A taste of Thai.

[drron]

So on Tuesday we continued our aim of helping the Thai economy.It was off to Emquartier a reasonably new shopping centre.They were having a durian festival-

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They have an upmarket supermarket there.Good to see Coffin Bay oysters now available-

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A vast array of meats.Tomahawks are in-

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But as usual Japanese beef is the most expensive.The less meat the higher the cost-

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Imagine paying $400 a kilo!
After visiting the upmarket fashion places it was time for lunch.There are 4 floors of restaurants in the Helix.We catch a lift to the top floor and walk down until we find a restaurant that catches our fancy for the day.The views from today's restaurant-

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[drron]

So this was the restaurant.It has been a long time since we have eaten at an old fashioned Chinese restaurant and thought today was the day.

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So a combination of BBQ pork and duck with roast pork,lemon chicken and some noodles-

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All washed down with a beer and lemon soda.

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Then some more shopping-

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The display at the bottom of the Helix-

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[drron]

We come to our last full day in Bangkok.A large group of rich chinese arrived on Tuesday.they came to the living room and took extra tables to the front and talked loudly.Asked their room numbers and they were all in suites.A couple of the fellows including the one that seemed to be the boss had golden horse head emblems on their shirt.By coincidence I had read that morning of a new golf resort being built on the Gold Coast by the Chinese company-golden horse.Boy I hope they are not here to buy the SGS.
At breakfast they had their children with them who denuded the fruit and cold cuts buffet as well as them all ordering a hot dish-unhappy they couldn't get 2 each.

so after breakfast it was back to the salon-mrsdrron for a manicure and myself for a hair cut.Never thought I would see the day that I would be recognised by staff in a beauty salon!After that we walked up Sukhumvit to the JW Marriott.Some Marriott folk reckon it is the best hotel in Bangkok.A much more seedy area.As usual a few unusual shop names-these dress shops-

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In the local papers one news item was the attempt by the Government to get power lines along Sukhumvit underground.Best of luck with that-

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Now which one am I meant to connect?

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Didn't feel like any lunch so an earlier meal at the Living room.Foie gras with pumpkin foam,gnocchi with parmesan and shaved truffle and the green pea risotto with beef cheek-though different presentation to the previous time-

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All very good.

 

[drron]

I keep talking about the Living Room so a few of the reasons we love it-

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Three of the staff working on Wednesday missed the previous night's photo so we had to have another-

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So all that is left is the flight home.Our first experience on TG's 787.

 

[drron]

So up early and off to the airport at 0530.mrsdrron is definitely a Type A personality and we are always going to leave for the airport early.Not much traffic so a quick trip but by the time we have the documents stamped for the VAT refund the checkin is open.Walk up to the checkin and both J agents are busy.A pax leaves one of the Y lines and we are called over.A really efficient agent.
through the premium security.No one else there but agent wont let me use the body scanner so wanded again.Straight through Immigration.Naturally the office to actually get your VAT refund is at the other end of the terminal then a walk back the length of the terminal to go to the Thai lounge.We needed the exercise though.Not great food so read the paper and caught up on emails.

As usual we leave the lounge a little early.Just as well as a long line for the secondary screening at the gate.Go down to the lounge and 2 agents checking BPs at the opposite end of a long desk.Everyone lined up at the right side of the desk and we came down the left side ramp and walked straight to the agent on the left side.A fellow rushes out of the other line and says to me there is a line over there.But there was no one in this line so what's your problem.There had been no other pax with the second agent.
Boarding started soon after and a bun rush but they did insist on J pax or elites only.Not that it made a difference as a bus to the plane.First on the bus,last off.

But as soon as we were seated the FA greeted us and not long before our champagne was served-

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I liked the seat.long enough for me-1.82 metres.

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And more importantly comfortable.After breakfast I lay down and had 3 hours sleep.
So to the menus-

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[drron]

Now for the wines-

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The plane next to us wasn't going far-

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But our stand wasn't a bad place to see planes coming and going though the rain presented some focussing problems-

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I will leave the review of Vietjetair to someone else.
Only our flight to go.

 

[drron]

TG447 BKK-BNE. ETD-0900 Push back-0915 Take off-0929 Seats 12H,K B787-9
ETA-2050. Landed-2041 At gate-2046.

Soon after takeoff it was breakfast time.I just had the continental with cold cuts,mrsdrron the continental-

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The fruit and the yoghurt were very nice.
After breakfast I did a bit of reading.I felt quite drowsy so laid down.I found the seat in the bed position very comfortable and had a 3 hour sleep.
So it wasn't long after I awoke that it was time for the second meal.Fortunately mrsdrron had ordered the Thai meal for me.This part of the TG experience has really improved and I found the dishes full of flavour with just the right amount of heat-

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And just in case you didn't believe me that I found it enjoyable here is what was left-

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Mrsdrron went western and had the duck leg.just passable-

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We arrived in BNE just a little early but an intern was staffing the air bridge and only got it right on the 4th go.We were amongst the last of the J pax off but stopped at the kiosks before the Duty free and were first at the E-gates.As soon as we were in the baggage hall a customs agent inspected our forms and we got the green stamp.Off to the carousel.Didn't take too long for the bags to come out.Ours were number 2 and 5 so only 1 fellow doing HCO beat us out and that only by 30 seconds.
Our driver was waiting and 91 minutes after exiting the plane we were walking into our Sunshine coast home.
I thought the TG 787 was fine,the bed comfortable,the food good and the staff of quite an acceptable standard.Will certainly consider this flight in the future.


So that's all folks.A mini TR in mid September when we have a few days on Kangaroo Island.

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks for sharing drron and mrs.dr.ron.

What was the camera verdict?

 

[drron]

I love it.Easier to use than my older,bigger Sony.

 

[JessicaTam]

I love it.Easier to use than my older,bigger Sony.

What was your previous Sony?

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for an enjoyable TR.

 

[drron]

Previously a Sony HX 400V.Basically this was bought for our African trips as it is 50x zoom.However the HX90V is just much easier to use + fits in the pocket.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

And I have the HX90V as well as a Sony Nex5 - has interchangeable lens - I take macro flower shots with that one !!

 

[JohnK]

Very enjoyable trip report. Good to catch up with both of you again, albeit briefly.