Reports are great. MaryW, yes, a report on the hotel would be great, as our trip is planned for early October so August would still give us plenty of time to make a decision.

very interesting about jack and GA...he never mentioned it to us...i do know that a couple of years ago he said that he was coming to the usa maybe....i offered him a bed but we never heard from him..go figure??

dana---sorry we did not hitch up...gald jack worked out for you...i think he does a very decent job and the price is right...

carol---you understand that there is nothing to do our buy in koh chang??? great relaxation....

tuesday---

breakfast up on the 23rd floor in the lounge...we were on 22.. you order from a limited menu...very nice selections, and there is a small buffet of fruits, pastry, cheese, etc...it is very nice...this alone makes up for the $24 extra per nite (now $40 i guess)...

i checked out in the lounge...i left a letter for the GM as we were leaving with the duty manager in the lobby...complaint about the check in procedure as reported above...

took a taxi to the airport...we were headed for phuket... unfortunately we got out of the taxi at the wrong place and had to walk quite a ways to the correct area...taxi was 220 B...he suggested 350 when we got into the taxi, but i insisted on the meter...

we spent some time in the bangkok air lounge as we were early---the large one (domestic flights in term #2)...karen read the paper and her book and i did internet (free)...
the flight was delayed for about a 1/2 hour...later we found out that all the earlier flights had been diverted to krabi and the people bussed to phuket because of a huge storm...we lucked out and went directly to phuket...flight was one hour and it was a jet... i had purchased this ticket directly from bkk air on the internet...i did not use the air pass program...i saved $4. per ticket this way, although that was not why i did it (i had not decided on the air passes when i made this res)...our luggage came right out...the airport is very modern and efficient...they have both domestic and international flights there....there was no one to meet us from marriott, although it had been reconfirmed at least twice...there also was no one in the marriott office at the airport...finally i asked a man at the info booth and he walked around yelling "marriott" until a lady showed up...she clained we were not on the list and would have to pay 400 B to get to the hotel...i refused...now i was mad...

after about 30 minutes and some apologies on their part we were put in a limo for the 20+ minute ride to the hotel--free as it was to have been...the hotel is about the last thing on the northern end of phuket...set off all by itself and way back from the main road...

let me back track... each time we have been in thailand people have always asked if we were going to phuket...our usual reply was no...we have no inerest...we had thought that it was too commercialized and overbuilt and to go go for us...another pattaya....
then i thought that we should try it for a few days at least, what do we have to loose....also we intend to stay at all the royal garden properties and the jw marriott is one of them...also this is the first jw marriott resort in asia...

remembering that they have a time share venue at the same location, and that they were offering specials last year in the lower lobby of the bangkok marriott to visit the timeshares....i contacted the GM at the bkk marriott and asked him to put me in touch with the sales staff in his lower lobby if they were still there...he did this...results were fabulous...

we were offered a 4 day, 3 nite stay in the hotel, including transfers, tax/service, and daily breakfasts for $99...that's not $99 per day but $99 for the entire time...final price with conversion, etc was $117... needless to say i jumped on this idea...oh yes, you had to agree to both spouses attending a 90 minute sales presentation of the property...no problem...i have an iron constitution..

so we motored to the jw....we were met by a young woman from the timeshare staff, who was very apologetic, but i was really mad and let her know it...to top things off, they told us that the room was not ready...what we think happened was that they had decided to upgrade our room because of the trouble we had had at the airport, but that the upgraded room was not ready...it was mid-afternoon so it should have been ready in any case....there was no one around so we knew that the hotel was practically empty also (in fact 40% occupancy we were told later) finally we were escorted to our room..the room was very nice and at the end of the corridor nearest to the beach and to the north pool...the only room closer to the beach was a huge suite...

