Day 18 Bangkok Day 3
Sunday December 23, 2007
I awoke this morning and got some work done. Had a very productive conference call for a couple hours.
The girls did some school work and Pam kept entering and leaving the room with a pained expression on her face.
When I was done with the call I tracked her down in the girl’s room and asked her what was wrong. She was upset and frustrated – the hotel clerk had given her incorrect directions for the weekend market and the wrong street for the restaurant we tried to visit. She said she found the market in our guidebook and we had got off the sky train only one station too soon. She was nearly in tears – I gave her a hug and said everything was fine and not to worry – I think she needed that.
I know milling around the room this morning was really us taking a collective deep breath before venturing out into the city again. We decided to hit a Sunday brunch at the Sheraton which was recommended in our guide book. Allysha had had breakfast earlier at the hotel but the rest of us were not really hungry. We got dressed and thinking we might also visit the Grand Palace we made sure we wore pants and had cover-ups for the girl’s shoulders and hit the road.
We walked to the river taxi – I studied the routes and with just the familiarity of the day before quickly figured everything out. A helpful gentleman from Holland also heard us discussing things and validated our choice of boat and fare with the caveat that today was Election Day and the fare was reduced to 10 baht each. I thanked him and we boarded the taxi. Moved onto the boat – paid our fare and had a much more enjoyable trip downriver than yesterday. We all seemed a lot more comfortable. We found the Sheraton and sat down to such a feast – there were hundreds of dishes everything imaginable, except since it was election day the restaurants were not serving alcohol. I did not miss it. We ate for at least 1.5 hours – we sampled everything. There was even a magic show and trained dog show on the outside deck that Allysha got to watch. It was only towards the end when I looked at a calendar of upcoming events – mostly buffets and parties for Christmas and new years and saw the prices - 4000 baht per person that I started to wonder what this meal was going to cost. I steadied myself when I was handed to Visa receipt to sign– it was 4600 baht – quite expensive considering previously we had only spent about 1500 baht since we arrived. Oh well. It was air conditioned and a very eclectic fare – I was not terribly displeased. Towards the end of the meal I started feeling very tired and quite dizzy. Not sure if it was an allergic reaction to something I ate or my blood sugar getting out of whack – Pam said she also felt a little dizzy. We hit the toilets and headed out. Back on the river taxi we tried to use the tickets from earlier – it turns out they are only one way – so another 40 baht – 1.07 US – amazingly low if you think about it. When we hit the dock to visit the Grand Palace I was not feeling well and the girls had discussed trying to get to the weekend market so we stayed on the boat and go off near our hotel and walked back.
We decide to separate – I would do some work and they would head to the market. I got the cell phones set up so they could call me – gave her the money made sure they had the Hotel directions and directions to the market and off they went. I am still awaiting their return it is 6:10pm and the market closed at 6. I am not worried even though the city is quite I large have never felt any real danger – just uncomfortable. Even today we walked with more certainty and felt much more comfortable in our adventures – obviously the girls are feeling more comfortable as they have decide to venture off by themselves. I am glad and hope they have a great time at the market. I cannot wait to hear about their adventure. The plan is for them to take a cab to and from the market. I hope it is smooth.
Well I am caught up on my blogging and emailing and have got some work done. I am feeling very good – just tired. We have to decide if we want to move to the Novotel near the airport tomorrow or stay here for one more night. I am leaning towards checking out and moving closer to the airport since our flight on Tuesday to Phuket leaves at 8am.
I wish it were not so late in the States I would call my Dad – I left him some message and have yet to see him log into Yahoo. Maybe in the morning I can give him a quick call. That reminds me Pam spoke with Art and Elaine this morning – the girls also got to say hello and Happy Holidays. I am glad they were able to talk.
I hope Pam remembers to bring back a razor – I need to shave againL
We got a very nice email from Peg Edwards – the independent studies coordinator – it was quite encouraging and reminded me why we are undertaking this and also reminded me to send her the progress report for the girls!
Thanks Peggy – it was very nice hearing from you.
Thanks to everyone else who has left comments – Mick, Greg, Tom and Merri, Aunt Jan, Becky, The Garret’s, Grandma Suzie, Melanie, Kelly – we miss you all!
Happy Holidays to everyone reading this – it does not feel like Christmas to me at all. I think we will have to wing something for the Girls on Tuesday. I am ready to veg out for a while – lol – National Lampoons European Vacation just came on the TV – how apropos.
[Continued Dec 26th]
The girls made it home safely about 8pm shortly after I finished the previous updates. They purchased a number of beautiful clothes – no real souvenirs – it turns out that Ally was the best negotiator! She got special process on everything she bought. I was relieved they made it back and had no problems at all – they even got to see an Elephant.
