Christmas in Bangkok.

[drron]

The time has come to saddle up again. hopefully we are starting to get a little more match fit than the previous trips this year but I doubt it.
At the beginning of this year I decided to use up my KF points as I had amassed quite a few with the status with points transfer late last year. awards were wide open but i felt when a few more hurdles fell they may be just a little harder to come by. The first trip though fell over as we were off to Japan in early May. Fortunately we were going via SIN naturally so I just substituted Bangkok for Tokyo. Ironed out a few problems but we both got covid.

So the State of play was 2 return trips to BKK and 2 return trips to Europe all in J. However the original award ton FRA from SIN was in F but substituting the 777 for an A350 saw that go so that was cancelled. But still 2 years now to use those points.

Now this particular trip starting tomorrow was the hardest to organise as the latest of my bookings. Really wanted just a return from BNE to BKK. But the only J award BNE-SIN was for 7/12 but the first J award at reasonable hour was on 16/12. So booked an apartment in Bangkok from 16/12 to 3/1/23. Plus put in waitlists for SIN-BKK flights each day before the 16th. On our Europe trip the agent in the SKL lounge got me a confirmed flight on 11/12.

So 4 days booked at the Regent Singapore with Luxury escape credit and from 11/12 to 16/12 a stay at our favourite Bangkok hotel the SGS.
This will not be a tour of Singapore and Bangkok but more for the food. Two Michelin restaurants booked in Singapore and 1 in Bangkok already.

Tonight we start the trip with an early dinner at our favourite Vietnamese restaurant to prepare for a 0500 start tomorrow morning.

 

[Ade]

Sounds like an exciting trip, especially a foodie trip, tagging along.

 

[drron]

So I am now sitting in the SQ lounge in BNE. No plane yet.

Last night was dinner at the Nyugen brothers restaurant at Maroochydore with an old friend. Simply delicious. Mrsdrron had her usual lemongrass beef vermicelli salad whilst the other two of us shared the barramundi and the eggplant and minced pork in XO sauce. No pictures as I have posted those dishes before.

Still not match fit as we were still remembering things to pack this morning. The morning began at 0400 when the alarm went off. Though as usual neither of us had slept much.
At 0500 our limousine arrived and we were on our way. In time to see the sunrise. From the Bruce highway just south of the Caloundra on ramp.



Traffic got very heavy just north of the Anzac road intersection. Arrived 15 minutes before check in opened. We were the third couple in the J line with only one J check in open. So another agent approached us and took us to the kiosk and checked us in.
Off to bag drop which also had only one belt open with a huge queue. But then a different fellow appeared and opened another belt for us.
So now the trip really starts.

 

[drron]

First to security and our good run continues as when I joined the queue an officer opened another line. Of course the only consistent thing about airport security is inconsistency. Computer out but this time phones out as well.

Previous BNE visits every one was put through the new scanner but this time it was closed. I always signal the agent on the X-ray line that I have a knee replacement so they opened the scanner. Still bell off but shoes on. And still finished with a pat down.

Then to the smart gate and for the first time in 3 or 4 years the camera recognised me instantly. I twigged to the fact that this was the first time with my new passport and new photo. The photo on my old passport was 10 years old. I guess I had changed.

Then straight to the SQ lounge. Began with a tomato juice followed by a vegetarian brekkie.

Mushrooms , tomatoes, corn fritters and fried white radish cake which I liked. As I finished our plane arrived so it looks like an on time departure. Also the air tag is working as notified that I had left it behind at the terminal.

So sitting back and relaxing in a pretty full lounge with a lot of kids.

 

[drron]

Ready to go. The good thing about this 0910 service is that the previous flight is the late night service from SIzN. So we have always had the long haul version of the A350.


So let’s get going,

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Bon Voyage!!

 

[drron]

Soon after the PD beverage arrived.

Charles Heisdeck.
Christmas decorations are up.

 

[drron]

The menu.



And the incoming flight menu.


Photos slow to upload so I will leave this here and try the wine list to later.

 

[drron]

Wine list.

 

[drron]

Now the food starting with the smoked duck.


With the French red.


Than the Ee Fu noodles with seafood and a spicy side of chilli.



Then offered the cheese plate plus the cheese . Who was I to ref. The FA agreed with Mrsdrron that I was a naughty little boy.

 

[Ade]

spicy side of chilli.

That chilli would've elevated the dish Chilli excites me!

 

[drron]

The air tag is working fine. It tells me it’s in Timor Leste.

 

[craven morehead]

Dialing in for another TR

 

[drron]

So I have spent the flight watching TV programs.
First up a Japanese program Budget trips in Japan. Though a budget of 50000 yen per day doesn’t sound budget. Two episodes first Osaka and second Kanazawa. Have definitely got some tips for our trips.

Next another Japanese program on winter in Hokkaido. Not for me as too cold.

Then an English series A very British Scandal with Hugh Grant. Interesting.

 

[Ade]

Then an English series A very British Scandal with Hugh Grant. Interesting.

That is a very good show. It is based on the real-life story of a British MP. I saw it last year, good watch

 

[drron]

So as we approached SIN their ATC decided to slow our office down.


Then proved that I am not match fit and had made a rookie mistake. The SQ email didn’t mention the Singapore arrival card so I just assumed it had gone as I had checked our frequent traveler status and we were right until 21/12.
So rejected at the smart gate and had to go and fill out the arrival card. The fellow there said we now had to go through the manual line. Didn’t want to argue so wasted another half hour. The agent said to me you could have gone through the gates.
I was watching our bag make 4 rounds of the carousel. Won’t make that mistake again.

Mrsdrron was caught behind families with children.

 

[drron]

Off to the taxi line. Quite a few people waiting but moved quickly and soon on our way to the Regent. This was a Luxury Escapes package and we did get an email saying it was a non qualifying stay. By their T&Cs that is correct as the only online bookings that are qualifying stays are through the IHG website.
I pointed out that I had 3 qualifying stays at ICs this year booked online with Virtuoso or Amex and that Luxury Escapes has a Singapore office. So no accommodation points but nights are qualifying so I get my 10000 points bonus plus extend diamond status for a year. OK by me.

To the room.






And a small bottle of Manhattan coughtail.

 

[drron]

To finish the day up to the Regent Club for happy hour.
The wines were French but only labelled Vin Rouge and Vin Blanc.


A reasonable food selection with a pizza, seafood stew, beef noodles and leek and potatoes soup. Plus the usual salad etc plus small desserts.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ron, is that the Regent in Sinkers? One of my favourite grander hotels; always been well-run.

Hopefully, the Summer Palace is still around - a constantly great Cantonese food joint.

Great TR, thanks for the menu pics.

Go well,

SG

 

[drron]

Indeed it is. We have a booking for the Summer Palace tomorrow night.