Christmas in Bangkok.

[drron]

So back to the TR.
First our second night at the lounge.




And the seafood stew.


By the time I returned to try some it was stew sans seafood.
We met a couple from Canberra of similar vintage who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Continued the conversation the next 2 nights.
At 1900 left for our dinner at the Summer Palace oblivious to what was going to happen.

 

[drron]

The next day was dealing with the aftermath of Mrsdrron’s fall.
First the walking A&E clinic of the Gleneagles Hospital


The experience was very good. Had her X-ray then had to wait a while until the doctor could review it. He then arranged an immediate appointment with the Orthopaedic surgeon.
At least from his rooms we could see the entrance to the Botanical Gardens that we had hoped to visit this time.


Mrsdrron was much happier when told surgery was not necessary for her fracture.


We had to cancel our lunch at Iggys which we had been looking forward to. So had to be content with eating at the lounge. I enjoyed the slightly spicy buttermilk chicken.


At least with the sling Mrsdrron was a little more comfortable.

 

[blacksultan]

JohnK is my local go-to guy.

I would buy ones that don't burn the house down, so legit stuff...........nothing you can't get from the Siam Paragon Mall - for reference, it's close to the Grand Hyatt Erawan.

Merry Christmas.

SG

Thanks . Wishing you the same .

 

[rginoz]

But she did manage the better version of the Singapore sling.
View attachment 310467

Best wishes to you both. Hoping to hear that everything continues to improve as you head to BKK. Seasons greetings!

 

[drron]

Well at least we get front row seats for the airbridge.
I’ll

 

[drron]

Saturday and it’s raining in the morning. Became dry so headed out again to the Tanglin mall. Only a short distance that isn’t under cover. I wanted to try a ramen restaurant that in Tokyo got a Michelin star.




Now sometimes these chains basing themselves on a successful street food outlet are good but mostly not. This is not one of the good ones.

I had the spicy pork belly ramen . Second rate noodles in a laksa broth with insipid pork belly.


Mrsdrron had the chicken karaage. It was OK.


Not recommended.

 

[drron]

We then walked around the second supermarket in the mall. Little Farms. Some lovely stuff at big prices.





We then went and had a Frappuccino at Starbucks before walking back to the hotel.
When we got there one wedding party had just left and the decorations undergoing some repairs as the next wedding party waited.

 

[drron]

A short rest and then down to the Manhattan Bar
at 1700 as we get a free coughtail here as part of the Luxury Escapes package. It was only open at night and was packed by 1800 so we got there as it opened.



I had a mojito and Mrsdrron a Singapore sling.

Then up to the lounge for the last time.

 

[drron]

Another interruption to programming. After we went through screening at the gate and sat down I noticed gradually increasing chest pain. Being a physician I immediately thought it might be the heart.
What to do? I decided to keep going as the pain was predominantly on the right and over the lower ribs and abdomen. When I got to the seat I started feeling a little sweaty and quite nauseous. I opened the little blue bag just in case.

After takeoff I began to bring up large amounts of wind. Then felt a need to go to the toilet. Now passed lots of wind then called for Ruth/ giggled at the porcelain and felt a bit better. Thoughts turned to food poisoning or too much spice in the lounge.

The pain persisted but felt better walking from the plane to the arrival hall but had to stand for quite some time at the baggage carousel and the pain got worse.
At the hotel felt much worse lying down and my lower right ribs very tender so I may have muscle pain from helping Mrsdrron standing and getting out of bed.
Now settling after 2 Panadol.

The trip is not going to plan.

 

[rginoz]

Another interruption to programming. After we went through screening at the gate and sat down I noticed gradually increasing chest pain. Being a physician I immediately thought it might be the heart.
What to do? I decided to keep going as the pain was predominantly on the right and over the lower ribs and abdomen. When I got to the seat I started feeling a little sweaty and quite nauseous. I opened the little blue bag just in case.

After takeoff I began to bring up large amounts of wind. Then felt a need to go to the toilet. Now passed lots of wind then called for Ruth/ giggled at the porcelain and felt a bit better. Thoughts turned to food poisoning or too much spice in the lounge.

The pain persisted but felt better walking from the plane to the arrival hall but had to stand for quite some time at the baggage carousel and the pain got worse.
At the hotel felt much worse lying down and my lower right ribs very tender so I may have muscle pain from helping Mrsdrron standing and getting out of bed.
Now settling after 2 Panadol.

The trip is not going to plan.

Thinking of you both. Take it easy.

 

[Hvr]

then called for Ruth

I had to google this.

Thinking good thoughts for you both. To be honest I'm glad wasn't in the same cabin.

