Nueng and I both woke up around 8:00am and we fooled around a little bit before taking showers and heading downstairs to Maxwell's for the last breakfast. We had another very nice meal, and then I said goodbye to the chef, palming him 500 baht - which he looked at and then looked at me in utter amazement. For me it's simple: you tip good service - and the service at Maxwell's was great, as were all my interactions with the staff at the SLP.

On the way back over to the suite, I settled up the bill. For 7 nights, including taxes, about 15 phone calls (which weren't too expensive) and ordering up snacks and beverages from the mini-store, the total charge on my credit card was $470 - which is more expensive than the Omni, but I still think it's a great value. And remember, breakfast for two was included as was transportation to and from the airport.

We went upstairs and I looked around for anything I left behind, then spent the last hour on the couch with No. 1 watching TV. I just hate the waiting for the taxi going back home to the airport.

I then realized I hadn't paid No.1, and since she lived up to her end of the bargain, I paid her 3,000 baht. I asked her if I could drop her off somewhere and she said the airport would be good, because her parents house was on Vipawadee-Rangsit Road in Donmueng Tungsrigan, right by the airport.

A bellhop rang the bell to take the suitcases, and we left the suite about 5 minutes later. When we got downstairs, the bags had already been loaded into the waiting car, and we were on our way to the airport. It was a quiet ride, as my rides coming home usually are. When we pulled up to the EVA entrance, we all got out and Nueng asked if I wanted her to come inside and wait. I told her that wouldn't be necessary and then I asked the driver if he would mind taking Nueng home. When Nueng told the driver the address, he smiled and said no problem; it's not very far. I gave the driver 100 baht, which was also very well received and then kissed Nueng goodbye. She asked me to please call her or write her (she has no email), but I haven't done either yet.

Check in was a breeze at EVA, and I was able to change my seat to the front section of Evergreen Deluxe, away from the bathrooms. The ride back home was uneventful. I sat next to a radiologist from New York Methodist Hospital who was coming back from a medical conference in Taipei that had been postponed from May because of SARS. We talked throughout the flight, then I watched a few movies, slept and stared at amazement at the awful the food EVA serves is. Once we hit Seattle, I made a beeline for the Burger King; I'm not a fast-food fan, but that Whopper tasted great after 15 hours of not eating.

Made some phone calls before re-boarding for the final leg to Newark and then was back in New York at 1:00am Sunday night/Monday morning.

When I hit a family Labor Day BBQ later that Monday, I knew my vacation was over. Back to the grind.


Conclusion

I had a great time as usual, but this trip was different than the first two. My complacency cost me, as I was willing to put up with bad service, consciously or unconsciously, hoping it would change, but knowing it wouldn't. That will never happen again.

I've already booked my next Far East trip: January 16-25 for $960 on Continental for Newark to Hong Kong non-stop, which is supposed to be the longest non-stop flight in the business. This is a refundable, upgradeable fare, so I cashed in 50,000 miles and already have a confirmed BusinessFirst ticket. I learned about this flight and upgrading early on Asian destinations from www.flyertalk.com (Thanks Merlin!). From there it's a short hop to Bangkok and an even shorter hop to the PI and Angeles City - I've already found four golf courses within driving distance of Angeles City.

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement and I hope you enjoyed this report as much as I did writing it.

Wallstreet

Thanks.

OH

WS
Sorry for the late reply and glad to see your getting on with " the program ". Again we missed QT together , but there's always a next time. The other dancer with Bum , which I think makes Bum look like a " Bum " only shows up at AW for that one show and she's out the door.

BB

Wow WS, I'm so glad that you finally got the upgrade, and at an incredible fare also. I knew CO would come through for you if you just gave them time and figure out how to delve into the collective wisdom of the FF junkies. BusinessFirst is the best in the business. You'll probably make up the 50K miles in that one trip with your bonuses.

I'm also glad to hear that you're gonna try out AC, a total blast and I'm sure the gals there will rock your world.

Absolutely enjoyed reading your report here, which actually contained a lot of useful info. I'll certainly have to give SLP a try. When in AC, take plenty of photos and notes, and be prepared for some unreal and intense GFEs.

BB - Well, we had two fun nights, and I appreciated being introduced to the Soi 7 Beer Garden. I'm sure our paths will cross again. And as far as Bum's dance partner - I assume she's not barfineable?

Merlin - There's so much info on Flyertalk that it made my head spin at the beginning - but once you learn how to navigate the threads, the complex world of airline travel becomes understandable. Glad you liked tne report - looking forward to your next one.

Nice reports Wallstreet. I've enjoyed some of your San Jose reports as well. I'm going to LOS in March and found your reports very informative. Seems you didn't get down to Pattaya?

Harry