Travel Agent Information

The day has come...it is time to start reserving your flight to Bangkok, Thailand!

The American Airline flight leaves Miami on Friday, October 20th at 8am traveling to NY...where the group will fly to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific Airlines. From Hong Kong to Thailand arriving Saturday nite around midnite.

The return flight leaves on Saturday, October 28th and will get everyone home on Saturday nite (because we cross back over the international dateline)...giving the gang plenty of time on Sunday to regroup and rest from the long flights.

The offical attendance count as of today is (26) .

To help cooridinate this insanity....and ensure that we have smooth sailing on our journey...I have asked my friends at Destination Travel (Donna Rizzo & Maria Lamberson) to plan our voyage.

We are flying ECONOMY from Miami.....However, if you want to spend the bucks and upgrade......or if you have a different departure city (Andy Wiegand-Seattle / Paul Lanaris-NY / Ron Newman-Melbourne / Carl Stark-Tampa / Ross Linville-Orlando) please make sure you let Donna or Maria know exactly what you want.....otherwise they will assume that you are traveling from Miami.

Maria Lamberson 954-435-0900
mlamberson@dsttravel.webmail.com

Thailand Agenda - Preliminary

Depart Fri Oct 20 .....Don't forget your passport and Immodium

Arrive Sat Oct 21 .......Airport Pick-up/Hotel Check-in/Grand Hyatt Bangkok

Sun Oct 22 .......Tour of China Town / Flower Street /Thai Culture Show / Patpong

Mon Oct 23 .....Grand Palace / Reclinning Budha / Lunch on River / Dinner at Cafe Ice / Club Saxaphones

Depart Tues Oct 24 10 am .....Meet in Lobby - Bus to Pattaya Marriott

Wed Oct 25 Pattaya .....Muay Thai Kick Boxing

Thu Oct 26 10am ....Meet in Lobby - Bus back to Bangkok - Hotel 222....Birthday Party at Peninsula Hotel.....Party at Ad-Makers

Fri Oct 27 10am ......Cridge at River Kwai / Floating Market / Night Bazzar

Depart Sat Oct 28 .......Transfer to Airport

Arrive Sun Oct 29 .......HOME .....USA


Bring some books to read or audio books for your I-Pod for the long flight........







You only have one week in Thailand....Why not make the most of it? Do you want to hit the ground running? Why not buy a travel book from Amazon.com?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471784702/qid=1152877674/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-6395915-7387247?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Trip Expenses

If I invited you, the trip is on me.

Airfare...yes
Hotels.....yes
Ground Transportation....yes
Meals......Breakfast and most dinners

Meals on your own.....no
Shopping........no
Tips........no
Massage......no
Viagra.....no

I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHTS, BUT PLEASE DO NOT BUY OR BRING BIRTHDAY GIFTS.

Get your Passports Ready!!!

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses......

It's football season
It's hurricane season
It's a brutal plane ride
I have work commitments
I have family obligations

It's tough to get away that long....but it's a trip of a lifetime, sharing experiences with a group of great guys, celebrating my birthay!

As of July 1....I have a firm (27) commitments....(28) if you count me!!! Plus we have a few "maybe"...and a few "still negotiating with Mama"

And get those passports updated!

Invited Guests

"Friends of Ours"

Friends, family, advisors, mentors.....this is my crew!

We have been to ball games, played poker, parties, business trips, weddings, funerals, courtroom battles, divorces, barmitzvah's, bada-bings, fishing, unusual situations, child birth, wrestling matches, high school, college, and smoked a bunch of cigars....we have sang and cried together....we have laughed and argued....we have drank enough beer and been "happy-happy"....and than Uncle Junior comes and pops a round in Tony's gut (Soprano's reference for those who don't watch HBO).... a good reminder that we must enjoy and celebrate life every day!


