A Japanese Christmas and a Thai New year.

[drron]

The restaurant.




And some of the menu.

 

[drron]

We checked out at 1430 and got a taxi to the ROS. now we have done this drive in taxis a few times and if yo get an honest driver using the meter it should be 150 - 160 baht. But just because a driver uses tghe meter doesn't mean he is honest. may be a dodgy mter but often you go the scenic route. So have had fares of 200 - 250 baht using the meter. If the driver does use the meter and the fare is ~ 150 baht I round it up to 200 baht. So when the doorman at the Westin said the driver wants a flat payment of 200 baht he was a little surprised I accepted straight away. But my reasoning is if you pay that flat fee you basically are quaranteed to go by the most direct route and we did.

Got to the ROS and told the upgraded room they had for us as the guest is platinum and having a late check out so you can go to the lounge and wait. We did. Great views from the 27th floor.

 

[drron]

We had to wait for our room but it was worth it with a suite. The view as you walked in.






Big wardrobe.

 

[drron]

Drinks start at 1700 -2000. food starts at 1800 - 2000.
A Chang beer and a Mai Tai.


Evening food offerings.

 

[drron]

And the view.

 

[drron]

The car park view.

 

[drron]

Later that night was a light and water show at Iconsiam.

 

[drron]

The next morning in the light of day the river doesn't look so beautiful.




But they do have several garbage boats which are very inefficient at their job.




A broken down hotel shuttle.

 

[drron]

After breakfast I set out for a walk with no particular place to go. immediately across the road is an old place that has been restored. It used to be derelict when we have stayed before.

Surrounded by old warehouses.


And up the road something for everyone.










These little blue eyed fellows are not scared of you. Have to get really close before they take off.


Old warehouse turned into an art precinct.

 

[drron]

A fixer upper buy.





But interspersed with modern buildings. Though I took my life in my hands crossing this pedestrian crossing as a busy road and especially the motor bikes and tuk tuks won't stop even for a red light.


But I spied a temple so my first detour.






Then I spied a sign to the Bangkok mosque so off I went down some narrow alleys.




And possibly this is it.

 

[drron]

Indeed it was.














Not surprisingly water outlets around here.

 

[drron]

A mansion. But next door.




Then came across a little gem.






And even a book drop.


Now in Thailand there is a Bargain shop Big C. so what do they call it when it is a convenience store.

 

[drron]

There were 7 blocks of silver stores along this street.






Nearly back to the hotel and stumbled across Bangkok's first"skyscraper".




And behind this gate is the Portugese Embassy residence. Nice riverside block of course.

 

[bPeteb]

View straight at the Hilton if it’s still a Hilton? An unusual stay there many years ago just after it opened.

 

[drron]

And found out why the street in front of the Sheraton is called Bush Lane.


And the extensive grounds of the property across the road from the Sheraton.




A shower and a change and up to the lounge again.














And a few people that think the exec lounge is the equivalent of a cruise liner's pool. Come and leave some stuff on a window table before drinks come out and then come back at 6.30 to claim their table. Fortunately the 2 couples that did that must have left the next day as it didn't happen again. lucky for them because if they had done it the next night I would have collected their gear and hand it to the staff saying someone forgot their stuff.

 

[drron]

View straight at the Hilton if it’s still a Hilton? An unusual stay there many years ago just after it opened.

You might have been there at the same time as us. We first went there pre opening and only about 10 floors completed. then mrsdrron plugged in her US hair appliance and it took out the power for the whole floor.

However It was also one of the Hiltons that prompted my leaving. Before the Millenium Hilton our go to hotel was the Royal Orchid Sheraton. There if we had a taxi driver that tried to overcharge us the doorman would give the driver a real serve and say he was reporting him to the authorities and they would back down. Whereas at the Hilton the doormen would side with the taxi driver and say pay up.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

View straight at the Hilton if it’s still a Hilton? An unusual stay there many years ago just after it opened.

The Hilton looks small compared to the Mandarin Icon siam apartments next door, and the Icon Siam shopping centre next to that.

 

[drron]

Very hazy that day.




The night's food selection.










Then the night views.

 

[drron]

Back to our room. The dinner cruise boats certainly brighten the river at night but boy they can be noisy.






The next morning and the garbage boat was right below us. This was all they scooped out with their nets and left all the rest.


Up to breakfast and I decided to order eggs Benedict. Big mistake. Awful.


But the lisianthus was lovely to look at.


Today was the day Mrsdrron was looking forward to. Shopping at Iconsiam. started off in the lobby.




Then caught the Sheraton boat across the river.

 

[drron]

She always enjoyed shopping here and we would always end with a late lunch at one of our favourite Thai restaurants Nara. The day started off on the wrong foot when we learnt Nara had closed their branch here. So a random selection of views.