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!
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