Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - PART II, RHK'S IN ASIA

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Thank you soooooo much, hanuman. I appreciate this very much. I've been concerned about her. I'm sure she will email soon. I'm so glad she seems fine.
Carol

"went across the street to The Terrace for a thai meal again: bruchetta with tomato and olive oil with our beers" how thai is that! lol.

btw, nice report. hope your fil is getting better. if he is well and strong enough, bring him to the gtg, and we can all tell him "aloha" :-)

LOL, Ken, I had exactly the same reaction to the Thai bruchetta!

its 'thai' bruchetta...it has lemongrass and ginger along with phad thai noodles...try it next time...

A pineapple snit. This is exactly the type of thing with which Beth and I had to deal in Bali. Let's put this in perspective. He's sitting at a nice resort in a tropical setting and he elects to throw a fit over too litle liquid in one of his drinks.

I think Bob and TEGF are one and the same. Two screen names.

And I thought you were going to ask POB is he was being Sirius with his Dogstar reference

DogstER, DogstER.

Thanks for the compliment rhkk

An' I hope he's being 'Sirius'...

Rizzutto-once again you have cleverly doubled your entendre. It's not really fair to make jokes that the OP will not understand.

never fear and he understand it all total ly....

June 16, 2008 (cont)

We met up at the pool and went to the restaurant/bar there…..i ordered a pineapple and K had a mango….they were not nearly as good as the day before….in fact I was more than a bit mad about mine…it was served in a pineapple and there was less than one cup of liquid to it and it cost 200 B (over $6)…..i complained to the waiter but his English was very limited….i made a further complaint and it was removed from my bill….this was not my intent, I just felt that the whole drink was a rip-off, I word I seldom use….shut up andy!!!

Karen went back to the pool and I went back to the room….

I did internet mostly and read…

When Karen returned we hitched out camera up to the tv and spent quite a bit of time looking at our trip in review….some of them seem like experiences months ago…

We talked to all the family via skype again and about 8 went across the street to The Terrace for a thai meal again: bruchetta with tomato and olive oil with our beers…followed by masaman chicken (a new favorite), steamed rice, shrimp tamarind, stir fried veggies and spicy chicken salad (like a larb)….the owner remembered us and brought us a plate of very fresh rambutan (sp)---it’s the bright red spiky fruit which is season at this time, with her compliments for returning to her restaurant….we also ordered one order of her fried pineapple with honey…
A very nice dinner….

Bed with a 5:55 wake up call so that we can perhaps talk to K’s dad from the hospital when Tabitha, our youngest daughter, will be visiting him….

June 17, 2008

Awake long before the wake-up call…..

We telephoned and his nurse happened to be there so K got the medical report with precision….

She spoke briefly to her father who is very drifty at this point---way too many drugs for an 87 year old….he seems to be doing quite fine, but today he thought he was in hawaii…he was greeting everyone with an “aloha”….he’s never been there…
She was generally pleased with his progress…

Going to have a big breakfast this AM in hopes it will tide us over to when we arrive in Khoa Lak this afternoon…

I probably will not post again until we return to bkk on Friday or after…

Make sure you all are reading dogstar’s report….its so entertaining!!!

Well now that we are at Le Meridien at Khao Lak, I find that they have free wi-fi in the
Lobby, so I will be posting for the next three days…

The drive from krabi to K/L was 2.5 hours….a very easy drive except for that part going over the mountains….actually we thought it was easier going this way….

The hotel is very nice, and huge….the usual open air lobby….we are disappointed that with a very few exceptions that none of the rooms, except the private beachfront bungalows have an ocean view…

We were upgraded to a pool view room upon arrival….we are on the top floor (3) directly above the spa pool…the room is large and nicely decorated…the colors are green and pale yellow….there is a huge picture window into the bathroom which also has a retractable wicker curtain…there is a separate shower stall, one of the first on this trip…

After settling in we walked around the property a bit….then headed back to the room for our bathing suits….we went first to the large pool, but there was no shade for me so we then went back to the spa pool where I found a shaded corner under a roof where the whirlpool area is located….they turned it on for my relaxation….it is part of the main pool area…

I returned to the room when I had had enough and K followed later….we sat around for a while and read….sat around some more and then it was dinner time….we had decided to take dinner here at the hotel tonight…..

So about 6:45 we went down to the general restaurant…..we were the first people there….we split a chicken satay and K had a glass of wine…..K had beef teriyaki and I had chicken tikka masala and a veggie biryani, both of which were very spicy and

delicious….we split 3 scoops of Italian ice cream for dessert…..1830 B including a 15% summer sale on all food..

