We said goodbye to Singapore and Clarke Quay this morning and looked forward to our passage to the third country on our itinerary, Thailand, formerly Siam, made famous by, among other things, the book Anna and The King, which, of course, begat the play and movie "The King and I," which, as everyone knows, saw its modern adaptation in the form of the "Rush Hour" trilogy. 
Yet again, US diplomatic relations with Asia came within seconds of being severed forever, as we played the game that is quickly surpassing "Deal or No Deal" as the most popular game involving suitcases filled with valuables, namely, "How Many Bags Are We Allowed?" The answer changed several times (again) before we were permitted to check four of our five bags and treat
the final bag as a carry-on. Alas, the US State Department did not have to intervene, and the US Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore did not have to be pulled away from her Warm Tibetan Oil and Healing Clay Massage and Wrap at Spa Botanica. (You're welcome, Honorable Ms. Herbold.) Per usual, we were fed extremely well on our flight. (Editorial Note: We have had an exceptional meal on every leg of every flight during the VacAsian, and we can't help but think that if US airlines put as much effort in to customer service (and catering) as their Asian counterparts, there might be fewer bankruptcies.) Upon arriving in Bangkok, we were met by a representative of our hotel, lebua at State Tower, offered orange-scented cold face cloths and bottled water, and whisked away in a chauffeured BMW 700 series sedan. At the hotel, we were met immediately by another representative, who escorted us 
past the front desk and directly to our room on the 59th floor. "Check-in" took place on the sofa in the living room of our two room suite, while we scarfed down the complimentary box of "Welcome Chocolates." Before she left, our representative unlocked the door to our stunning marble balcony overlooking Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River. (If we don't return to the States, you know where to find us.) Believe everything you have heard about how inexpensive Bangkok is. Despite all these amenities (not to mention the many others not mentioned here) and the five nights we'll be spending here, this will be the least expensive of our five stays on the VacAsian.
past the front desk and directly to our room on the 59th floor. "Check-in" took place on the sofa in the living room of our two room suite, while we scarfed down the complimentary box of "Welcome Chocolates." Before she left, our representative unlocked the door to our stunning marble balcony overlooking Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River. (If we don't return to the States, you know where to find us.) Believe everything you have heard about how inexpensive Bangkok is. Despite all these amenities (not to mention the many others not mentioned here) and the five nights we'll be spending here, this will be the least expensive of our five stays on the VacAsian.About an hour after we arrived and settled in, our hotel driver chauffeured us to Embassy Tailor, Bangkok's only British tailor, where we were measured for and ordered custom suits and shirts. "Our driver" waited for us outside the tailor shop and returned us to the hotel, where we had a great dinner on the outdoor patio of Cafe Mozu. Apparently, someone phoned ahead with the news that HueBin was in town 
because an impromptu fireworks display erupted about 15 minutes in to our meal. Or maybe His Majesty King Bhumibol has been reading this blog.
because an impromptu fireworks display erupted about 15 minutes in to our meal. Or maybe His Majesty King Bhumibol has been reading this blog.Long live the King!
Wow - it's like you guys are superstars!
ReplyDeleteand just remember that, when at those massage parlors in Bangkok - "ain't nuttin' wrong, ..."
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