Chiang Rai-ra ra!

Second time in this lovely time (I refer to it Chiang Rai because it is less trammeled, though I think travelers are increasingly catching on. Western travelers that is, seems the Korean and Chinese group tours have long caught on.





Bus from Chiang Mai was on Green Bus, a modern, new and very efficient bus line that "gets" the travel space and provided an on board steward(ess) who handed out moist towlettes, water and a snack!  Boy can US bus compnaies learn alot from these smaller operations who understand customers and service, even wit the smallest of gestures such as a bottled water and a smile.  Note: there are two bus stations in Chiang Rai, a new modern one about 7 km south of town and old bus station that is in the center. make sure to ask if the bus stops at both.  i saw many falangs get off at the first stop thinking it was the end of the line, but it wasn't. saves haggling with a tuk tuk driver to get into the center.

This go round I booked via Booking.com a room at the new Baan Siam, 111/36 M.19 Banrai Rd.
Bann Siam Google map street view


When i booked back in May I think  it was only open a week, and so there were no reviews at all to go on. i chanced it, it was 600 BHT a night ($20) and figured if it was absolute hell, we can find a place for the second night. It was FAB!  Turns out it must have been a promo price as when i did a price check through Booking.com again for the same dates, it was %60 a night. The owner came out upon payment as i think he too couldn't believe the price. Thank god for printed out copies and Booking.com to back up the confirmed price!  I wouldn't stay there for $60, but at $20 it was a deal...perhaps it is more a $30-440 a night place.  Then I learned from the owner that he also owns the GORGEOUS Ratchamanka Hotel in Chiang Mai managed by his son, it made sense all the modern and subtle touches.

Clean, modern, tucked in a quiet side street on the western side of the city near to the Mekong and towards the far more cush Meridien where the rest of New Year falangs were staying.  Right next door is a self-serve laundry spot.

The main road near the hotel is Hwy 1-Phahon Rothin which comes from CR center over the Mekong. By the hotel end of it, there was a restaurat that was jamming with locals and looked quite good with lots of outdoor seating and a grill. Sor Lung Kam.  Turn right out of the hotel and about 50 yards from the hotel is the Halal Muslim place-brand spanking new, or if not, spanking clean: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=baan+siam+hotel+chiang+rai&ie=UTF-8&ei=3RL7ULuTJsbg2QXG-oHwCA&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAA.   (lots of Muslims in Thailand!)

Not central to the night market, so a 15 minute pleasant stroll to the bus station and market area. but nice and close to the temples and Mekong areas. Nothing is ever really far in Chiang Rai.

End of december until early January is the International Flower show. this year at the fair grounds along the mekong on the northern side a bit west of the center. Great way to interact and be with the throngs of locals who rock up with families to snap endless photos in front of displays made of flowers and browse through the stalls and exhibits. Great fun, and Free!  We hopped a small boat for $1 each to go up river to the central part of Chiang Rai.

Chiang Mai...again

Tried avoiding going to Chiang Mai on this third trip to Thailand, but given all the buses were sold out for Sokhathai and Phrae, no choice but to take the overnighter to Chiang Mai.  Great bus line called 999 and costing BHT876 for both us (less than $30)  Comfy seats, blankies (very cold airconditioning) and water provided.  Rocked up to the bus terminal early next morning.




Because of last minute plans, hotel options were slim on Booking.com and booked at Mercure hotel outside north gate by Elephant Statue, about 10 minutes to the Northgate on foot. Safe area, super friendly and helpful staff, but the room was dreadfully dated: 70's tatty furniture, sheets seemed threadbare, windows janky, in dire need of a remodel, which I think since Mercure took over the hotel they must be working on (a new pool apparently).  Definitely not worth the 35 a night we paid (or was it 60?)...

Great city to walk arund, visit the night markets, temples and wander in the street where there are no tourists (as small as CM is, there are many streets tourists, thankfully, don't bother going down)  Walk to the river area and market, and outside on the west gate, keep walking past the very modern hospital and wend into the side streets on the opposite side where there to an old overgrown run down temple.

Christmas in Bangkok

Well, not really. We left Christmas day and landed in BKK Thursday Dec 27th at 1:30am, spent 3 hrs in  an immigration line before haggling with a cab driver to take us to the Courtyard Marriot in Ratchadamri (Rajdamri)  using the meter. Very important as they often quote a flat rate when the meter (especially at 3am when the roads are quiet) is cheaper. I think we paid around 250 and the mandatory 50bht they add on to the fares from the airport.  if you go by the highway, you pay the tolls.

Is that a durian in your pocket or you just happy to see me?