After dinner we walked around a bit more….we discovered a whole other side to the hotel which appears to be closed for the low season….this is generally called the family wing and there are also another series of waterfront bungalows with private pools…in this area there is a large twisting lagoon….i may try that area for shade tomorrow…

Back to the room to relax yet some more…we may never do another activity for the rest of our lives…

On TV is the replay of the dress rehersal for the king’s barge procession from last fall… odd but I do not see one piece of floating greenery in the water….

June 18, 2008

Not up until about 9 for me….finally a really good bed again….K up earlier and out reading on the balcony….

Down to the dining room for breakfast…..le meridian really has a nice spread….all quality…. Croissants are flaky and warm….nice breakfast meats, eggs, fruits galore, cereals of many varieties, breads and at least 6 kinds of cheese (a favorite for me)…really good orange juice which is frequently served at your table….asian specialties including two types of dim sum….did not look of the price but I suspect it is north of $20 each…

Back to the room to pick up the computer and for k to change to her bathing suit….we went to the lobby for the free wifi (the only place we have found it in all the hotels we have stayed at thus far, I think)……

K did her mail and now I am catching up…

We expect to ride back into the little town this PM to check it out a bit more carefully…much looks closed down for the low season however….maybe we will find a place for dinner….otherwise we will go to the thai buffet or the Italian restaurant for dinner here at the hotel….

just in case you did not read carefully, i decided to repeat a bit part of the report....sorry for those of you who are literate...

Great. Now his writing style mimics his speaking style, i.e., endlessly repeating senseless drivel. Some of us manage to write drivel that makes some sense.

Is there any conclusion to be drawn from the fact that the Celtics championship was obtained only during Bob's protracted absence from the area? Coincidence? I think not.

June 18, 2008 (cont)

Not sure exactly where I stopped but in the late afternoon we spoke with the concierge about restaurants in the local area and about his experiences during the tsunami… he gave us the name of one a/c restaurant and a series of other places as well…

He told us about the impact of the tsunami in certain areas including the worst hit areas….he said the authorities claim that there were 10,000 deaths in this general area but that he feels there were more….he did not work at this hotel at the time but worked down to the south a bit on a different beach area….he was in his car and was not affected, and thus very lucky, but that his work place was totally affected…this hotel was protected a bit by a peninsula which juts out into the ocean just to the south of where we are….but still there was considerable damage here…

So we started out driving north…..we went to an elephant camp….instead of driving in the usual driveway we went into the service entrance which allowed us to drive right to where the elephants were….most people arrived by a special bus from the reception area but we had managed to avoid that by sneaking in the back door…I went to get the tickets and she stayed in the car….they wanted 1000 B but we had been told it was only 100B and I had overheard them selling tickets to some dutch people for 100, so a huge argument pursued…..
I took the ride and when finished I stuffed 100B in the guys pocket and then ran to the car and she floored it and we got out of their to avoid the thai mafia….
Does any of this sound familiar??? I think it was just a dream….a bad dream…

What we actually did is drive north and take a few diversions out to the beach areas….there was not much there except a couple of older hotels….the road then moved away from the beach areas so we turned around and drove back south of our hotel….it was in this area that we saw the remains of the damage….all has been cleaned up but there are wide areas of open space with just grass or weeds and palm trees….there are a number of new hotels that are nearing completion….especially in one area we saw maybe 6 hotels about ready to open…that’s 4 years after the disaster….in back of the area where these hotels are---slightly nearer to the main road---- we came across what must have been a settlement….all that is left is electric polls and wires linking them….it was eery….not one structure or any debris was left…

We did find one suggested restaurant with a/c but because it is low season it is closed…we drove south quite a ways….we stopped at one cliff side restaurant, but after reviews of the menu we didn’t think we wanted to eat there: items such as bbq fermented pigs ribs, chicken knees, and similar things….K thinks the last may be chicken drum sticks, but we did not want to try them….we just ordered two beers…when they came we took a sip and both were flat….odd…we almost felt like they were re-served?? In any case, we did not drink them and just left….

We headed back north and returned to an Italian outdoor restaurant which we had seen….they had a wood burning dome oven so that was a good sign….it really was a fully outside place….we had a thai brushetta again, I had a salami pizza and Karen had a pasta dish with cream and shrimp….both were quite delicious….she had bananas flambé and I had a not so great tiramisu…..

After dinner we drove back to the hotel….we spoke with our youngest daughter and granddaughter….after we got into bed our eldest daughter called from the hospital with a report on K’s dad and a chance to speak with him again….he is eating finally and the pain meds have been removed so he is much clearer of mind….he is expecting to be moved to rehab at the end of the week or the beginning of next week, all depending on his eating ability…..where he is sent depends on whether he still needs a central line for nutrient delivery or not….K told him to eat as much as he could so to bypass the central line necessity….

