RHK's & GPANDA'S in Thailand
Dec 3rd, 2009, 04:17 AM
#105
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My pictures of the GTG are on http://picasaweb.google.com/nywoman
Dec 3rd, 2009, 06:05 AM
#108
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Saturday (cont)
We took a taxi to the Four Seasons… We were a bit early so walked around a bit looking at the wonderful shops… At the appointed hour we presented ourselves at Biscotti. Oddly enough the restaurant was over ½ empty and remained that way for most of our meal… It was the clearest sign thus far to me that the recession has affected bkk too….
We had an excellent center table. As usual we were presented with a chef’s hors d’ouvre and the usual bread…. Drinks were ordered… K was again, for the 100th time, able to order her soft shell crab appetizer which made her very happy…. I had the most fabulous porcini mushroom soup and the others had various choices… K’s main course was a risotto with fish and I had a calzone, to which I requested some red sauce to moisten it… K had sorbet for dessert as did the others, I had a fantastic raspberry tart with sorbet. Thank God I do not remember the bill, but this was our splurge meal, and Maureen nominated it for best meal of the trip… The rest of us liked some thai meals more, but it did not disappoint… Taxi back to the hotel and K did last minute packing and organizing….
A good nite’s sleep…
Sunday-- our last day
We met Gal and Cherry for breakfast at the hotel. Cherry is doing very little guiding anymore, but still does some Israeli families and special US Navy groups…. She has 5 dogs (huskies) to take care of and 2 houses in bkk to manage… We had a pleasant visit and ended it on the porch off of the dining room to enjoy the relatively non-humid air bkk blessed us with for most of our trip…
It was after noon when they left so we decided to have a swim before the van came for us at 2:45. The water was too cold for me, so I returned to the room to finish up with my 24 hours of internet (over 600 B)… K enjoyed her swim as did A&B… Maureen had gone to church and had checked out…
The van was on time and the traffic was light so we arrived early to the airport and the Singapore check-in was not even open until 30 minutes later… Smooth check in…
A bit of lunch and we were ready..
Flights were relatively smooth, although there was some turbulence. SA staff were efficient. Meal from Bkk to Singapore was inedible, but the others were quite good, including one fillet which actually was still pink… We arrived in NYC via Frankfurt about ½ hour early… Our van was waiting for us at Hertz ($216) and we next stopped at Rein’s Deli in Vernon, CT for a late lunch and arrived back home about 6PM….
A fun trip overall, despite the feigned sickness of one member and all the irritation along the way with the same individual…. On to Bali in May, 2010…
We took a taxi to the Four Seasons… We were a bit early so walked around a bit looking at the wonderful shops… At the appointed hour we presented ourselves at Biscotti. Oddly enough the restaurant was over ½ empty and remained that way for most of our meal… It was the clearest sign thus far to me that the recession has affected bkk too….
We had an excellent center table. As usual we were presented with a chef’s hors d’ouvre and the usual bread…. Drinks were ordered… K was again, for the 100th time, able to order her soft shell crab appetizer which made her very happy…. I had the most fabulous porcini mushroom soup and the others had various choices… K’s main course was a risotto with fish and I had a calzone, to which I requested some red sauce to moisten it… K had sorbet for dessert as did the others, I had a fantastic raspberry tart with sorbet. Thank God I do not remember the bill, but this was our splurge meal, and Maureen nominated it for best meal of the trip… The rest of us liked some thai meals more, but it did not disappoint… Taxi back to the hotel and K did last minute packing and organizing….
A good nite’s sleep…
Sunday-- our last day
We met Gal and Cherry for breakfast at the hotel. Cherry is doing very little guiding anymore, but still does some Israeli families and special US Navy groups…. She has 5 dogs (huskies) to take care of and 2 houses in bkk to manage… We had a pleasant visit and ended it on the porch off of the dining room to enjoy the relatively non-humid air bkk blessed us with for most of our trip…
It was after noon when they left so we decided to have a swim before the van came for us at 2:45. The water was too cold for me, so I returned to the room to finish up with my 24 hours of internet (over 600 B)… K enjoyed her swim as did A&B… Maureen had gone to church and had checked out…
The van was on time and the traffic was light so we arrived early to the airport and the Singapore check-in was not even open until 30 minutes later… Smooth check in…
A bit of lunch and we were ready..
Flights were relatively smooth, although there was some turbulence. SA staff were efficient. Meal from Bkk to Singapore was inedible, but the others were quite good, including one fillet which actually was still pink… We arrived in NYC via Frankfurt about ½ hour early… Our van was waiting for us at Hertz ($216) and we next stopped at Rein’s Deli in Vernon, CT for a late lunch and arrived back home about 6PM….
