Bangkok River Dinner Cruise

Did we talk about this already?

Loy Nava Dinner Cruises Bangkok

A luxury rice barge journey into Thai culture and the Thai heart. Five star dining, traditional culture and touring, on the only original antique teakwood rice barge on the river in Bangkok. Experience first-class Thai hospitality and delicious food from around Thailand in the comfort and tranquility of this luxury, open-air cruise.



Daily dinner cruises:
The Sunset Cruise at 6 pm.
The Bangkok At Night Cruise at 8.10 pm
Trip Duration: 2 hours
Boat capacity: 65-70 persons
Price: 1100 baht per person (booked online/in advance)

You can choose from a Thai Traditional Menu,Thai Seafood Menu, or Thai Vegetarian Menu - check out the site for more info.

Silver Temple

Whoa! This place is nuts!

From Neatorama's 10 Most Amazing Temples in the World

Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world. The all-white, highly ornate structure gilded in mosaic mirrors that seem to shine magically, is done in a distinctly contemporary style. It is the brainchild of renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.


I don't know if we can make it to Chiang Rai - which is north and east of Chiang Mai but it might be a fun day trip out of Chiang Dao.

Leyana Spa


This looks like a very pleasant, somewhat upscale, but still affordable spa in Bangkok. They offer individual services as well as packages. I'm rather tempted by #4 Ecstasy Time 3 hour package. It includes a scrub, a wrap and a massage + more! Also they have a deal where you get 30% off if you book via the website. So it ends up costing about 120$ for this particular package. I need to try and figure out where it is in relation to where we are staying but provided it's not too far, I think it might be worth checking out.

Love them B&Bs

We are going to be staying in the rear suites (no comments please) at the Baan Orapin Heritage B&B while in Chiang Mai. The suite that we are staying in is known for its tranquility and overlooks the longan trees (it's built into them so they didn't have to be cut) and is within walking distance to the night market and several resturants.

Not to mention a pool. We're going to need all the serenity we can take after the long hard work we'll be putting in at the cooking school...

http://www.baanorapin.com/index.php

Chuga chuga, chuga chuga CHOO CHOO!!

Yay! We're goin on a train!

Overnight trip from bangkok to Chiang Mai. First Class....

Royal Exclusive Travel will deliver our tickets to our hotel the day before.

We get on around 7:35 and arrive around 9:45 the next day.

Should be good - we get our own private seating area and sleeping compartment.

I'm thinking dinner before we go and stop for snacks on the way....

Meditate on this?

Hey - I nearly forgot about this. What do you think?
www.chiangdao.com/chiangdao/meditation.htm

6-7am Daily Morning OMN Meditation (is this supposed to be OHM Meditation do you think?)
6-7pm Evening Kundalini Meditation
Attending each session for at least three consecutive days is recommended, but attendees are welcome anytime. There is no charge although donations are appreciated.

I think I want to try it at least once...

Two Nights in Bangkok...

Makes the world your oysta...

Waiting to hear back from the Old Bangkok Inn. Voted as Conde Nast Traveller Hot List Hotels 2006. We are checking into the Rice Room - the double beds and noted "best" bath products, not to mention free computer and internet access. AND...it's a green hotel. Another gold star for them!

http://oldbangkokinn.com/introduction.php

Check out the room we would be staying in.

So yes mom - we can email you to let you know we made it. I like the term "hippy-chic". Has a friendly tone to that.

Here's what Conde Nast had to say -

Bangkok's first true B&B, the eight-room Old Bangkok Inn is run by a warm, well-traveled proprietress and her son, who guides guests to the hippie-chic nightlife along Khao San Road. There are four room types, each with its own charm: The bath products in Rice make the best souvenirs, Lemongrass comes with an enchanting tropical garden, Jasmine has painted murals, and Orchid a four-poster bed. Wi-Fi access, AC, and powerful showers in the bathrooms make travelers wonder if they've set foot in an urban myth of clean, charming, and affordable accommodations. Guests can augment the inexpensive room rate with a small contribution, matched by the hotel, to four worthy charities.

We're Nesting!

I just fired off an email to Stuart regarding our stay at Chiang Dao Nest #2.

http://nest.chiangdao.com/

I mentioned we'd want to do the massage (20$ for 2 hours!) and the Elephant/Rafting tour. Plus the caves and the temple. I already love Chiang Dao Nest!