the rooms were beautifully decorated in a thai style...each regular room has both an indoor and an outdoor sala...the outdoor sala is 1/2 the width of the room and has two chairs and a small table...the interior sala has two large foam mats each with one of those triangular cushions on it...there is a huge picture window at the end of it and shades that can be lowered and a candle...the furnishings are very rich looking....the bath is huge with seperate toilet and shower rooms and a huge tub...there are sliding loover doors over the tub that can be opened up to the bedroom...there is adequate storage...the lighting is fantastic...we were on the 2nd floor...there are 3 levels...our room number was 233....

we unpacked a bit and then took a walk around...the facility is huge...the gardens are lush and very extensive...there is a central building housing shops, offices and the reception area...the main restaurants stretch out towards the pool and beach...there are 3 main dining areas plus a bakery/deli restaurant in the basement of the main building and a large pool bar/restaurant near to the main pool---there are several pools...

karen points out that i was crabbie...i needed some lunch...we ended up in the deli under the reception area...this is a mini store with high priced items including beer and wine for take away...pastry, cookies, ice cream and a full deli...we had deli sandwiches....2 sandwiches and 2 cookies and 2 bottles of water ...671 B...karen had a smoked salmon sandwich which must have had 1/2 pound of salmon in it...

we walked around a bit more and then decided to have a swim....just in back of our room is the north pool...there is in a large tropical garden area set between the time shares and our wing of the hotel and the pool is is the middle of this...i think most time share people use this pool...we met several...we walked out to the beach...this beach and the land next to the hotel is a turtle refuge...large sea turtles come here to lay their eggs each year and the thai gov't has established this sanctuary...the surf is very significant and we only saw one person swim in the ocean during our stay...there is a huge undertow as well...

that nite we were tired so went to the marriott cafe for dinner...this is the "ordinary restaurant" and the site of the daily breakfast...it is very attractive and once section is raised up...there is an open kitchen...

in the literature in the room, karen had read that all greens and veggies served at the hotel are specially washed for cleanliness and security...she decided that salads were in order...generally we do not eat salad while in asia...

karen ordered a caesar salad with grilled chicken...they have a special station for making caesar salad and karen took advantage of it and supervised the making of her salad...i had a burger and fries...2 beers and 2 desserts...1377 B... it was all quite good...the staff is very nice and they call you by name once you are seated and they remember from day to day...
all the restaurants are air conditioned, except the deluxe sea food one out by the beach...each has al fresco dining as well...

just outside this restaurant and on the lower level is a large man-made pond...it is bordered by buildings...at nite there are perhaps 40 large torches which burn in this pond making quite a dramatic statement...there are torches out in the main pool and other areas around the property as well...it is magnificent...it rivals the conrad in bali where we stayed last year...

some of you may remember beverly turner who writes on fodors from time to time: BACANADA is the name she uses...well we have become good friends through fodors and travel...last year she and her family were in phuket on the day of the tsunami...there was concern about their safety expressed on fodors...finally we heard from her and i published her letter to me on fodors...it was very heartwarming, but sad and also lucky...many of you saw it...in any case, how does this relate to our trip...well she ordered a lot of clothing from a tailor in phuket...she had tried to contact him without success since, to see how they faired and to see if perchance any of their clothes survived?? i offered to assist her with a personal visit...

so before going to bed this first nite on phuket, karen and i made a plan on how we would try to contact this tailor...in the next segment i will describe what we did...

Attention - From DC.

I will do my best to find out about the hotel for you in Luang Prabang - I know where it is - not to far from where we are staying and fairly central. I really like being in town to see the morning alms walk.

We are in LP for quite a time - about 8 days just to laze around really so should not have trouble finding time to visit the hotel. If you have any other requests you can email me on [email protected]

Bob
If you were staying at the far north end of Phuket, I don't suppose you made it to the southern area (Kata Beach) to the Villa Royale for dinner at Mom Tri's Kitchen. You should try it sometime though.

