TUK-TUK Travel Tales-It's THAILAND a trip report
Sep 26th, 2007, 02:05 PM
#163
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Thanks rkk, sorry no hitting,
6 platforms later and one that included climbing down a tree we are back to where we started. Plates of fresh fruit and bottled water await us. It was still before noon, H and T take off and Robin and I decide to go check out these large scale wood carvings we had seen the day before at a shop in Chaweng.
We get to the shop and it is closed, says to inquire at Cafe Uno an outdoor cafe/ bar across the street. So we decide to have lunch as well. Pretty much ate Thai the past 8 days we order grilled panini sandwiches. Mine was delicious, norwegian smoked salmon, creamed cheese onions and scallions, along with an iced tea, I was happy.
We chat with the owner/ bartender whose wife owns the woodcarvings shop across the way. He is a Brit moved there 12 years prior after being in banking or something. Loves Samui hates how built up it's become. His name was Jol, very nice and chatty. He said after lunch he'd open the store for us. I already knew what I wanted. I had seen a 4' x 4' teak woog carving in 4 panels, 1' x 4' each that hangs on the wall. It had a huge lotus flower in the middle and was very ornate. I thought it would look perfect above my bed on my terra cotta wall. I had asked about it the day prior and was quoted a price of 7000 Baht ( a bit over 200 dollars). still a great price but I got the feeling she may come down especially since Robin was looking at a 2' square piece. From the minute that Jol said he'd deal with us because his wifes English isn't great I thought, sheesh, he's not moving on that price at all, and he didn't. Stayed firm at 7000. I told him I'd think about it. Actually I remembered passing a huge wood carving shop across from a monestary just passed Lamai and wanted to see if she had something comprable. We make a quick stop at Wan's robe shop from a few days before, pick up a bunch more, great gifts for people and head back home. It was getting close to 2 and we had promised Baung we would be back to move our stuff.
We get back are greeted by Dom who we had not seen since arriving and he comes down to the house with us. H and T had just gotten back themselves from somewhere, we didn't ask. It was the hottest day yet in Samui. We were all really hot but I had just seen Baung and told her we'de move our things right then. With Robin and I having the majority of stuff and being up a spiral staircase, it was much more of a pain to move than for H and T who were down stairs and a door away from Pineapple house. I say that I just saw Baung so we are going to move now. I go get my stuff as does Robin and 2-3 trips later we are done a total of 15 min. tops. Meanwhile, T and H decide to go swimming. Baung and her staff were waiting on us to start cleaning and they go swimming. I said to them, Hey, you guys I think they would prefer if we use the pool next door so they can start cleaning, can you move your stuff. Ignored. You guys, I say again, they reply well we just want to cool off it's so hot. The point completly escaped them. We are all hot, suck it up and move your stuff is what I thought. By the time i came back out they were gone to get their things.
The pinapple house was different as it was all on one level. We had a huge boulder in our room that was original. The bathroom was perched up high with stairs leading to it.Plus Pineapple had air in the main living area where Rice did not. Dom came with, made himself comfortable in our room with his raw hide bone ( he knew where he was welcome)and we all head out to the pool. Spent the rest of the day lazing around. At some point T and H went in and got ready to go out to see the sunset on the west side. Before leaving, a shocker, T says do you guys want to get dinner, our last night here? We said sure knowing fully well we would never hear from them. One of those mysterious Blackberry blackouts.
Dressed and ready to go out we decide to go check out that wood place by Lamai before going to dinner. Good call! Owned by a slight in frame older Thai woman, who was very sweet, her shop had amazing things plus 3 skinny white cats and a 16 year old scottie dog who was blind. I immediatly see a piece similar to the one I saw in Chaweng. She quotes me the same as Jol did 7000 Baht. Robin had her eye on a round one 4' in diameter. 7000 for that one too. I was suprised at that because it's pretty common in craft that rounds run more than square or rectangle. Don't know why just is. After chatting with her a while the woman comes down to 5500 for mine ( about 160$)and 6000 for Robins (175 or so).and here is where Robin nad I had our first and only disagreement of the trip. I was more than happy to pay 5500 I would have paid 7000. I decided I'd rather give my money to her than some expat ex-banker, so I knew I was buying it there. Robin had a serious problem with her not giving her the same price of 5500. I don't know why it was frustrating her but it was. She got a bit heavy handed in the haggling with this woman, to the point where I tried to jump in. Robin did not like that said forget it, I don't want it for 6000, I want it for 5500, and walked out. I paid the woman 3000 Baht, she said she would wrap it to go on the plane, I said I would be back the next day to pay the balance and pick it up.
Outside Robin was pissed at me. I asked why, she said you just swoop in and I'm trying to bargain her down. I explained after 1/2 hour she was holding firm at 6000. But she came down on yours, I said it's different for the round piece, they are different. She couldn't understand why I stepped in or why the woman wouldn't give the same price. I said you were getting heated I was trying to lower the tempature and I told her bottom line is you are being stubborn and arguing over 500 Baht which is like 15 bucks. That's 3 Starbucks, is it worth it? You love that piece, you're not going to get it over 15 dollars. She called me condescending I called her snappy and finally I said look it's 11,500 for the 2, we'll each pay 5750, that way we are paying the same and get the same deal. I knew she wanted the carving, but was being so stubborn, she finally agreed.She basically felt I was stepping on her toes by saying anything to the woman. I went back in and very politely asked the woman if we could still have the round for 6000. she shook her head, gave her another 3000 Baht deposit, said to Robin, Cmon. lets hug it out. we both laughed, end of story.(BTW, had Robins full permission to write about that, lol)
Robin and I decide to go get some eats at the Ark Bar located right on the beach in Chaweng. It was a pretty cool place with tables and lounge chairs for dining, plus a huge bar. Super touristy and pretty crowded. The food was good and again inexpensive We had a few drinks and recalled all that we had seen in Thailand. I seriously considered staying another week in Samui. But then the thought of all the work I had waiting for me jolted me back to reality. Tomorrow we would be leaving.
