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Carol- I also had a lovely lunch at JT house. Good food, very reasonable and beautiful ambience. And the air conditoning felt great! I would highly recommend it as a lunch stop.
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I, too have had lunches at Jim Thompson. My owly caution: the coconut ice cream contains corn... very wierd.
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The lychee ice drink at Jim Thompson was very refreshing!
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kathie--i always sprinkle corn on my ice cream...don't they do that in seattle??
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Hi Bob, terrific report. It is so detailed, I can live this vacation through your description :) ... not that I would have read many chapters already ... give me some more time, please. But it is so interesting!
Happy 4th of July! |
Sunday, june 19..our final full day...
we were up early this day...down for breakfast...a lite one because we were going to brunch... we had a quick swim... two weeks ago while we were spending some time waiting at js thai silk for something to be done, ms yai asked us if we would join her for brunch some sunday....we weren't just sure...we sort of evaded giving an answer...later we thought that was completely rude...so we accepted her invitation and settled on june 19 as a good day for all of us... so she was to pick us up at the hotel at 10 this day...sure enough at 9:50 our phone rang and she was downstairs waiting...she was taking us to the narai hotel on silom....the taxi took us directly there in about 10 minutes...no traffic this AM....unfortunately the buffet did not open until 11:30 so we had quite a bit of time to wait and to chat which was very pleasant... about 11:15 the people who had assembled were let in...others also thought it began at 11, as ms yai had been told when she made the reservation....there was a wonderful table reserved for us against the railing which looked down into the main lobby....there was a sign in thai that read: yai and friends... the buffet was nice and we enjoyed our time with ms yai away from the fray of the shop...it was very kind of her to invite us.... she dropped us off at our hotel afterwards where we said our good-byes... this is the kind of thing that seems only to happen thailand...its quite amazing...where have you ever had a shop person, two or three in fact, ever treat you to anything other than a thank you...??? karen went out to the pool as our general idea for this day was to take it totally easy (come to think of it that is what we had been doing for 5 weeks)...i went to the internet...i am sure i have mentioned that the internet i use while at the marriott is about 2 blocks down the street near to soi 59...its cost is 25 B per hour and the computers are decent and quite fast...i swam after my return... we had beers in the room... as we had done last year, we went to gallery gourmet, 6/1 promsi 1, sukhumvit, soi 39, for dinner...this is a continental restaurant which we like quite a bit...it is attractive and the food is excellent...we wanted to have a western meal under our belts before we spent the next day on airplanes.... i did not have it this time, but they have the best onion soup in the world...it comes as a regular bowl or my favorite is in a bowl with a hat of pastry made of flour and cheese... we both had filet mignon and veggies and FF...i had water and beer and karen had some white wine...desserts are outstanding and we had one each...1339 B... they got us a taxi back to the hotel... we did the last minute packing that we needed to do...everything fit perfectly, but there was no room to spare...karen juggled things so that no one bag was too heavy...we had 4 bags to be checked...nothing large this year...we also had our regular two carry-ons, plus one other small rice bag with pottery in it...all manageable...and one small paper bag with pastry.... i'm sure our weight was right up there... bed later than we wanted...i put in a wake-up call for 3AM................ Monday, June 20 sad but true, our most recent trip to SE Asia was at an end... we woke up naturally about 2:50AM, and got up and showered....the wake up call came at 3 and our breakfasts came at 3:10, just as we had ordered...they allow you free room service if you are leaving before 6 am based on your provided breakfast...i ordered heavy:...eggs, bacon, tea, coffee, juice, fruit, plus lots of pastry...we took most of the pastry with us and ate it on the bkk-narita leg...when everyone else was eating horrible rubber ommlettes we had fresh flaky pastries...yum, yum, yum..karen even put in the mini glass jars of jam from the breakfast trolley...she forgot the butter for the croissants however... turismo asia was in the lobby at 3:30 when we went down to check out...the driver and the same funny guide... quick ride to the airport at 3:30 for our 6:05AM flight...this is the one thing we really do not like about N/W, plus the late nite arrival in bkk... we went to the vat refund office before we checked in...the lady stamped the papers and did not look or ask about what we bought.. check in was quite quick with only about 5 people in front of us...no question about weight at all, even though i am sure we were overweight...everything was in order... we paid our 500 B each departure tax at the machine and were swiftly processed through immigration...next the vat refund desk...we were the