My first trip to Phuket was during the month of June or July, and the red flags were lining the beach everyday due to undertow. If you visit during the winter months, the beach is really lovely though, as is the weather.
Carol

carol---it is in my next segment...we did get to kata beach but not to mon's, although karen mentioned it while we were out and i could not remember just where it was...didn't want an expensive meal with with....save that for bkk...

maybe another time...

mary---where are you staying?? 8 days...wow....you will be very relaxed when you finish...

no time for writing at the moment, but hope to do quite a bit after 8PM DST tonight...hope to get most of it done this weekend....and then i can relax and you guys can go on to do productive things....well except gpanda who never is productive....

carol..that's an expensive meal with wine...

Unless I'm mistaken, I've been the target of an ad Pandominum attack. We Cantabridgeans are too busy thinking to actually do anything. Productivity is the opiate of the masses, New World version.

I'm sorry you missed a meal + wine (their selection is awesome) at either Mom Tri's Restaurant at the Boat House or at Mom Tri's Kitchen at Villa Royale. DO try it sometime. That goes for anyone here who wants a special meal while on Phuket.

I'm anxious for your next segment!!

Carol

Wednesday

long before we arrived in thailand we knew that we would be spending these 4 days in phuket...we wanted to see more of the island than just the marriott, so we arranged with budget to rent a car...they would deliver it to the hotel, although i had been told that they had an office at the hotel--there is no rental office at the hotel for any car company...

we knew which day we would have the time share presentation so i scheduled the car for the other full day, and this was it...

we were up at 8, over to breakfast and the buffet was very very nice...

the car was delivered at 9:30 on the dot...it was a honda CVX 4X4 with air and automatic, if you can believe it...what a breeze....i had called the day before to explore the size issue (me) and it was suggested that this bigger car would be perfect...higher price of course...1900 B for 24 hours...slightly less for 8 hours...

we left the hotel promptly after the car delivery as we had a lot to cover that day....we drove through the large park that surrounded the hotel...there were picnic facilities and beach areas...it was very large and decent...we did not see a sole, just some water buffalo until the last 1/4 mile where we saw some people fishing in a pond...

because the main road is divided we had to drive north a mile or so to turn around...we were almost to the bridge leaving the island...on the way back there was a road block...it is there all the time...the army was checking some vehicles but waved us on...

we were heading south, along the coast eventually to Kamala beach...this is one of the areas hit hardest during the tsuanmi...we often saw it on TV...this is where the Wat was the only thing left standing in the general area...you may have seen that footage...for 5-6 blocks back from the beach there is still one large construction project...they are making progress but it is slow...this was very sad to see as you think back to that day...

we parked near to the beach and met two australian guys who were spending months in phuket entertaining kids...they were clowns...they were all dressed up in their outfits as they had just been to a local school to entertain...we had a nice conversation with one of them....

the drive was beautiful....there were cliffs and coves all along the coast...there were huge hotels and villas scattered up into the hills, all with a wonderful ocean view...we took some of the back roads to see this area better...

from there we proceeded to Patong Beach...this is where we were to look for the tailor for Bev....we drove the whole length of the beach first...there was some apparent damage still...we turned around to try and find the holiday inn along this main road as we had missed it evidently...the reason we had missed it was beacuse there was a large green sheet metal wall around it as it was still in renovation....they had significant damage and i suspect they took this opportunity to completely update the whole facility....Bev had told us that the street (soi) on which the tailor had his shop was right next to the HI...we had our map and sure enough we did eventually find it...we drove down this soi and parked....many of the shops were still closed as was as was a fairly large comfort inn hotel...there was a travel agency there with a woman inside so we went in to seek her assiatance...she was very pleasant...we told her what our mission was and she said..."i saw Peter yesterday and mr sagar a day or two ago"...these were the tailors....in fact the tailor shop we were looking for was about 2 doors away...it was a wreck still...she told us that he was waiting for the electrity to be re-established in the shop...we took pictures for bev... 1/2 his sign was still hanging over the street...she had a phone number for mr sagar as well...she tried it but he did not answer....i offered to pay her but she refused...i took some info from her for future reference as i would like to use her services as she was so nice to us...she is samreong kwakong...the shop is golden poppy tour...it is located at 30 ruamjai rd, patong beach...e-mail: [email protected] her some business if you can please!!!!...
mission partially accomplished...at least we knew that the two men were alive and had not been consummed...

