“Land of the Pharos” Turboguy & VWRW

[Gator]

PeeWee,

What if you called Aeroflot directly and said you were buying the flight for a Russian woman?  I guess the problem is that you must also buy an Air Cubana flight and that may be prohibited.  Besides I hate waiting on the Aeroflot 800 number for an hour.  You can fax them a flight request. 

In my case, my Moscow woman booked the flight thru Havana directly and I sent her the money to pay for it.  She did a one night layover in Havana and had a "great time."  Too bad that Americans can not enjoy that country.

There are no flights from London to Jamaica?  Air Condor via Germany is possiblyanother choice.

[Turboguy]

Gator!  Thanks, I appreciate the help.  I think I have it worked out and yes through Siberia Air.   They will not sell tickets through travel agents but they have an office in Barnaul.   VWRW is going to get the tickets and I am either going to wire her the money or try to use a credit card.   I got her on a non stop from Moscow (DME) the total cost from Barnaul is right around $ 1300.  Not to bad.  Thai Air has a not stop from Moscow for almost 3 grand.  My local travel agent found the flights but they would not allow her to book the tickets.

PeeVee,  That was what I found when I tried to take VWRW and I to the Caribbean.  Getting her there was a real pain.  The tickets were high and no matter what I did she would have had to have a 22 hour layover in some airport.   We decided it made more sense to do the Caribbean when she is here and we can be there in a few hours and both go for a grand or so.

If you are going about the same time why don't the two of you think about joining VWRW and I in Thailand.  You can get there cheaply and you can get her there quickly and cheaply with Siberia Air.   It looks like VWRW will be going from the 29th to the 8th of Feb and I am going from the 28th.  (Our arrivals are 12 hours apart.  I would rather wait for her than have her wait for me there)  My airfare is about $ 885.00 so you can save some money and have a nice hot tropical place with a lot to do.   I am sure we would be happy to have the company if you feel like doing it.   

[PeeWee]

Gator!  Thanks, I appreciate the help.  I think I have it worked out and yes through Siberia Air.   They will not sell tickets through travel agents but they have an office in Barnaul.   VWRW is going to get the tickets and I am either going to wire her the money or try to use a credit card.   I got her on a non stop from Moscow (DME) the total cost from Barnaul is right around $ 1300.  Not to bad.  Thai Air has a not stop from Moscow for almost 3 grand.  My local travel agent found the flights but they would not allow her to book the tickets.

PeeVee,  That was what I found when I tried to take VWRW and I to the Caribbean.  Getting her there was a real pain.  The tickets were high and no matter what I did she would have had to have a 22 hour layover in some airport.   We decided it made more sense to do the Caribbean when she is here and we can be there in a few hours and both go for a grand or so.

If you are going about the same time why don't the two of you think about joining VWRW and I in Thailand.  You can get there cheaply and you can get her there quickly and cheaply with Siberia Air.   It looks like VWRW will be going from the 29th to the 8th of Feb and I am going from the 28th.  (Our arrivals are 12 hours apart.  I would rather wait for her than have her wait for me there)  My airfare is about $ 885.00 so you can save some money and have a nice hot tropical place with a lot to do.   I am sure we would be happy to have the company if you feel like doing it.   

Thanks for the offer, Ray. I'll think about it. I had planned to travel the week between the NFL Championship game and the Super Bowl. Leave after the finals and return before the Super Bowl. Your travel date has you arrving in Thailand on the Super Sunday. That might work if I could find a hotel that I could watch the game at.

I don't know about cheap. I fly Business class only. Seattle to Kingston is about 1,000.00 round trip for Business while Bangkok is almost $4,000.00.  Economy from Seattle to Bangkok is $800.00. 

However, if the flight from Moscow to Kingston is significantly higher than it is from Moscow to Bangkok them maybe the savings will allow for me travel to Bangkok. Astrakhan to Thailand is $1,200.00. I don't  yet know what Astrakhan to Kingston would be.

Like I said, you might have an idea there.

Peevee

[Turboguy]

If it works for you it would be great.   Yep, business class does get a lot more expensive.   I fly sardine class myself.  I have been trying to get them to let me go as checked bags but they don't seem to like that idea.   I would think the superbowl would be on there somewhere. 

