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Hung out by the pool for a while after breakfast today, until it was time for my massage appointment.
I booked a Thai massage in the spa here, strictly in the name of research, so I could accurately inform Jody when she arrives. The masseuse was a little Thai grandma. She didn't speak any English, so the lady from reception made sure she understood what I wanted. "You want oily massage, or you want Thai massage?" I said I would like a Thai massage. She gave me the "massage outfit" to put on and then had me sit on the bed and sniff a small bowl of herbs. It smelled nice. Good, I said. She patted the bed, which was my cue to lay face down on the bed. It took me a minute to get comfortable because there's no opening in the bed for your face, just a pillow. Next thing I know, these oily hands are slithering under my shirt and slathering a mentholatum/eucalyptus type oil all over my back. It was a combination of cold and hot and did feel good. From there, it was a mix of oily massage with Thai massage. She was like a traffic cop with the hand signals-sit up, bend your leg, lay down, turn over. When I was laying on my back, she reached down, grabbed the girls and shook them a few times. Hmmm, interesting! I've had enough massages to be pretty sure that's not a part of any of them. Maybe grandma was doing her own research.
This Thai massage had few of the elements that the Thai massage in Hong Kong had. It was still enjoyable, though. It was $20 well spent.
Seacon Square is a very large mall close to our hotel, and right next to it is the Rod Fai night market. It is one of the largest night markets in Bangkok and that was our next destination. The manager at the front desk arranged a taxi to take us to the mall. He said it shouldn't cost more than 200 Baht (about $8). They gave us a phone and a card for the hotel and said we could call them to arrange a taxi for the return trip, or cross the street from the mall to get a taxi. This is the first time we see any of Bangkok in the daylight. During the ride to the mall, the driver is telling us to call him for the return trip because there are a lot of taxis without meters that will rip us off. It seems to be taking a long time to get to the mall and the meter is reading 300. Dave asks the driver what's going on? The hotel said this trip shouldn't cost more than 200. How much farther is it? The driver just mumbled and moaned. Finally he says he will call the hotel. Now he knows he's been caught. He dials some number and keeps waving the phone at us indicating that no one is answering. Now we know he is screwing with us because the front desk is actually part of the dining area at the hotel and there is always someone sitting there and they are very prompt about answering the phone. Dave whips out the phone and says he's going to call the hotel. The driver says, yeah, you call. Of course they answer right away and ask to speak to the driver. An argument ensues and it is decided that we will pay 250 Baht. So much for the hotel's connection.
The mall was the largest we've ever been in. There were 4 sprawling floors and 2 food courts. You couldn't walk that mall in a day!
The night market was also incredibly big. We were recalling looking forward to seeing that and eating there. There were quite a few food stalls. We chose one meticulous stall that was barbecuing varieties of meat on a stick. We had a chicken, a pork and a lamb skewer. It was delicious. After wandering through countless rows of the same cheap clothes and inspecting other food vendors, we decided to go back to the mall to eat. These are street stalls with no refrigeration and no way to properly clean the dishes either, since there's no running water. Our gut is probably not going to be able to withstand that kind of assault.
On the way back, we had to ask 3 taxis before 1 would take us, but we had to call the hotel and have them give him directions, even though we had a map. The hotel negotiated for us and the price was set at 300 Baht. I was tired and we could approach as many taxis as we want, but even if they use a meter they can still run the fare up. It's a common refrain with taxi drivers all over the world.
All in all. It was an interesting day.
I booked a Thai massage in the spa here, strictly in the name of research, so I could accurately inform Jody when she arrives. The masseuse was a little Thai grandma. She didn't speak any English, so the lady from reception made sure she understood what I wanted. "You want oily massage, or you want Thai massage?" I said I would like a Thai massage. She gave me the "massage outfit" to put on and then had me sit on the bed and sniff a small bowl of herbs. It smelled nice. Good, I said. She patted the bed, which was my cue to lay face down on the bed. It took me a minute to get comfortable because there's no opening in the bed for your face, just a pillow. Next thing I know, these oily hands are slithering under my shirt and slathering a mentholatum/eucalyptus type oil all over my back. It was a combination of cold and hot and did feel good. From there, it was a mix of oily massage with Thai massage. She was like a traffic cop with the hand signals-sit up, bend your leg, lay down, turn over. When I was laying on my back, she reached down, grabbed the girls and shook them a few times. Hmmm, interesting! I've had enough massages to be pretty sure that's not a part of any of them. Maybe grandma was doing her own research.
This Thai massage had few of the elements that the Thai massage in Hong Kong had. It was still enjoyable, though. It was $20 well spent.
Seacon Square is a very large mall close to our hotel, and right next to it is the Rod Fai night market. It is one of the largest night markets in Bangkok and that was our next destination. The manager at the front desk arranged a taxi to take us to the mall. He said it shouldn't cost more than 200 Baht (about $8). They gave us a phone and a card for the hotel and said we could call them to arrange a taxi for the return trip, or cross the street from the mall to get a taxi. This is the first time we see any of Bangkok in the daylight. During the ride to the mall, the driver is telling us to call him for the return trip because there are a lot of taxis without meters that will rip us off. It seems to be taking a long time to get to the mall and the meter is reading 300. Dave asks the driver what's going on? The hotel said this trip shouldn't cost more than 200. How much farther is it? The driver just mumbled and moaned. Finally he says he will call the hotel. Now he knows he's been caught. He dials some number and keeps waving the phone at us indicating that no one is answering. Now we know he is screwing with us because the front desk is actually part of the dining area at the hotel and there is always someone sitting there and they are very prompt about answering the phone. Dave whips out the phone and says he's going to call the hotel. The driver says, yeah, you call. Of course they answer right away and ask to speak to the driver. An argument ensues and it is decided that we will pay 250 Baht. So much for the hotel's connection.
The mall was the largest we've ever been in. There were 4 sprawling floors and 2 food courts. You couldn't walk that mall in a day!
The night market was also incredibly big. We were recalling looking forward to seeing that and eating there. There were quite a few food stalls. We chose one meticulous stall that was barbecuing varieties of meat on a stick. We had a chicken, a pork and a lamb skewer. It was delicious. After wandering through countless rows of the same cheap clothes and inspecting other food vendors, we decided to go back to the mall to eat. These are street stalls with no refrigeration and no way to properly clean the dishes either, since there's no running water. Our gut is probably not going to be able to withstand that kind of assault.
On the way back, we had to ask 3 taxis before 1 would take us, but we had to call the hotel and have them give him directions, even though we had a map. The hotel negotiated for us and the price was set at 300 Baht. I was tired and we could approach as many taxis as we want, but even if they use a meter they can still run the fare up. It's a common refrain with taxi drivers all over the world.
All in all. It was an interesting day.
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