we decided to look around the town a bit...we were approached by an australian on a motor bike who offered us a chance to look at something special....we refused...5 seconds later an indian man and a thai woman engaged us in conversation...they were very annimated and had us choose cards to see how lucky we were...we should have kept walking, but did not...so guess what???...we were stuck...stupid us...it was time share...we went to the presentation---greed took over...two hours were spent in this terrible office building listening...they were smooth sales people...we had an indian guy give us the pitch...they told us 1 hour maximum...it ended up two until i said i was dizzy and needed lunch ( i am diabetic)...fast we got out of there with two t shirts---could they be any cheaper in quality... and a one week resort package in india and some other places...i will look at this package some day...

the only good thing is that for most of the time it rained very hard while we were in the office...so we did not miss the time much....from there we went back to the main street where we had seen a mcdonalds for a quick lunch...

we continued south to karon and kata beaches....we did see the huge club med at kata...we were getting tired but wanted to see more...

we went into one hotel where i had learned, on fodors, that there was a very good restaurant---from jamesA...next to the hilton complex james...forget name...we had a tour of the hotel grounds...the hostess told us that they only had 15% occupancy...too bad...

eventually we went way up high to a large view point...you could see back up the coast to the many coves and towns from where we had come and also see clearly how the tsunami would have hit all along...it was quite spectacular....there was a man with birds of prey up there who would take your picture with them....we moved on...

next we went to rawai beach....this is a fishing village and there were many colorful boats on the beach...the tide was out so they were all sitting on the sand...

there was a market there which we drove through...we ended up at a dead end...it was not so pleasant there, but there were good photo ops....especially of kids...

we did detour to see the meredien yacht club hotel up on its hillside and enjoyed looking at the beach there...gpanda's fav...

now we headed around to the other side of the island and drove through phuket town without stopping...there may be some interesting things there but we did not see them and now it was "rush hour"....

back to the hotel....we had been warned that there was no way that you could see all of phuket in one day but we made a pretty good deal of it...we saw enough to be familiar with it...i should note that it is a lot better than we had expected...we could do without towns like patong and phuket town, but you need this type of place too....we will return there...it is much nicer than pattaya in every way...

we met the australian woman who we had talked to the day before in the pool as we came through the bar on the way to our room... she introduced us to her husband and they invited us to have a drink with them...we had a nice chat... they had exchanged points to stay in the time shares...they said it is beautiful, and we said we were scheduled to see it the next day....and were looking forward to it..they walked back to our room with us as she had expressed an interest in seeing the hotel rooms...

she is the same woman who we later met in js thai silk in bangkok...i reported that in my seperate posting about meeting Kurosake (sp) in emporium....

we decided that we would try the italian restaurant that nite...among other things they have a wood fired oven...we got talking to a single man sitting at the next table to us and we eventually invited him to join us...he is a professor from maryland and had just spent some time teaching in bangkok and was relaxing before returning to bkk again...we left the restaurant at 11:15, just before they were going to throw us out..

we ate: we had salad, pasta and desserts for 1377 B...karen did not write what we ate but it was good...

Hi Bob,

We are going to be staying at the 3 Nagas in LP - we stayed there last year and really liked it - only thing is it doesn't have a pool which would have been nice and especially this year as we are staying longer - fully intend to be very relaxed by the time we leave!!!!

