Long John

I must admit....after seeing their room and the one with bunk beds inside the room my imagination ran offgrid... It must be my Viking blood hahaha. Look like a great hotel. I recognise their web similar from Citrus ( my go to in Soi6).... Same same, but different

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.

Keep an eye on prices. They often drop if vacancies remain high.
Sometimes I find booking direct is actually cheaper than going through one of the consolidators like Hotel.com or Agoda. It's always worth checking them all.

I've found Agoda usually has the most competitive prices, they're also owned by booking.com but they usually have better deals for SEA. Also contacting hotels directly can sometimes net you a discount off of any publicly advertised rate, I contacted Maison Stay on Soi 4 directly and they offered me I think what would be like 10 AUD less a night than anywhere else I could find, plus late check out.

Try Trip.com. When I compared the rates given on the hotel that I eventually booked, Trip.com quoted me lower prices than Booking.com. It might not be the case for you but it was what I noticed. I hope this will help you.

Was bumped off Qantas just after covid and given a seat on Singapore (Syd-LHR). Thought it was a good deal but ended up with the same experience. Perhaps Singapore are solely focused on the front end of the plane these days.

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

I've only flown Singapore regionally but I would be pretty annoyned had I paid for a full service airline and got a crap experience. Thai fly the A350 between Sydney and Bangkok and I find economy to be more than bearable as someone around 178cm and 90(ish!) kgs. Pretty good food and service too, and while it's business class is not in the top tier it's pretty good especially when there are sale fares. Qantas and the Finnair wet-lease A330 is pretty terrible by comparison even though the price is comparable to Thai. Tighter seating, noisy cabin, and poor to average service and food. I'll only use Qantas/Finnair if I have points to burn.
FYI - the Thai authorities have released the "Thim" app (Thai immigration bureau) where you can pre-fill your personal details, including a scan of your passport and then when you're ready to travel you can put in the dates against your profile for your travel declaration. It saves having to put in all the details for every trip on the website and is similar to the Singapore immigration app if you've used that before.
 

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.

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.

Singapore Airlines is an Asian company. For an average Asian, a man 185cm tall is a giant.
Even the best airlines today like Singapore Airlines try to squeeze the last penny out of the customers, therefore they add four or five additional ranges in economy, after which it becomes a real cattle class on an A380.

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.

I took daily PREP and DoxyPep on my three last trips and I eventually realized that the DoxyPep over multiple days fucked up my gut bacteria and I had borderline diarrhea and struggled to eat and digest food (nausea).
To me PREP is a no brainier as it virtually eliminates the risk of a treatable but still incurable disease (AIDS), whereas DoxyPep reduces the risk of getting some curable bacterial infections - to me to side effects of DoxyPep outweighed the benefits, so next trip I will take the risk and keep a healthier gut and just take daily PREP.  I may have some Doxy with me and take it in the event that I think I may have been exposed but hopefully i I sense something not right I will refrain from contact - that is so long as little Steve doesn't take over.    

This reminds me of a saying a bloke from Lancaster once told me:

When I googled this, I found the response from Yorkshiremen:

I guess that the Wars of the Roses never actually ended.
SAG

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!

Background                                                      
I’ve been meaning to do a write-up about this recent discovery that I made whilst walking around the side sois of the Golden Triangle last week. 
BKK has many great coffee shops, but this is one with a difference and this is the third time that I have been back there in just under ten days. 
Read on and you will learn why… 
Bump and Grind
This caffeine oasis is located on soi 8/1 and has rapidly become my go-to place for an hour’s afternoon break from the hustle and bustle of BKK.  
The coffee shop is quite compact and has 6 tables inside and it is also busy for takeaways. Not only do they serve all of the usual variations of coffee, but they also have an inhouse bakery and provide a wide range of breads, cakes, and desserts, which change daily. 
The prices are in line with the Golden Triangle, and the cafe is kept spotlessly clean.  
So, what makes Bump and Grind so special and why do I keep going back?  
That’s extremely easy to answer – the coffee shop was founded by a certain Amah Klaowan, and it opened just two months ago.  
Amah had a successful career as a cabaret performer both in Phuket (Simon Cabaret) and BKK (Calypso). When she turned thirty, she decided to use her savings to establish a coffee shop, and this also explains why it is called ‘Bump and Grind.’ 
Did I mention that Amah is an exceedingly hot LB? 
One coffee shop – six hot LBs!
In addition to the gorgeous Amah, there are also two hot baristas, two counter servers and a sexy baker. Every friendly member of staff is a LB!
 
