meal when it starts with Brie. Um=m=m=m!
We have a driver coming to pick us up later, with no specific agenda --just turn on dimes and go wherever it takes us.
Everyone keeps raving about the Sunday Walking Market, so it looks like something for us tonight.
Didn't make it to the zoo yesterday ~~ maybe today, maybe not. More cosmic dimes!!!!!!
More later. Happy Adventures to you all!
Sandra
B'fast in the Club Lounge is always very good, but now can you excel upon a meal when it starts with Brie. Um=m=m=m!
We have a driver coming to pick us up later, with no specific agenda --just turn on dimes and go wherever it takes us.
Everyone keeps raving about the Sunday Walking Market, so it looks like something for us tonight.
Didn't make it to the zoo yesterday ~~ maybe today, maybe not. More cosmic dimes!!!!!!
More later. Happy Adventures to you all!
Sandra
Oct 9th, 2011, 04:45 AM
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Bob: How are the floods going to affect your stay at the Marriott. We haven't seen or done too much in and around CM, and I will explain our thoughts of LOS when we see you and Karen. We do love Thailand, and if we lived anywhere else it would probably be in this country ~~ tho' don't know exactly where.
Dogster: Sounds like you will be having a terrific trip, but we will miss you in Bangkok.
Stay safe.
More about CM tomorrow.
Happy Adventures to All!
Sandra
Dogster: Sounds like you will be having a terrific trip, but we will miss you in Bangkok.
Stay safe.
More about CM tomorrow.
Happy Adventures to All!
Sandra
Oct 9th, 2011, 04:55 AM
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Speaking of flooding, I saw on TA something about National Stadium (the actual stadium) might have to be changed as the venue for a football match, as the flooding is close to the field??
Bob, are you and K packed yet?
Dogster, we'll miss you. Are you coming to BKK for Christmas again??? Hope to 'do' Maeng's new place for dinner, but we'll have to wait and see how her business is doing by that time.
Bob, are you and K packed yet?
Dogster, we'll miss you. Are you coming to BKK for Christmas again??? Hope to 'do' Maeng's new place for dinner, but we'll have to wait and see how her business is doing by that time.
Oct 9th, 2011, 05:27 AM
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I think I'm in Kerala for Christmas, Carol, having a very Hindu Xmas so celebrations in Bkk will have to proceed without me. I'm sure you'll cope. lol. One more sleep and I'm off. I should be packing, not typing.
Oct 9th, 2011, 07:16 AM
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bookchick is here for the weekend and after she leaves later today we will pack in earnest...k does it all these days as she can fit stuff in cases so well..
we have most of our stuff laid out, but will regroup it during the coming week (cutting back) and then be totally packed by the end of the week for a Tuesday departure...
we pick up a one way rental car on monday PM for our drive to JFK on Tuesday.... our Finn Air flight is at 1740. we have a full day layover in Helsinki on the 19th with a 2330 flight that night to Bangkok. We will have a room for the day at the Holiday Inn at the airport in Helsinki (106 E), allowing us to laze around all day and have a nice dinner there before we continue on the the night flight to BKK arriving mid-afternoon on the 20th.
We have our Finn Air seats and hopefully they will not change them on us... 27 J&L for all 4 segments (2 seater on air buses). We fly jfk to helsinki to bangkok and then the return is delhi to helsinki to jfk with a full day layover in helsinki. We will stay in the city at the Kamp Hotel for our layover on the way home..
we have most of our stuff laid out, but will regroup it during the coming week (cutting back) and then be totally packed by the end of the week for a Tuesday departure...
we pick up a one way rental car on monday PM for our drive to JFK on Tuesday.... our Finn Air flight is at 1740. we have a full day layover in Helsinki on the 19th with a 2330 flight that night to Bangkok. We will have a room for the day at the Holiday Inn at the airport in Helsinki (106 E), allowing us to laze around all day and have a nice dinner there before we continue on the the night flight to BKK arriving mid-afternoon on the 20th.
We have our Finn Air seats and hopefully they will not change them on us... 27 J&L for all 4 segments (2 seater on air buses). We fly jfk to helsinki to bangkok and then the return is delhi to helsinki to jfk with a full day layover in helsinki. We will stay in the city at the Kamp Hotel for our layover on the way home..
Oct 10th, 2011, 01:32 AM
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Good Afternoon, Fodorites!
Yesterday was a good day. We took a trip into the mountains, but didn't go to Doi Suthep, as we have already been there. We did, however, go to Bhubing Palace, and thought it was quite interesting. All the flowers were blooming ~~ or so it seemed to us ~~ and we were impressed with the sizes of the bamboo trees and trees from India.
Then we had to driver take us to the Mae Rim. There were only a couple of places that we wanted to stop and visit. In deference to DH, we did see the Snake Show. I don't like snakes, so this was a real effort for me. Then we stopped at the Siam Insect Zoo, which was fascinating. Some of the insects were the same or similar to ~~ just with different names ~~ to ones in the US, but a lot of them were indigenous to this part of the world. A quick drive through the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, with equally beautiful flowers, and development of current and new species, completed our trip.