Thursday--

down for breakfast....fyi..the breakfast is $15.25 each....that perhaps is expensive for thailand but it is a magnificent spread....as in all of thailand the food costs in hotels are significantly higher than elsewhere and this marriott is near to the top of food costs...

i returned the car as i saw the budget man renting a car to someone else in the lobby....

i had left my flight ticket in the business office the nite before to reconfirm our flight on friday...i always reconfirm flights within asia...good thing i did as the flight had been cancelled....they had rebooked us on the 7PM flight which i was not too happy with....so they changed that to the 1:35 flight instead of the 3:30...this was perfect...

we had a 10AM appointment with the timeshare sales staff...i suspect that a red star had been put by our name as the intro on day one was not all that great...plus our profile is not what they are looking for....we were assigned a lovely thai woman, expecting her first child...she was very gracious...she did a complete interview with us especially in reference to our vacationing style...i think she knew then that we did not fit their mold...

the offices were very plush...the sales pitch was relaxed and smooth....it was not threatening in any way...we knew we would not buy as this type of ownership is not for us....we have done these presentations in the past a couple of times and had come to the same conclusion....never before had we looked in such a wonderful place as thailand and phuket (except for the day before which was just a total joke)...honestly we were tempted...the costs were significant, but not outrageous...all of this was done before you visited the units....
this phase lasted about 1 hour more or less...
costs: two seasons--oct-may is high and may-oct is low...

$22,100 is the high season, about 13,000 for low season...one option is every other year at 13,300 and 8500.

there is also a deluxe platinum which is christmas and new years' weeks at 26,000-- every year..

annual maintenance is $450 and $225 depending on season..

these figures are our recollection after the fact and may not be correct...

phase one is sold out and they are building phase two at the moment on the far side of the lobby area...it will also have a $5 million pool complex...

next we went in a golf cart for a viewing...carts are available to time share guests at any time for transportation around the resort...just call ....

the exterior and the corridors are unimpressive....BUT
when you go inside they are simply beautiful....nicer than most 5* hotel rooms...there are two bedrooms, a kitchen, large living room, porch, dining room that will seat 6 at least...very expensive furnishings and lots of thai silk....two baths...i guess i could best describe them as extravagent...we were impresed...very impressed....not impressed enough to buy however...
from the sample area we were escorted next door to a lovely office area set up in a condo....she went over the fine details of the expense side....she asked if we had questions and what did we think....she left us alone for a few minutes....i told her, when she returned, that we did not think it was for us....no pressure at all...she drove us back to our room area...she said why don't you think about it for the rest of the day and call her before 5 when she leaves...very easy...no pressure....i called her at 4ish and told her no...she was gracious and left the door open for a change in mind in the future...

fabulous experience....marriott is a class operation....

bottom line...we got 3 nites for $117, plus the r.t. airfare of about $100 each, and two hours of our time and a fabulous mini vacation....i do not feel guilty about accepting it, as they offer it with no obligation...cost of doing business...AND WE COULD HAVE BOUGHT...

oh yes we also will receive 7500 bonus miles from marriott for our looking...

off to the pool to swim...at about 2PM we ordered a pizza delivered to the pool...just right...
about 3:30 a storm came up and we went back to the room as it started to rain...we watched from our room....

it ended just as quickly as it had started...we decided to go for a walk in the gardens...we checked out the seafood restaurant out by the beach...it was lovely but no a/c, so it is not for me....

we returned to the room and had beer and cashews...

the turn down people had already been in the room....we travel with two 5X7 pictures of our grandchildren...we always put them up in the room where we can see them...this nite the maid had taken several of the towels and made two elephants out of them as a display in our room...she made eyes out of orchid pieces and they had huge trunks....she had put the kids pictures in front of them...what a nice thoughtful touch...only the thais!!!!

another nite she had made a dog out of the towels and it looked like one of the grand-dogs---buddah a char-pei...

we went back to the marriott cafe for dinner this nite....we split a caesar salad, we each had a sea bass filet with morning glorries and baby corn in a yellow curry sauce...sticky rice and mango for dessert...1506 B ...delicious and just what we wanted...very attentive staff calling us repeatedly by name... mr robert and mrs karen....

we ran into the aussie couple in the bar as we passed again and we exchanged e-mail addresses...

while we were in the business center the night before we met a charming phillopino couple...they were also looking at the time share...he is in the rice business and we had a nice chat about that....i have exchanged e-mails with him since...

that afternoon we had met a guy in the pool....he is italian and owns quite a few of the time share weeks already and was back to buy more...he is in the shoe business and is currently stationed in guanchou, china (canton)...he claims that 60+% of the world's shoes are now made in china, even very expensive ones...

end of a long day, but an enjoyable one

mary---how are the rooms at 3 naggas? the place looks quite nice...is it quiet??


