Chilling out in Bangkok.

[drron]

There had just been a funeral service. The cremation was obviously taking place.






when I arrived at this point people were starting to leave. The musicians had started packing up. But the guitarist saw me walking up so picked up his guitar and walked towards me. He began playing a pretty appropriate song considering my day. John Denver's Country Roads. I slipped him a couple of notes. 20 baht notes worth just less than $1. Last of the big tippers.








Then it was a simple walk back to sukhumvit road and to Kheka BTS station


I got back to the supermarket just before 5pm so had to wait before i could buy a bottle of wine for that evening. mrsdrron was waiting patiently by the window.

 

[drron]

Better finish this off. Had absolutely no motivation since I got home. The only thing I have acheieved in 3 days is fixing the garage roller door. Fortunately quite simple.
But now our last day at the Marriott. Was the 3rd of January and still Christmas.


We had lunch at Nara. We shared a Pad thai and a pomelo salad. both excellent.




The next day we moved back to the IC Bangkok. Another first for us as we used a ride share for the first time -Grab. Took a long way but no problem as the rate was agreed. but he missed turning into the IC. Jury's out.
This time we went up to the lounge to check in. Walked in at 1430 just as they start afternoon tea. It is a nice area. With good floral arrangements.






And the views


The next morning they didn't have eggs Benedict on the menu so i just had plain poached eggs with fixins. though I remembered after taking the photo to put some smoked salmon under he eggs. they do their poached eggs very well.


For lunch we went next door to the Gaysorn village to Coffee Academics. They do an excellent mushroom with truffles pizza. There is a branch next door to the Kimpton and Kepinski hotels. We found them on the last time we stayed at the marriott Mayfair which is no more. There is also a branch in Central World. We got there before 1400- 1355 to be precise so the first thing was to order a glass of wine for Mrsdrron and a Chang beer for me.


The pizza.


That night was spent in the Club Lounge. I had a beautiful Tom yum soup.


mrsdrron had the middle eastern lamb on rice.


The hot dishes are just small servings but there is also a vey good buffet. here is my plate of sushi.

 

[I love to travel]

Just for interest do you use a metered taxi or grab/bolt to get around Bangkok when you need to.

 

[drron]

The next morning I awoke just after sunrise.




As it was our last day in Bangkok we once again went to Nara. Mrsdrron loves their plates.


Once again it was sharing a Pad Thai and pomelo salad plus a plate of chicken in a ginger lime sauce.






And condiments.


that evening we got to the lounge at sunset.


And the view of the old Hyatt Erawan then all the new hotels down Ratchadamri road. Plus a new one being built.


Two of the hot dishes that night again a lovely coconut soup and beef cheeks with roast potato.

 

[drron]

Just for interest do you use a metered taxi or grab/bolt to get around Bangkok when you need to.

I use the BTS as much quicker. Bangkok traffic is horrendous.
Changing hotels we used a taxi one way and Grab on the return.

For transfers to and from BKK we used this company. Excellent service and constant communication. We would definitely use them again.

Bangkok Airport Transfer & Transportation

Hassle-free Bangkok Airport transfer services: reliable, affordable, and convenient options for seamless travel.

theexclusivetransfer.com

Cost was 1200 baht each way. some will think that too expensive but we were very happy.

 

[bjm76]

I have used Klook and Joe Thai Taxi on my recrnt trip for airport transfers - Klook is a little cheaper at around AUD38 but Joe Thai Taxi is a better experience - THB900 for a "luxury car" which can be a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner or Isuzu MUX.
I use Grab in Bangkok where I cant use the BTS and agree with drron on the waiting times - but thats Bangkok traffic!

 

[I love to travel]

I have used Klook and Joe Thai Taxi on my recrnt trip for airport transfers - Klook is a little cheaper at around AUD38 but Joe Thai Taxi is a better experience - THB900 for a "luxury car" which can be a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner or Isuzu MUX.
I use Grab in Bangkok where I cant use the BTS and agree with drron on the waiting times - but thats Bangkok traffic!

Thanks. It is for transferring between hotels, doing a bit of a Marriott hotel crawl utilising @drron advice a little while ago.

 

[markis10]

The IC still looks good, been a while since I visited, was RA and the suite upgrade came with a mini bar that had half size bottles rather than minis.

 

[drron]

The IC still looks good, been a while since I visited, was RA and the suite upgrade came with a mini bar that had half size bottles rather than minis.

Unfortunately our first stay was 6 nights so couldn't use my certificate before it expired unfortunately 19 days before our second stay. I since have got another so looking at a stay in May to use it.

 

[drron]

Up early on our last day. picked up at the IC at 0630 and a very quick trip to BKK as no traffic. Unusually for Thailand our driver did not exceed the speed limit. getting close to BKK we saw the sun rise.






