RHK's annual Asia trip
Nov 9th, 2018, 11:49 PM
#62
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No one wants to see my shoes??? Just kidding.
Spent AM at the pool today, great on an overcast/sunny day. As always it was glorious.
We ate by the pool: good luncheon set: chicken satay (best yet), phat thai in an egg wrapper, 1/2 pint of Chang beer, and coconut ice cream (Beth's fav) with slivers of jack fruit, mung bean pieces (looked like cut up green beans) and a green sauce. All excellent at 699B-- $21. each.
Lounging around room this PM, reading, internet, etc.
Expect to go to Harmonique Thai Restaurant, soi 36, New Rd for dinner tonight... It used to be as cheap as $15 for the two of us for dinner, but I expect it will be 3 times that tonight.
Political situation in Thailand... All seems very calm with business as usual. I did read yesterday that Dec 11 has been set as the date to remove most of the regulations after problems a few years ago and this will trigger an election in a few months.
Spent AM at the pool today, great on an overcast/sunny day. As always it was glorious.
We ate by the pool: good luncheon set: chicken satay (best yet), phat thai in an egg wrapper, 1/2 pint of Chang beer, and coconut ice cream (Beth's fav) with slivers of jack fruit, mung bean pieces (looked like cut up green beans) and a green sauce. All excellent at 699B-- $21. each.
Lounging around room this PM, reading, internet, etc.
Expect to go to Harmonique Thai Restaurant, soi 36, New Rd for dinner tonight... It used to be as cheap as $15 for the two of us for dinner, but I expect it will be 3 times that tonight.
Political situation in Thailand... All seems very calm with business as usual. I did read yesterday that Dec 11 has been set as the date to remove most of the regulations after problems a few years ago and this will trigger an election in a few months.
Nov 10th, 2018, 04:26 AM
#65
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Fla-- that's the place...
Delicious dinner for sure.. 2 Singha beers, pomelo salad (similar to grapefruit), yellow curry crab meat, sizzling large shrimp platter, white rice, the best morning glories and garlic, forgot to order chicken and cashew...but we had no room for it anyways. Dessert, a large mango and sticky rice--we left some... 915B-- $27.
For those of you who remember, the two old ladies are still guarding the door.
Delicious dinner for sure.. 2 Singha beers, pomelo salad (similar to grapefruit), yellow curry crab meat, sizzling large shrimp platter, white rice, the best morning glories and garlic, forgot to order chicken and cashew...but we had no room for it anyways. Dessert, a large mango and sticky rice--we left some... 915B-- $27.
For those of you who remember, the two old ladies are still guarding the door.
Nov 10th, 2018, 09:07 AM
#66
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What a delight to sign into Fodor’s for the first time in quite a while and see this report. I am so delighted to follow along on this trip with you and Karen. Grateful to you, Bob, for so much good advice over the years and also to Kathie and others.
To newer Fodor readers, it has been 14 years since Bob introduced us to the then Marriot/now Anantara in Bangkok, and Kathie introduced us to the E&O in Penang. So much great advice... and thoughts of Gpanda whose banter and wit are still missed
Looking forward to continuing on with you through this report. We are in Beijing this semester and are thinking of an end of semester trip to BKK or someplace else warm. We have gotten some tremendous deals at the BKK Peninsula at off-peak times. Wondering about your reference to traffic congestion there and the opening of the new mall next door. Wondering if you would caution against staying that area.
Next, how has the construction behind the Anantara changed the experience of being there if at all? (The last time we were in BKK was in Jan 2017.)
Joyous and healthy onward travels. Keep writing, please!
To newer Fodor readers, it has been 14 years since Bob introduced us to the then Marriot/now Anantara in Bangkok, and Kathie introduced us to the E&O in Penang. So much great advice... and thoughts of Gpanda whose banter and wit are still missed
Looking forward to continuing on with you through this report. We are in Beijing this semester and are thinking of an end of semester trip to BKK or someplace else warm. We have gotten some tremendous deals at the BKK Peninsula at off-peak times. Wondering about your reference to traffic congestion there and the opening of the new mall next door. Wondering if you would caution against staying that area.
Next, how has the construction behind the Anantara changed the experience of being there if at all? (The last time we were in BKK was in Jan 2017.)
Joyous and healthy onward travels. Keep writing, please!
