Ruminations from the Silver Muse.

[drron29]

So today was the day of our usual Bangkok ritual. Spoiling our nails. Rojaan had a pedicure and I both a manicure and pedicure. You really get spoilt with hand and foot massages thrown in. It took me a long time to finally have taken Rojaan's advice and now I wouldn't miss it.

The girls are fantastic and obviously take pride in their work. Despite being 9 months since our previous visit and many new staff I got a smile from 3 of the 4 I recognised. Unfortunately my favorite nail person wasn't there today. Nearly 6 foot tall with an adam's apple we get on very well.

 

The place we go is Take Care at Terminal 21. Total cost with a tip for the 3 women was 2700 baht. $A120, $US75.

 

[drron29]

Happy hour that evening was fun. The weather put on a show. We had fortunately seen the rain coming and moved our table into a sheltered spot. We were joined by an Australian woman who lives in Hong Kong. In one of those co incidences she was born the day after our son.
So here is the weather.

 

 

 

[drron29]

Some night lights in Bangkok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[les37b]

What hotel locations would you recommend or to avoid in Bangkok? My last visit was in 1985 so a little out of touch! lol No sky train or MTS back then. 

 

We have a cruise booked in March 2024 from Bali to Bangkok. Had intended on 3 nights pre cruise in Bali, but turns out on our chosen arrival date, Bali is closed for their “day of silence”. So now arriving with just one night and having 4 nights in Bangkok at the end. 

[drron29]

The best area for tourists in Bangkok would be the river area. We have stayed in the Peninsula, Millennium Hilton and the Royal Orchid Sheraton and enjoyed them.

The next area is around the Siam area where the major shopping is and many luxury hotels including Hyatt, St. Regis, Waldorf Astoria and the Ritz Carlton is coming. Though now that Icon Siam has opened at the riverside most of the shops have branches there.

 

We used to stay at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit at Asoke. Next to a BTS and a MRT station so easy to get around. Also love the food court at Terminal 21. 
However our last 2 stays were with a new GM and service had slipped so after 101 stays we are trying a few more hotels.

[drron29]

A little out of order but we are now in Tokyo staying at the IC Tokyo Bay with an upgrade to a suite. Great views.

But tonight went to a buffet in their all day restaurant. We don’t do buffets anymore but this was a Hokkaido themed buffet so lots of seafood. Cost $US 60 each. Here are some of the food.

I think JP would like this Roast beef even with the photo upside down.

 

 I had it with wasabi “inclusions “. Went very well. Like horseradish but with more heat.

Hand made sushi made when you order it.

 

Also sashimi rice bowl made when you order it. Same with the tempura. Also Snow crab, bouillabaisse, tasty salads and other do. A good selection of desserts worth sampling.

 
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

 

[Stumblefoot]

5 hours ago, drron29 said:

I think JP would like this Roast beef even with the photo upside down.

 

I had no idea that beef which has been roasted could be rarer than sushi until today. 🤢

[jpalbny]

7 hours ago, drron29 said:

I think JP would like this Roast beef even with the photo upside down.

 

 I had it with wasabi “inclusions “. Went very well. Like horseradish but with more heat.

 

Looks fantastic!

 

 

And perfectly done. I bet the wasabi added a nice kick.

 

2 hours ago, Stumblefoot said:

I had no idea that beef which has been roasted could be rarer than sushi until today. 🤢

 

Oh now... Try it, you'll like it! You just have to be quick with your fork so it doesn't run away.

[TLCOhio]

9 hours ago, drron29 said:

A little out of order but we are now in Tokyo staying at the IC Tokyo Bay with an upgrade to a suite. Great views.

 

Appreciate the many visuals, details and updates.  Noticed that you are staying the Intercontinental Tokyo Bay.  For early March 2024 when in Tokyo after flying up from Singapore, we have considered this hotel, but it seems at a distance from the best transportation and limited for food/shopping options in its immediate neighborhood.  Looks like a new, nice hotel.  Right?  But, how well do you evaluate their location for easy access to the key sites and sights?

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[drron29]

I’ll be posting some more of the time at the hotel. It was built in the mid 1990’s. I like the position though we have stayed in Tokyo many times. Really there is no “best” position in Tokyo as attractions are so spread out. Getting around by public transport is very easy.

We landed at NRT and got a limousine bus to the door of the hotel.

