Six Days in Bangkok - Spring 2015

Please forgive my spelling and punctuation, I'm a plumber and not an English major. Just read and have fun.
Whenever we fly into Bangkok, I think of it as flying into the Bronz,  just safer.

We always take pictures of the stuff inside our bags and then the bags as we check them in. The reason is most foreign airlines only will pay $30 to $100 USD a bag, including the contents.  


We carry travel insurance that will pay up to $1,000 USD each person but they like to see what is inside the bags. Knock on wood, we have never lost a bag in 18 trips back and forth across the Pacific Ocean. 

Our trip from California was very uneventful, which is a good thing. We landed at 1:30 AM as our plane was a little late.  Out plane from los Angeles was an hour late taking off. 

Originally we only had 55 minutes to change plane in Taipei. The crew made up 15 minutes and the plane that we were connecting with waited as half the booking for the connecting plane was on the plane from LAX. 


The new B777-300ER that China Airlines is using has a "Family Couch" section in economy class. It is three seat on the side that the leg rests come all the way up flat so it makes the three seats into what I would call a playpen as opposed to a couch. The lady and child next to us just snuggled up and slept for most of the trip. The airline even gave them bedding. 
 
We breezed through immigrations, got our bags which were prioritized and arrived at the White Orchard Guest House around 3:30 AM.  Now, the girl on the desk acted like she did not know anything about our room.  She kept asking who we reserved it from.   I played the phone converstion I had saved on my cellular phone to her and she still did not get it.  Finally, I pointed to the white board with reservations and there it was, "Terry and Daeng room #108 03-03-15". 

We took our bags to our room, unpacked some of the things we had packed on hangers and eye drops into refrigerator. 


We were wide awake as both our us slept on the 14 hour leg from California so we hopped on motorbike taxis and went to FoodLand for tourist breakfasts. 

Yep, you guessed it, comfort food of eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, toast and coffee. 

We walked back to our room, showered and went to bed.

We slept all day. 

I got up and took a motorbike taxi up Shuhamvit Road to a meeting of English speaking friends.


Before I left Kratom, the day manager, fixed us up with an extra pillow, water and extra towels. We're in heaven. 


Bangkok is a great place to get over jet-lag as it is a 24 hour town. 

An American Breakfast at FoodLand is 59 THB, about $1.83 USD with juice and coffee. The food is served on real porcelain plates, too.  

"Took Lae Dee" translates as "Cheap and Good". 


This area of Bangkok is know as the "Fun Zone". This sign says it: "The Worlds Largest Adult Playground!"

We like this area as it is easy to get around by taxi, motorbike, foot and skytrain along with the diversity. You can also get any kind of food that you would like. 

Today, I wanted to go to a meeting at the church on the end of Soi 10 off Shuhamvit Road.  I talked with the motorbike taxi driver and he said he would take me through the Tobacco Monopoly. 

It was a nice ride but the smell of the chemicals and the tobacco drying made me very glad I had quit smoking.  

This area is in the middle of Bangkok, just off of Shuhamvit Road. To see the ride just CLICK HERE. 

Now, here is the scary ride going the other way on Shuhamvit Road: CLICK HERE!


We have kind of lost track of the days and nights. We are blaming it on Jet-Lag.  We will be ready to make the trip north to our home in Mae Sai on Monday. 

The blue sign in the background of the picture is the Myanmar (Burma) border. 


We did get to have lunch and spend some time with our friends Richard and June. 

Daeng loves to go shopping.  The nice part is she only buys what she really likes and will not spend a lot of money doing that.  

Here is a picture of her in front of a big shop named the "Pink Pvssy".  I told her she would look great in that silver dress but without hesitation she said: "NO!"

We also looked at some shoes but Daeng like "Flip-flops" the best.  She wears them everywhere.  

The only time we had a problem with her wearing flip-flops was a few years back. She was not allowed into the big Bangkok Jewelry and Gem Show. You know what our attitude was; yep, screw them. 

On our walk to breakfast this morning we could see the men working on the powerlines. 

I call this picture: "Shocking - The Thai Way". Look close and you can see several men standing on the poles and wires. 

It's around 5:00 AM Sunday morning. I woke up listening to a group of ladyboys arguing under our hotel window. 

With my limited understanding of Thai, I think they were arguing about who was the best looking.  I opened the window, leaned out and waived at them.  They waved back laughing, maybe because I was naked. 

I think this was one of the ladyboys that was arguing. By the way, the saying here in Bangkok is: "Best looking girls are boys."