only people there...it is in the lounge area just after immigration....turn left after entering the lounge...down about 150 feet on the left...i had choosen thai cash for the refund and had the papers all pre filled...i save it for the next trip... next stop duty free for some gin...tangarey was on sale even though i would prefer bombay saphire...my second time to economize on the trip.. plus you got a free 1/2 litre bottle of baileys, which is good for the boat on the way home from nantucket... flight left right on time...easy transfer in the newly configured terminal in tokyo...very long flight to detroit...i did my customs declaration during this flight...i make a complete list of everything we purchased and convert the prices to dollars, as karen keeps most records in baht...needless to say we were way over on our allowance...i intended to use the added gsp allowances, for under developed countries, for our overages... i asked about a red line and detroit does not have one...we were sent to a line to be checked however, as were almost every foreign looking person on the flight...after entering this line all your luggage has to be scanned again...the luggage has to be placed on an up sloping conveyer belt...the man front of me had trouble and was sort of rude to the woman customs attendant...she looks at your declaration card...i gave her my card and put our stuff on the belt and made some small talk with her...she said, "have a nice day" and let us go through....WHAT ABOUT THE REVENUE THAT THE COUNTRY SO DESPERATELY NEEDS????? we lucked out!!!...not a question was asked and we were thousands over our allowance of $1600. we rechecked our luggage right after customs after a N/W person looked at our boarding passes for the continuing flight (more later about this)... we then had another security check to get into that part of the airport...we checked the screen for our boston flight---CANCELLED...DAMN... there were no N/W customer service counters in that area...so we proceeded up to the concorse where we needed to be---the new concourse A, because there would be help desks there....NO.......... i saw a customer service phone...i used it awkwardly...i was told we were rebooked on a flight at 9 something...over 5 hours hence...i told her it was unacceptable...we had been flying for 24 hours already...what about earlier flights...she said go to any gate and ask for assistance...i was mad...N/W had known we were on one of their flights and someone should have been at the gate to meet us and tell us...they were there for other people and even announced over the plane's speaker... long and short...after a visit to the world club desk, because i could not find a customer service desk and most of the adajacent gates were empty, i was told to go to the 6 something flight for standby or else wait for the 9ish flight...another flyer did tell us that the boston flt at 4, our flight...it's plane had been grounded for mechanical problems upon touchdown from a previous flight...we were told that the 6 was over sold and lots of stand-bys were already waiting... we went to a mexican restaurant and had something to eat...karen had a margaretta (it was one of those that come in a shaker) and she could just barely navigate after dinner...she had had it...!! i went to the gate of the 6 flight ...the man if front of me was making a loud noise...it was very difficult...i approached the woman quietly and told her our bkk story and she said i will do what i can to get you on , but all but 5 passengers have already checked in...i thanked her...they called 3 stand-bys...they then announced that the flight was full but that one party and us should stand by for a few minutes...we did...then another argument broke out...a spanish woman could not get on the flight because she had arrived late...her two aunts had gotten on...she was demanding to get on too...WOW, it was wild...yelling and screaming...last word...the gate agent said to her, do you want them to be taken off so these people can then have the seats or what?? yes or no....yes or no???? no was the rude answer...she was on the 9 flight with us which also was almost full... we were given vouchers for dinner ($10 or miles (2000), which ever you choose, and a phone card each with 10 calls allowed on each....i choose 2000 miles each (of course----only 58,000 more needed for a free bkk flight) we called hedley and told him to forget about us...we would take a cab home from boston when and if we got there..it was too late to ask him to come out at midnight... we hung out for the rest of the time trying to stay awake...we were told that our luggage would go on the 6 flight most likely... we were on the 9 flight...the luggage was waiting for us upon arrival along with maybe 200 other pieces from other people...so no waiting...i had been able to change our seats for this flight too as they had pre-assigned us to the back row... when we got home there was a call on our machine from N/W telling us that our flight had been cancelled...so they did make an attmept to contact us...only they must not have been thinking or did not take the time to cross check anything...no wonder there are huge issues when a plane crashes and they are unable to assemble a passenger list quickly... WE HAD A WONDERFUL VACATION...ALMOST 5 WEEKS OF BLISS...THAILAND RULES... |
ingo---you live in dresden and are limited to only being on the europe board, where you are the best german expert!!! and help...glad to see you here...
