OMG- I am soooooo Bummed! I been Burma gyped! Now I have to go back. And they don't even call it Burma anymore! UGH! Sorry bout the misinformation.( is that a Bushism??) When you're wrong you're wrong. Thanks for bursting my Burma bubble Thursday. LOL

G- There are a few pix of T and H. In the Narita Airport installment there is a pix of us 4. I don't have alot of pictures of them. Robin is dropping off her disks so maybe she does.

laartista, I am sooo enjoying your post. I am taking my first trip to Thailand in early Feb. and the info is great. I keep logging on twice a day to catch new installments. Great Job and looking forward to the next part of your trip.

Sorry about that... But now you not only have an excuse to go back to Thailand, but one for going to Myanmar as well. If you liked Thailand you'll love Myanmar (but you need to read up on the pros and cons first).

Male swimwear is very much a YMMV issue... I grew up in the UK have never been reconciled to guys swimming in shorts. I'm all for skimpy bikinis - on the right guys, of course!

YMMV - Your mileage may vary? Not sure I get this one...

You are not ready for Myanmar but Bali would be a great next choice.

Yes, YMMV = your mileage may vary. Shorthand for "this an issue where there is considerable disagreement, but both sides have valid points of view". (Phew!)

Thursday- LOl O.K. YMMV- never heard of that but yes, definitly agree to disagree on this one.

Craig- Just read your fantastic Myanmar report. You are correct. I am NOT ready! Funny you mention Bali though, as far as Asia goes that is next on my list.

Arizona- Thanks hope it can be somewhat helpful if not entertaining.

Day 5-seems longer

Wake up call at 5 a.m I'm in the lobby by 6 to check us out. Robin had prepaid for the room thru Sofitel 5 weeks prior so just had to sign off on incidentals and make sure we were not charged for the awful room service. Which we were! So after removing the R.S. charge she said we had a balance of 492.00. What? How? 460.00 for the room. 32.00 for incidentals. She says "The room has not been paid for" Uh Oh! Now there was going to be a problem.

Robin now down in the lobby, I head her off at the elevator. Both not morning people and exhausted from our time in BKK I sensed a bit of grumpiness in myself and her. I tell her about the little problem and ask if she has confirmation saying we paid. Yeah, I do, I remind her " Smile when you go over there. Oh, o.k. LOl She wasn't smiling. Bottom line after much back and forth and even though we had a print out of payment they wanted to see her credit card statement. Have you ever? Who travels with their credit card statement. Not us! Apparently their computer said something different. We have no time for this nonsense. Since Robin originally paid, she pays in full again and figures she'll just dispute the double charge with Chase when she gets back. Needless to say not thrilled with Sofitel.

1000 Baht + tip gets the 4 of us and all our luggage to the airport. So here's my final thought on BKK. I'm glad I went. An interesting and colorful city to say the least. Would I return, not sure, maybe on my way to other destinations in Thailand. I did not dislike Bkk but I didn't love it either. Some cities I just fall in love with immediatly at first sight. Bkk was not one of them. I guess I can see the appeal and I know it is immensly popular with many especially on this forum. I feel like it may be the kind of city that grows on you with each visit until you finally fall for it. Just my opinion.

At the airport we check in with Bangkok air. NOTE*** Because they will slam you with overweight charges**** You are allowed to check as many bags as you want as long as combined for each person you do not excede 20 KILO. Carry on 1 pp CANNOT weigh more than 10 Kilo. That said, we each check a bag and each of us 4 take our roller suitcases over to left luggage storage.

I think it is run by CHUBB, located on the 4th floor all the way to your right. Charge is 100 Baht p day per bag. It's secure, you sign a disclaimer I'm about 35 Kilo lighter. By the time we are done with this it's 7;30 or so flight leaves at 8:30. Through immigration and onto the gate.

