Sushi rolls were good last night and the miso soup so smooth.

Our kids arrived about 8 this AM. They were tired but not drained. The GM came out to greet them while they were signing in. Again he talked to us for quite a while.

We had some breakfast at Uno's. Like B/P they loved the place.

About 10 we took two taxis--there are now 5 of us-- to the Thai Craft Fair at Jasmine Center at corner of Sukhumvit and soi 23. The offerings were paired way down-- this was disappointing, and the customer base seemed to be much smaller. This twice monthly sale has always been on of K's favorites and a great source of quality goods.

We were able to get an SUV taxi from there to soi 4 to visit the jewelers. Madison picked out a Christmas present for herself and chose a blue sapphire for it from many, many options.

We walked thru into the jw Marriott where we always go to get taxis in this neighborhood. By this time it was driver changeover time so going across the river does not please them. The girls got a taxi in a few minutes, Chris and I had to wait about 15 minutes. Then the Bangkok adventure began. The driver would not put on the meter... he wanted a flat fee... I said no forcefully, over and over again... we inched forward in heavy traffic-- I thought he was going to throw us out. Then he produced a tailor shop brochure--"good for you, good for me"... was I born yesterday--NO!NO, NO! This went on and on--- we inched forward on Sukhumvit... Then he said 200 B and I said ok--- then he insisted on 1 minute in a tailor shop. I said OK.... we went down a familiar side street, where Gaggan is, and stopped at a tailor shop. Fearless, I sent Chris in.... 3 minutes later he was out and we were on our way.

Exhausted I took a nap and the others went to the pool.

Dinner now at Brio here in hotel. Res at 8:30 at rooftop bar next door for a russian cocktail demonstration-- who knew.

We walked around the corner to the Bangkok Baking Co where we had a hearty lunch of American style sandwiches

I think you've gone soft...

Indian wedding just had fireworks on the river.

Kids exhausted by their flight and us running them around today...


SOFT AS A GRAPE?.....

Jeane and I would have left the cab without paying - life is too short to put up with that sh-t, ever...

You are more fierce than am I...

I think both of us have our "moments" :-)

Remember Kyoto hyatt

We cancelled the rooftopdrinks... all too tired..


SUNDAY. 12/17


Breakfast downstairs in the Market Restaurant-- the usual, but very nice buffet.

Rat's driver came for us at 11. We tried to visit Lim Silver, but they were closed, but we spotted a stainless steel shop which sells all sorts of hand beaten serving dishes directly on Oriental Lane-- in 1st block. We have taken samples of these home to our daughter in the past and it was a goal of hers to visit one of these shops. She bought up a storm, and K also bought us new everyday flatware. 2-4 Oriental Lane. We were out of time as we had to get going for our lunch date with Pook at 12:30. So we told the stainless lady we would be back on Monday-- no problem.


Pook had contacted me about a week ago and suggested dates for a lunch or dinner partially so that he could meet our family. He suggested J'Aime Restaurant located within the U Sathorn Hotel. About a month ago this restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. The hotel is sleek and modern with a very open concept, considering that it is located in a busy business district, just off of Sathorn Rd.
The dining room likewise is an open concept with an open kitchen. They offer a fixed price luncheon of about 5 courses for 1100 B inclusive. Pook is known there so of course we received extra special service. The food is beautifully and artfully presented, and very delicious--basically French. They import their hand picked French wines themselves.

Following this we made a stop at the Park Hyatt to pick-up a shirt I had left there.

Next up was Sontong Optical, near Khao San Rd where Maddie and Chris picked out new glasses.

Back to the hotel from there via a lot of back roads.

We went to the mall for massages, but they could only take two of us, so Maddie and I had 1/2 hour foot massages and Chris had a hair cut and 2 shampoos, plus a blow dry-- what he has a whiffle.

After a rest we took a taxi to Asiatique for Calypso Cabaret.... twice in a week... I'm turning into BillT.

Anantara boat back to the hotel and dinner at the bar on the pier. Absolutely a comfortable and breezy evening.

Exhausted again and into bed...

MONDAY


7:15 early rise for a new hotel offering---deluxe breakfast aboard a converted rice barge as it sails up the river and back. M, W and Saturday only for now.
Only 3 tables occupied. Great breakfast.

Ratt came for us at 10. We went to the stainless place and concluded that business... $300 to ship so my SIL decided that they could easily hand carry it home with an additional suitcase or 2. They are allowed 2 each on Qatar.

Next stop was Lim Silver where the girls bought quite a bit-- great stuff and even greater prices-- nice sterling earrings as cheap as $6.

Finished there in an hour--- ratt brought us fresh coconuts to drink while there. Next we headed to River City to have Chris and Maddie measured for shirts at Paul's on the second floor.

