Dogster- Please tell us what you plan to visit in BKK(food included). Btw, do you ever start to feel burned-out from traveling as much as you do? I have reached a decent degree of saturation with Thailand after the 7th visit...Maybe it was the heat, illness and horrible post-trip jetlag this time(I hope!)

Mango

Riots and dogs are not a good combination. Leave in peace :).

Mr. Dogster is never really "Out of India," is he?

Mango -- I'll trade your burn-out from traveling for my burn-out from work! =D

Bangkok:

Somewhere on the 35th floor of the Centala Gland lies a wounded dog, howling at the moon.

The Gland is my hotel of choice these days, mostly because it's built on top of Central World shopping centre. The Dog days go fast with over three million retail opportunities within close reach. In fact, there's not much reason to go anywhere...

My wounded leg may force a series of youthful Thai masseurs to go through the motions, conjuring and singing prayers over my nether regions - therefore my essential meanness will force me out of the Gland to find healing hands that don't cost 85,000 baht an hour - I was more thinking of the 350b for one and a half hours guys.

Culinary treats thus far have included a hot dog and salad at Mos Burger - my fave Japanese chain burger joint. I knew you'd be impressed. Tomorrow it'll be Italian food for lunch. Thrill piles upon thrill.

Next stop was Tibetiyana - a strange shop that sells miniature monks made out of plastic with real hair, robes and pimples. They are SO realistic you'd think there was a real dwarf monk sitting in the corner. I buy a mini-monk every time I come to Thailand.

Then my latest shop of the moment: Muji. Japanese again, full of anal toys, storage devices and bags, pens and rather cool clothes. I bought a heap last time, but the Indian laundry-wallahs shrunk them all.

Now my trousers are just big enough to fit my monklets. Not that I'd want to undress them. That just doesn't seem right.

Burnt-out? Nah. Quite the reverse. Don't wanna go home. But the brain has gone from 'receive' to 'send' - I'm in the mood to unload and it seems I can only write at home. So I'll go do that... and attend to the surgery, death and destruction that my doctor will probably demand once I hobble into his waiting room.

I might mention that I've put on six kilos, entirely around my waist. Makes my clothes shopping somewhat problematic. All those lean, mean, tremendously sexy tight shirts make me look pregnant.

I'll leave you with that image for the moment.

BTW Mang: I note that your 'special' friends seem to have been purged from the Board. I was looking forward to seeing the latest explosion from Hanuman - but, somewhere between Kolkata and Bangkok the latest Extreme Editing Championships have been held. Oh well, we'll just have fight amongst ourselves now.

Ready to receive!

"cost 85,000 baht an hour"

Seems to be just a little over the top! I can normally get a massage for around 70,000!

lol - that must be quite a massage for 85,000 baht!

If you don't want to go anywhere and want an inexpensive massage, arrange for someone from Wat Po to come to your room. If you aren't up to arranging it yourself, I'm sure your concierge would be glad to make arrangments for you.

Well, I may have been exaggerating - just a tiddle.

The problem with these hotels with a spa, health centre and two hundred massage gals just waiting to sink their fingers into Dogster's flabby bum is that they are not overly inclined to ring up the competition.

Still, they quite like Dog - he's an oddity that keeps wandering into their lives. He smiles and presents his credit card with both hands and the subtlest of subtle bows, therefore he must be nice. But Dog turns rancid when the massage costs 4,300 baht, aromatherapy or not. As we say in Australia: screw that.

No, Dog will stagger off into the sunset tomorrow as a matter of principle. All I really have to manage is the walk-way between Central World and Siam... but, as you know, that is nearly 15 kilometers long. Well, that's how it feels. I am perfectly mobile - until I'm not. Then I'm really not.

I was even thinking of going to Bumrungrad or whatever it's called but they might stick a catheter in Little Dogster just to show me who's boss. After reflecting on MichaelBKK's post about Komodo I'm too traumatised to continue with my plan.

If you are really hurting (and it sounds like you are) a short visit to the good docs at Bumrungrad might be just what you need. I have used their services on occasion, and the medical care is superior in many ways to what we have in the US. Also, they have an excellent Italian restaurant. Yes, I know that's an odd recommendation, and I thought that about my friend who gave me the recommendation. But finding myself there at lunch time, I tried it out and was surprised at the quality. Not what I think of as hospital food.