Friday

sunny but clouds in the distance...some quick packing and then off to breakfast...they are so nice in cafe marriott...we will miss them...

we swam after breakfast for about 1 1/2 hours...karen wanted to go up to the main pool area but i convinced her that the north pool was perfect for us...the main pool is huge and has many different areas to it, plus tons of kids...no kids at the north pool while we were there...

about 11 we had planned to be ready to leave at 12...a car was ordered for us...karen went down to the deli to get us sandwiches which we would eat at the airport and i paid the bill...i got in the a/c car and waited for her to come...and we were off....

A VERY PLEASANT 4 DAYS.... great place to get away to and just relax...no need to ever leave there...we shall do it again...

in 20 minutes the driver had us to the airport...check in was very easy...the flight was delayed 30 minutes...as we passed through security to go into the departure lounge, several people in front of us had turned in their hand guns which were sealed in plastic and given to the pilots to be returned in bkk....there was some heavy duty stuff...it was eye opening...!!!


the limo from the tour company (provided by N/W airlines) was there to meet us...i had reconfirmed it while we were in phuket...we not only had a driver but a guide also...the thai company who represents n/w is turismo asia (formerly turismo thai)...the guide was a hoot...he tried to interest us in some tours...i asked him where he wanted me to guide him to because we had been to everyone of the places he suggested and to some multiple times, like the grand palace...we laughed a lot...the traffic was very heavy once we left the toll road...he also asked when our return was to be...i told him that n/w had told me that no return ride was possible as we were not returning to the bkk airport from the royal river...he asked where we would be and i told him the marriott...he called the office and they scheduled a 3:30 AM pickup for us at the marriott on the morning of our departure...he got a good tip for offering that....

this hotel stay was the portion which was part of the plane ticket...it was the royal river hotel which is a 3* hotel up the river quite a ways next to one of the main bridges...it is quite issolated for tourists...we stayed there 2 nites on our first bkk visit many years ago...it is ok, but only ok...

the first room they took us to was totally unacceptable...it was small, dark, and smelled of smoke...their answer to a room being non-smoking is to remove the ashtray and spray the room with smelly stuff...

i went down to the desk and told them we could not stay there....i explained that some years ago we had come on the same deal and that we had a nice big room with river frontage...she said that was available for 1000 B more per day....i wanted to leave at that point, but decided to "suck it up" as karen puts it...i paid for one nite, while i thought about it...we were given an acceptable room...not fancy, but large and with a comfortable bed and decent bathroom...i could suck it up for 4 nites...i did not tell them that we were staying, and the next nite when i asked for my key (you have to turn your heavy key in each time you leave), there was a note on it not to let us in until i paid more...just about as different as anything we had ever experienced in thailand...

we went for a walk to find internet, but the local place was full so we skipped it...went to 7/11 and bought some beer...

we had not used the small pool the last time we were there but did this time...it is ok... we went out for a swim..

transportation---the nearest skytrain is at national monument which can take 10-30 minutes to get to, most often 20+...not good...it almost always cost upwards of 100 B as well...taxis take for ever to get to the hotel as well....so the location is not fantastic...

they do have a river boat...the last time we were there they ran to river city shopping center every hour...now they only run at 10 AM, 2PM and 5PM...almost worthless...

we used the boat twice in 4 days...

this nite we had a reservation at the indian restaurant called Hazara at the Face restaurant complex on soi 38, sukhumvit...we were anxiously looking forward to this after our good lunch experience at the thai restaurant there...we took a taxi which was a bit expensive, but the dinner was worth it...

