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.