We were exhausted so never made it to the Sunday Walking Market. I don't think I could have lasted 10 minutes. We did, however, have the BEST Italian meal at the retaurant directly across the street from the Chedi. It is the Piccolo Roma Restaurant. I don't think I have had Fetuccine Alfredo any where in the world that was better. The chef was Italian and served us himself. I can highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in CM.
Then, today was the stuff of dreams!!!!!! We began visiting with a very nice young couple at b'fast, and it turns out that he is the new (first day today) GM of the Chedi CM. He and his wife were both so pleasant, and I have visited with her a couple of times today as we met in the hallways.
Our tour today was with Kai ~~ Tong's friend. We turned the day over to him and our only request is that we weren't interested in 'touristy' things. And he took us at his word!!!
He just began driving outside of the city and when we got really 'away' he would turn to investigate Thai villages. He had never been to them, either, and told us not to ask to go there again, as he wouldn't be able to find it. Kai would stop whenever he saw someone and just visit. It was so much fun just to see how the Thais really live ~~ no vendors, etc. and noone spoke one word of English!!!! Now this was really the real Thailand ~~ and we loved it!!!!! This is our kind of traveling.
I have been wanting a set of Celadon tableware so we went to Siam Celadon and Baan Celedon this afternoon. Baan caught my attention, but there was so much there that I couldn't make up my mind, and left empty-handed (for me, anyway). I did get some smaller things for our children and will probably add to it as we continue our travels.
Time for a quick rest before checking in at the Club Lounge. A cup of tea sounds pretty good right now.
Tomorrow is another rest day, but Wednesday we are going to Doi Icthanon with Kai. It will be another great day, I am sure.
Happy Adventures to you All!
Sandra
~~
Yesterday was a good day. We took a trip into the mountains, but didn't go to Doi Suthep, as we have already been there. We did, however, go to Bhubing Palace, and thought it was quite interesting. All the flowers were blooming ~~ or so it seemed to us ~~ and we were impressed with the sizes of the bamboo trees and trees from India.
Then we had to driver take us to the Mae Rim. There were only a couple of places that we wanted to stop and visit. In deference to DH, we did see the Snake Show. I don't like snakes, so this was a real effort for me. Then we stopped at the Siam Insect Zoo, which was fascinating. Some of the insects were the same or similar to ~~ just with different names ~~ to ones in the US, but a lot of them were indigenous to this part of the world. A quick drive through the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, with equally beautiful flowers, and development of current and new species, completed our trip.
We were exhausted so never made it to the Sunday Walking Market. I don't think I could have lasted 10 minutes. We did, however, have the BEST Italian meal at the retaurant directly across the street from the Chedi. It is the Piccolo Roma Restaurant. I don't think I have had Fetuccine Alfredo any where in the world that was better. The chef was Italian and served us himself. I can highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in CM.
Then, today was the stuff of dreams!!!!!! We began visiting with a very nice young couple at b'fast, and it turns out that he is the new (first day today) GM of the Chedi CM. He and his wife were both so pleasant, and I have visited with her a couple of times today as we met in the hallways.
Our tour today was with Kai ~~ Tong's friend. We turned the day over to him and our only request is that we weren't interested in 'touristy' things. And he took us at his word!!!
He just began driving outside of the city and when we got really 'away' he would turn to investigate Thai villages. He had never been to them, either, and told us not to ask to go there again, as he wouldn't be able to find it. Kai would stop whenever he saw someone and just visit. It was so much fun just to see how the Thais really live ~~ no vendors, etc. and noone spoke one word of English!!!! Now this was really the real Thailand ~~ and we loved it!!!!! This is our kind of traveling.
I have been wanting a set of Celadon tableware so we went to Siam Celadon and Baan Celedon this afternoon. Baan caught my attention, but there was so much there that I couldn't make up my mind, and left empty-handed (for me, anyway). I did get some smaller things for our children and will probably add to it as we continue our travels.
Time for a quick rest before checking in at the Club Lounge. A cup of tea sounds pretty good right now.
Tomorrow is another rest day, but Wednesday we are going to Doi Icthanon with Kai. It will be another great day, I am sure.
Happy Adventures to you All!
Sandra
~~
Oct 10th, 2011, 06:28 AM
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>>>Today is another travel day. We are headed to Chiang Mai for a couple of weeks, and then to Singapore for a week, before coming back to Bangkok. I am excited about these places, having never been to Singapore.<<<
Warm greetings to you again, Sandra!
Always a pleasure to read your posts, and it's wonderful you will be spending some time in our cherished home of Singapore. (And, if my memory serves correct, you once flew the all-sensational Singapore Airlines in/out of Changi.)
Have fun in Bangkok. If time allows, the 12th floor bar/terrace at the St. Regis was as fine as ever last Thursday evening. Superb staff and beautiful hotel and views; great property for work and leisure.
