Op hoop van zegen

"Op hoop van zegen", very loosely translated, means "hoping for a blessing". I might say, though, (simply) "fingers crossed".

When I founded this little hamlet on the Internet a couple of years ago, I had grand and honourable intentions: I wanted to demonstrate to the world at large that people approaching/of retirement age (like me!) can still set off, explore, and experience new and exciting destinations. Not only that, but they can do it without benefit of a travel agent or a tour operator....and certainly without traipsing about behind a waving flag and a stopwatch indicating just this many minutes to see what needs to be seen. And they can plan every adventure themselves!

I entered a kind of competition the other day. One of the best travel food bloggers ever (Mark! Migrationology!) posted a link to a Star Alliance contest. The prize? A RTW  trip for two!  My dream of dreams! Can you imagine the photographs I could take? I have zero hope of winning, truly, but I really do believe that the "older" market is an untapped one. Not everyone can muster enthusiasm for a bus tour with included everything.

As I said: no hope of winning. But I do hope that we going-grey-but-still-fit adventurers become a recognised faction. If there was a vote involved, I would smile disarmingly and hope for the best,  but all I can do now is raise a bit of "honoured-citizen-awareness". :-)

the bed, the breakfast

Now that the flights are booked, all we need to do is read and research,  research and read some more, and arrange accommodation for the first few nights in Bangkok. We are "op de bonnefooi" travelers, which translates, apparently, as "haphazard", but which really means that we plan as we go. When we're on the road, deciding today where to go and where to stay tomorrow almost always works for us... but arriving in a huge city after a dozen hours in the air without knowing where we will sleep (or not: pesky jet lag.)? Ummm, no.

We have been in Bangkok before, and have always ended up in the Bang Rak area; being within walking distance of the Central Pier on the Chao Phraya is a total treat. The first time, we got lucky with an excellent rate at the Centre Point Silom; the second, we chose a budget option not far from there, which I didn't love.

This time, I'm looking more at inns/guest houses/tiny hotels, like Baan Pra Nond Bed & Breakfast, which looks lovely despite its location between busy roads, and the Loy La Long Hotel, which looks like a bit of heaven on earth to me. It was also recommended by travelfish.org - my resource of preference for everything Southeast Asia. The first is in an area we know well, is priced reasonably, has great reviews, AND a little swimming pool. The second looks simply sensational in every way, but is a bit over budget.

Maybe I need to book accommodation not only for the first couple of days, but for the last couple of days, too, as an extra special treat before returning home. It's "against our principles" - heh - but I think it might give us the best of both worlds, no?