marya - agree with your comment.

Out of here, clearly you are posting to make mischief.........you must be a fan of our lovely Bob if you registered to post.........

i am still working hard to achieve 5...

like most worthy fodorites my tongue is stuck in my cheek.

rhkkmk might be pompous but we all know who the jerk is on this thread......

bob get that tongue off my left cheek please

It was a LOOOONG trip home, but so many fond memories from this trip. We met so many Fodorites in Hong Kong, Shanghai,Bangkok, Khoa Lak, and then again back in BKK. A lot of laughs and travel stories and of course good food was shared.

Our day at the orphanage dedicated to sharing Andy's (GPanda's) menmory was very moving. I hope Bob gets the photos up soon so the rest of you can shared that day. The books from Random House made a big hit with the children. It was paritcularly nice to have Beth (Mrs GPanda) with us to share the day.

We certainly visited many new and interesting palces, along with some old favorites. As ususal time ran out and there is still a list of things to do in that party of the world. Oh well, there is always next year. Thanks for following along. It is always nice to hear form "home" when your are on a trip.

i am barely functioning today, as K says it was a long trip home.

i promise to work on the pics and to cut them way back this year over previous years. i may try to divide them into subject matter: GTG's, Food, Hotels, etc. That way you can watch only what you have interest in..

"pompous"--now that i will have to ponder on a bit..

What is "pompous" (i.e., vainly and grandiloquently exaggerating one's own importance while alienating others) is barging into an ongoing conversation and delivering a sweeping indictment without bothering to first understand the social dynamic that preceded his/her arrival on the scene. HT got it right, I think, in bestowing the "jerk of the thread" award.

The poster's "contribution" to the discussion reminded me of that old chestnut:
"I try not to tell people that I own my own Caribbean island as soon as I walk into a room because I don't want to seem pompous."

That was a long trip. No wonder you're spent. Looking forward to the day when you decide that, especially when one reaches a certain length of tooth, it really is worth the effort to find a way to fly in the front.

Looking forward to pics, with the certainty that you'll be as selective as always in choosing only the very best ones.

I seem to have signed up twice for this forum -- once with this name and once with "FromLA" -- now you know everything worth knowing.......

Thanks HappyTrvlr for filling me in on Tong. I found a link to her website on another Fodor threat.

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for your delightful bantering. I'm totally addicted -- something new to do now that I'm retired.

No one would argue with moving to the front of the plane, even those of us long at tooth -- but some of us are short of dollar and short of points. He who is short must sit in the back.

i am short of everything except weight, but i could fly all my flts on a korean A380, the cattle car would suit me..

i'm saving the front till i have no 'tooth'

This has been a hoot to follow, plus it has made me really want to suffer thru the flight to get to Bangkok, but only with instructions from the Kimball Crowd! Many thanks.

Taconic... you really should make the long journey to BKK. You would have a fantastic time. Try to go when the Kimballs (or MOI) would be there as well.

betsy---we would welcome you guys to bkk.. you would love it.. think fall 2013 as we will be there, probably in nov..

Here is the first set of my pics.

They represent our day spent at Moo Baan Dek Orphanage in rural Thailand.

The purpose of our trip there was to present gifts purchased with memorial monies donated when Andy Levine (GPanda) died.

We were very happy that his widow, Beth Boyer, was able to be with us. It was a very emotional day.

While it does not show very clearly in the pictures, Tong purchased and had engraved, a large (perhaps 25") Buddha statue, in solid bronze, to memorialize Andy. It will be on display in an area of devotion at the Orphanage.

I hope you enjoy these shots.


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Great photos Bob. What you have all done in memory of Gpanda is really wonderful.

I've been following along quietly the whole trip and enjoying reading. I was particularly interested in what you thought about Green Gecko as I've been looking at it off and on for a few years - now I'm not so sure its right for us as its maybe a bit too like home - isolated and quiet - when what we need is a bit of a city hit. Also interested in how you found Vientiane. I love it there but haven't been for about 3 years and I think its grown even busier. Still hope to be back next year though.

Finally Gaggan especially with Pook and family is a great place to be. I loved the food but want to go back for that white chocolate treat.

Thank you

V was nice for a visit, but i do think it is probably changing quite quickly. When nthe new mall gets built along the waterfront i think it may change the place in a negetive way..

green ghecko is very rural and quiet for sure..

Here is my 2nd set of pics. we visited the unearthed terracota warrior site near Xian, china which was discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a new well. He is seen in one of the pics sitting at a small table signing books.
Only a small portion of the artifacs have been unearthed because they are waiting for superior technology to be developed which will protect the objects. The emperor's tomb has not been touched at all.
This excursion represents Karen's #1 item on her wish list.

I have not titled the pics as they seem self explanatory..


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You've been duped. Those are crated oranges, not unearthed warriors.

Oh Bob I was just about to say the same thing. Peaches not ancient warriors in the lead picture!

I think pomegranates.