Chilling out in Bangkok.

[drron]

Today starts our annual Christmas trip. Every second year we take the grandkids on a Christmas trip. Fortunately last year it was Japan.
On even years we spend a month in Bangkok to chill out. Best time to visit as lower temperatures and very little rain. I can get out on some walks in the little known areas. Always enjoy doing that.

We started off with a couple of disasters. My pair of good shoes disintegrated and the garage door stopped working so had to raise and lower it by hand. Fortunately it is our first attempt at HCO for an OS trip of a month. We will see how much we have forgotten.

Our car turned on time and we were off to MCY at 0900.
Going through security a fellow went around me and behind Mrsdrron. Now if he was a well traveled fellow then no problem. But he was totally disorganised.

I had a slight hold up at the scanner as I was sweating. Go to collect my bag and the interlopers bag is still there. Two lanes through security and he is waiting at the wrong side.

A 2 hour wait until departure which soon became 2.5 hours as QF was late leaving SYD.

Fortunately not flying JQ as 2 staff members with mobile weighing machines were circling.

 

[Quickstatus]

I had a slight hold up at the scanner as I was sweating

Why would sweating cause a holdup?

My pair of good shoes disintegrated

I always worry that shoes disintegrate either just before or during travel - partially as I have an odd side (wide). As a result, it's very hard to buy shoes that fit me, so I always have a spare at home and would take the newer one on trips.

 

[drron]

I often sweat profusely so am used to being pulled up at the new scanners usually my arm pits but today my neck. Presumably it increases the density of the fabric.

 

[RooFlyer]

I landed in Bangkok yesterday and left this morning and the weather looks really nice and clear.

 

[drron]

We were back to QF for this flight to SYD. It was booked a long time ago. No problems with premium boarding the only 2 people who when boarding for genera l passengers was called mea nt they could go to the front of the queue were politely told to go back to the end of the line.
It was a very light load. We wee in Row9 and every line in front of us had a shadow. Obviously QF and BA not getting on perfectly at the moment as my BA gold hasn't expired yet.
Naturally left 30 minutes late at 11.45 and arrived at 1425 but only a snack flight.


A can of coke as I needed a caffeine hit. Of course after that I went to sleep. So no other memorable moments until we arrived at wet and windy SYD. The plane was certainly wobbling around on approach.
Now this is our first attempt at an OS trip with hand carry only. Certainly nice to get off and walk straight out of the terminal. We were going to use public transport again but due to the weather decided on a taxi. Straight out and no one else there so straight into a taxi driven by an older fellow from good old England. Knew every back street in the Eastern suburbs and had us at the IC Double Bay quickly despite horrendous traffic near Moore Park due to a music event at the showgrounds.
But when we arrived he asked cash or card. Being me I said cash. The fae was $56.20. He said for cash an even $50 will do. First time it has happened with a cab and better than using a card.

Now a bit disappointing at check in at the IC. As always I book an entry level king. At 14 days out I rang IHG Customer care to use a confirmed suite upgrade certificate that expires at the end of the year. There was a suite available and the agent went to book it. He came back on saying he was unable to do so as the reservation had already been changed by the hotel. i looked it up and already moved to a Bay view room. But even worse on arrival it had been moved back to a village view room but on the top floor. Probably will be our last stay as the rates have steadily climbed. Last time we stayed at the Meriton Suites Bondi Junction. Much larger room,kitchen,laundry and a third the price. Very good public transport and a couple of nice restaurants nearby.

 

[Major]

Any mention of a tip from the cabbie ?

 

[craven morehead]

Be interesting to see how you go with the HCO Stay safe and enjoy

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

The good thing about Bangkok is you only need summer clothes, and we will be in an apartment for most of the time and it has a washer and dryer.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Christmas Trees so far. ......

 

[drron]

Any mention of a tip from the cabbie ?

No mention of a tip at all. In fact we were 3 out of 3 for honest cabbies so they did all get a tip.

But about time I did some more of the TR. The first night just snacks at the IC club. Staff members here have all been excellent. And they all lve their jobs and like the new GM as much as they liked the previous GM. The food selection is never vast here but is good quality and the wines are good. Here is the first nights selection.








The hot selections were lamb pies and fried ckicken Japanese style.

 

[drron]

The views from the room in the morning.








Part of the welcome goodies. There was also a more macarons and choccies but they didn't wait for the photo to be taken.


Breakfast in the morning and as usual I had eggs Benedict.


I had forgotten to put my Amitryptyline in. They were out on the kitchen bench but I totally forgot them with the problems with our garage door. So I had to use Instant Scripts to get a new script. I really think this idea is really not too professional. I had to pay to sugn up - $35 and then $30 for a doctor's consultation. I did not mention at any time I had been a medico and the consultation went like this - you need amyitryptyline? yes. What do you take them for? To prevent sciatica. OK the e script has been sent.
So up to chemist warehouse to get it filled. No problems.