June 19, 2008 Thursday

We had a wonderful nites sleep….this is really a great bed… we counted up last nite and this is our 18th hotel on this trip….so when we move to the Marriott again in bkk it will be that we have stayed in 19 hotels this trip….it seems like a lot, but we have not minded as they have all been so nice….

I hope to do a recap when I finish this report with the hope that it makes an easy reference for anyone who might be planning on visiting some of these same places…

I did not get up until 9 again, but I had heard K out on the balcony at 8 talking with her mother at home….

We also spoke with our youngest daughter again…..i later called her back to tell her not to worry about us tomorrow in case we can not get in touch…..Friday is to be another day of unrest in bkk…..the opposition party is going to hold a shut down march and rally around government house starting about noon….we are flying back to bkk at 3:30…..the aim of the rally, sit-in is to shut down the government totally and finally and to force them to step aside and also for the PM to resign….

We do not expect to be affected by it at all, but there may be some interruptions as the trade unions are heavily involved and some services may be shut down temporally….we shall see….

Personally I am supporting Pook (Hanuman) for PM…. Actually, just as I am rereading this he has called me on the telephone, so I guess he will not be running, otherwise he would not be wasting time with me…we will be meeting them for dinner on Saturday however at the banyon tree’s Japanese restaurant….we look forward to seeing them again…

K has gone out to the beach, but in order to avoid the sun, I plan to stay in the room and finish my book and go out to the lobby to do wifi…..we plan to take a walk on the beach at sundown to take pictures and enjoy the end of the day---our last beach day for this trip…

We look forward to our final week in Bangkok…we have a number of activities planned and also some last minute shopping to do….among other things we will spend all day on Saturday with tong….we hope to meet up with cherry and gal and also to see pook again….plus on Sunday we have our final mini GTG, meeting up with jcasale at the end of the day for a drink and a swim perhaps at the Marriott…

So I will sign off for now and post this later this AM…..i plan to add more but we will have to see what happens in bkk….

LONG LIVE THE KING!!!

Bob
Is Kinnaree on your list of restaurants for your final week in BKK? Do give it a try, if you can. Suk soi 8. You'll pass by my fave apartment hotel, Adelphi Suites, on the way down the soi to the restaurant.

Also, if you can, take a look at Brad's new favorite... the Long Table restaurant. 25th floor of some building on soi 16 (can't recall its name right now).

Carol

The deep fried chicken knee is really the ankle of the chicken and it's quite popular as something to snack on with beers or whiskey.

On Saturday we will pick up Bob and Karen and we will head off to join the nearest protest march. I promised Bob something different and this should do it!

can't wait for the march...we will put the women out front!!

carol..on our way to kineree right now...long table later in the week

Bob please do not join the march.

You seem to have enough trouble staying upright!!!

Long table sounds like fun and I think it's the same owner as the bed club.

Bob in a March. Are they seeking higher interest rates? More oppression in the workplace? Fewer benefits for workers? These are his types of protests.

Of course, march would be a misnomer. More like saunter.

Bob
So glad to see that you are going to try Kinnaree and Long Table. I want a report! (hopefully it's a positive one)

hanuman, Brad said that Long Table reminded him of the Bed, so maybe you are right re: ownership being same.

Have fun at the (saunter) march.

Carol

Carol,

It's confirmed that they both belong to the same owner - there was an article in the Bangkok Post restaurant section about the long table.

June 19, 2008 (cont)

After an afternoon doing internet, K joined me in the lobby where she did her mail and then we returned to the room…..we decided that at 5:30 we would walk around the entire property, which is huge, so that I could see it all and take pictures….i love the light at this time of day for pics…

We returned to the room and had our first singha light beers….it was very good, along with some thai nuts….the cashews are especially very nice…

We had a res at the Italian restaurant at 7…..we had a premier table just next to the pool…with a fan over our heads it was very comfortable…we both had carpaccio (sp), me—beef and K—tuna….delicious….nothing appealed to me especially on the menu, so I chose a pepperoni pizza, which was one of the best I have ever had (similar to last nites only more tasty)….K had Ossco bussco (sp) with a veggie risotto, which she could not even finish, even though she claimed it was delicious…..we each had home made Italian ice cream for dessert….the chef is Italian….
During dinner we discussed a bit about our trip, what we liked best and what was less memorable….some of it was very difficult to recall….basically it has been a fantastic trip and a very relaxing one, just as we wanted….

