The only reason I wouldn't is the commute time, but then, once you're on the Tube, nothing's that far, really.
If you're considering the south-west, but your other half likes the north, then I definitely recommend looking at Battersea, Clapham, and all those only-just-over-the-river areas. It's a good compromise between the two. You can get to Richmond really easily on the overground train from Clapham, but it's closer to the rest of the city than the more suburban part of SW London. It's not on the tube, like much that's south of the river, but don't let that put you off - the overground train links to useful tube lines very fast. Battersea Park station, for example, will get you to Victoria tube station in five to ten minutes, and the Victoria line goes up to NE London in less than half an hour. Worth considering!
I definitely recommend looking at Battersea, Clapham, and all those only-just-over-the-river areas.
This is pretty funny 'cause we've just spent the last fifteen minutes looking at places in Battersea. Thanks again for all the advice! I will probably be mining you again for info in the near future.
How's the flu treating you?
Yay! I'm a big fan of Battersea. Enjoy the flat hunting...
How's the flu treating you?
Tamiflu is a wonder-drug. I'm not better yet, but I can move, and my fever's gone down, and I'm spending significantly less time in the bathroom. I may yet survive. Heh.
Urgent: calling Fay!!
My SO is being sent to Malaysia for work this coming weekend and it turns out he has a 13-hour stopover in Bangkok, basically for the whole of Monday. We need some advice - what can he do, where can he go? He's travelling with a colleague, and they'll probably both be jetlagged and ragged, but it would be a shame not to do anything, wouldn't it?
Thanks in advance!
Ooh! I shall be in Cambodia then, insh'allah, but, hmm. If they can manage it, I would absolutely recommend trying to get to Siam Niramit, as it is visually stunning and gives a rather fabulous overview of Thai history, culture & beliefs in a very accessible and enormously entertaining way. (Plus, the price of the ticket includes an acceptable all-you-can-eat buffet.) But that will depend on what time they're there - it's an evening thing, obviously.
An alternative location for the evening would be Suan Lum Night Bazaar, in Lumpini, just round the corner from where I live, which includes a nice foodcourt and cocktail bar and is wall-to-wall shopping fabulousness. Possibly not their cup of tea, though? But I love the living hell out of it.
Night time is fabulous for taking cocktails at the Vertigo Moon Bar, which is a spectacular open-air bar/restaurant on the roof of the vast Banyan Tree Hotel. One can sit sipping mojitos and looking out across the glittering cityscape in style - always fun.
Needless to say, they can watch women sticking cigarettes, razors, bottles, pingpong balls and God knows what up their ladygardens in Patpong, which is also v. close to where I live. Patpong is also good for buying pirate DVDs & suchlike, but they absolutely will be approached by touts trying to lure them into various bars and clubs and suchlike for sleaze.
Daytime touristy sites very well worth seeing - The Grand Palace and Wat Po springs to mind as the most obvious Not-To-Be-Missed location. (Also rife with scam artists, of course, who will try to convince them that the palace is closed for prayers, or for a special festival, and that what they really want to do is get into their tuk-tuk and go visit a load of jewellery shops that have very special discounts just for them. These people should be glowered at and stomped past, for they lie like lying dogs that lie. But once you're inside, everything's rosy, and the official tour guides are lovely.)
The Blue Elephant is a terrific place for truly elegant, delicious and utterly luxurious luncheon, and all you have to do is get on the Sky Train and get off at Surasak Station. Probably the easiest place one could possibly find.
Actually, this is a pretty good suggestion for a one-day Bangkokfest.
Thanks, Fay! I'll pass those along. AFAIK they arrive at about 6:30 am and fly out again 7:30pm, so we're really looking at daytime entertainment (which is just as well, I say).
Pity you won't be around, but have fun in Cambodia.
Poking an UnAmerican head, because today, according to the Buffista Calendar, is Fiona's birthday.
Happy birthday, Fiona! With lots of wishes for a great day and a wonderful year!