I'm not sure if it was the sun or the heat or combination of both but I felt completely wiped out at the end of each day as did Robin. After dinner we walk around for a while before heading back. They were sleeping when we returned, Dom was waiting outside, followed us to the house and stayed that night.
Next morning up at 7:30, have coffee. Robin and I are sitting at the table it's now about 8 am and T and H emerge from their room completely packed, ready for the airport. they tell us about their night and how her Backberry is on the fritz and they tried to come to Chaweng but there was too much traffic, I stopped listening. Robin asked where they were off to? Well we just decided this morning that we would go back to the spa we went to the other day ( BTW they paid 100 dollars ea. for a 2 hour massage and we paid 11. lol)and to see some sights and we'll meet you at the airport. And they left.
We were used to them not being around but to leave us with settling out, cleaning out the fridge of liquor and food we bought, and all the stuff out by the pool, it was just really nervy. We decide to go pick up the carvings get that out of the way so we could just lounge at the pool until we had to leave for the airport.
We get to the woodshop and they are first packing the carvings. we tell them we'll be back in 1/2 hour, we wanted to get some stuff for Dom. While looking for somewhere nearby to get dogfood we see a roadside makeshift pet store. We bought a 40 lb. bag of dry dog food, couple dozen pouches of wet food, some jerkey treats and 6 month supply of flea drops. Poor pup was constantly scratching. We also picked up some flea stuff for Baung's dog and the other dog that hung out there. We pick up our carvings pay the woman and throw them in the back of the truck.
I had woken up that morning with an ocular migraine, terribly annoying and painful.Robin thought maybe a head massage would help. So on the way home we turn off toward Lamai and pop into a massage place. I tell her I have a headache, 250 Baht, an hour Thai massage later, well I still had the headache but my back felt great!
When we arrive back at the villa I tell Baung I received an email from Daniel saying 12 dollars got lost in fees in the transfer and to settle with them before I leave. about 400 Baht. She goes and gets Bang who is the owners wife. Seems thay arrived that morning. She tells me not to worry about it and she'd tell daniel. We give Baung all the stuff for Dom, she is really appreciative, says she will give the other dog food too. She tells us Dom steals the hearts of many guests and alot of them leave food before they go. that made us feel better. Then we meet Charlie.
Charlie a yachtsman originally from Newport ,Rhode Island was the owner of the 3 villas. A man in his early 50's, totally New England. The nicest guy you'de ever want to meet and most definitly alot of fun to have a beer or 3 with.. We chat with him a while and he invites us up to see the main house. Well that place Eden Rock made rice and pineapple look like shacks. Unbelievable. He gives us a tour pointing out different artworks ( he has an extensive collection of SE asian works) including a 12th century Buddha. For a guy with so much dough he was extremely down to earth. He was very proud of his homes, he designed them and helped to build them himself. He told us the custom made teak carvings were all shipped from Bali, the celedon dishes made special from Chang Mai. He told us of how he first came to the island, how he fell in love with it and Bang and how when the land that the villas sit on went up for sale, he bought it without hesitstion. Wasn't too thrilled that Sandlewood villas built right above him though. LOl He was a hoot and very gracious. Said he was leaving to fly to Mallorca to pick up the guy he captained for and then on to I forget where . Said he would be in New york with the boat and we were welcome anytime.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool before we got ready, packed, said our goodbyes to Dom, Robin and I both cried, I really wanted to bring him with and headed to the airport.
Next: Luggage problems, the straw that broke the camels back in Narita and the 44 hour nightmare of getting home. It's almost over for those that have stuck w/ me.
6 platforms later and one that included climbing down a tree we are back to where we started. Plates of fresh fruit and bottled water await us. It was still before noon, H and T take off and Robin and I decide to go check out these large scale wood carvings we had seen the day before at a shop in Chaweng.
We get to the shop and it is closed, says to inquire at Cafe Uno an outdoor cafe/ bar across the street. So we decide to have lunch as well. Pretty much ate Thai the past 8 days we order grilled panini sandwiches. Mine was delicious, norwegian smoked salmon, creamed cheese onions and scallions, along with an iced tea, I was happy.
We chat with the owner/ bartender whose wife owns the woodcarvings shop across the way. He is a Brit moved there 12 years prior after being in banking or something. Loves Samui hates how built up it's become. His name was Jol, very nice and chatty. He said after lunch he'd open the store for us. I already knew what I wanted. I had seen a 4' x 4' teak woog carving in 4 panels, 1' x 4' each that hangs on the wall. It had a huge lotus flower in the middle and was very ornate. I thought it would look perfect above my bed on my terra cotta wall. I had asked about it the day prior and was quoted a price of 7000 Baht ( a bit over 200 dollars). still a great price but I got the feeling she may come down especially since Robin was looking at a 2' square piece. From the minute that Jol said he'd deal with us because his wifes English isn't great I thought, sheesh, he's not moving on that price at all, and he didn't. Stayed firm at 7000. I told him I'd think about it. Actually I remembered passing a huge wood carving shop across from a monestary just passed Lamai and wanted to see if she had something comprable. We make a quick stop at Wan's robe shop from a few days before, pick up a bunch more, great gifts for people and head back home. It was getting close to 2 and we had promised Baung we would be back to move our stuff.