A fun trip overall, despite the feigned sickness of one member and all the irritation along the way with the same individual…. On to Bali in May, 2010…
Dec 4th, 2009, 09:41 AM
#110
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His B-ness failed to mention that he expressed his dissatisfaction with the Franfurt connection to Singapore Air staff. In truth, he did not make a scene, he merely mentioned it. It was entirely appropriate. Us guys in the peanut gallery were quite disappointed. The terminal and gate were really substandard. Completely unacceptable.
Dec 4th, 2009, 01:32 PM
#111
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i spoke both going and coming home with the staff at frankfurt...SA should be totally ashamed of their facilities....not even enough chairs for 1/2 the passengers to sit down among other things...
Dec 5th, 2009, 06:16 AM
#112
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ATM's--- for the first time i had quite a few problems with making withdrawals from my TD Bank accounts.... They are my primary bank and i called them before i left to record my destinations and my dates....
Every time i tried to withdraw money i was limited to 3000 B or about $90. That is a real pain and now with the new 150 B fee on what seems like all thai atms, it can get expensive...
I emailed the bank from thailand....no response, as i thought, and i laid it off to not responding to ramdom overseas e mails... then i e mailed them again and i did receive a response that thailand is considered a 'dangereous' asian country for financial transactions, and as such all withdrawal limits are automatically small. HELLO.... I called you and no one told me this... It can be overridden by specifically asking for higher limits....i thought i had informed them with my initial call...
they asked for a response from me, which i sent, and then i was all set for withdrawals of any amount i requested, but of course that was at the end of our trip....Andy had no problem with his account and withdrew $$ for me as i needed it... of course he has a 300 B fee he charges...
They refunded all my charges and added a $25 goodwill gift too, without my asking...fine, but what if i did not have other options while there.... AND HOW ABOUT NOTIFYING ME OF THIS CHANGE... i have used both of my TD cards in thailand before without problems...
So, beware and speak forceably to your bank in advance of any trips to "dangereous" places....
Every time i tried to withdraw money i was limited to 3000 B or about $90. That is a real pain and now with the new 150 B fee on what seems like all thai atms, it can get expensive...
I emailed the bank from thailand....no response, as i thought, and i laid it off to not responding to ramdom overseas e mails... then i e mailed them again and i did receive a response that thailand is considered a 'dangereous' asian country for financial transactions, and as such all withdrawal limits are automatically small. HELLO.... I called you and no one told me this... It can be overridden by specifically asking for higher limits....i thought i had informed them with my initial call...
they asked for a response from me, which i sent, and then i was all set for withdrawals of any amount i requested, but of course that was at the end of our trip....Andy had no problem with his account and withdrew $$ for me as i needed it... of course he has a 300 B fee he charges...
They refunded all my charges and added a $25 goodwill gift too, without my asking...fine, but what if i did not have other options while there.... AND HOW ABOUT NOTIFYING ME OF THIS CHANGE... i have used both of my TD cards in thailand before without problems...
So, beware and speak forceably to your bank in advance of any trips to "dangereous" places....
Dec 5th, 2009, 06:24 AM
#113
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i am already working on a return trip to thailand for next november/december....we just can't get enough of it...
this time i think we will try some serviced apartments....the new marriott on soi 24 is simply fabulous with a very nice pool area as well.... i have already made reservations, randomly for the new JW Marriott in khoa lak--- it looks fabulous and has a very cheap rate just now which includes next fall--- about $100 ++...
btw, i am loving my new shirts from jack... the cottons are soft and lovely and the fit just right...
this time i think we will try some serviced apartments....the new marriott on soi 24 is simply fabulous with a very nice pool area as well.... i have already made reservations, randomly for the new JW Marriott in khoa lak--- it looks fabulous and has a very cheap rate just now which includes next fall--- about $100 ++...
btw, i am loving my new shirts from jack... the cottons are soft and lovely and the fit just right...
Dec 5th, 2009, 11:44 AM
#114
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Any chance your dates would be about the same time I'd be back in BKK for the Christmas/New Year holidays? Probably not. I am sure you want to be home to celebrate with family.
I will most likely be in Switzerland until the 8th of Dec, and then home for a week, before flying off to BKK about the 15th or so (December 2010). No plans yet, but that would be the typical scenario.
Too bad you did not find time to meet Maeng. I'm sure NYwoman mentioned the time they spent together. Maybe next year.......???
Back to Zurich tomorrow afternoon. We are currently in Lausanne. Home Wednesday, but only for one week... and then off to BKK! Can't wait! It's cold here. We had snow!
Carol
I will most likely be in Switzerland until the 8th of Dec, and then home for a week, before flying off to BKK about the 15th or so (December 2010). No plans yet, but that would be the typical scenario.
Too bad you did not find time to meet Maeng. I'm sure NYwoman mentioned the time they spent together. Maybe next year.......???
Back to Zurich tomorrow afternoon. We are currently in Lausanne. Home Wednesday, but only for one week... and then off to BKK! Can't wait! It's cold here. We had snow!
Carol
