Singapore and Indochina

[NSun]

Then I visited Lumphini Park. I wouldn't put it on the same level as Central Park, but it is very close.











If you don't want to take my word for the fact that it was very humid, take it from the fact that even cold-blooded reptiles needed to cool off.

 

[NSun]

Time to head to the Airport and this time caught the train from the other end of the line. This time, the train was less crowded and I had more room to spread out. After not liking Bangkok last time, I loved it this time around and will have to come back for a longer visit - just not at the hotel near the open sewer.











Made it to Bangkok Airport about 3pm. Although I checked in online, I decided to pick up a physical boarding pass because I didn't want to be denied entry into the EK or Qatar lounges. I have been denied entry in the past just for having a digital pass - yes I know there are the limitations of the QF-EK alliance, their entitlement to restrict it to their own passengers on the basis of overcrowding, having to wear long pants in the lounges...but I have been denied just for having a digital boarding pass. I was not going to be denied again.

I had bought a J award seat for this flight, which was the whole inspiration for this flight, and so got sent to an express security and immigration channel at the far end of the airport. I must say, BKK is one of my favourite airports from an aesthetics perspective.

 

[NSun]

The plan was to visit the Qatar lounge for a dinner so I could sleep on the flight back. However, I had read somewhere that it didn't open until 4pm. So I first went to the EK lounge and took a 20 minute shower - much needed after walking around all day. Then off to the Cathay lounge where I stayed for 5 minutes just to have a Cathay Delight mocktail. I have to admit that although it tasted good, I didn't enjoy it as much as it was prepared in front of me in a blender instead of just being delivered to me as if it was a la carte dining in the HKG or LHR first lounges. Or maybe it is just the mix of liquid and near-solids.



OK, now it was off to the Qatar lounge. It was my first time in any Qatar lounge and it just blew me away. Not only was it well-designed and quiet, but the staff had such a pride in it. Good smiles and enthusiasm cost..ahem, nothing.

 

[NSun]

Here's the menu.



Bread to begin.



I ordered lamb cutlets as the main but helped myself to some Indian curry from the buffet as a starter.





I had two doses of dessert. Raspberry crumble cake from the menu.



And coconut panna cotta (I think).

 

[NSun]

Headed home on QF24. VH-QPG was the aircraft, one I had flown on once before just over 5 years ago headed back from Auckland.





We annoyingly had that secondary liquid check that they say are mandatory on all flights back to Australia, although not done in New Zealand, Canada or the USA for some reason. At least unlike some airports, it was done before you entered the gate area as opposed to the aerobridge.

Settled into Seat 6A. I was going to go straight to bed so just ticked the breakfast card.



Here's the dinner menu in case it is of use to anyone.



Smooth takeoff and slept for about 6 hours. It was not all at once, woke up a couple of times including about 12am AWST when I took this snap. Not sure what those glows were, didn't look like towns - sure hope they weren't bushfires.



I was served breakfast by CSM Peter within 90 seconds of waking up. Another thanks to Peter for giving me 2 pairs of L pyjamas after being out of M and suggesting I could give them as Christmas presents.





And back home, landing 20 minutes early.





Hope you all enjoyed it. I'm not flying much for the next 2 months, but my next trip is to South Africa in February which will be half for work but will take some time to do a Safari and look around Cape Town.

Thanks to all who read.

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks for this report @NSun. It’s been really interesting to see how much you packed in to such a short trip.

 

[JackMiles]

Enjoyed this report, NSun, thanks for posting. Wowee. I think anyone who wants to use the term "whirlwind trip" now has to match or beat this to gain permission to use that phrase.
Looks like Phnom Penh has grown up quite some since I was there in early 2007, which is just what I would expect. Could not say for sure but don't think there were any hotels with rooftop pools at that time.

 

[AIRwin]

Looks like Phnom Penh has grown up quite some since I was there in early 2007, which is just what I would expect. Could not say for sure but don't think there were any hotels with rooftop pools at that time.

I even visited a rooftop gin bar in August:

Juniper Gin Bar | Phnom Penh

Juniper Gin Bar, Phnom Penh. 3,895 likes · 16 talking about this · 1,310 were here. Sitting 12 stories high above Riverside, Phnom Penh, Juniper Gin Bar brings you classy rooftop vibes

www.facebook.com

 

[JackMiles]

I even visited a rooftop gin bar in August

Well well, PP is all grownsed-up! Now a loooong way from the place described in "Off The Rails In Phnom Penh" - thankfully/hopefully. It's a place I've wanted to get back to out of curiosity, knowing it was rapidly changing, but also feeling like there was not quite enough there for me to make a special trip, having seen the main tourist sites on my first visit. In other words, would love it if life threw up a reason to go but can't quite justify a trip otherwise - I feel like there's now a fairly long list of places that fit this bill for me. Sorry! Now getting very OT.

 

[AIRwin]

In other words, would love it if life threw up a reason to go but can't quite justify a trip otherwise - I feel like there's now a fairly long list of places that fit this bill for me.

Try a sunset river cruise if it's something new?