Our 25th Anniversary Vacation

What A Great Trip - Time to Go Home

2006-03-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

Vicki had trouble getting all the luggage into the back of the Rolls! Sad that the trip is over but wonderful memories of our 25th Anniversary Vacation !

Last Day message to Megan:

2006-03-06T09:08:00.000-05:00

Megan these are some Chinese bunnies we saw on Sunday, they were really cute.
Thanks for reading my blog, I hope you enjoyed it, I enjoyed getting your messages.

Last Day update..more pics:

2006-03-06T09:03:00.000-05:00

So many places named after me !!
Us at Felix on our last night. Felix is the Peninsula's top floor restaurant with great views of HK (when its not foggy) the food was great and once again we got an Anniversary desert.

Me with the Hotels lucky Dog.

Hong Kong Last Full Day :-(

2006-03-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

Well its our last full day......what a wonderful trip we've had, each place different in its own way.
The weather did not co-operate today, cloudy and drizzly. This picture shows Kowloon waterfront with HK in the background.
Me taking a Tai Chi lesson!
We took a bus to Stanley Market, (yes another market) now I know what racing drivers do when they retire....they become HK bus drivers!! This pic shows me having my "chop" made, its a Chinese seal with your name on it in Chinese. The Chinese untill recently used it instead of a signature.
Me relaxing before starting to pack.

Hong Kong Update Sunday:

2006-03-05T07:37:00.000-05:00

We had a busy day today......started at church 8:45am at Holy Rosary, then onto the Hong Kong History Museum, from there onto the Bird Park (more below). After that we went to a flower market, the selection of flowers and plants was amazing. Onto the subway for a trip to Central (the main shopping area of HK). We rode the escalator up thru the mid-levels and soho, the escalators only go one way during the day so we walked back down. Back to the Hotel at 4pm to get changed for High Tea in the lobby (a HK institution), it was delicious (cucumber sandwich anyone?). A quick change back into shopping gear for another trip to the night market (Mick says absolutely the last trip!) PHEW what a day!
Megan this is a bird park, where men take their birds in cages to get a bit of fresh air and to sing! A bit like taking a dog for a walk, but its a special park, isn't that neat? They hang the cages up and just wait around while the birds sing!

Hong Kong Sunday March 5th:

2006-03-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

This one from yesterday, Mick checking a map looking for the Peak Tram!
Me and my sales girl Joey at Shanghai Tang, a hip chinese designer.....about all I could afford were their shopping bags!!
Mick and Jackie Chan.
Lobby of the Peninsula.......it's empty because it's 7am and we are first for breakfast!

Hong Kong update for Megan:

2006-03-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

Megan congratulations on passing your ballet exam.........we are so proud of you. Well done!
Here some special night time pictures just for you........................at 8pm allthe buildings light up with lasers and flashing lights, I hope you can see the lasers in the pictures.

More updates and photos later

Hong Kong Saturday March 4th:

2006-03-04T09:35:00.000-05:00

First full day in Hong Kong and I'm exhausted ! So much to see so little time! This is me at the Star Ferry Terminal in Kowloon.
Victoria Peak........how very well named !!
A classic picture every tourist in the world has taken.....
We took a tram ride on one of Hong Kongs famous old trams.....can't wait to see the video!

Hong Kong Friday 3rd:

2006-03-03T08:22:00.000-05:00

We arrived at Hong Kong Airport after another great flight on Cathay (stewardesses are so polite and the food was great again). As we left the customs hall there was a man in a pinstripe suite holding a sign with our name, he took all our luggage and escorted us to our car.......... a dark green Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, and our Chinese driver dressed in a white jacket and black pin strip trousers….very smart. After we got into the car he handed us a drink and cold towels….this is the life! We drove into Hong Kong and arrived at the Peninsula….the most famous hotel in Hong Kong (its actually in Kowloon).
We were met at the Hotel door by another gent who quickly checked us into our room……..another surprise we are on the 19th floor in a harbor view suite with a fabulous view of Hong Kong.
Yet another surprise, the hotel manager had sent us a card wishing us happy anniversary, along with a chocolate cake, and a half bottle of Peninsula Champagne. There was a small package on the tray wrapped in gold paper, it was a beautiful silver double sided Peninsula travel picture frame, what a memorable souvenir!
The cake
Me wondering what all this dried food is !
Nathan St. at night, on the way to the Temple St night market. More tomorrow with more photos.

