Dubbo to Dresden.

[drron]

Now as you are probably aware i love food.from street food to 3 star michelin restaurants.I particularly love Thai food.There were good reports about the Rim Lay restaurant on the beach adjacent to the LM on both Trip Advisor and FT.On the first day we set out the heavens opened so we went back to the LM and ate at their thai restaurant.So the next night the weather cooperated and off we went.
The place itself is nothing much but the location is awesome.

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The food however was not.Quite simply this was one of the worst Thai meals I have had.For example just look at the fat left on the chicken and cashews-

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Meat was tough,the food generally bland,apart from the salt and fat content.The pork with pepper and garlic in particular was extremely salty-

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The beef in oyster sauce had the added flavour of fat as well as the salt-

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The Pad thai with prawns was uninspiring-

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Now with a beer and lemon juice this was only B490.The Thai at the LM though was way more than 4 times as good.reinforces my opinion that TA is all about cheap is good-now it certainly can be but sometimes as on this occasion it can be nasty as well.
Next-much better food in Khao Lak town.

 

[drron]

On 2 of the evenings we took the shuttle into Khao Lak town.Boy has it changed in 9 years.Then there was just the occasional shop and local restaurant.now much more developed.Very sad however as very few tourists.many of the shops were closed.most restaurants only had 1 or 2 tables occupied.We picked Bussaba even though there were no customers.it looked a little more upmarket than most.We were not disappointed,the food was good and not that much more expensive than the El cheapo places.the first night 4 dishes,a large beer and a lemon juice was B745($A30).
We enjoyed it so the second night we went back.We had pork with garlic and pepper-

Beef Larb,nice and spicy,great tasting-

beef,ginger and oyster sauce-

And a dish described as roast prawns with glass noodles,garlic,galangal and herbs was very good and different to anything we have had before-

After dinner mrsdrron has a Thai massage for B300-thought it was very good.Whilst she was otherwise engaged I went and changed some money and bought some fruit.As a male by yourself you get quite a few propositions.A quite young looking girl offered herself and her mother as a 2 for 1 deal.I politely declined.
On the second night we went into town mrsdrron decided the massage was really good so she went back and had a foot massage and pedicure-all up B350 whilst I had a Thai massage then a head and shoulder massage-an hour and a half for B400.I was told next time to come alone and have a number 1 massage :shock:.Anyway this was better value than the LM where a basic massage even at 30% off was B1150.
What better way to end than enjoying a beer at Bussaba-

Now see how confident i am-no links under the pics-is my confidence misplaced?
Next the last of the LM.

 

[Flashback]

Now see how confident i am-no links under the pics-is my confidence misplaced?
Next the last of the LM.

Well, the images are working here for me; which is odd as work's proxy is pretty darn tight!

 

[NM]

Well, the images are working here for me; which is odd as work's proxy is pretty darn tight!

You mean you have not found the workaround for the content filtering yet?

 

[Flashback]

You mean you have not found the workaround for the content filtering yet?

I'm back on a client site :evil:

I could always use one of those anonymous proxy sites (if they're not blocked! :evil; but our manager's here are sent a monthly web traffic report, and that site would be rating highly which would make for some interesting questions one thinks :evil::evil:

 

[drron]

Good to see others are seeing the pics now.i had many suggestions,none of which worked.i worked out my current work around myself because of a post by russ in my Broome TR.I worked out how he did it and worked out a slightly easier way.By the way I am not liking IE8-keeps logging me out of AFF-but not FT.
Anyway back to the topic.There is another problem with the LM though not limited to there unfortunately.That is in May there are too many German tourists.fortunately seeing total numbers are down you usually could keep out of their way.At breakfast though it was impossible-they would push in,talk loudly and just acted obnoxiously.As a report on FT said Khao Lak attracts low end Euro tourists.
at the LM everyone gets free wifi in the lobby so a couple of nights were spent there.On the first night there were 6 others in the lounge.The second night not another soul over an hour and a half.Internet rates in room were B300 an hour or B650($A26) per day.
On our last day we had brekkie at 0730.Were given samples of Jean George Vongerichten's signature juices.I tried honeydew,mango and chilli-the chilli predominated.Mrsdrron tried the carrot and ginger-all ginger.Got to the pool by 0830 for a couple of hours in the water.Checked out just before 12 and whilst waiting for our car had a chat with the British Personnel manager.told him our problems.He told us occupancy was 22%
As we left in the car the rain came pouring down.Stopped just as we passed a Tsunami relic-a patrol boat 5km from the sea-

