![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gordonandjudy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Screen-Shot-2018-12-13-at-9.14.04-PM.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nView of the hotel as we came in last night.<\/p>\n
I forgot to mention in yesterday\u2019s blog that Judy lost her only functional pair of reading glasses as we transferred from a dock into a long-tail boat.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t see them fall.\u00a0 As we pulled away from the dock, Judy was checking her purse, and realized they were missing.\u00a0 The boat driver said something fell out of her purse. \u00a0Darn!\u00a0 Guess we should be glad it wasn\u2019t her phone!<\/p>\n
Back at the hotel, later I went on a search for an optical shop to purchase another pair.\u00a0 I also have her first pair, which lost a screw and had a loose earpiece.\u00a0 I found a spot in a nearby mall, handed them the old pair and asked them to fix them (language issues).\u00a0 They said they would try but couldn\u2019t guarantee it.\u00a0 They also checked the strength and showed me where the reading glasses section was.\u00a0 Since we\u2019ve been looking for weeks (as far back as Abu Dhabi) for a 2nd<\/sup>pair, I went ahead a purchased a pair.\u00a0 The workers told me to come back in 30 minutes to check if the original pair were fixed.\u00a0 I also wanted to make sure the glasses were the correct prescription for Judy, and if the frames were fashionable.\u00a0 Everything passed and I went back to the shop, where they had the original glasses repaired.\u00a0 We\u2019re back in top shape on reading glasses!<\/p>\n Caught a taxi in the lobby at 8:30 to head to BKK Airport.\u00a0 The taxi prices are a set price from downtown to the airport, so no fears of any possible scamming by the driver.\u00a0 We checked in easily enough with Bangkok Air.\u00a0 We knew our luggage was going to exceed the maximums for these domestic flights in Thailand.\u00a0 Fortunately, there is a set rate of 90 baht per kilogram for anything over 20kg.\u00a0We\u2019re at 27kg for each of our two checked bags, and are charged 1260 baht or the equivalent of $38.50.\u00a0 I was afraid it might be the standard $150 per overweight bag.\u00a0 What a relief.<\/p>\n Catching up on writing in the Bangkok Air lounge.<\/p>\n Bangkok Air has a convenient lounge for all their passengers with drinks, snacks, and wifi.\u00a0 What else could anyone want?\u00a0 (washrooms are just down the hall).\u00a0 The flight departs on time at 12:05pm, is comfortable with lots of room, and takes slightly over 80 minutes.\u00a0 The taxi from the airport to the hotel is also a fixed price, so no haggling necessary.\u00a0 We\u2019re checked into the Chiang Mai Shangri-La and in our room by 2:00pm.<\/p>\n After unpacking, we head out to explore the local neighborhood.\u00a0 We found a local laundry a few blocks, so as we leave the hotel, we\u2019re packing two bags of laundry, trying to look nonchalant.\u00a0 Found the laundry, he weighed our two bags, and our charge was 148 baht, about $4.50.\u00a0 A single piece of laundry would have cost that much in the hotel.<\/p>\n After the laundry, since we\u2019re saving so much money, I decided we deserved a foot massage, and found a local massage across the street from the hotel.\u00a0 It was great!<\/p>\n Scrubbing on my feet before the massage<\/p>\n Time for dinner, and we walked down the street to a local restaurant.\u00a0 I had asked the concierge about local Thai food, and it was his recommendation.\u00a0 The food was good!<\/p>\n We stopped at a 7-11 on our way back to the hotel, purchasing some soft drinks and ice cream (necessities).\u00a0 Back in the room we get ready for our early (6:00am) departure for our temples tour of Chiang Mai.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We really hate to leave this hotel.\u00a0 Food and snacks are only a few doors away, and the location of the hotel couldn\u2019t be better.\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t realized it before, but we\u2019re only a four blocks from the American Embassy.\u00a0Now … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 DD Laundry, near hotel<\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 Inside the restaurant.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Steamed rice<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Cashew Chicken<\/p>\n