Nov 10th, 2018, 10:32 AM
#67
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Bob, I smiled when I read you are going to Harmonique for dinner. Cheryl and I were the first Fodorites to try it. I read a review in one of the local newspapers right after it opened and decided we had to go. I remember talking with the bellman about it - he said "oh, very good restaurant." We wanted to walk as we knew it wasn't far, but the bellman said it was hard to find. He gave careful instruction to out taxi driver, and then we walked back. He was right, had we not known it was there, we would have walked right by it. Enjoy!
Nov 10th, 2018, 12:27 PM
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Having never been to Thailand, I 'll ask what may seem like naive questions.
What is the green stuff atop the ice cream?
"new Thai restaurant for another day-- very reasonable which raises questions..." I'm guessing that means, at least in terms of restaurants, you get what you pay for in Bangkok?? Was this the place you warned about ?
Great shoes!
What is the green stuff atop the ice cream?
"new Thai restaurant for another day-- very reasonable which raises questions..." I'm guessing that means, at least in terms of restaurants, you get what you pay for in Bangkok?? Was this the place you warned about ?
Great shoes!
Nov 10th, 2018, 03:34 PM
#69
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The green on the ice cream is realll a jelly, but very soft. The place that was not so tasty is Basil Thai Kitchen at the Riverside Plaza. Now that the Avani is built , , and the noise is gone , it does not detract from the Anantara. As you know Maryalice, most of you time is spent on the riverside of the property.
we are going to check out the new mall on Monday, so willl let you know about the traffic now that the opening is over. You can not beat the mangos at the penn buffet, so for me that is a reason to stay. You can always use the boat to the other side.
we are going to check out the new mall on Monday, so willl let you know about the traffic now that the opening is over. You can not beat the mangos at the penn buffet, so for me that is a reason to stay. You can always use the boat to the other side.
Nov 10th, 2018, 07:54 PM
#71
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MA-- I think I might consider a skip this year on the penn if you ever use taxis... They are building new rapid transit right outside penn drive. Took us over 1 hour anantara to penn by taxi...
It is very expensive, but maybe you have some Marriott points--- the jw Marriott, Phu quoc island, Vietnam is simply fab. Went last year, going next week again. A bargain with points..
New hotel next to Anantara is a plus, called Avani.
Staying put today, except I think we will go to Himili cha cha Indian Restaurant for dinner tonight-- off new road, near Harmonique. Dingy soi, darkish restaurant, delicious food.
It is very expensive, but maybe you have some Marriott points--- the jw Marriott, Phu quoc island, Vietnam is simply fab. Went last year, going next week again. A bargain with points..
New hotel next to Anantara is a plus, called Avani.
Staying put today, except I think we will go to Himili cha cha Indian Restaurant for dinner tonight-- off new road, near Harmonique. Dingy soi, darkish restaurant, delicious food.
Nov 11th, 2018, 04:19 AM
#72
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Fantastic Indian dinner: chicken tikka lemon, lg. Singhas, palak paneer, shrimp korma, chicken kashmira, steamed rice, plain naan--$35.
Quick taxi rides each way at about $2. each.
Himali has 3 locations: Chareon Krung, soi 47, where we went, soi 31 Sukhumvit and another location. We try to hit it at least once every trip
Btw, forgot to take pics...
Quick taxi rides each way at about $2. each.
Himali has 3 locations: Chareon Krung, soi 47, where we went, soi 31 Sukhumvit and another location. We try to hit it at least once every trip
Btw, forgot to take pics...
Nov 11th, 2018, 11:45 PM
#73
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Thanks for the heads up on traffic congestion around the Peninsula.
Can you still see some cows grazing on the lots on the right side of the property (when standing looking at it from the boat landing) or has that filled in with new construction? I used to enjoy that unexpected sight next to a posh riverside property.
Would love to be headed out to sit out under the palms for an evening drink at the riverside Anantara's Longtail Bar. That property is magical when the skies darken, the evening lights come on, and you see the riverboats coming and going. Also would love a good mango sticky rice like the one pictured above.
I have been dreaming of Pho Quoc for a while now, but alas we have no such points to cushion the cost. Good thought though. We were thinking of trying Chiang May after 5 times to BKK and one to the Anantara at Chiang Saen....but we are likely more BKK types from everything I read.
Happy Fodorites reunion and keep enjoying being in SEA rather than NH...and keep taking us all along on the trip.
Can you still see some cows grazing on the lots on the right side of the property (when standing looking at it from the boat landing) or has that filled in with new construction? I used to enjoy that unexpected sight next to a posh riverside property.
