TWG in Bangkok

Bangkok has really extended its tea salons since my last visit. My favourite is Twinings, but TWG is also pretty good.

Tea at The Savoy, Yangon

Not the best cuppa I have ever had in my life, but I loved the setting.

 "almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea"

Tea at 1885

I had the great idea of having afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. They don't take bookings, so we just turned up on Saturday afternoon expecting to wait a bit for a table. I don't mind waiting a bit, but we would have been waiting for at least 2 hours. No way. Not trying that again.

I was thrilled to find that the E&O did afternoon teas in their lovely 1885 tea room. The good news was that although they were busy, we didn't have to queue. It was a very civilized affair; classical music, well-dressed cliental and a good selection of treats. I gave it 9.5 out of ten. It lost points for limited tea selection (no Ceylon B.O.P. Shocker.) and unnatural jam colour. It made up for it with fresh, warm scones, lovely china and silverware, and original cakes.

Bangkok day

I have mostly stopped blogging when I come to Bangkok as I have been here so many times and things are very familiar. Still, it's a great city, so I will keep up the blog this time. We only had one day and two nights in Bangkok this time (back in a few days), but we crammed a lot into today.

1. Breakfast: A feast of muesli, yogurt, fruits and omelets made to order on the 19th floor of our hotel.
2. Work: put in a few hours in the hotel room while David went out to explore the neighbourhood
3. Nails: Finally a well-overdue mani and pedi (for me, not David)
4. Meet at Central World and go for tea. I was delighted that there is now a Twinings teashop in Bangkok. I had the 1706 blend. I think it was made for me and I'm craving more of it.

Fabulous 1706 blend tea 

5. Walk over the canal along to Platinum Fashion Mall. One of my favourite malls in Bangkok. It's where Thais go bargain hunting. Last time I went I came away with 3 handbags and 4 pairs of shoes. This time I was very restrained: just one pair of shoes.

6. Lunch at the food court in Platinum mall. First time we've eaten there, fantastic food for 130 baht.

Isaan nam prik, fish and rice and tom yum noodle soup with fish balls. Yum yum.

7. Walk back over the canal to Central World area, with a quick stop for some snacks and a coconut drink (out of the coconut, of course).

Fresh out of the pan!

Kanom Krok - a kind of coconut fried cake. Lush.

The kanom krok and fresh coconut stands side by side: a perfect combination 

8. Walk to Amarin Centre via the elevated walkway. Haircuts and foot massages. Oh how I have missed this kind of pampering!

Traffic on Rama I Road

9. Back to the room to shower and change and go out again. First stop, the rooftop bar in our hotel "Speakeasy"

David at Speakeasy

Bathtub booze at the speakeasy

10. Dinner in the street on plastic chairs

Dinner at a local street stand

Papaya salad, assorted leaves and sticky rice (later came grilled pork and "Jim casually"... which appeared to be a beef dish)

11. Home to blog and then to bed. Night night.

Tea

Love tea! Got to try loads today.