The hotel is in great location, set in a Soi and loads of back lane-ways in a smart neighborhood. 5 mins from the Siam sq shopping malls, skyline train, and 10 mins from the night market, Rama IV etc areas, making for loads of options for eating and public transport to Chao Praya points of interest.

Hotel is clean, modern and staff are fab. Nice pool area.  I booked through the site and paid $100 all-in with taxes.  Breakfast was apprx $15 per person, which we skipped the first day but when we saw it was an amazing varied buffet, it set us up for the day until dinner so well worth it.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=courtyard+marriott+bangkok&fb=1&gl=us&hq=courtyard+marriott&hnear=0x311d6032280d61f3:0x36458563858b0fc7,Bangkok,+Thailand&cid=0,0,2888004464305966492&ll=13.741365,100.540566&spn=0.010547,0.018475&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=6&ei=mzj2UKaKKIqXiAKC0IBA&pw=2

Booked dinner at Nahm, in the Metrpolitan Hotel in the trendy Sathorn district.  Great meal and intro to thai food if you only know it as phad thai. Spendy meal, but beautiful food, even of the dining room is a it uber-trendy stiff.  http://www.comohotels.com/metropolitanbangkok/dining/nahm

Massages & Happy Endings
Lots to choose from, but we went legit at the Montra in the Central World Plaza mall (B2-12), Zone B. $350BHT for one hour neck, shoulder head massage (approx $12). Clean, pleasant and walk ins welcomed.

Getting out of Dodge
it being NYE, seems everyone in Bangkok leaves in masses to the provinces, whuch meant all the buses for three days were booked to Sukhotthai, thus thwarting our two days wend to Chiang rai. the only thing available was a night bus to Chiang Mai. Sold!

Milan: where fashion is EVERYWHERE

Been over 20 years since I was last in Milan, and back then I had ZERO money, so I can't really remember much of anything I did other than walk the streets and loiter in cafes smoking with my mate.  This time a wee bit different. I descended from my first class Swiss chariot at Milan Centrale.  Judging from my map, the Starshotel I booked was maybe 12 blocks away on Lazzaro Spallanzani, parallel to Buenos Aires Avenue close Lima metro stop, so I rolled myself over there through the neighborhood towards Buenos Aires Avenue.

Hotel: Starshotel (booked on Booking.com 3 nights $306EUro, all in) Wi-fi spendy for the room, but in the lobby its free if you get a slip of paper from the front desk to get a 30 minute block. They stack the passwords and keep them in a tray , so no issue just grabbing one and hanging out browsing.  Very 70s looking lobby, bu they tried harder in the ultra modern red and black restaurant where the included btreakfast buffeet was laid out. Very generous and varied stuff.  its a hotel a lot of tour groups use. Rooms, small but modern, clean and everything you need.I had room 331, overlooking back of building onto building next door and partial garden.  Quiet.

Near hotel across Ave BA, on via Tadino, Pandenus. average wine bar with a spread of nibbles such as broschettas, cheese, you can help your self to. Nice space, not too shabby to hang out solo and enjoy a glass of wine and bites for 8EU.

Porta Nuova and Moscova area

Rambled ALL over the city. First night tried to go to Bebel's on San Marco, in between Porta Nuova and Moscova, but they didn't open until 7:30 and it was 5:30 pm and I had not eaten since the disappointing prosciuto sandwich on the train.  

I killed time at a cafe nearby on Via Marsala 2, cunningly named Marsala Due. I saw the entire neighborhood of Italian couples and families walk or stop by, all with a, "Ciao, como va?" from the staff. Great place to sit outside and wath it all go by. Glass of wine and a 'snack' of chips and salsa (whoah! I'm in Italy not the Mission!) that came automatically 4EU.  Across the street is a fab wine, oil, sundries store, Cotti. Shelves ladened with wine, pasta, beautifully packaged pates, biscuits, tins of what nots, and in a crammed corner unit of the building. 

Brera

Windy cobbled streets, chocka with restaurants,cafes, fortune teller table stands, carnation pushers and fake Prada bags sold by Africans on blankets. Warning: Small old cobbled stones make it tough on anything but flat rubber soles!

Convivium (Topkapi...both name son the door, so not sure what they call themselves. I just call them superb.), Via Ponte Vetero, 21. Spied this on day one, and flagged it for later to enjoy with co-worker also in town. SUPERB!! Eclectic Italian menu that verifies food in Italy is not all pasta, pizza and rissoto. Wine, apps, mains and dessert for two EU136.

Obika Mozzarella Bar, Via Mercato, 28 in the Brera neighborhood. I know them from their Manhattan location, so figured it was quality. And it was. Pizza, salad, wine 26EU.

