One night in Bangkok

I haven't tried this kind of one night trip for over 10 years.  Due to an urgent meeting in Bangkok, I had to make a one night stay in Bangkok, though I would be returning to Bangkok in another 2 days.

1/2: a late afternoon flight - when passing over Vietnam, a big haze cloud in the golden sunset light drawing the scene so spectacular.  3/4/5: the standard room of the new hotel called Compass Skyview.  It takes a very convenient location just right next behind Emporium.  The most horrible thing is when I walked in the room, a very familiar racing car noise bothered me much.  There are things you would be very impressed with a hotel - either the best or the worst.  This noise reminded me of the resort Mai Khao Natai beach (3 km north of Aleenta).  That was the worst ever air-conditioner I have ever come across - Samsung!  Fortunately I just booked one night in this hotel.  I'd cross out this hotel definitely.  

6: In the movie "Accidental Tourist", the actor William Hurt got on trips with less and less luggage.  In the end, he left his one and only suitcase on the street.  This time I only took one handy luggage.  The trip has never been that light though the trip's agenda was heavy.

New Business class, A350 Cathay Pacific - TPE-HKG

The new business class as being progressively retrofitted in its newly employed A350-900.  The seat takes an extended side bench on the left.  Besides, on the right, there is another extended rest to hold the bed in a wider space.  During such a short flight, CX still provides a full meal service for business class.  I got a veggie rice with seafood in XO sauce.  Pretty nice.

P.S. on this round trip, I got upgraded to the business class for both the outbound an inbound flights.  It's really interesting that there are more than 20 flights back-and-forth a day between Taipei and HK, but most of the flights are still very full. 

劍持屋，Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Shin Yi district, Taipei

The shop was quite crowded with locals and the grilled eel aroma coming from the shop made a decision for me.  Got a large size eel rice (TWD780).  The eel was very fresh and the grilling was perfect - not too burnt and very juicy.   Seems to me Taiwanese are quite good at Japanese cuisine, probably because of its historical background.

Shin Yi District, Taipei

Photo 1: W Taipei on the left.  Photo 2-4: Shin Yi District - Shin Kong and Breeze occupied most of the areas.

Tsujiri green tea ice cream, Taipei

The branch in HK (IFC mall) has long lines when I passed by it a few weeks ago.  It claimed to be "World Best Green Tea ice cream".  I thought it shouldn't be too bad.  This one in Taipei didn't claim as the same "World Best".  They are very honest.  I ordered their signature ice cream with red bean paste and mochi.  The ice cream is very milky with just a very light hint of green tea flavour.  The red bean paste is heavily sweetened and supposed Taiwanese made mochi shouldn't be that bad, but this one is an exception.  I hope the one in BKK (to be opened soon) will be a better one.

Paul Taipei, Shin Yi District

This Paul is a totally different story.  When I walked in, I was asked if I had a booking.  Later on, they spent some time and found a table but it wasn't full during lunch time.  The waitress reminded that there was a minimum charge of NT$180 per person and I agreed to it, as a single coffee can make up for this.  Got a almond pastry with the traditional ceramic prince figure in it.  The pastry is too fluffy with just butter aroma only.  The iced mocha (yes an iced mocha in a ceramic mug) was awlful.  No choco., no espresso flavour.  Just a cup of deep brown semi-iced water.  The iced cubes melted already when it was served; so it wasn't that chilled.  I really don't like drinks being not hot, nor not cold enough.  As noted on their special menu, by now you would know what this branch is.   

Ye Shanghai 夜上海

Didn't get a chance of trying the branch in HK.  Noticed on the menu the pricing isn't that expensive as compared to HK.  The service was quite attentive and not so "hard selling".  When I tried to order the "wonton chicken soup", the waiter advised that their wonton chicken soup wasn't that typical thick chicken soup but clear broth.  The waiter on the contrary recommended us to try some simple dishes like "scallion oil tossed noodle (蔥油拌麵), instead of "hard selling" some lobster, shark's fins or abalone.  The noodle was tossed with some lightly fried dried shrimp with some nice semi-fried scallion.  The aroma got in a perfect match with the soy sauce and the fragrant oil in the freshly made noodle.  I do miss this one a lot and it really deserves a 2 thumbs up.  The other dishes like the salted pork with tofu veggie, Ling Bo spare ribs, shred chicken stewed noodle,  steamed dumplings and pan fried buns are all above average.  I'd definitely come back here for another try.

Humble House, Taipei

Stayed at this hotel several years ago.  Back then this district Shin Yi was still under development.  Now Breeze malls have been here in addition to the Shin Kong malls.  Really so many malls here.

The hotel is in a cozy design with everything automatic.  In fact, it's quite Japanese, especially the bath tub in a square shape.

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JW Marriott CBD, Beijing

This one is supposed to be at a lower ranking as compared to its next door neighbour Ritz Carlton in this eastern 3rd ring area, but I'd prefer this one to Ritz Carlton.  The room is more comfy and cozy and the room temperature is in a real control without either being too hot or just off during winter time.  

First Class return flight, Bali to HK

Got a good deal for CX holiday with its business class roundtrip ticket plus 4 night Ametis pool villa (incl. roundtrip transfer) at less than HK$10k per person.  Originally a business class roundtrip ticket can cost around HK$20k per person, economy class at around HK$6k.

On the way back, the aircraft has been changed to its flagship 777-300ER with first class seat configuration (about 10-15 aircrafts having first class seats).  Due to the aviation mutual agreement, CX might not be offering this class for sale but then put it as a business class service (serving business class meal).  As I noticed on the flight plan map that they have changed to this aircraft, I asked the check-in counter officer if the seat row 1/2 can be arranged.  After some phone calls made, the officer fondly informed that we could take the seats for row 1.  Quite fortunate that we could get 2 out of 6 first class seats.