Tomorrow we returned to a possibly troubled Bangkok….the political parties are acting up again…we do not expect trouble…we will have 7 fairly busy days in bkk….on Saturday we will spend the day with Tong and Saturday nite we will join Hanuman and his family for dinner…we greatly look forward to both…

June 20, 2008 Friday

Start of our last week of the trip, and also a moving day…. Karen spoke with her mother

again…. Her father is off the pain meds and his mind has cleared right up….i’ve never been on pain meds and my mind is never clear..

We had packed up most everything last nite, so we only had a few things to catch up with the AM…. We went down for breakfast and then returned to the room so I could take a shower….btw, this hotel has the best showers we have encountered on the trip---both a wonderful hand held unit and a rain head from the ceiling, both with plenty of force…

Check out was speedy and the doorman went and got our car for us and we were off to the phuket airport….the ride was about 1.5 hours….it was a nice morning and we moved right along…

On the approach to the airport we called our car rental people to see if could meet us early and that was no problem…I filled the car up with gas again---1100 B….the guy was at curbside when we pulled up to domestic departures…he looked the car over and checked the gas gauge and we were on our way….

We were 2nd in line at air asia….i asked if we could get on an earlier flight…the woman said yes only because our 3:20 flight had been cancelled…not sure if this is true or she was just making it up so others would not ask…I would have been mad if we had had to wait for 5+ hours for the next flight….so we were on the 1:50 flight and got to bkk before we were even to have left phuket… we considered ourselves lucky…

My bag came out first after about a 20+ minute wait….the gate, btw, was a bus gate…I gather that all domestic flights are bus gates… our departure gate was not a bus gate however a week or so earlier…

We went to an ATM and headed for the taxi line….it moved quickly and we had a fantastic driver, who chatted all the way to bkk and had excellent English…on his dashboard he had a model of bart simpson (carol’s 2nd son), and he kept yelling, “OH MY GOD….” We had lots of fun and the ride went by quickly…traffic was quite lite….

Today we did not know what we would find upon arrival in bkk…
Some trade union groups were scheduled to mass by government house and take over….they did and gained entrance, but of course as usual the rest of the city went on like nothing was happening….the ultimate goal is to remove the prime minister…

We were greeted by the staff at the Marriott with the usual welcome backs….etc…our special room was waiting for us??? Did not know we had one… with a discount rate I do not know how it is considered special??

Unpacked a few things and then right into another taxi to go to nana to the jewelers to order something that we had forgotten to order for a friend…ride was a bit slow…

We walked from nana hotel to soi 8 to try the Kineree Restaurant which carol has been speaking about….one the way we passed the Adelphi suite, so we went in to take a look…they showed us one of the premier rooms which they offer currently for 4800 B…quite nice with lots of room…..soi 8 is a nice soi, far nicer than soi 4, imo….

Kineree is diagonally across the street and slightly further down the soi…it is located back from the soi, down a driveway, but there is a large sign hanging at the end of the drive….it appears to have been a single family house not that long ago…the restaurant is two years old…it is very attractive with both inside and outside dining…inside for us as we needed a/c, as usual…the décor is very attractive and the menu is “gourmet” thai they claim on their menu…

We had two singha to begin with and two appetizers: minced shrimp deep fried between a dough with a dipping sauce and pastry shells with potato and crab….both were very delicious and the portions were generous…we followed that with water, steamed rice, sweet and sour chicken with veggies, stir fried sliced pork with pepper and garlic sauce, and minced chicken and crab served in the crab shells….the last two were quite spicy and delicious….the chicken was more like Chinese food, but good enough….we were full….the service was both friendly and efficient….we will definitely return again…
Moderately priced: 1475B….

Kathie and guen, this must be on your list for this year….they also have a restaurant in malaysia but the waiter did not know where….during high season, I think a res would be a good idea….

Walked to sukhumvit and got a taxi….horrid traffic on sathorn…

June 21, 2008

We were scheduled to be with tong all day but circumstances, of my creation, caused us to postpone this…we hope to reschedule for a day next week…this unexpectedly frees us up for the day….

Down for breakfast and what a pleasure to have a real comprehensive breakfast again…we returned to the room and changed into out suits for a swim….the hotel had announced when we arrived that the electricity would be totally off for several hours starting at mid-day so we planned to be out all of that time….