At the gate there is the security check. I thought security at BKK was overall pretty good. Being a nervous flyer I look at these things. One , two, three thru. There's a problem with Robin. I think I mentioned she is a type 1, insulin dependent diabetic. Actually diagnosed about 18 months ago while on a trip to Colorodo. Passed out in an airport and into a diabetic coma for 2 days. She was lucky to come out of it. She travels with her pens, needles and insulin. She checked all her needles except 2 that she keeps in her emergency pack. Seems BKK airport security had a HUGE problem with this. And yes, there was a scene.

Robin had alerted security she was carrying her insulin kit. She is a flight attendent and did so according to security protocol. I have traveled with her on three different trips and a dozen and a half flights and never had a problem. The woman at security told her she could not board the plane with it. Is this not ridiculous? Calmly Robin explained what it was for and that she needed to have it with her. Having been in an airport the first brush with diabetes I could fully see why having her insulin made her feel more secure besides the fact that she may actually need it.

At that point the security woman took her insulin kit and began opening the viles without rubber gloves. After touching all the crap that goes on that dirty conveyer belt here she is handling the insulin cartridges with bare hands. She walks away with the kit and from where I had sat I could see Robin getting visibly more upset. I walk over for mere moral support. She pulls out her Delta crew badge, hoping for some industry courtesy and a medical note she carries. To no avail, the security woman walks off with it.

Well, Robin is now crying and inconsolable. Reps from Bangkok Air come by. They have her explain in full medical detail each part of the kit and what it's used for. Do they not have diabetics in Thailand? It was unbelievable. After 40 min of this back and forth , people had already begun to board they offered her this. At the bottom of the stairs before she boards the plane she must hand over her kit to a flight attendent who will hold it on board. In the case that she may need it to press the call button and they will bring it to her. Otherwise it will be returned to her as she deplanes. With no choice and the flight leaving in 10 minutes she hands it over. I have to say on board the flight crew was very understanding and attentive during the short 1 hour flight to Samui. I'm not sure if it had been a longer flight if Robin would have agreed and not put up more of a stink.

From the air wecan see Samui and it looks awesome. Landing was smooth nad while we taxi to the gate I immediatly feel a rush of excitement to be on Samui and the calm of the island.

Wow! After that kind of a morning I bet you could use some calm!

Wow - you really did have one glitch after another.

Did Robin follow up with Sofitel when she got home, or just dispute the credit card charge with Chase? I'd be interested to hear how it went.

LOL, if you can't roll with the travel punches, then.... I'm a magnet for this kind of stuff and whoevers there suffers the consequences. LOL. Every trip I've been on whether alone, with friends or family so it must be me. Can't stay home though. It was a rough morning. Not sure about the follow-up. I'll ask next time I talk to her. I think she said she'de deal directly with Chase and then send a letter to Sofitel.

robin should write a letter to both bangkok air and sofitel's CEO...if nothing more she will get some freebees and an apology and prevent this from happening to others....tons of diabetics pass through bkk all the time....this is really weird...

Downloading pix for the next installment. Taking FOREVER!

Yeah, it was weirder than weird. Thing is, no problems on the return from Samui to BKK or on the leg from NRT to BKK and the return or on the ATL-NRT flights. Just that one flight. I personally think it was that one securty woman who caused all the problems. Besides those needles are tiny and encased to fit in the pen. You can't even feel the tip unless it's in the pen. I think that's a good idea to write both companies.

Finally Samui

As soon as the wheels touched the ground and I looked out the window I was in love, in love with Samui. First I know people say it's not what it used to be ,it's too built up, too touristy, I didn't care. Never been before, suited me fine LOVED IT!

It was overcast and 9;45 am. The airport is really cute, thatched roof buildings. Colorful open air vehicles to take you from one place to another. This is exactly what I was hoping for.We needed cars. Originally we were going to rent a jeep together. In BKK, when T and H were always returning to the hotel pool, Robin and I realized it may be better to have 2. What if we took the jeep to go shopping. We'de have to constantly worry they were stranded. Thing is we didn't want to seem rude. But then H brought it up, I'm sure by T's prodding that maybe we should get 2. Really? O.K. that's a good idea. So while Robin and T went to claim the baggage I went to find us some cars We had made no reservations. BTW I don't suggest that.