i think you could drive the benz to thailand overland, but it might take you a while and you could not go at the speeds you are used to...also no snow for skiing there---ever... bob |
i hope everyone is able to gain some info from this very long report...
this evening it is my plan to post a recap of some addresses, etc. that were mentioned in this report for your ease of reference, should you wish to... i am prepared to return to thailand with 15 minutes notice... if anyone has questions please ask them as you will...either here or at [email protected] always put thailand in the subject line or you may be deleted....i always delete anything from gpanda.... |
I hate to admit it Bob, but you've exceeded even my unrealistic expectations. This report was almost adequate. Your obsessive attention to detail brings Thailand to life. Your sneaky capacity to seem friendly provides wonderful interactions. Reading your charming narrative makes me question whether you were actually a banker. Did you develop a sense of humor after you retired? Or did you constantly make "funny" loans? I agree that Tongue Thai is an undiscovered treasure. We had some kind of fritters that were somehow light and tasty, but fried.
On our 2003 trip, we got stuck in the Detroit airport for 2 days due to snow in Boston. Your little layover elicits no sympathy from the Panda section. |
Bob, a fantastic trip report. I'm actually sad that it ended, I must be having sympathy pains. Can't you just always count on a U.S. airline to screw something up and make sure your wonderful vacation ends on a sour note?
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Great report. Really captures what makes Thailand so special and there are lots of suggestions I plan on following up on.
When are you going back? Your account of NW reminds me why I do everything in my power to fly asian airlines. If there's a problem they seem much better able to undersand the term customer service. |
Bob;
Thanks for the wonderful report...took alot of notes. Have a bunch of new places to dine and shop when we get back to bkk. How much was your month skytrain pass? Are you planning your next trip yet? Welcome home! Aloha! |
Bob, Thanks for your detailed report. As you know, I'm working on our arrangements for our November trip to SEA. The bulk of this trip will be to Malaysian Borneo, but we'll have a few days in Bangkok at the beginning and the end. The hardest task is to decide which things to do in Bangkok and where to eat. Bangkok has truly an embarassment of riches for the traveler.
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Dear Bob,
Another wonderful trip journal! I refer back to your trip journals when making my yearly trip. I now have alot of new ideas for my Sepember trip. In between trips, I often find myself missing Thailand, but all I do is get out one of your reports and I'm back in Thailand. Great job and thanks for sharing so many of your finds. |
Bob, great report...So glad u loved BED, one of my favs...missing Bkk so much after reading this...how were the various gifts received? What was the most successful?
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hobbles...gifts...at home or in bkk...in bkk the rassberry tart was a huge success....at home, the saphire we added to my grandmother's ring, C. 1915, from which we had taken the large diamond years ago, was a huge hit for our youngest daughter...its part of her xmas present but we gave it to her now...it was a dull platinum very worn, but delicate ring which came back a shimmering little ring with a lite blue saphire and two diamond side stones...while it is very worn, mr lee said he would not change it at all...
gloria--next planned bkk trip maybe fall 2006 in conjunction with india.. hawaii--i think the one month pass is 1000 B...we only bought day passes for the sky train... |
someone asked me to put together a reference list so i will make an attempt here....