I did some emails and decided I would have breakfast at the NaNa Hotel Buffet Breakfast.  This will probably be the last chance for a "farang", aka: western style, breakfast for a while.  


It is an all you can eat breakfast for 250 THB, about $7.70 USD.  If you stay there breakfast for two is included in the room. 

We won't stay there as three times, in the past, we had reserved standard rooms and then when we arrived we were told they did not have the standard rooms and only had deluxe rooms for more money.  We feel that is being dis-honest!  One or two times we can accept as mistakes but three times and we feel you are trying to screw us. 

Breakfast was okay with ALL THE BACON YOU CAN EAT!. I got my money's worth but I probably will not eat there again as everything else, besides the bacon, was just so-so.  

While we were talking a walk and clowning around, Daeng made a conference call. 

I think we are ready to make the trip north.  

Although we had fun, six days in Bangkok was enough for us. 

We live 891 kilometers north of Bangkok. That is 554 miles north. 

It's a travel day. It did not go real smooth. Here is the story: We were picked up at our room by one of Jon's drivers. Jon has been providing us with ground transportation for many years and always doing a great job at fair prices. He dropped us off at the Thai economy check in gate.

When we got to the Thai Airline, All Flights check in counter we were told we had to go back 4 isles for our plane check it. That was a long walk.

When we put our bags on the check in scale the lady told us we were over the 20 kilograms each and would have to pay 560 THB. I explained to her that in the past we were allowed 23 kilograms as we were coming from California. She said yes, if we came on Thai Airlines. I said okay and gave her a Chase Sapphire credit card. She in turn told Daeng to take it to the end of the row of check in booths. 

My right knee was hurting so I asked for a wheelchair while that was happening. A nice guy brought a wheelchair and I sat down. 

Then a lady from Thai Airlines brought me a credit card slip to sign. It had the 560 THB charge on it along with a US dollar amount. This is a trick that Thai banks use to get about 3% more when using a US credit card. I told her I wanted to pay in Thai Baht. She said that was so I scratched out the US dollar amount and signed it. I'm sure we will have to fight that one for the principal.
Then onward through security. Daeng's bag had be searched as she had a small container of dietary fiber in her bag. 

After that when we got off the elevator to the ramps Daeng realized she had lost her ticket. She ran back to security and found it BUT she did not have her identification so she could not come back. Luckily the fellow pushing me in the wheelchair realized that and went back and got her through.

The nice part is we were right on time to board the plane.

We are now home in Mae Sai and happy although a little annoyed.

It was nice to sleep in our own bed. 

By the way, the next morning I logged in to my Chase Sapphire card and see the $18.18 charge. I called the bank and a live person answered the telephone Chase. that is one of the benefits of this card. 

I explained the circumstances and she said she would credit the card the difference of 95 cents. 

Thank you Chase Bank. Sometimes it's not the money, it's the principal. 

The really nice part is I feel better. HUGS

Winter in California 2014

Please forgive my spelling and punctuation, I'm a plumber and not an English major. Just read and have fun.
We had an uneventful trip to our home in California from Thailand. 

This winter was a little different, in my head, as Mom had passed away in September. Mom, you will always be loved and remembered. 

It was nice to be home. 

On my birthday, I got up early and went to see the folks at Flagship Health Care Center in Newport Beach.  I'm told that what you do on your birthday is what you will do the rest of the year.  

It is also a good excuse to eat a donut as I'm taking a bunch of donuts to these folks.

Yes, I'm on a diet. Daeng is trying to help me and she told me if I loose 30 more pounds I can be on top. 

After the visit to Flagship I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my driver's license.  Because I'm really old they had me take an eye test and written test.  

With my glasses I passed the eye test, I wear them all the time anyway, and the written test.  I thought it was a little strange that the man doing the written test made me stand for the taking of the test.  Anyway, I passed everything and they renewed my licence in California for five (5) more years. 

By the way, I love these glasses because when I wear them I can say: "I've got a heart on!"


My sister, Diane, found this old Christmas card from 1961, back in the day I was young, skinny and had lot's of hair. 

Christmas was very relaxed this year.  

Daeng was very happy with Santa, also. 

Spending time with friends over the holidays is always wonderful.

I had plans to take Daeng to New Orleans in February to give her the Mardi Gras experience.  When she found out how much it was going to cost she said: "NO, we can feed 16,000 meals to the kids in Thailand.  I could not argue with her. 

We also want to thank all the folks that donated money to help the "Kids in Thailand".  As many folks know we try to help the kids here on the Myanmar (Burma) border to have food, shelter and a friendly environment to learn. 