3 Car rental counters in a row. Avis, Hertz and Sixt. Sixt was running a special 999 Baht a day inc. taxes and insurance that's like 30 bucks, score!oh plus 10.000 baht deposit, which is on your cc and you get back. H meets me at the counter and we take their last 2 jeeps. Actually they were like mini pick-up trucks not convertable. Guy said no convertables because it rains. Hmmmm. Robin and H were to be the drivers because neither T or I can drive manual. They also drive on the left there. Although I pride myself in being one of those crazy NYC drivers that can hold my own against any taxi in the city I was soon glad I was not the one behind the wheel.

While Robin and H and T finish paperwork I hop one of those people movers to the arrivals building up the hill to meet our driver for our transfer to the villa. First time my name was ever on a card. Kinda cool. I greet him and explain the gals are coming and we will follow him in our cars. Worked out perfect because car pickup is right across from the arrivals area.

All settled into our little 4 x 4's , no radio but ac. Like little ducks we follow our driver out the airport.T kept saying H loves jeeps she's gonna rock that jeep. Oh god, as I roll my eyes. We had to keep stopping they were so far behind. Robin did really good. Except for the first major curve when we almost went unintentionally 4 wheeling. I grabbed the dashboard and she just said, " OOPS, No power steering". I swear we laughed that entire ride. The Samui drivers are ABSOLUTLY NUTS!!!!! Weaving in and out. Mopeds with babies jutting out every 100 feet. Dogs sleeping in the middle of the road. Craziness! It was like being in a video game. And they NEVER flinch. As we pass the rustic roadside eateries and occasional surf shop we are stuck behind a guy on a moped wearing a shirt that on the back says TAXI. That's freakin hysterical. Flag him down, and he pulls over.LOL

We follow the driver for about 20 minutes to where he will turn off and we will miss the turn. But he got out and flagged us down we spotted him in the rear view. And then the first of what would be Robin's key phrase over the next 5 days. "I'm just gonna turn around up here". Our villa was located atop a hill between Chaweng and Lamai beaches. About 10 minutes to each. The road that led up to the house was crazy steep. We slid the first few attempts and then I realized the parking break had been up the whole ride from the airport. Such idiots we are. I was choking I laughed so hard. Had to be in first gear and still it was painful. I think there was a lawnmower engine in that car. We are finally waved into an open garage beneath a smallish island house and although cute did not look like the website. I was a bit worried, afterall I had found the place and made the booking. I asked is this it? He said yes. But it wasn't. Phew!

O.K. here's the somewhat long ( apologies, I did say detailed) background on the house. I can say without exaggeration I spent 10's of hours over a month looking for somewhere to stay on Samui. Could not make a decision. Too expensive, too rustic, bad beach, bad pool, whatever always something. The properties and prices of practically ever room on Samui was etched in my brain. These 2 websites both excellent is where I looked. www.KohSamui.com and
www.sawadee.com. I was beginning to feel hopeless when I stumbled on this website www.samuiholidayhomes.com from looking at someones pictures on Flickr. It was an out of control villa called Villa Rose. Robin lives in my apt. building upstairs. When she stopped by to check progress on accomodation I said this." Hey, would you rather stay in a nice hotel or for the same price live like a rockstar for 5 days" She replied as I thought she would "ROCKSTAR". Well look what I found at 350 a night all inclusive. This was the villa.

