Up the Amazon Without a Paddle.

[drron]

 

[drron]

Next-the last of Tokyo.

 

[zig]

Your photos of the garden are just magical drron, thanks for posting.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Your photos of the garden are just magical drron, thanks for posting.

It is a battle of the cameras when we go travelling now ....... who can get the best shot !

 

[drron]

So thats it for the garden.We really enjoyed it.it is the first time we have been to Tokyo at the beginning of December but wont be the last.After we left the garden we caught the JR Oedo line train to Shinjuku and looked through the shops again.Had Suikiyaki course for 2 on the 13th floor of the Odaya dept store.

We got sahimi,pickles,miso and sweets along with a large beer and a soft drink for 8250Y($100).Then got the train back to Ebisu.I love arriving at Ebisu as they play the Harry Lime theme for each train.Anyway back to the Westin.We were exhausted so lay down for a nap.Awoken at 1723 with the hotel really shaking.Lasted about 5 minutes.It was the 7.2 quake off the coast of Japan.Interestingly the Japanese use a different scale and on theirs this was a 5.3 quake.A quiet snack in the EL sufficed for dinner.

Saturday and another easy day.started late and went to the 100 yen shop where mrsdrron found even more stuff she didn't know she needed.We walked back to the opposite side of Ebisu station where we had not been before.There was a food promotion going on and you were invited to bash the life out of some rice noodles-

I declined.Then we found a couple of temples.One new-

And one old-

Once again we got some sushi,sahimi and cakes from Mitsukoshi on the way back to the Westin.Made a very nice lunner.To bed early as we were catching the 0630 limousine bus in the morning.
Next-off to Bangkok.

 

[zig]

It is a battle of the cameras when we go travelling now ....... who can get the best shot !

Nothing like some healthy competition. So in the spirit of shared photo credits, thanks to drron and mrs.dr.ron for sharing the photos - they are beautiful.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

QUOTE .Anyway back to the Westin.We were exhausted so lay down for a nap.Awoken at 1723 with the hotel really shaking.Lasted about 5 minutes.It was the 7.2 quake off the coast of Japan. QUOTE



Let me just say that was the scariest 5 minutes I have spent in bed with drron ! :shock: 7.3 certainly shook the Westin ( we were on the 12th floor - corner room) - the walls were moving quite a bit. The bed shook, the floor as well. What to do ? Panic, pray or both ! We read the bit in the hotel compendium about earthquakes and how the hotel was built on bedrock. That was our 4th earthquake ( California tremor/Newcastle/Christchurch) and I definitely dont want to go any higher than 7.3 !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JessicaTam]

QUOTE .Anyway back to the Westin.We were exhausted so lay down for a nap.Awoken at 1723 with the hotel really shaking.Lasted about 5 minutes.It was the 7.2 quake off the coast of Japan. QUOTE



Let me just say that was the scariest 5 minutes I have spent in bed with drron ! :shock: 7.3 certainly shook the Westin ( we were on the 12th floor - corner room) - the walls were moving quite a bit. The bed shook, the floor as well. What to do ? Panic, pray or both ! We read the bit in the hotel compendium about earthquakes and how the hotel was built on bedrock. That was our 4th earthquake ( California tremor/Newcastle/Christchurch) and I definitely dont want to go any higher than 7.3 !!!!!!!!!!!

I hope it didn't last too long. I guess the reaction of the staff would be the best indication of how serious it was.

 

[Hvr]

QUOTE . That was our 4th earthquake ( California tremor/Newcastle/Christchurch) and I definitely dont want to go any higher than 7.3 !!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like you know how to shake up the place when you travel.

 

[amaroo]

Great TR.

Have been waiting for the Japan sector.....beautiful!

 

[drron]

It was a nice sunny day as we left the Westin but the temperature was in single figures.Got worried at one stage when the traffic came to a virtual stop.Turned out to be the traffic to Toyo Disneyland so all was well.Arrived at 0830 and with typical japanese efficiency we were in the JAL Flounge by 0850.Fortunately again at check in all the bags were weighed together.
In the lounge there was a nice spread.All the drinks were out so helped myself to a glass or two of Rothchild's champagne.Also a very nice tomato and lobster soup.Was really nice for breakfast!Unfortunately couldn't get a massage appointment.Flight was leaving from the annex so left the lounge at 1000.