Singapore Late Late Update:

2006-03-03T08:05:00.000-05:00

Megan, last night in Singapore we went on a Night Safari, its a nightime zoo, its so cool, they have clearings in the jungle and areas of water that are lit by simulated moon light. We saw Hyenas feeding, elephants, rhino's girafe, lions, tigers, and lots of other animals. We couldn't take any photos because they don't alllow flashes so this picture at the park entry is the best we could do!
When we got back to Raffles we had a suprise. Our valets (we had 2!) had put a heart made out of rose petals on our coffee table with a candle in the middle.........and there was a bottle of Tattinger Reserve Champagne on ice, with a very nice note wishing us a happy anniversary from them and the Hotel.
And then Mick thought he heard dripping water in the bathroom and went in to turn it off......what he found was a hot bubble bath already prepared by the valets with rose petals scattered all around.
Mick getting in the car to go to the airport and shaking hands with Raffles doorman.
Next stop Hong Kong.

Singapore Quick Update more photos

2006-03-02T02:49:00.000-05:00

Me in the Long Bar at Raffles having a Singapore Sling (invented at Raffles)
At the Raffles Pool
Me with the most photographed man in Singapore, the Raffles Doorman
Me on a chair? bed?

Singapore Update Thursday 2nd:

2006-03-02T02:43:00.000-05:00

Our suite.....you can't tell in the pix but it has 16ft ceilings.
Another part of the suite.....
Me ready for dinner.
We did a tour of Singapore with our driver this morning, saw all the sights.
We are off to Hong Kong tommorow morning....Mick says he still has a couple of suprises up his sleeve......I can't wait. Next post from Hong Kong.

Singapore Wednesday March 1st:

2006-03-01T23:12:00.000-05:00

Me reluctantly leaving the Train with our steward.
We were met at the station by our driver and his nice black Jaguar for the stay in Singapore Arriving at the famous Raffles Hotel Singapore, legend has it the last Tiger in Singapore was shot under one of its billiard tables!
Our room was not quite ready, so the manager bought us drinks while we waited and then informed us we were upgraded to the James Mitchener Suite, one of their 8 personality suites, very nice!
Us finishing dinner at Raffles Grill, when Mick made the reservation 3 weeks ago he mentioned that our trip was to celebrate our 25th Aniversary. When we asked for the check they brought a giant silver serving tray, and when they lifted the lid there was a special desert with a candle wishing us Happy Anniversary.

Megan message:

2006-03-01T19:05:00.000-05:00

Megan, we are having so much fun and it is great to be able to leave you a few messages.
This picture is of a Malaysian dancer that came on the train to do a show one night before dinner, isn't her outfit pretty ?
Nana and another passenger learning a Malay dance !
A man dancer in the national costume of Malaysia
Us with the dancers after the show. Hope you like the pictures, say Hi to Joe for us.

Eastern & Orient Express Sunday 26th:

2006-03-01T09:13:00.000-05:00

When we got into the hotel limo to leave I heard the driver mention station, I knew with mom's help I had guessed correctly……the next part of the trip was 4 days and 2 nights on The Eastern & Orient Express to Singapore ! When we got to the station we were checked in quickly and ushered into a departure lounge. Then it was time to board the E & O, it stood out on Bangkok station with its green & gold livery. Our compartment is beautifully appointed with a 24hr steward to bring us anything we want……..but its small! And there are smaller compartments than ours! The train has 4 dining cars, we eat in different ones each meal. There is a bar car with a piano player, a reading car with a fortune teller, and the observation car at the rear with an enclosed section and an open section. Luxury!
Temple near another of the Kings summer palace.
Me having way too much fun !

