livermore

I have to agree with the hand washing, very important. Another thing is to try to avoid rubbing yours eyes. I aslo tend to believe the air con is the source for the respitory infections I have had in the past. I try to remember to turn the bloody thing down before bed but invariably I'll forget at least one night and I soon pay for it. I am going to try what the previous poster suggested and wash the filter. Stay healthy.

Thanks for the report as I am on the same itinerary in two weeks. I have made this trip maybe 5 times on EVA but I have never seen Taipei from the air. Anyway, maybe next time. Thanks again for the report.

Have used them, I think, 3 times. First two times no problem, then I made a booking with them in Koh Samui for a small hotel and I prepaid the required first 2 nights. When I got there the hotel no hab my reservation and Sawadee couldn't find a record of my trans action. Dummy me forgot to bring my booking voucher so I guess it was my fault. I think I lost out on 1600 baht for the my first two nights. Not really worth the hassle of going through my credit card company to get the money back. But Sawadee.com was not very good at resolving the problem and not very good at making this booking. I have not used them since. The first two times I used them were for hotels in Bangkok. I had no problem and everything was done right. I deduced that for Bangkok, Pattaya and probably a city like Chiang Mai, this service works well. I would be a little cautious about using them on more remoter places. Don't do what I did and forget your paper work. Although it might not do you any good anyway as the clerk probably won't speak enough english to work out the problem. Try to confirm with the hotel separately via email or phone call if you can. Good luck.

Looking at my records, I believe you get 5 years to use your accumulated mileage from the date you earned it. I think mileage earned before 2002 is or was only good for 3 years. Not sure about mileage earned with another airline partnered with EVA though.

By Francois Thomazeau Reuters PAU, France, July 21 - Tour de France leader Lance Armstrong, cleared of doping allegations by the International Cycling Union (UCI) on Wednesday, said he had been persecuted by "vulture journalists". The American said he had used a cream containing a banned corticoid to cure a skin allergy and that he had a medical prescription to do so. "I was using a cream which showed minute traces in my urine, so minute that they were not there on day one," said Armstrong, replying to a report by French daily Le Monde that corticoid traces were found in his urine. Le Monde said the test took place after the first stage on July 4. The Texan was also tested after winning the prologue a day before. "If Le Monde wants to call it a doping story they can but it is not a doping story," the 27-year-old said. He added that there were more journalists than usual on the Tour this year because they were chasing doping stories after last year's scandal, which brought cycling's showcase event close to collapse. "It's vulture journalism, it's desperate journalism. I've been persecuted," he said. "The traces were so small that it has nothing to do with enhancing performances. It's bad for cycling, it's bad for the Tour de France," he added. In its report, Le Monde accused Armstrong of lying because he repeatedly said he was not taking any products, banned or not. "I was asked if I had been given an exception by the UCI to take anything and I said no. "When I think of taking something, I think of pills, injections. Quite honestly, I did not consider a skin cream to be taking something," he said. Armstrong, who is set to win the Tour only two years after cancer threatened not only his career but his life, said the controversy had given him extra motivation. "What they (the press) wanted was for me to crack on the bike, I was not going to do that for them," he said. The UCI earlier confirmed that corticoid traces were found in Armstrong's urine on July 4. But the governing body added he had a medical prescription to use the cream for a skin allergy. The cream contains the banned corticoid triamcinolone. "We can confirm that all dope tests made during the Tour de France until July 19 were negative," the UCI said in a statement. Normally, when a test is negative or when an athlete produces a prescription for corticoid, the results of the test are not published. "But at the request of Lance Armstrong and his team and because of the exceptional situation created by some media, the UCI wishes to make an exception and to confirm that the rider has used Cemalyt cream (which contains triamcinolone) to cure an allergic dermatitis," the UCI said. The UCI added that the use of the cream was "authorized by the rules and can not be considered a doping practice". This is an article taken from a story published in a report by Reuters at the time. This is the whole article and not an excerpt. Read what the UCI (professional cycling's governing body) says. And make your own judgements. Does Armstrong use some masking agent, I don't know. Hell maybe he is from the planet Krypton, again I don't know. What I do know is that the man, and he is not even my favortite cyclist, in fact I believe Eddie Merckx is the all time greatest cyclist, has won 7 Tours and other classic events and has never been found guilty of doping period. The UCI and the other agencies have no problem banning a person or a team. They have banned a recent world champion, they have banned an Olympic silver medalist and believe me they would also ban Lance Armstrong if he was proven guilty of a doping infraction. So they don't just "Overlook" doping. Maybe I am not understanding you analogy here. I think that you are saying that these athletes all claimed to not have used drugs but were in fact found guilty later of using them. Or are you saying that there abilities improved greatly because of drugs which they denied using but were found guilty of using at a later date. Anyway, I can't argue with you that they claimed to have never used drug or that they in fact were caught using them. This is true. But I have to go by the innocent until proven guilty maxim or at least charged. As far and English vs. American issue. I have great respect for English sports and sportsmen. I believe the EPL is the greatest sports league bar non. I even play cricket in an organized tournament every year up in Chiang Mai. So I do apologize for my remarks about British cyclist or lack there of. So, just keep making conjectures, this is what Cheshire and Niall are good at.