A little further down the road we were stopped by a tree down across the road-fortunately not for long.a little later cars coming the other way were flashing their lights.just around the corner were the Highway police-just what they police though I dont know.Anyway good to see an aussie tradition practised in thailand.
So just a few LM pics to finish on-

The beach-

and our welcome plates-

Next hopefully our last air asia flight.

 

[drron]

We get to HKT about 1330 for our Air Asia flight at 1515.No missing the checkin deadline for us.We drink our Lychee juice with coconut jelly that we had picked up at the supermarket-very nice.We check in for FD3028 and get seats next to each other-20DE.Through security and wait patiently to board.
1445 comes-the advertised boarding time and no plane.1450 and an announcement is made that the new boarding time is 1545.Yes,definitely the world's best budget airline.At 1540 the gate agents pack up all their stuff at gate 6 and walk to gate 9.We immediately head there so when the announcement is made at 1555 that boarding will now be through gate 9 we have beaten the bun rush.Another 10 minutes and they seat their premium rows 1-5,12,14.Then there is another 10 minute delay as we have to wait for the arriving passengers on 3 planes to go past the gate.
Finally get to board.no one in 20F with only a few pax to go.A fellow carrying a bag of durians stops at row 20.Now whilst i enjoy durians,smelling them for an hour is not something i would look forward to.He has another look at his BP and i note it is 30F.Saved!Seats 19EF are occupied by a young Russian couple wearing face masks.As soon as the plane has left the ground I tell mrsdrron to cough.We both let out beauties.They immediately sit upright.Thank goodness for paranoia!
Arrive at BKK about 75 minutes after schedule.You hear the seat belts unfastening whilst the plane is still on the runway.The mobile phones follow in seconds.We are then parked on the tarmac at the further most point from the domestic terminal.Everyone is standing and after about 5 minutes an announcement is made that they are trying to find busses to take us to the terminal and there will be a wait of at least 10 minutes.10 minutes later we begin to deplane.We get to top of stairs and the FA puts her arm out-you must wait until the next bus.Fortunately Air asia has at least 2 busses so only a minute or two delay.
Get to the baggage carousel and the bags are yet to appear.Another 15 minutes before they start.and yes drron's 1 and only bag is second last off.So goodbye Air asia-may our paths never cross again.
Next the good old BKK taxi scam.

 

[drron]

Finally getting our suitcase off the carousel we walk past the depleted ranks of taxi touts to the taxi rank.Get to the head of the queue and we are allocated this fellow who appeared well in his 70s.he is given the name of our hotel-The royal orchid sheraton.As we drive away he professes not to know where the Royal Orchid is-hey we stayed there 30 years ago so come on.He then suggests a B400 fare i counter with B300 which is to include the airport surcharge.He goes sullen.The meter is not on so Mrsdrron chimes in with Meter on or stop now.believe me when she chimes in yoiu know it is time to o0bey and he does.
He now goes into passive/aggressive mode.has to be the only taxi driver in Bangkok who drives at 60kmh when there is no traffic!finally come off the expressway and i know we are being taken for a tour.however it is dark,I dont speak Thai and the last time I was at ROS was over 20 years ago.finally pull up and even with our detour the meter was B265 plus B50 airport surcharge.I hand him B300 whilst Mrsdrron tells him what she thinks.The doorman is taking note.I bring out the complaint card you are given at the airport and already have the cab and driver number written down.When mrsdrron finishes the driver yells at me That i am robbing him.He turns to the doorman and talks to him in Thai.I then tell the doorman why i am only paying him B300 and if he demands more i am sending in this complaint card.
Now a couple of years ago I had a similiar experience on our first trip to the Millenium hilton.not only did we get a tour but he wanted B150 for the airport surcharge.On that occasion the Hilton doorman took the drivers side and insisted i pay.This time however the doorman gave what I imagine was an almighty bollocking in Thai.I have never seen anyone more dumbfounded.A definite plus for the ROS.
Next the ROS experience.