Specials
Bump and Grind had a soft launch in early February and by mid-March Amah realised that more than half of her customers are farangs. Luckily, her and all of the service staff have decent English. 
To cater to the farangs that have flocked to the shop, she has started running specials and this month there is a happy hour from 07.30-11.30 every day, with 25% off coffees and 10% off all food items.
 Some of the cakes and savouries on display
 
 Summary
I highly recommend this place. The coffee is really good and so are the sweet and savoury options. 
The eye candy is beyond outstanding, and Amah sends shivers down my spine, which trigger fantasies of her becoming the next ex-Mrs SAG.
 Location
Bump and Grind is quite easy to find, as it stands out due to the great signage. It is near the top of soi 8/1.
 
 Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be on Google Maps yet.
 Enjoy, but please be kind to Amah and the five lovely LB members of staff!
Cheers
SAG

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?

Since he's a golfer, I do believe this question answers itself. 

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. 

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?
 

Some of those old buzzards may have been Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player or some other former great. 
As we learned a few years ago when Tiger Woods sterling reputation was destroyed by an avalanche of media stories featuring escort girls and cocktail waitresses, some of these guys are bigger players off the golf course than on it. You know what I mean. 

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

This story is the perfect segue into a story I have from the mid 90s, which also features professional-level hustling and even St. Andrews!
I was on a project with a vendor to a Scottish bank that was notorious for being meanies with expenses. Their sign off process was so slow, that it didnt get finalised until the week before we were supposed to be up there onsite. The only problem was this clashed with the Open that was being played at St. Andrews that year.
We had to scramble to get a hotel and ended up in the Caledonian, which is a 5-star charging big event pricing and so was bound to cause shrieks and squeals when the expenses invoice finally landed at the bank.
So we all flew up there, checked-in on a Sunday night and it was packed to the rafters. Golf fans from all over the world were staying there. 
What I didn't realise was that golf events, which attract a well-heeled set of followers, also attract 5-star escorts. 
We all unpack, hit a curry house and then go back to the hotel bar for drinks. We finally get a table to sit at and I was then treated to a lesson in multi-tasking. There were quite a few ladies of questionabe repute in the bar, but there was one stunner, who worked it so well she had me entranced. At all times she had 3 drinks in 3 locations on the go and just circulated from one old bloke to another, laughing and talking in multiple languages. 
Every so often I would see her leave with a septugenarian and then come back about 30 minutes later and just carry on where she left off.
This girl was mesmerising to watch, as she was such a pro, I don't think a lot of people twigged what she was doing.
I watched her intently for the three nights we were staying there and she was impressive beyond belief. She must have also been staying there, as she changed outfits a few times each night.
It was the most interesting and memorable trip I ever took to Scotland, and I will never forget the sheer professionalism of this hot escort, whom I later found out from one of the staff, was from Brazil. To watch her work a room with such ease and experience, was truly a treat. 
This was also great experience for what was to come later in my life - LB lounge bars. Bai Pai is very good at working a room with 2-3 different drinks on the go at all times, but she is still minor league compared to the Brazilian.
I never found out how much she charged for 30 minutes, but based on her activities over those three nights, she must've made GBP 1,000s.
As for the bank, the expected shrieks of agony occurred when the T&E invoice was presented and thereafter they only ever served us a single egg sandwich and tap water each for lunch, as if to try and exact revenge, for their own mistakes.
St. Andrews - Sukhumvit - same-same but different.
SAG

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.