We get back are greeted by Dom who we had not seen since arriving and he comes down to the house with us. H and T had just gotten back themselves from somewhere, we didn't ask. It was the hottest day yet in Samui. We were all really hot but I had just seen Baung and told her we'de move our things right then. With Robin and I having the majority of stuff and being up a spiral staircase, it was much more of a pain to move than for H and T who were down stairs and a door away from Pineapple house. I say that I just saw Baung so we are going to move now. I go get my stuff as does Robin and 2-3 trips later we are done a total of 15 min. tops. Meanwhile, T and H decide to go swimming. Baung and her staff were waiting on us to start cleaning and they go swimming. I said to them, Hey, you guys I think they would prefer if we use the pool next door so they can start cleaning, can you move your stuff. Ignored. You guys, I say again, they reply well we just want to cool off it's so hot. The point completly escaped them. We are all hot, suck it up and move your stuff is what I thought. By the time i came back out they were gone to get their things.
The pinapple house was different as it was all on one level. We had a huge boulder in our room that was original. The bathroom was perched up high with stairs leading to it.Plus Pineapple had air in the main living area where Rice did not. Dom came with, made himself comfortable in our room with his raw hide bone ( he knew where he was welcome)and we all head out to the pool. Spent the rest of the day lazing around. At some point T and H went in and got ready to go out to see the sunset on the west side. Before leaving, a shocker, T says do you guys want to get dinner, our last night here? We said sure knowing fully well we would never hear from them. One of those mysterious Blackberry blackouts.
Dressed and ready to go out we decide to go check out that wood place by Lamai before going to dinner. Good call! Owned by a slight in frame older Thai woman, who was very sweet, her shop had amazing things plus 3 skinny white cats and a 16 year old scottie dog who was blind. I immediatly see a piece similar to the one I saw in Chaweng. She quotes me the same as Jol did 7000 Baht. Robin had her eye on a round one 4' in diameter. 7000 for that one too. I was suprised at that because it's pretty common in craft that rounds run more than square or rectangle. Don't know why just is. After chatting with her a while the woman comes down to 5500 for mine ( about 160$)and 6000 for Robins (175 or so).and here is where Robin nad I had our first and only disagreement of the trip. I was more than happy to pay 5500 I would have paid 7000. I decided I'd rather give my money to her than some expat ex-banker, so I knew I was buying it there. Robin had a serious problem with her not giving her the same price of 5500. I don't know why it was frustrating her but it was. She got a bit heavy handed in the haggling with this woman, to the point where I tried to jump in. Robin did not like that said forget it, I don't want it for 6000, I want it for 5500, and walked out. I paid the woman 3000 Baht, she said she would wrap it to go on the plane, I said I would be back the next day to pay the balance and pick it up.
Outside Robin was pissed at me. I asked why, she said you just swoop in and I'm trying to bargain her down. I explained after 1/2 hour she was holding firm at 6000. But she came down on yours, I said it's different for the round piece, they are different. She couldn't understand why I stepped in or why the woman wouldn't give the same price. I said you were getting heated I was trying to lower the tempature and I told her bottom line is you are being stubborn and arguing over 500 Baht which is like 15 bucks. That's 3 Starbucks, is it worth it? You love that piece, you're not going to get it over 15 dollars. She called me condescending I called her snappy and finally I said look it's 11,500 for the 2, we'll each pay 5750, that way we are paying the same and get the same deal. I knew she wanted the carving, but was being so stubborn, she finally agreed.She basically felt I was stepping on her toes by saying anything to the woman. I went back in and very politely asked the woman if we could still have the round for 6000. she shook her head, gave her another 3000 Baht deposit, said to Robin, Cmon. lets hug it out. we both laughed, end of story.(BTW, had Robins full permission to write about that, lol)
Robin and I decide to go get some eats at the Ark Bar located right on the beach in Chaweng. It was a pretty cool place with tables and lounge chairs for dining, plus a huge bar. Super touristy and pretty crowded. The food was good and again inexpensive We had a few drinks and recalled all that we had seen in Thailand. I seriously considered staying another week in Samui. But then the thought of all the work I had waiting for me jolted me back to reality. Tomorrow we would be leaving.
I'm not sure if it was the sun or the heat or combination of both but I felt completely wiped out at the end of each day as did Robin. After dinner we walk around for a while before heading back. They were sleeping when we returned, Dom was waiting outside, followed us to the house and stayed that night.
Next morning up at 7:30, have coffee. Robin and I are sitting at the table it's now about 8 am and T and H emerge from their room completely packed, ready for the airport. they tell us about their night and how her Backberry is on the fritz and they tried to come to Chaweng but there was too much traffic, I stopped listening. Robin asked where they were off to? Well we just decided this morning that we would go back to the spa we went to the other day ( BTW they paid 100 dollars ea. for a 2 hour massage and we paid 11. lol)and to see some sights and we'll meet you at the airport. And they left.
We were used to them not being around but to leave us with settling out, cleaning out the fridge of liquor and food we bought, and all the stuff out by the pool, it was just really nervy. We decide to go pick up the carvings get that out of the way so we could just lounge at the pool until we had to leave for the airport.
We get to the woodshop and they are first packing the carvings. we tell them we'll be back in 1/2 hour, we wanted to get some stuff for Dom. While looking for somewhere nearby to get dogfood we see a roadside makeshift pet store. We bought a 40 lb. bag of dry dog food, couple dozen pouches of wet food, some jerkey treats and 6 month supply of flea drops. Poor pup was constantly scratching. We also picked up some flea stuff for Baung's dog and the other dog that hung out there. We pick up our carvings pay the woman and throw them in the back of the truck.