My Mother, before she died, told me she wanted Daeng to have the "Happy Bears" that I had given her many years ago.  You can see them in many of the pictures of Mom as she wore them almost all the time.

If you look closely at them you know why they are happy. 

Even though I typed the note in Daeng's card I got wet eyes when I read it to Daeng. The grieving process continues.   

You can always tell when Deang is in a good mood. I call it her food language. 


Here is an example. 

We think the best part of returning to California is to hang out with friends. 

Here is a picture of two of our friends. I call them the "Mud-Flap Girls" as they remind me of the pictures of girls on truck mud-flaps. 

We also got to spend some time and break bread with our friend Tom Rhiel and Catrina Bowman.  Tom has been doing websites and videos for us for many years, Thanks Tom. He also is a very funny man!

Catrina has a collect of Buddha's that we like to add to when possible. Her collection won an award at the Orange County Fair this summer. 

Daeng hand sewed the apron that Tom is wearing in the picture.  I think he looks great in it. 

It doesn't matter which home we are staying, there is always Thai rice and peanut butter. 


We, along with many other people in the world, think Jasmine rice is the best rice. It has a very nutty flavor. 

Our friends, Michael and Charlotte, took us to the river for Super Bowl.  

Daeng likes Laughlin better than Las Vegas.  She says that folks are more friendly in Laughlin.  

You can tell by the smile on her face, she does like to play the machines. 

Here is a picture of Daeng with here favorite American Breakfast. 

We did spend a little time in the Sport-book. 


Everyone else won but at the last minute I lost.  What a stupid play to pass the ball.  Oh well, it's only money.

While getting the thousand of old records ready to try and sell I came upon this old, beat up picture of me.  

It is back in the days when I would do anything to get attention. 

That is a lot of fire!  Brings back found thoughts of AMACO 100 Octane gasoline. 

That was the best tasting!

Over the last 70 plus years we have accumulated thousands of records, tapes and CD's.  Our Mother also had a ton of 78 and 45 rpm records.  Some looked good but we did not know what to do with them.  

A friend, Jeff Baker, suggested we take them to Ameoba Music in Hollywood as he had sold some of his collect to them.  They are the largest independent record store in the world. He said they were very honest and fair. 

We took the tons of records and dropped them off while we went to visit our friends, Lahna Turner and family. 

We had a fun time with them, as always.  We went to Sweet Lady Janes in Hollywood and ate pie. It was kind of like John Travolta in the movie Michael. We just had slices instead of the whole pie. Thanks Sweet Lady Janes for putting up with us. 

The unfortunate part is all those old records in front of Daeng have almost no value.  They gave us enough money to pay for our gas. The nice part is they are gone and out of our way. 

Well, it's time to get ready to fly back to the "Land of Smiles" for the spring.


We had our car serviced by Omar at 1 Stop Complete Auto Care. It is wonderful to find a repair garage that cares about you, the customer.  

Thanks Omar and good bye Simpson Chevrolet Dealer Service. You guys suck!

We will see you all again in June. 

Our Last Couple of Weeks in Thailand 2014

Please forgive my spelling and punctuation, I'm a plumber and not an English major. Just read and have fun.

Daeng has been getting things ready to travel to California. She has been making covers for things from the scrap material that Brian and Noochy gave her. We leave Mae Sai in about two weeks. 

November 19th - We headed to Chiang Mai today. 

We stopped at the motor vehicle office in Chiang Rai to see if we could renew our drivers licenses a month early. The lady told us what to do so we will do it next week.

Then we had to stop at Charin Garden Resort for coffee and pie. 

After the four hour drive, we visited our friend Brian Schroeder and Noochy we were hungry.

We stopped and had some seafood Pad Thai. It was delicious.

November 20th-

Daeng likes Chiang Mai as there is lots of shopping.

The fruit shop with the dog sign is the "Black Heart Dog" shop. We thought it was a funny name for a flower and fruit shop. 

At this market, Daeng did buy a new pair of "flip flops" for 79 THB.

We are going to drive to Pai tomorrow, Friday, so we can attend the "NA Chiang Mai Area Unity Day in Pai". 

November 21st-
The trip to Pai was okay. My arms got a real workout with the windy road.

We stopped to buy some "cow lam" with sweet potato. (Sticky rice in bamboo with sweet potato. ) She is holding it in the picture.

Pai is an old hippy retreat and back packers love it. 

Tonight, I'm going to eat with some of the NA folks that are here for Unity Day. 

Daeng is going to hang out and cruse the street scene. She already eat Papaya Som-Tom Salad.

