My rather flash award and other Bangkok pics.
August 26th, 2009
I’ve just got home from the Australian Society of Travel Writers awards and AGM in Bangkok and, although I’m feeling very jet-lagged (and perhaps still just a bit hungover), I had a marvelous four days. The highlight was of course winning ‘Travel Book of the Year‘ for Sleeping Around, but I also jammed in a lot of other fun stuff. I certainly jammed in a lot of food with the help of the ‘locals’ who really looked after our stomachs. We were fed huge Thai banquets by Bangkok Airways, The Thai Tourism Authority and a spectacular show and dinner at SiamNiramit. I also visited the ‘Snake Farm’, lounged by the pool, went on a four-hour guided bike tour of the back alleys of Bangkok, lounged by the pool, had a long massage, did some shopping and lounged by the pool. But boy was I tired by the end. On our final night we went to see Bangkok’s most famous show Siam Niramit where we were treated to an absolute feast. I stuffed myself on duck red curry, barbecue prawns, pad thai, sushi, salad, baked fish, mussels, chicken green curry, cakes and ice cream. Plus a few Singha beers. But, after four busy days and a very full stomach, I fell asleep as soon as the lights went out for the show. Which is a rather impressive feat considering how much noise was going on. The world’s highest stage saw 150 performers (plus two live elephants and a few goats and roosters) recreate scenes from Thailand’s history. I dozed for about twenty minutes and I’d wake up startled by cannons going off or a heavy downpour of rain onto the stage and even a couple of elephants walking past two rows in front of me.
Here are some pics from my long long weekend…
The view from my room on the 49th floor of the Centara Grand
Off on bike tour of Bangkok
Negotiating narrow paths and roaming dogs
The back streets of Bangkok
The bright side of the road, Bangkok
The pool at the Centara Grand (where I did some serious lounging)
The 55th floor roof top bar at the Centara Grand (where I did some serious drinking)
The entrance to the 55th floor Red Sky bar
The banquet at Siam Niramit
The ‘Australian Society of Travel Writers’ elephant!
On August 26th, 2009 Hackpacker said:
On August 26th, 2009 Brian Thacker said:
On August 26th, 2009 Craig Dunn said:
On August 26th, 2009 Chris Davies said:
On August 26th, 2009 Adam Fass said:
On August 26th, 2009 Epiphanie Bloom said:
On September 6th, 2009 Ian Crawshaw said:
On September 6th, 2009 Ally Goodall said: