Driving through the cloud forests of Braulio Carillo National Park in Costa Rica, I encountered a tropical plant with huge lobed green leaves hugging the hillside. The leaves have a diameter of up to 7 feet across - believe me, the leaves of this plant are gigantic. Made me think of the movie Jurassic Park. Popularly known as Poor Man’s Umbrella (Gunnera insignis), this plant is native to Mexico and Central America and thrives in wet subtropical and mountainous tropical habitats. This particular plant is quite abundant in the misty cloud forests of Costa Rica, elevation 6,000 feet and up. No wonder they call it the Poor Man’s Umbrella - if you don’t have any money to buy a manmade umbrella during a torrential downpour, I can imagine standing underneath one of these giant leaves will keep you dry.

Being a professional traveler is like an occupation, you are always learning new things on the job - sometimes you learn by trial and error, other times you are learning by just screwing up. It’s all about experience - the more experience you have traveling, the more savvy of a traveler you will be. The key is to absorb and learn from your experiences. Let me share with you some lessons learned while traveling in Thailand….

#1 Settling room bill upon checkout

While I was I checking into my room at President Park Hotel in Bangkok last November, I asked the front desk clerk if it was ok to pay by credit card for my hotel bill, the front desk told me ‘yes sir”, you can pay by credit card. Well upon check it, I was ready to pay by credit card, and that was when I was told there would be an extra 5% service fee. As somebody who does not like to throw away money unnecessarily, I was visibly upset about this. I told her - ‘I wish you would have told me about this extra service charge when I checked in”. With her supervisor breathing down her neck, she avoiding looking into my eyes and demurely said in a soft voice that she advised me about the extra charge. I guess she was relatively new on the job, and truth be told - she did not advise me as such. I guess she was trying to save face with her boss. Rather than pay the extra 5% service fee, I told the young lady’s supervisor, if that’s the case I will pay in cash - in the local currency. As I had a taxi waiting for me outside to take to me Kanchanaburi, about a 2 hour drive from Bangkok, I had him take me the nearest currency exchange bureau on the Sukhumvit to change my travelers checks into the local currency (baht) and then drive me back to the hotel to pay the bill. This whole procedure caused over an hour delay in my departure from Bangkok.

Lesson learned - find out upon check-in, whether there is an extra service fee if the room bill is paid by credit card. If there is an extra fee, at least you can decide in advance if you’d prefer to pay by cash to save some monies and avoid the hassle (and time lost) that I experienced.

#2 Minibar - convenience or nuisance ?

Most hotels put a minibar in your room stocked with sodas, beers, wine coolers, bottled water, snacks and candy. Some hotels even stock their minibar with condoms. The condoms, candy and snacks of course are usually in a basket on top of the refrigerator or on the dresser. I never use the minibar because the prices are for all these goodies are outrageous. It’s a real moneymaker for the hotel, and I guess a convenience for guests who are too lazy to run down to the nearest 7-11 or convenience store and buy their own drinks and snacks at local prices. As an example - if you were to consume a small bottle of water from the minibar, the price charged by President Park Hotel would be about $2.50USD. The same bottle of water if purchased at the local 7-11, would be about 50 cents. Every day, the maid does an inventory check of the minibar and the guests are billed for any items consumed. As you can surmise that most guests do not use the minibar, but go to the store to stock up on their own drinks and snacks.

I never, ever use the minibar and if I have visitors, I forbid them to consume any items stocked in the minibar. Of course, I usually go to the local store and purchase a variety of drinks and snacks, which I readily make available to any visitors.

I had a very troubling experience when I checked out President Park Hotel in Bangkok last December to catch a taxi for my departure flight to San Francisco. As I paid my room bill by cash the night before my departure to facilitate the check out procedure, I thought I would avoid any potential delays. Wrong….

Upon check out that morning, the supervisor asked me if I used anything from the minibar. Of course I didn’t and neither did my lady friend who stayed with me during my final 3 nights. Not willing to take my word, they sent somebody up to the room to check the minibar nevertheless while I waited in the taxi ready to depart. One of the bellman ran out to the taxi and informed me that one wine cooler was missing. What the F***k, neither my lady friend nor I consumed anything from the minibar. With the mounting anxiety that this delay would cause me to be late for my flight, as one never knows how traffic conditions are to the airport, I ran into the hotel and visibly upset, I denied using anything from the minibar. Expressing my concern about how this delay (I already lost 20 minutes) might cause me to miss my flight as it was scheduled to leave in about 1 hour and 40 minutes, I told them I will pay them whatever they want so I could get out of there pronto. At the last minute, the supervisor profusely apologized and tore up the bill. Thanking the supervisor for extending me this courtesy, I bolted outside onto the streets, hopped into my taxi and told the driver in no uncertain words, to step on it! Fortunately, traffic conditions were fairly light and we made it to the airport in about 20 minutes.