hotels: Laem Set Inn 110 mu2, hua thanon koh samui, surat thani 84310 tel: 66-77-42493 jw marriott, bangkok 4 sukhumvit rd, soi 2 bangkok 10110 tel: 66-2-656-7700 [email protected] royal orchid sheraton 2 capt. bush lane, new road, sipha bangkok 10500 tel: 66 0 2266 0123 centre point serviced apartments 1522/2 robinson bangkok bldg charoenkrung rd bangkok 10500 Tel: 662 266-0521 [email protected] anantara resort and spa golden triangle 229 moo1, wiang chiang saen, chiang rai 57150 66 0 2477 0760 [email protected] www.anantara.com shangri-la hotel 89 soi wat suan ply new road 10500 Tel: 0 2236 7777 mayfair marriott executive apartments 60 soi lang suan, lumpini, pathumwan 10330 Tel: 66 2 263 9333 centre point, langsuan 60 langsuan soi 1, lumpini, patumwan 10330 Tel: 662-657-2430 [email protected] amari emerald cove resort 88/8 moo 4, tambol koh chang, king amphor, trat 23170 Tel: 66 0 3955 2000 [email protected] barali beach resort 77 klong prao beach, koh chang, trat 23170 Tel: 66 39 557091 [email protected] bangkok marriott resort and spa 257 chaorernnakorn rd, thornburi bangkok 10600 66 2 476 0022 villa santi resort ban nadeuay rd, po box 681, luang prabang, lao PDR Tel: 856-71-253-470 [email protected] la residence phou vao (pansea) PO Box 50 luang prabang, laos Tel: 856 71 212 530 [email protected] marriott phuket beach club 230 232 moo 3 maikhao, talang, phuket 83110 Tel: 66 0 76 338 200 sheraton grande sukhumvit 250 sukhumvit rd, asok 66 02 649 8888 these are taken directly from business cards drivers: mrs vimolrat kantapiyo (RATT) 741/17 chan rd, bangklow, bangklolam bangkok 10120 Tel: 66 0 9108 2170 [email protected] mr somphet gunthon cell phone: 0-6040-9893 often outside marriott resort [email protected] not a guide, but an excellent driver in pattaya: sura sawasdee mobil: 01 8275562 shopping: jaya sai ram kite production fianyar, bali, indonesia Tel: 62 361 294774 chiangrai handicrafts center 273 moo 5, phaholyothin rd chiang rai 57100 Tel: 713355 monet il sarto---tailors--"jack" shop #22, royal garden plaza marriott resort and spa charoen nakorn rd, thornburi bangkok 10600 TEl: 01-8169770--mobile or shop 662 877 8910 paya-fabrics and sewing of home goods 961 sukhumvit rd, bet soi 51 & 53 bkk 10110 Tel: 66 0 2259 2041 [email protected] may have moved in 2005 thai stone jewelry in lobby of nana hotel soi 4, sukhumvit road bkk 10112 or PO Box 11-1235 bangkok 10112 Tel: 662 252 0736 [email protected] js thai silk no 109 river city shopping arcade 1st floor new road 24, bkk 10100 Tel: 0 2237 0077, ext 109 rasi sayam moving to soi 33 bangkok in 7/2005 best gift shop in bkk former phone: 662 258 4195 [email protected] caruso lao home craft sakaline rd #60 banvat sene luang prabang, laos tel: 856 71 254574 [email protected] interiors..wood and silk cotton house 30/1 charoen krung rd 38 in OP place in back of oriental hotel bkk Tel: 02 266 0186 ext 1021 [email protected] PA Bronze co 45/26 soi chareonkrung 93 watprayakrai, bangkleleam bkk 10120 Tel: 662 292 1968 bronze and stainless steel, formerly in the shangri-la gifted hands handcrafted silver beads and custom jewelry 172/18 sukhumvit, soi 23 bkk 10110 Tel: 662 258 4010 jim thompson thai silk co main store and head office 9 surawong rd @ rama IV bkk 10500 Tel: 66 02 632 8100 [email protected] outlets: soi 93, sukhumvit rd and nearer to the river on surawong rd restaurants: next post |
