Another 2+ hour bus ride from the industrial port cruise terminal (Laem Chabang) to the main city – Bangkok.

I keep going on about the bus trips because it’s different from the last time I was on the Silver Whisper. The joy of small-ship cruising (Whisper’s max passengers are less than 400) is how you can cruise up river and park in the middle of the city. We did that in 2019 in Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai. However, I’ve had long bus rides from the cruise terminal to the main cities this time. On the other hand, I did not visit Bangkok nor Kuala Lumpur due to taking a multi-day excursion to Angkor Wat in Cambodia in 2019. So, maybe I’m over-reacting.

Be that as it may, we docked after lunch and the almost 100 Grand Voyagers jumped into buses and were taken to the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, which is right on the main Chao Phraya river. Turns out it’s the original “Oriental” hotel in the chain’s name. Side note – this is the third Mandarin Oriental hotel Silversea has put me it, and they have all been fabulous.

After some time to get our rooms, unpack and relax, it was time for our sunset river cruise. Bangkok is giant, over 16 million in the metro area. So, the river is as busy as you’d expect. The palace looked great, but we visit there tomorrow, so I’ll save my pictures. Wat Arun is very well illuminated.

After an hour enjoying the river we were treated to dinner and a show at a location across the river from our hotel, but owned my them. Five meal courses separated by five dances.

I have some videos that I’m still processing. I’ll post them later.