I'm up early this morning. I guess all that sleep at Krabi means I don't need anymore for a while... haha. I'm glad someone else can also take a really l-o-o-o-o-ong nap! Smeagol, I've done the same, but on a trip to OZ. But then, there are those cigar smoking, poker playing lawyers, who never sleep. Too many ambulances to watch for!! haha

Too much Haagen Dazs? Never! I think Maeng is now adicted to the stuff... (don't tell her I said that... SHE was the one who suggested going there one last time...)

We're off to the weekend market in a few hours. Looks like maybe rain day. Different sort of clouds... white puffy ones, but with some much darker ones right behind them; different from the hazy mornings I've seen in BKK on this trip.

Citywalks, are you still in the city? Maybe we could meet for coffee or a cold beer. What say you? Anyone else in town I don't know about? Tuesday is my last day here. Monday is my day-long trip to Chiang Mai.

Carol

Tuesday? I thought you were coming home on Thursday.

Hi Carol: I'm really sorry I missed you. It was sadly a short trip to　Bangkok and am now in Tokyo for a few days before heading back. I'll do a trip report soon but want to let you know that I had　my favorite street food on soi convent!

(Brad, I'm coming home on Wednesday, that 19th. Be there, please. Around 5pm.)

Boy was it hot and sticky in Bangkok today. Citywalks, you are lucky to have gotten out of the city before today. It was instant sweat the minute you walked outside. I really thought we'd get rain... it would have helped clean the air and cool things off.... but no rain.

Maeng and I went back to Chatuchak and JJ Mall this morning for a few hours. Shopping was good. There are bargains to be had! We had pork and noodle lunch at Happy Pig. I wish I could explain how to get to this little local (street food)place. It is on the other side of OTOP Market, which is sort of across the street from Chatuchak. I just follow Maeng. We had eaten here before, and it was very tasty (except the pig intestines which I chose not to chomp on), so when Maeng suggested it once again, I said an enthusiastic YES.

No Haagen Dazs today. Maybe I've had enough... haha...

Will have a simple dinner in my room tonight, and hit the sack early. I know, it's Saturday night in BKK, but I'm not partying. One beer at Meang's is plenty for me.

Enjoy your day.

Carol

It has been hot in Bangkok for the past few days. The temp average around 38C at my house plus the high humidity!

you two need to turn on the a/c

BTW, Carol means the Aw-Taw-Gaw farmers market when she says "OTOP Market". There is an OTOP section on the edge of Chatuchak market along Kamapaengphet 2 road. Don't confuse the two or you'll get really lost.

Today was BUSY! My goodness!!! I slept 10 hours before getting up, showering, grabbing a quick breakfast in the lobby, and then off to do some last-minute shopping, alone this time. It's 9pm in BKK (that's 9am back home) and I'm relaxing before catching some shut-eye. Maeng and I will leave for the airport at 5:30 in the morning to go to Chiang Mai for the day. Up in the morning, back at night. We've now done it 4 times. This will be #5. Our usual driver will be waiting for us at the airport and then we'll be off for a busy day in CM.

I am shipping a bunch of stuff from CM tomorrow, since DS wants me to take care of shipping things that HE has on order from there as well. Why not add a few of my things to the shipping container!!! The shipper already knows that Maeng and I are coming, and will be ready. Hopefully she will have some time to spend with us, maybe a nice lunch.

I found just exactly what I wanted today at Amarin Plaza (across the street from Intercontinental, and next door to Hyatt). On the 3rd floor you will find lots of reasonably priced Thai craft items. Many things are similar to what you see at the Exotic Thai store (which I do like) at Paragon, but at better prices. When you sell your wares at Paragon, you have to pay more for the rent!!! Pass that cost onto the (unaware) buyer if you can! Hey, everyone needs to make a buck.

I made my way to MBK, Siam, and Central World and then on to Platinum Mall today, but did not venture across the street from Platinum into the "belly" of Pratunam market. I am to the point where I've bought LOTS and LOTS of things and it is important to figure out what to ship and what to take home in my suitcases.

Anyway, I came back to my apartment with some very heavy bags of goodies. I spent the afternoon taking photos of everything I've bought, and then sorting into "take home with me" and "ship from CM" bags. I will be taking two bags to CM in the morning. I'm glad I'm organized. The last thing I need to do on Tuesday night is pack to go home and find that I don't have enough room for everything!!!