River Kwai & Kanchaburi Monday 27th:

2006-03-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

Mick at the "Bridge over the River Kwai" We visited the famous Bridge on the River Kwai today (start whistling Colonel Bogeys March), the death railway museum and a cemetery where some of the prisoners from the railway are buried. Now the real story, the wooden bridge over the River Kwai was not the main bridge it was a supply bridge, and there was no River Kwai, but when tourist started turning up looking for the Bridge on the River Kwai the Thai Government renamed the existing river, Kwai !
Vicki at the Death Railway Cemetery.
Along side one of the carriages
Afternoon Sitar music in the bar car.

More E & O photos Tuesday 28th:

2006-03-01T08:35:00.000-05:00

Vicki being served drinks in the Observation car.
Us in the Observation car
Wanna know where rice comes from?
In our State Compartment having afternoon tea, this is the life!

The Peninsula Sunday 26th:

2006-02-26T01:44:00.000-05:00

The Peninsula Hotel and one of its ferry boats.
Me waiting for the ferry.
The Peninsula pool

Bangkok Sunday 26th:

2006-02-26T00:36:00.000-05:00

Time to leave Bangkok, went to Church this morning and now am packing for......who knows!
Mick is telling me to pack for 3 days in one suitcase as some of our luggage is travelling seperatly, he did mention we may be travelling in a small plane. And I saw an email from his boss asking for a trinket from Katmandu. Apparently there is no internet where we are going so this will be my last post untill Wednesday!

Late comment from Mick: Did I say plane, oh I meant TRAIN !

Last Night in Bangkok Saturday 25th:

2006-02-25T21:12:00.000-05:00

Mick took me down dingy streets, past food vendors, I wasn't sure where we were going! We arrived at a building best described as commercial and got in an elevator to the 64th floor.. When we got out the only thing I could say was WOW! Our photos and their web photos do not do it justice. We had dinner enjoying a spectacular view with cool jazz playing in the background from a live band, all the while being cooled by a gentle breeze. The food was fantastic (european, so we knew what we was eating). The atmosphere was awsome. Apparently this is the "In" spot in Bangkok where all the movers and shakers hang out, but they let us in anyway! Check it out http://www.thedomebkk.com/web/sirc_gallery_01main.html (if you click on the small photos it makes them larger)

.............and when we got back to the hotel Mick had arranged a 5 minute firework display directly in front of our window from a barge in the middle of the River to end the evening. (OK it was the hotel display :-)
I couldn't stop smiling all evening.
Jazz band up on their podium.

Before our last night out in Bangkok Saturday 25th:

2006-02-25T21:04:00.000-05:00

Mick with the laundry delivered in tissue paper, wicker basket and orchid on top. I hope he doesn't expect that when we get home!!
Me drinking a Crystal Cocktail, the Hotel signature drink.
Outside the Peninsula Pier, their shrine and little houses for the departed souls. I am dressed up for our night out, but once again I don't know where we are going!

Chatuchak Weekend Market, Saturday 25th

2006-02-25T09:14:00.000-05:00

Mick designated today shopping day.........finally! We went to the Chatuchak weekend market, even the Thai's go there to shop, although there is one price for Farang's (foreigners) and one price for Thai's. Megan look at me holding a dog, well we think it was a dog!
Me bargaining hard !!
The market had everything, most of it not suitcase friendly.
Not sure if this guy was getting another tattoo or a hair cut!

Later we went to Paragon Center a new super mall in Bangkok, it makes US malls look a bit lame!! No pictures too busy shopping.

Manohra Dinner Cuise, Friday Night 24th:

2006-02-25T02:59:00.000-05:00

Friday night we went on a dinner cruise on a converted rice barge up the Chao Phraya River. We passed all the sights we had seen during the day but they looked quite spectacular all lit up a night. Once again, not a clue what we were eating but it was great. You can see what the Barge looks like here http://www.manohracruises.com/dining.php

Grand Palace more photos:

2006-02-25T02:49:00.000-05:00

Mick in his "office" ckecking email

Grand Palace, more photos

2006-02-25T02:46:00.000-05:00

Grand Palace Tour Friday 24th:

2006-02-25T02:42:00.000-05:00

Me with my 100 baht (about $2.20) parasol
The rest of the pictures are all of the Grand Palace, I'll let them speak for themselves, the grounds were quite amazing!