Finally, enjoy Singapore! Special place.
Joyous travels to you,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Warm greetings to you again, Sandra!
Always a pleasure to read your posts, and it's wonderful you will be spending some time in our cherished home of Singapore. (And, if my memory serves correct, you once flew the all-sensational Singapore Airlines in/out of Changi.)
Have fun in Bangkok. If time allows, the 12th floor bar/terrace at the St. Regis was as fine as ever last Thursday evening. Superb staff and beautiful hotel and views; great property for work and leisure.
Finally, enjoy Singapore! Special place.
Joyous travels to you,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Oct 10th, 2011, 04:35 PM
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HM-M-M! I must have been more tired last night than I though. Don't know how the blank space ended up in the middle of a thread. Maybe it's there for a rest and a break!
Robert: You are right on all accounts, and we will be flying SQ again between Singapore and Bangkok. DH is still talking about those 'Singapore Girls' on our last year's trip from IAH. Would do the SQ61/62 flight again and again except for the 33+ hrs. What a great airline!
Now, on with today!
Sandra
Robert: You are right on all accounts, and we will be flying SQ again between Singapore and Bangkok. DH is still talking about those 'Singapore Girls' on our last year's trip from IAH. Would do the SQ61/62 flight again and again except for the 33+ hrs. What a great airline!
Now, on with today!
Sandra
Oct 12th, 2011, 09:42 PM
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Good Last Day from Chiang Mai!
Yesterday was a very good day, but very long. It was an all-day trip to Doi Ithanon and was worth every minute of it. On the way Kai took us to Lamphun where we were able to see the weaving set up. Unfortunately, however, there was only one lady working. Yesterday was the end of the Buddhist lenten (rainy) season and the other workers had gone to the local temple. It really was fascinating to watch the one lady create this beautiful fabric with an old-fashion (in our eyes) weaving loom. Her work was gorgeous! Carol, in your honor, I did buy a couple of things since I actually saw them made!
On up the mountain and Kai turned off on some pretty narrow, muddy roads; but Kai is a very careful driver and the sides of the roads with the thousand-foot dropoffs weren't too scary. Especially since I didn't look left or right, and certainly NOT down! He took us to a Karen village (again, no vendors!!!!!) and we saw where and how they lived, and how they produce the crops which sustain them. We grow a lot of rice in Texas, but none of it has been on terraced mountain sides.
We also stopped along the way at a Hmong tribe market, but deidn't see their village.
Doi Ithanon is spectacular! I can't even begin to describe it, as it's beauty is overwhelming. I am not even sure our pics will do it justice. While the Doi Ithanon Park is owned by Thailand, the area of the stupas and gardens is owned and maintained by the Royal Thai Air Force. At least, this is my understanding.
Today is our last day at the Chedi Chiang Mai, and I leave here with a degree of sadness. It has been a time of serenity and reflection for DH and for me, too, and was exactly what we needed. We have met some very interesting people along the way, and look forward to meeting others in our travels.
Today, now, is a day of packing. I always vow to pack lighter, but it never happens. And, on top of it all, there are things that I have bought. Hm-m-m-m! Organization is the buzz word of the day!
Take care, all, and make every adventure count.
Sandra
Yesterday was a very good day, but very long. It was an all-day trip to Doi Ithanon and was worth every minute of it. On the way Kai took us to Lamphun where we were able to see the weaving set up. Unfortunately, however, there was only one lady working. Yesterday was the end of the Buddhist lenten (rainy) season and the other workers had gone to the local temple. It really was fascinating to watch the one lady create this beautiful fabric with an old-fashion (in our eyes) weaving loom. Her work was gorgeous! Carol, in your honor, I did buy a couple of things since I actually saw them made!
On up the mountain and Kai turned off on some pretty narrow, muddy roads; but Kai is a very careful driver and the sides of the roads with the thousand-foot dropoffs weren't too scary. Especially since I didn't look left or right, and certainly NOT down! He took us to a Karen village (again, no vendors!!!!!) and we saw where and how they lived, and how they produce the crops which sustain them. We grow a lot of rice in Texas, but none of it has been on terraced mountain sides.
We also stopped along the way at a Hmong tribe market, but deidn't see their village.
Doi Ithanon is spectacular! I can't even begin to describe it, as it's beauty is overwhelming. I am not even sure our pics will do it justice. While the Doi Ithanon Park is owned by Thailand, the area of the stupas and gardens is owned and maintained by the Royal Thai Air Force. At least, this is my understanding.
Today is our last day at the Chedi Chiang Mai, and I leave here with a degree of sadness. It has been a time of serenity and reflection for DH and for me, too, and was exactly what we needed. We have met some very interesting people along the way, and look forward to meeting others in our travels.
Today, now, is a day of packing. I always vow to pack lighter, but it never happens. And, on top of it all, there are things that I have bought. Hm-m-m-m! Organization is the buzz word of the day!
Take care, all, and make every adventure count.
Sandra