If you would like to read more about Pai just CLICK HERE.

November 22nd-
After a nice meeting I saw what I thought was a toilet seat tree. Look in the tree over Daeng's head. She told me it was the remains of a sky lantern. 

Then we took a walk over the river on this scary bridge.

Than a selfie in the Ting Tong mirror. Ting Tong means crazy in Thai.

Then Daeng made us some Som-Tom Salad in one of the street restaurants.
 
It's nap time as big dinner and speaker meeting at 6:30 PM.

Before this weekend, we haven't been through Pai since 2009. Here is a little story when we passed through then: CLICK HERE.

It also tells about the gals scamming us for a ride. 

November 23rd - We made it back to Chiang Mai and had dinner with our friends Jay, Knee, Brian and Noochy at THE DUKE'S. 

I call this picture "The Three What?"

Tomorrow is the trip back home to Mae Sai. 

November 25th - Wow, talk about change, last week on the way to Chiang Mai we stopped at the Motor Vehicle Department in Chiang Rai to see about renewing our driver's licenses before we when to the USA. Mine expires the 18th of December and Daeng's the 1st of January. We were told that Daeng could do her's without any extra work but I would have to go to the immigration office first and file a form..

When we came back on Tuesday we went into the immigrations office here in Mae Sai. The lady we knew told us that was not correct as we needed paperwork from the motor vehicle office first requesting verification of residence. Since she knows us she had Daeng fill out a Certificate of Residence to see it that would help. 

Yesterday, we went to the Chiang Rai Motor Vehicle Office again at 8:00 AM with copies of everything needed. The lady took everything and told me to come back at 3:00 PM to get what was needed at the immigration office. I humbly questioned what was happening and was told: "Everyone has to do this now."

Daeng did apply for her license and while she was watching a one hour video on safety I went to see the doctor for my follow up visit about my back. When i returned at 11:45 AM Daeng had her new license good until 2020. We then went to have lunch and went shopping.

We returned at 2:45 PM and waited about 30 minutes and were given a letter to take to immigration so they can verify I live where I said I live. We hopped in the pick-up truck and drove to Mae Sai Immigration Office.

 We just made it before they closed. I did scare Daeng a little as just after the Mae Sai Checkpoint an older lady crossed the highway in front of us so I had to put on the brakes hard enough to get some tire screeching. There was plenty of time to stop but the tire noise did scare Daeng.

The lady at immigration took the letter and told Daeng that someone would come to the house in the next 2-3 days to make sure I lived there. Daeng told the lady that we really needed it before that as we were leaving early Monday morning for a four month holiday to the USA. 

She said she knew us and would try to have it ready before 1:00 PM tomorrow, Thursday. 

Daegn explained that after we had that I needed to go back to Chiang Rai office, submit her report and watch a safety video at 2:00 PM. That is the last one of the day. The lady nicely said she would try but did not think they could come out to the house and return and fill out the form for us any earlier that 1:00 PM. She would call as soon as it was ready. 

Daeng thanked her and gave the nice lady here telephone number. We will see what happens.

November 26th - To get ready for our trip to the United States, Daeng got up really early this morning and started the laundry. 

At 8:00 o'clock she said: "Come eat breakfast." From the food language, she is happy.

She also cut up some of the 22 pounds of pineapple that we bought yesterday in Chiang Rai for $3.70 USD. It is nice and sweet.

November 27th - While we were waiting for immigration office to call we did some painting.

We went to Bangkok Bank and did some banking, had the oil in my motorbike changed and stopped to buy a windshield recording camera for our car in America.
When we got home we played with Nuy's baby, "Fey". 

Even at 4 months old, Fey loved the monkey that Michael and Charlotte gave us. 

Daeng went back to the immigrations office and the man from immigrations said he would drop off the paperwork we need to renew my drivers license on his way home.

Yea, the man from immigrations just dropped off the letter to the motor vehicle office as he said he would.

Tomorrow morning it's back to Chiang Rai, 60 km south, to get my new 5 year license. I will have to take a vision test, color blind test, reaction test, watch an hour long safety video, pay money and have my picture taken. 
Then, hopefully, they will issue me the new license.

November 27th - Daeng and I just wanted to wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 

For some reason there are no turkeys, well the kind you eat, here in Thailand. 

I questioned that and Daeng just said: "Suck it up, this is Thailand." She now talks like a California girl.

For some reason it is really busy on the Burma Border today. 

I, almost forget to tell you, we went to Chiang Rai and I took all the tests and was issued a five (5) year license. 

