Finally the Drrons are off on a Real OS Trip

[drron]

Naturally things have changed from the pre covid days at the SGS. Then we would have begun check in in the limo and met at the door by a senior agent and escorted to our room to check in their. This time straight to the check in desk but an agent free so reasonably quickly on our way to our room. The fellow who stood at the lifts and pushed the button for you has gone. He was a part time security to stop those that shouldn't access the rooms from entering. But now they have introduced lift security and you must swipe your room key to get to your floor.
Did not expect a suite upgrade this time as the Thai Government has been subsidising locals to stay in hotels with 50% off room rates. So nearly all suites are booked. But we do get 1000 baht credit per night for hotel charges making this the cheapest rate ever for the SGS for us.

Not much change in the rooms.Still get the nice Thann amenities. But the Plat free breakfast is not in the more upmarket Rossinis restaurant that we loved but now back to the buffet in the Orchid cafe.

Basically as soon as we walked into the room the heavens opened so our view was diminished.
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At 1800 it was down to the living room for happy hour. Way more seats and guests than pre covid as many locals now pay the rates to get the benefits. As usual the wine was free flowing and we snacked as well as having the free canapes. We had the chicken satays and fried calamari.
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The satays were great,the calamari a little dry.
The pianist was the same as the last time we were here but now the Jazz trio started playing before Happy Hour finished. But at 2000 it was back to the room for hopefully a nice sleep.

 

[drron]

I am waiting for 10 days before bookings open up for when we will be there (bookings open 60 days in advance) - I have been tossing up between lunch and dinner - decisions decisions. I am a little worried about being able to manage all that food! We will have a few days at Raffles and a few at the Fullerton so will be interesting to compare.
Enjoying the TR - and wonderful to know o's is in the mix again.

Interestingly I have just watched a doco on Odette. The food reviewer says the best time to go is Monday night as they are closed on Monday at lunch to get much of the fresh produce including seafood. Some of the seafood items are only on monday and sometimes Tuesday.
Anyway we are not ones for dinner any more and tend to have our main meal at lunch when travelling.

 

[RooFlyer]

So to the meals. I had what was called an Indonesian curry. Was OK.

Actually, those meals don't look so good - much like you-know-who airline, not SQ.

 

[drron]

I did forget to pack one essential thing for this climate though even after I had picked it.

 

[love_the_life]

Interestingly I have just watched a doco on Odette. The food reviewer says the best time to go is Monday night as they are closed on Monday at lunch to get much of the fresh produce including seafood. Some of the seafood items are only on monday and sometimes Tuesday.
Anyway we are not ones for dinner any more and tend to have our main meal at lunch when travelling.

Thanks for the info - might try for then though like you we tend to do lunches now - too hard to sleep on an overly full tummy.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks for the info - might try for then though like you we tend to do lunches now - too hard to sleep on an overly full tummy.

Couldn't get in to Odette xmas before last so we went to the Tippling Club for dinner. Excellent. Also Jaan was good with stunning view.

 

[drron]

Time for our first breakfast. Unfortunately not the old Plat breakfast in Rossinis which was excellent. We had a good talk with the acting GM who we knew from previous visits. They lost a lot of staff with many long serving staff deciding to retire -one of those was the chef from Basil. So far only able to have 4 kitchen staff for Rossinis so it is open nights only.
So down to the zoo that was -the Orchid Cafe. Obviously occupancy is not at normal levels and easily able to get a seat. Today,Monday, very few people at 0900. The buffet is mainly self serve but mask wearing enforced when at the buffet plus disposable gloves to use whilst getting items. It is though not as extensive as previously. There used to be several middle Eastern dishes in the past.none now. Also there were several choices of Indian dishes. now only 1 in the last 3 days.
So a few pictures.
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Still plenty of choice.

 

[drron]

After breakfast a bit of a rest before going over to Terminal 21. Just a walk around plus a sit down for a Frappucino at Starbucks.
Several businesses gone including the nail salon we used on every visit. A few of the smaller businesses still closed.

Mask compliance is nearly 100%,even outdoors so we keep our masks on. Did fail 2 temperature tests but after I had been walking outside and was hot and sweaty. None failed since -many shops have these scans as you go in.

Still get a giggle at some of the business names but this was good.
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We then took our life in our hands and crossed the road to the Tops supermarket underneath Robinsons and the Westin. Mangosteen 69 baht per KG so we bought 1.2 Kg for lunch.
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For us Bangkok is our R&R place. We come here to eat and relax so no great tourist adventures in this TR.

 

[lahlee]

After breakfast a bit of a rest before going over to Terminal 21. Just a walk around plus a sit down for a Frappucino at Starbucks.
Several businesses gone including the nail salon we used on every visit. A few of the smaller businesses still closed.

