isn't the weather fantastic this year!!!

Fantastic weather in Bangkok this year.

Just had the hotel breakfast. It's located inside the Long Table restaurant. Not a huge selection, but more than filling.

WiFi is iffy. It was not working at 7am and I did not get logged on until breakfast at 9:30! Aaargh!! I put in a complaint at the front desk. Seems to be working right now. Knock on wood.

Note to self: jet lag is much less severe if flying east, via Europe, to Bangkok.

Note to Ken (kuranosuke): Thank you so much for telling me about Column. We really are enjoying our stay so far.

Carol- have been looking at Column's website and the property looks great but there are no pictures of the bathrooms- which I find odd. What are the bathrooms like?

I agree with the flying east and jet lag bit. It does seem not as bad. Maybe because it does not interrupt your sleep patterns as much.

Trip Advisor gives this property rather mixed reviews.

Bathrooms are fine. Tub and separate shower stall. Single sink. One thing missing though is a shower sprayer in the tub. Most places seem to have one.

The swimming pool is not at all inviting. Looks pretty yucky actually. I wonder if it is closed for cleaning or renovation. Have not tried to go in. But I'm not a swimmer.

Not sure why mixed reviews. I picked this place because of Ken (kuranosuke) who says this is a favorite. Cannot complain about the size of the place. It's huge. Quite a bit larger than I am used to at Adelphi on soi 8. I DO like soi 8 neighborhood better though. It has a more welcome feel to it. restaurants and street food, plus many small coffee shops and laundry places. Soi 16 is just a boring street with walled properties and a lot more traffic! But having Foodland right outside the door is priceless!

Forgot to mention BIG citywide demonstrations tomorrow (Sunday). That's ok. We don't plan to venture much further than soi 13/soi 10 for pool tournaments.

Forget what I said about jetlag being less of a problem when flying east! DH and I are up before 5am this morning. LOL

DID I mention crisp cool air? Wow! No AC needed. Balcony doors can be kept ajar 24/7.

aloha carol, i'm happy to hear you are enjoying the columns. i really enjoyed my stay there about four years ago. the breakfast next door at foodland was the best.

btw, whats the rate at vasu? if you see jack, tell him i said aloha, and anchors aweigh.(old navy joke)

hi to nick and the gang at the pl.

Hi Ken. ALOHA!! Will pass along your greetings to one and all.

We have not had Foodland breakfast as we are enjoying the Columns breakfast, included in the rate I booked. Foodland is great though, for picking up snacks and fresh salads and extra bottles of water. We've shopped there pretty much everyday.

Will watch the gathering crowd today, as the BIG demonstration will get started in a couple of hours. Hoping that it doesn't go beyond today, but only time will tell. The BKK Post seems to be saying that if there is a large enough crowd, they might decide to STAY PUT in the city center. Ugh.... not looking forward to that (again... I was here a few years ago when that happened, and the end result was not good).

It's Sunday morning, and the weather in Bangkok is absolutely FABULOUS!!! I wish everyone shivering in the cold back home could be here instead.

Today, shopping I think. :)

Carol,

There are 2 stages that will be setup near to your apartment. One of the main stage (1 out of 5) will be at the Asoke and Sukhumvit road intersection. The other a sub stage (1 out of 10 sub stages) at Thonglor and Sukhumvit. These stages are where people will concentrate and gather to listen to speeches throughout the day. Expect most of central Bangkok to be full of protesters, estimated at over 1 million for today.

For tomorrow, there will be some residual protesters around the election commission area as that is the day that the political parties / candidates must begin to register for the next election.

Should be a peaceful demonstration today but I recommend that tourists only observe and don't participate in the marches or gatherings.

Your information is much appreciated, hanuman. Thank you! We will not participate, for sure. DS has a pool tournament today and we will be there for at least part of the whole thing.

Ken, I haven't been to Vasu yet. Looks like 32.5 rate or similar.

Merry Christmas from Bangkok to one and all in Fodorville! It is early morning and the city is waking up, Dec 24, 2013. What gorgeous weather we are having. Wishing you all safe, healthy, happy, and blessed greetings of the season.

Happy holidays to you, how'd it go on Sunday with the protests?

Protests were peaceful. Amazing how they manage to tie up traffic in the shopping area from MBK all the way to Terminal 21 (Asok). It was a lot of speeches, music, and of course the blowing of thousands of whistles!

And happy holidays to you, too! Glad to hear that the weather is beautiful and the protests are peaceful! What more can you want?!

Happy Holidays, Carol. So glad to hear the protests have remained peaceful.

It's Christmas morning in beautiful Bangkok. We have to pack and check out of Column today. Hubby and I are moving to the JW for two nights. I will be curious to see if I get any upgrades as far as rooms go, since I am platinum with Marriott.

yesterday we had lunch with our very fine friend, Dr Jack, at the Majestic Grand on soi 2. It was a very nice buffet that included turkey. Not sure what or where we will eat today, but I know there is a Christmas dinner being served at The Pickled Liver. Normally we are in BanBeung at this time, staying with dear friens Lars and Pong and their daughter. This year they have left Bangkok to visit Lars' family in Denmark for three weeks. I think they will feel very cold there.... haha. Lars has prepared the meal and I'm sure it will be very tasty.

As far as Column goes, I could see myself staying here again. The apartment is very spacious and quiet. It is just slightly unhandy, locationwise.

Merry Christmas Carol and everyone.

Glorious weather here in Western Australia too and will be a lovely day - nice and warm but not boiling hot.

Hope you enjoy the Marriot stay. Column sounds good but I'm also not too sure about being at that position. I prefer Langsuan.