Meeting rhkkmk & gpanda
 

Seems strange posting about a trip to Boston on an Asia board, but I would just like to say a big than you to Bob for kindly organising a mini get together for myself and Carolyn with himself, Karen and Andy and Beth (Gpanda) on our recent visit to Boston from the UK. We had and excellent meal in a great Thai restaurant (Similan) in Bob’s beloved Cambridge where I believe the forthcoming GTG is being held. Great food and really friendly staff! The lovely Karen was kind enough to pick us up from our hotel and drive us to the restaurant where Bob would come to meet us later. Andy arrived at more or less the same time and seeing Andy and Karen together caused some confusion amongst the staff (they eat there regularly) particularly when Andy told them that he and Karen was now an item! Andy is be the only Rugby playing American I have ever met (I guess everyone needs a real sport for when they get tired of watching baseball!!. Incidentally Gpanda, put up an impressive performance against England in the Rugby World Cup losing 26 – 10. Good result for such a new team. Question – why is it that the baseball World Series only involves America??
What can I say about these guys? Two larger than life characters who are obviously firm friends but constantly, as we English would say, “take the p*ss out of one another constantly which they did all night which made for an entertaining evening. Since we returned I have been struggling to think who they reminded e of and then it came to me – Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau in The Odd Couple (I will leave it to those of you attending the Boston GTG to decide which is which is which. I would like to be a fly on the wall on their forthcoming joint trip to Bali?? How Bali will cope I really don’t know! Expect some form of international incident around that time.
The evening was rounded off by a “Bob’s Boston” tour in Karen’s open top car which was one of the highlights of our trip and easily rivals the famous Duck Tours! I am not sure which is greater, his knowledge of Boston or Bangkok! Having met the ubiquitous pair and their partners I am sad that we won’t be able to make the Boston GTG but we leave England to go to Sierra Leone to do some voluntary work for a year on that day but we will continue to live all of your Asia trips vicariously though Fodors whilst we are away.
Once again a big thank you to rhkkmk and gpanda MKK for making us feel so welcome in Boston and apologies for the delay in posting – please be lenient with the penalty point Gpanda – we are up to our ears in packing cases at the moment!

We had a wonderful dinner with Carolyn and Clive. They were charming. I can assure you they gave as good as they got in the verbal exchanges. Their description of the upcoming year-long trip to Africa was amazing.

As usual, the food at Similans was great. Sad to say, but it looked like a swarm of locusts had just passed through at the end. If you go here, you must try the Three Taste Shrimp.

I do note that it's been 25 years since I've played rugby in anger. I did love it, however.

Technically, Toronto is in Canada and therefore not a part of the United States. Therefore, we are entirely justified in calling our baseball championship, the World Series. Toronto even won twice.

Regarding the penalty, it's several weeks. Normally, this is on the outside edge of the acceptable time period. However, there's no real jet lag, no language barrier and no decent excuse. Penalty applied. Specifically, Clive the next time you eat with us, you have to sit next to Bob the entire evening. Brutal.

Carolyn and Clive,
Now you can see who the BOS GTG is such a fun time! I am always delighted to meet up with this odd couple once again.

Enjoy your adventure in Africa!

Carol

andy just considers himself a sports star.....we'll leave it at that....

yes we had a lovely evening with the off shore pair.....andy behaved which seemed a bit odd really....the food was good and we had lots of laughs...

One needs to behave every now and then, just to throw them off. Plus, it annoys them so much more when you show that you could actually do it, if necessary. Thankfully, it's a rare occurrence.

Classic New Englander. Anyone not from here is an off shore person.

Where are the pictures? ((*))

gpanda -
1. penalty a bit harsh for a first offence but accepted - provided that the three taste shrimp is passed in my direction first!
2. Toronto - Hmmm doesn't that amke it teh USA and Canada series/ - Also, isn't baseball v. popular in Japan - why don't you invite those guys over for a game?

Bob - off shore?? We prefer to be referred to as the ORIGINAL Englander's!

no pictures for some reason...gpanda forgot his brownie hawkeye....

i like that name....

your royal family are "original englanders", right???

I think not.