 

[drron]

We walk to the desk of the ROS.It is 1917.Ah! You were expected at 1630-a short version opf Air asia/taxi story is given.An imprint of Cc and we are taken to a room on exec.floor.An ordinary ROS room but on 27th floor.Considering we are paying less than $A100 for the room I am OK with it.
Now 1925 and happy hour in the lounge finishes at 1930.So round we go.First drink disappears quickly(to the shock of a pommie sitting nearby).Able to have a refill when they come around announcing last drinks.We must look desperate-the attendant fills our glasses to the top.Very perspicacious.
That glass also doesnt last long.Mrsdrron goes off to to her jewellers in River city to pick up a couple of items she was having made-buys the stones in australia and has them made up in BKK.For those interested she always uses Bongkot jewellers in River City-first floor as you walk towards ROS.
I go and catch the shuttle boat down to the BKS terminal.Quick skytrain ride to Asok.Walk into the SGS lobby and pick up the 2 bags we left.Then a taxi back to ROS.What a contrast.This fellow can hit 95km in traffic!Puts metyer on straight away and speaks very good English.An indian so we talk about cricket.B75 to get to ROS.
Next-more about ROS.

 

[drron]

Monday and breakfast in the lounge.Adequate with 4 hot items each day.Bacon unfortunately done American style-done to a crisp.After that we get the Sheraton shuttle boat down to the BTS.Sheraton beats the Hilton here as they give you a cold towel and a small bottle of water on the boat.We did not do very much this time in BKK as mrsdrron was getting over the Schweine Grippe.
Monday night in the lounge-about 30 guests during the 2 hours.Good selection of snacks and complimentary alcohol.Also free internet in lounge-but only 2 computers.In room it is B400 per hour or B1000($A40) per day.However all guests can use the Sheraton Link downstairs an hour at a time.I talked about the lounge and the fellow gave me a 3 hour card.You can take your lap top down and use that rather than the provided machines.
Another Plat benefit is a free 30 minute massage.The spa is in temporary quarters in room 2612 at present.This is marked as a Towers floor with another lounge which is closed.floor 27 is not marked as a towers floor.As mrsdrron is poorly i go for the massage.They try and sell you an extra 30 min for B1000-well next door you can get 60 min for B400 so no thanks.A good massage.Meant to get a paper each day but only get 1 out of 3.
On the last day we hit the lounge when it opens for brekkie at 7am-no good if you have a really early start.We do however checkout from the lounge.
summary of Royal Orchid sheraton.Reasonable Plat recognition.Good lounge.rooms on the small side and river view is a little limited.If money is no object i would still prefer the Peninsula.If the Millenium Hilton and ROS the same price-I would go for the millenium.If as on this occasion the ROS is $50 a night cheaper I would stay.However the Sheraton grande Sukhumvit has spoiled me so it will become our preferred base in BKK.
Next a little food and shopping.

 

[drron]

Dining at the ROS was not an option.During the day only the coffee shop open.their thai restaurant was open for dinner only.It has good thai food but the prices are a lot higher than we remember and no discount here.so we have lunch out and snack at the lounge in the night.
On our first day we ate at the food court on the 5th of the MBK shopping centre.A great choice of outlets,reasonably low prices and finishing off with sticky rice and mango for B70.
The next day we went to the Paragon centre.It is a very upmarket centre but the food hall in the basement is really good.I had a great tasting Thai laksa for B60-most dishes were around that price.Again finished with mango and sticky rice.It was B100 but you got 2 mangoes.Also in this centre are a lot of other restaurants including Tony romas if you really dont like Thai food.on a higher floor there is an upmarket food court with an outlet by the Blue elephant restaurant.
As i have said we always go into the River City centre when in Bangkok.As well as the jeweller there are a couple of stores that sell great soft toys.Our grandkids love them.This time I spotted a new store.The name at first appeared to be mangled English-"Tinklebell".However I then realised it was beside the public toilets so perhaps the English wasn't mangled
All to soon our time is over and we are on our way to the airport again.
next-CX713.