JL717. NRT-BKK. ETD-1050. pushback-1048. Takeoff-1110.
ETA-1600. landed-1606. At gate-1612.

Waiting for takeoff a JAL 787 was in front of us-

This was a 772 with regional seating and 2-3-2 in J.We had seats 2A,C.Certainly the standard on JAL has slipped since their stint in Bankruptcy.A bottle of water given out pre flight.No amenities bag just the basket to choose from.And the meal service has far less choice.offered a choice of Casual-a hamburger as the main,French-waygu with teriyaki sauce or Japanese which definitely had less than previous flights.So I chose the Casual option-

I then watched Johnny English and The Lady shogun before working on my photos to keep the TR going.Then a 2 hour nap.
Mrsdrron was the only woman in the full J cabin.She was ignored.I was given the 2 premium lane cards when i awoke even though mrsdrron was awake when they were first handed out.Then the FA came and thanked me for flying JAL but not her.

Once again we are at a gate as far away from Immigration as possible.Mrsdrron takes off first but a very slow Japanese gentleman gets in front of me so by the time I get to the moving footway she has a lead of 200 metres.I therefore bypass the moving footway as full of people from another flight.I try as hard as I can and pass virtually all of the pax between us and by the time we reach Immigration I am only 50 metres behind but I can go no further.Mrsdrron as usual heads for the first Immigration entry which has no premium lane but as we walk up with mrsdrron holding the cards a woman directs us to the empty Asean lane so we go straight through.
Had to wait for the bags and ours were scattered.Then to Customs and surrounded by a huge group of 3K passengers from the adjoining carousel.So slowed us up.But by 1640 we are in the mercedes heading to the SGS.Our 10th stay here and the 10th upgrade to a suite.Also 4th time to the same suite known by us as the Overture suite-1812.Unpack,shower and down to the Living room.

Greeted with hugs and kisses and without asking 2 glasses of Sav Blanc appear at our table.Decide just to snack here for dinner-mixed satays,deep fried soft shell crab and truffle infused mushrooms on garlic bread.All delicious.We feel at home and retire for a deep sleep.

Next-more of Bangkok.

 

[drron]

Monday and as is tradition for us on the first day of our stay Mrsdrron heads for the Jim Thompsom Outlet.picks up a few knickknacks and a few metres of material-thank goodness going back home it is QF so she has 32Kg allowance.enjoy a light lunch there-the pomelo salad is delicious.lemongrass drinks are also refreshing.Drop the stuff back at the SGS and our fruit basket has now been replaced-with mangosteens our favourite.Then across to Terminal 21.great oyster omelettes in the food court and only 50B-$1.60.

Tuesday and it is off to Central world.As has been reported there is a Din tai Fung here so we go for lunch.This is our second experience and quite frankly I dont get it.They are dumplings,street food and IMHO are better on the street.Plus for the price of 6 dumplings we can get 4 oyster omelettes and still have change.When we head back to the SGS we detour by the Tops supermarket just across the street and buy some more mangosteens-as we do every day-and just 39B a Kg.($1.30)

Wednesday and off to the Paragon.mrsdrron is still finding things to buy!We do enjoy their basement food court and have some pork and then sticky rice and mango.Some interesting specials-fish entrails and Certain Parts of Pork.Decide against those.After shopping it is over to the massage place under the Westin.300B for an hours massage.

Now at the Paragon we were interested in this-

Our granddaughter would just love either of those.What seems out of place here are the Christmas carols and other signs of Christmas-

Snowmen in Bangkok?I'd love to see that.
Next-the new night market.

 

[docjames]

Is AA phasing out eVIPs? Why your last?

Great tr as always. Amazing.

 

[drron]

No doc it is just no way I am going to make EXP again as there is a decent amount of award travel now.then AA changed the rule re million miles attainment-now only base miles with no class of service bonu.This means I would have to pay for 900000 miles to qualify for the next 4 EVIPs at 3 million miles.So now my first class travel will be on awards not upgrading.

So back to Bangkok.A few months back a new night market was opened on the Chao Praya.Acess for tourists basically via shuttle boat from the Taksin pier.We made the difficult decision to miss happy hour one night to go there.A good opportunity to get pictures of the sunset from the Chao Praya.It opens at 5pm and advisable to go early if getting the shuttle.It fills fast.So here it is

Was it worth it?Well we wont be missing any more happy hours for it.A little pricy by Bangkok standards.However if you are a first timer or nervous re Bangkok this is an easy place to relax.Young Thais seem to love it.An interesting sign at their pier-

We didn't see anyone do it though.
Were able to stay up and go to the late(for us) jazz session in the Living Room.This was to catch up with our friend the pianist-though the whole group know us now.
Next-you guessed it.Some sunset shots of Bangkok.