 

[drron]

The penny dropped last night as I couldn’t get to sleep. About 4 years ago working at the Mersey hospital I was out bush walking when I fell and hit a rock in the same place this pain is now.
I have been helping Mrsdrron in and out of bed using my right arm.
So tonight will take something to help me sleep.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The penny dropped last night as I couldn’t get to sleep. About 4 years ago working at the Mersey hospital I was out bush walking when I fell and hit a rock in the same place this pain is now.
I have been helping Mrsdrron in and out of bed using my right arm.
So tonight will take something to help me sleep.

Wash the valium down with a gin.......

 

[drron]

Back to our last night in Singapore. As soon as we finished our coughtails it was up to the lounge. A totally different crowd on Saturday night. Every one else was under 30 until the Canberra couple we had met before. There were no spare seats so they joined us. Turned out to be a great night.

First her brother in law was a physician I knew well as we were in the first year that large numbers began moving to the country hospitals.
But as the conversation continued her husband turned out to be a cousin of Mrsdrron.

The food kept disappearing quickly which was not a problem. The best thing only 1 or 2 of the youngsters was drinking wine. The JW black label though was disappearing quickly. The more things change the more they stay the same.

We continued talking after the freebies had finished and eventually asked to leave as they were closing the lounge. So back to their room for coffee and tea. Must say I was a little surprised to see that they had a suite but it turned out a nephew was a Regional manager for Intercontinental hotels.

My original plan was to go out walking and get some pictures of the Christmas lights. It was a little too late so just had to take a picture from our room despite the filthy windows.

 

[drron]

On Sunday we checked out at midday. Easy and the agent asked me how Mrsdrron was and gave her best wishes. The staff were absolutely fantastic even in the 24 hours before the accident.
The hotel though is showing its age and the normal rooms are not great. For us it’s in a good position but would only stay if a really good deal.

Got a good taxi driver who went by the most direct route to the airport which is unusual so he got a good tip.

Even though our flight was from T2 we checked in at T3 as we had nearly 5 hours before departure. We wanted our lounge time in the SKL in T3. It was the quietest I have ever seen it.



However cost cutting is happening. Automatic wine dispensers with the choice of only 3 wines. Chardonnay, Reid long and Shiraz. Plus you need to repeat the large pour to get a decent glassful.


I did as usual fill myself up with Asian food mostly spicy and later paid for it.

 

[drron]

About an hour before our flight departure we made our way to the gate at T2. The gate opened a few minutes after our arrival.
Through security and as usual I was wanded but Mrsdrron was selected for secondary explosives screening. Well she can be a bit explosive at times.

With her arm in a sling we were taken to the seats closest to the air bridge.


Though we weren’t allowed pre boarding.
Only 1 fellow got in front of us when boarding began. We were in Row 20 once again having been moved from our selected row 14. Row 20 is in the mini J cabin and you have all the passengers from down the back with their swinging back packs passing you. We will continue selecting Row 14. Fortunately SQ sent me a survey so they will hear about our seat selection problems and the BNE check in fiasco.

On board though it was good with a glass of champagne in my hand within a couple of minutes. Now the seat and menu. The photo of the menu is only 1 sheet as that was all it was.



I have already told of my problems with chest pain that began when we sat down at the gate. It was getting worse and I did contemplate aborting the flight and getting checked out at a hospital as despite having very little in the way of risk factors heart disease was causing great anxiety.

For some reason I then began feeling very nauseous and when in flight caused me to go to the lavatory and bring back some of my lunch. As it subsequently turned out the nausea continued in Bangkok and was much worse as soon as I had alcohol. So champagne is not always good for you.

We were both asked what we wanted for our meal which was strange as we both had booked our meals. Though neither of us wanted a meal now.
I feel it might be time to consider a new thread - has SQ lost it’s lustre?

 

[Hvr]

Mrsdrron was selected for secondary explosives screening. Well she can be a bit explosive at times.

You may not make it BKK at that rate.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I have already told of my problems with chest pain that began when we sat down at the gate. It was getting worse and I did contemplate aborting the flight and getting checked out at a hospital as despite having very little in the way of risk factors heart disease was causing great anxiety.

Tough call and the optimism bias in us all (especially the male species) says everything will be alright. You will be told that you should have checked it out and opted not to fly.

Has SQ lost its lustre? It's unlikely, but you were having a rough day.

Good facilities, if required, in BKK.

 

[drron]

My condition was no part of my feeling that standards have slipped.
Automatic wine dispensers.
Small amounts of wine when large selected.
Just 3 wines available with only 1 red.
Our book the cook selections obviously not available.
Shambles at BNE check in.
Only 1 bag drop lane open 10- 15 minutes after check in had opened.
Not the SQ of our May and August trips.

I may have to change my policy of no ME airlines.

 

[tgh]

I may have to change my policy of no ME airlines.

Lots of airlines are trying to improve their bottom line…life (in a corporate sense ) has not been easy
This airline (screenshot below) seems to be doing very well and their business model may be worth copying…...