 

[drron]

CX 713 BKK-SIN ETD 1145. Actual 1145.
ETA 1510. Actual 1500.
This flight has been a favourite of mine.on the last 3 times we have done it we have received an op up to F.Today however is different.gone is the 747 3 class plane and now a 2 class 777.Damn the GFC.
We arrived at the airport at 0830.Fortunately check in is open so quickly through security and Immigration.Fortunately we didnt go to Kingpower Duty free .We head to the first of the CX lounges-there are 2 within 100 metres of each other.one is on the G concourse where the CX flights depart,the other were we now go is at the intersection of passages.It is usually pretty empty and today only 4 pax.I tuck into the dim sum,mrsd the Tim tams-not meant to be fattening if you eat them in the morning standing up finally time to board and as we do the rain starts p8ssing down with lightening everywhere.
Settle into our seats-again 14A,C-second row of J.Only 7 pax in the cabin.I am served a glass of Billecart,as I am served the FA trips and all the other glasses go crashing to the floor-No i did not trip her!A little champers spills on my shoes-hey they were doused with gas in Florida so no problem.She obviously feels a little guilty so i get 2 refills in quick succession-be quiet liver.On this sector all the FAs are wearing masks so no jokes about the Schweine Grippe.Fortunately mrsdrron's symptoms have resolved.
Soon after takeoff the meal is served.Starters are a pomelo with pineapple,coconut salad-strange.
Next i have the pork panaeng curry-this is good.
As the FA is still not over the accident I also have garoupa with a ginger ,blackbean sauce,rice and gingko nuts-another strange combination. finish with a raspberry tartlet and ice cream-only so so.
For drinks-a Trinity hill SB 2008 was nice.
I then moved on to a cabsav,cab franc and merlot blend from shanxii province china-Grace vineyard deep blue 2006.surprisingly good,tannin++,should age well.
then to the Chateau de mercy Bourgogne Hautes cotes De Beaume.2005.100% Pinot noir.Smooth,still some tannin and very drinkable.
Naturally i finished off with a port-Dows late bottled V.P 2003.
After all that was cleared away there was nothing else i could do but take a post prandial nap.Came to just before touchdown.Turn off the runway and i havent heard a single seat belt click.Stop at the gate and everyone is still in their seat :shock:.Air asia comes in just after us and i am sure it is different on that one.
next singapore and the St.regis.

 

[drron]

Well better get on and finish this TR as I am already on another trip.Cant have 3 TRs going!
A long walk from the gate to Immigration and past the thermal cameras.Very little wait and through to the baggage carousel.just time to change a little money before our bags came out.Once again a better rate at the airport(1.107) than in town(best 1.079).Taxi to the St.Regis-we walked up to a premium taxi-he asked if we were happy for a $5 surcharge-werent going to argue and $S30 included a tip.
At checkin we were told as plat we were entitled to a suite .Then told none available .Told we could be moved to one for second night or take free internet($S32 a day) plus 6pm check out.We took the second option.
As plat also free breakfast and a wine tasting at 6pm for an hour-we walked past the first night and everyone in suits.Decided to forgo the pleasure.
We walked down to the Tanglin mall and snacked on some pork.Then walked down to Isetan on scott's rd and picked up some sushi and mangoes for dinner.Then had a pleasant night's sleep.
Next-a lovely lunch at Iggy's.