one shopping addition
lim silvercraft 14 oriental avenue new road soi 40 bangkok 10500 Tel: 662 235 2108 all things silver...mostly all sterling restaurants: phuket: lobster pot 228 moo 10 (walking street) south pattaya, banglamung chonburi 20260 Tel: 038 426083 bangkok: saladaeng cafe a jim thompson co eatery 120/1 saladaeng, soi 1 saladaeng rd, silom bkk 10500 Tel: 02 266-9167 not far from nite market gourmet gallery 6/1 promsri 1, sukhumvit, soi 39 bkk 10110 Tel: 0 2260 0603 www.gourmetgallery.co.th naj, exquisite thai cuisine 42 convent rd, silom bkk 10500 Tel: 66 2 632 2811 [email protected] keaw saveoy 1 royal garden plaza (marriott) charoen nakorn rd thornburi, bkk 10600 Tel: 0 2877 6914 cheap thai food liu restaurant conrad hotel 3rd floor 87 wireless rd bkk 10330 Tel: 0 26909255 dim sum lunch girarrosto ristorante, L'Opera 53 soi 39 sukhumvit rd bkk Tel: 0 225 85606 tongue thai 18-20 charoen krung 38 bkk 10500 Tel: 0 2630 9918 face restaurant thai and indian 29 soi 38, sukhumvit rd bkk 10110 Tel: 66 2 713 6048 www.facebars.com himali cha cha---indian 1229/11 charoen krung rd bkk Tel: 235 1569 bed supperclub 26 soi sukhumvit 11 sukhumvit rd, klongtoey-nua wattana bkk 10110 Tel: 02 651 3537 [email protected] reservations essential le delat--vietamese 47/1 sukhumvit soi 23 prasarnmitr bkk 10110 Tel: 0 22601849 le delat indochine vietnamese 14 sukhumvit soi 23, prasarnmitr bkk 10110 Tel: 0 2661 7967 six degrees bangkok italian 42 convent rd, silom bkk 10500 Tel: 66 0 26321 2995 www.sixdegreesbangkok.com crepes and co 18/1 sukhumvit soi 12, klongtoey bkk 10110 Tel: 66 2 653 3900 [email protected] gallery cafe--thai 86-100 new road 3 o bkk 10500 Tel: 02 639 5580 near sheraton orchid rang mahal rembrandt hotel sukhumvit, soi 18 bkk Tel: 261 7100 indian sunday brunch is fabulous Koh samui five islands restaurant 348 moo 3, tambon taling ngam koh samui 84140 Tel: 66 07741 5359 www.thefiveislands.com the cliff bar and grill south of chawaeng bck on main road Tel: 0 7741 4265 www.thecliffsamui.com zazen bungalows restaurant 177 moo 1, bophut beach koh samui 84320 Tel: 66 77 430 345 or 66 77 425 085 starfish and coffee 51/7 moo 1, bophut village koh samui 84320 Tel: 6677 427201 happy elephant restaurant 79/1 mo 1, bophut bec koh samui 84320 Tel: 077 245 347 [email protected] these are the business cards i have in my file from this year and some from last year as well... hope this helps some of you |
my eyes are burning....
--------------------- wow bangkoks population doubled when you came here, I know your a superstar on fodors but in bangkok as welll, Im impressed.. bkk pop 8-10 million. --------------------- I don't know if we'll ever meet up.. we have so litle in comen.. First of your a RED SOX.. actuallly come too think about it. over the years we have teased eachother so much that if we meet it may be an informal fun meeting ..... I HATE formality and honestly thats one of the reasons I have been aprehentious too meet up with anyone.. ------- hmm what up with 30 year old people now a days we act more like 20 year olds, or in my case people say 15. lol ------------------- |
Thanks so much Bob - wonderful report full of useful information and a good read too.
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