Committed to Go.....28
Bob Newman
Roger Newman
Ron Newman
Ricky Newman
Paul Lanaris
Pete Lanaris
Paul Udell
Mike Udell
Mitch Segermeister
Dave Glasserman
Andy Wiegand
Bert Luer
Phil Bomeisl
Ralph Saxe
Rich Rizzo
Larry Charson
Mike Harvey
Jim Pasquarello
Mike McInstosh
Jose Peralta
Tony Belotto
Suradech "Hui" Wangboonchai
Steve Crespo
Carl Stark
Frank Negrin
Joey Cornblit
Ross Linville
Sylvain Desrosiers

Overwhelming Obstacles
Jack Newman
George Szemkus
John Kasbar
Greg Kasbar
Michael Kosnitzky
Chip Thompson
Rudy Wolter
Steve Andrietta
Drew Levine
Michael Walton

Anyone interested in a side trip to Viet Nam?

Welcome to Bangkok!

(Click on any picture to enlarge)

In 1993, I met Suradech "Hui" Wangboonchai. Hui was born in Bangkok and promised to someday take me to Thailand. Finally, in 1998 I had saved enough money to take my first extended vacation. Hui escorted me and Mom & Dad through Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand for a (3) week vacation. It was awesome!

Since then, I have traveled to Thailand (3) times. Each trip has been a wonderful experience. Bangkok is a thriving big city filled with adventure. We have also traveled to the mountains of Chiang Mai and enjoyed the culture and food from the Northern region. I have traveled to the Southern resort island of Phuket (before the Tsunami). Last Christmas (2004), I was on the island of Koh Samui, about 100 miles away when the Tsunami destroyed much of the west coast resort areas. I have also traveled to the resort towns of Hua Hin and Pattaya.

I have had the great pleasure of traveling with my Mom & Dad to Bangkok twice. Mom loves the foot massage and Dad loves the herbal seaweed wraps. I have also been to Bangkok and Pattaya with my buddies Pete and Carl. Luckily, they both survived the trip without anything falling off , but Merck stock hit a 52 week when they got back!

The worst part of each trip is the brutal flights. Depending on the season and the airline, it has taken up to 32 hours from Miami to Bangkok. Each trip usually knocks the hell out of me, taking a few days to recover (especially my sore ass).

Is the long trip worth it? Absolutely! Besides the natural beauty of the country, the incredible temples, the awesome (and spicy) food, Muay Thai Kick Boxing, the relaxation of Thai massage, Chinatown with mind boggling shopping, the people are the best in the world. Thanks to Hui, I have met many new friends in Thailand. Since my first trip, I have always dreamed to share this wonderful experience with my closest friends and brothers Ron & Jack.

This year, October 26, 2006 little Bobbie Newman turns 50....I can't think of a better birthday present than taking a group of friends to Bangkok to share the wonderful experiences I have enjoyed.

This blog will provide trip information and web links for my group of friends and family to prepare for this great celebration.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/index.php
http://www.sawadee.com/
http://www.thaipro.com/
http://thailandforvisitors.com/

Bob's 50th Birthday Party

Is your Passport up to date?

October 26th is my 50th birthday, and I will be celebrating the occassion in Bangkok, Thailand.

I understand the extreme difficulty of leaving work, family, pets, and other personal commitments during football season for a ten day trip half way around the world....so if you can't decide...or if you can't make it for any reason....it is cool......"I am down with that"

On the other hand, if you would like to get on a plane for 28 hours each way to have a beer with me for my birthday in Bangkok, Thailand....I need to start planning and reserving as soon as possible.....if you are interested, please respond (call or e-mail)

Bob's cell 305-525-7811

I will use this blog to answer questions on the tours I will be setting up, shopping excursions, packing suggestions, malaria shots, bird influenza, muslim extremists, tsunami updates, etc.....

Save this link....and check back every few days for udates!!

http://bangkokinoctober.blogspot.com/

Thailand Video

SURVIVOR THAILAND

Do I have to eat Bugs??