It sounds like a serious injury. Please, get yourself healed and then while recovering, give us your long awaited trip report. I know this is going to be worth the wait. Take care.

Thanks for your mini-BKK report, Dogster. I always like hearing the different things others do there.

I love the area you're in now. There is so much food and shopping there its incredible. Always something to buy (whether you need it or not!!). We actually got most of our massages in MBK this time. I was hesitant at first, but the wife said it was ok. Got the best massage I've ever had on the 3rd (4th?) floor. Foot massage only costs 250 baht/hour. Of course you're packed in like sardines, but it really isn't bad...enough of those US$50 massages(You're really only paying for ambiance if that's important to you).

As of yesterday, I am no longer feeling sick of BKK (There's no middle ground with the Mango!!) I actually was trying to pressure the wife to go over the Xmas/NYE holidays this year, but she doesn't want to.. imagine that. And all she does is complain about how the Thai food in America sucks. I will weaken her through the scrolling Thai food screensaver :D

Anyway, I did notice a lull in the sexpat crew. My sense tell me they're preparing for battle!

Have a great time. Make sure you try the foodstalls down on Silom and Soi Convent if you can (You have three other legs, so you should be good to go :D

No advice, but healing wishes.

Dogster, I just caught up again with your ongoing romp through "Dogster's World". Sounds like you are a bit beaten up from your travels. Take care of yourself, I need your unmanaged, somewhat random, jerking and weaving wandering in my life. I am too staid, too controlled and structured. However, for a few minutes in Fodors I can take a roller coaster Dogster-driven adventure from the safety of my red leather chair and Mac. As they say in the Mastercard commercial--Priceless!

Follow up to thursdaysd. Yes, indeed I have been traveling and when not traveling, trying to grow my company is this miserable economy. My last trip was three weeks in Feb/March to Egypt and Jordan with my two beautiful 20-something Arabic speaking nieces. It was such fun. We went clubbing every night. Something ole Aunt Boston would not have done on her own--and I certainly wouldn't have received such service.

Although I may get whomped by the Fodors police [-X and sent to the back room (like Bob) , here is a link to my Egypt and Jordan pictures. www.photo-url.com/egypt They are really nice photos if i do say so myself. ;-)

Besides, Gpanda said that Jordan is the "near east" and that because of this, I'm practically legal. Thank God for a lawyer on the board.

I agree with Boston Harbor's analysis. We do need the adventures of the Dogster to liven up our pathetic lives.

Near East, it is. Jordan is definitely in Asia. Asia Minor is perjorative. On the definitive map in the game of Risk, Jordan is part of Asia. Therefore, pictures from Jordan are properly posted on this forum.

Boston, thanks for the link to your photos. I looked at Jerash and Petra which brought back wonderful memories of my trip to Jordan a dozen or so years ago. I'd love to return!

Fodor's definition of Asia does seem a little odd. I always thought Asia started at the Bosphorus. I'm considering a trip that would go E. Turkey - Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan - Iran (if I can get a visa). You'd think that would all be in Asia, no? But Turkey is on the Europe board and Iran on the Africa and Middle East. And really, the three countries that are on the Asia board seem the most European! (Although if I make it there maybe I'll feel differently.)

Will you be posting a TR, BostonHarbor? If I don't get to Iran I'd likely consider Syria and Jordan instead.

I went off to my 350 baht massage man today.

He took one look at me and said

'Oh, I see you're having a baby.'

Things have been downhill from there all day.

Bostonharbor, your photos are exquisite. I also enjoyed the spirited captions.

Dogster having a baby? Wow -- a miraculous conception! And a male conception at that! This is one for the science books! LOL
BTW, dogs don't have babies -- they have puppies -- and sorry to tell you, multiples at that . . . so, you can name them all after your Fodors friends! Anyway, I would bet you are still a skinny mongel -- you are just having a bout with body dysmorphia. . .

Boston -- great pics! I did a jaunt through Egypt, Jordan and Israel a few years back and your photos reminded me of some very cool places. And yes, I agree Jordan is in Asia. GPanda is correct -- Risk IS the definitive authority on that question.

Dogster- Maybe he was aroused by seeing your grossly distended abdomen. Anything goes in Thailand, as you know :D I hope he didn't give you a pre-massage "tea" infusion.