What do you do if you have a single day in Bangkok? Go shopping? Explore the sights? Well, actually, no.
For starters we had a leisurely breakfast. It had been included in our pre-paid, advance, non-changeable hotel booking (advance purchase without breakfast was, by some quirk of the Accor system, actually more expensive). So we availed ourselves of the extensive buffet and set ourselves up for the day.
Then we headed by airport train then the Skytrain (with a change at Siam) then a walk to the British Club.
I had arranged an introduction, and we were warmly welcomed (once we produced a credit card!). And indeed it has some of the characteristics of an oasis as described on the website - nice gardens, a pool, tennis court and an extensive menu, but it's clear that the membership is varied and in fact there were a lot of children in the pool! I don't recall Somerset Maugham mentioning them.
We had a nice meal in the dining room (I'm told the duck l'orange, and the apple blueberry crumble which followed, were great), overlooking peaceful gardens before adjourning to the outdoor area, between the pool and tennis court with the gym behind, to enjoy a cappuccino and watch a little of the Shanghai Open on the TV.
Did I say that the Club isn't on a direct train route from the airport (where we're staying)? The thought of retracing our journey in our by-now relaxed frame of mind late on a Friday afternoon when even more people would presumably be travelling was a little intimidating,and anyway the rain was starting.
We knew we had to negotiate to get a good taxi fare, but on arrival back at our accommodation we gave back the amount we'd negotiated off the opening offer from the driver, thus reinforcing the impression that Westerners are a soft touch, but he was happy!.
For starters we had a leisurely breakfast. It had been included in our pre-paid, advance, non-changeable hotel booking (advance purchase without breakfast was, by some quirk of the Accor system, actually more expensive). So we availed ourselves of the extensive buffet and set ourselves up for the day.
Then we headed by airport train then the Skytrain (with a change at Siam) then a walk to the British Club.
Did I say that the Club isn't on a direct train route from the airport (where we're staying)? The thought of retracing our journey in our by-now relaxed frame of mind late on a Friday afternoon when even more people would presumably be travelling was a little intimidating,and anyway the rain was starting.
We knew we had to negotiate to get a good taxi fare, but on arrival back at our accommodation we gave back the amount we'd negotiated off the opening offer from the driver, thus reinforcing the impression that Westerners are a soft touch, but he was happy!.
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