Woohoo and halelujah! I walked around at Em Quartier and the Helix. No wheelchair needed. I think shopping gives me power. We were getting Lat some warm winter clothes, which she will need in Illinois for sure.

We were out walking maybe 1.5 hours and then sat for ice cream at Harrods.

Now I need a nap...

I understand about the nap as the jet lag is still here. I just got back from Emporium and also having a sandwich and cold drink again at the St.Regis. I started to walk over to EM, but wanted to beat the skytrain rush so left Emporium and got on the skytrain. I needed to go to the bank and like to go to the branch where they know me which is why I went to Emporium and not Central World which I could have walked to. Plus, the bank at Central World is always so crowded. Glad you were able to get out and walk around. You're getting stronger. Great!

Happy Travels!

The plan tomorrow is to go to Paragon. Hoping I do just as well tomorrow as I did today.

One thing I have not mentioned is the lack of traffic jams over the long holiday weekend. Thousands of Thais left Bangkok for Isan and Udon and other areas of the country to see family. They will be jamming the roads, buses and vans and trains and planes tomorrow, as work begins again on Wednesday. Then Bangkok will be its busy self once again (although the mall was busy).

Glad to hear that you're back on your feet a bit, and in your favorite city.

True that Bangkok will be busy again tomorrow, Wednesday, which is one reason why I went out yesterday and will also do a few things today.

Happy Travels!

Paragon was very busy today! I was quite surprised. We found the perfect pair of snow boots for Lat. DS asked if they were on sale. The answer was "...no, the sale ended yesterday..." but they may be on sale this weekend, so we will wait. I managed about 2 hours of walking around.

The Paragon taxi line was huge, so we walked back to the Siam Kempinski lobby and got a taxi very quickly. Yeah.

It's time for a rest right now, and then maybe, just maybe, I will feel like going out to eat dinner.

You managed really a lot today to take on Paragon. I took it a bit easy today and got up late and did lunch at Biscotti instead of going over for breakfast and then headed to Jim Thompson on Surawong.

I noticed that JT had some great jewelry and spotted a necklace that I really wanted. I looked at it closely and thought that it looked like a necklace by Jaana . I had them unlock it out of the glass cabinet and tried it on. I looked at the tag and it was Jaana.

Jaana used to be at Rivercity Mall, back in the day, and I've wanted one of her necklaces for well over a decade. I asked where she was and was told that she now only has an office and sells her jewelry to them. I looked at the price tag and went speechless. I'll have to really sleep on this one. I wish I had bought, directly from her boutique, back in the day when the dollar was 39.5-41 baht and the prices were about half of what the Jim Thomson store wants for the one that I tried on today. Janna is a Finnish woman who has lived in Thailand nearly forever.

http://www.jaanagallery.com/jaana-3.php

Happy Travels!

Nice jewelry! I can see why you would like it.

DH and I will taxi to Monsoon for dinner. He's ready for another one of their pizzas.

Beautiful night for dining outside at Monsoon. So glad I mustered the energy to go there!

Glad to see you are out and about. Enjoy, but save energy to get home. How was the pizza at Monsoon. Still as good as ever. Happy New Year to all.

Karen, pizza at Monsoon is really good. I have never had a bad meal there. It is a very popular place.

Today I think will be a little bit lazier. We need to go to Robinsons to look at a very suitable pair of boots for Lat. Much better price than at Paragon.

DH is doing the "executive physical" at Bumrungrad tomorrow. It takes a good chunk out of the day. He has had it at least two or three times before. I think the price increased a little bit over the years. BTW, my 5 night stay in private room with 4 doctors, tests (including PET), meds, etc etc etc cost just over $7200. Can't imagine what it wouldvhave cost at home.

I can't imagine what your hospitalization would have cost at home either. Scary, I'm sure.

It's good that you're taking it a bit easy today. I'm also taking it easy as today was my day to go from the condo to a hotel. I decided to check out the Anantara Siam. It changed from the Four Seasons in Feb 2015 and I last stayed in this structure in Jan 2015. I've stayed in this structure, regularly, since it was The Regents-a Four Seasons Hotel and then the actual Four Seasons. I like low-rise buildings. So, it's been about 13-15 years of me staying in this structure. But, I wanted to see the renovations and how it is as the Anantara Siam now.

Well, my Old School room that I loved with the huge scene of Thailand above the bed, is still in existence as there are some of those traditional rooms that they kept. I ended up in one of the renovated rooms which doesn't have the scene of Thailand. But, because I'm Expedia Gold, I got a really good deal and an upgraded room and didn't know what my room would look like until I was assigned it.

The renovation is really nice and I could live in this room although it feels smaller than my Old School room. But, at least they didn't go cookie cutter sleek modern and thus the room still makes me feel as if I'm in Thailand and they kept a smaller framed picture of the scenes of Thailand and hung it over the desk.

There's a huge, gorgeous, royal blue, velvet-like sofa that could easily seat six people. And the bed is as luxurious as the Four Seasons beds were. I'm so zonked out today until I'm here sunk into the bed. LOL!

The bellhop and I moved my suitcases over here, from the condo, as he came by the condo with me. So we rolled them down the sidewalk and past the soi dog that has been on the street for years and blocking the sidewalk as he sleeps across it. Glad we didn't have to roll over him. LOL!

