khaolakguy

Great Report, look forward to part two!

I use Express and was quite happy with it, but now I wonder what I am missing compared to Nord!

I would say that it is generally a consensus in the entertainment industry that international touring shows do not usually match the standard of the originals for the following reasons. Limitations on Casting/Performers caused by the travel, lower profile and status of touring shows, which also limits the appeal to the best directors, choreographers etc. Set Design and Construction are limited by the need to be made flat packable for transport between venues. The variety of lay outs in different theatres is a negative against creating the staging and audio for a specific theatre and its acoustics etc. etc. Perhaps the shows you saw at the Rajadalai were the exceptions that prove the rule but I doubt it. And no I didn't see those shows either in Bangkok or anywhere else. Not my idea of an evening out. While I am sure that expats attended these shows the contention that the availability of touring versions of such shows will attract middle management to relocate to another country is laughable. Although you state that Singapore and Hong Kong have invested heavily in theatres and travelling shows for just such specific purpose. I can imagine the conversation now: Him "Darling my company want to relocate me to Hong Kong" Her "Do we really have to go?" Him "It will be great, if we go we can get tickets for The Lion King" Her "In that case let's pack our bags now!"

Although I can't speak for the guys at Fresh Boys, a bowl cut looks like someone put an upturned bowl on their head and cut around the bowl, so everything below the lip of the bowl is short or shaved. Seems to be quite a popular style in the last year everywhere.

I thought your point was: to attract expats(not tourists). My point was that expats would probably prefer to see the original rather than touring versions of these shows, and as such they would hardly be a draw to relocate to Singapore or Hong Kong. It's not like saying moving to London/New York gives you access to the variety of London's Theatreland or Broadway and shows with their original casts.

I am envious! Have fun, brief though your trip is(on this occasion).

This seems a debatable conclusion. I would have thought that making an overseas contract more attractive for mid level managers requires the destination to be more attractive/exciting than their home market. If it is so similar why would they want to relocate? The idea of re-staging touring musicals, inevitably sub standard compared to the originals, seems unlikely to be attractive to expats who could see the originals. More likely to be attractive to locals who didn't have the opportunity to see the originals. I can't imagine that it would be a draw to bring an expat to a different country, although they might go and be reminded of what they are missing!

He might think that the tip was because he got you there so quickly. Driver thinks.. "must take all farangs as fast as possible, they like it and I get good tip!"

If you are asking about obtaining annual health insurance that would cover your hypertension, it might be helpful if you gave more details, eg have you already tried local insurance companies and on what basis were you refused? It is not unusual to obtain Health Insurance that cover specific pre-existing conditions, although the premium will be higher.

Thanks for the review of Wabi Sabi. I have never been but was thinking of going on my next trip, but I would have assumed that they, as an upmarket spa type place ++, would have a proper massage table. It's a disincentive to visit that they don't. Enjoying all your reports!

+1

Several contestants have walked out of a Miss Universe event after an official from host nation Thailand publicly berated Miss Mexico in a tense confrontation. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy40q990g28o

Are you sure?! I looked at them once as the price is certainly cheap for flights between UK and Bangkok(around £2K in Business), but the diversion to Addis Ababa is far from ideal and neither is a change of planes there. The reviews on Skytrax were not encouraging either.

It sounds a very well-organised and thorough tour.

My impression is that you went into this trip in exploratory mode and with realistic expectations that have sometimes been surpassed. Either way I have enjoyed being on the journey with you and I appreciate you taking the time to give us the interesting details.