Some brief notes from Bangkok
Nov 19th, 2010, 12:15 AM
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Some brief notes from Bangkok
We're enjoying being back home in Bangkok.
We like to visit at least one new Wat each year. I was looking out our window, across the river, and spotted what I guessed was Wat Pichai Yathikaram. MichaelBKK had recommended it as a wat we'd enjoy, as it's in the Khmer style. So we went off to the wat via water taxi and then on foot across the Memorial Bridge and a few blocks more to the wat. We were the only western visitors, as is usually the case with any wat not firmly on the tourist track. We enjoyed our visit there and made an offering in honor of Gpanda.
I'm afraid we chose badly for lunch. I have a long list of restaurants recommended by various people. One list is Thai restaurants in old Thai houses. Ban Chiang came up as one not terribly far from the ROS. After our lunch there, let me say I don't recommend it. The dishes we ate ranged from pretty good (a smoky eggplant salad) to down right awful (the oyster omelet).
We've done a bit of shopping, but are mostly saving our shopping for India.
We like to visit at least one new Wat each year. I was looking out our window, across the river, and spotted what I guessed was Wat Pichai Yathikaram. MichaelBKK had recommended it as a wat we'd enjoy, as it's in the Khmer style. So we went off to the wat via water taxi and then on foot across the Memorial Bridge and a few blocks more to the wat. We were the only western visitors, as is usually the case with any wat not firmly on the tourist track. We enjoyed our visit there and made an offering in honor of Gpanda.
I'm afraid we chose badly for lunch. I have a long list of restaurants recommended by various people. One list is Thai restaurants in old Thai houses. Ban Chiang came up as one not terribly far from the ROS. After our lunch there, let me say I don't recommend it. The dishes we ate ranged from pretty good (a smoky eggplant salad) to down right awful (the oyster omelet).
We've done a bit of shopping, but are mostly saving our shopping for India.
Nov 19th, 2010, 06:28 AM
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Hello Kathie, I asm enjoying rreading your notes and will continue to follow your trip and comments by others. We are planing our first trip to Bangkok Jan-Feb 2011 and I appreciate all the information this forum gives. Please tell me is the ROS you mention Rose Hotel Bangkok on 118 Surawongse Rd. Bangrak, Bangkok? I gather you have stayed there in the past. Thanks for your help.
Nov 19th, 2010, 06:41 AM
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re: it's the Royal Orchid Sheraton.
http://www.royalorchidsheraton.com/
However, just because this garrulous collection of miscreants stays there, this is no recommendation. They are a very peculiar bunch.
http://www.royalorchidsheraton.com/
However, just because this garrulous collection of miscreants stays there, this is no recommendation. They are a very peculiar bunch.
Nov 19th, 2010, 03:58 PM
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Thank you, dogster, I am always pleased to be included in "a very peculiar bunch."
They have been renovating the Royal Orchid Sheraton (on the river) in stages for years. The renovations (as far as I can tell) are now complete. And the grand re-opening prices that many Fodorites snagged are an indication that the hotel considers the renovations complete as well. We always stay in the Towers, and those rooms were renovated first. The Towers Lounge was also re-done, moved to the 27th floor and tripled in size (this was complete when we were here last year). They have a new bar and restaurant next to the river that is very nice and has gotten good reviews. Open only in the evenings, they have been advertising 50 baht draft beer. The old blue tile exterior they have been removing over several years is gone and an entry way marked by rectangular wooden arches (can arches be rectangular?)makes the facade look striking from the river. The Towers rooms include free laundry service once again - something I love in the heat of Bangkok.
We'll be meeting up with some fellow Fodorites today for lunch, which is always a pleasure.
They have been renovating the Royal Orchid Sheraton (on the river) in stages for years. The renovations (as far as I can tell) are now complete. And the grand re-opening prices that many Fodorites snagged are an indication that the hotel considers the renovations complete as well. We always stay in the Towers, and those rooms were renovated first. The Towers Lounge was also re-done, moved to the 27th floor and tripled in size (this was complete when we were here last year). They have a new bar and restaurant next to the river that is very nice and has gotten good reviews. Open only in the evenings, they have been advertising 50 baht draft beer. The old blue tile exterior they have been removing over several years is gone and an entry way marked by rectangular wooden arches (can arches be rectangular?)makes the facade look striking from the river. The Towers rooms include free laundry service once again - something I love in the heat of Bangkok.
We'll be meeting up with some fellow Fodorites today for lunch, which is always a pleasure.
Nov 19th, 2010, 11:42 PM
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Just back from a delightful gtg with Bob and Karen and Pook, Dang and Mony. We ate dim sum at the Lui restaurant at the Conrad. Pook and Dang ordered for us all. It was good to see all of you.