Ratt took the women across town to Platinum Fashion Mall for shopping-- drive took for ever. They still have not returned.

Chris and I took the river city and Anantara boats back to the hotel-- had some lunch at UNO and have retired to our rooms.

Tonight we are going to Face, the Thai restaurant, for dinner on Sukhumvit, soi 38--- good but expensive Thai food in an old Thai house.

We plan also to make a brief visit to the Sky Bar on Silom Rd.

Oooh, the stainless steel shop on Oriental Lane sounds worth visiting. Do you recall the name of it, by any chance?

Am also making note of the restaurant recommendations, some are the same ones my friend has suggested to me, she was born and grew up there, lives in the UK now but visits there for several weeks most years...

Hyatt Kyoto hahaha. Was that the night I had to hold both you and Craig down to your chairs lol fun times...

I still dream of the bakery at the Anantara Riverside downstairs where you and I had several" bakery breaks" shhhhh....ahh heaven lol

Looks like happy faces. Are the kids enjoying Thailand yet?

Aloha!

I think the kids are liking it, but loving, I'm not so sure. They had their Bkk tour today with Jerry from Tong's team and they loved him and their driver.

Jerry is a class act.

Tomorrow we all go to Tong's elephant retreat, about 3+ hours drive from bkk, near Kantchurburi. We are excited.

Kav: shop name: TR GIft Shop; 2-4 Oriental Lane-- in the first block on the right.

Also visit the girls at Lim Silver around the corner on the soi.

After regrouping we headed out with ratt to the Sky Bar---how things change. The place has gone soooo commercial I could not believe. They now have several bars up top, but only one hangs off the side of the building. We first were ushered into one of these new bars--- a bar with no mixed drinks. I complained and we were reseated in a Chevis Regal only bar. Now I was mad. So they reseated us again in another bar. We ordered drinks, mostly wine, and after a 15 minute wait were told this bar only served champagne-- the cheapest glass costing about $35-- and I had never heard of the brands.

TOTALLY DISGUSTED AND THIRSTY, we left.

IMO! Avoid this Sky Bar and try one of the others around town.

Sadly we were now in the full swing of rush hour and it took well over an hour to leave the Silom area.

We finally arrived at Face on soi 38 at least1.25 hours later. We did have a delicious Thai dinner at Face.

Ratt drove us back to the Anantara.

The kids had to be up and out by 6AM to begin their Bkk tour with Tong' guy Jerry.

BTW! this was our 51st anniversary.

TUESDAY


K got up at 5:45 to introduce the kids to Jerry for their 6AM departure. She did come back to bed.

Later, we had a nice breakfast in The Market. Relaxed, did computer stuff and then left the hotel about 11 for the Jim Thompson House where we were meeting the kids for lunch.

Prior to lunch I wanted to explore the area on the opposite side of the long (canal) in back of the Jim Thompson House. It was here about 1947 that JT first got involved in silk weaving. There was and is still today a small Muslim community living in tight quarters who make silk fabric. We visited one place which was disappointing and a slightly larger venue a couple of doors away was closed. I'm thinking it is not worth any effort to visit.

We returned to JTH and waited about a 1/2 hour for the kids to arrive. We immediately entered the JT restaurant for lunch--- great Thai food and some western sandwiches and at least one pasta dish. They serve the best pomelo salad in Thailand, IMHO.

I had lab gai (spicy chicken salad) and pomelo salad with prawns (similar to grapefruit). These two make a filling and tasty lunch. I also had ice tea and after Maddie got a smoothie and it looked fab, so I ordered a pineapple one.

Following lunch the kids took the English tour of the JT house. Jerry took his leave from there and we all piled into the SUV and were driven to River City where Chris and Maddie had shirt fittings.

We took the RC and Anantara boats back to the hotel. I went to the room and they changed and sat at The for an hour.

At 8:30 we are going to the Sky top restaurant next door at the new Avani Hotel for dinner. We are looking forward to this new adventure.

K is repacking as we leave Bangkok on Thursday for 8 days in Khao Lak, north of Phuket 1 hour. Christmas at the beach.

Thank you, that's fab. I already bookmarked Lim Silver after your first mention, sounds like a great shop for me as I adore silver whereas I never got a taste for gold.

Lim is your place. My granddaughter brought parts of the Tiffany catelog with her last week. She found all but one of the items she wanted at a small fraction of their NY prices.

Peter, I noticed last night a new Hyatt regency being built along Sukhumvit---FYI.

T<<<omorrow we all go to Tong's elephant retreat, about 3+ hours drive from bkk, near Kantchurburi. We are excited.>>>

Absolutely boring drive, through mainly an industrial landscape, with tons of traffic on the return to Bangkok.

LL, thanks for your usual upbeat observation...