Chiang Mai to Bangkok

It's a lazy morning. CJ is off to have a look at the nearby riverside Anantara hotel which is spectacular if not a bit lacking in character. Even though a mere two blocks from our hotel it sits on the banks of the River Ping.

Between our hotel and the Anantara is a temple.  This is a busy working temple with many locals praying and some blessing their food. The temple spans to the river where there are a restaurant and river cruise concession on the banks of the Ping River.

CJ manages a quick 10 full laps of the pool while Carol completes the packing.

We have three options to go to the airport. A $6 taxi, $13.50 for the hotel van or $20 gets you the antique Mercedes. Check out this speedometer from 1966.

An afternoon flight returns us to Bangkok. So far the exterior painting of the planes on Thai Air, Thai Smile, and Bangkok Airlines are among the most decorative and colorful in the world.

Suvarnabhumi is a beautiful and efficient airport.  Whereas most places would put parking or administrative buildings between the terminals, here they have beautiful Thai themed gardens.

 

 

We are welcomed back to the Marriott with the same spectacular suite room only on a different corner of the building so that we have a change of scenery. Dinner is taken in the concierge lounge. The staff has insisted that we take in the rooftop bar. In the dark it can be a scary place with glass panels forming the wall at the edge of the roof; and only so tall as to allow people seated at the tables to see over the top unimpeded.  The views from this 50th floor location are incredible.

 

 

The night ends with a drink in the concierge lounge with the incredible hostess, Aey. She even remembered our drink preferences from our stay last week.