Confirmation soon I hope!

Siam Niramit - oh wow!

I love the idea of seeing a show but Patravadi Theatre only has shows on Friday and Saturday. Their site says we might be able to see a rehearsal but I'm kind of meh on that.

So I poked around a bit and found

http://www.siamniramit.com/

which looks amazing! From their site:

Siam Niramit is a world-class performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. Set in the heart of Bangkok affording convenient access by MRT subway and major thoroughfares, this must-see spectacular is performed on the gigantic stage now listed in the Guinness World Records, featuring over 150 performers with as many as 500 costumes. On top of this, enhanced special effects with the world's most advanced technology are used to produce a stimulating, very realistic and inspiring experience. This is a Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Thailand that no one can miss.

and

Think Cirque du Soleil plus Italian Grand Opera and Classical Thai Dance Dressed
by Las Vegas Costumers and Staged by Hollywood.

I'm pretty much a sucker for gigantic productions so needless to say I'm enthralled. It would cost about $50 per ticket and if we want we can add a buffet dinner for an addition $10 dollars. I don't know about the buffet - we might want to go someplace else instead? We can make reservations online too.

Here a shrine, there a shrine...

Here are a couple of interesting shrines to look out for. Could be a little good juju to add to your kharma.

The Trimurti Shrine (Lover's shrine)

On a Thursday evening exactly at 21:30 is when lovelorn singles wearing red turn to Trimurti, the god of love, with offerings of red roses - all in the name of love, and in the hope that they will meet their eternal sweethearts. The shrine is a landmark in front of CentralWorld, and was even slightly moved (at great expense) to make way for recent renovations. In Hinduism, Trimurti represents the three aspects of God: Brahma (the Source/Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) and Shiva (the Transformer or Destroyer). Some resemblance with the concept of Trinity in Christianity is evident here. Many claim Trimurti is especially successful in matching foreign mates with Thai partners, and the shrine is so crowded on a Thursday night that you'll have to wait your turn. What we wouldn't do for love...

The deity is a gold statue of a human body with two heads and four arms. The heads are one on top of the other, and the lower head has four faces. Built in 1989, the Trimurti Shrine is on a raised platform, sheltered by a dome on four pillars with elaborately carved gables at the four sides. There's an open area around the shrine with a ring of seats for worshippers to sit and reflect. Crafted in classical Indian sculpture with a Thai touch, the statue is a replica of the original from Ayutthaya.

The Ganesha Shrine


Directly adjacent to Trimurti stands another important Hindu shrine, this time for Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is considered a master of intellect and wisdom, and visitors here seek to be blessed with artistic success and accomplishment. The deity is one of the more recognizable (at least for non-Hindus) because of his elephant head, human components (many arms), elements of serpents, and the big belly that it is depicted with. His attendant is a mouse.
Ganesha is often linked to the field of arts, but is, in fact, the Destroyer of Obstacles. Craftsmen would invoke Ganesha before embarking on a delicate process like stone carving, hence the link with the arts. He is also believed to be the god of good fortune, and revered by businessmen who wish for success in their ventures. Legend has it that Ganesha angered his father, who unwittingly cut off his own son's head. To make amends, he told his soldiers to bring the head of the first animal they encountered, which happened to be an elephant with one tusk. A red lotus is the main offering amongst many that are dedicated to this god.

The theata, the theata. What huappened to the theata?

At least where dawncing is concerned. Where's Danny Kaye when you need him?

We want to make our last big shindig before heading west a night of great food and interesting theatre. While I'm not especially a fan of adding the two together, this may be an option to check out. It may be fantastic, it may be cheesy or it may be a little between the two.

If you notice from the calendar, we don't have a lot to chose from as far as variety goes, but it's a start.

http://www.patravaditheatre.com/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=12&year=2007&month=11&day=12&Itemid=0

There is also the National Theatre that I need to find out more about, so stay tuned.

Sinativa Spa Club

We gotta go here! It looks fabulous and the prices are awesome! Check it out!

