Shanti Lodge
- As I write in my blog I am sitting at quite possibly the most perfect place on earth – the Shanti Lodge in Bangkok, Thailand!!!! Kwang and I arrived here around 8:15am this morning after a hellofa long journey to Thailand! We left Mysore on Monday at 12pm – made great time and arrived in Bangalore a little before 3pm. We opted to make the drive to Bangalore early b/c we had some things to do with our tickets – both the returning leg of the Thailand trip and our tickets back to the states. So, we got to the Air India ticket office around 3pm and finally left around 5:30pm with only one of the two issues resolved. 1) Our return flight to Bangalore from Bangkok was scheduled for September 29th, but we decided to come back earlier b/c Kwang wants to get back to the States, and I want to get back to Mysore for one more full month before I head home. We changed our return date to September 17th. 2) Our return flights to the States – currently set for October 29th…Damn good thing we addressed this issue yesterday b/c the ABSOLUTE LAST day we can use the tickets to return home is October 28th – so had we not changed the date anyway, we would have been royally screwed…I changed my return date to the 28th – of course I want to wait to the last possible day; while Kwang is returning on the 18th – of course the soonest possible date to return to USA. However, although we booked those dates, we were not able to get a confirmation and pay the penalty fee to change the tickets b/c 1) Air India ticket office was closing, 2) we had not at that point gotten confirmation of the last leg of the flight from Chicago to Orlando, and 3) our flight to Bangkok was leaving that night. So, we have to go to the Air India ticket office here in Bangkok tomorrow to deal with that. No worries – After we left the ticket office we stopped at our most beloved Friday’s Restaurant in Bangalore to grab some grub before our flight – both starving and very much needing to kill some time we thought it a good idea. But, as always when we’ve eaten at Fridays, our stomachs were none too thrilled that we made that decision. We both felt like poo after our meal. Tummy’s in turmoil we made our way to the Airport in Bangalore (BangleWhore as we like to refer to this particular destination). So we got there oh about 7:15pm so that we could wait, and wait and wait…And not a pleasant wait either – we were not allowed to enter the international terminal until the Air India ticket counter opened at 10:00pm…Yes, we had to wait outside in the mosquito breeding grounds for almost three hours before we were allowed to enter the international terminal – just so that we could wait some more! But this time we didn’t even get to pop a squat on the dirty ‘as all get out’ curbs that were ever present throughout the airport…Instead we got to stand in line in the very hot building…And guess what – this one was great – we stood in the Air India line for an hour just to be told to go to the Thai Airways line b/c that was who we were flying with!)_!)*(&^()…Well, of course that seems to make sense since we were flying to Thailand after all – but being the idiots that we are we not only went by what was clearly printed on our tickets, but also by what the not so nice security guards told us (we had to wait for the Air India ticket counter to open at 10pm – and isn’t it funny that the Thai Airways line was open at 7pm when we arrived..Ha Ha Ha). Ok, so we made our way to the Thai airways line and stood in that for 45 minutes – yes it was then 11:45pm and that is when our flight was supposed to begin boarding. No worries – this is India so I was certain that boarding wouldn’t begin when it was SUPPOSED TO. And luckily I was right. Thankfully it didn’t take more than a minute or two at the ticket counter and we were then on our way upstairs to get stamped by immigration and then get frisked by the guards with the little old school metal detectors. And I felt so special b/c they have a special line for women in the Bangalore Airport – I got to get frisked by another woman (oh yeah)…Needless to say we made it through all the typical hoops and were at the terminal and boarded the plane in time…After all that it was MORE THAN PLEASANT b/c we got to fly with Thai Airways…Totally great airline with awesome customer service, better food than Air India, and a totally better atmosphere all around – I mean the plane is purple inside for crying out loud (my favorite color btw) so I was happy as can be – and of course the best part of all was the simple fact that we were about to fly to Thailand!!! I LOVE THAILAND…So desperately been wanting to make my way back here since I left in December of 2004.
Like I said the plane ride was not bad at all. Only 3 ฝ hour trip and I was in and out of consciousness the whole time anyway. And I can honestly say that after taking the ohmygosh **^)_)&*^%%$ long ass flight from America to India you can make a little teeny tiny 3 ฝ hour flight with total ease. Once we got to Thailand we were able to easily pass though immigration without a visa (one beauty of being a US citizen), but only allows us 30 days in Thailand – so we have to go to the main Immigration office in Bangkok this week to get an extension on our visas – cause we’ll be here 46 days. That won’t be a problem either – just a little time consuming…If you come to Thailand from the States I do suggest getting your visa before you leave so you don’t have to take away from the valuable time you have in this amazing country…However, I was a little weary of trying to do that while we were in India (fearing we may not get our passports back at all, and at the very least not in enough time to make our flight to Thailand…So, since I knew we could enter the country I decided this would be the Safest option for us).