I liked the name of the Greek restaurant we passed.

 

[drron]

Sunday was our day to have our family's Christmas lunch. It was at the Sydney Rowing club at Abbotsford. Our Daughter in law is a member and rower there and ou grandson is really into rowing at school so it was a no brainer. Good views over the Parramatta river.




The table decorations.


The restaurant is predominantly seafood and despite being packed the service and the food was very good. The menu.










I had the cold seafood platter for 1 and it was excellent.


A couple of the other meals-the ones sitting beside me -burrata pizza and seafood fettucine. Both were enjoyed.




Notice the raffle tickets. They were sold by some of the club's young rowers with the prize of the seafood platter for 2. Much to our amazement our son had the winning ticket.
Then back to the IC and just a few club nibbles for dinner. Mrsdrron had her usual sav blanc but I had a couple of Negronis.

 

[Quickstatus]

Today starts our annual Christmas trip

When did that become a "tradition' for you?
Im thinking about my post retirement routine and wonder if we should also make this a "thing"

In fact we were 3 out of 3 for honest cabbies so they did all get a tip

How do you gauge cabbie honesty in Thailand? (yes I realise your TR is not yet in Thailand)

Instant Scripts

There is going to be an explosion of such services (maybe already is) with the advent of electronic scripts and "telehealth".
I can't imagine overall it is going to be good in the long run.

 

[RB001]

I liked the name of the Greek restaurant we passed.
View attachment 418748

I wonder how much they want for their Greek deserts?
Surely not more than a certain Harbour Bridge?

 

[drron]

So far only Sydney cabbies but a good cabbie in either Sydney or Bangkok is one who takes you by the shortest or quickest route and the charge is at the lower end of the expected. Those are always getting a tip. The others do not. The total cost for me often is around the same.

From memory the tradition of Christmas/New Year in Bangkok began in 2016 in even years. 2020 though was just the 2 of us in Latrobe,Tasmania. We did also have Christmas Day with our family in Launceston in 2021 as we could not travel OS. 2022 was back to Bangkok.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

So a few Christmas Trees from the trip so far. !

 

[drron]

Monday was a quiet day. Started off with breakfast in the club lounge. I gad the eggs shakshuka which were probably the best I have had.


Then we went for a slow walk around Double Bay shops. My legs were not co operating that day.




And the Golden Sheaf where I spent a bit of my youth. A good friend of my father lived close by who had a son my age and I spent quite a few weekends there. truth be known I had a crush on one of their numbers. Thought heaven had arrived when she asked me to go ice skating at Bondi with her. She was a very good skater and I didn't even manage once around the rink upright. Easy come easy go.


The IC Christmas decorations in the lobby.


When we got back we went to the lounge for coffee. Turned out to be the time afternoon tea started. The young lady twisted our arms to have scones, jam and cream.


That night went to our son's place for home made pasta and say goodbye to the grandkids.

Tuesday and the day we flew to Bangkok. Memorable because we were flying TG in J on a life Miles award. The first we had been able to get since Covid.
First though on Tuesday was breakfast and I had the third poached eggs offering on smoked salmon and avocado on sourdough. Again very nice.


Our third taxi ride and the third with an honest cabbie. Originally thought of getting the bus to Edgecliff station but the forecast was for a few showers and industrial action by the railways employees.

 

[drron]

We arrived at the TG checkin about 15 minutes before checkin was to commence. However it had already started. no one at the J desks so very quick as no checked bags. Couldn't do online check in as LM had Mrsdrron's name down as just her own name. TG insisted it must have the Mrs in front and they couldn't add it. Life Miles I knew won't add it as it is on the website that they won't.

Straight through security but our bags had to be opened to check everything OK. mine because of leads,adapters etc and Mrsdrron as we had a couple of aerosols. Each one though 100Gm or less so all OK. The SYD gates now recognise me so soon walking to the NZ lounge which TG use. Not too bad and nicer than the QF international J lounge and fairly empty when we were there.




The offerings.
















Those ribs were rather dry. The wines though were OK- NZ ones of course.

 

[drron]

The lounge is not bad for plane watching.


Good to see our plane there.

 

[drron]

So to the flight on a TG 359.






As we couldn't do seat selection or online check in we were in the last row of J. Not good as basically no overheads available for rows 19 and 29 due to safety equipment and crew storage so our 2 carry ons I put into the row 18 overheads and kept an eye on them until doors were closed. Soon offered champagne as a PDB.
Now to the menu and wine list.