Christmas in Bangkok.

[drron]

When we got to the room we settled down as much nicer than the room we had 4 years ago.









Sorry I missed the bedroom. Too late now!

 

[drron]

We walked across the road to check out the new Velasquez centre. We thought it was a mall but just a collection of nice restaurants, a couple of beauty places and a really nice supermarket.


Lots of new construction going on around Lumpini Park.




You can even get a Quickie.


A lovely garden between the centre and the Kimpton and Kempinski hotels.

 

[drron]

Then down to the supermarket. Going to be some nice things for Christmas.

 

[drron]

Then another walk through the garden.







Then back to the apartment before heading up to the rooftop bar.

 

[drron]

The rooftop bar was a favourite of ours on our last stay 4 years ago. Prices a bit higher than before and a few favourites missing from the menu.
The funniest thing is that at happy hour you used to get drinks at half price. Now for wine the normal price is 290 baht and at happy hour 450 baht for 2. So Mrsdrron ordered a happy hour SB and I merlot. But we each got 3 small glasses of wine. So at happy hour it is also buy 2 and get an extra one free. The 3 small glasses make 1 decent glass.


And here is the bar and pool on the roof.



Mrsdrron had a club sandwich.


And I had the Khao Soi which was just as good as I remember.

 

[drron]

You also get a good view of the Bangkok skyline. A lot more buildings than there were 4 years ago.

 

[drron]

Saturday and we get a daily breakfast. Finally got the premium view- 2 car parks.




A very reasonable buffet with the usual selections and nice Asian and Indian food.

 

[drron]

The buffet continues.

 

[drron]

And the last of the buffet.




And I basically went Indian.

 

[drron]

Once again Mrsdrron just wanted to take things easy. I went for a walk up to the Central department store and the Central Embassy mall.
There is a small mall where our street meets the main road and the BTS station called Mercury Ville. We ate at the Harris’s restaurant there last time but now it’s slightly down market.


In one of the pharmacies there was a
good product to clean your glasses.


Looking down at the entrance to Central Chidlom.


I was doing a reconnoiter for Mrsdrron and found a large Muji store on the top floor of the Central building. Next to it an upmarket food court which was nearly empty. Walking around didn’t tempt me. Though you could get duck and goose feet and pig’s trotters you could only get beef balls.

Central Embassy is more upscale stores. In the basement of the Central building is a large high end food hall. Prices to match. I did wonder about this product.


Time to go back to the apartment. Across the road from Mercury Ville is a large religious school with a church.


Back at the apartment and they were painting the building next door. Not a job I would like.

 

[drron]

We then had a late lunch at Miss Saigon. We had sugar cane prawns and por sausage spring rolls. We also had beef and noodles salad which I forgot to photograph. I had an iced Vietnamese coffee.




Then back to the apartment for evening drinks. Mrsdrron had the SB from the SGS and I had a Chilean carminere.



Just a note that liquor laws in Thailand have a little twist in that you can’t drink or buy alcohol from 1400- 1700. So I had to go back to the supermarket at 1700 to buy our wine. They had kept the bottles I had chosen and just had to go to the checkout and pay to collect them.

 

[drron]

Sunday and a rest after breakfast and then a walk to Lumpini Park. A lovely day for a walk with temperature 28C with 40%humidity. There was also a fair taking place.


Water dragons which were only in areas with few humans today.




Beautiful orchids.

 

[RooFlyer]

I think Lumpini Park was there area where I met you and mrs.drron for dinner a few years ago, wasn't it? I was staying at SO Bangkok.

 

[Quickstatus]

More insult to the injury.

Why do they always use “executive” in the name. Accom come in different standards but “executive” just sounds weird.
……

What time do you saunter down/up for breakfast when on a Trip?

I usually have breakfast at 0500 when not on holidays. So I’ve found having breakfast especially the buffets later in the morning while on holidays just really turns into brunch and I generally then miss out on lunch and just do a late afternoon snack/canapés.

 

[drron]

I think the Sofitel was down near Lumpini Park then but there is a new one on Sukhumvit now. The restaurant was Paste in the Gaysorn Plaza a fair hike from Lumpini. It was having a soft opening but now it has a Michelin star.

Marriott Executive Apartments is one of the Bonvoy brands and has been used for many years. Found in 4 different regions in the world. Initially it was I believe their upmarket long stay brand.

 

[drron]

More of the Park.




There were 3 buses in a row near the orchids. They were not as they seemed. Quite an odour as you passed by.


Mobile toilets. Moved away quickly.




Then we ran into the crowds.



A weekend of prayer had been called for to help the King’s oldest daughter who had been admitted to hospital.

 

[drron]

Lots of food outlets plus displays for many charities. Government agencies and the Armed Forces.

 

[drron]

The last of the fair.



Mrsdrron bought a bag here made by a prisoner. It only cost 180 baht- $7.50 but we both had our photo taken with the bag and the manager of the shop.



And now back by a quiet part of the park.

 

[drron]

The last of Lumpini Park.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Tower cranes in the skyline are the only genuine progress indicator I trust.