I did have a little trouble with the field of vision test as the lights were very hard to tell the difference between the colors. 


November 28th -  For lunch we are having Som-Tom Papaya salad along with rice and a spice that will burn your face off. 

The sweet Papaya is to cool off your face.

November 29th - Today is a very busy day for us here in Mae Sai, Thailand. 

Besides flying south to start our trip back to the USA, in less than 25 hours, we are throwing a party for over 40 people tomorrow. We are celebrating Tun and Hlong's birthdays. Hlong is 49 tomorrow and has never had a birthday party for her. Tun and Hlong are Daeng's brother and sister-in-law. 

November 30th - The party will start at 4:00 PM with what I call a "Moo Barbeque". "Moo" is Thai word for pork but we will have lots of other things along with chicken, beef, vegetables and other goodies. No, we will not be having dog, this time.

It will be three large rice mats set out in front of your home with three barbeque/soup containers with charcoal to heat them.

Folks sit around and put on what they want and eat direct off the barbeques. It is fun and everyone loves to do it. Cake, candles and singing around 6:00 PM.

Our job is to prepare everything and keep the charcoal coming. Daegn already cut up 16 pounds of pineapple and just left for the big morning market to buy vegetables. 

We will pick up the special birthday cake and meat at Makro early afternoon.

The ladies of the house are working hard to get everything ready for the big party.

It's going to be a big one. I've watched this style party start with just a few guests and grow to standing room only, so to speak. 

The nice part is if we run out of food, which I don't think will happen, we just send out for more fixings.

It looks like it's going to be mostly Akha food, which is very tasty but spicy.

Because of the threat of rain, we put some cardboard down in the covered area and started the party.

A dog did show up but as soon as he realized we were barbecuing he left. 

The food the gals prepared is wonderful.

I defrosted the refrigerator and went to bed. 

November 30th - The party went late last night. Our friends and family can eat and eat and eat.

At the party last night, a Chinese friend was talking about how Obama is acting like a dictator with executive orders. 

I just opened my emails and she had sent me a picture of a dicktater. 

Enough said! 

It is 5:00 AM, we are up, had first cup of high octane coffee and are starting to cover everything to keep the dust off while we are gone for 4 months. 

Driver will pick us up at 8:00 AM for the 60 km south to the airport.

It was a good trip. Jon picked us up at the Bangkok Airport and drove us to the guest house in Pattaya.  

We rested a few days, eat, slept and went to a few meeting with friends. 


December 3rd - I took a nap and went to a meeting. 

Daeng hung out with some of the good looking ladies and ladyboys.

December 4th - We wanted to buy a t-shirt for a special friend so we rented a motorbike to go find the place that has his size.

You can rent a motorbike here for about 150 THB ($5.00 US) a day. 

 

Daeng said she would drive as I'm a crazy driver. When a female Asian says you are a crazy driver it makes you wonder.

We found it okay and we think this shirt will fit him. They have all kinds of interesting things here, as well.

December 5th - Dropped off my shoes to be repaired and checked out the morning beach goers. 

There are some interesting views at this beach. 

I also stopped by the local, free, outdoor gym.

December 6th - I have been coughing and sneezing so we went to see a doctor. 

She gave me a shot in the butt and a bunch of pills. 
We then went gold shopping but that is another story. 
Oh, cost for doctor, shot and pills was 980 THB, about $30 USD. 

Daeng thought that was a lot but this is Pattaya, 2nd most visited tourist area in Thailand.
December 7th - We went shopping for a special, small, gold container to wear on a chain to hold some of Mom's ashes. 

We found a few but the shops all wanted more than double what they are worth. 

We got tired after about six shops so I went to a meeting with friends. After the meeting Daeng and I had lunch.

After lunch, I went back to one of the gold shops and bargained  some more. I did get the gold piece I wanted. 

We may do Walking Street tonight because we will be in California tomorrow.

December 8th - It was a long trip but it's almost over. Our driver picked us up at 2:00 PM. We stopped halfway to airport and had a little lunch. Everyone was hungry. 

Then plane checkin, airport shopping and wait for the plane as it was an hour late.

In Taiwan we had to walk really fast about 2 kilometers to catch our plane to LA. I broke a sweat but we made it by a few seconds. We were last one on the plane. 

The new 777-300ER is a much quieter plane but has less restrooms that the 747-400.

Immigrations and customs went smooth and we are now in the shuttle van to our home. 

Yea, we sleep in our own bed tonight.

In another posting we will post more about our winter in California. Stay Tuned!