 

[drron]

So a few sunset and river life pictures-

 

[drron]

And the last pictures of Bangkok-

On our last day in bangkok it was relaxing by the pool before going over to Terminal 21 for a late lunch.Two oyster omelettes,large bowl of mushrooms and 2 coconut icecreams served in a young coconut.Total coast-$A6.the SGS obliged by giving us a 6pm checkout.

So next and probably last.QF back home.

 

[drron]

Leave the SGS at 1800.Sukhumvit as usual is a rolling car park but no problems on the expressway.Go to the VAT refund office.A long line of Indians each taking3-4 large Sony Bravia TVs.Finally get our documents stamped.no wait at checkin but our bags now weigh a combined 100Kg against just over 40Kg when we left.given Express cards and only people going through immigration and security.However a long line at the VAT refund office and afforementioned Indians are trying to push in whereever they can.Mrsdrron finally gets her money and off to the QF lounge.The Flounge here really isn't much and the food offerings dont really look appetising.

Left for the gate at 2045 and had to go through the charade of the bag check at the gate-they want to take everything out.At the gate all the priority seats are taken by young able bodied australians.boarding though began soon after we arrived.The J cabin is full but at least it is Mrsdrron who is greeted by name.We have 2A,B.A young child in 1A who sleeps for most of the flight.

QF24 BKK-SYD. ETD-2130. pushback-2125. takeoff-2139.
ETA-1050. Landed-1035. At gate-1055.

Uninspiring meal choices.served a salad first-

But after eating the cheese and tomatoes the leaves looked decidedly past it showing signs of decay-

Mrsdrron had the Toasted chicken schnitzel,cheese and cole slaw sandwich with even the cole slaw being toasted-

Whilst I had the other choice of the braised chicken and zucchini on an olive and lemon pasta-

I then had the cheese plate.Two small pices of no name cheese.I then went to sleep.sorry if any other AFFer was on the flight and my snoring disturbed them.

There is now a new breakfast menu-the cafe selection.Choice of a citrus salad or ham and cheese croissant.The CSM gave Mrsdrron a survey form-bad choice!
Once again we had to wait whilst the gate was vacated and once again found ourselves about as far from immigration as possible.Despite that and buying some duty Free we were in our rental car 25 minutes after leaving the plane.No one at Smart gate.bags already out when we arrived.Declared food but just questioned and passed the dog test so straight through.Avis here dont have a preferred board but an agent saw the preferred card in my hand,called me over,handed me the keys so no waiting despite a long line.

Of course Sydney was grandparent duty so not much of a chance fo anything.but did visit Mrsdrron's sister and had lunch at the Rhodes Phoenix chinese restaurant.Yum cha,huge place,packed and really good food-reccomended.

Stayed at the SOTP as this time was cheaper than the four Points.Dont have a good record here so wasn;t expecting anything but agent said-our policy is to give you the best room available at checkin and that today is an Executive suite.Could have blown me over with a feather.unfortunately really only slept there but it did have great views-

So our final flight.
QF528. SYD-BNE. ETD-1300. pushback-1300. takeoff-1322.
ETA-1335. landed-1340. at gate-1344.
This was a flight that served lunch.However choice was said to be mezze plate or cheese plate-the usual QF cheese plate which really is a poor c lunch for the premium cabin.My mezze plate-

Well that's it for this trip.will be off again mid March.Flying SYD-JNB (JASA).
Driving to DUR via Rorke's drift and the Drakensburgs.Then DUR-CPT.
Silver explorer cruise CPT-Accra.
ACC-JNB.Then off to Botswana on safari ending in Zambia and Victoria falls.
LVI-JNB-SYD to finish off.

 

[turtlemichael]

Great report and pics. We've booked Accra to Barcelona for March 2014 after a month in South Africa doing cricket and game parks so will be interested to read your postings next time!

 

[JessicaTam]

Thank you for another amazing trip report. I am probably looking forward to your next trip as much as you are!

 

[serfty]

Thankyou for another great TR - those Japanese garden images from both travelers invoked great perceptions, memories and yearnings.