Michael Learns to Rock Concert November 26, 2008
Posted by Martin in : Leisure , add a comment
Tik and I got tickets to see Michael Learns To Rock at Impact Arena, Meung Thong Thani.
We’re not really big fans of this Danish group but it’s always exciting to see concerts.
This concert was pretty badly organized though. We didn’t have great seats, the sound system was terrible and I’ve never seen so many people just walk out during a show before. Tik had a suspicion that perhaps a lot of people were given free tickets and only attended for that reason.
Their music was good though. When they left the stage at the end of the show, they presumably expected an encore. Instead though, about half the audience just left the hall.
Valiantly, they returned to perform about 6 more songs for the remaining people and we managed to walk to within a few meters of the stage at that point and enjoyed the atmosphere of the singing and dancing fans who were with us ’till the lights went down.
Kylie Minogue Concert November 23, 2008
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We rounded off our action-packed weekend with tickets for Kylie Minogue in Bangkok.
As neither Tik nor I are huge Kylie fans we opted for 4,000 baht tickets rather than the most expensive 8,000 baht ones. This meant we were about half way back in the audience and had to reply on the large video screens because the tiny little madam looked only an inch tall from our viewpoint.
The atmosphere at the concert was great and we were really pleased to have gone.
My First 10k Fun Run November 23, 2008
Posted by Martin in : Health & Sport, Leisure, Thailand , add a comment
I’ve been in training for a 10k fun run in Bangkok and today, I’m proud to announce that I really enjoyed it.
The run, sponsored by Standard Chartered, began and ended at the Grand Palace and this was the biggest Bangkok run of the year with 48,000 participants. It actually started at midnight for the marathon runners and the 10k runners began at 7.
Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Play ‘Music of The Night” November 21, 2008
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As I went to book tickets for the Borg and Mcenroe tennis match on Saturday I noticed that, for one night only, a duo of west-end singers were performing songs from our favorite musicals at the Thailand Cultural center.
A little excited that the show was only a few hours away I booked the best tickets in the house (center of ‘A’ row) at 3,000 baht each.
It was a nightmare getting to Thailand Cultural center on time but we eventually found it with a few minutes to spare.
THe concert lasted two hours and was accompanied by the entire Bangkok Symphony Orchestra who we had the pleasure of seeing up close. The two singers were John Owen-Jones and Janet Mooney – both of whom have played major roles in most musicals they sang songs from.
Most of the songs were from Les Miserables, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and the odd song from Joseph and from Aspects of Love.
We left the evening on a high, having the songs in our head for many days afterwards. The evening also triggered the start of our best-week-ever, as for the next few days we’ve got so many great events planned.
A Review of ‘Music of the Night’ by the Bangkok Post can be found here.
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe in Bangkok November 21, 2008
Posted by Martin in : Friends, Health & Sport, Leisure , add a comment
Tik and I went to see our first ever live sporting event today.
Tennis legends Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe played in the “PTT Legends in Bangkok” demonstration match today.
Regrettably our camera batteries died so we couldn’t take any photos (the blog image is a stock photo) but we got excellent seats and had a lot of fun.
It was especially interesting to me as, having played tennis 4 mornings a week for a year I’ve still yet to win a game against David. I got an idea of techniques that perhaps I’ll be able to use next week.
Also playing one short set in a double game were Thai stars; Paradorn Srichaphan and Danai Udomchoke.
Also present were Patrick who’d told us about the match, Patrick’s business partner Ingo with his wife Sandy and daughter Ceila.
Tinglish November 20, 2008
Posted by Martin in : Miscellaneous , add a commentIt seems that our condominium has a new writer for our important notices.
Westerns in Thailand call this language ‘Tinglish’ (an amusing combination of poor English and poor Thai, mushed together) and it’s surprisingly common here, even in expensive condominiums, restaurants and hotels.
The two notices I scanned though were the most extreme example I’ve ever come across though where it’s impossible to guess the meaning in any way, nor comprehend how words such as abundantly, mischievous and migrates ended up being used.
I really should make more effort photographing Tinglish signs and signs where cultural interpretations have been completely overlooked.
Aside from numerous mundane spelling errors, the following have amused me …
Comming Soon – A massive billboard announcing the opening of the Ritz Hotel in Bangkok.
Puke Massage – A massage venue in Siam Square.
For Your Inconvenience we have closed this section – Apology sign at Central Rama III.
Chawley Blowns – Menu of ‘Charley Browns’ restaurant.
Loy Krathong 2008 November 12, 2008
Posted by Martin in : Friends, Thailand , add a comment
Not many photos this year unfortunately but for Loy Krathong a nice group of us went near the river to post our krathongs (boats).
As ever, it’s impressive to see so many Thai people in one place – all of whom are there to enjoy themselves and there’s not any hint of trouble, drunks or rudeness.
After floating the Krathongs we made our way to ‘Tom Yam Kung’ restaurant in Khao Sarn Road to enjoy a large Thai meal.
Party at Our Place November 4, 2008
Posted by Martin in : Friends, Home, Leisure , add a comment
As Derek and Delfin were staying with us we decided to have a party. We invited Patrick, P’A, MAsaya, Misma and Patrick’s new employee Sophie.
We got through a lot of drinks, a bit of food and spent much of the night playing Wii games.
We all had a great time and Tik and I felt really proud to be with such great people.
Our party was on a Tuesday – probably not the best night to stay up late but I managed to have a lie-in Wednesday morning when everybody else struggled to get themselves to work.
Koh Samet November 2008 November 2, 2008
Posted by Martin in : CouchSurfing, Friends, Thailand , add a comment
We decided to treat our first ever CouchSurfers and P’A to a weekend in Koh Samet.
We arrived Saturday lunchtime and left the following day but managed to have time to swim, read and to get pretty drunk in the evening.