Mask compliance is nearly 100%,even outdoors so we keep our masks on. Did fail 2 temperature tests but after I had been walking outside and was hot and sweaty. None failed since -many shops have these scans as you go in.

Still get a giggle at some of the business names but this was good.
View attachment 276623.
View attachment 276624.

We then took our life in our hands and crossed the road to the Tops supermarket underneath Robinsons and the Westin. Mangosteen 69 baht per KG so we bought 1.2 Kg for lunch.
View attachment 276625.

For us Bangkok is our R&R place. We come here to eat and relax so no great tourist adventures in this TR.

Mmmm. I think mangosteens are the no.1 food I’ve missed while not being able to travel. Enjoy!

 

[Quickstatus]

UPGRADE to MYOB Essentials with all the data/files are on the cloud

[OT]For those not retiring I migrated from MYOB to XERO - much better. [/OT]

So my seat

@drron full marks for travelling wearing trousers with properly done creases. Befitting Premium class travel.

@drron, I've been looking at all the photos, but I cant see any locals. How did you manage to get the Sing Govt to move all the locals out of the way when you visited?

 

[tgh]

It is so long since I saw pressed creased trousers that I thought I was in a time warp….

 

[Quickstatus]

Mangosteen

Excellent fruit - very "cooling". Don't wear white though.

Mangosteen is eaten along Durian to balance out the "temperature" . Durian is considered "heating" and mangosteen "cooling"

The 2022 durian season is expected late May June.
@drron did you see any early Durian?

 

[drron]

Yes lots of Durian in the supermarkets and street stalls. Our room however has a sign that it is smoke and durian free.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Also when we were at the Paragon supermarket - they had the biggest lychees I have ever seen, like a small Orange !! I will be getting a bag of those !!

 

[Quickstatus]

Durian

lychees

Would appreciate some prices please for above -
Durian: "D24" and "black gold" species please

You may have seen Emperor lychees - they are usually size of Golf balls.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Just went to Terminal 21 and the Gourmet Market, so here are some photos of what's current/price

 

[drron]

The cough has hit the proverbial. Had my usual symptoms of my sinus condition last night so in retrospect a silly decision -I did a RAT. A very faint second line so in my room today. Now I did report how on Saturday I did pass 2 temperature controls that wen red. Went past the same ones yesterday and they went green. No other symptoms apart from last night and feel fine now. Repeating the test tomorrow and hopefully negative aas if I had covid it was 3 days ago and was basically asymptomatic. We will see.

 

[ausfox]

Pigeon in a basket with chips was one of my favourite dishes as a child. My parents used to take us to a pub that had all sorts of variations on chicken-in-a-basket

Another interesting museum in that area is the Museum of Asian Civilisation. It was better when it was free, but it's still good.

The cough has hit the proverbial. Had my usual symptoms of my sinus condition last night so in retrospect a silly decision -I did a RAT. A very faint second line so in my room today. Now I did report how on Saturday I did pass 2 temperature controls that wen red. Went past the same ones yesterday and they went green. No other symptoms apart from last night and feel fine now. Repeating the test tomorrow and hopefully negative aas if I had covid it was 3 days ago and was basically asymptomatic. We will see.

In medical terms, good luck drron. We need your contributions. Clear skies.

 

[drron]

Well back to the TR. Now as my hair is thinning I do wear a hat when out walking so I picked a good one for the tropics.
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Unfortunately I didn't put it in the case.
So Saturday night at the Living Room. Happy hour 1800-2000.
First the Pianist. He recognised us and came and had a chat. This is why we like the SGS. The staff are great. In fact this time probably the best service we have had. They are all obviously wanting to treat guests well so that business picks up.
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The kids seem to love the music. This wasn't the only youngster who wanted to get close.
We also have a light dinner here. This night a nice Pad Thai and a kaffir lime dish with Tapioca.
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The jazz trio came on before Happy Hour ended. These days no extra charge.
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[drron]

Sunday morning and it wasn't raining but not clear either. Our View.
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After breakfast it was off to the Paragon Mall. You notice a big difference on the BTS Skytrain. Not packed like sardines and even offered seats by some youngsters. The first time in years that this has happened. Again did not see anyone who wasn't wearing a mask.
Walked around the mall and at least 2 corridors closed and it looks like the Paragon Department store is smaller than it was.
Took a break at the store of the Princess-sister of the current king. We tried a butterfly pea lemon soda. No need to have a second one.
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On the top floor at the back of the building I spied this.
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A kids entertainment precinct that looks like it has been closed for some time.
We then headed doen to the basement food precinct. Most places were very busy at about 1330 when we got there. We decided to have our Mother's Day lunch at Nara. One of our favourite Thai restaurants. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a seat.

For mrsdrron it was their Pomelo salad which is possibly her favourite Thai dish.


So I could go spicy so decided on a Northern dish -Khao Soi chicken. It was a very good one.
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All of that chilli oil went into the dish. Yummm.