First we went over to see jack, the tailor….he had some shirts for me and also some material to look at for some pants….karen also tried on her new slacks….we returned to the hotel and took a taxi to tong’s husbands optical company….jack had insisted that we call ahead because the shop is near to where much of the political unrest has been the last few days…..we were given a route that should be decent---down the “other” side of the river to memorial bridge, through the flower district and then winding streets over to the khao san road area where the shop is….perfect routing….he had a pair of sun glasses waiting for me, which I actually had forgotten about…..he also had T shirts from tong as presents for us both, plus for andy and beth (gpandas)---can you imagine giving anything to two attorneys other than a hard time??? We gave pear, the daughter, a gift from andy and beth and we added our used cell phone which we had purchased when we first got to Thailand (big spenders)….i left another pair of glasses for new lenses….they will be ready in about 2 days….

From there we headed to Pantip, the electronics superstore…..we were in search of Wii discs for our grandchildren…..we found just the right stall on the 2nd floor….they had tons to choose from….we bought 19 discs, plus one disc to make them fully compatible with US purchased Wii machines….final cost: 80B each or $2.50 vs. over $50 each at home….we shall see how they work….

Time was beginning to run a bit late, so we skipped a planned stop and headed directly to the Jim Thompson outlet, on soi 93 sukhumvit…..karen was looking for fabric for two antique chairs and for various odds and ends for gifts….we thought the stock was a bit sparce…..she did find the fabric she wanted and we found almost every gift item we needed….a successful trip in about 1.5 hours…..quick taxi back to the hotel…

Btw, for visitors to JT outlet a heads up for easy return to the river area….take sukhumvit a couple of blocks further out of town and take the first U turn….return to soi 62 and from there it is a quick jump onto the toll road…

When we retuned to the hotel, about 5:15, the electricity was still off….we had to walk up a couple of floors….

I took a quick shower by flashlight and we were ready to leave for dinner….the electricity was partially back on by then so the elevators worked again…no a/c however (not till 6:30)….we were meeting hanuman (pook) and his family for dinner at the Banyon Tree Hotel’s Japanese restaurant….because of the transport issue we had meeting the gpandas in the same area a year ago, we had decided to leave the hotel early…allowing ourselves 1.5 hours to get there….we got there in ½ hour….so we went up to the roof, floor 57+, to Vertigo for a drink…for those who may not know, this is an open air restaurant and bar above floor 57…we actually liked it much better than the sky bar at the state building….more room, more comfortable, better service….same price: (1 beer and 1 glass of wine about 850B…..

At about 7:20 we went down to the 53rd floor where we were meeting Pook and his family….the hostess knew we were expected and called me ‘khun bob’ upon arrival, which as an endearing term made me feel most welcome… Karen just asked me what

possible description pook would have used to identify us…I responded ‘the largest farang in bkk’…..that is how we were known….??

The entrance to the restaurant is interesting….the floors are marble tiles separated by stones instead of grout….an interesting concept with a real japanese feel….the look is sleek and modern…

Pook, Darn and Mony were already seated in a separate area which was to be our private dining room…we were so glad to see them all again….they are such a nice and welcoming family….Pook provided delicious red wines for our dinner, and as soon as we were seated it appeared, and it flowed throughout the meal….the staff served it out of a large decanter making the taste even nicer….we had fantastic conversations throughout the meal….instead of choosing specific dishes we decided that we would all share a representative selection of foods as the chef chose to present them…..small dishes of a huge variety of items began to appear: meats, veggies, fish—each one more delicious than the previous one….Pook asked for a few of his favorites as well…a second wine was served ½ way through the meal…dessert was an orange ice cream and a selection of cut fruit….

From our dining area we moved up to the 57th floor for a nite cap at Vertigo…..by this time it was fully dark and the lights of bkk shown beautifully….such a pleasant way to spend an evening….

Sadly the evening was over and we said our farewells and thank yous to pook and his family at the hotel entrance…

Quick taxi ride back to the hotel where the light and a/c was fully restored….

June 22, 2008 Sunday

Up about 8:45 where Karen was already on the phone with her mother…..a lazy day is ahead of us…we have nothing planned until 4PM when fodorite jen casale and her husband will swing by for a drink with us and maybe a swim….they are staying at centre point silom I believe…

Down for breakfast about 9:30…….

I'm enjoying your commentary, Bob. We will put Kinnaree on our restaurant list for this year. I'll have to look at my list - I think I have a month's worth of places we'd like to try!

so what else is new...even with two months, we don't have enough time...

i'm hot, time for a swim...

sounds like what a vacation is supposed to be like. Do something, or not.

i'm hungry for a mango & sticky rice.

Bob and Karen,
So glad you enjoyed Kinnaree. It IS a very pleasant restaurant (and yes, soi 8 is much nicer than soi 4). Kathie... you really should try to squeeze it into your busy schedule!!