At 6pm I had a lovely pizza dinner at Via Vai with Dr Jack. We always have a pleasant time, discussing people we have in common, as well as the amazing city of Bangkok. Maeng was invited to join us, but alas, the Pickled Liver was very busy tonight so she could not escape.

I went by to see Maeng after pizza, and to re-confirm the 5:30am departure time in the morning. She is excited and happy about going back to CM. I know we will have a good time.

Now, I need to rest up! It's gonna be another busy day!

Carol

sounds like fun... but you can continue in november

I have to chuckle about the mother-son communication about airport pick up.

I hope Brad shows up.

he may be a bit late...a pool game just popped up...

I've been "home" from the day trip to Chiang Mai for about 45 minutes now. It was a very l-o-n-g day, but we had a good time.

The day could have started out a complete disaster. Maeng came to my hotel at 5:30 as planned. We made it to the airport in plenty of time to take it easy in the Thai Lounge before heading up the CM for the day.

BUT.... at check-in, Maeng could not find her ID. She looked all over the inside of her purse, but no ID. Now, of course one is not going to be allowed on any airplane without proper identification!! What to do... what to do...

As I had stated, we had plenty of time before the flight. We decided Maeng would jump in a taxi (hopefully a fast one) and go home to get her ID and then return to the airport as quickly as possible. IF she got back too late to make the flight, then I would go on without her. I told Maeng I would not go into the lounge without her, and would not even go beyond ticket/ID checkpoint. I would wait for her at the outside door, where her taxi would pull up.

I'm pacing a bit, and my phone rings. It's Maeng. Her ID was in her purse after all. Now, the taxi just had to find a place to get turned around on the highway, so they could head back to the airport! We had a laugh... but it COULD have been a solo trip to CM for the day.

Once we hit the ground in CM, it was a whirlwind of activity. We covered a lot of ground and got a lot of shopping done. Maeng outdid my shopping by a whole lot today! Good for her.... she said I taught her! lol

I've got one more day in BKK before heading home. A few loose ends to tie up, and have Maeng's garlic shrimp one more time!

Oh, today we had lunch at a roadside stand near BoSang market in CM. This is a stand that is open air... street food if you will... have no idea of the name of it. It is "famous" for its BBQ chicken and papaya salad, both of which were really tasty. I did not drink the water as the ice cubes were not made from purified water. Gotta be careful about that sort of thing when you try street food.

Time for some sleep. I'm beat!

Carol

hey, its 6AM are you up yet??

I'm up now! You didn't give me a wake-up call this morning at 6, Bob. You're slipping. haha

Taking pictures of my most recent purchases and then stuffing them into my bags. Gotta see what else might fit! Probably no more than a toothpick holder... if that... haha

It must have been a very successful shopping trip, Carol.

Yes, it was, Kathie. It was actually exceptional this time around! It's now done though. I'm going to try to get some sleep before my 4:00am wakeup call. Heading home in the wee hours tomorrow morning.

I'm sorry I did not make it to the two jewelry stores mentioned earlier in this thread, to make a comparison; but there wasn't any time for it this trip. I'm not a jewelry shopper, as I said before. I'm probably not the best one to compare the two stores.

Maeng prepared garlic shrimp and rice for me tonight, and it was delicious as always. She is such a sweetheart of a person. The world would be a much better place if there were a lot more people like Maeng!

I'll be flying for the next 24 hours, pretty much. I'll post again when I'm sitting at my PC at home!

Carol

Bon Voyage Carol! Thanks for taking us along. Enjoyed the trip. See you soon!

Aloha!

Rise and Shine, Khun Carol! (and do hope you shared at least one tender moment with one of my all-time cherished Aviva 'masseuses' ... (not so far from your little BKK dwelling) ... (and thanks for 'pumping' money into that Thai economy -- you go far beyond my simple Jim Thompson lipsick/cosmetic cases for the women in my life.)

Now, perhaps your next pre-UA boarding BKK-NRT posting will be from a certain TG BKK lounge, but, would, well, suggest a certain Singapore Airlines BKK Silver Kris Lounge! (Oh yes, my main reason for posting on this fine family friendly fodor's forum.) ... (And check out those 'live on the ground' trip reports (and pics) on the most refined, SQTalk.)

