November 2015 Newsletter

Saturday, 21st November, 2015

I am so excited as the latest version of Hot Spots to Shop Bangkok has just arrived from our printer it is available to purchase from our website www.hotspots2shop.com or as an eBook from Books Mango or Amazon.

In October I took part in the Nurses for Nurses Network Medical Tourism Trip to Bangkok, and while I was there for my knowledge of shopping in Bangkok I tagged along for the medical part of the tour as so many people ask me about the facilities available in Bangkok.
It was interesting to see how the Nurses’ perceptions about Medical Tourism and Service Provision in Bangkok changed as they visited both Bumrungrad & Bangkok Hospitals. Both hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), a US-based organization widely seen as the gold standard for top-level healthcare service providers worldwide so the treatment patients receive there is of the highest standard.
I have a Bangkok based friend who is receiving treatment at the over 580 bed Bumrungrad Hospital so while I was familiar with the hospital had not seen behind the scenes facilities and I certainly was impressed. The amenities were spotlessly clean with equipment and systems in place that were equal to if not better, than many Western countries.
The rooms were more like suites in a hotel, with many having a separate kitchenette area and dining and living area for family members. As I have written before there are onsite shops such as a 7/ 11 store, lovely deli and many restaurants. Interpreters are available if required but there was plenty signage and instructions in English and all staff speak English.
Both hospitals attract patients from the USA, Europe, Middle East, the Pacific and other Asian countries and are marketed strongly in these markets, Bumrungrad Hospital even has an office in Sydney.
Of course it was not all serious and I was able to show them around all my favourite shopping

haunts. As there were 21 women and a few men there was a wide variety in what everybody wanted to see and do. A few that had bought old pieces of jewellery so I was able to introduce them to local jeweller Fluke and I think I was excited as the girls when they received their remodelled pieces.
Many nurses visited tailors and dressmakers, shopped the markets, we saw the new malls, went out to dinner at a couple of venues and even saw the Calypso Cabaret situated at Asiatique (a great indoor outdoor market and tourism complex).
There is already talk of another Nurse tour in 2016 and perhaps a tour for teachers and another for keen cooks so I will keep you posted.
For the seond year in a row Bruce & I were thrilled when our country pub the New Royal at Rubyvale once again won the Queensland Hotel Association Best Bush Pub Award. Our lovely little pub attracts sapphire fossickers from all over Australian and overseas. The town of Rubyvale is a speck on the map located 17 kilometres from the Capricorn Highway, which connects Emerald and Longreach. If you out that way and would love some beautiful sapphire do come and visit us.

During the year at Hot Spots to Shop we had tried to come up with some items that would benefit travellers so if you are looking for a Christmas gift why not a look have and you never know you may just win two nights’ accommodation at the Rembrandt. You can even buy QBE Insurance through the site at very competitive prices and go in the competition.

Happy shopping & travels Wendy

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