[jj]

T/G- Best wishes to you and VWRW.  I think you make a great couple! Thanks for sharing your trip report.  Great pictures.  It seems like vacations are never long enough.  I too missed my first day flight to Russia due to delay, and had to make several calls to reschedule everything 24 hours late. (but it was worth it to spend time with my fiancee).   Best wishes and happiness to both of you . -jj

[Mir]

You can open an account in say city bank and give your girl the ATM card.
So if she needs money in Russia she can withdraw the funds from ATM.It works out cheaper then Western Union which is a rip off.
Of course you have to trust your woman but in anycase she can only withdraw what is in the account and you transfer funds as required.This also helps if she is stuck in a far off city waiting for you to arrive and needs some cash.
As for travel bookings the best is to book from the website using your credit card.I doubt that the name of traveller should be the same as on the card.However they will ask you to send photos of your passport and credit card along with a form before issuing her the ticket.With e-tickets this is not a problem.You can even purchase tickets from the airline office in your country(if they have an office) and she can collect it from their local office (I think it is called a pre-paid travel advice or something like that)
I think Russian/Ukrainian travel agents are always more expensive for airtickets.However they can find better deals on hotel bookings then agents here.

[PeeWee]

If it works for you it would be great.   Yep, business class does get a lot more expensive.   I fly sardine class myself.  I have been trying to get them to let me go as checked bags but they don't seem to like that idea.   I would think the superbowl would be on there somewhere. 

Should I decide on Thailand there might be an overlap, Ray. I'd arrive on the 24th and depart on the 2nd. Three or four days hanging around would be good. You going to Bangkok, or beyond? You have to know that I know of the best hotel in Bangkok.

Peevee

[PeeWee]

If it works for you it would be great.   Yep, business class does get a lot more expensive.   I fly sardine class myself.  I have been trying to get them to let me go as checked bags but they don't seem to like that idea.   I would think the superbowl would be on there somewhere. 

Yep, business class gets even more espensive when Little Peevee Junior travels with me. One trip for the two of us to Moscow and another trip to Hong Kong was a killer. It's was worth it, although, to have the little fellow experience Moscow. He liked Hong Kong much better.

Peevee

[PeeWee]

Hmmmmm. (the sound of Peevee thinking). Jamaica...Thailand....Business class....Economy. Three days hanging with Turbo...Hmmmmmm.

Peevee

[Turboguy]

Hi PeeVee,

I have not done the ground part of our trip.  I sent the money to VWRW for her ticket last night.  As soon as that is booked for sure I will book my tickets then start working on the ground part. 

The plan I have is to spend perhaps two days in Bangkok then spend the rest of the time in the Phucket area.   I could likely reverse that so I was not traveling between cities during the time you two were there.   I may try to find a flop house near the airport since I will arrive 12 hours ahead of VWRW and after having traveled for all that time.  Pit - Chicago, LA- Narita - Thailand  (humm,  was that book H G Wells book around the world in 80 days or around the world in 80 hours ) 

It will be a day or two before I lock down anything on lodging and when I will be where.

Yes, you have an excellent record on picking hotels.  Our hotel in Egypt had me looking at some of the sofitel properties in Bangkok.  I have not gotten far in picking hotels. 

jj, thanks for the good wishes and nice compliments.  I am glad you also had a nice trip.

Mir, I have booked a tickets online for someone else without having a problem.   Thai Air on their website did have the statement that the name on the credit card had to match the traveler.  My plan was to call thier NYC sales office and have them book it which probably would have worked.   My plans changed when I saw what the fare was to use them.  Siberia Air was half the price and still non stop service.

I agree with you about the credit card.  That is good advice and it is too bad I could not have done that myself.  Western union charged me over $ 100.00 to send the money which is no big deal but still it is nice not to waste money.  Sometimes I have had travel agents come up with better deals than I could get online.  Using one this time really helped me because Siberia was not showing up online anywhere.   Even on my part, the agent came up with the same United flight that was the best deal online. 

[Gator]

My suggestions for Thailand.  I state them with caution knowing you and I are different.  It will not offend me if you ignore them.

For a short stay in bangkok, splurge.  The Oriental Hotel is superb (was Ranked in the World's Top 10) as is the Peninsula directly across the river.  The Oriental has a fantastic small jazz club (Russian musicians and big black American woman when I was last there).  The breakfast buffet on the River is fabulous with too much to eat.

