Long John

Looking at fares for my November trip. Bloody Hell! Brisbane to BKK return. Anywhere between $1400 and $2000. Crazy stuff!. A year or so ago , that would have got you to London. I guess the only option is to build a raft and paddle. On the other hand, accommodation seems to be ok. Still some good deals around Have booked Citi Chic in Soi 13. Freshly renovated and looking good.

Wow. Have been browsing hotels for my trip in November My normal haunt in Soi 11 has their pricing out for that period. All I can say is, I wish I could alter my charges to the same extent!. Over 200% percent more than normal! Actually about 220%! Needless to say I kept looking. I found an apartment right in the triangle that looks to be ok. Has just joined Booking .com so no reviews as yet. By the photos it is not the Ritz but hopefully pleasant enough. Fingers crossed

I have decided that if I am going to spend good money, that I will go back to my top pick from May, being Citichic Soi 13 Sukhimvit. It certainly made an impression. It has been renovated and completely made over. Made an impression on my girl who by the way has become a bit of a fixture. Soon as she walked in it was "wow, this is nice!". Mind you it may have been because I was standing in the buff and pointing at the bed! I get a Genius 3 rate on Booking.com so save a little.

After arriving home just over a week ago, I was thinking about some of the high and low points Certainly meeting my latest crush was a high point, but as far as the low points, there thankfully few of them. Probably my best trip ever. But there was one thing. Singapore Airlines. Now normally I find them to be in the top echelon of airlines. I had four legs with them. On two of them it was not a pleasant experience! The second leg, Singapore to London in an A380 was to put it mildly a pain in the ass. I had to sit on an angle as if I sat straight ahead, my knees were buried in the magazine pocket. Not good. I did call the flight attendant but there was nothing she could do. The plane was full. So the 11 hour flight was less than good. To cap it off, the guy who was to pick me up got his days mixed up, said take a taxi. Welcome to England. A 14 minute ride cost 55 pounds!!!!!. Not a typo. Flew Thai from London to BKK on the return. No problems. Then BKK to Brisbane via Singapore. Bingo!, the Singapore to Brisbane on a A350 I had the same issue. No idea what is going on except to suggest that they are putting extra seats in and reducing the pitch. The woman next to me was all of 160 tall and was wondering what the fuss was about. I am all of 185cm so not overly tall by any means. I have been a Singapore Airlines fan for years, but this took the edge off it. Oh one other thing. On my arrival in BKK and anxious to start my sordid activities I had forgotten to fill out the new arrival card. So before the climb up the slope to immigration I started to fill my card out along with about 15 others all scrambling over the paperwork. There was one question I was stumbling over and I looked up and saw a couple of guys with jackets on that said Ambassador. Ah just the right person, so over I went and started to explain my query. Before I had finished the guy held up his hand and said "sorry, we have had so many complaints about the form, that we have, (now get this), decided not to help anyone!". I thought about it for a second and then decided that it would not be good to start what only could develop into a heated discussion, so walked away and filled out the form as I thought appropriate. No problems after doing that. I wont draw conclusions or make insinuations, but just leave it there.

Slightly misspelt but never mind.

How the hell did you know of my ancestral roots???. Even have a parish named after me!!!

I will try it out. I guess they serve the superior drink as well,(tea). There are more tea drinkers than coffee!

thanks. The corner of Soi 11,(the next one up), is where I saw the biggest rat I have ever seen. Coming out of the drain at 3.00am!

Where exactly is this place?

Geez Rocco, you must be as skinny as a rake! I find I need at least 2 meals a day

He has been resurrected!