Tom, you don't know alot about bicycle racing. At the age of 22 LA won a little race called the world championships. Which made him the "World Champion" in 1993. I would think that would look good on your resume. By the way this was also his first year in the Tour de France and he won a stage there. The early years he was a worker or domestic not a team leader on the weak Motorola team. He has finished no lower than 25 in the world every year since turning pro expect the year he was out with cancer. And it was a steady progression into the top 10. Again, show me where Armstrong ever tested positive for anything. This year alone he was tested at every event he entered and had 6 random out of competition test. This is where they literally show up at your house and draw blood. He is probably the most tested athelete on the planet. Of course we could compare him to the British guy who won the Tour de France. But I can't recall his name right now. Can anyone help. Of course there is a British cyclist, David Millar who won the world championship recently. Oh yeah, thats he had to give that back and take a two year vacation for doping. So know a little about what you write.

SFO is a dream to fly out of and into. I take the Bart in from my town and it drops me off literally 200 yards from the check-in counter but if you transfer in, there is a people mover(tram) that connects the domestic and international terminal. The international terminal is only about 5 years old (rebuilt) and is immaculate. Not much in the way of duty free shopping but a pretty comfortable wait. The EVA flight I take leaves SFO just after midnight so the check-in and security process is not so hectic. If you are running late, bring a snack with you because not much is open around midnight at SFO. Flying in is also not too much of a hassle. I usually whip through customs though I have had my bags searched a few times. Non US passport holders take a while to get through now but I think this is the same everywhere in the States. But I don't believe I have ever seen another international landing at the same time as the EVA flight so a least you won't be standing behind another 747.

I can confirm that the free alcohol was served apenty on my flight BKK - SFO 3 weeks ago. The guy next to me got hammered. Must have had 12 cognacs and the better part of a bottle of wine all free. Have to agree about the the interiors of their 747's are showing some age but the A/V system worked great and in 6 trip with them (SFO - BKK) I have never been delayed. I would guess the average fare I have paid is around $1000 but their prices jump considerably in the summer months. I tend to go in November and April. I still believe, for the money, it is the most comfortable flight available from SFO and I have flown UAL, Cathay, SG, JAL and China Air. Cathay and Singapore have the best economy class service but when it comes to leg room the little bit extra paid for EVA's Delux Econ is worth it.

Happened to me on Cathay a couple of years ago. Only they had unexplicably changed the BKK departure 3 hours earlier so I was holding a ticket for a plane that left an hour earlier. Cathay put me up at a hotel near the airport, they would not put me in a hotel downtown because of the traffic. I just cabbed into the city. I got the one night in Bangkok, but overall a pretty raw deal from Cathay. NO compensation and no upgrade on the flight back for their stupid mistake. Best deal was from my company. Back when SARS was at its heights. My company paid for me to stay at home an extra week because they were affraid I had SAR despite the fact that only 2000 people out of 3 billion asian contracted it and I didn't even have a sniffel. Stupid people reign. Yeah 100 posts!

themook, I am glad you posted the article the more information the better. I just wonder about how much research some of these reporters do. Sometimes I read articles in my local San Francisco Chronicle, stating a fair is really low only to find out that it is some promotional fair that can't really be had. Even so the articles are written like this is a normal fair. I have flown the BKK to Samui route maybe 6 times in the last 3 years and have never come across anything like what the article has written. But somebody on this thread has said they booked that for the $50 price. Who am I to say they didn't. So if anyone has any good tips for securing low prices I am all ears.

Reservations are a tricky thing. Last year, in the middle of March, I just showed up at the Intown Holiday (have never had a problem before just showing up their), I didn't think too much about as their were no holidays happening. But when I got their it was obvious something was happening in Pattaya as the traffic to get into town was horrible. It turns out the international music festivel was that weekend. I was shit out of luck at the Intown, Bay Breeze and even the shit hole Apex. I eventual got the shittest room in the shitty Honey hotel. I moved the next day. I don't know if making a reservation would have helped though because many Thais come down from Bangkok for the music and being a Farang with a reservation is about as useful as tits on a boar hog. My plan this year is to have my favorite travel agent, with whom I personally know (advice: get to know a local travel agent and bring them a little gift each visit it does wonders) and I will have her book the room. That way if the hotel fcuks me over then she will do her best to get me something else with out me having to walk all over town in 40 + degress on my first day.

I stand corrected. It looks like Air Asia has the best fare on the BKK to CNX for an afternoon departure. 2030 baht return is a good deal to me.