http://www.samuiholidayhomes.com/Villa-Rose.htm

We were so siked. So I contacted the guy Mr. Daniel Bates and here comes a major plug, who has the patience of a saint and is an absolute doll. He said it was available and we must wire 1400 dollars to Samui asap, it was about 2 1/2 weeks before we were to arrive. Pre-pay by wire, sounded fishy, immediatly post on Fodors to be assured this is quite common. Robin was not comfortable with this at all. She had gotten T and H's money and was to do the transfer. Her bank, take note, Northfork, they suck, made a big stink about no IBAN # and it couldn't be traced and BLAH BLAH BLAH. Didn't know what they were talking about. But Bof a did. Annoying. After many email exchanges with Daniel( who I'm still in touch with) and talking to my bank Bof A who has a direct relationshiop with Siam Commercial his bank I take over the transfer duties. But now a problem with Villa Rose. I get an email saying construction has started on a house behind Rose there will be noise. O.K. last thing I want on an island vacation is what I get everyday in the city construction noise. I awake to a jackhammer at least once a week. No good. The thing that was great about Rose it had 4 bedrooms. The other 2 , 4 beds in our price range were booked. Sharing ,no big deal, same as a hotel room. I slept with 6 strangers on the floor of a camel tent in the sahara I can share a king with Robin. So after much debate and back and forth we settle on The Rice House. At 460 a night a bit more but split 4 ways the deal of the century I wire the money, BofA charges 45 bucks for the wire. And we got ourselves a villa. The perfect villa! Extensive review and pix coming up.

From the time of your last post, you may still be experiencing some jet lag.

Perhaps wearing a speedo at the BKK airport would have avoided the security issue? Rest assured that I mostly wear the afore-mentioned board shorts. The speedo only appears on special occasions when it will embarass someone, like Bob or my son. It's a virtual guarantee.

that first villa looked quite nice...but i agree about the const. noise....thais are known to work to all hours also...good change....anxious to see this "nicer" place....

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HITTING!!!!

Gpanda- LOL I bet so. Speedo might have distracted them enough to get the insulin thru. You know I am experiencing really bad jet lag, never slept since 10 am yesterday. I think it's a combo of time diff. and 44 hours to get home, poor planning on our part. I've never had it this bad.

Rkk- 2nd place Nicer because it was different, very authentic. No HITTING, just major CATTINESS by our side as well. As an adult( well sometimes) there's always 2 sides. My trip report , my version of events. I have no doubt they saw it differently.

So here's the question-are you brave enough to provide a completed copy of this trip report to H and T? It would be the ultimate in passive-aggressive behaviour.

Oh Gpanda! Will I hand deliver a copy, No. I really don't intend on seeing them again. That said, they know full well I'd be writing a report and I told them where it would be posted. If they choose to read it, I have no problem with that otherwise I would have omitted my opinions on that. As I said before it wasn't so much H, I felt she was a casualty of being there as T's friend and going along with her actions. I'll get into it as it occured. It comes down to this , a lesson learned not to travel with people you don't know. I might as well have invited people from Newark airport to come along. I travel often, always have a great time despite the glitches, it's the unnecessary tension, bitchy remarks nad faces, and pessimistic attitude that annoyed the crap out of me.

Knowing that you're a New Yorker, the equivalency to Newark Airport travellers is particularly telling. To seal the deal, you can E-mail them this thread when you're finished. That's the aggressive part of passive-aggressive, my favorite part. Plius, guilt by association is a common method of proof.

laartista, all the togetherness of travelling even with people you know and love can be challenging. Sometimes it is actually better to travel with almost strangers than to ruin a relationship. You really never know how the group dynamics will be.

Our group spent most of our time visiting weaving villages in the northeast and northwest. As an artist, you would have really enjoyed this.

When we travelled as a family of four we often broke into differnt pairs and made sure that we all had some time to ourselves. Passive aggression is uncomfortable but you might have had real fights with H and D if they hadn't gone their own way so otten.

Anyway, I'm still enjoying your report and wishing that I had copies of the travelogues I sent home from Japan and Thailand to post here too.

Everyone is loving this! Looks like we need a forum exclusively for trip reports about Annoying and Bizarre Travel Companions.

For your jet lag, try reading The Beach by Alex Garland, if you haven't already. Unputdownable. Backpacker/Utopian/coming of age first novel set on a Thai island, supposed to be Samui back in the day. Way better than the DiCaprio film version.