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!

Hi, Andy. We're sorry we missed you and Beth. We are now ensconced in the ROS. We arrived early this morning from Columbo. The traffic from the airport to the ROS at 7:30 in the morning is bad. It took us 45 minutes and the expressway was a mess. Last trip we made 4 trips between the airport and ROS and it never took more than 30 minutes.

Have a great time in LP and Phuket!

ok , its my fault...so was the plane res not made and the rats in your room and the BoA card not working....

and how was lori...??

Egad, a limo 'driver' who can't find his way to the airport? Amazing that he managed to get to the Sheraton to pick you up.

How much was the excess baggage charge? See I told you those speedos are heavy! Enjoy..karen

One of the amusing things about our circuitous trip to the airport was that the limo driver began talking to himself when he knew he was lost. At first it was softly spoken, but as his predicament grew, the volume increased until it was entirely conversational. Of course, it was in Thai and B and I were the only others in the car.

Dinner with Lori was great. She is energetic and fun. She talks like an East coaster, so we felt at ease. She has some great stories about Cambodia, Ponheary and Tong. I'll let her tell you or not. If she elects to do so, get her to tell about the string. If you get a chance to meet up with her on your travels, do so.

I've warned her about Bob. Although, I did extend a special invitation to the Boston GTG.

The Meridien Phuket Beach Resort is very nice. The pool is one of the best in Thailand. It's enormous and there's a separate lap pool. It's got a very good fitness center. The rooms are pleasant and well-spaced. the shower is great. It's well-located, near Patong and Karn beach.

the shower is in patong??

Are speedos permitted in such a fine place?

I talk like a Yankee? Good Lord, don't let my friends in Texas read this....

For the full string story, go to
http://tinyurl.com/hg2sj

Scroll down to the story about Knar school. you'll see me there sitting in a pile of string.

For further exploits about travel around SEA, can go to www.girlseesworld.com

Hoping that blogging counts as a trip report. Hoping the Panda will cut me some slack as I am currently unemployed and over here being a tree hugging, bleeding heart liberal. From Texas.

Was great to meet Andy and Beth. As engaging in person as they are on Fodors, even with a severe case of jet lag.....

Lori

lori...lets face it he is certified...

Lori, slack is being considered, but they don't call me the Hanging Panda for naught.

Forget Speedos, the same guy wqe saw last year (or someone with a similarly bad blonfd dye job) is here with a Thong. Even more troubling is that he has that walk and way of holding his head that lets everyone know he is on display. Well, maybe the display at Wal*mart. The last muscle his derriere saw was steamed in white wine.

Unsurprisingly, I've made some friends at the fitness center. One guy is a Canadian who lives in Patong and uses the FC as a gym. he's rehabing a house in Patong as a comercial venture.

On his recomendation, B and I ate at a local Thai restaurant in Patong, Mr. Tu's. It's down the street from the Honda dealership, just after the art galleries and before Green Curry. It was good. We had Prawns in tamarind Sauce and Chicken in a Dry Curry Sauce. Both were quite good.

Today I swam around the left=most point in the cove on which the Meridien is situated. I could see the xpanse of Karon Beach, lovely. However, on the swim back, the current was against me and it was a little tougher.

The plan for the excess baggage is to cram all the heavy items into our teo carry-on bags. Unfortunaterly, I don't think the aircraft will allow normal roller type carry-on suitcases, so I'll be carrying two very heavy bags. We'll see.

what airline?? cost of excess??

Bangkok Air. Apaprently, you're allowed only 20 Kilograms per person gross. However, they give you up to 25 K without a penalty. We were 12 K over and paid a 500 Baht penalty.

Now in the Phuket airport. Withour very heavy carry-ons, no excess charge. Our luggage is booked through to Luang Prabang. We passed through immigration in the Phuket airport, so we can skip that in BKK. Also, we have our boarding passes BKK-LP, but told we need to check in at transfer desk in BKK airport. It seems that the 2 hour connection time will be fine.

Dinner last night at Mom Tri's Boathouse. Taxi each way was 350 Baht. We had the Thai appetizer selection. All very good, but too much fried food. Beth had the Sea Bass in a Riesling Shallot sauce, very good. I had the Prawn and Scallop combo. The prawns were superb. The scallops werew fine, but not at the same level as the prawns. Coconut ice cream for desert and a small cigar in the lounge afterwards, delightful.

Did I mention that the Meridien has a baby elephant that visits each day, 3:00 p.m. in the lobby and about 3:30 at the beach/pool? It's two years old and well-trained to interact with the farangs. It does not swim with the guests as the elephant at the Sheraton Krabi did. I missed the swimming.

Transfer to and from the airport was easy. i had E-mailed the meridien for a pick-up and there was none on our arrival. However, a Meridien host, wearing a Meridien jacket, showed us the way to the standard Limo desk, 650 baht to the meridien. we saved 550baht from the Meridien price. our driver gave us his card and we called him on thursday for a Friday early pick-up. he was there.

sounds great....anxious for your impressions of LP....

gobble, gobble

Now in Bangkok Airways Lounge in BKK. Flight was simple and on timwe. Plenty of time to catch the LP flight.

The BA International lounge is sort of hidden. One must go to the third floor. The main International departure floor is the fourth floor. We went through thye main security, took the scalator down to Gate 1A and then exited out through security. You walk down a long corridor, past the Thai Air Lounge and some shops and eventually you get to the BA lounge. Snacks and internet access.

We heard on the plane that there was going to be a Typhoon in Luang prabang on Sunday. Yikes!

i love rain and winds...

try to fly a kite in it, especially if there is lightning....then use a steel wire....

stand in a puddle of water to ground yourself...

We're practicing the backstroke.

Bob claims he's staying at the Meridien Phuket Beach Resort next trip. I've warned the elephant and staff.

One tghing we noted was that hwen you addin the cost of taxis to and fro, the restaurants at the hotel are not very expensive. We did not have the buffet dinner any night, but the cost was 890 Baht. The a la carte swelections at the other restaurants end up beibg cheaper.

the manager e mailed me that you were such a bad guest that he is not sure we will be allowed to stay there....

Yup, the BA lounge at BKK is well hidden, but that's a good thing. Keeps out all the riff-raff. Well, at least it did.