I had woken up that morning with an ocular migraine, terribly annoying and painful.Robin thought maybe a head massage would help. So on the way home we turn off toward Lamai and pop into a massage place. I tell her I have a headache, 250 Baht, an hour Thai massage later, well I still had the headache but my back felt great!
When we arrive back at the villa I tell Baung I received an email from Daniel saying 12 dollars got lost in fees in the transfer and to settle with them before I leave. about 400 Baht. She goes and gets Bang who is the owners wife. Seems thay arrived that morning. She tells me not to worry about it and she'd tell daniel. We give Baung all the stuff for Dom, she is really appreciative, says she will give the other dog food too. She tells us Dom steals the hearts of many guests and alot of them leave food before they go. that made us feel better. Then we meet Charlie.
Charlie a yachtsman originally from Newport ,Rhode Island was the owner of the 3 villas. A man in his early 50's, totally New England. The nicest guy you'de ever want to meet and most definitly alot of fun to have a beer or 3 with.. We chat with him a while and he invites us up to see the main house. Well that place Eden Rock made rice and pineapple look like shacks. Unbelievable. He gives us a tour pointing out different artworks ( he has an extensive collection of SE asian works) including a 12th century Buddha. For a guy with so much dough he was extremely down to earth. He was very proud of his homes, he designed them and helped to build them himself. He told us the custom made teak carvings were all shipped from Bali, the celedon dishes made special from Chang Mai. He told us of how he first came to the island, how he fell in love with it and Bang and how when the land that the villas sit on went up for sale, he bought it without hesitstion. Wasn't too thrilled that Sandlewood villas built right above him though. LOl He was a hoot and very gracious. Said he was leaving to fly to Mallorca to pick up the guy he captained for and then on to I forget where . Said he would be in New york with the boat and we were welcome anytime.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool before we got ready, packed, said our goodbyes to Dom, Robin and I both cried, I really wanted to bring him with and headed to the airport.
Next: Luggage problems, the straw that broke the camels back in Narita and the 44 hour nightmare of getting home. It's almost over for those that have stuck w/ me.
Sep 26th, 2007, 06:16 PM
#168
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bravo....
i just saw robin's carving in the christmas tree shop here in MA for 2900 B......
lets all meet in nyc and go for a cruise on charlie's boat....have a fodors GTG???
did you give us the contact info for these bungalows???
i just saw robin's carving in the christmas tree shop here in MA for 2900 B......
lets all meet in nyc and go for a cruise on charlie's boat....have a fodors GTG???
did you give us the contact info for these bungalows???
Sep 26th, 2007, 08:32 PM
#169
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Awwww thanks guys!!!! except rkk-wiseass. Seriously though if we ever do go on Charlie's boat rkk, you're coming!
We got to the airport at 4:15, cutting it kinda close since our flight to BKK left at 5:00. We had to check in, return the car and get to the gate. Plenty of time in our book EXCEPT we went to arrivals and departures is down the road. There was a later flight and our flight from BKK-NRT didn't leave til 10:30 pm so worst case....
We get to the checkin counter and are the only ones there, so no line. However, only allowed 20 Kilo pp our wood carvings put us over by 30 K. It was like 59 Baht p kilo he cut us a break marked it at 20 over so about 35 bucks. Run to the other counter to pay overage, bring the slip back, luggage goes thru. Return the car and pull an O.J. Hertz dash thru the airport. I had taken off my shoes for better traction running. At the gate and miraculously T's blackberry works. She texts Robin to find out where we are. They have already boarded. We on the other hand are first boarding the little open air bus that takes you to the plane. We make it and an hour later land in BKK.
We had 4 hours til our next flight. First stop is baggage claim to get our 3 bags and 2 woodcarvings. The boxes were pretty big, we need two carts. Next stop left luggage to get our jumbo wheeled suitcases that we checked before going to Samui. Off to check in at Thai Air. Of course during this time T and H are sticking to us like flies on, well you know, because we know where to go. We go to two seperate kiosks. Robin and I stay together, they at the other end of the row. Big problem ahead.
According to our counter agent we are allowed as many bags/pieces as we want as long as it does not go over 30 Kilos each person. Well, my big red roller was 24 K itself, plus 14 for my soft luggage and 16 for my carving. That brings me to 60k. Robins total was 58K. LMAO, So now we are , according to this agent 58K over. OMG, I don't remeber what the actual amount in Baht per K was the charge but it was alot because it came to 540.00 US dollars. We nearly had a heart attack.
Robin runs down to H and T and they are 30 K under limit. So Robin asks if they will check something of ours with them to bring our overage down. T doesn't want to. Doesn't feel comfortable with that. When Robin came back and told me I swear I almost dragged that wood carving down there to smash it over her head. Our agent suggests maybe we should mail it from the airport. Like that was gonna be cheaper. Robin goes back to T and H and is basically pleading w/ T. I was wondering how they were so under. So when Robin came back for the second time I asked her that. Third time back to T and H, Robin returns and tells our agent that their agent said it's not 60 Kilo combined, it's 60 Kilo EACH. Our agent insists that can't be right.Our agent goes with Robin to their agent. They return and that in fact was the case, but only if you are continuing on to Canada or the U.S. We were checking our bags thru to ATL even though we were flying Delta NRT-ATL. She apologizes for the mistake, we are now 2 Kilo under. Penalty overage of 540 dollars avoided. New problem. 60 K each, but only 2 bags each. I had 3, Robin had 2( really 3 but she was going to try to get 1 as carryon. The agent suggests we tape the 2 boxes of wood carvings together and make it one. Just then T and H walk over to say they'll meet us at the gate. Offer some help, of course not. I run to the minimart on the other side of the terminal and return with 5 rolls of packing tape. I pack boxes every other day when shipping my work so I'm a pro at that. While Robin is finishing up getting our seats and such I tape those 2 boxes together. It was now 8;15.