the restaurant complex looks lovely at nite, all lit up with lites and candles...the indian restaurant, which we had toured when we were there before, shimmers in soft lites...the eating is on the upper floor...the building is all wood and very attractive...reservations at both restaurants are essential...
we had a delicious meal which was 1700B...we were not overfull when we left but it was adequate....so the place is expensive...

the doorman got us a taxi, by riding his motorbike down to sukhumvit and flagging one down...the ride again was far more expensive than normal bkk rides...we could have gone on the skytrain part way but did not want to...

bed when we got back to hotel...

the next day was a really full one with the morning spent at the thai craft monthly sales fair at the ambassador hotel on sukhumvit soi 11....

Hi Bob,

I found the rooms at 3 Nagas good - they are big with good bathrooms and all have terraces or verandahs - at least the old ones - there is a new building across the street now so I will check out those rooms in August. We like room 6 as it is well set out and has a huge verandah - 4 lounge chairs, footstools and tables. We really liked being able to laze around there and watch the world go by. Its private enough (upstairs) so you aren't overlooked by anyone on the street - one of the other rooms downstairs is and I wouldn't choose to stay in that room. Personally I didn't find it noisy - a few mopeds in the mornings - last year we were there 5 nights and up early to see the monks on 3 mornings - I think thats the only time you might get disturbed by the traffic - we went back to bed after though and didn't notice any much noise. Also note that we live way out in the country where there is really no traffic noise at all so we do hear every motor when we are in town. From other posts I think the cockerels have caused more bother to people but they are all over LP anyway so you won't get away from them. They don't bother us at all as we have our own and only actually "Hear" him when he is quiet!!!!

jeez you must of come back home all prune-ed out after spending so much time in swimning pools..
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rhknk... I'm a litle confused as too why you have not figuered out the true costs of things after traveling here so often.. I just say this cuz you mention in parts as prices as being "ubalievable" and I just think too myself "thats what the price really is" as oppeseed to being jacked u for tourist and farang... the trick is NOT to think of things in US doller or euro terms. as far as tranportation goes you also should remember that many third world contries subsidies petrol prices so trying too figuer the price per mile/kilameter per your local currency will kill ya..
anyways when are you going too just retire over here and live large, fortunatly you seem to have a great wife and would not have too go down the horible path your fraind in pattaya is taking.
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I just asked my thai GF.. what up with patting Fat gentlmen.. she said "naa rak" it's ciute.

i like the prune feeling...good for your skin...it helps you avoid the thai heat as well if you stay in the pool all day...

how come i didn't run into you in bkk??

Saturday, june 11....

down to breakfast...its not the marriott...it was so so....karen comments "the toast was good"

since mid winter we had known that the thai craft association was scheduled to hold one of its monthly sales on this date, so we were excited because in the past we have purchased some of our best and cheapest thai items from this sale...
the association is a volunteer charity group organized to support thai crafts and help people in the country to promote what they make...the buys are outstanding and the quality is excellent...they have a web site...

www.thaicraft.org is their website...

we took a taxi to the ambassador hotel on soi 11...we were early..in fact we were the first in line...we met one of the vollunteers, an ex pat american from MA who has had a private law practice in bkk for 35 years...he was very interesting...this year they have taken over 2 huge rooms for the displays...karen managed to spend 6680 B...items purchased: round ratan pencil/pen holder for my desk 250 B; cotton blouse for K 635B; 2 silk table runners that are reversable 695 B each; 2 white cut work decorative pillows, white on white 380 B each; green and off white quilted pillow cover 380 B; coconut shell serving dish, like a creamer from a sugar and creamer 45 B; a bunch of green pottery with prices from 75 B to 295 B...very good deals; coconut ladel 35 B; brown two tone pedistal dish in pottery 195 B; quilted basket of 9 packaderms for kids toy/room decoration 285 B; xmas ornaments 55 & 35 B; note pad with fancy silk cover 165 B; hair combs 30 B each; greeting cards 45 B each; large paper stars (16 inche diameter) that collapse and are 3 d...80 B each; whist brooms 50 B each; boxed set of 2 placemats, box and mats are straw 175 B; silk cell phone cover 110 B...this gives you a sense of the variety of merchandise...there were wonderful baskets which we had to leave and straw purses and fancy design purses..clothing and quilts and lots of kids stuff and hand made silverware...all very good buys and a charity as well....look for this sale and patronize it...the only thai sale we know to be better is the periodic jim thompson warehouse sale...

