Countdown A Mile Up

We left Paris on the afternoon of the 31st, which meant we would countdown the Thai New Year somewhere over Russia and the French New Year somewhere over Myanmar.  Being in the holiday spirit,

the In-flight Manager upgraded me to first class. 

So for the first time, I had a glimpse into the world of the "have-a-lots"

When you have a lot, you get 3 windows and an LCD touch pad that lets you do everything except fly the plane.

You also get enough leg room that you can stretch out and still have room for your travelling companion to sit across from you.  The screen is also big enough that even though you're sitting 8 ft away, it's still a quality viewing experience, and to top things off instead of little earplug headphones, you get earmuff-sized noise-cancelling headphones.

You also get a sliding door for privacy in case you're intent on joining a certain high-altitude association.

 

After this particular flight, I'm taking membership in this club off my 100 things to do list - not because it's been done, but because it has not been done, and if it wasn't done on this flight, then it's basically never going to happen.  Private cabin, wife on board, and two different New Year's Eves... opportunities lost can never be regained.

The have-a-lots also have coat closets.

Bangkok Christmas Trees

Christmas has come and gone, but here's a quick look at some of the trees we came across in Bangkok.

Here's our tree that we bought a couple years ago.  It fits perfectly inside a large black plastic trash bag and takes about 30 seconds to set up and about the same time to pack up and hide away for next year.

This is the tree at the Millennium Hotel where my friend Ron was staying.  It's the first inverted tree that I've ever seen.  Did you know that Santa is an anagram for - could it be.... Satan!!

Finally, some pictures of the more traditional Christmas tree at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi. 



Weekend In Krabi

Earlier this month, my friend, Ron, and I took a short trip to Krabi in Southern Thailand.  We had reserved two separate rooms, but upon arrival were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite with a jacuzzi and

romantic view of Krabi's limestone cliffs.

4 meals in Krabi - 3 were Italian.

Most accompanied by classy cocktails

December 5th was the King's birthday, so we took a break from guzzling curvaceous cocktails to pay homage to the world's longest reigning monarch.

Finally, some scenes from the beach.

Guilt Trip

After we dropped Uncle Bruce and Aunt Agnun off at the airport, we brought Nuch's mom back to her house on the other side of Bangkok.

Upon entering her home, I found the radio playing in the bathroom.

Why you may ask?

Apparently, the land behind her home had recently been cleared - before it was a thick tropical forest that covered a couple acres.  Because it was now an open field, Nuch's mother needed some way to scare off any would be burglars that would dare traverse the swampy field, scale her 10 foot barbed fence, and break through her wrought-iron barred windows to steal her collection of empty boxes and plastic bags.

Playing the radio was supposed to make burglars think that someone was home - the fact that she set the radio on a station that played non-stop lectures on the teachings of the Buddha was just to make them feel guilty for even thinking about it.

Uncle Bruce and Aunt Agnun's Visit

Here are some quick photos from Nuch's Aunt and Uncle's recent visit.  Here they have just checked in at the Peninsula.

Here's Nuch with her mom and aunt posing for pictures.

After the photo shoot, we took Uncle Bruce and Aunt Agnun to our favorite pizza shop on Kao San Rd. - Ranee's.

Here are some more shots from Kao San Rd.

Uncle Bruce at the Marriott pier.

Here we are at Trader Vic's famous brunch.

The time went by too fast.