We wander thru the shops at BKK, I needed snowglobes for my niece and nephew who collect them. Gotta tell you, snowglobes are not an easy find in Thailand. I finally found 2 tiny ones with TUK-TUK's in them. At the gate the flight looks pretty full a 777 red-eye flight to arrive in NRT at 6;30 am.
I slept on and off during the flight, though no real rest for the weary. We go thru immigration, collect our bags, onto customs lalala. So this is what H told Robin and Robin told me happened on the flight to NRT. Seems there was a woman who got very sick on the flight, was put on oxygen and layed on the floor in the bulkhead emergency row where T and H were sitting. T is a physicians assistant, went to nursing school. The flight attendents did not announce on the speaker because people were sleeping but were asking if anyone had medical background. This is the gem that T is. She looked at H and said, " I'm putting on my headphones, closing my eyes , I don't want to know about it." Obviously even H was horrified at her coldness and repeated this back to Robin. Can you imagine, possibly being able to help and not? ICK, is all I could say.
It was about 7:30-8 am our flight to ATL didn't leave until 3:30pm, we couldn't check in yet and technically we were flying standby so we store our luggage. A quick stop at Starbucks and we plan on heading into Narita for a few hours. Robin and I find out about the trains, again handling all the planning and those two tag along. A 9 minute ride gets you to Narita.
There is an old village around where NaritaSan is. Next few lines completely cut and paste from japan guide.com. Naritasan was built in the year 940 around its main sacred object of worship, a statue of the Buddhist Fudo Myoo deity. Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon Sect and one of the most important figures in Japan's religious history, is said to have carved the statue. There you have it some history. So that's where we went.
The walk there is nice, very cute village, it was very hot and humid and drizzling. The temple complex was beautiful. We get seperated , what else is new. Robin and I buy some good luck tokens because if you haven't figured it out yet, if it ain't nailed down, we're buying it! LOl We walk around and snap photos for about an hour an hour and a half.The architecture was amazing and the gardens, well you'll see in the pix. We decide to go back to the front steps to find H and T. It was about 10;45-11 we had to be back at the airport by 1;30 and we wanted to walk thru the village a bit. So we take a seat on the steps in the drizzle and wait. And wait. And wait. 1/2 hour still no sign of them. Robin does a lap while I wait. An hour still no sign of them. We wait. And the whole time while we wait Robin and I turn into some horrible Abbott and Costello routine that goes something like this;
R: I can't F'en believe they left!
A; They'd do that? Do you really think they'd do that?
R; I do! I really do.
A; Really? They would do that?
R;Oh, they definitly would.
We would have that conversation exactly the same way every 5 minutes for the next 1/2 hour. We had been waiting almost 1 1/2 hours. They never showed. I think Robin actually turned purple she was so mad. Finally she says," That's it, we're not waiting anymore, they left, we've been waiting let's go. Really? you think they'd do that? Yes, I do and now we're leaving. And we did. We shopped our way back to the train station( flight attendents get 10% off in Narita shops) except this time the conversation every 5 min. went like this:
R: I can't believe they F'n left w/out telling us
A: I can't believe it, that they would do that.
R; Oh, I know, so rude!
LMAO, over and over we really couldn't believe it. A mad dash to catch the 1;06 train to NRT terminal. Back at the airport we retrieve our luggage from storing it and get on the unbelievably long line for check-in. It was so long I feared we would not make it on this flight. As we stand in line we see T walking toward us. In a more timid way than she usually spoke she says, " what happened to you guys/ We waited." (Liar!!!!!!!!) Robin says really? because we waited too. She says you already got your luggage we didn't. T says ," Well we saw you guys walk down the stairs. (I gave Robin this one because honestly if had opened my mouth she would have had wounds from the lashing I was prepared to give).Robin asks why they didn't call to us then. She says well you were too far away. Robin says but we waited at the bottom of the stairs too. (which we did for about 20 min. of the time). Well we walked down and you weren't there. Robin asks if they just got back. She says no around 12;30. Hmmmm. It was around 12;30 when we finally reached the conclusion they left so that's when we did. Let me say again LIAR!!!!!! They left at about 11:30, probably slipped right by us. If they had waited at all we would have seen them. Robin came just short of calling her a liar, but she stormed off back to the bar where we could see her repeating to H what just happened. They get their luggage and just assume it's ok to cut the line and join us. H apologizes for any mix-up. Because now, they needed Robin to better their chances of Business class.
11 open seats in Business, 12 people on standby. T and H are standing behind us when they hear the agent tell Robin this. Robin was checking herself and me in. It goes by seniority. How long you've been flying, employees, relatives, friends and so on. They ask questions out of regulation to Robin like if there is one seat are you willing to fly w/out your friend, stuff like that. I've flown as a buddy w/ her before so I knew it was just their standard questions. While Robin is answering I hear T say to H, I can't F$^*&%# believe we are gonna end up in coach. I did not dare repeat it to Robin and still have not.( I guess she'll read it here) The nerve, I don't like coach either on 12+ hour flight but for $414 RT to Tokyo who is anyone to complain. Above all else, it was THAT ungrateful remark that sealed the deal on my dislike for her.
Turns out flight was delayed til 5:30.
We were done checking in had to come back at 4;30 to see if we made it on or not. They had to check baggage we said we'de be at the bar. A couple of Sakis and I can pretty much tolerate anyone and that's what it took. 4;30 back to the counter we all got on, all in business class. They sat a row behind us, I don't think we exchanged more than 10 words the entire 12 1/2 hours back to ATL. And I don't think I slept more than 10 minutes.