Stopped on our way to the gtg and Cheryl decided she had been hasty in saying she wasn't going to do any more shopping. So she is continuing to stimulate the Thai economy.
Back at the ROS, deciding what goes to India with us, what says here at the hotel. I think we're going to go for one checked bag each and one carry on each. We keep looking at the weather and wondering whether we brought the right clothes.
dogster, do you really think I'm the type who would kiss and tell? I'm very discrete. Your secrets are safe with me.
Stopped on our way to the gtg and Cheryl decided she had been hasty in saying she wasn't going to do any more shopping. So she is continuing to stimulate the Thai economy.
Back at the ROS, deciding what goes to India with us, what says here at the hotel. I think we're going to go for one checked bag each and one carry on each. We keep looking at the weather and wondering whether we brought the right clothes.
dogster, do you really think I'm the type who would kiss and tell? I'm very discrete. Your secrets are safe with me.
Nov 20th, 2010, 12:26 AM
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Fly safe. Enjoy India. I'm just about to board. Give my regards to Ifte. Perhaps it's best not to mention me at Glenburn... I'm rather hoping they haven't found my story about them.
BTW, the walk down to the river from Glenburn is just lovely. A car will follow at a discrete distance in case you collapse. Don't even think about walking back.
Now I'm off. You'll have a wonderful time. <i>India-a-a-ahhhh.</i>
BTW, the walk down to the river from Glenburn is just lovely. A car will follow at a discrete distance in case you collapse. Don't even think about walking back.
Now I'm off. You'll have a wonderful time. <i>India-a-a-ahhhh.</i>
Nov 20th, 2010, 03:27 AM
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I expect we may be without internet access for the next 10 days or so. I will post if we get access, but otherwise it will be a while before you hear from me. Of course, I'll do a full report when I get home, but I will post tidbits as I am able.
Enjoy the wine, Pook. Consider me the ambassador to Bangkok for Washington State wines!
Enjoy the wine, Pook. Consider me the ambassador to Bangkok for Washington State wines!
Dec 5th, 2010, 12:12 AM
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I thought I'd resurrect this thread since we're back in Bangkok for our last two days of vacation.
Today is the King's birthday, so there is a lot going on. The river will be closed from Memorial Bridge to well past the Grand Palace from noon onward. No public water taxis will run after noon. We went to the Jim Thompson Outlet and did pretty well with our shopping.
We decided to go to an old favorite for lunch, Lemongrass. The food was excellent, as always. Kuranosuke, if you are reading,, Cheryl raised a glass of Singha to you. We talked about our gtg there last year with you and Guen.
Coming home to the ROS, there were dozens and dozens of boats decorate with flags and banners, holding occupants wearing mostly pink shirts, a few yellow shirts, in honor of the king. They filled the river. Our shuttle boat from the Sheraton was blocked in and we had to wait until the boats cleared to catch the shuttle back to the hotel.
There will be fireworks tonight, as well as a number of ceremonies honoring the king.
Today is the King's birthday, so there is a lot going on. The river will be closed from Memorial Bridge to well past the Grand Palace from noon onward. No public water taxis will run after noon. We went to the Jim Thompson Outlet and did pretty well with our shopping.
We decided to go to an old favorite for lunch, Lemongrass. The food was excellent, as always. Kuranosuke, if you are reading,, Cheryl raised a glass of Singha to you. We talked about our gtg there last year with you and Guen.
Coming home to the ROS, there were dozens and dozens of boats decorate with flags and banners, holding occupants wearing mostly pink shirts, a few yellow shirts, in honor of the king. They filled the river. Our shuttle boat from the Sheraton was blocked in and we had to wait until the boats cleared to catch the shuttle back to the hotel.
There will be fireworks tonight, as well as a number of ceremonies honoring the king.
Dec 5th, 2010, 12:26 AM
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The king looked and sounded very, very frail today. I'm hardly a physician and am not making any sort of prognosis, but most people I have known who have been in the same state of frailty did not remain in this world for very long.
Dec 5th, 2010, 12:57 AM
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One wonders how long the people waited for the Mariott shuttle. Oh, that's right, that ragtag place has changed owners.....must have been the rat fumes in the rooms.lol.
We are here in the Kyoto Hyatt bar raising a martini glass to you and Cheryl and anxiously awaiting your report with pics. Have a safe fight home. Guenmai we miss you!
Aloha!
We are here in the Kyoto Hyatt bar raising a martini glass to you and Cheryl and anxiously awaiting your report with pics. Have a safe fight home. Guenmai we miss you!
Aloha!