Upon arrival, NRT, shamelessly flirt with my all-time favourite 'shower girl' at the UA RCC, dis-robe, shower-up, then, 'move on' to those ANA lounges to be that much closer to those SIA Girls getting ready to work certain SIN and LAX bound flights. (Every now and then, a most precious 'kebaya'.)

Keep up the good work, Khun Carol, kindly consider SQ, and should you be back in BKK in early Nov. for that Loy Krathong festival, well (perhaps) drinks on us ... ('our', fifth)...

robert


... "I think so" ...

(thanks forever, Khun 'B', Aviva)

Sawasdee Kah,
I made it home last night around 9pm. It was a long day of flying on one plane, and then another, and then another! I opted to fly thru SFO from NRT rather than straignt thru to ORD from NRT. The ticket price was quite a bit cheaper doing that routing.

SFO was a crazy place yesterday. Three flts came in from Asia at the same time (Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong) so the lines a immigration took some time. My bags were among the last ones to appear on the carousel. I was beginning to think they had gone somewhere other than MY route!

Bags finally did arrive, and I rechecked them and headed to security. Lines were huge and slow! I kept glancing at my watch, thinking I was certainly going to miss my SFO-ORD flight. Everyone else seemed to be concerned about making their OWN connections on time, and for various places.

I ran from security to gate 88, which has to be the farthest gate you have to get to from international arrivals. I was among the last dozen people to board. I had been given an upgrade to first class, so was able to sleep the entire trip from SFO to ORD. A much needed rest.

Anyway, good to be home. I doubt I'll ever do the SFO route again. It was wa-a-a-ay too stressful, when I was already tired.

Time to unpack now, and then get ready to head back to work.

Carol

Great report.
Thanks Carol

I just uploaded a new photo to my profile. It's the one of me trying to traverse the stepping stones in Krabi! I know, it's a small photo... but maybe it'll give you an idea of why I was saying ... "Maeng, I don't like this!"
Carol

Never mind that post about the new photo. It didn't put it on my profile!! What am I doing wrong???

Looks just fine to me. Maybe you just needed to hit reload in your browser.

Glad you are home safe and sound. Thanks for the up to the minute report. We have taken a few notes and will use them in Nov. See ya in BOS in Oct. Have to go pack for Rusia.

OK... I see it's in there now. Maybe it took at minute to change the photo.

Bob and Karen, have a great time in Russia. I'll get to St Petersburg someday! See you in Boston.

as always a great report and always so timely...

so do all those purchases look as good now that you have them at home? i know some are coming by boat too...

You bet they look good, Bob. Shopping was really great on this trip. I found lots of new things! The challenge of the hunt!

The stuff coming by ship should be here right before BOS GTG time.

shucks, i was wishing to receive a dragon

Bob
Meang bought 6-8 dragons at the dragon place in CM. When you visit her, ask to see them. Maybe she'll give you one!

Carol

i hope we can fit garlic shrimp in.....would she be there for lunch??

remind me of the address?? soi 11?

She opens at 2:00, but Maeng doesn't usually arrive until maybe 4ish, plan on dinner at Pickled Liver. Soi 11.. a sub-soi, just past Zanzibar restaurant (on the left side of soi 11 as you enter from Sukhumvit. She knows that you are going to be coming in November sometime. Be sure to let her know that you are friends of Carol. You'll be well taken care of.

Is Maeng really prepared for a Bob and Andy invasion? Should we go separately to break her in gently?

haha... just get it over with!!! Go en-masse! She'll be delighted. You wouldn't believe what she puts up with at that bar. First time I took her to CM, I asked her if she wanted to visit the Monkey School (they teach monkeys to pick coconuts)... her reply... "I deal with monkeys everyday at the bar!"

She'll love to meet all of you, I'm sure!

Carol

is andy allowed to climb on the bar and do his tricks??

well, i always wondered why she always puts a banana in my grey goose martinis instead of olives. ;-)

Ken,
Maeng asked about you. When are you going back?

Watch out for Lee, behind the bar. He is an absolute GEM! So funny!!! (naughty/funny) I think he may have a "following" of fans. Maeng needs to keep him happy so he doesn't move on to another bar and leave the PL!

Bob, Andy will have a good time. You'll see!

Carol

its in our schedule if we keep it the way it is...we'll see..i can taste that garlic shrimp now...

Bob, maybe Dr Jack will be there the evening you guys are there. It would be nice if you could meet him also. What an interesting character!!