We claimed our bags in Atl to recheck them onto Newark. You ahve to reclaim at point of entry into the US. Of course customs had to screen our carvings. We missed our connecting flight and then were delayed when we finally boarded our tiny COM AIR commuter plane to Newark. I think I've mentioned I am an extremely fearful flyer and rely on Xanax to get me where I gotta go. Don't like small planes, especially don't like window seats, especially not on small planes. I had no choice, we got the last 4 seats on the last flight out, 5 rows from the back in a window seat next to a guy that was 6'4". Besides the whole crashing thing, I hate flying because it makes me very claustraphobic. That's why I prefer business class. We were scattered except T was across the aisle in the window. Robin was in the last row. I was concentrating on my yoga breathing when we began to taxi. But then the plane stops and the pilot announces we will sit on the taxi way for 90 minutes. It was at that point I felt my heart drop, I knew it was coming, there was no stopping it, FULL BLOWN PANIC ATTACK! On the plane! Extremely embarassing! I jumped up and said to the guy next to me (LOLLOL), move , please move I need to get out.Oh and he did, real fast got out of that seat. Robin could hear me, she's witnessed it before and it ain't pretty. There I stand in the aisle of a 50 seater for all to see freaking out. It takes Robin not 3 seconds to come over, twenty minutes later she has talked me down. The first time I had one, went to the emergency room, thought I was dying, they are very scary, Limbs go numb, can't breathe. The guy sitting on the aisle next to T offers me his aisle seat. I decline he was tall, I'm small felt bad making him squish in by the window. He insisted, as did the flight attendents. I sat next to T and not once did she utter the words are you ok. She just sat there with her headphones on. It was 1;00 am Tues. morning before we would arrive in Newark, we had left Samui at 5;00 pm on Sunday.It was 43 hours later, Samui time.
So despite the less than stellar travel companions, Robin and I concur it was a great trip overall. I liked BKK, I LOVED Samui. I'll definitly return to Thailand but only on a direct flight. Thanks for reading and one more set of photos ark bar samui, pineapple house and Narita.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...h6xvu&Ux=1
Seriously though if we ever do go on Charlie's boat rkk, you're coming!We got to the airport at 4:15, cutting it kinda close since our flight to BKK left at 5:00. We had to check in, return the car and get to the gate. Plenty of time in our book EXCEPT we went to arrivals and departures is down the road. There was a later flight and our flight from BKK-NRT didn't leave til 10:30 pm so worst case....
We get to the checkin counter and are the only ones there, so no line. However, only allowed 20 Kilo pp our wood carvings put us over by 30 K. It was like 59 Baht p kilo he cut us a break marked it at 20 over so about 35 bucks. Run to the other counter to pay overage, bring the slip back, luggage goes thru. Return the car and pull an O.J. Hertz dash thru the airport. I had taken off my shoes for better traction running. At the gate and miraculously T's blackberry works. She texts Robin to find out where we are. They have already boarded. We on the other hand are first boarding the little open air bus that takes you to the plane. We make it and an hour later land in BKK.
We had 4 hours til our next flight. First stop is baggage claim to get our 3 bags and 2 woodcarvings. The boxes were pretty big, we need two carts. Next stop left luggage to get our jumbo wheeled suitcases that we checked before going to Samui. Off to check in at Thai Air. Of course during this time T and H are sticking to us like flies on, well you know, because we know where to go. We go to two seperate kiosks. Robin and I stay together, they at the other end of the row. Big problem ahead.
According to our counter agent we are allowed as many bags/pieces as we want as long as it does not go over 30 Kilos each person. Well, my big red roller was 24 K itself, plus 14 for my soft luggage and 16 for my carving. That brings me to 60k. Robins total was 58K. LMAO, So now we are , according to this agent 58K over. OMG, I don't remeber what the actual amount in Baht per K was the charge but it was alot because it came to 540.00 US dollars. We nearly had a heart attack.
Robin runs down to H and T and they are 30 K under limit. So Robin asks if they will check something of ours with them to bring our overage down. T doesn't want to. Doesn't feel comfortable with that. When Robin came back and told me I swear I almost dragged that wood carving down there to smash it over her head. Our agent suggests maybe we should mail it from the airport. Like that was gonna be cheaper. Robin goes back to T and H and is basically pleading w/ T. I was wondering how they were so under. So when Robin came back for the second time I asked her that. Third time back to T and H, Robin returns and tells our agent that their agent said it's not 60 Kilo combined, it's 60 Kilo EACH. Our agent insists that can't be right.Our agent goes with Robin to their agent. They return and that in fact was the case, but only if you are continuing on to Canada or the U.S. We were checking our bags thru to ATL even though we were flying Delta NRT-ATL. She apologizes for the mistake, we are now 2 Kilo under. Penalty overage of 540 dollars avoided. New problem. 60 K each, but only 2 bags each. I had 3, Robin had 2( really 3 but she was going to try to get 1 as carryon. The agent suggests we tape the 2 boxes of wood carvings together and make it one. Just then T and H walk over to say they'll meet us at the gate. Offer some help, of course not. I run to the minimart on the other side of the terminal and return with 5 rolls of packing tape. I pack boxes every other day when shipping my work so I'm a pro at that. While Robin is finishing up getting our seats and such I tape those 2 boxes together. It was now 8;15.
We wander thru the shops at BKK, I needed snowglobes for my niece and nephew who collect them. Gotta tell you, snowglobes are not an easy find in Thailand. I finally found 2 tiny ones with TUK-TUK's in them. At the gate the flight looks pretty full a 777 red-eye flight to arrive in NRT at 6;30 am.
