| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 51 |
| Copyright: Other |
One sip of a rather strong coffee leaves me with that trunk feeling
One quick break for lunch washed down with a potent beverage left me under no illusions as to why the restaurant was such a popular place
One quick break for lunch washed down with a potent beverage left me under no illusions as to why the restaurant was such a popular place
Having a right old paddyThe Regent Chang Mai Resort situated at the foot of the Doi Suthep Mountains is a place I would love to go back to. It seems to have everything – fantastic five-star facilities including golf, tennis and spa with treatment suites, it’s close to quality shopping and every room has a spectacular view. But more than this, it has achieved a balance with the local environment, designed as it was to reflect the ancient Lanna culture.
The hotel overlooks working paddy fields which are the focal point of the hotel’s lush landscaping. The rice they produce is donated to the local hill tribes as a gesture of thanks for the tolerance shown by this age-old community.
Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock couldn’t improve the grounds here, so full are they of sumptuous plant life with orchids, lilies, bamboos and ferns jostling to catch your eye. And I’ve yet to see the Ground Force team include water buffalo in their grand schemes as has been done here.
The resort is patronised mostly by Americans and I guess this is because the Brits have yet to discover it. For the self-indulgent, the Lanna Spa is an added attraction, with its seven treatment suites for individuals or couples – and there were lots of couples here in this romantic setting.
Director Julian Crane, who showed me around the resort, told me that the decoration is inspired by that of a northern Thai temple, rich and luxurious.
The smell of the aromatic herbs and oils and the temptation to linger longer very nearly overwhelmed me but it was time to move on for a hotel inspection of the Amari Rincome Hotel, Chiang Mai. There was a warm atmosphere at the Amari which may have had something to do with its being the oldest hotel in Chiang Mai and therefore very much at ease with itself and its guests.
We ate lunch in the coffee shop under a ceiling of colourful umbrellas. I noticed that the restaurant was open to non-residents and this has clearly helped to create the popularity it enjoys.
The food was great and there was naturally an extensive coffee menu. I chose wild elephant coffee as it seemed in keeping with my recent experiences. Marc Dumar, general manager of the hotel and our host, warned me that it contained alcohol. As soon as I’d drained the cup, I realised why the recipe had been so named. If the elephants drink this, it’s small wonder they go wild – I very nearly did myself!
In the swing of things
Packed and ready for the Thai Airways flight back to Bangkok, we said goodbye to the Imperial Mai Ping where we had been staying. The hotel was clearly a favourite with British holidaymakers thanks to its downtownlocation and accommodating atmosphere.
On arrival in Bangkok, we were pleased to meet up again with Jeffery of Pacific World who transported us back to the Bel Aire Princess. By now the hotel had filled with Middle Eastern families enjoying their children’s school holidays and there was a real buzz about the place.
We reacquainted ourselves with the bustle of Bangkok and did some final tours of the shops. On the way back from the night market, I spotted a hoarding advertising live jazz from the window of the Skytrain. Intrigued to know whether Thai jazz swings, we found ourselves at a super restaurant with a resident jazz group called The Andy Poole Quintet. And yes, it did swing, with Andy sounding something like Bobby Darin and his saxophonist Paul playing in the Lester Young mode.
For those of you who are interested or whose clients would be, the club is called The Fab Café and is reached by the Skytrain to Chom Lit station. Quite a find in downtown Bangkok and it made for a memorable last night.
My China Airlines flight on the upper deck of the aircraft was smooth and comfortable as was my connecting flight with British Midland from Amsterdam to Heathrow.
Stormy weather had caused some delays for aircraft arriving and leaving Amsterdam and, with sterling efforts from Paul and Inga on the British Midland desk, I was able to retrieve my baggage and switch to the delayed morning flight.
I reflected on the way home that I have still only scratched the surface of this country with its diverse landscapes and generous people, and concluded that I for one will never tire of Thailand!
Back to life, back to reality
It was back to work with a bang the next day as Kate informed me that in my absence, one of my clients had called in to complain about her recent holiday to Greece. She had been home for a week but had been “too annoyed and wound up” to call in before. Having calmed down, she detailed the problems she had encountered.
First, there had been no honey on the breakfast table, yet the client had observed that there wasplenty to be found in local supermarkets.
Second, the brochure had described the hotel as family run but the client protested that she had seen said family only once.
Third, there were no blankets in the bedroom and the air conditioning didn’t work.
It was at this point that Kate felt the need tointerrupt.
“Why did you need both the air conditioning and the blanket?” she asked.
“Oh,” said the client, “it wasn’t the air conditioning in our apartment but someone else’s we got talking to.”
She went on to add to her list of grievances. It seemed that on the way back home, the aircraft hit a flock of birds causing the pilot to return to Athens airport and incurring a 4hr delay. This delay meant that she missed a day’s work for which she’d be seeking compensation.
Oh, and another thing, she’d checked what everyone else had paid for their trip and, surprise, surprise, they had all booked last minute and got their holidays cheaper than her. If she’d paid the same price, I wonder if she’d have had as many complaints?