I awoke this morning and got some work done. Had a very productive conference call for a couple hours.
The girls did some school work and Pam kept entering and leaving the room with a pained expression on her face.
When I was done with the call I tracked her down in the girl’s room and asked her what was wrong. She was upset and frustrated – the hotel clerk had given her incorrect directions for the weekend market and the wrong street for the restaurant we tried to visit. She said she found the market in our guidebook and we had got off the sky train only one station too soon. She was nearly in tears – I gave her a hug and said everything was fine and not to worry – I think she needed that.
I know milling around the room this morning was really us taking a collective deep breath before venturing out into the city again. We decided to hit a Sunday brunch at the Sheraton which was recommended in our guide book. Allysha had had breakfast earlier at the hotel but the rest of us were not really hungry. We got dressed and thinking we might also visit the Grand Palace we made sure we wore pants and had cover-ups for the girl’s shoulders and hit the road.
We walked to the river taxi – I studied the routes and with just the familiarity of the day before quickly figured everything out. A helpful gentleman from Holland also heard us discussing things and validated our choice of boat and fare with the caveat that today was Election Day and the fare was reduced to 10 baht each. I thanked him and we boarded the taxi. Moved onto the boat – paid our fare and had a much more enjoyable trip downriver than yesterday. We all seemed a lot more comfortable. We found the Sheraton and sat down to such a feast – there were hundreds of dishes everything imaginable, except since it was election day the restaurants were not serving alcohol. I did not miss it. We ate for at least 1.5 hours – we sampled everything. There was even a magic show and trained dog show on the outside deck that Allysha got to watch. It was only towards the end when I looked at a calendar of upcoming events – mostly buffets and parties for Christmas and new years and saw the prices - 4000 baht per person that I started to wonder what this meal was going to cost. I steadied myself when I was handed to Visa receipt to sign– it was 4600 baht – quite expensive considering previously we had only spent about 1500 baht since we arrived. Oh well. It was air conditioned and a very eclectic fare – I was not terribly displeased. Towards the end of the meal I started feeling very tired and quite dizzy. Not sure if it was an allergic reaction to something I ate or my blood sugar getting out of whack – Pam said she also felt a little dizzy. We hit the toilets and headed out. Back on the river taxi we tried to use the tickets from earlier – it turns out they are only one way – so another 40 baht – 1.07 US – amazingly low if you think about it. When we hit the dock to visit the Grand Palace I was not feeling well and the girls had discussed trying to get to the weekend market so we stayed on the boat and go off near our hotel and walked back.
We decide to separate – I would do some work and they would head to the market. I got the cell phones set up so they could call me – gave her the money made sure they had the Hotel directions and directions to the market and off they went. I am still awaiting their return it is 6:10pm and the market closed at 6. I am not worried even though the city is quite I large have never felt any real danger – just uncomfortable. Even today we walked with more certainty and felt much more comfortable in our adventures – obviously the girls are feeling more comfortable as they have decide to venture off by themselves. I am glad and hope they have a great time at the market. I cannot wait to hear about their adventure. The plan is for them to take a cab to and from the market. I hope it is smooth.
Well I am caught up on my blogging and emailing and have got some work done. I am feeling very good – just tired. We have to decide if we want to move to the Novotel near the airport tomorrow or stay here for one more night. I am leaning towards checking out and moving closer to the airport since our flight on Tuesday to Phuket leaves at 8am.
I wish it were not so late in the States I would call my Dad – I left him some message and have yet to see him log into Yahoo. Maybe in the morning I can give him a quick call. That reminds me Pam spoke with Art and Elaine this morning – the girls also got to say hello and Happy Holidays. I am glad they were able to talk.
I hope Pam remembers to bring back a razor – I need to shave againL
We got a very nice email from Peg Edwards – the independent studies coordinator – it was quite encouraging and reminded me why we are undertaking this and also reminded me to send her the progress report for the girls!
Thanks Peggy – it was very nice hearing from you.
Thanks to everyone else who has left comments – Mick, Greg, Tom and Merri, Aunt Jan, Becky, The Garret’s, Grandma Suzie, Melanie, Kelly – we miss you all!
Happy Holidays to everyone reading this – it does not feel like Christmas to me at all. I think we will have to wing something for the Girls on Tuesday. I am ready to veg out for a while – lol – National Lampoons European Vacation just came on the TV – how apropos.
[Continued Dec 26th]
The girls made it home safely about 8pm shortly after I finished the previous updates. They purchased a number of beautiful clothes – no real souvenirs – it turns out that Ally was the best negotiator! She got special process on everything she bought. I was relieved they made it back and had no problems at all – they even got to see an Elephant.
