Best of Bangkok

If you are not afraid of heights. You should try the Sirocco Restaurant in Bangkok. I got a bit sea sick when I felt the building moving, but the view was marvellous! Check out the photos of the restaurant.

I liked the Vertigo Restaurant, Banyan Tree Hotel, even better. It is a top roof restuarant as well but I did not get sea sick and the view and the food was great.

The hotel Mandarin Oriental has been voted the best hotel in the world.
Stay there and enjoy a lovely view of the river. Or at least have lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants just to feel the atmosphere. If you like jazz be sure to visit the Bambo bar for live jazz in a junglelike place.

The most romantic evening was the dinner on the Horizon Cruise. It is a boat which is operated by the Shangri-la hotel. We had lovely Asian food on the Chao Phraya River in the middle of Bangkok. I was stunned by the friendly and service-minded staff at the hotel.

When in Bangkok, you must go to the Grand Palace for a visit. It is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. It was built in 1782. It is a beautiful palace, do not forget your camera.

Bangkok is also a lot about shopping. There are so many shopping malls and markets that I did not know where to begin... But I can recommend the Central World Shopping Complex and The Emporium Bangkok.
But the best bargains is made on the markets on the streets.

If you have time do take trip on the river during daytime. Watch the houses, the floating shops and get a bit closer to the life in Bangkok.
Maybe even visit the floating market?

And yes, We went to a Thai cultural show. It was nice, a bit of a tourist trap, but fun to watch.

Beautiful Brussels

Time to take a minibreak or a weekendtrip? Go to Brussels...I was in Brussels on a business trip a few years ago. And I can really understand why the European Union chose Brussels for their head quarters. It is a lovely city with so many beautiful buildings and landmarks.

Where to stay? I can recommend Hotel Leopold, Rue du Luxembourg 35, which has an excellent location and great food. Close to the EU buildings and the shopping.



Top 10 things to do in Brussels:

1. Beer is a specialty in Belgium. Take the chance and participate in a beer and cheese tasting at A la Bécasse. I do not like beer a lot but it was interesting to taste different types and feel the atmosphere in a la Bécasse.
2. Have a lovely dinner att restaurant Aux Armes de Bruxelles
3. Be a true EUropean and visit the EU head quarters and the parliament at Espace Léopold
4. See the Atomium. It was the icon of the world fair in 1958. And it is still beautiful and stunning.
5. Buy choclate at Neuhaus is a must. The first Neuhaus shop opened in Brussels in 1857. And it is still there. Try their chocolate and you will understand why.Mums as we say in Sweden.
6. Go on sightseeing. Brussels has so many magnificent buildings, much thanks to King Leopold II. Do not forget to bring your camera...
   Some favorites I discovered during my short trip was:
7. The city hall
8. The royal palace
9. The colourful grand palace
10. The charming chinese pavillion

Two nice restaurants I can recommend.
- Fabulous Italian food at the Osteria La Bolognese.
Address: Rue de la Paix 4.
The best Italian starter I ever tasted. http://www.osteriabolognese.be
- Great mediterranean food at the El Turco restaurant.  http://elturco.be
Address: Rue Du Trone, 73, Place De Londres, 6

Marvellous Swedish Opera singer Malena Ernman gave me these recommendations for nice restaurants in Brussels:
Restaurants: Try st Catherine / Vlamse stenweg area. Or sablon. Nice coffee / lunch/ bar is le roi des belges on St Gery.
For drinks:l' archeduc (?) on rue antoine dansaert. Near Bourse . Rumour has it their piano use to belong to J Brel... Ring the doorbell!!
After my trip to Belgium I was told there is a chocolate museum in Brussels. So for all chocolate fans, don´t miss the Belgium Chocolate Museum in the city centre.

Dreaming of Delhi?

New Delhi is a colourful and vibrant city. It is said the you either like India or do not like it. But I do like it a lot. I have been there twice and can not wait to go back.

When I visited New Delhi for the first time I took a weekend-trip to Taj Mahal at Agra and the Pink city of Jaipur. One of the best things I have every done. A memory for life. Do the same if you can while visiting India.



The 10 must-do´s in New Delhi which I would recommend are:

• Bukhara Restaurant has great Indian food traditionally prepared in a clay oven (tandoor). It has been rated amongst the top 50 restaurants in the world and the finest restaurant in Asia by ‘’Restaurant” magazine. The restaurant is decorated in a special way with a lot of wood. And you sit on a small chair of wood.


• Shopping handicraft is nice to do in the government handicraft shop. Lovely handicraft at great prices and you do not need to hassle... I bought some lovely wooden boxes and paintings which I have in my home and reminds me of my trip to India. It is called the Cottage Industries Emporium


• Sightseeing to the Old town is an experience you don´t want to miss. But be prepared it is a extremely crowded place.


• I also visited the beuatiful Red Fort and the red sandstone walls is 2 km length and vary in height from 18 metres to 33 metres.


• Another beautiful place is the Lotus temple. Take off your shoes and enjoy the peaceful feelings in the temple. A great place for meditation.


• Have lunch at the Taj Palace Hotel and enjoy the nice food at one of the most luxurious hotels in New Delhi.


• Visit and admire the India Gate, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting during World War I.


• The Dilli Haat is market which chould be nice to visit for some shopping.

Night club recommendations from my friend Joanna who is an experienced party girl:

• Smoke House Grill is a restaurant which transforms into a night club on Friday evenings. Masjid Moth, G.K. II
  
• Ricks is a pub with live music at the Hotel Taj Mansingh.
  
• F Bar at the Ashoka Hotel is a night club with Techno music. Apparently best on Saturdays.