Gelato. Have to try it once and they are everywhere. I lost resolve at La Sorbetteria, Via Saragozza, 83

Coffee with the local worker bees: boy do they like their coffee breaks. Dunno where they get the work day smooshed in between all those espressos. Close to 'downtown" towards Duomo are lots of banks and offices, so I popped into a few on Via Guiseppi Verdi to mix with the office workers (and not pay tourist coffee prices closer to the sites). Antica Brera, Via Joey Verdi 13, EU1.3!!! perched at a high top by the door and watched the workers "Ciao" their way with work mates and cafe owner. Not a glam place at all, which is why I liked it and stuck around reading the paper.

Naviglio: old canals of Milan. Quiet on Sundays, but you can see loads of boutiques, cafes and restaurants peppered throughout the reviving area.

Coffee: MAG, Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43. Coffee during the day, lite bites and cocktails later on. Overlooks the canal. Dark wood interior, very warm and ncie place to hang.

Lunch: restaurante bellariva, alzaia naviglio grande 36. Pasta, wine ($EU18 with tip?) overlooking canal. good service, large airy space. Tables outside too, must be nice when it is warmer and not raining.

Porta Romana hood

Goodly walk from Duomo, sucks in the rain, but worth the trek to lunch at neighborhood restaurant Dongio, via Bernardino Corio 3. A Calabrian owner, I went traditional and had Veal Milanesa, salad,half a carafe of house wine, coffee & apple crastata. EU 25. I was stuffed and very happy to have lunched along side patrons who all seemed to know each other and the owner.

Spied not tried: looked great aroudn the corner from Dongio on Via Ludovico Muratori, 10. Hopping with office workers for lunch.  Giulio Pan e Ojo. 

Zurich

A note about Swiss rail: superb service, connecting with cable cars, trams, buses, etc throughout the country. I reckon there isn't a village you cant get to through the transit system in Switzerland. I had a 8 day first class rail pass, which was provided by the Swiss hosts of the ATWS, but second class trains were just as comfortable and clean. 

Next stop Zurich for a night to visit a friend Staikos, who had been calling it home for the last 4 or 5 years. Another lovely Swiss city-bigger and more bustle than Luzern.  Large shopping area and winding cobbled streets along both sides of the river that separates the downtown with the old town on the east side. 

Room with a view

My hotel was on the east side in the old town, all of 10 minute walk from the central train station. Hotel Marta, Zahringerstrasse 36. Modernized, boxy, simple lobby decor, and the rooms were spare, medium sized but clean. My room was 505. CHF 127.50 (inc room tax. US$140)


Nice to be on a high floor, as on a Saturday night, the noise from the bars across the street were muffled. I'd hate to be on a lower floor on that side of the hotel otherwise. Also, the view from the room overlooked the rooftops and just caught a glimpse of the mountains. Nice.  Breakfast was uber basic, bordering on mediocre/bad. There were too many pastry shops and cafes that I actually wasn't bothered as I wanted to try one of them on my only morning in town.


Food and Beverage

Afternoon hot chocolate and exquisite cake at iconic Sprungli on Bahnhofstrasse 21.  Sat downstairs with the melee of people and overlooking the street bustle. Must see. They have several locations but this is the original.

 Dinner: no shortage of cafes, restaurants and beer houses serving Swiss meats, sausages and carb-loads. Traditional Swiss beer-swilling place was near hotel on Niederdorfstrasse 70, Restaurant Brasserie Johanniter. Schintzels for two and four pints set us back CHF 78.50.

Drinks: Along River Sihl, lots of bars and converted ld warehouses overlooking the river. Even when its cold, people still sit outside at large group picnic tables to drink and eat.

Refurbed theatre and outdoor bar, El Lokal, Gessner-Allee 11 · 8001 Zurigo Isola · 043 344 87 50

Restaurant Reithalle, a converted stables turn huge beer hall. Great space.

 Old town makes for nice strolling, any time of day, but early morning was lovely; I had the streets to myself, and one other guy. Side streets that climb upwards, colorful houses, rambling ivy, gorgeous details in the building woodwork and doorways, oh yes, and graffitti.  Lots of sculptures too. 

    

Spied this lady starkers on a crisp Fall day; she must be BONKERS! 

 Breakfast: Konditorei Peclard. Exquisite shop and cafe tables out front. Could've stayed in Zurich a week just to go try everythng in the pastry case. Settled for a apricot cream dream (CHF4) and latte (CHF6!!!!, yes, it's 'boutique' coffee). Despite to top-shelf poricing for the coffee, it was an 

absolute treat to sit outside on a nippy morning enjoying the most heavenly cake I have ever had. Bliss.

