Trip Report: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Druk Air, Amankora Journey & The Siam
Jun 25, 2015, 4:18 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: QF CL
Posts: 689
I'm so sorry to hear that your journey was cut short! Like others here, I loved my Amankora journey a couple of years ago. Was your guide Kinley? If so, he's the guide I had - we had some very interesting conversations about Bhutanese culture and life during all those long car trips. Your photographs have brought back very pleasant memories. 
For anyone interested in Paro shopping, it's worth mentioning to your guide that you are looking for something a little better than the cheap souvenirs found in most shops. I was taken to a shop on the main street which had several rooms upstairs full of interesting antiques and artefacts for sale (legally - there are restrictions on taking certain cultural items out of the country). I bought a beautiful prayer book.
For anyone interested in Paro shopping, it's worth mentioning to your guide that you are looking for something a little better than the cheap souvenirs found in most shops. I was taken to a shop on the main street which had several rooms upstairs full of interesting antiques and artefacts for sale (legally - there are restrictions on taking certain cultural items out of the country). I bought a beautiful prayer book.
Jun 25, 2015, 7:56 pm
#62
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NY
Programs: AA plat; SPG Gold; club 5c
Posts: 234
Thank you so much for the trip report, especially given the circumstances. I'm still planning to go for my honeymoon so will report back on how that goes. Out of curiosity, what were the parameters on the chase sapphire that allowed for recapturing the cost of the unused amankora nights?
Jun 26, 2015, 12:39 am
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 10,053
Arrival at BKK is quick and our gate is very near baggage claim. We quickly claim our bags and meet our driver from The Siam. We booked our transfer in the BMW5 series, which was fine for our needs. They have options to book larger or more luxurious vehicles as well. It was Sunday afternoon when we arrived, so traffic was light. We were spoiled with the in-vehicle Wi-Fi on our transfer to the Mandarin Oriental, so were a bit disappointed that this was not available.
Jun 26, 2015, 4:42 am
#64
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: UA/EK(Gold) CX(Diamond) Marriott Gold Accor Platinum Hilton Diamond Shangri-la Jade
Posts: 585
Great trip report and sorry you and your husband were ill. We were in Bhutan when Amankora just opened (2007 I think) but didn't stay there. I was so very sick for 24 hours (couldn't even lift my arm) in Paro and also had to miss the climb to Taktsang. It was not a stomach thing and I'm wondering if it's altitude sickness.
Jun 26, 2015, 10:40 am
#65
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 90
Dr. Giggles - The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers Trip Interruption Insurance as one of the benefits. You must charge the cost of the trip on the card. In this case I had to provide them with the Doctor's note, invoices, flight stubs, verification from Aman that we left early,a copy of Amankora's cancellation policy and a summary of the circumstances. The turnaround was incredibly quick and professional. The amount of coverage provided may vary based on some factor I am not aware of - because it actually covered more than I anticipated.
Jun 26, 2015, 11:33 am
#66
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,122
Sorry about this.
In cases like this it is important to see a doctor (or pharmacist if not available) immediately and not wait. The onset can be very quick but taking the right medication asap can resolve it fairly quickly too.
In cases like this it is important to see a doctor (or pharmacist if not available) immediately and not wait. The onset can be very quick but taking the right medication asap can resolve it fairly quickly too.
Jun 28, 2015, 9:13 am
#67
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NY
Programs: AA plat; SPG Gold; club 5c
Posts: 234
Dr. Giggles - The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers Trip Interruption Insurance as one of the benefits. You must charge the cost of the trip on the card. In this case I had to provide them with the Doctor's note, invoices, flight stubs, verification from Aman that we left early,a copy of Amankora's cancellation policy and a summary of the circumstances.