Thread: Topper's Visit to Bangkok

Originally Posted by Topper

The wife and I stretched out on a set of chairs and get a power 30 minute doze in

htf do people do that? i wouldn't be able to, i bet you nod off before the plane reaches altitude too - you've gone full blown Asian

Originally Posted by Topper

Tonight its off to surprise the family, that should be fun.

Have a great Hols both.

Originally Posted by Topper

mine a footlong BMT..

What a sterling idea, use the Grab app to get one delivered and pay cash.



Welcome back, I hope you and your family have a great time and enjoy your holiday.

All the best, Topper. Enjoy Bkk.

...enjoy your stay in LOS, Topper...

Originally Posted by Topper

For the international leg we'll do Air Asia next time.

I could never imagine a level lower than AirAsia!

Welcome to LoS and have a great time.

Say hello to Ramkamhaeng for me, and have a great time.

Originally Posted by Headworx

What a sterling idea, use the Grab app to get one delivered and pay cash.

Exactly the plan B I thought of as well. I should have asked if the staff could have the sandwiches delivered so I could pay cash that way.

We went for a cruise around the old 'hood this evening, I'm in awe of the changes. There are three giant condos and a Tops market across from where I lived where there was once a slum condo with a really great Paki restaurant in it.

Here's some pictures of the place...



One of the things I already love is the shower, there's hot and cold running water in the shower....no water heater. I've not had that I think in 20 years.

Welcome to the semi developed world

Look forward to photos of when your appetite stretches to Thai food, its a long trip to eat white bread from an American chain, I thought you'd be stuffed with US food in Philipinnes?

Anyway enjoy

Originally Posted by Topper

I've not had that I think in 20 years

Say that again! You've not had a hot water shower in 20 years!??

Nice one Topper, hope you have a great trip.

Looking forward to more pics of your exploits.

TD loves a good travel picture thread.

Good to hear that you arrived safely in BKK, Topper. Re: the foreigner exit clearance, it's good that you have the 13A visa (resident/ spouse visa) and you can do the clearance at the airport.

If you're on an ordinary tourist visa (9A), you have to apply for it ~a week before your flight from an Immigration office and you'd have missed your flight (you wouldn't be able to board without it). The exit clearance is needed for foreigners only if you stayed in PH for 6 months or more. They need to check if you've been a criminal or if there have been formal complaints against you (if you owe money to someone, if you've physically or morally defiled someone, etc).

I've also returned from an international trip recently (Taiwan) and also flew via Cebu Pacific. As I'm a normal sized Asian girl, I didn't have any problems with the width or legroom. (but yeah, their seats would be tough for someone who's wide or tall). I haven't had the time (and can't be arsed yet) to make a pic thread.

@malmomike (?) - the ability to nap for 30 min is a great feat! It's especially useful when you're in a moving vehicle. That ability has let me get power naps in vans (minivans) for my hikes.

^^^
Topps
there's still mountain kitchen down by ABAC, but do miss that Pakistani ressie

Originally Posted by Topper

One of the things I already love is the shower, there's hot and cold running water in the shower....no water heater. I've not had that I think in 20 years.

The little things.

When you have hot water with or without (thai) water pressure that kicks on the electrical water heater (hanging on the wall next to you), during the cooler months.

Comfort

Enjoy your visit.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Say that again! You've not had a hot water shower in 20 years!??

With Western stylee piped in hot water. Both here and the PI, an external water heater mounted on the wall is the norm.

The spectacular view of the parking garage from the balcony....



Today's plan, get some cash and meet a friend for lunch. The nieces are coming over tonight to spend the night, that should be a blast.

Aaaah gotcha. I was thinking that sounded a bit grim.

The wife was able to successfully obtain cash, she said from a cash machine, but who knows, so our adventure began~

I successfully taught some classes this morning using the condo's wifi, the only problem is lighting and my camera. I'm going to have to buy a small ring light and stand, and a stand for my external camera as my laptop screen is too thin for the camera to "hang" properly or find a ring light that will let me mount my cam in the middle of it or fab something up where I can have one stand for the both somehow.

We took the airport link to Phraya Thai where I was able to top up my Rabbit card which hadn't been used in three years, amazingly, so soon I'll be off to Subway.

We took the Suk line around to Thong Lor and visited with an old friend at Bacco for lunch.

The smoked salmon on toast ~ nothing special



The wife got a grilled beef salad, I had veal escalope with marsala sauce




Our friend had a Caesar salad, gnocchi with an arribada sauce with brushetta



Finished off with Creme Brulee



I'd give it a solid 7.5/10 on the food and 9/10 on the ambiance. We went at the recommendation of our friend, however next time it will be someplace else. I was underwhelmed by the food.

Tonight will be something Thai from the resto downstairs with the girls.

^

Must admit, I'm a big fan of veal, one of my absolute favourite meats in Italian cooking.

Originally Posted by Topper

at Bacco for lunch

...agree with your comments: haven't visited the restaurant since well before covid...

^ 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...

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

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).

Katie, did you see this....I thought it was wonderful for the price...



Maybe the next time we pass thru Manila we'll visit for a couple of days.

^yeah, Okada hotel buffet was in the yummy dot ph article. I think it was P1,020 or something.

I've been to Okada casino-hotel with friends. Went there one afternoon/ evening to see their fountain of lights show. I think it was Nov or Dec - near Christmas season, pre-covid. From SM Mall of Asia (MOA), there's a free shuttle bus that goes to Okada hotel - every hour, I think. We parked at MOA, took the shuttle bus to the hotel, saw the lights show & wandered a bit in the hotel public areas & casino. The casino-hotel has these "greeters" - fit ladies in long gowns, greeting the spenders at the casino (similar to those in Macau). Okada is owned by a Japanese consortium. Their toilets have the fancy Japanese push-button thingies.

After seeing the lights show, we took the shuttle back to MOA, had dinner there then drove back home. I think it was a Friday, so we could have a late Friday night.

If you'll stay at the MOA area in a hotel, I would recommend Hop Inn Hotel (no breakfast) - it's a short distance from MOA & you can walk there. Kabayan Hotel along EDSA is also OK - almost same price as Hop Inn but breakfast is included. It's an older hotel, though. Breakfast is choice of rice "silog" meal or American breakfast, plus coffee & juice. Hop Inn is maybe only 5 yrs or so (new development in that reclaimed area).

If you prefer Airbnb, there are SM condo units near MOA and Shell Residences (also condos) along EDSA.

That area (near MOA or along that part of EDSA) is good to be based if you want to be near Manila Airport, ~30 min away.

****
Re: buffets, I was able to buy Metrodeal vouchers for YakiMix (Japanese-Asian-Filipino dishes) for P550, pre-covid. Regular price was P750, I think. I haven't looked at Metrodeal lately - it's like Groupon. I don't know if restos in Bacolod participate in Metrodeal. I think some resto chains which have branches in Cebu city do participate.