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New Year in Thailand
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New Year in Thailand

A 28-day adventure by BurdtToGo Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 20, 2017
    BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    The Carolinas, USA

    December 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Dunbar here again. I'm supervising Dale and Cathy as they get ready for their trip to Thailand. Meanwhile, Glenna and Megan are planning their portion of their trip via WhatsAp and its fun to watch; Megan is talking elephants and going to the islands. It will be fun to see where they end up. We'll be joining them on Jan 2, 2018 in Bangkok.Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Charleston

    December 31, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 43 °F

    The New Years Eve excitement is ratcheting up as we hit the first of 2 New Years Eve airports. On the way we stopped at SeeWee roadhouse for Good southern cooking to send us on our way to Charleston, NYC, Dubai, and Bangkok airports. But first a beer for Dale and something chocolate is calling me.

    Happy New Years Eve!    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Short stop in Dubai

    January 1, 2018 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    .......then onto Bangkok. Binged watched the second season of Victoria since it was available on the plane but not yet in US.

    And checking out temperatures back in the US on this first day of January of 2018Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Bangkok

    January 3, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Staying at the Doubletree Hilton with Megan and Glenna in an adjoining room. Glenna is very dehydrated AND sunburnt AND has many mosquito bites so she is sleeping and drinking water with rehydration salts. Meg and the parents headed over to Siam Mall for people watching and coffee. Very upscale and fashionable with all of the Christmas decorations still up.

    There’s a good expatriate restaurant/bar across the street with live music (80s cover music), very inviting, so takeout for dinner. Great food!!!    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Doubletree is perfect to chill out

    January 3, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    We split into 2 pairs today with Dale and Meg heading for the the Grand Palace and reclining Buddha and Glenna and I going low key at the hotel as she recuperates from her various maladies.

    The pool area was wonderful with cabanas to lay in and recliners in the pool. Heaven....

    But also interesting is all the construction underway across Bangkok. Sukhumvit is booming with new luxury condos, nightlife, restaurants. More about a favorite in an upcoming posting.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Traveling tips in Bangkok

    January 4, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Cast: 4 people, including 2 pretty blond millennials, 1 62 year old with an artificial knee, 1 65 year old father benevolently discussing Marvel movies, hunting for good coffee in the morning
    Tips:

    1. It’s true about taxis and running off meter. From Grand Palace to hotel, taxi wanted to charge us 600 baht for a ride that was 120 baht on meter. Glenna profoundly expressed her displeasure as only a true Bostonian could, stopping the cab and getting out. She did not help this taxi drivers impressions of Americans as nice people but I was going “you go girl”

    2. Walking is great for 3 of us but the high curbs on sidewalk are a pain for bad knees.

    3. The stairs up to the BTS are formidable. Megan sprints up them.

    4. At the Grand Palace, watch for fake Thai police who are way too helpful. Kudos to Megan for spotting this.

    5. Rooftop bars on the 23rd floor are amazing. Check out Sky on 20 at the Novotel. More on this later.

    6. There’s a street we rode down that is all shops for intricate wooden doors. They are all out on the street and gorgeous. Hard to fit in luggage for souvenirs though.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Grand Palace, Bangkok

    January 5, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F

    While our friends and family back I the US weather a massive snowstorm we visited the Grand Palace. Go early was the advice and it was good advice. But like so many wonders it surpassed my expectations so much that I’m adding an extra footprint so I can post more pictures.

    First the buildings which were beautiful and intricate with their carvings.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Grand Palace Murals

    January 5, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F

    The palace buildings were wonderful, built in 1780s but the Ramakien murals depicting the Thai version of Indian Ramayana story are engrossing. Pictures tell all.

    Arielle, our “not the mermaid” friend should look for, yes, the mermaids.Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    A Mermaid Cafe

    January 5, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F

    Speaking of mermaids, yesterday Glenna led us to the Mermaid Cafe. Enough said. But they had good sugary cupcakes and lots of mermaid shirts and stuff. Catch Glenna’s mermaid queen photo.