Bye-Bye Zurich. Danke! Off to Milan on 11 am train. 4 hours through dramatic mountain scenery past Bellinzona, Lugano, Como (George Clooney country. I waved from the window) and dropping down to Milan Central.

Switzerland: Lucerne (Oct 7-12)

Adventure World Summit brought me this year to Lucerne (Luzern) Switzerland. No airport so choices are to fly to Zurich, Geneve, Basil and take a train. I opted for Geneva to visit friends (lovely breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien on Av Alfred Bertraud 1, a nice nighborhood on the hill above city) and then take a 4-hour train through the lovely valley that skirts Lake Geneva.  Tip: sit on the right side o the train to get lake views.

Heidi was here

Lucerne train station is smack in the middle of the city it's very easy to get around on foot. Many of the lovely stately hotels are on the Schweizerhofquai and Haldenstrasse, but I stayed one bock form the train station at Hotel Continental on Murbacherstrasser. Approx $180 a night.  Basic, non-architecturally distinguihed hotel, but great service, generous and good quality buffet breakfast and central. I stayed on 3rd floor in a newer room. Apparently upper floor rooms were still not updated.

While the lobby bar and restaurant lacked atmosphere, across the park, one block away, was the very boutique and cunningly named hotel, The Hotel, http://www.the-hotel.ch/.  Vry cool lobby bar, with slanted huge windows that pverlook the park and you could actually see our hotel lobby from the sofas, so no effort entailed in using this lobby as your own.

Food and drink

The Kuntzmuseum and Conference Center is on the other side of the train and bus station.  Big glass building with several floors of exhibits that overlook the lake. The cafeteria is superb, offering flavors from all over the world (you order your curry/stew by the name of the country it represents.) 

Hotel Schweizerhof: old stately building, with huge lobby and bar.  Many along this stretch across the lake and along the lake have outdoor tables.

Old Swiss House: traditional Swiss cuisine restaurant on Old Town of Lucerne, Lowenplatz 4.  Excllent servcie and food was superb. Everything that came out of the kitchen was top notch.  Spendy, but worth it.  Needs a reseravtion as it is a classic destination  restaurant.

Lion Monument: lovely tribute to fallen soldiers and quite emotionally charged. Huge lion carved out of the rock.

Lots of lovely streets hat wend up and down through Luzern well worth exploring.  You'll stumble on local cafes and bakeries.

Great day hike: Stanserhorn. Take the world’s first double decker open top aerial cable car, the Stanserhorn CabriO to the top then take any number of trails around the upper villages and ventually walk down to the rail line in the lower villags to get back to Luzern. We took the train from Luzern central station, to Stans station. 

I can see Russia from my house!

Off the train we walked a few minutes to a cable car ride in the wooden wagons of the vintage funicular to the station Kälti mid way, then we transferred to the Cabrio Cable Car to the top.  Amazing 360 views, marmots and trails.

Are we there yet?

We hiked down to Wirzweli through high pastures and the sound of cow bells accompnaied us all the way. Magical Heidi country. Stopped for lunch at Bergasshaus in a 'village' still quite high in Witzweli. Then continued down for another 30-45 minutes to the train station Wolfenschiessen and took the train back to Luzern (approx 40 minutes). Fab.

Umm...so, where do I go to the other 5 things?

Cartagena

Here for a conference so limited in ability to really wander the streets and get to feel the place. Old walled part is gorgeous on the eyes-dazzled by the colour of the walls, cobbled streets, bourgainvillea cascading from the balconies, and gentility of the place.

I stayed 2 km furtehr south in Boca Grande at the famed El Caribe, more dubiously and recently known for the CIA prossie scandal. Grand old dame of a hotel that was clearly ahead of its time in the 50-60s, but dated today. Still, it had character and I am glad I chose this hotel over the Hilton's and other modern 'resort' hotels on the beaches and further north  in the Crespo hood where the Hotel Las Americas convention center hosted the LATAM event and where there is no neighborhood to walk around in.

El Caribe is also on the beach and there were many a kiosk selling beer to enjoy in plastic chairs on the white sandy beach. Met Jesus and Richard Ali here-two intemperate souls (of many) who innocently talked yo you about all sorts. Ali was a character regaling us with tales of his being scared of heights and fainting in an elevator on the 23rd floor under a pile of pool toys he was carrying for a hotel guest where he worked, needing to be dragged out by his ankles.  Bless.

Nearby streets of Cra 1,2, 3 had loads of life, bars, restaurants, buzzing with locals.

Eats/drinks
Kiosks right across El Caribe and the just further north run by two spicy women.
El Pietro: fab pizza and amazing pickled eggplant appetizer.