Thread: Topper's Visit to Bangkok

^ thanks again Katie, I'd like to do the MOA, the buffet at Okana and see BGC or Eastwood City.

Originally Posted by Topper

^ I was hoping you'd chime in Tom, thanks. I doubt nothing has changed since then.

The girls and I had the breakfast buffet at the convention center, at 530B/head. As far as buffets go, it wasn't bad at all. One of my nieces did have beans and toast, which gave me a chuckle, her dad will be proud. The other chowed down on a unique combo of sushi and sausages after eating french toast and waffles. They got their money's worth for sure.

We went out to Fashion Island today and was blown away by the development along Ramkhamhaeng, the BTS road construction is all but finished and there was zero traffic. My nieces laughed and said give it 2-3 hours and it's much different.

I worked 15 years teaching at Fashion Island, which is now the "Grand Station" and was flabbergasted at the changes. I got lost at one point and had to ask for directions. When I left the mall was a tired old place struggling with age, now it's equal to anything downtown. We popped into Tops to be reminded how poor the veggies are in the PI and onions were only 200B/kilo for Spanish onions.

When I lived here, we were on the outskirts of the city, now the city has definitely moved to here, due to the BTS system. At each station I saw, new condos were either finished or close to being finished. Amazing growth in just a short time. Again, I wonder who is going to live in all of the massive condos being built.

Later, I'm going in search of a pie shop rumored to be in the area...

it is and shes been busy baking cakes today. she had a good shepherds pie last time i went in also

Originally Posted by reinvented

it is and shes been busy baking cakes today. she had a good shepherds pie last time i went in also

Could you please pass along an almost exact location for the shop, please. The wife hasn't moved from the couch in the last hour or so it will be tomorrow morning's exploration.

^I haven't been to Eastwood - it's too far north in Metro Manila for me. But from what I've seen/ heard, it's similar to BGC.

BGC (Bonifacio Global City) is the new "Makati". Most of the land there was bought by the Ayala Group (rich Spanish-Filipino family, they own Globe Telecoms & BPI banks). BGC is only ~15 to 20 years, it was privatized during the Ramos admin (late 90s). BGC was a military camp before (Fort Bonifacio). It's good for a short wander. Lots of shops, restos, offices. I have hike-friends (Manila yuppies) who work and/ or live in BGC. Our member Tizme lives in a BGC condo.


****

Btw, for arrival in PH, you'll have to register in the e-travel website, then save your QR codes. It can be on your phone, no need to print. You can do it within 3 days of your flight to PH. Because of the online registration, no need to fill out the paper arrival forms for Manila. Since I was vaxxed (green QR code, red for unvaxxed) and I didn't have checked-in luggage, I was out of Manila airport in ~15 minutes. I was maybe the first 5 ppl in the passport control line - only my flight arrived at that time, so no long line at PH immigration. Fastest deplaning & stamping that I've experienced, so far.

^ I just registered at the site, thanks tons Katie!!!!! We'll have a bag to pick up but if we can scan ourselves in, that will make things easier.

And for anybody going through Singapore download my ica app for your arrival.info. same deal 3 days before , failure to do so will definitely lead to delays in Singapore as I found out. I thought I had loaded all the info for 4 of us and got to the airport in lao to confirm there but the app had an update. Which I clicked on but lost all the previous data. Thinking that all would be OK we proceeded but it took an 1.5 hours to do all of us on a tablet. Even with assistance. I was pissed of and wanted a beer .the forms on the plane would of taken 3 minutes to fill out. All these apps that we use these days give me a fucking headache.
.

Originally Posted by BLD

All these apps that we use these days give me a fucking headache.

I'm a tech guy and I agree...most ain't well thought out...like a resto in a 2nd world country not accepting cash. Fook me. Tomorrow's goal, go find the pie shop that re told me about and get a fooking Subway sandwich.