We had checked in online but I had read t hat sometimes a problem with security if just using your phone to access security. So being safe we just stopped at the SQ ticket desk where the agent checked the phone and our passports and we were on our way through the premium security. But Thai security as always can be difficult. I was not allowed to use the body scanner- it was roped off- so a lengthy wanding. Got to my bag just as the guy was about to throw out my tea tree oil spray. I said those are legal. No he says they are too big. So I picked up the spray and pointed out it says 100gm which is legal as was the ointment. He conceded defeat.
Mrsdrron though had her bag completely emptied and took a while to repack. Then straight through Immigration and off to the SKL for a small breakfast and doing some of the previous posts of this TR. No pictures taken in the lounge.

our plane had been listed as a 789 but turned out a 359. getting very used to them on SQ, We only booked this flight about 6 months out as we had to rearrange a few things after the cancellation of a cruise. The flight was earlier than we would choose but this was the only one that had 2 velocity awards in J. On seat selection there were about 7 scattered seats. The only ones close to each other were 12A and 14A so that's what we had.




Was offered PDB that was only water or juices. normally I would ask for champagne but I didn't feel like it that day. So I looked at the menu. Though I had already chosen the Nasi Lemak from the menu online. No BTC for these short flights. here is the manu.










door closed and the air bridge begins to move.

 

[drron]

After take off from BKK.






Then some cloud with the smog with mountains poking through.


Cleared again.






Then my Nasi Lemak for breakfast.


Then the Malaysian coast.





And some islands.

 

[drron]

Then I believe adding some more acreage to Singapore.












The ships off Singapore.



And descent into SIN.






Always some work going on.

 

[drron]

Again we are sold on HLO. Only a handful of people at immigration so we were straight though and just kept walking. then up to the CP. Once again on top floor but not a pool room this time. I prefer this view.


Decided to go for a walk around Jewel. but first a gathering opposite the CP lounge.


They gave them all a Jetstar asia bag.


We came upon this cheap Japanese store Don Don Donki. All the unusual Japanese snacks.












Tokyo Banana was all the rage when we were in Japan for Christmas 23. But Kit Kats.




Found an interesting sign. Can be a good idea.


And still Christmas decorations going back to the hotel.

 

[drron]

Some passing traffic.

 

[drron]

Sorry but since our return I have had little motivation to do anything. must get this finished.
We really like the CP lounge. Staff wonderful and we now check in and check out in the lounge.




The spread for the night.












They have always had a selection of 3 pizzas which are pretty good.












And there is a fridge with 3 or 4 desserts.
We normally have an earlyish flight the next morning so haven't tried the breakfast yet.

 

[drron]

The next morning back to the airport and the SKL. great not having to check bags.


Views from the SKL. We now turn right on entering. not so crowded.








The thing I dislike about Changi is the security at the gate. Occasionally i have seen a sign on one of the lanes saying business and first class but no one takes any notice. This day was worse than usual presumably due to school holiday travel. As well quite a few wheelchairs which would be pushed through the throng to the head of the line and further hold things up.
As it was although we had left the lounge early we only got through security. very few in the business and premium group preumably because most probably left the lounge after us.' One youngster just got in front of me so the parents,grandparents and the other 4 kids thought that meant they could push me out of the way. well they tried.

Was lovely to reach the serenity of the J cabin and lie back in the seat.






Unforunately the last pax into J were a couple with 2 youngsters. The 2 year old screamer was sitting in the seat behind me.

 

[drron]

The wines and beverages.























And the menu.




And for completeness the sleeper menu on the plane's return to SIN.

 

[drron]

The meal. First the lovely satays.


the tuna appetiser.


We both went BTC. Mrsdrron the lobster.


I had the laksa.


Had to ask for some spice.


So when later on I had the pre arrival snack it came with 2 servings of sambal.


Now the service wasn't really up to usual SQ standards. One young fellow was very good - he was the fellow who brought me the extra sambal. The women who were doing my aisle basically did only what was necessary. had to ask for top ups and after my second she just took the glas without asking. They both retreated to the galley after their meal runs.

I just used the wifi. Lots of reading to catch up on plus of course AFF and emails.

Arrived on time and just in front of another plane. So straight through to the smart gates and unusually it accepted my photo on the first go. No baggage to collect so straight to Customs and an agent had to run from their huddle to collect our forms and out obviously way before anyone else.
Into the limo and headed north before the storm heading for Brisbane arrived.

An enjoyable and restful break. best time to go to Bangkok as weather is cooler though 30-32C but no humidity so comfortble walking around.
Plus we learnt we can live with hand luggage only so our shorter trips will be HLO. Only when on a cruise we we take a checked bag.

A few short trips in the next 2 months and another trip to Singapore, Bataam and Bangkok in May.