From HND you can take the monorail or JR train and change to the Yurikamone line and Takeshita station is less than 100 metres from the hotel. 
If you want what I consider the best IC hotel for position for an Intercontinental Hotel in Tokyo then look at the Intercontinental Three Strings. It is right at Shinagawa station with direct trains to both airports and is a Shinkansen stop so easy to get anywhere in Japan.

[TLCOhio]

16 hours ago, drron29 said:

If you want what I consider the best IC hotel for position for an Intercontinental Hotel in Tokyo then look at the Intercontinental Three Strings. It is right at Shinagawa station with direct trains to both airports and is a Shinkansen stop so easy to get anywhere in Japan.

 

Great suggestion for the Intercontinental Three Strings hotel.  Nice location and hotel.  For the March 2-5, 2024, period when we will be in Tokyo, that is the weekend when they are having the Marathon in this large city.  When I started checking five months ago, hotel prices were very, very high.  In part, driven by it being the Marathon weekend.  For the Intercontinental Three Strings hotel when I checked today, their best rate was a decent amount above the good option that we already have in the active and handy Ginza area.  Will keep checking as we get closer to our travel dates. 

 

Clearly Tokyo is a high-priced city and our timing with the Marathon that weekend makes it more challenging for our desired pricing level.  Great follow-up!!  Will keep enjoying your wonderful posts.   

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[drron29]

Yes hotel prices in Tokyo are almost always high. Some times such as cherry blossom time they are exorbitant.

[drron29]

Now for an interesting day in Bangkok. I went to the Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Close to the old Don Muang airport but with a Skytrain station near by with the obvious name of the Royal Thai air force Museum station so you can't miss it. I had to travel 23 stations in 40 minutes at a cost of 47 baht -$A2, $US1.3.

So a few of the photos I took.

 

even helicopters.

 

And an air museum isn't complete without one of these.

 

I learnt a few things. There were a few planes that the Thais bought from the Japanese between 1942-45. I didn't know they were so close during WW2.

 

So for any who likes old planes or war planes this is a very good museum. what's more is that it is free and only closed on Public holidays.

Recommended.

[drron29]

on my last day in Bangkok I went for a walk to the Platinum Fashion Mall. Didn't tell Rojaan my aim was to find a cheap jacket. success a bright blue jacket for 900 baht -$A39 ,$US25. No pictures until on the Muse.

I did suggest I leave it behind when the cruise ended but Rojaan said no keep it for the next cruise as well. I obviously did very well. so some pictures of the walk.

 

On my way back I stopped at the garden I passed. A lovely oasis in the city.

 

[Stumblefoot]

For those of us who like you in pink, we look forward to checking you out the new blue.

[drron29]

Time for some food porn. I really loved the breakfast buffet at the Kimpton. Thai ,Chinese ,Japanese. Indian , Middle Eastern and some western dishes. i love curry and spices for breakfast.

First a couple of shots of my typical first plate.

 

 

A few of the dishes at breakfast.

 

 

 

 

In the late afternoon we went across to Coffee Nation a couple of times as they have the best mushroom pizza we have had anywhere in the world.

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

9 hours ago, drron29 said:

Time for some food porn. I really loved the breakfast buffet at the Kimpton. Thai ,Chinese ,Japanese. Indian , Middle Eastern and some western dishes. i love curry and spices for breakfast.

 

Appreciate this great sharing and follow-up with these fun and interesting food porn visuals from Tokyo.  Keep it coming!!

 

Yesterday in preparation for our first visit to Japan March 2-5, 2024, I had an opportunity to meet with Japan’s Deputy Consul General Shin Ogawa.  Gained some good and interesting background.  This includes for dining quality and value!!   He noted that some of the best chefs in the world are in Tokyo, plus now with currency value changes, prices are about half what they used to be.  Good news, plus he shared that Tokyo is a very safe city.  Right?

 

From the London/UK Daily Mail two days ago, they had this headline: “Eat your heart out: The world's best destinations for affordable Michelin dining revealed - Tokyo is the No.1 city” with these highlights: “When it comes to cities, the world's top ten destinations for Michelin-rated dining on a budget are all in Asia, according to the study.  Tokyo, Japan, ranks first, with 77 restaurants; followed by Seoul, South Korea, (second, 59); Osaka, Japan, (third, 46); and Bangkok, Thailand (fourth, 43).”

