In Royal Footsteps-southern England and the long way home.

[drron]

It really is convenient if flying out of HND.You walk out from the lobby to the departure hall.Easy checkin but security presented a problemWe are both OWE and were travelling in J so as usual we presented to the premium lane.The guy checking BPs refused to let us in.We pointed out the pictures of the BA gold card on a large stand and produced the card.He insisted we could only be in the premium lane if we were on a flight using the same airline as our FF card.He wouldn't budge.Went and asked at the JAL desk and they said they couldn't do anything.A year ago it was not an issue.
Sent complaint emails to both JAL and HND administration.They each blamed the other party for this.
The ordinary line was very long and took about 40 minutes to go through cutting down our lounge time.The JAL F lounge at HND is quite nice.

JL 031. HND-BKK. B772. Seats 3D,G.
Fortunately it is one of the routes that has the new Sky suite 111.
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[drron]

The menu and wine list.
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The wines.
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[drron]

I had the Japanese meal.As usual beautifully presented.
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I think mrsdrron went with the beef.The seats are further apart at the head so I didn't get any pics of her meal.
My meal tasted as good as it looked.Mrsdrron was very happy with the South African sav blanc.I was very happy with what has become my favourite tipple-the Mendoza Malbec.
This was a much better flight than the OZ flight ICN-NRT.

 

[drron]

We were looking at arriving at BKK 30 minutes early but a few loops ans arrived on time.Once again a long walk to Immigration but virtually no one in the priority lanes.So got to the baggage carousel and had to wait for our bags.We are on a roll.Our 2 bags out in the first 10.
This time in BKK we are doing things differently.Mrsdrron wanted to check out the new super mall on the river-Iconsiam.So the first 3 nights we spent at the Royal Orchid Sheraton.Quite some time since we had been there-stayed a few times in the 80s and 90s.

It helped that we were upgraded to a studio suite.
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And the view.
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[drron]

Just time to unpack and it was Happy Hour.The views from the lounge were upriver so different to our room.
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Some will recognise this building.
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We thought we might get a good sunset.
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The clouds appeared to be breaking up but it quickly clouded over again.
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[drron]

Getting back to our room the view had changed.
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[drron]

Next day started with brekkie in the lounge.You could order eggs as well as the buffet.So I tried the eggs benedict.Not the greatest.
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It was a lovely day,not too hot or humid.So arrived over the river ~ 1100.
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[amaroo]

The next course was monkfish with a spiced sauce.As mrsdrron had said she doesn't like spicy food they asked her what things she liked so a prawn and mushrooms with her fish.Hers was better than mine although my monkfish was excellent.
View attachment 174507.View attachment 174508.

For mains mrsdrron had the lamb whilst I went with the pigeon which was beautiful.
View attachment 174509.View attachment 174510.

Alain Roux took over from his father in 2002 and is known for his desserts.they didn't disappoint.A sorbet though before they came out.
View attachment 174511.View attachment 174512.

View attachment 174513.View attachment 174514.
The souffle was sublime.
And to finish off petit fours.
View attachment 174515.

A truly enjoyable night with fine food and brilliant tastes.Thoroughly recommended.
To finish off Alain Roux was standing at the back and we had a good chat.he knew that we were unusual as staying 2 nights instead of the usual one night and dinner.

As suspected you picked the better brother's place to dine. The other bother's place in Mayfair isn't worth the trip.

 

[amaroo]

They didn't muck around with that new development. I took this photo back in 2017.

 

[drron]

Yes things tend to get built a lot quicker in Asia than Australia,Here it is mid October 2018.

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The mall opened to the public on 10/11/18.

 

[drron]

Impressive landscaping inside.
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But the you notice that some colours just don't look right.
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They are all plastic.

 

[drron]

You do wonder what some of the English means.This one was nearly right.
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It was then time for lunch.We went to one of our favourites-Nara.From this branch you look at the ROS.
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We started with their pomelo salad which is definitely our favourite dish.
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Plus BBQ chicken.
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And I also had a khao soi.Nice amount of heat.
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[drron]

One of the reasons mrsdrron wanted to check out Iconsiam was because they had Bangkok's first Takashimaya Dept store.We both like this Japanese store.However this branch was not up to the usual standard.They did however have some Japanese fruit at Japanese prices.
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There was a mezzanine floor with some arts and crafts including the Royal women's stores.You got some good shots of the ground floor.
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Should have saved some room for this.
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[drron]

Some outside shots.
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[drron]

Back to the lounge for drinks.The sunset was a little better.
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And some night lights.
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[drron]

It was back to Iconosiam the next day.We visited the exhibition of the new King's Coronation.
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Now I wonder where they got the idea for these uniforms.
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It was then in to Takashimaya.As I said we were disappointed.There were though Star Wars figures in pewter.
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It was then back to Nara for lunch.We again started with the pomelo salad but this time with chicken in pandan leaves and pork with garlic.Both very nice.
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[drron]

Now Iconsiam has free ferries across the river and to Saphan taksin and the BTS but also one that goes a little distance upriver so we decided to have a free sightseeing cruise.Across the river is the Portugese Embassy.
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The ferry stopped at this temple.
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We stayed on for the final stop but then went straight back to the mall.
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[drron]

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But not everything is new.
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[drron]

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The Holy Rosary church just upriver of the Sheraton.
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[drron]

Back to the Portugese Embassy.
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