I know I am cross pollinating here, but re Tiger Woods and his breakup. The story goes like this. He was at home when a message came through that some mates were playing cards nearby, and would he like to join them. He apparently agreed to and proceeded to make his way over there after leaving his phone in the room. After he had departed ,his wife went into the room and found his phone. Upon inspection she found illuminating details of his dalliances. Now the story could be blown apart at this point as how could she open his phone and find said evidence. I guess he may have left it open. Who knows? Upon his return she fronted him about the list of names in his phone and it blew up from there. He decided that retreat was the best form of attack and made his way into his Cadillac SUV. As he was departing she found a 9 iron and tried her best to reshape the car and the driver! He while trying to fend off the attack drove into a gatepost which subsequently left some injuries to his face. Now it gets more intriguing! How to get the facial injuries fixed? It gets murkier. Apparently there is some magic surgeon in middle America who does fantastic work. How to get there. Aha!. Find a plane. Now , how to find a plane that can secret him away? Nearly every flight in the States is logged and a particular flight can be traced. Not so fast Gungadin. There is at least one that can fly without being traced. perhaps someone as famous as Tiger could have a flight arranged without being traced? And so it transpired. (According to the story). There is something to be said in having fame and fortune! Off to the surgeon buddy. You will be right as rain after a short time. At this point in time I guess we could say that there are too many loopholes to make the story believable, but who knows?

What puzzled me about Tigers escapades is his choice of women!. Now I know we all have different ideas on what is a sexy, beautiful woman, but his picks were shall we say,"unusual".With his money and aura I would imagine that he could have who ever he wanted. The "victims" shown were those that I would walk past. Maybe he had some type of self flagullation going on?

Perhaps my "friend" and yours would have made the ultimate pairing????

Talking about restaurants etc, reminded me of the best managed bar/restaurant I have ever been in. Now I know these premises are about as far from lb territory as you can get, but there you go. The premises concerned are in St Andrews, Scotland. Yes the home of golf. The place is on the corner before you walk down to the first tee. It is an old building. Been there for centuries, and a favorite of golfers for many years. I was having a meal there and sitting at a table right next to where this woman was standing. Turns out she was the owner or at least the manager of the premises. Never before or since have I seen someone work a place like she did. Patrons would come in and sit at a table. Within a few seconds this woman was onto it. Directing wait staff to the table where they would give a rundown on what they could order etc. I was there probably 2 hours and in that time she never missed a beat. If a glass was empty, the Boss would bring it to the attention of one of the staff. As soon as a table was being vacated she was on to it. Telling the staff to attend to it. Getting it ready for the next group. Never a raised voice, just calm order. Constantly looking around and checking if anything needed attending to. That evening has stuck in my small brain for many years. A lesson on how a business should be run. I have to admit in some small way I took notes from that experience. Sorry there is no reference to lbs in this story.

The Kinnaree is my go to place to eat. Shows how boring I am.

Sounds as though it is worth a try. I suppose they have nonspicy food that a boring old fart could eat?

For whatever reason I tend to inhabit bars with live music in Patts rather than in BKK. I go for my nightly dose of Hotel California! I would have to say that most of the bands I encounter are of average quality. The exception to that rule was, in the past, the band at Hot Tuna Bar in Walking St Patts. They played a lot of 70's and 80's stuff which helps. The members are /were from Fili Land. They quit during C----d days. I found one of them in a bar in Vietnam. Had a chat and moved on. I found a band in Soi 8 that was better than average. The band which hangs out at the Triangle Bar in Soi Pothole I would rate as above average. I will have to do a search in BKK.

You should have laid your mat on the floor and asked them to join you!

They must be the guys that use the toilet before the photographer takes shots for Booking.com etc.. It seems to be a bit of a Thai thing to leave the seat up ready for the shot!

Was about time I booked accommodation for my upcoming trip and after checking prices decided to give my normal area the flick. Have booked a condo in Soi 55. Hot tub, pool etc. Quite a way from my usual haunt in Soi11. I need a change anyway. Anybody stayed down around Soi 55? Soi 11 is like an old pair of shoes, and I just cruise around on autopilot, and very convenient for dragging girls back to the room. I am guessing a taxi would be the best way to travel down to 55 from the triangle. Don't think the girls would be too impressed about getting on the train?

Hi End of November I will be returning. Wont be a long visit, but will cram a bit in. I am not really a foodie. Certainly not into spices. Bloody boring when ordering actually. Brought up on stodgy old Kiwi food.

WE are talking about the one on your shoulders

Hi Genghis Thanks for the info. Have booked a condo called Ivy Thonglor Luxury Condo. Thong Lo 10110 BKK. Will be totally new area for me. Any spots you can point out would be appreciated. I am sure that there will be a CIB girl or two involved!!

Now I could say something smart but it would not be right!