Bangkok new Airport

Today, was my first trip back after the coup at the new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. This airport is huge and the arrival would be more welcoming to have some plants, flowers, paint the pillars to liven up the airport. The weather is a bit hotter than Singapore at 32 degree Celsius. Surprising the departure atrium is so much nicer and lively, what a contrast.


Transport at the Airport
I took the Airport Limousine taxi from AOT Limousine counter just outside the arrival gate – it was quick and efficient – zapped my credit card for B1,100 for a London cab. A Mercedes taxi would have cost me B1,500. But after the first 15 minutes, I should have chosen the Mercedes limousine taxi instead. The ride on a London cab was very uncomfortable and bumpy even going at 100km/hr. This is the first time I strapped on a seat belt sitting at the back seat of the taxi, I normally don't. It was the solid yellow handle bars sticking out around the back seat cabin that gave me the creeps. What if there was an accident hitting one of those bars would be nasty. So, next time no more London cab limousine.

I left the airport @ 4pm after about 25 minutes - I was in a horrendous traffic jam where time literally just stood still - so I took out my notebook and start blogging. Bangkok's heavy traffic is legendary posing a challenge for residents and visitors to this city. Once in the city to avoid the traffic jam get on the BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway - it is a reliable alternative.

Hotel Review:
Grand Hyatt Erawan
Location: 494 Rajdamri Road (near BTS Chitlom)

My Room

Comments: I have stayed here before and it is a grand and nice hotel. It is very central with the Skytrain just within walking distance. In front of the hotel has a famous shrine - Erawan Shrine - it is open free from 6.30am - 10.30pm. This is one of Bangkok's business intersections, the crowded shrine to the Hindu creation god Brahma and his elephant Erawan is filled iwth worshipers lighting incense, buying lottery tickets and watching the traditional dancing group which performs for a nominal fee.

Restaurants I recommend
Scala Shark-Fins Restaurant (1992) - $$$ - 218 Siam Square 1, Opposite Scala Theatre Bangkok - tel:252-0322. Very good Thai Teochew seafood - try the Shark Fins braised in brown sause, stir fried eggs with shark fins and crab. The Thai Chinese shark fin's soup with it whole shark fin is very different from Chinese Shark fins soup where the shark fins are shred.

The Empress Restaurant- $$ - located on the ground floor of the Royal Princess, Larn Luang Hotel. Award winning Cantonese restaurant. I had tim sum and it was just as soon as having it at any best Hong Kong restaurant.

Anna Cafe's - $ - value for money Thai food - the orginal cafe is located at Saladaeng Silom Road. I recommend this restaurant it is really good food at reasonable price.

Thai massage
This ancient style of massage is traditional Thai massage without oil, using acupressure points that stimulate muscles and nerves, and assisted by yogic stretching. Skilled Thai massage practitioners employ their hands, elbows, knees as well as their own body weight, to apply various degrees of pressure and mobilisation to different parts of the body. This ancient form of healing can do wondes for all of the body's organic systems by helping align and balance the energies of the body. By enhancing blood circulation, Thai massage can help to break down and release toxins trapped in the body, in turn strengthening the immune system. Though Thai massage can at moments be a bit painful, the after-effect is not one of fatigue but calm. Bangkok offers more places to indulge in massage than any other city on earth.

A great Thai massage can cost just B100 per hour, while posher spas like I.Sawan Residential Spa & Club @ Grand Hyatt Erawan can easily cost 10 times that.

Today, I tried this famous Reflexology (also called Foot massage) - Chang Foot massage & Spa - located @ Siam Square Soi 6 near Novotel Hotel. Chang also has a branch at the Suvarnabhumi Airport costing B300 for 1hr.