TMax

Singapore Airlines now as well.

Not going to be much fun in Manila, I think protests will be the order of the day with Duterte supporters.

Mostly female but there were guys doing foot massages downstairs so I would imagine they would also be available for massages in the rooms (mine was by a female)

I've always enjoyed walks in Lumphini Park and it was good to see so many water monitors in the park on my last trip, as well as quite a lot of eye candy😋

Apologies for not finishing my trip report from last November but I've had a lot to get through, not much else happened on that trip except another visit to Senso where I selected another 2hr massage (but I asked him to forget the oil and not touch the neck) and the massage was quite reasonable and finished off remarkably well. I did have what I would call a proper massage at Urban Thai on soi Thaniya but that for me was more a remedial massage as there was no extras on offer and I may add was a very good massage. That and I was invited to go on a private cruise on the Chao Phraya river with some old friends and it was a very relaxing days outing. The flight home was delayed by an hour which from memory is close to normal for Thai airways on the Perth flight and it was a bit rough too, plenty of turbulence along the way but arrived home ok. Given all that's happened / happening I am planning another trip later this year but not too sure of the date yet, with the hotel I am hoping to wind back the hands of time and stay at the Tarntawan again, it's been many years since I was there last. Currency exchange was mostly done at X-One on Surawong which gave me the best rates for the Australian "peso" but I did use the exchange at Silom 64 building a few times as I was going past on the way out for the evening. Had my first medical procedure a few days after getting home and it worked OK (3 epidural injections in the neck and restored a lot of feeling in the hands) but alas the big one has been delayed, it seems that I am not suffering enough to warrant such a major operation (oh well such is life). Not having full feeling in my hands and fingers (zero pain thankfully) is a nuisance but I'm not letting it control what I do so am continuing on with life as normal until it gets too bad and the time for the operation comes along. In the meantime my thoughts will be on a trip later this year.

I bet it won't be as smooth as possible though.

Last November I showed my business class boarding pass and they put me through fast track at immigration, I did arrive late at night so whether that had anything to do with it or not I don't know.

Frequent flyer points is my only gripe with Singapore Airlines, had a nice little bundle of them then one day when I tried to check what was there and if I could use them some idiot had deleted my Krisflyer account and SIA wouldn't (or couldn't) reinstate it. Since then, even though I joined the Thai Airways programme I only ever used it to collect points once and have never bothered with it since.

My last trip I only had a small carry on bag and put it at my feet (business class so plenty of foot room), going over on Thai Airways wasn't a problem but coming home the hostess picked it up and put in the overhead, such a small bag I would rather keep it near my feet especially if I were to fly economy.

I had a feeling from the start that this would just get swept under the carpet and nothing would come of it.

Some years back I booked a trip to Autthaya through a small travel agent in Soi Thaniya (just around the Surawong corner) and cost 1800 baht, the tour was done through the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Itinerary was hotel pick-up by minivan at 8am, Bang Pa In and then Autthaya, the return was bus to a pier and river boat with buffet lunch back to Bangkok. Turned into a really nice day trip (even though it was a stinking hot day) and the boat ride back was nice and relaxing which got back to Bangkok around 6pm. Would have been much nicer with a private tour but I didn't mind going with a small group and all in all a very good day out.

Have no idea really but was looking once before in case I moved over there and my search brought up Pacific Cross, can't say what they're like or even if they're any good but they mention pre existing and the fact they cover people over 60. Could be worth a read at least. Pacific Cross health insurance

Trains are packed so hope they are putting more on for this period, I suppose doing this is easier than stopping all the burning.

Much the same as the last 40 years when I wasn't on shift working, in bed asleep (hopefully).

I've been a member of 2 airline rewards, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, my only problem ever with Singapore Airlines is they deleted my account for some reason and all the miles earned were gone for good (they did admit they made a mistake and offered a new account but wouldn't put the miles back so screw that). I haven't bothered with the Thai frequent flyer since the covid crap started but I may try to get it going again some day as my travel has recommenced, may look at it for the planned trip late next year.

