The 12 Days of Countdown
Jan 26th, 2006, 02:50 PM
#1
The 12 Days of Countdown
I meant to start this thread 12 days before we leave for our trip, but I forgot and we're now down to 10 days! All that planning, all that agonizing - and it's almost here! I fly to San Francisco to meet my daughter on February 4 and then onto Bangkok (and you know the rest, ad nauseum). 
In my final days of "trip countdown," I've come up with a little ditty. We're on the third day now (because I forgot to do this earlier in the week), and I'll add a line each day until departure!
"On the third day of countdown my dreams seemed almost here..."
- 3 Thai massages
- 2 pomelo salads
- and an elephant ride just south of Chiang Mai
Stay tuned...
Karen
In my final days of "trip countdown," I've come up with a little ditty. We're on the third day now (because I forgot to do this earlier in the week), and I'll add a line each day until departure! "On the third day of countdown my dreams seemed almost here..."
- 3 Thai massages
- 2 pomelo salads
- and an elephant ride just south of Chiang Mai
Stay tuned...
Karen
Jan 26th, 2006, 04:02 PM
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ten lords a leeping in patpong...stay clear...
have a blast...hope nothing disappoints you..
give us updates as you go along...i saw that you allowed yourself 3 minutes each day for fodors time...
have a blast...hope nothing disappoints you..
give us updates as you go along...i saw that you allowed yourself 3 minutes each day for fodors time...
Jan 28th, 2006, 06:12 AM
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althorn -- which hill tribes? If I can help shed any light on that let me know -- we just did this outside of Chiang Mai. I would definitely make sure you see the Hmong woman north of the Mae Rim Valley who weaves with hemp bark yarn and does traditional batik.
If you don't have a guide and didn't see this in my trip report: I used a Karen guide and his driver Donut, Chaiya's cell number is 019/989/461
1600 baht plus gas for the driver (came to about 500 baht for a very long day), 800 baht for Chaiya as guide
I tipped too. Was told 200 baht was more than enough but I did tip more than that.
If you don't have a guide and didn't see this in my trip report: I used a Karen guide and his driver Donut, Chaiya's cell number is 019/989/461
1600 baht plus gas for the driver (came to about 500 baht for a very long day), 800 baht for Chaiya as guide
I tipped too. Was told 200 baht was more than enough but I did tip more than that.
Jan 28th, 2006, 07:00 AM
#10
Jenskar - we are using Sergeant Kai as our guide for two days in Chiang Mai. The first day we're going to the elephant camp near Lampang, followed by a stop in Lamphun and then to Doi Suthep. The other day we're going bamboo rafting, hiking, and visiting a Karen village. I will ask about the Hmongs in the area you mention and perhaps we'll modify our plans. I wish I had known of your guide before booking, although Sgt Kai also gets high marks from Fodorites (although we're paying a bit more - but we're doing the rafting and hiking also - so it's not quite the same). We're not actually seeing four tribes - unless we can make quick stops along the way (and we may see a tribe or two in Mae Hong Son).
Tamara - we're staying at Centre Point Shilom in Bangkok - same as you if I remember correctly!
Tamara - we're staying at Centre Point Shilom in Bangkok - same as you if I remember correctly!
Jan 29th, 2006, 08:15 AM
#11
I don't have the patience to post these one day at a time... so here it is... all of it... (I leave Friday morning!)
On the 12th day of countdown my dreams seem almost here...
12 doxycyclines
11 temples gleaming
10 tuk-tuks waiting
9 monks a chanting
8 lady-boys dancing
7 beaded handbags
6 emails to Eddie
5 FODOR's PALS!
4 hill tribe visits
3 Thai massages
2 pomelo salads
and an elephant ride just south of Chiang Mai
On the 12th day of countdown my dreams seem almost here...
12 doxycyclines
11 temples gleaming
10 tuk-tuks waiting
9 monks a chanting
8 lady-boys dancing
7 beaded handbags
6 emails to Eddie
5 FODOR's PALS!
4 hill tribe visits
3 Thai massages
2 pomelo salads
and an elephant ride just south of Chiang Mai
Jan 29th, 2006, 08:22 AM
#12
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You'll have a great time -- the hill tribes I saw were near Chiang Dao cave which is north of CM -- but you should get to see some in MHS if you ask around. I paid extra for my elephant ride -- so the prices are probably comparable and Sgt Kai has gotten high marks.
Feb 2nd, 2006, 03:45 PM
#13
It's finally here!! I fly out tomorrow morning to meet my daughter in San Francisco. Thanks, everyone, so much for all your advice and encouragement - and for your patience with a newbie! I'd be going on a tour group without your help - and wouldn't have learned nearly as much. I'll report back when I return! (Or maybe while I'm there if I get a chance!)
Karen
Karen
Feb 3rd, 2006, 04:38 AM
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Karen-I think you're already on your way to SF, but you may get online there. The Delinquency Penalty applies to everyone, but Bob. In fact, the longer we are without his fractured prose, the better we are. He actually receives a small stipend for every week he postpones his report.