Lesson learned - When you’re checking into the hotel, if you don’t plan on using the minibar, kindly ask the front desk to remove everything from the minibar to avoid any potential complications. If they refuse, you can remove everything from the minibar and store all the drinks and snacks in a cardboard box, of if you’re staying in a condo hotel like President Park, you can store everything in one of the overhead cupboards. When you’re ready to check out, just put everything back into the minibar. Do yourself a favor and get permission from the front desk to handle the minibar situation like this!

Despite the recent coup d’etat on Sep. 19, the new international super airport, Suvarnabhumi, will open as scheduled on Sep. 28. From various reports that I’ve seen, the recent coup has had virtually no impact on tourism. A royal decree has been set for October 15 as the deadline for establishing a new interim government. In other travel news, revised visa laws scheduled to take place on Oct 1, will allow tourists from over 40 countries -including most European countries, Canada and the United States - to remain in Thailand for 30 days without a visa, renewable twice for a total stay of 90 days.

References: Larry Habagger and John Flinn, SF Chronicle Travel Section

At about 10:15PM on September 19th, while my friends and I were enjoying some drinks after work, our attention was drawn to two military tanks rolling down the narrow road. Everyone was a little surprised to see something like this at such a late hour; well it’s been about 15 years or so since we’ve seen tanks on the streets of Bangkok. We watched as the two tanks turned left, entering the front gate of our office compound. The soldier who drove the first military tank asked the security guard if this is the TV Channel 9. Surprised and bewildered, the guard pointed his finger to another route. Beaming with full smile, the soldier then turned the tank around and proceeded to the road, which leads to the TV station. TV Channel 9 was broadcasting our Prime Minister Toxin’s announcement of a state of emergency and his firing of the coup leader, Army Commander Sonthi. Just another night at the office in Bangkok…

Laurel Clockvine (Thunbergia laurifolia), a fast growing and very vigorous vine with violet flowers, is a member of the Acanthaceae family and is native to tropical Asia. I have observed many Thunbergia species in Thailand. I came across this particular specimen (see picture) while touring the gardens of the Si Como No Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. This is just another example of the horticultural exchange that exists between tropical Asia and tropical America. In the instance of Laurel Clockvine, when grown outside of it’s native habitat in tropical Asia, it can be very invasive and spread at the expense of native species. In Australia, as an example, Laurel clockvine has been classified as a weed and is considered an environmental threat.

As Calypso Island Chronicles deals with issues related to tourism, natural history. travel stories and anecdotes, we normally don’t enter the arena of political commentary, but given current events in Thailand, I thought I would add my two cents.

I guess everybody has heard about the military coup in Thailand. Led by Army Commander General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, the military has given the boot to Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra and his administration. Sondhi, considered to be very close to Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s beloved King, executed the coup without firing a shot. Sonji and his generals consulted with King in the days leading up to the Coup and apparently the King, a very wise and astute man and a strong advocate of democracy, had considered all options to stop the cancerous and corrupt regime of Toxin (as Thaksin is affectionately known) from becoming more entrenched in power. It seems that a decision was made that a Coup was the most pragmatic course of action. In the short run, this will be a serious blow to the democratic process in Thailand, a country with a history of military dictatorships, corrupt regimes and coups, but in the long run, Thailand may be better off as the democratic institutions regroup and heal. Only time will tell… Until there is a clear resolution in this matter, I am recommending that you exercise caution in traveling to Thailand in near future. To be honest with you, I am very optimistic that the state of emergency and military curfew in Bangkok will be lifted shortly and life will go on as usual while the government reforms.

A friend of mine in Bangkok wrote me an e-mail about the current state of affairs:

Weather today is so nice..not hot and our routine lives is as usual.
just came back from gym…traffic is also nice. Many people stay home. Follow up news or online. Bangkokians gave flowers, bottles of water to soldiers…sabai sabai.no bloodshed..

At 14.00 hrs. Today the Army Commander will meet the Ambassadors.

Bye for now

In the meantime, the crook in high power and his cronies, scatter like rats looking for some more cheese.

Reference: http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1158702615984&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1112101662670

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My house during my childhood was located on Rajdamnern Avenue, the most famous street in Bangkok. Planted along both sides of this famous street, were many Golden Shower trees (Cassia fistula), which in Thailand is known as Ratchaphruek. This tree is known locally around the country by several other names including, Chaiyaphruek and Koon. I remember that in the summer month of April, my cousin and I liked to have our meals on one of the benches under the full bloom of yellow flower of the golden shower. During the flowering season, the leaves drop off leaving only the blooms on the tree. The golden-colored flowers are a treat to the eyes and leave a lasting impression.