I am booked on Nok Air return bkk to cnx in the end of March for 2700 baht all in. Taxes and fees included. They have afternoon departures. OneTwoGo.com is also 2700 baht all in. AirAsia prices are also 2700 baht for an afternoon departure. Bottom line is all three airlines are the same for afternoon departures. Now if you want to leave around midnight you can get the price for around 2100 baht on Air Asia.

I don't know where the NY Times comes up with such crap. Just try get a round trip flight to Koh Samui from Bangkok for $50 bucks. I have flown this route several times and it has got to be the most expensive internal route in Thailand. Just picking two random days in May, the best I could come up with was 6,800 baht or $177 dollars. That was the cheapest option and it was more than 3 times the amount the bullsh*t article stated. Travel agents don't knock off hardly any money from the price as their commissions are pretty narrow, so any $50 ticket to Samui isn't even worth the paper its written on. Another part of the article claims a round trip ticket BKK to SIN for less than 500 baht or $12.20. Utter nonsense. I know these discount airline have really brought the price of flying down in Thailand. I recently purchased a RT flight with Nok Air BKK to Chiang Mai for less than 3000 baht. This was substantially cheaper than Royal Thai. This article, however, is complete bullsh*t.

Have to agree with Mrbill2, Wonder Travel & Tourwonder@chonburi.ksc.co.th is first rate. Pat is really good and their service is reliable. I have used her for hotel bookings, airline tickets and car service. The car service I have used 3 times and they are always there with a smile and my name on a card. Nice new Honda and Pat's pretty sister will bring you to Pattaya for 1400 baht. Her telephone is (66) 38 428200, FAX (66) 38 428206, and mobile is (09) 8347704. The office is on Moo 9, 2nd road close to the PIH hospital.

I am waiting for EVA to drop their Silver level access to the lounges. They are already dropping there priority luggage for Silver members. I still really like this airline but it is hard for me to attain Gold level to enjoy some of the more useful benefits.

There is a hotel bus that use to be timed to meet the Bankok Airways flights from Koh Samui. Last time I few into U-TAPAO, 2 years ago, they didn't have ramdon taxis waiting for customers. A few people had pre arranged taxis or minivans. Taking the bus is not too bad but can be a little tight for space. You book it at the desk in the small arrivals/departure area. I can't remember what it cost but 250 baht seems to come to mind. You just tell them what hotel and they will drop you off at it. So unless things have changed, I would prearrange a car from an agent or I would get on the bus. If you have to call for transportation while at the airport, it will take forever from them to drive out to U-Tapao to pick you up and drive back. Maybe some other member can help me out. I seem to remember to take about 30 to 40 minutes to get out to U-Tapao. But time moves slow when you are trying to get to Pattaya. Anyone no how far it is from U-Tapoa to Pattaya?

I can recommend Wonder Tour and Travel. I have used them 3 times now and have been very impressed. The rate as of 1 December, was 1400 bt without tolls. There email address is Wonder Tour and Travel Another member of this board recommended them to me and I have not been disappointed. The owner is a nice lady named Thanapatra Sarnboonma or Pat and the phone number is (66) 38 428206.

There is a nice little place for breakfast just out the door and to right. I think it is called the Queen Vic or something like that. Also the massage place, again out the door and to the right but on the opposite side of the Soi, does a good job. The back building and rooms are done out in teak. The Bay Breeze restaurant has decent thai food and good sandwiches. Just around the corner, past the 7-11 on 2nd road, is a decent Internet/coffee shop. Enjoy.

I think the company is MOBAL and the link would be MOBAL Rental .

I really like the Delux economy from EVA, especially if you are getting it for less $1000 from either SFO or LAX. Just made my 4th trip with them and I have done SNG, UAL, and Cathay. I also liked Cathay but the seats are more compact compared to Economy Delux. So, as always it comes down to money. But for the extra $'s, I prefer the extra leg room on EVA.

A lot of guys use the penthouse as a party short time hotel. For this purpose, I can recommend highly but for staying any length of time I would look for better quality and value.

The only thing I didn't like about the Bay Breeze was the air con was mounted on the floor and blew the same level as the bed. I don't know if all the rooms are like this but I got a severe sinus infection. Other than that, the price was right and it is a pretty good location (scary side of second road) with a decent little restaurant.

The whole SOI 13 is a construction pit. There is almost nowhere you can get away from the noise. The Condotel next to Dynasty, jackhammering at Ma Maison. Even the Haven is pounding away. Hopefully the bulk of it will be done by next March. Be very careful walking by the Dynasty. I saw all kinds a debris raining down on the Soi during the contruction. Give it a wide berth coming down the Soi.

The BR 0211 is the airbus. On most days it leaves about an hour early than BR0067. I think this BR0067 flight might be a 747. I never want to wait another hour so it is the airbus for me and economy unless they bump me up. Their web site clearly says that Delux is not gauranteed on certain configurations. But 3 hours is a blink after doing the 14 hour leg. Though I wish the flight was a little cheaper if you don't get Econ Delux all the way to Bkk.