Sunday, 21 October 2012

15.10.12- 16.10.12 Bangkok - Luang Prabang Laos


15.10.12 – 16.10.12  BANGKOK – LUANG PRABANG


After waiting all day for the oo.30 am flight on the 15th I eventually boarded rather hesitant, as I was seated 3 in a row, although it was in business class. It proved to be fine plenty of room no talking to guy next to me, a sleeping Pill ,a good sleep. Surprised especially as the seats don't fully recline. Seem to sleep better on these than a flat bed!

Arrive about 6.00 am bag first off but the clubs didn't arrive! One hour later they appeared!

Off to the Hotel Lebua State Towers Here for an extra 24.00 I was able to upgrade to a suite with balcony. Wow it was stunning! Plus access to the towers club. Suite 5725

Down for a sumptuous breakfast, shower and head off to Oriental to drop the clubs off. Forgotten how fabulous the hotel was! Stunning old style.

Wander up the street to a shop that I had a newspaper cutting about dated July 1989 that Jan Lenthall had given me about this cutlery they make. It is called Thai handicraft shop. It is like stepping back to 100 years ago.
 Unfortunately no photos are allowed. The old lady greets you BUT  no English , it is enormous area with wicker and woven items covered in dust. Piles and piles of things on top of each other counters filled with items, white cotton dressing gowns and the cutlery displayed on aged yellow newspaper .
This cutlery is designed by the owner about 40 years ago based on what was used in the early days on his farm. It is simple  in style made of stainless steel in the Thai style. It is now displayed in New York Metropolitan Museum for its design.

So after this find I head off to my  friend Andys dressmaker. Who is just down a lane off the same street.

Meet with her ,order some things and now it's pouring rain! Back to hotel and go to the club for lunch. My God  the food stunning and as many drinks u want, this is a great deal, plus a fab view of the city.

Now head off to Jim Thompson store and here I get some fabric and the girl shows me a fabulous jacket so decided to order this! More measurements!

By now it's getting to 4.00 in the afternoon so head back to hotel but go back on the street as I saw a body works near by. Go there and for 300 Thai baht I get one hour foot leg and neck and shoulder massage! Divine! Cost 9.00!

While resting I decided that going to Siem Reap for 2 nights was silly even though only one hour flight it's the 2 hrs before hand getting to airport etc and that I was mad. If I go I would like to spend a few more days there.

 As I'm  going to Laos for 6 nights  I was coming  back to  Bangkok for  2 nights then  Siem Reap for 2, back to Bangkok for one  before heading to Chaing Mai! No no no! All to much!



Back to my room to  cancel and re book accommodation and  now it's 7.30 pm,  have to go to 64 th floor for drink as its famous for the movie The Hangover! Have a fab martini, seated or curled up on wide beck seats with large cushions while admiring the view, I then  check out the outside restaurant Sirocco another location of the film, here it is Mediterranean cuisine.

The view is amazing and does so much remind me of Las Vegas so hence I guess why they filmed here. I then head down to Breeze the other outside restaurant which is also gorgeous. Very happy to be on my own here as The tables are spaced out, the dark night with just table candles, white table clothes and the myriad of staff in white floating around.

 Here it was Asian and I had vegetarian San choi boi and Tom yum soup both divine. Now to bed, 10.30 pm  after a huge day! Can't believe what I achieved today!

Up at 6.20 for flight to Laos  Luang Prabang  !



16th luang Pranang



The flight was delayed by an hour so sat around the airport! Boy it's certainly changed since I was here last 10 years ago! Quite stunning. A 2 hr flight with a delicious meal with wine!  Just a small aircraft 2 seats abreast.

Had to get a visa  on arrival, then out I go,this is  a tiny airport. Met by Sun our guide for the 4 days. Met the 2 other guests, Lynn and Jean from Sydney
 Off we go to the hotel Satri House. Quite divine, an old palace, impeccably done up. Sun them takes us for a drive around the town but says oh it's easy to get home down the Main Street for 800 metre then turn left. Ok got it.

 I leave the girls as they hadn't had lunch and I had. I wander around and see some fabulous jewellery but hold off buying anything. I see a massage place and go in. One hour $6.00! Getting cheaper all the time! Have a very firm massage by a young guy. He stretched and prodded but felt good afterwards so gave him a $1.00 tip! He nearly died and whipped it into his pocket ! Their wages are about $2.00 a day we later found out. I decide to walk home and sit by the rather lovely pool.
Head off down the Main Street turn left where I think I should and enjoy the little shops and daily life here. I  Feel I'm heading in the wrong direction.
I ask people, show them the map and everyone points in a different direction. Head off again, ask monks, cafe owners all bloody hopeless then a tut tut driver. He says yes I will take you for 13.000 kip. I say 5,000 as this is the going price.
 Off we go again in the direction which I know is wrong, by.  hey I tell him not this way.   ( remember I've been in the country for about 2 hours! ) we keep driving and again the scenery is interesting but not where I want to go. I tell him to stop and go back, he tries to phone, no go asks people, then has to push the tut tut as we have now run up of petrol! Thank god a service station near by.
A few people gather around and I get on the phone and I can't get through, go back I keep yelling. Anyway off we go again back to  the town now by the Mekong river.
 Now I get through to the hotel and at last some instructions! This is now nearly one and half hours and I've had it! We find the place and actually I was not that far away!
 I greet the staff and say I need a drink! There is whiskey in The library help yourself !
But I want a vodka so they make we one! Too late for a dip time for a shower and meet again to go to dinner at The blue Lagoon. We have a good meal and get to know the girls who are delightful and interesting .

Bed an early start in the morning!




 Below Photos of Satri House and streets of Luang Prabang

 The phone below works but I found it hard talking into the mouth piece!

























No comments:

Post a Comment