We will stay for one month at Adelphi in December/January. We always get the executive apartment, which is the type I believe you were shown while taking a look there. The studio is also very nice, though just one room, but very comfortably furnished. They will quote a long-stay price, which is about 1/3 less than the daily rate (but does not include b'fast).

Surprised you liked Vertigo better than Sky Bar. We feel just the opposite.

The Japanese restaurant at Banyan is (was) the location of the wedding reception of our friend from Copenhagan and his Thai bride, over two years ago. They reserved the whole place so that it was closed to the public that afternoon. Fantastic view! We did not eat Japanese food, however; it was more like finger food buffet for the reception. We then moved the "after party" to another floor. I liked the Banyan Tree, but location isn't the best IMO.

I hope you enjoy the Long Table.

Sounds like your last week is a busy one. Keep us informed on the "unrest" going on. Oh, and have fun at the protest march...

Carol

For anyone interested in Kinnaree (i know have added it onto my wish list for Nov) the web is www.kinnareegourmet.com

Yep, that's the place! Thanks for the link smeagol.

Carol - the spooky thing is when i googled Kinnaree it bought up a Thai restuarant in my home town first!!

Smeagol, there's one in Seattle by the same name, too!

... greetings 'bob',

... many thanks for your numerous posts, particularly one of your latest, concerning one of our beloved BKK favourites, Taihei, at Banyan Tree ...

... it's been a few months since the better half and I dined with another couple at that sweet 'little secret', but your description brought back many fine memories ... (will always love one of the lovely hostess' kind 'Khun Robert!' greetings - mind you, she and mrs. m are friends) ...

... (and kudos to you 'monkey god' and yo, 'rizzuto' - loved your write-up flying NH F - care to share flying comparable with those Angels aboard SQ F?) ...

... thanks again, bob; you cover a lot of ground ... (well, with the exception of late-night, in-room massage treatments, and Yes, those Girls -- Forever) ...

... as always, sweet and smooth (SQ) rides to you ...

macintosh (robert)

... Let Her Take You To Fascinating Moscow ...

(Singapore Airlines)

Kaledonian-Kanadian - Only time I ever flew F on SQ was a short hop from BKK to SIN, so I haven't any real info. Comfortable for a nice nap, and certainly more pleasant than carrying a sofa.

June 22, 2008 Sunday

Up about 8:45 where Karen was already on the phone with her mother…..a lazy day is ahead of us…we have nothing planned until 4PM when fodorite jen casale and her husband will swing by for a drink with us and maybe a swim….they are staying at centre point silom I believe…

Down for breakfast about 9:30…….returned to the room and K dressed for the pool and I decided to see if I could steal internet from the club lounge as I had been told…success….you can sign on to wifi on the lower level of the main building outside the numero uno café….i updated everything and then joined K at the pool….i heard a guy talking to his son in “American”, so I talked to him and found out that they are from NC and he is a senior pilot for US Air…we talked for quite some time….we stayed in the pool until after 3 when we returned to the room to dress to meet jen casale and her husband bill from the Chicago area----she is the fodorite: jcasale….

They arrived on a marriott boat a little after 4….we recognized each other because we had exchanged pictures….we headed to the pool bar for a drink (2 actually because it was happy hour)….then I invited them for a swim---I had suggested that they bring their suits….we took them to our room to change…..we had a fantastic swim for maybe 45 minutes…..we then headed by Marriott boat and then oriental boat to tongue thai for dinner….

We all had beers….we ordered two plates of spring rolls, spicy banana flower salad, and pomelo salad……then we ordered chicken and cashew, phad thai, pork in pepper sauce

and yellow chicken curry and fried morning glories….for dessert each couple shared an order of mango and sticky rice, which was excellent….we walked back to the oriental pier and took the boat to taskim where we said our goodbyes….they walked back to centre point and we took the Marriott boat…

another successful fodorite mini GTG…..they summer in northern maine so we hope to run into them another time….

June 23, 2008

Up at the usual time and K is talking with her mother again….small set-backs but no real problems…

Breakfast….love that fresh cut black forest ham and prosch… plus the fresh sautéed mushrooms and muesli in cream with green veggie in it….