 

Full story at:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12587737/Eat-heart-worlds-best-destinations-affordable-Michelin-dining-revealed-Tokyo-No-1-city-Italy-named-best-country-UK-ranks-fifth-Europe.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,011 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[rojaan19]

We have arrived in Yokohama  and are waiting for our ship to come in   🙂🙂

[drron29]

Terry the dining is still not cheap for us but certainly not as expensive  for  Americans.

When we first went to Japan in 1984 we were getting 360 yen for our dollar and $US 1.30. Today it is 90 yen and 62 US cents. But in 1984 we couldn’t afford to eat in any hotel restaurant yet now some are not expensive at all.

30 years of deflation are the cause of this happening. Just look up charts of the Nikkei index or Tokyo land prices. Horrendous falls.

 

[drron29]

Our flight from BKK to SIN was delayed an hour because of engine problems. Fortunately the lounge was nice.

 

 

 

 

 

And my meal on the plane was really tasty -Northern Thai beef.

 

I watched a very good documentary series on Lee Kwan Yew. Time nor Tide. Remembering Lee Kwan Yew. Released in September to coincide with 100 years since his birth.

Then to bed early at the Crowne Plaza Changi as we had to be up at 5am to make our flight to Tokyo.

[drron29]

We flew to NRT on JAL. We really like them. When we rrived at the gate lounge an FA came over and told us that the IFE wasn't working in the Business cabin but they were trying to fix it. A few minutes before boarding she came back to say it hadn't been fixed and gave us a form to get 2,000 yen from JAL. Also free wifi on our next 2 JAL flights. Fortunately we have 6 booked in the next 6 months.

On board though the IFE wasn't totally down and we were able to watch live TV but not movies or their TV collection. So not unhappy. We did have to divert to the west of Taiwan because of an approaching typhoon.

 

So now for Terry the food. Rojaan thought her appetiser was excellent and the steak pretty good and much better than she had on Singapore or BA on this trip.

 

 

And I virtually always pick the Japanese meal. Presentation and taste usually very good.

 

And the main meal served with miso ,pickles and rice.

 

 

dessert the same for both of us.

 

Later on I tried their Soba in a cup. really  nice.

 

 

 

[drron29]

Interrupting the programming for almost certainly the only real live report for this thread. The Muse arriving on a miserable morning in Yokohama.

 

 

The tug gets into position to help her turning.

 

 

And she backs in towards the pier.

 

 

 

 

But she is half an hour late! Good to see our home for the next 6 weeks here.

[drron29]

The flight was uneventful though we did deviate to the west of Taiwan to go around a typhoon. Despite that we were at the gate a minute before the ETA. The worry now was could we get through all the formalities and catch the limousine bus to the IC Tokyo Bay.It was 1610 when we got off the plane and the bus was at 1700.
We were at the satellite terminal so a fair walk to immigration. There was a fairly long line as well.You get to the automated machine where an agent looks after 2 and basically does everything for you. Then rejoin the queue to line up at an agent where they do it all again. Fortunately we had done the online form so got past a few others but got out of Immigration at 1640. Down to the baggage carousel and our bag was off the carousel waiting for us. Then a long line to go through customs. A couple of groups were given a work over. We were just waved through but now 1652 when we reached the Limousine bus ticket office.

The route to the IC had only been restarted on 1/10 and the young agent obviously didn't know but i found a timetable and was able to show her which bus we needed to be on. Again it was at one of the furthest stops from the exit but we reached the bus at 1658.We had just settled into our seats when the bus started off at exactly 1700 as usual.

 

For the hotel I had used a confirmable suite upgrade voucher so checkin a breeze, Taken aback when the agent said because of us being unable to give you an upgrade would you like points or an extra 5000 yen F&B allowance. We took that. Then told as a diamond you automatically have a 4pm check out.
After unpacking we went down to the bar. Mrsdrron had 2 glasses of Cloudy Bay SB-the only one they had. I had 2 Kirins. We also shared a pizza of salmon roe and anchovies. The anchovies were tiny , even smaller than the whitebait in NZ. But the pizza was excellent.

 

Our room.

 

 

 

 

 

The views from the room.

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

The breakfast,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[drron29]

After breakfast I went for a walk. The buildings in this area usually have some greenery outside.

 

 

I ended up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is just at the end of spider lily blooming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2023 by drron29