After, we rolled my luggage into my room, as I had picked up my key earlier in the day at around noon, I then went to the Hansar's cafe to have a bite to eat and then to 7-Eleven, across the street from the Hansar, to stock up on water. Here, they still use the glass bottles of water and I don't want to take one of those out tomorrow as they're too heavy. The renovated bathroom in my room is beautiful and I haven't heard any strange sounds coming out of the plumbing like for years prior. Am I still in the same building? LOL!

I'll also be doing 3 other hotel stays this week, one being the Dusit Thani again, but in a very upgraded room. Last year, I had a standard room. I really liked that hotel, too as it feels very Thai. I just really don't like being in Silom, but at least I'll be close to Nahm restaurant where I'm treating one of my Thai friends to dinner. I'll only stay in Silom, one night, and then change hotels again the next day. In Week 3, I'll have another condo for an entire week. Week 2 is for hotel hopping and facials and spas, etc.

Keep us posted as to what you do tomorrow. I like reading about it all.

Happy Travels!

....and I enjoy reading your adventures too, guenmai!

We had lots more company today. Everyone comes to have a look at our awesome terrace and check out the panarama that is Bangkok. You should too, guenmai. I should be in most of tomorrow as I simply MUST get my difficult proofing job done...period!

We walked from our Column Tower apartment to Robinsons which is not too bad a walk. We found boots for Lat. Yeah! She needs only a few more items and she should be good to go home to wintry weather with us next week. This will be her 3rd trip to USA but first winter time trip!

We ate a late lunch at Terminal 21, 5th floor, just as you get off the main atrium bank of escalators. The name is Moom Muum Park. It is consistently delicious. They have Thai and western dishes on the menu. We had a mixture, Thai style, so everyone gets a few bites of each dish. Very happily satisfied...my stomach is pleased. A window table gives you a fabulous view, including our huge terrace!!!!

I am on my own at the apartment for a while as DS and Lat are playing in a partners pool match. DH went to watch, and to catch up with many friends he has here in Bangkok, at the pool halls. So I am busy working.......I know, it's vacation, but I never totally get away from all my work.

It will be quite shocking to Lat when she gets to the cold. I think you are getting fresh snow out your way in the next few days.
We ran out of time and didn't get to term 21, or EMQuarters. Hopefully next time I can get there. We will have several groups of newbies with us so they will be a must.

Take it easy , but enjoy

I'm enjoying reading about both your adventures. Guenmai, so glad to hear that the renovated Anantara meets with your approval. Have they kept Biscotti?

Carol, I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. I agree with Karen, the weather in the US will be quite a shock for Lat - I'm glad you were able to find boots for her!

Don't work too hard, Carol!

I feel as if I am getting "two for the price of one" in this thread! So much fun reading the musings of both you and Guenmai. I must get to Thailand. My oldest daughter went last summer when she volunteered in northern Thailand. I so badly wanted to meet her at the end of the trip and visit Bangkok for a few days, but it was too close to another summer trip with the entire family. I'm thinking of sneaking away to a spa for a few days followed by a few days in Bangkok by myself. But with three daughters, my get away by myself time is few and far between. So a girl just loves living through the two of you! Looking forward to the rest of the week and next!

"Kathie on Jan 4, 17 at 10:58pm
I'm enjoying reading about both your adventures. Guenmai, so glad to hear that the renovated Anantara meets with your approval. Have they kept Biscotti?"

Yes, I ate lunch there the other day. They kept all of the restaurants of the Four Seasons after the change over to Anantara Siam in Feb 2015. When I was staying, for 4 nights at the Four Seasons, back in Jan 2015, I remember Fodorites asking me if the restaurants would remain the same. So, I called the front desk and was told that they would and then typed a reply on the forum here. The food at Biscotti is still really good and I love to go for the lunch buffet. The choices aren't overwhelming and I usually just have one plate of food and then order a small, pasta dish, A la Carte, so that I also have some warm food.

Happy Travels!

Thanks, Guenmai! I remember you told us that a year ago, I'm just checking to see if anything changed. We like Biscotti, though I don't know if it will work for us now that Cheryl has gone gluten-free.

"simpsonc510 on Jan 4, 17 at 7:49pm
....and I enjoy reading your adventures too, guenmai!

We had lots more company today. Everyone comes to have a look at our awesome terrace and check out the panarama that is Bangkok. You should too, guenmai. I should be in most of tomorrow as I simply MUST get my difficult proofing job done...period!"

Carol, today would be good for me to drop by. It's Thursday today. I'm still jet lagged as it's 4:41AM right now and I've been awake for over an hour. It takes me forever to get over jet lag.

So, today, in the early afternoon, I can jump on the skytrain and come over to you. I assume your room is under your last name. If you're there fine, but if you're out fine. We can just play it by ear.

Either tomorrow or Saturday, the person whose condo I usually stay in, wants me to come to lunch with his family. They live over in the part of Bangkok across the river around the last skytrain stop. But, we're going to eat at a restaurant around the corner from where I am as he might want to drop by the condo anyhow and the restaurant is about a 2-minute walk from the condo and I'm about a 4-minute walk from the restaurant.

So, hopefully I'll see you today for a short while. The last time we saw each other was when we did lunch at Panini Cafe in Beverly Hills. Smiles.

Happy Travels!