the lines to check out are long but they have it organized quite well...cash and credit cards are accepted...while in line we talked to a german woman who has been living with her family in bkk for a year...interesting to hear about the expat view of life there...many expats shopping at this sale..

from the ambassador we walked over to soi 4 to do some internet...from there over to thai stone to check in with mr lee and porn...

karen retrieved her braclet which was being redone...this is a nantucket motif braclet which she had had trouble with,....last year it was repaired because she catches it on door knobs at the hospital and it cracks eventually...same thing happened this year...so the bottom line was that they would re-make it totally using our gold and make it heavier...they added 3 more grams of gold and the total cost was $65...she was glad to have it back and have it been so easy to fix..several of our projects were completed...we looked at them and were very pleased with all of them...they keep them in their safe until we are near to going home...

from there we took a taxi to soi 23, sukhumvit...we went to lalo intalian restaurant on the corner of soi 23 and sukhumvit...i had seen mention of this on fodors...it was very nice...large italian menu...we had pizza and water...we had been on soi 23 earlier but really had not done our shopping so now we were here to do it...

first stop was le delat indochine restaurant...there have been raves about it on fodors but we were not sure we wanted vietamese food...we were greeted nicely but advised that lunch was no longer being served for the day...i replied that we wanted to make a res for the next nite...fine...the place is an older thai house and very enchanting...there are two le dalats on soi 23...this is the one nearest sukhumvit and on the right side...we wanted to get to the other but ran out of time...next trip...the menus are the same in both we were told...

next we stopped at an ice cream place i had read about...delicious...then on to rasi sayan...this is simply bkk's best gift shop--i don't know what else to call it...also a charity, and formerely owned by an american, it has the best selection of quality home furnishings and silks we have seen anyplace in SE Asia...it is always a special destination....NOTE: JULY 1 THEY ARE MOVING TO NEW QUARTERS ON SOI 33 SUKHUMVIT RD AFTER 15 YEARS IN THIS THAI HOUSE...

next we ventured over to gifted hands...this is on the next soi which is in back of rasi sayan...it is a bead and silver shop in the front room of a woman's house (the address is 172/18 sukhumvit 23...it is almost at the end of the soi on the right...there is a small sign..)
karen bought several pins and lapel pins and a necklace or two....all gifts.. prices ranged from 180-780 B...she also has very elegant chunky necklaces made of fabulous beads, silver and stones...most of the beads are from the country and made by locals...

we needed a taxi...she went off on her bike to find one for us...now that's service....
the driver took us on the scenic ride...again one of the highway rides to avoid traffic...it became our most expensive ride yet...i think he got lost and did not know where he was going...the ride lasted over an hour...

a quick turn around and down to the shuttle boat at 5...we were the only poeple on it...

we were headed to river city for another fitting at js thai silk...everything is done and fits...karen ordered one more blouse from some JT fabric we had purchased...

we took the oriental boat over to this hotel from river city...poked around the shops in oriental place...we decided to take gloria's suggestion and look in at cotton house...they were very welcoming...karen asked what linen they had in stock...she found one piece she liked and ordered yet another blouse...

from there we went just across the soi to tongue thai restaurant...gpands's suggestion...he knows his thai restaurants, but that's all he knows except the law...and dem politics...

we had an excellent thai meal...restuarant was not busy at all...meal was 1200 B...

walked out to new road and got a taxi back to the hotel...this guy drove us through the outskirts of china town and in a very direct route to the hotel...he really knew where he was going...one of the best taxi rides we had had in bkk...

another day finsihed...