^
Pie shop
no sign
Market Today, Krungthep Kreetha soi 7. its a brown colored unit on the main road just behind the market stalls.
theres a Japanese place just by it, and a korean on the other side. if you get a motorbike they will know Market Today

^ We'll be on it, thanks again Re!

My eldest niece is into reading, we talked about a couple of books we've both read, it was kind of weird but nice and surprising how much she's matured.

Originally Posted by Topper

I opened the curtains and noticed the air pollution building up as the afternoon passes....

..."unsafe for certain groups" according to my air quality monitor...

One thing I've always did admire about Brit cuisine is pies and thankfully reinvented's recommendation paid off. As a bonus they accept cash!

The stars, from left to right are a beef and cheese, a creamy chicken pie and a massive sausage roll at 120B each.



Today luncheon...



The sausage roll is spectacular!

The shop is next to the Sami Katsu place in the Market Today complex on Krungthep Kritta 7.



Their sweets selection was pretty dang good too.....

Glad you found it Topps, pity im not on the manor at the moment otherwise i'd have provided HP Sauce and Mushy Peas.

the beef cheese needs to be warm to get the best out of it, but then its very good

Originally Posted by reinvented

the Thai food on the market is very Muslim and universally terrible

LOL, my BIL, the wife and I stopped by there for lunch years ago, I ordered a burger and he asked if there was a pork burger. It gave me and the waitress a laugh. I had to explain what halal means...

We just got the goods and left, I saw the sign for the gym, its been there for years I'm guessing. The place was looking a bit dated as well, I'd be willing to bet we were the only customers there and that was at lunch time.

Great thread Topper.

Will you be heading down our way?

If you are I owe you some food and a few beers!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Will you be heading down our way?

On our way tomorrow...sorry we couldn't make it, thanks!

So only 3 or 4 nights and only Bangkok (Ram)? Seems short buddy.

Originally Posted by aging one

So only 3 or 4 nights and only Bangkok (Ram)? Seems short buddy.

We wanted to make a quick surprise visit for the family and to test my online teaching setup, we'll be back for a longer visit in October and a longer visit over Christmas, though I want to go to Vietnam in July. We'll have to see how the finances work out. Yes, it's a short visit, but now the wife won't be missing her nieces as much.

^ Well done Tops.

@topper - if ever you do travel again this year, make sure to add 1 or 2 days for your desired wander in Metro Manila. Cheers & have a safe flight.

If you're flying with Cebu Pacific, make sure that your carry-on luggage is less than 7 kilos - they do weigh it and will charge you extra if it's overweight. I've been flying with them for many years now - it's a budget airline, so it is what it is.

Originally Posted by katie23

@topper - if ever you do travel again this year, make sure to add 1 or 2 days for your desired wander in Metro Manila. Cheers & have a safe flight.

That's already in the plans...after spending the night at the airport, we thought we'd do it smarter and more fun next time. Thanks again Katie!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by katie23

Topper, red onions (medium size) are now P160/ kg in my hood last weekend. Garlic is P90/ kg. If you're still paying for onions at more than P250/ kg, you're staying in the wrong island.

530B for a hotel breakfast buffet is good value. I looked at an article in yummy dot ph and the lowest b-fast buffet in hotels in Manila are at P1,000 (so around 750 to 800 baht).

I am absolutely astonished to learn that somebody is willing to pay such a huge amount for breakfast. I am out and about in Thailand for the best part of a month very soon now and will disappear from this forum. I would expect 500 baht to satisfy my breakfast needs for about ten days. (Not in Bangkok but Isaan.)

Originally Posted by Bob Mason

I am absolutely astonished to learn that somebody is willing to pay such a huge amount for breakfast. I am out and about in Thailand for the best part of a month very soon now and will disappear from this forum. I would expect 500 baht to satisfy my breakfast needs for about ten days. (Not in Bangkok but Isaan.)

Not in Bangkok or Isaan, but in Manila. Is the point you are trying to make how cheap you are?