Nowadays, the golden shower was designated as the national symbol because of its longevity and durability as well as its ability to grow well in all parts of the country. The brilliant yellow flowers signify the Thai nation and and is the color of Buddhism; in addition, yellow is the color associated with Monday and our beloved King Bhumipol was born on Monday. Moreover, the beauty of the flower with meaning is copied as the epaulet for Thai government officers.

Inspired by the brilliant yellow blossoms of the Ratchaphruek as well as its significant meaning, The Royal Flora Expo - Thailand’s International Horticultural Exposition which commemorates the King’s 80th birthday and 60 years on the throne - has adopted ‘Ratchaphruek’ flower as the name and logo of the event.

With the opening Bangkok’s new international airport, Suvarnabhumi, on Sep. 28, Thailand will be in the position boosting the tourism business significantly. The new facility supposedly will surpass Hong Kong’s International Airport as the world’s largest airport terminal building. The new airport will have 120 airline gates to accommodate the anticipated increased volume of airline traffic from around the world. In addition, there will be 600-room hotel on site and parking space for up to 5000 cars. Now, I thought that Miami, Dallas and Mexico City airports were huge - I cannot fathom a larger airport than these! I am hoping that the new airport will be easy to navigate as large airports can sometimes be very confusing. I will be returning to the Land of Smiles on Nov 8, so I will be able to give you a first hand report.

To be honest with you, I am going to miss the old facility, Don Muang International; it was kind of worn around the edges, but was sort of ‘cozy and intimate”. I will especially miss the little ice cream parlor near the main cafeteria Oh well…

I came across this fine specimen of the Crimson Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) at Wilson Botanical Garden in Southern Costa Rica. Native to Southeastern Australia, this small tree has been cultivated worldwide and grows quite well in wet conditions. Also known as the lemon bottlebrush because the flowers have a distinct citrus aroma, the bright red flowers of this bottlebrush species attract many butterflies and hummingbirds.

For a very interesting article on Bottlebrush species (Genus : Callistemon), I recommend that you check out Trees near us: Ornamental trees of Lahore Pakistan

While I was in Thailand in January 2004, I spent a couple of days in the lovely mountain resort of Pai in Mae Hong Son Province and managed to visit three hotel properties, including the small bungalow resort of Pai Ridise, where I was staying. If you want some real good recommendations on where to stay, read on…

The most upmarket accommodation in the Pai area is the Bella Villa Resort. Situated along the picturesque and languorous Pai River about a mile outside of town, the hotel is very casual but very proper and facilities include a very comfortable, thatched roof open-air restaurant and bar and a medium sized swimming pool. The large bungalow style hotel rooms offer choice of air conditioning or ceiling fan, and are equipped with cable TV, safe deposit box and ample closet space. While I think Belle Villa is a fine choice for travelers who are aversive to the more rustic type of accommodations that are predominant in Pai, the ambiance is kind of yuppyish. Room rates start at 1471 baht per night (39USD) including breakfast, which is somewhat pricey for the Pai area.

In my humble opinion, the best accommodation and value overall from my limited observation has to be the place where I stayed - Pai Ridise. A small bungalow style resort of about 20 units surrounding a small manmade lake (pond) and with the mountains looming in the background, the setting is very picturesque and tranquil. The village of Pai, only 1000 meters away, is easily accessible by walking, bicycle or motorbike. The bungalow units are made of teak, bamboo and local material and the rooms, while small and very simple have incredibly comfortable beds, a portable or ceiling fan and a proper bathroom. In addition, every room has a wonderful sitting area/terrace facing the lake. In the middle of the lake is a small island with two hammocks, an ideal place for relaxation and mediation. By the way, the owners - a very amiable German lady and her Thai husband - told me that the lake is fine for swimming. Breakfast is available at a nominal fee and includes fresh baguettes and homemade pastries, and some of the best hilltribe coffee that I have had in Thailand.

For Pai, Pai Ridise is sort of the upper end of budget accommodations and rates as of January 2004 were 400 baht per night (11USD) not including breakfast. Believe it or not, Pai Ridise was considered way too expensive for most of the young backpacker tourists that I met from Europe; a couple of the guys that I talked to found some decent rooms for as little as 100-200 baht per night (3-6USD) or so. Oh well. I guess I like my creature comforts and believe me Pai Ridise is well worth it….