Thailand Trip Report-the Panda has Landed
 

OK=we're here at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. One thing about always staying at the same hotel is that it feels like home.

On Frisay, we got up early and just went to the airport and caught an earleir Jet Blue flight that the one on which we had booked. Easy flight. Carol, I was on relatively good behaviour. Only one scuffle, but hey, it's New York.

Spent 5 hours in JFK, reading and wandering. Ate a decent lunch over in Terminal 4. Our Cathay Pacific Flight left from Terminal 7 and there's not much in that terminAL. Easy Air Train between terminals.

Of note, we spotted Sean Penn going to Japan in Terminal 7. He was all by himself with no fanfare whatsoever. Merely lugging a carry-on like everyone else. He did not recognize me (or at least he pretended not to). This is unsurprising because I was not wearing mt Speedo. How could he have known?

Cathay Pacific was all right. I'd rate it above domestic US carriers, but way behind Thai Air. I'll complain later about the ridiculous video arrangement. The flights were easy and we arrived on time. AAC was there with my name on a sign (my real name, not Mr. Panda). Easy ride to the ROS.

Dinner with Lori tonight.

Hey Panda-
Sounds like you had a good trip over.

How's your room at the ROS? Do they upgrade you now because you are such a frequest guest?

Are you meeting up with Lori there in BKK, or are you headed to Siem Reap?
Tell her Kristina says "hi" and that I'll see her in two weeks. Oh, and that I'm still getting more donations for the kids! :-)

Have fun and let me know if you find any new, good places to eat near the ROS.

Welcome back!

your name isn't Panda???

are you meeting up with kathie too? not sure when she returns to the towers...

Andy and Beth,

Glad you had a safe trip back to BKK and the ROS. There was no message from my first cousin so I guess you didn't cause any major upsets at JetBlue. lol

I don't suppose you have time to catch up with Brad (bradinbangkok) before he comes back home on Monday.

Have a great time!

Carol

GlaD you arrived safetly/ I'm with you when it comes to always staying at the same hotel -- Ilove that if feels like home/ I also am with you regarding Cathay. I always felt it was way behind Thai.

Great just lost a long post.

Shorter version.

Basically, the video on Cathay Pacific is pathetic. The movies/shows run in a loop and you can't tell when they start. There's no menu or instructions, so it's trial and error. The selection of movies is terrible. I actually watched "Evan Almighty". Aside from a decent performance by Wanda Sykes, it was forgetable. Beth and I have law degrees and the whol;e thing was indecipherable.
Why pay the xtra to have individual video nd then not make it usable?

Jet Blue had better video

Glad to hear you're having a good trip so far.
Is Frisay a fancy kind of lettuce that panda's eat?

what does a law degree have to do with videos on an airplane...even a 5 year old could run them with no problem...beth was probably asleep so could not help....did you have your loofers on so noone had to tie your shoes...

were you able to figure out how to use the toilet and flush?? its rocket science...

Do the door men recognize you when you first chek in? That is one of the things I like about the MR&S, but of course Bob IS very recognizable. Home is Home and we need a comfort zone no matter where in the world we are. Have a swim for me...but don't shock the natives with the speedos. Wear one of the new suits Beth got you .k

Sunday-up early, before the gym opens at 6:00. I decided to obtain liquids at the 7-11 and get cash from an ATM, 1/2 successful. The 7-11 was welcoming. Apparently, the brain surgeons at Bank of America did not allow withdrawals from an ATM in Thailand, even though I called them to let them know we would be here. They even asked dates. Tries sevral ATM's, no luck. Fortunately, I could get money on the VISA card. Same bank. Apparently things have not changed much since Bob was fouling up the banking system.

Quick breakfast from the French Bakery and out to the weekend market. The ROS shuttle does not start until 9:00 ( a change from last year), so we hopped the river ferry. Skytrain to Mo Chit and followed the crowd.

We were looking for some wood carvings. Our favorite Thai restaurant in Cambridge, Similans, has several that they got at JJ. We used the Nancy Chandler Map which has a detailed diagram of the market. This is essential to have a sense of one's location i n the space/time continuum when at JJ. None of the carvings struck us, but had a wonderful time wandering and observing commerce in its most basic form. It was relatively cool, but still very hot.

BTS back to Taksin and hopped the River City shuttle back to the ROS.

Quick lunch at the Gallery Cafe. Rice crackers with a pork and prawn dipping sauce (Bob, this is exactly Na Tang at Similans) and a chicken chili with cashews. Both were delicious.

Brief Panda power nap and a quick cigar at the pool. the weather was actually cool by the river, but some hearty souls were still swimming.

In an act of unbelievable self-sacrifice, we got only one hour massages at the Gallery Cafe. We had to meet Lori at 6:30, so an hour was it. The Thai woman who massaged me had 7 elbows and 4 knees. She dug each through all my muscle fiber down to the bone. It was perfect. Afterwards, all of the stiffness from the long flight was gone. I definitely suggest that everyone get a massage the first day in Asia.

the marriott boat runs from 6AM to midnight...

sounds like a good day..

Keep it coming...

Yanks not likely to sign Mike Lowell - apparently he can only hit at Fenway.

Bob-I know, I decided not to let it bother me about the boat. That is another good thing about the ROS, many choices of boats.

Craig-not following the advetures of Mike Lowell at all while over here. It's a much needed two week break from the Red Sox.

Off to Phuket and Laos. Internet access may be spotty so here's a pre-trip report for Phuket:

Wake up, run the steep hills.
Sauna at fitness center.

Go out and claim ideal beach chairs while everyone else is sleeping
Breakfast
Wander down to beach
Read and occasional dips in the water to cool off
Afternoon massage
Dinner
Repeat
Repeat

Gpanda

We're staying at the ROS too and tomorrow (tues morning) we head to Chiang Mai. We'll be at the towers lounge around 6 pm ish if you're around would love to say hello. Just lookout for an Indian guy in Cargo pants...

rah...just look for a guy in a speedo....

they do not allow his breed in that lounge....you might find him at the free computer on end floor...just look for a goofy looking guy..

R-we're gone today, back on Nonember 27. have a good time in CM.

Here in the BKK Air lounge. We took AAC Limo from the ROS at Bob's recommendation. Unbelievably wenough, the driver had no idea how to get to the airport. It would seem to be a basic skill for Limo drivers, but not those suggested by Bob. After 45 minutes, we were stuck in traffic just south of Sukhumvit. I actually asked the driver which airport he was going to.

I used his cell and called AAC Limo and had a frank discussion with staff. This staff person spoke at length to the driver and we seemed to be on our way. Of course, 1/2 an hour lter we were still not on the expressway. We were moving east so I knew we would get there. We did 1 hour 45 minutes after leaving the ROS. We had allowed lots of time so everything was OK. Even had time to pay the excess baggage charge. Thanks for your assistance Bob.

From the ROS to either airport and the driver took you near Sukhumvit road then I think he'll be fired soon!