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Bang Pa-in Royal Palace, Ayutthaya

    January 6, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Also called the Summer Palace it is beautiful and used as a guest house by the Thai Royal family. In order to hold off western countries who wanted to colonize Thailand, the King built these pavilions in western styles so as to say “we are civilized enough, not interested!” Thailand has never been colonized by western countries.Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    River Cruise--Chao Phraya

    January 6, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Via boat from Ayutthaya to Bangkok, we hung out with a chatty Australian just looking at the scenery. On the way to catch the boat the tour guide stopped for a delicious snack, sort of a light crepe wrapped around shredded sugar cane—delicious!

    But cruising along for a few hours on the front deck was lovely. Our favorite building looks like it’s missing a few pieces, sort of lie a giant Jenga game.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler
    1

    Chiang Mai, hipster center

    January 9, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    What a great city! Night markets, art, great food, rides in tuk tuks and the ubiquitous red pickup trucks taxis.

    We’re splitting our stay here into 2 different sides of the city. Our first stay is near the Old City, a mostly demolished ancient city wall that encloses restaurants, stalls, coffee shops and crowded streets . Our hotel, De Chai Decor is a newish, Art Deco meets 2017 style place with incredibly comfortable beds. You get to it through small alley-like passages lined with guest houses and hostels.

    Megan took us to her favorite restaurant, Coconut Shell, for outstanding curry. And yes, I climbed into the back of a pickup truck outfitted with benches, which is the shared taxi that is used to get around.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Nimman Harminda

    January 11, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    I’m sure I am mangling the name, but we moved to a guest house hotel on the other side of Chiang Mai. Different from the bustle of Old City Chiang Mai, the is more upscale and trendy and not as crowded. Still it is under the flight path of the airport but we’ve gotten used to that.

    We are staying at Nimman Mai Design Hotel and is so charming. The pool next to the lobby is designed for hanging out, with a waterfall wall and seats in the pool where you can sit in the pool to relax. Just lovely.

    Have found some great restaurants; one near us is obviously a locals and backpacker spot and features crispy chicken and rice. Another favorite is Thevaros, where Dale had an appetizer selection of northern Thai dishes such as pork belly, pork rind, minced pork dish and some vegetable dishes. It’s also a cooking school.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Up the mountain to Bhubing Palace Garden

    January 12, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We hired a car to visit Doi Suthep temple and the palace gardens. The drive is through the National Park and uphill all the way, sharing the road with red pickup-taxis and iron-legged bicyclers. A crowded village for the temple (we visited on the way down) and another 4 km to the Royal Palace. The day was foggy so the walk through had a hazy effect along with beautiful gardens and paths. They are more strict than the temples are about proper attire so I wrapped myself in my shawl to comply.

    Alas, my right knee is starting to get very sore and walking is difficult. I used Dale as my human crutch.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Farewell to Megan

    January 13, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Our last night in Chiang Mai where Megan came over from Lampang to take us for pizza. One of her teaching colleagues, Nong, has a partner with an excellent pizza restaurant, featuring very good pizza—capers and bacon! Such a nice evening.

    We’ll see Megan when she returns to the states this summer.    Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

    January 13, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    A beautiful temple about 15 km from Chiang Mai, located on Doi Suthep mountain. To access it takes 309 steps straight up; no way with my sore knee so I took the tram instead. The temple has elements of Buddhism and Hinduism and has many statues where offerings are made. Nice chat with a Portuguese family but mostly just soaking in the peacefulness.Read more

  • BurdtToGoNew Year in ThailandTraveler

    Awaiting the 23 hour plane ride

    January 16, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

    Before leaving Bangkok, I indulged in a massage and facial at the spa. 90 minutes of sweet smelling oils and creams, massaging the kinks out of my body, followed by lemon grass tea. I can sleep for hours,I’m so relaxed.

    Which I will be able to do when we catch our flight back to the US, via Dubai. 23 hours of travel.

    But first, Happy Anniversary to The McFlinns from New Zealand who were our breakfast and beer buddies in Chiang Mai. We enjoyed their company while we talked about lifestyles, kids, and politics. Cheers and hope to meet again!    Read more

    Trip end
    January 16, 2018
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