vinapu

no, it's why MRT and BTS in Bangkok are better

# me too

it's not that surprising when one considers that KFC offerings are prepared in very different way that common Thai , and I guess South African food is done

problems with visitors seem to be firmly thing of the past, even Siam Heritage did not make any issues on my last two stays there. I agree change is good as if we don't try , how we know what we like but for me Raya is preferable to IBIS 7 times out of 6 if not 5.

Bangkok, big time ! Pattaya is fun but after few days there there's problem how to fill one's daytime. And Bangkok's MRT and BTS much better than Pattaya's

I wonder how much he charges being 'model ' at Moonlight ?

so how it went? can you walk ?

Take a heart, I heard the same sentence from a lot of very seasoned travellers as more you travel , more you realize you are just licking surface , no matter how hard you try.

I agree it's sad but they are there because obviously people like to shop and dine at them to their own peril

add KFC and you are my best friend. But it needs to be said they at least offer consistent menu and travellers unfamiliar with local palates may resort to patronizing them out of concern for food safety. I have a boy in Bangkok who is big fan of KFC food and whenever we meet I resign to buy some of that stuff just to treat him

I don't preach any ideology here. With airlines in most cases our choices are limited due to price and connections time but certainly I'm not loyal to any airline and my 41 landings in and departures from Thailand was done on probably at least 25 if not more different airlines. Speaking about mom and pop airlines I once flew Air Taznania (not to Thailand ) at time when they had only one jet. Probably the same on now defunct Paraguayan airlines , forgot the name.

still is, at least for me +1

still my message to boy would be the same . To their credit recently I noticed that they don't pick up a beeping phone at all or look with question in their eyes at me if they can pick it up - certainly case with all three guys I was hosting last month. All were rehearsed before and seem to get their homework done.

if I manage to get a seat at midnight's Eva flight tonight I may join you guys

sure , constipation gets in the way

Putin's problem is one of all autocratic and dictatorial systems - after a while there's nobody to tell autocrats that something is going wrong or it should be done other way i.e. nobody to bring bad news. Most people around them are already cowed, scared and sold , others plotting against them don't have any interest in correcting wrong course hoping for the worst for the guy at helm.

I don't mind at al. Hotel information is there for all to read on the top. We put that sofa to good use on quite a few occasions , believe you me. I really liked that entry by card without prying eyes on reception watching who I'm dragging with me . It can be done both from street and back ( parking) side . I need to try their family room. Studio seemed adequate but much smaller than my room, just like Ibis Styles rooms size wise.

in Jun at mouth of soi 4 taxi guy stopped me offering taxi , I asked him ' how much to Nishitetsu hotel ?" and we had good laugh. For uninitiated , Nishitetsu is whole 50 meters from soi 4. Few years ago waiting for green light on South Pattaya and Second Road intersection I was witness of two Japanese looking girls asking taxi ' how much it will be to Wat Chai ", he said 200 without blinking an eye and they accepted ride which lasted probably 25 seconds at most. I once for fun accepted 20 baht lift by motorsai from Baan Silom to Silom, 2 minutes walk but at least I knew what I was doing . so bottom line is I agree with you ( as always )

ditto if you go before bars open as boys often shop there or eat on the stairs. On last trip I met that way Lao guy who was sitting with me in Freshboys night before and I could easily off him if I did not have boy booked already.

as I said I know almost nothing about cruises with only 2 undertaken but remember my surprise on Panama Canal cruise segment. Beautiful day and ship told us that slightly over half ( they gave us exact figure but I forgot what it was) passengers went to the shore, hence my comment

because they are very good creating impression of passengers being treated as a princes

from my very limited experience (just 2 cruises) most people don't leave the ship anyways so weather at port is afterthought. To answer original question , it depends of destination and whether trip is city stop or trekking in the woods. I was in Thailand few times during rainy season and rain did not bother me much if at all. Trekking in Nepal during monsoon would be different case

last thing both countries need is the war

at least he did when I visited him last time there

I hope I did not offend anybody but yes, I feel strongly that dwelling too much on the past breeds senility