Both hotels are close to tourist taxi boat docks that take you to the Palace and Temples (auto taxis are slow because of the horrendous traffic). 

Restaurants:  William mentioned one.  My favorite is Somboon Seafood.  Reasonable prices and fresh seafood (they are swimming in tanks before your eyes).  The best dish there if you can tolerate chili peppers is crab curry.  Hmmmmm!  It requires two beers.  Steamed seabass is good for Western tastebuds.  Been there four times with two RW and they both loved it (both were adventurous women however).

Another good one is the Lemongrass - more upscale - Western tastes - reminded me of nouvelle-fusion San Francisco eateries.  There are probably new places now.

The Skybar on top of one of the tallest buildings has a fabulous view at night to enjoy with a libation.

Phuket - I know little - been there once. That was enough.  Beaches are not private and they are crowded with beach vendors, etc.  Thai people are much more polite than Egyptians so it should not be as offensive to you.  I suggest a hotel on the less crowded beaches whatever that would be.  I stayed at the Club Med where my 31-yo RW did four hours (yes, four) of aerobics/training each day while I did more leisurely tennis and golf and surfing when not  playing with the kids.  My 41-yo fortunately is more into leisure.



 

[Turboguy]

Gator or William,  Is Phuket a better choice than Pattaya, or vice versa or not much different?   Thanks, 

[Muj]

TG,

We stayed in Bangkok 2 days then flew to Phuket.  See our trip report.  Word is Pattaya is closer to Bangkok and much dirtier.  Phuket is clean and natural as well as better accommodations for the $$.

[Turboguy]

Thanks,  That helps.  I was leaning toward Phuket but the travel sites had them looking about even and the closeness to Bangkok gave Pattaya some appeal.   Sounds like hanging in with Phuket is the best choice. 

[William3rd]

Phuket-pronounced Poo ket- is better by far. Koh Samui is also good. The beaches are very nice. I stayed a few times at the patong beach resort. Usually I wait until I get to bangkok and then book my hotel. The local travel agents have outstanding deals on rooms, many times cheaper than developed through travel agents.

[William3rd]

add at the end "travel agents in the US or even via the internet

[Gator]

I have never been to Pattaya because of its reputation.  Lonely Planet says (I am an ex-backpacker):  “In many ways Pattaya serves as the prime example of what can happen to a beach resort area if no controls are applied to the quality or quantity of tourism development….”  Need we say more?

Phuket is an international jet-set tourist spot with numerous resorts as well.  It is a large island, and can accommodate large crowds.  Nevertheless it is commercial with elephant shows, etc. (elephants are a sad story).  I was there in October 2005 and could not see that a Tsunami had devastated parts of the island 10 months earlier.

If you do some searching you should find what you seek.  You seem to enjoy forums.  I suggest that you go to Lonely Planet’s Forum, click on Thailand, join for free, and ask a question about best places in Phuket:

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/index.cfm

Beware that forum members are mainly backpackers, old hippies, adventure bugs, etc. who look for quintessential experiences, sleepy fishing villages and inexpensive digs, yet they do know what’s happening now.

I did some research with Fodor’s.  If you have some money left after staying at the oriental in Bangkok, Fodor’s choice is Marriott resort and Spa:

http://www.phuket.com/marriott/

After staying there, you may have to sell a lot of Turbo’s. 

You like interesting names.  Too bad you don’t have more time or you could take a ferry and stay at Pee Pee Island Village on Koh Phi Phi (that’s the name).

Wiiliam and I both think Koh Samui is better than Phuket.  It is small and also developed but not as crowded.  It has a lovely intimate open air airport that makes arriving and departing so easy and fast (unlike Phuket which is an international airport).  It is more convenient than Phuket for flying dependent upon your Bangkok flights home.

Fodor’s gives two hotels its  "Choice"  rating:



http://www.tongsaibay.co.th/site/home.html

http://sixsenses.com/hideaway-samui/index.php

One other upscale hotel to consider:

http://www.kosamui.com/meridien/


Finally, there is Hua Hin.  If you do not want to fly, it is 3 hours by bus (less by taxi).  This is one example well south of the resort:

http://sixsenses.com/hideaway-huahin/index.php

This is just a starting point.  Perhaps you should disappear for a day or two and figure this out.