A three hour treatment that includes:
Deep cleansing - facial treatment (cleansing and Detoxifying massage, scrub,mask)
Relaxing Full Body Holistic Aroma Massage
Herbal body scrub
Herbal steam
Mineral / Floral bath jacuzzi
Cost: 1,600 Baht (roughly $54.00)

And they have lots of packages to choose from! Too see more go to:
http://www.sinativaspaclub.com/services.html

I tell you what, my crazy tight shoulders and neck aren't going to know what hit them!

The Grand Palace in Bangkok

Number one on palaces to visit in Bangkok. The huge white walled complex is in the center of "historic Bangkok" and was originally built in 1782 by the first king to rule Bangkok. Since then, every king has added to it has become an amazing mixture of architectural styles that somehow work together.

Hmm, strange that all those egos would allow that. The Grand Palace is no longer a private residence, but is used only for state functions.

Good to Know -

Admission to both adjoining temple and Grand Palace is 250 Baht ($8.23)

There is a STRICT dress code - shirt with sleeves, fully covered legs (not even capris) are required. Tshirts, see through clothing or bare arms are not allowed. There are places nearby that will rent you a sari, but you will have to leave a credit card to hold it (no thanks)

It is also suggested that you go first thing in the morning (hours are 8:30-3:00) to avoid crowds and the heat.

The good thing is that the palace is the beginning of a lot of walking tours, so we can start one of our days there and see what happens.

Important Things to Know

One of the first things I do when planning a trip is put together a reference book. It becomes part map, part reference book, part itnerary and part travel journal.

Fortunately, I have not had to use this info yet, but I always include important numbers and addresses that would come in handy if anything should happen. this includes embassies in all the cities we will visit, the area's equivalent of 911, possible health care centers that take our insurance, flight info, hotel address and numbers (not to mention confirmations) and phone numbers/email addresses home for both Allie and I.

So miss Allie, as we go along, we need to fill this section with the "boring yet practical" portion of our tour. So if our journals end up gone and/or one of us is unable to speak (I REALLY don't want that to happen - ruins the fun) then we can get ourselves through whatever it is we need to get through.

Savvy?

Ease on down Sankampaeng Road

I can't wait to visit Bo Sang - the umbrella making villiage, not to mention the rest of Sankampaeng Road which is sometimes referred to as the ”handicrafts highway”.

From Yahoo Travel:

For more than 200 years, almost everyone in the small village of Bor Sang has been earning a living from the umbrella trade, silk and cotton umbrellas and paper parasols. Watch the umbrellas being made, then choose one from the variety of beautiful and colorful designs to take home as a souvenir. There is also an annual fair, held each January on the main street, which features an umbrella procession, beauty contests, exhibitions and the selling of umbrellas and other handicrafts.

TICKETS!

We just got our tickets so the dates of the trip are now set!

We're flying Eva Air who we've never heard of but the Internets assure us it's a legitimate carrier based out of Taiwan.

Woo!! No turning back now!

Awesome!!!!

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School

This is the place I'm thinking of taking cooking classes

http://www.thaicookeryschool.com/index.html

I'm pretty sure I want to take:
Course #3: Tour of the Local Market
Course #4: Shopping at the Market

I'm sure all 5 courses are great but I think 2 days is probably long enough for me as I'm a total amateur and don't want to blow my own mind. Or something like that.

But who knows? I should do a bit more research I guess.

To Eat Perchance A Mangosteen

One of the many, many reasons I'm excited to go to Thailand is the Fabled Mangosteen - oft called Queen of Tropical Fruit.

One of the blessing/curses of living in America is that you can get almost anything, any way you want it, whenever you want it. Want a whooper without meat? That's cool but I want one without the bun. Either is ok with the guy behind the counter. Want to watch "Year Without a Santa Claus" in July? No problem. Want to eat Peeps year round - you bet. How about a Strawberry Kit Kat and an Orange Frappuccino - you can have them, but really, why would you want them?

Personally, I liked it when certain things were only available once a year - it gave you something to look forward to and made common things kind of special. I miss that. As a kid, before I really embraced the calendar, I marked off the year via seasonal candy and TV specials. What can I say - it was an Innocent time.

And don't get me started on how everything comes in every flavor/color/form. It's one thing to enjoy regular AND doublestuffed Oreos and quite another to accept the abomination that is SPRING PURPLE CREME Oreos or the GOLDEN UH-OH WITH CHOCOLATE CREME. Gee-ross.