Having done all that – we finally got ourselves a real life size taxi with AC (I know I know…I thought I too was in Heaven – especially considering the fact that Thailand is actually much hotter and far more humid than India – don’t ask me). It took about thirty minutes to find the Shanti Lodge – and with no reservations (again outta my control as I sent an email to them DAYS ago but never heard back – but thought it worth a shot to come and see if there was anything available bc it was a highly recommended spot by several yogis from Mysore. Luckily there was a room available and I am so thankful there was one b/c this place ROCKS…The atmosphere is outta this world – adding pictures for you drooling – I mean viewing pleasure. They have a lot of different options to choose from (double with shared bathroom and no ac is 400 Baht per night, double with private bath and ac is 600, and double with private bath and hot water and ac is 700 Bhat..I could care less about the ac but I wanted hot water damnit…So we opted for the more expensive room b/c Kwang insisted on Ac – no worries we both win J Only problem was that the room wasn’t ready yet…So we waited, and waited and waited. The only thing in the entire world I wanted was a shower – I felt like the bacteria that lives on the underside of a toilet seat in that really hard to reach place that never gets cleaned…DIRTY!!!!!!!!!!! And neither Kwang nor I got any real sleep last night – our flight left at 12:30am India time, and arrived at 6:30am Thailand time…The only sleep we got was that so very interrupted airplane sleep on the 3 ฝ hour flight. Anyway, around 10:45am I went back to the counter and asked if the room was ready…Ann, the room manager, said that the lady who was staying in that room opted to stay another night – so we couldn’t have that room. That meant the only room available in the entire facility was a room for three with a private bath with hot water and AC – but for 150 more Baht per night. “I’ll take it!” She said we could move into the other room tomorrow – but, unless something changes, we will have to find other accommodations for the last two nights in Bangkok b/c they are all booked up…Whatever!(&&!)&%%%*() At least we get to enjoy the amazing Shanti Lodge for two days…And this place is truly amazing. They have a wonderful restaurant downstairs, offer inexpensive Thai massage, have a laundry service that does your clothes in a real washing machine, has a great little boutique near the reception desk with funky cool Thai garb, Internet, and did I mention that the entire facility is decked out from head to toe in the coolest stuff I’ve ever seen! The pictures speak for themselves. –only two today but I’ll have more for you tomorrow….
After getting our room, taking the BEST SHOWER OF MY LIFE, and waiting for Kwang to do the same, we made our way to the city for a little shopping, eating, and oh yeah – getting my hair braided! Yeah, not the typical braiding, but the kind that looks and feels awesome, will last about a month, and most importantly – I can still wash my hair. I am so glad I opted to do it b/c it feels wicked good, and makes my hair about 100% less heavy than it did before. Take a look – I rather like it…But it’s not like dreads (which I don’t think are bad for those who opt to get them) in many ways…Love it!
After getting my braids, we walked around and purchased a few things (you know got some fisherman’s pants, couple cool tops, and two rockin Buddha statues. After shopping for a bit Kwang wanted to get a bit to eat. We stopped at one of the billion restaurants and had a really tasty lunch. I got a chicken salad and Kwang opted for two traditional Thai dishes. After lunch Kwang was really tired so we made our way back to the Shanti Lodge – he took a nap and I checked my email, etc. We just finished a yummy dinner downstairs at the Shanti Lodge, and I will soon be making my way to bed. I really don’t know how I have stayed up all day without a nap or anything…But I’m really beginning to feel like I’ve been up for two days…Until Next time,
Om Shanti,
Krista
5 Responses to “Shanti Lodge”
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August 2nd, 2006 at 9:26 am
Hey Krista! Really glad that you love the Shanti Lodge so much – it is an awesome place. If you are still there – and there is a biggish woman there who does the cooking – say Reena says hi – tell her I am the indian girl from england – she may remember me. The water taxis are fab… and if you have time in Bangkok go and see Jim Thompson’s house – one of the most amazing things I have seen in the middle of a city – a true oasis! Enjoy your time in thailand and kepe in touch!
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:19 pm
As you know, Steve and I are planning on studying with Paul and crew in Thailand this December! We are actually looking around for decent accomodation in Bangkok for the 2 days that we’ll be there prior to Samui. Shanti Lodge sounds like it rocks! Can you give me their website and/or contact info privately? Thanks!
So good to hear that things are going so well. I wish I was there right now!!! LOL
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Krista! The braids look good gurl. Glad you and Kwang made it to Bangkok safely, and that the Shanti Lodge lived up to the hype. Jeff and I will probably end up crashing there since that seems to be insider yogini recomendation. I’m so psyched to be going where you are right now and lookin forward to reading your blog from Thailand for the next several weeks. Take rest, have an amazing time, and please be sure to recomend anything else to Jeff and I that you find inspiring while in Thailand.
Peace
-Rubin
August 2nd, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Hi From Sunny England! Yes it’s raining and raining and has been all day and i’m soooo jealous of you guys but its so nice to hear you are well and happy
The braids look great, have a wonderful time in Thailand, there in spirit… Off to a festival this weekend http://www.bigchill.net and hoping for a wicked time…
take care of you, Peace
Abbyxxx
August 3rd, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Krista,
Coming from India to Thailand is like heaven somehow, isn’t it? Thailand seems so clean and lovely!
Anyhow, I just wanted to make another recommendation, given that you have to leave the Shanti Lodge before the end of your time in BKK. I LOVE a guesthouse called Suk 11 (http://www.suk11.com/). It was acutally recommended to me by another yogi while I was still in Mysore. I’ve stayed there like, three times now and I love it. I think double rooms with air-con, hot water and — get this– a shower…like…with a curtain…like one that doesn’t get the whole room wet.. run about 600 baht. There’s a beautiful covered roof deck where I did my practice.
Anyhow….something to keep in mind.
Namaste.
–A