Would love to be headed out to sit out under the palms for an evening drink at the riverside Anantara's Longtail Bar. That property is magical when the skies darken, the evening lights come on, and you see the riverboats coming and going. Also would love a good mango sticky rice like the one pictured above.
I have been dreaming of Pho Quoc for a while now, but alas we have no such points to cushion the cost. Good thought though. We were thinking of trying Chiang May after 5 times to BKK and one to the Anantara at Chiang Saen....but we are likely more BKK types from everything I read.
Happy Fodorites reunion and keep enjoying being in SEA rather than NH...and keep taking us all along on the trip.
Nov 12th, 2018, 12:42 AM
#74
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MA-- today we zoomed right up the road past the Penn
We visited the new mega-mall almost next door---maybe where the cows were?
Coming home was a traffic jam for 1/3 of the way.
MONDAY
Great breakfast at the Market Restaurant. The woman manager, who has worked there 37 years takes great care of us. She brings me specially cut pineapple each AM...I love it.
We took a taxi up the road, to just past the Peninsula to the new mega mall- ICONSIAM. Opened in the last few days K wanted to visit. The same company owns Siam Paragon and other malls.
It is a new 8 story building with a central courtyard rising up all 8 stories I believe. It is directly on the river and has free boat service from Taskin and other places. IT IS HUGE.. It is elaborate, bright and fanciful.
I bought a new pair of glasses and K bought a pair of frames at a 50% off sale. On floor 5 there must be 10 optical shops, some right beside each other.
They have some wheelchairs at customer service so K pushed me around on the tile floors-- I would not have made it on my own.
There must be 50 restaurants there, some overlooking the river. We ate lunch at Nara Restaurant on 5. We each had delicious phat thai-- hot and flavorful. We stopped at an ice cream cart and K had her fav---mango and I had chocolate and raspberry scoops--delicious... mine was 130B-- $5.
We were. Tuckered so tried to get a cab-- asked many employees and no one knew exactly where to go. Frustrated we went out to the street and there was a huge traffic jam. We decided in frustration to try to walk to the Peninsula-- not easy for either of us..
Finally we found a tuk tuk on his break and he would take us for 100B--$3.---NO PROBLEM. Well one problem--- how would fat me get in-- I managed.
Tonight is Pizza night we have decided.
We visited the new mega-mall almost next door---maybe where the cows were?
Coming home was a traffic jam for 1/3 of the way.
MONDAY
Great breakfast at the Market Restaurant. The woman manager, who has worked there 37 years takes great care of us. She brings me specially cut pineapple each AM...I love it.
We took a taxi up the road, to just past the Peninsula to the new mega mall- ICONSIAM. Opened in the last few days K wanted to visit. The same company owns Siam Paragon and other malls.
It is a new 8 story building with a central courtyard rising up all 8 stories I believe. It is directly on the river and has free boat service from Taskin and other places. IT IS HUGE.. It is elaborate, bright and fanciful.
I bought a new pair of glasses and K bought a pair of frames at a 50% off sale. On floor 5 there must be 10 optical shops, some right beside each other.
They have some wheelchairs at customer service so K pushed me around on the tile floors-- I would not have made it on my own.
There must be 50 restaurants there, some overlooking the river. We ate lunch at Nara Restaurant on 5. We each had delicious phat thai-- hot and flavorful. We stopped at an ice cream cart and K had her fav---mango and I had chocolate and raspberry scoops--delicious... mine was 130B-- $5.
We were. Tuckered so tried to get a cab-- asked many employees and no one knew exactly where to go. Frustrated we went out to the street and there was a huge traffic jam. We decided in frustration to try to walk to the Peninsula-- not easy for either of us..
Finally we found a tuk tuk on his break and he would take us for 100B--$3.---NO PROBLEM. Well one problem--- how would fat me get in-- I managed.
Tonight is Pizza night we have decided.
Nov 12th, 2018, 01:59 AM
#76
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One of the main entrance s.
Tons of orchids
Thai cultural art and craftsmanship every where
Thai gong
Beautiful art workt
Choosing lunch at Nara
Phad Thai with shrimp
Sook Siam...an area representative of all parts of Thailand. Examples of buildings and food. Mini floating market
Flowers every where
Bobs first tuk tuk ride in 20 years. That is how desperate we were for a ride back to the hotel.
