Ballyhoo: Bit of This, Bit of That

We started out going to Emsphere for a look-around. Kade hadn't been yet, so I led the way. This restaurant directory (a tad blurry) shows you some of the dining options - and, yes, just some. Emsphere is the $400+ million US luxury mall that has opened in Bangkok's Phrom Phong district. It's really so much more than a mall. It's mind-boggling. If you visit, just make sure you arrive by BTS (skytrain).

Uh-oh

I have been inside so many huge malls in Bangkok over the years, and I have eaten at so many - food courts, restaurants, beer gardens, chains, nice restaurants, festivals, you name it. Sometimes, though, I prefer escaping the crowds for quieter, more relaxing places to dine. So, after we walked around Emsphere, we ended up going to Isshin Japanese Restaurant on Soi 24. I had been there a few times, so I wanted to introduce Kade to it. Japanese expats love this place.

Later in the day, after a good rest and sleep, we went back out. I had one rooftop bar in mind - Anju Korean Rooftop. It's on Lang Suan Rd, an area that's starting to feel like home. There was also another rooftop - The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar - I thought we might be able to do right afterwards.

Arrived at Chidlom BTS station. From the stairs, we looked up and saw Sindhorn Midtown hotel. It's where we need to go. Let's go check it out!

Heading on up

We reached it! 5 PM.

We'll see about that!

Okay, I'm convinced!

That's Hotel Muse, where the second rooftop bar is. Can we make it there by 6 PM?

The tall one in the back is Kimpton Maa-Lai. That's where I went to the amazing Bar.Yard rooftop bar.

That building a bit right of center is Hotel Indigo. That's where Char rooftop bar is. I love the views from there. I've taken my wife. I've taken my cousin. And this trip, I took my Atlanta friend up there. Oh, and I always recommend it to others. Some Asheville friends have even enjoyed Char. That green area is the US Ambassador's property. When you're at Char, you can look right down on it.

That's the Chidlom BTS station where we arrived. It has the long, bluish roof. We then cut through that burgundy/deep red building on the right. It's The Mercury Ville Chidlom (mall). Once we were on Lang Suan Rd, it was an easy walk.

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok

An Asheville friend and I went up to the top of the Waldorf Astoria to check out a restaurant and bar. Looking out at the skyline with 360 degree views, she said, "This city is HUGE."

Remember, Anju is a Korean-inspired rooftop bar. Kade got the Hyundae cocktail (right) and I got the Kimchi Signature Mocktail. My liver was happy!

It's 5:40 PM. Let's get over to Hotel Muse.

Once we got our seats at The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar @ Hotel Muse, I looked out and up at Anju. Something very satisfying about it - seeing something you just "conquered." I get that same thrill when hiking. You descend one mountain, hike a mile or two to the next spot, then look out and spot where you just were. Viola!

Hotel Muse is classy, and The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar is also. The bartender and server were very experienced, and they were so friendly. We treated our livers to real cocktails. I have been a little disappointed with rooftop cocktails before, but not here.