I slept on and off during the flight, though no real rest for the weary. We go thru immigration, collect our bags, onto customs lalala. So this is what H told Robin and Robin told me happened on the flight to NRT. Seems there was a woman who got very sick on the flight, was put on oxygen and layed on the floor in the bulkhead emergency row where T and H were sitting. T is a physicians assistant, went to nursing school. The flight attendents did not announce on the speaker because people were sleeping but were asking if anyone had medical background. This is the gem that T is. She looked at H and said, " I'm putting on my headphones, closing my eyes , I don't want to know about it." Obviously even H was horrified at her coldness and repeated this back to Robin. Can you imagine, possibly being able to help and not? ICK, is all I could say.
It was about 7:30-8 am our flight to ATL didn't leave until 3:30pm, we couldn't check in yet and technically we were flying standby so we store our luggage. A quick stop at Starbucks and we plan on heading into Narita for a few hours. Robin and I find out about the trains, again handling all the planning and those two tag along. A 9 minute ride gets you to Narita.
There is an old village around where NaritaSan is. Next few lines completely cut and paste from japan guide.com. Naritasan was built in the year 940 around its main sacred object of worship, a statue of the Buddhist Fudo Myoo deity. Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon Sect and one of the most important figures in Japan's religious history, is said to have carved the statue. There you have it some history. So that's where we went.
The walk there is nice, very cute village, it was very hot and humid and drizzling. The temple complex was beautiful. We get seperated , what else is new. Robin and I buy some good luck tokens because if you haven't figured it out yet, if it ain't nailed down, we're buying it! LOl We walk around and snap photos for about an hour an hour and a half.The architecture was amazing and the gardens, well you'll see in the pix. We decide to go back to the front steps to find H and T. It was about 10;45-11 we had to be back at the airport by 1;30 and we wanted to walk thru the village a bit. So we take a seat on the steps in the drizzle and wait. And wait. And wait. 1/2 hour still no sign of them. Robin does a lap while I wait. An hour still no sign of them. We wait. And the whole time while we wait Robin and I turn into some horrible Abbott and Costello routine that goes something like this;
R: I can't F'en believe they left!
A; They'd do that? Do you really think they'd do that?
R; I do! I really do.
A; Really? They would do that?
R;Oh, they definitly would.
We would have that conversation exactly the same way every 5 minutes for the next 1/2 hour. We had been waiting almost 1 1/2 hours. They never showed. I think Robin actually turned purple she was so mad. Finally she says," That's it, we're not waiting anymore, they left, we've been waiting let's go. Really? you think they'd do that? Yes, I do and now we're leaving. And we did. We shopped our way back to the train station( flight attendents get 10% off in Narita shops) except this time the conversation every 5 min. went like this:
R: I can't believe they F'n left w/out telling us
A: I can't believe it, that they would do that.
R; Oh, I know, so rude!
LMAO, over and over we really couldn't believe it. A mad dash to catch the 1;06 train to NRT terminal. Back at the airport we retrieve our luggage from storing it and get on the unbelievably long line for check-in. It was so long I feared we would not make it on this flight. As we stand in line we see T walking toward us. In a more timid way than she usually spoke she says, " what happened to you guys/ We waited." (Liar!!!!!!!!) Robin says really? because we waited too. She says you already got your luggage we didn't. T says ," Well we saw you guys walk down the stairs. (I gave Robin this one because honestly if had opened my mouth she would have had wounds from the lashing I was prepared to give).Robin asks why they didn't call to us then. She says well you were too far away. Robin says but we waited at the bottom of the stairs too. (which we did for about 20 min. of the time). Well we walked down and you weren't there. Robin asks if they just got back. She says no around 12;30. Hmmmm. It was around 12;30 when we finally reached the conclusion they left so that's when we did. Let me say again LIAR!!!!!! They left at about 11:30, probably slipped right by us. If they had waited at all we would have seen them. Robin came just short of calling her a liar, but she stormed off back to the bar where we could see her repeating to H what just happened. They get their luggage and just assume it's ok to cut the line and join us. H apologizes for any mix-up. Because now, they needed Robin to better their chances of Business class.
11 open seats in Business, 12 people on standby. T and H are standing behind us when they hear the agent tell Robin this. Robin was checking herself and me in. It goes by seniority. How long you've been flying, employees, relatives, friends and so on. They ask questions out of regulation to Robin like if there is one seat are you willing to fly w/out your friend, stuff like that. I've flown as a buddy w/ her before so I knew it was just their standard questions. While Robin is answering I hear T say to H, I can't F$^*&%# believe we are gonna end up in coach. I did not dare repeat it to Robin and still have not.( I guess she'll read it here) The nerve, I don't like coach either on 12+ hour flight but for $414 RT to Tokyo who is anyone to complain. Above all else, it was THAT ungrateful remark that sealed the deal on my dislike for her.
Turns out flight was delayed til 5:30.
We were done checking in had to come back at 4;30 to see if we made it on or not. They had to check baggage we said we'de be at the bar. A couple of Sakis and I can pretty much tolerate anyone and that's what it took. 4;30 back to the counter we all got on, all in business class. They sat a row behind us, I don't think we exchanged more than 10 words the entire 12 1/2 hours back to ATL. And I don't think I slept more than 10 minutes.