More pictures on the next couple of posts.

Klongs Tour Friday 24th:

2006-02-25T02:33:00.000-05:00

Was too exhausted after a busy day of having fun to blog last night. We took a tour of the Bangkok Klongs (canals) and the Grand Palace yesterday, and boy was it hot! The picture above is Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Me fishing for Catfish outside a Wat (temple)
Me and our guide Lucky on a long tail boat.
The front of one of the Kings Ceremonial boats at the Royal Boat house, notice the cannon (black hole in center)

Ayuttayha More Photos:

2006-02-24T04:35:00.000-05:00

Reclining Buddha
Young Thai dancers at class
Giant Gold Buddha....look at the men in middle of pic for scale !

Megan, Message Ayuttahya Thursday 23rd:

2006-02-24T01:14:00.000-05:00

Megan this is Nana Vicki & Grandad Mick riding an Elephant ! The ride is very bumpy but a lot of fun! The elephant "driver" was funny when some Japanese tourist were taking pictures he chased them round in circles!
There were a couple of cute baby elephants, you could go up to feed them but Nana was too scared. Ha Ha Ha!

Ayuttahya Update

2006-02-24T01:08:00.000-05:00

This is the tree with the Buddha's head surrounded by tree roots, the Cambodians destroyed all the Buddha's by cutting off their heads and this one fell by a small tree and over the years the roots grew around it to protect Buddha.

Ayuttahya Thursday 23rd:

2006-02-24T00:55:00.000-05:00

We took a tour to Ayuttahya the ancient capital of Thailand (Siam) we started off with a long tail boat ride up the Chao Phraya river.....boy is it hot here, then stopped at the Royal Summer palace, but the King of Spain was visiting so we couldn't go in. We should have mention Queen Victoria was here. Then on to Ayuttahya, the ancient buildings and grounds were quite amazing especialy the Buddha's head in the tree roots! Did I mention it was hot! We also had an Elephant ride, that was an experience!

Wednesday 22nd 10pm:

2006-02-22T10:03:00.000-05:00

This evening we went across the river on the Peninsula's boat to the Shangri-La Hotels "Salathip" restuarant for a meal, no idea what we ordered but it was very good and the entertainment lovely.
Thai Dancers came around as we were eating every 15 minutes wearing different costumes.

Wednesday 22nd 10pm:

2006-02-22T10:00:00.000-05:00

This afternoon we did a quick trip around China Town to get a feel for the city, lots of amazing smells (mostly good) and sounds. Lots of fun dodging the motorcycles & Tuk-Tuks.

View from bedroom

2006-02-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

View from Living room

2006-02-22T09:56:00.000-05:00

Wednesday 22nd Noon:BANGKOK !

2006-02-22T09:42:00.000-05:00

We were met at the airport by a uniformed driver with his Black S class Mercedes Limo and whisked to our hotel.... The Peninsula.....as the Merc pulled up we were met by a young lady with flowers for each of us..a traditional Thai greeting and then taken directly to our room. no check in lines :-). The room or should I say suite of rooms 6 in all, including a guest bathroom !!! we are on the 11th floor with a wonderful view of the Chao Phraya river & Bangkok.

Hong Kong Airport Wednesday 22nd 8am:

2006-02-21T19:03:00.000-05:00

I thought it was Hong Kong, but now we are sitting at a gate waiting for a flight to Bangkok and Singapore......which is it? Stay tuned............... PS I think I lost a day somewhere! Also the flight to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific was super, great food & service.......

Monday 20th 2:15 LA time: Los Angeles !!

2006-02-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

We're in LA via Dallas, Mick says we are leaving at Midnight, last time we left LAX at midnight it was to go to Tahiti......I wonder......

Me Packing

2006-02-19T14:13:00.000-05:00

Sunday Feb 19th 2pm: Only 1 day to go......where I don't know !!!! Hope all of Mick's stuff fits. Of course all the important stuff (my stuff) is already packed.

Mick & Vicki in Maui 2006

2006-02-15T11:02:00.000-05:00

On the balcony of our room at the Grand Wailea, Muai, January 2006.