Did some illegal internet again….K went to pool and I joined her later….dressed after a nice swim and headed by boat and skytrain to siam paragon….bought some creams for our friend smeagol in england (I think it really is for muffin)….went into especially thai on the 4th floor and had another good look around—as guen and others have said anything made in Thailand of a quality is for sale there….
Next we stopped at a wonderful shop called Indigo which we have patronized in the past….we bought quite a few gifts there….many things in the shop are natural indigo in color….had an Italian ice cream at a special exhibit in the hallways for Italian goods…

Took a taxi to just past soi 33, sukhumvit to the Fatima shop (just near the entrance to villa supermarket)…this charity shop makes wonderful things for kids (cloth book, quilts, and smocked dresses)…we had ordered two dresses for baby gifts at the beginning of our trip---custom color fabrics and custom threads take two weeks to product)….small dresses maybe 750B each….
We walked up to soi 24 to the skytrain and were rushed back to taskim, unlike the traffic which we could see below which was stopped….marriott boat back to the hotel…

One of the two reservations we have for this last week’s stay gave us a free sunset cruise on one of the marriott’s restored rice boats….this is for an hour at sunset…sitting next to us was a young honeymoon couple from England whom we bored silly with travel talk…they were quite charming….after that we used the other coupon which was for a free BBQ dinner buffet at the hotel….almost any kind of food you might want from phuket lobster to nan, fruits, veggies, desserts….so two nice perks provided by both agoda and from billT’s relative bunny in CA who has very good rates for asia as I mentioned above…

Back up to the room and into our bathing suits for a 9PM swim….really nice…pool is now open till 11PM instead of the 8 or 9 it used to be open till….

Talked to our youngest daughter at home and off to bed….

June 24, 2008

Up about 7:30….down for breakfast….each day we eat less as we are so full of good food…this morning they brought me some smoked salmon as a special treat…I think I had mentioned that I missed it and they remembered…K says it must be nearing time for tips…

Tong called and she will come by about 10:30 to pick us up…..she has not felt well the last few days and wanted to go to see the doctor….we have no special plan for the day, just hang out, etc….maybe find something interesting to do…have some good food, fun, etc…

K spoke to her mother for a while and I made a few phone calls including to ANA about our flight on Friday….we are concerned about luggage…they told me that we each can have two pieces of luggage and neither can weigh more than ~23 kilos each (50 lbs)….thus we are delighted and this will work totally for us…. K is packing stuff up to see if we might need to buy for an additional suitcase….i think we will not need one more…

We have an appointment for tomorrow morning to go to our favorite stainless steel factory to purchase a couple of things….we planned to ship them, but now I am thinking we may be able to hand carry them…. It kills me to pay $100 just to ship a couple of items…

WHAT A FABULOUS DAY!!!!

Tong and Chang picked us up about 10:45 at the Marriott….we headed up the “wrong” side of the river and went over memorial bridge or rama I bridge and through the flower

market and before we knew it we were at Coconut Palm Restaurant for an early lunch….this is located next to wat pho….it is only open till 7PM so it is best to go there for lunch or a very early dinner….unlike most “local” thai restaurants, this one is a/c’d and is modern inside with comfortable seating….it is a very busy place with military and office people from the neighborhood flooding in around noon…tong is well known there so of course we received the royal treatment….we were comfortably seated at a large table near to the kitchen….the place is not large….the eldest princess drops by from time to time to eat and at such times ½ of the restaurant is closed off for her…the road is Maharaj Road, 294/3-5…Tel: 0-2622-2246

our menu consisted of the following as ordered by tong:

tom yam soup
fruit papaya salad
mushroom spring rolls X2---best I have ever had
banana flower salad
fresh pork laab spring rolls w/rice paper wrap X2—even better
they also had spicy macaroni & seafood, which was toooo spicy for us…
water and plenty of it with huge ice cubes
chicken wings which tong says are the best in thailand
steamed rice

huge lunch….put this place at the top of your luncheon lists folks….it is probably the best thai food we have ever had, bar none…..kathie, its waiting for you….andy you will love it when we take you there in november…..huge amount of quality food for 650B….

from there we headed to do some shopping for making merit as we were going to visit the government hospital where the monks go for free care….we purchased quite a few items…..face cloths and hand towels, trays with 6-8 fruit drinks in cans on them and wrapped up in cellophane with yellow bows…other trays with other food items on them…..tong bought some envelopes and we stuffed them with 20 B notes….tong bought several small electric fans to give to the monks and also had chang get us a handful of 20 B bills at the bank…about the equivalent of a sleeve of $5 bills at home….

The hospital is not far from many of the government buildings in bkk…..we were able to park in their garage….tong first took us into the ward, yes they still have huge wards, where the mostly elderly monks were eye patients….not many people visit there….there were four rows of beds in the ward with a divider between each area….probably 16 beds to an area…..not all beds were full….we walked down each row and gave the monks gifts…you are required to put the gift on an orange cloth at the foot of the bed….after the complete area is done, you kneel down (all but me, I stood), wei and the monks sing a blessing to you in unison….we did this in all four areas…..
Next we moved to a more seriously ill patient area and did the same there…..
The hospital was very clean and orderly but not well staffed…..

