PART II, RHK'S IN ASIA
Jun 16th, 2008 | 04:54 PM
#122
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
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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!!!
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!!!
Jun 16th, 2008 | 05:33 PM
#123
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 0
"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"
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"
Jun 17th, 2008 | 01:02 AM
#126
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 0
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.
I think Bob and TEGF are one and the same. Two screen names.
Jun 17th, 2008 | 08:26 PM
#131
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
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….
Jun 18th, 2008 | 02:29 AM
#133
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 0
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.
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.
Jun 18th, 2008 | 11:15 PM
#134
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
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!!!
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!!!
Jun 19th, 2008 | 06:23 AM
#135
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
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
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
Jun 19th, 2008 | 06:59 AM
#136
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
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!
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!