 

[drron]

Just around the corner from the St.Regis is the Regent hotel.We had read a few good reports about one of their restaurants-Iggy's.So we decided to have lunch there.Simple really,the set menu for lunch is $S55 but for dinner nearly $S200.The restaurant is divided into several areas.We felt a little claustrophobic in the corner of a room for 12.I was in the Wyatt Earp chair(back to door).The rest of the experience was fantastic.We started with a complimentary amusee bouche-Qld spanner crab meat(from Mooloolaba),tomatoes,prawn roe,ponzu balls and egg white foam-it was delicious.We both paid an extra $S10 to have the foie gras which came first-

Absolutely melt in the mouth gorgeous.For the second appetiser I had the Kurobota pork belly and mushroom,magnificent-

Mrsdrron had the mushroom cappucino which doesnt look much but she thought it was excellent-

For mains i had the waygu burger-very good but I had better at Bill's woollahra.

Mrsdrron had the pork and onion.A pork filletthat just melted in her mouth-

Then mrsdrron had the Pina Colada souffle and gave it the thumbs up-

My dessert and the St. Regis next.

 

[drron]

To finish off i had French toast,chocolate tuille and maple syrup ice cream-I am sure there were no calories

We both had a glass of wine and the total bill was $S194.We both felt it was good value and reccomend a visit if fine food is your thing.Subsequent to our visit Iggys has been rated as the top restaurant in Asia in a couple of surveys.
After lunch we felt we needed to walk so went down to the Ngee Ann centre and bought ourselves some honey glazed chicken wings and pork ribs along with some rice flour and coconut sweets for dinner later that night.
Through all of this we decided the St.Regis was not the place for us.The decor really didnt work.Service was patchy.The breakfast buffet was pretty good but you had to order your hot dish.The bacon had obviously been sitting in a warmer in the kitchen and had been cremated-absolutely black.So some pictures-

What we did love however was the shower-

Unfortunately it is not eco friendly and not available in Australia.
Next the last day and back home at last.

 

[drron]

Well the last day of this trip has arrived but still a day to spend in Singapore.We do a leisurely walk from the St.Regis to the Botanic Gardens and through the National Orchid Gardens.always a great show.However I am dripping in perspiration.Have a nice refreshing bottle of Bundy ginger beer.Then slowly walk back to the St.Regis for a leisurely shower.
Check out ~ 1700.Into a cab and quickly at Changi-fare $S22.Check in is easy and we have 1A,B.Off to the J lounge.Wi fi is incredibly slow.Have some pizza,pasta and tomato soup.Head off to the gate about 10 min before boarding is to be announced.Through the gate security just as they announce J boarding so straight on we go.Soon settle into our seats.Given my glass of pre poured champagne.Then told that our dinner and breakfast orders are wanted before take off.Sorry but this has everything to do with crew satisfaction and nothing to do with pax satisfaction.Sorry again but I am not a fan of QF service.Again as usual brekkie on QF52 is just juice,cereal and toast.The much maligned AA brekkie is better.
As our orders are taken 2 young children are seated in row 3,then another 2 in row 4.Later in the flight this will impact on our attempts at sleep.J is full.QF have 3 staff for 30 pax as against CX with 6 for 42 on our regional flight or 4 for 20 on the upper deck of long haul.No surprise then when my champers glass is empty it remains empty.
For dinner I have the Malay style spice braised beef cheek-OK.mrsdrron has the herb marinated chicken with sweet potato puree and steamed asparagus-she leaves most of it.
We had seen all we wanted to see on our flight earlier on this trip so we decided to try and sleep.The problem with row 1 on the Airbus is that you can hear the crew talking which they did all night until they were drowned out by the crying from rows 3 and 4.
We were very glad to go straight through Immigration,have our bags come off early then straight throufgh customs and into our Little Mountains limo.So into our own bed about 2.30 hours after deplaning-Ah sleep at last.
Now just 2 weeks at home-working though before finishing our DONE4 with flights to BME via PER.That TR is already well underway.
Signing off from Mankato,Minnesota-part of the next long winded TR.