Can someone tell me who thought Diet Pepsi Jazz Black Cherry French Vanilla was really necessary to the world?

Why are there 30 some flavors of Pop Tarts? Better question - why are there 12 chocolate versions?! And Go-Tarts? What?! What wasn't portable about the original Pop Tart?!!!?

Anyway...

You can't get a mangosteens in America. Yet. (Or so they say - you can't tell me that if Oprah wanted mangosteens in her fruit salad, she couldn't get them.) Of course, they say sooner or later they will be available here and then we'll make way for Mangosteen Madness Pop Tarts and Diet Mangosteen Kiwi Guava Pepsi One.

But until then, I love the idea that if I want to taste this remarkable little fruit, I have to travel to Thailand* to do so. Now that's special.

Also on my list to try while I'm in Thailand:

• Rambutan
  
• Durrian

Both of which I think I can get here but where's the fun in that?



*Or Vancouver, BC but whatever.

Growl! I found it!

So the other day I found out about the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi and started to wonder (obsess) if we couldn't fit it into our itinerary somewhere. While our plans are still very flexible at this point, I was not sure how we'd get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi and figured I needed to do some research before getting my heart officially set on going. Afterall, I wouldn't want to be officially disappointed. Well, exactly one google search later and viola!:

http://www.tigertemplethailand.com/

It looks like for about $125 - $135 US dollars we can take a day trip that goes a little something like this:

7:30-8:00 Leave Bangkok for Kanchanaburi.

08:30 First Stop visit to floating market of Damnoen Saduak

11:30 Kanchanaburi visit to Bridge over the River Kwai and war cemetery of allied prisoners.

12:00 Lunch floating restaurant over looking the Bridge

01.00 Visit Tiger Temple in the dimension of Tiger Island Project and then touch the nature of tigers and other kind of wild animals such as deer, wild fowl, wild boar

03:00 Wang Po, time allowing all: Feed Wild Monkeys, Kaset Buddha Cave, Trestle Bridge part of the Death Railway, River Rafting, Elephant Cam.

05:00 Leave Kanchanaburi Province for Bangkok.

Price for all tours includes: Driver, Van, Guide and lunch. Gate fee paid Tiger Temple and Floating Market. Vehicle is a Modern High Top Van with A/C

To me this seem like a pretty sweet deal and I'd be hard pressed not to go for it. But what do you think Kristin?

Boo! Halloween in Bangkok - Our first real night there.

From http://studenttravel.about.com/od/coolevents/ss/halloween_3.htm

Halloween in Bangkok, Thailand

Silom Soi 4, a street of bars, restaurants and clubs, is the scene for a massive Halloween street party in Bangkok. Although Halloween celebrations abound in Bangkok, this one is the queen. The Bangkok gay population comes out in force and revelers from the world over carry on long past the witching hour. Be there or be square. And wear a costume - the more outrageous, the better.

Take a look at the Witch's Tavern while in Bangkok, too. Rockin' good time. In Soi Thong Lo (Thong Lo Road): 306/1 Sukhumvit 55.

Thai Trip Tidbit - Chiang Dao Caves!

A Thai legend tells of a hermit named Phrom Ruesi who lived in the cave for 1000 years. After such a long time he became so friendly with the “the-wadaa”, the Buddhist equivalent of angels, that the wizened sage talked them into creating magical wonders deep within the caves.

So the “the-wadaa” created a stream that flowed out of the pedestal of a solid gold Buddha, a storehouse of divine textiles, a city of nagas, a mystical lake, a sacred immortal elephant and a tomb for Phrom Ruesi.

Has anyone ever seen the magical wonders of Chiang Dao cave? The locals say they are very deep inside the mountain … far beyond any passageways ever explored.

A second, far more worrisome legend claims that anyone taking even a small stone from the cave will become forever lost in the underground labyrinth.

So I guess, at least sometimes, it's best to leave all stones unturned.

Weather Info

What is the weather like in Thailand?
Thailand's climate is always hot and humid, with the highlands being around 10 degrees cooler. November through February is the best time to go when the days are more mild. March thru May is extremely hot, with temps into the low 100's. The rainy season is May through October.

Click here for current weather in Bangkok