[mspanky]

Wow!

 Beautiful lady. I hope she is prepared for all of the American guys that will be hitting on her once she's here! She will be very popular with young guys and older ones. She won't know what hit her.Have her wear a burka:)

[vwrw]

Dan, I wonder - is a RWD’s member able to have two names the same time here? For example if he uses two computers.

[PeeWee]

Wow!

 Beautiful lady. I hope she is prepared for all of the American guys that will be hitting on her once she's here! She will be very popular with young guys and older ones. She won't know what hit her.Have her wear a burka:)

Negative thinking? Backhanded compliment? Having her wear a burka, expecially if she has great eyes would only make her more noticeable. I saw that alot when I visited Egypt.

If she is a loyal woman than it is ok for her to look good and for her to get "hit" on. Women are, by design, attention getters, or they strive to receive attention. I used to call them "attention whores" but that seems to have offened a few so I will not use that term here. Even my experience, you know the story, had me at one time married to a model, movie actress, Miss Universe runner up...who got hit on so often that she would even get get offers when stopped at traffic lights. Believe me, Ray's lady can and will both handle it and she will enjoy it. All Ray has to do is be down with it as well.

Jury is still our, Tubro. I have received my quote for Lena's travel to Thailand but I am waiting for one for Jamaica. I want to go to Jamaica, because it is closer. I hate to fly and the cost for travel is higher for me to fly to Thailand than it is to Jamaica. For Lena the cost in both travel time and air fare is the same.
May see you there yet!
Peewee

Peewee

[Turboguy]

You are right PeeWee, she has amazing eyes and if that was all anyone saw it would still easily attract their attention.   Yes, she is loyal and her getting attention does not bother me.  We sorta liked being left alone a little more than we were but people noticing her is a compliment. 

What you said about the trip makes sense.   I think with the schedule you were talking about we could not do much more than pass each other in the airport anyway. 

As I said before my logic for Thailand was that once she is here we can zip down to the Carribean anytime very easily and cheaply.   You guys are not that far along in your commitments so it puts you in a different situation.

I have our tickets to Thailand.  I still need to do the hotels and the flight to Phuket.  We are going to Phuket directly and then back to Bangkok for a few days.   I will probably be doing the rest of the arrangements in the next few days.   

If you don't make it to Thailand, hopefully we can try something in the future. 

[catzenmouse]

Hey TG,

 Don't know if you've ever been on the Planet Love site but you might find some interesting details and/or information in the Asian section.

http://www.planet-love.com/

Ken

[Turboguy]

Thanks Ken, I will check it out.  I think about the only thing I am not sure of at this point is what to see in Bangkok.   There may be some good ideas that will help anything there so that was a good suggestion.

Thanks again.

[PeeWee]

Thanks Ken, I will check it out.  I think about the only thing I am not sure of at this point is what to see in Bangkok.   There may be some good ideas that will help anything there so that was a good suggestion.

Thanks again.

Raymond, I sent an email. As time marches on it seems that my odds of traveling to Thailand have gone from 0% to 80%. Now I am wondering, and hence the reason for my email, about your travel dates and hotel booking. The odds are that I will be in Bangkok during the same week as you is why I ask.

Peevee

[Turboguy]

PeeVee,

I will e-mail you the full details tomorrow.   My stuff is in my office.  right now I just have the flights to Bangkok finished.   Going from memory, I fly out on January 31st.  I get in Feb 1st at 11:PM or so.  VWRW flys in 7 am on the 2nd.   I have not made the reservations yet but the plan it to book an early afternoon flight to Phuket.   Right now the plans are to stay at the Dunagjitt Resort.  It is a 4 star joint.  They have rooms but also cottages.  We think the cottages sound romantic and we can walk out the door and be in their something like 35 acres of gardens.  I believe on the 7th we are flying to Bangkok.   In Bangkok we will likely stay at the Amari Watergate.  It also is 4 star.  I will likely do the room reservations throught www.hotelsasia.com   We both fly home early the morning of the 10th.   Booking from Russia you want to use Siberia Air.   I will e-mail more info tomorrow.  Hope you can make it.