Christmas lunch with family in Perth then home for more rest and some very nice Margaret River red wine, celebrating getting about 80% feeling (proper feeling) back in my hand, my 3 pre Christmas epidural injections are doing some good at least but in 2025 it will be major surgery.

It's been a long time since I was there. My first choice would be up in mountains in Baguio, it's not the prettiest city around but I like the climate there (never too hot and I have never needed air con when up there even in the wet season), it's a 5 hour bus ride to Manila on Victory Liners first class or deluxe bus service (even the overnight sleeper royal class). They also have a private hospital up there just in case medical is required, not in the same class as those in Bangkok or St Luke's medical in Manila but good enough for immediate needs. Cebu in my view is little more than a mini Manila and is congested traffic wise so a no for me. Can't say much about Davao as I've never been there but friends are split 50/50 on it, some say it's good because they feel safe there other say it's boring.

Well the trek to Suvarnabhumi was long thanks to a traffic jam on the freeway but I made it ok, booked a car through the hotel for 800 baht. Although the airport is packed to the rafters (I've never seen it this busy before) it didn't take long to get through to the lounge, flying business class the check in, security and immigration was all fast tracked and less than 15 minutes all up. Surprised to see a long line of people outside the entrance and was wondering what the hell was happening and then it hit, they are all the smokers getting a last one in. Now to hope and plan for a more relaxed and enjoyable trip next year, not a lot to report on this trip but will check my notes (memory) and see if I can put something up but I will say it was good to get back to Bangkok after such a long wait.

After staying at Ibis Styles I find it quite reasonable, the plus side is the food which is good, location, pool and gym however I think next trip (late next year ish hopefully) I think I will return to the Tarntawan or Raya (most likely Tarntawan) I hope to be fixed up and better prepared too. I have enjoyed the Ibis but I suppose the only downside would be room size and lack of cupboard or wardrobe but I didn't mind too much and worked my way around that.

Toll is up to 6 now, the other young Australian girl has died. Holly Bowles has died with her family by her side at Bangkok Hospital after a suspected poisoning incident in Laos. Holly is the sixth person killed in the suspected mass methanol spiking after her best friend Bianca Jones passed away in hospital yesterday.

It was a pleasure to meet and chat with you @reader, it's been a relaxing trip so far and something that was needed before the medical procedures back home, this thing slowed me down more than I had hoped. It's just a pity I haven't been able to visit more massage places this trip but very much hoping to be back late next year with less restrictions.

Taken over by IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group) and will be rebranded as The Voco Bangkok Surawong, I'm not too sure if the plans have changed but they were originally looking at reopening some time in 2025.

Ventured into Arena yesterday just after opening. Being an early bird there was only about 5 boys to choose from but the choice was made easy for me as I was greeted with a smile and a wave by one of the boys upon entering and as he was more my type and not as big or buffed as the others I went with him. 90 minute aroma oil massage wasn't too bad (750 baht and in the standard room), I've had a lot worse but let's face it not many actually go to Arena for the massage and in the end we both had a happy ending so tipped 1500 baht. I did easily manage to have him not do the sensitve area that had caused discomfort after a previous massage, on leaving the number of boys had grown to a nearly packed house full and of all different types as well. Not a lot happened during the day after that but some relaxing by the pool for a while. Evening was also quiet and started with a couple of beers and a delicious stir fried chicken and cashew at Happy Beer Garden before enjoying a good walk around the neighbourhood.

Damn, been sidetracked as my spinal injury has flared up a bit so just doing mundane things, hope to be back into massage over the weekend or Monday.

It didn't look like it but they escorted me all the way to the right hand side, I suppose the fast track / priority counters (there was only the 2 counters there), I just showed them the business class boarding pass and away I went.