We claimed our bags in Atl to recheck them onto Newark. You ahve to reclaim at point of entry into the US. Of course customs had to screen our carvings. We missed our connecting flight and then were delayed when we finally boarded our tiny COM AIR commuter plane to Newark. I think I've mentioned I am an extremely fearful flyer and rely on Xanax to get me where I gotta go. Don't like small planes, especially don't like window seats, especially not on small planes. I had no choice, we got the last 4 seats on the last flight out, 5 rows from the back in a window seat next to a guy that was 6'4". Besides the whole crashing thing, I hate flying because it makes me very claustraphobic. That's why I prefer business class. We were scattered except T was across the aisle in the window. Robin was in the last row. I was concentrating on my yoga breathing when we began to taxi. But then the plane stops and the pilot announces we will sit on the taxi way for 90 minutes. It was at that point I felt my heart drop, I knew it was coming, there was no stopping it, FULL BLOWN PANIC ATTACK! On the plane! Extremely embarassing! I jumped up and said to the guy next to me (LOLLOL), move , please move I need to get out.Oh and he did, real fast got out of that seat. Robin could hear me, she's witnessed it before and it ain't pretty. There I stand in the aisle of a 50 seater for all to see freaking out. It takes Robin not 3 seconds to come over, twenty minutes later she has talked me down. The first time I had one, went to the emergency room, thought I was dying, they are very scary, Limbs go numb, can't breathe. The guy sitting on the aisle next to T offers me his aisle seat. I decline he was tall, I'm small felt bad making him squish in by the window. He insisted, as did the flight attendents. I sat next to T and not once did she utter the words are you ok. She just sat there with her headphones on. It was 1;00 am Tues. morning before we would arrive in Newark, we had left Samui at 5;00 pm on Sunday.It was 43 hours later, Samui time.
So despite the less than stellar travel companions, Robin and I concur it was a great trip overall. I liked BKK, I LOVED Samui. I'll definitly return to Thailand but only on a direct flight. Thanks for reading and one more set of photos ark bar samui, pineapple house and Narita.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...h6xvu&Ux=1
Sep 27th, 2007, 02:30 AM
#170
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Just had to say, laartista, this was one of the most entertaining and funniest trip reports ever! thanks for taking the time to share this with everyone
Where do you plan on traveling to next, so we keep keep an eye out for your next report?
Where do you plan on traveling to next, so we keep keep an eye out for your next report?
Sep 27th, 2007, 04:59 AM
#171
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Great Report. All the tiny details we love. The in-fighting was wonderful. It gave a depth to the factual recitation. Do you and Robin have a GTG planned with H and T? Can we come and observe?
If you ever get up to Boston, RhkKmk and I would like to demonstrate how to really not get along.
If you ever get up to Boston, RhkKmk and I would like to demonstrate how to really not get along.
Sep 27th, 2007, 05:26 AM
#172
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Simone- Thanks so much
Gpanda- Oh, Boston, well that explains it. Ribbing and sarcasm come naturally to you Bostonians I lived in Porter Square 91-96. Next time I get up there I'd love to see a fist-a-cuffs btwn. yourself and rkk.
Gpanda- Oh, Boston, well that explains it. Ribbing and sarcasm come naturally to you Bostonians
I lived in Porter Square 91-96. Next time I get up there I'd love to see a fist-a-cuffs btwn. yourself and rkk.
Sep 27th, 2007, 06:12 AM
#174
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All of our sparring is verbal. That way he's unlikely to land a lucky punch.
If you come to the 10/13/07 GTG, you will be one of the guests of honor. Nothing like a hot trip report to rise to the top.
BTW, I live about 3/4 of a mile fromn Porter Square in Cambridge. Just goes to show how Cantabridgeans are such good writers and keen observers.
If you come to the 10/13/07 GTG, you will be one of the guests of honor. Nothing like a hot trip report to rise to the top.
BTW, I live about 3/4 of a mile fromn Porter Square in Cambridge. Just goes to show how Cantabridgeans are such good writers and keen observers.
Sep 28th, 2007, 02:04 PM
#178
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Prev. stated.
"As we sat there recalling our travel so far we couldn't help but notice the crowd around us. At every table, but ours and 1 other were Western men, in their 40's,50's,60's and very, very young Thai girls that couldn't be more than 15. OMG, it's true! All that I heard about, but to see it, so blatent, it was really a shock."
*
Believe me they may have looked like teenagers but they most likely were not! Under 18 dating with foreigners is against the law - especially in public!
It is not the Thai ladies fault for looking "really young" when they are in their 30's or 40's and many foreign women looking "really old" at age 20 on up!
Next time you see what you expect as an underage dating arrangement confront the tourist - you will be embarrassed when you realize your error!
Enjoy yourself in the Land of Smiles!
"As we sat there recalling our travel so far we couldn't help but notice the crowd around us. At every table, but ours and 1 other were Western men, in their 40's,50's,60's and very, very young Thai girls that couldn't be more than 15. OMG, it's true! All that I heard about, but to see it, so blatent, it was really a shock."
*
Believe me they may have looked like teenagers but they most likely were not! Under 18 dating with foreigners is against the law - especially in public!
It is not the Thai ladies fault for looking "really young" when they are in their 30's or 40's and many foreign women looking "really old" at age 20 on up!
Next time you see what you expect as an underage dating arrangement confront the tourist - you will be embarrassed when you realize your error!
Enjoy yourself in the Land of Smiles!
Sep 28th, 2007, 02:42 PM
#179
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WOW! Someones defensive. Did I hit a nerve? At the end of a very long report it's interesting that's the part that stuck out to you. If you had read as carefully the other parts you would have seen that I acknowledge that not only is it not their fault that they have to resort to prostitution, but that they do look very young. I don't care how good you look at 30 and 40 you don't look 14. I'm 41 have never looked my age ,was asked for ID still at 38. BTW it may be illegal to date an under age girl, it's also illegal to PAY FOR IT! Look young woman and old guys is nothing new, in the west there are alot of 20 somethings with 60 year olds, for their money, only difference is it costs them less in Thailand. Am I being judgemental on this, ABSOLUTELY!Always have been even at 20! Ciao