Next we moved to a Palative care unit with a couple of private rooms where the monks were dying….one room was air conditioned….karen got a chance to talk to the only nurse there and found the conversation quite interesting…..most had cancer there….we only visited two rooms there….

We were really hot by this time as most of the hospital has no a/c….some areas have it at nite only…..on the way out we went into a central collection area where we made a donation to buy blood for monks who might need it….there were about 5 categories where you could aim your funds to….

Tong then asked what we wanted to do….”whatever you want to do….” I responded…
Silence….i said there were two things we had interest in buying….: a spirit house and a Buddha head or resemblance…..

She directed chang to one area where she thought there might be spirit houses, and bingo we found two nice shops….we looked in one, but nothing really struck our fancy, so we went across the street and the items there seemed to be much nicer (Singh Charoen Panich, Tel: 01-5864339---address is only in thai but # is 539….. the couple who run the shop make the houses themselves out of 100% teak….some are natural and some have varnish on them….prices range from 200 B for a tiny replica to thousands for large houses…..we bought a medium sized one for 3500 B…..very little bartering there as they knew the quality and cost of their items….we are very pleased with it…..the man wrapped it up carefully for us using newspaper and nylon twine….from there we went to the local post office where they added tons of bubble wrap, and tape to make a really secure package (56B)….we think we can carry it on the plane like it is….

While we were in the PO chang went to pick up their daughter, Pear….she is so cute….

They asked if we were hungry yet??? Yes, not starved, however… tong asked if we want to go the Chote Chitr…..i responded yes, of course….chang dropped us off right outside the restaurant….we went in and sat down and the less than nice owner barked orders at us….tong had warned us….the woman just scowled at us most of the time….until I left a tip, when her face almost smiled….we ordered:

water and ice….cokes
smoked eggplants
banana flower salad
mee grab??---shrimp with fried noodles with palm sugar
dried yellow curry shrimp

it was all good, but not as good as the lunch, we felt….when you add the grouchy lady to the equation it is a second level choice to us…..price: ~450 B…very reasonable if not cheap….

After this we were all tired, so they drove us back to the hotel…..we invited them for ice cream, but they declined as tong was still not feeling 100%, even though the doctor had given her tons of pills when she visited this AM….

Lots of hugs and thank yous…..little pear even cried….i have that affect on children….
We were sad to say goodbye and thanked them for a fabulous day…..

We went out to see jack about our stuff but have to return Thursday……swensons for ice cream….and to cool off…

As it was early we had enough time to go to river city to pick uo k’s new blouses at js thai silk…lots of police as we got near and then a traffic jam…we got out of taxi and walked the rest of the block…reason…the favorite princess was at ROS…we got there just in time to see her leave…she drove right by us in her custom tallow/cream lexus with tons of matching cars and a huge police escort…

Down for a swim, 8-9 PM….our friend ‘dr pool’ was there again and we talked to him for quite a while….he is the main guy in charge of the pool and has been with Marriott for years…

Desserts in our room as K is still a bit hungry….

June 26, 2008

Up about 8:15…K on the phone already…she learns that her dad was moved today to an extended care facility less than one mile from their house and two miles from our house….she is quite pleased with that…talked to both of our daughters as well….not daughters actually but sons in law as both women were already asleep….

Down to breakfast….

Bob-
I loved your story about visting the monks in the hospital. What a nice thing for you to do.

I think Coconut Palm is Tong's favorite restaurant, or at least her favorite place to bring people. I will certainly try to make it there on my next visit. Sounds like you had a similar experience as we did on our last visit to Chote Chitr. I wonder why that woman is so grumpy?

Sorry to hear Tong is still ill. That girl works too hard! By any chance did you ask her about the recent article about the Tiger Temple posted here? I'm wondering what she thinks and if she's still taking people there.

As far as I can tell, Bob's day with Tong consisted of:

1. Tong got sick
2. Pear cried.
3. Chang kept mum.

You can't put a price on a good time.

Bob
Thanks for the continuing report. Sounds like your last week in BKK is a busy one.

Are you getting homesick? You've been away from home a long time!

Carol

this has been such a good read, even gpandas retorts!
You're both going to be there in November?? We are currently trying to decide whether to go to Bankok in November! Considering Bankok/Chiang Rai/Mai/Siem Reap or Vietnam or India (Bob do you have a link to your India report I've looked for it but can't find it!) but having consumed literally your trip report on Bankok/Thailand I'm nearly there!
Pauline