Bangkok and Jakarta

Bangkok and Jakarta

via Emirates First Class

September 2025

Emirates A First Class Lounge Dubai

With a 7 hour Dubai connection, I had plenty of time to relax, nap, drink and dine in Emirates’ massive A First Class Lounge.

Beautiful First Class Lounge Fine Dining...

Time to check out the wine fridges...

Change of pace today with the excellent Lobster Roll.

And nap time in the cool and comfy Pods.

Since the Dubai-Bangkok flight departed from the B concourse, I headed over a little early to check our the wine offerings in the B First Class Lounge.

And wow, great bartender found a bottle of Opus One!!

Emirates A380 First Class to Bangkok

Dubai DXB to Bangkok BKK

Emirates EK 384

A380-800

2:50am-12:32pm

September 9, 2025

Departed 12/14

Tonight's menu...

I passed on a meal and just went for movie snacks starting with popcorn.

Cool Rod Stewart concert video.

And Wagyu sliders.

Welcome to Bangkok.

And my ride into the city and to the Park Hyatt.

My Instagram video of my visit to the Emirates First Class Lounges in Dubai and my Emirates A380 flight to Bangkok.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtY105DuPO

Park Hyatt Bangkok

Park Hyatt Bangkok

Very nice Park Bangkok adjacent to Central Embassy shopping complex.

My lovely Globalist upgraded suite.

And great views of the city.

Park Hyatt Breakfast...

And the adjacent outdoor pool.

Dinner at Michelin star Potong

Dinner at Michelin star and #13 in the world - Potong Bangkok

Excited to dine tonight at Potong, one of Bangkok’s and indeed the world’s hottest restaurants. Potong is an extraordinary fine-dining Thai-Chinese restaurant in a narrow multi-floor Chinatown building from chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, recently named best female chef in the world. Chef Pam and Potong earned their 1st Michelin star in 2021 and this year jumped to #13 in the world in the 2025 San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best lists. Wonderful food with impeccable service and a unique experience. What a thoroughly enjoyable three hours.

Welcome drink while we all wait for the single passenger, very slow elevator.

The story of Potong...

Up to the 4th floor to The Opium Bar, recognized as one of the top 50 bars in Asia.

Then up to the rooftop lounge for another welcome drink. LOL.

And yummy Potong's charcuteries and collaboration wine.

Then down to the 3rd floor dining room...

Tonight's menu...

Starting off the Sommelier's Selection wine pairing.

MISSION: black chicken, chinese herb, broth.

DETAILS and MEMORIES: kuay chop, pork tongue, pork broth, caviar

HISTORICAL STORIES: scallop, satay sauce, brioche.

HEART and SOUL: nakhon si thammarat shrimp, pad thai, shrimp shot, hoy tod.

FORGOTTEN: atlantic seabass, beurre blanc.

BOLD: 14 day aged duck.

SPIRITUAL: pickled cucumber, asparagus, nhoom chili

HUMBLE: 'ma dan', jicama

HAPPINESS: layers of potong

HERITAGE: pandan, thai tea nama, mango, coconut sesame.

THANK YOU: fortune

What an amazing treat and wonderful experience. Total price was US$435 of which 1/2 was the elevated wine pairing.

Welcome to Chinatown Bangkok.

My Instagram video of my Potong experience.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOv4ImZjt5T

Off to Bangkok

Off to Bangkok...

Today I’m off for three days in Bangkok and Jakarta. Up first is a mid-morning American flight to Chicago, then a 7 hour layover before my Emirates First Class flight to Dubai and Bangkok. Major improvement in the Chicago T5 lounge scene as Emirates now uses the new LOT Business Lounge, a very pleasant lounge and so much better than the dumpy SAS Lounge.

First stop is the Amex Centurion Lounge in the C concourse at DIA. I was there early enough that there was queue to enter.

Even got the coveted private suite. lol

Great Southewst plane-spotting... as long as I don't have to fly them.

Off to my gate...

Denver DEN to Chicago ORD

American AA 2755

737-800

9:46am-1:37pm

September 7, 2025

Americans state of the art First Class cabin.

With the latest in seat back video entertainment. LOL

$24 for 90 minutes of Wi-FI? Good luck on selling that.

On the other hand, American serves meals on DEN-ORD unlike United.

O'Hare on a nice sunny day.

And the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Nice view of downtown..

And the K Concourse of Terminal 3.

LOT Business Lounge Chicago

The airside connector from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 is a nice alternative to the landside train.

Major improvement in the Chicago T5 lounge scene as Emirates now uses the new LOT Business Lounge, a very pleasant lounge and so much better than the dumpy SAS Lounge.

Very nice lounge with lots of windows and great tarmac views.

Nothing fancy but a reasonable food spread.

Polish pierogi and pulpety meat balls. Yummy.

My Instagram video of my American flight from Denver-Chicago and the LOT Chicago Business Lounge.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOpAS5lD-FP

Emirates Game Changer to Dubai

Emirates First Class Game Changer to Dubai

Emirates’ Chicago-Dubai 77W service features The Game Changer, Emirates fabulous New First Class suite. Beautiful 6 suite First Class cabin with the ultimate in comfort and privacy, ceiling to floor doors. In suite temperature and lighting control and a video call button to your flight attendant. Wonderful service, great food and fabulous wines on this fantastic 14 hour flight to Dubai.