Video: Transiting (half of) the Panama Canal

When I decided to visit Panama for the first time for a beach vacation I knew I would not only be sipping rum and cokes by the pool. I couldn't go to Panama and not visit the Panama Canal.

I booked an excursion from my hotel and we drove towards Panama on a Sunday, which thankfully is a light traffic day. We boarded the boat at Gatun Lake, mid point of the Atlantic to Pacific crossing, and proceeded through the lake and the locks Westward to toward the Pacific and Panama City.

It was fascinating to see the engineering and the scale,with the same principles as canals I've seen in Canada just massively larger. It was a bit of a long day -- I can see why they only do half the passage -- but definitely worth doing and glad I did.

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Video: Dinner boat cruise on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

I took a few water taxis/ferries while in Bangkok, but also wanted to do a proper tour on the river to see the sites and learn the history. Apparently, there's no such thing, but the nearest that was on offer was a nighttime dinner cruise.

I booked through the on site travel agent at the Royal Orchid Sheraton and told them I wanted something chill to see the sites; I didn't want a party cruise. The agent was great and reserved me an outside table at the front of the boat to ensure the best views. The cruise departed and returned to River City, right beside my hotel.

There was an inside with performers and more tables in the air conditioning, but I stayed outside as it was comfortable after sundown and I was there for the views. And it was definitely much quieter than some of the other ships we passed. We also went at a more leisurely pace.

The fare included a buffet dinner which was nothing to write home about. Drinks were for purchase.

I enjoyed the sites; the city along the river looks amazing lit up after dark. I just wish there was some commentary about what we were seeing.

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Video room tour: Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok

In August of 2025 I stayed on Bonvoy points at the Marriott Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel in Bangkok. 

It's an older property, but well-appointed rooms all with amazing river views. 

The concierge lounge had an ample hot and cold breakfast, and decent evening appies to enjoy while watching the river. I would often escape the afternoon heat with cocktails.

There are two large pools but that area was packed the afternoon I tried and I couldn't find a chair. 

My favourite feature was the free hotel ferry that goes across river to Ikon Siam and down river to a subway station. A great way to get anywhere in the city. 

There is a 7-11 just down the street for Thai snacks, and a great cart outside for mango sticky rice.

Here's a video room tour.

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What I ate in Thailand last summer

 I won't claim I did a proper food tour of the city during my four days in Bangkok. Honestly, after five days in Maldives I was feeling pretty relaxed and wanted to keep that vibe for the rest of my vacation. And the afternoon heat really sapped my energy. But here's what I did get up to.

My first stop was to find a 7-11, as I had heard much about how they're different in Thailand and across Asia than ours in Canada. I was really impressed by the wide variety of chips on offer. Some familiar, some crazy flavours from familiar brands, and some just completely unknown to westerners. The selection was really something.

I tried a few while I was there, including the Nori Seaweed-flavoured Lays. They were fine. I packed a few of the wackier flavours to bring home, including prawn-flavoured chips, but they were lifted from my checked bag in transit. I didn't fine a complaint over my maybe 50 cents worth of missing chips, but it was weird. The huge thing of mango candies went untouched.

Anyways, more than wacky chips, 7-11s here are also known for their cheap microwave sandwiches. Toasties, burgers, some familiar, some wacky, all cheap. You can bring them home or, more commonly, you can ask them to heat them up for you (apparently the magic word is wave) and then eat them on the go.

I opted for two fairly tame choices: a double cheeseburger on a sesame seed bun, and a pork burger on a bun made of rice.

They were exactly what you would expect for a convenience store refrigerated microwave sandwich. Just fine. A cheap lunch on the go. You can do much better in Bangkok. And don't worry, I did.

Right next to my hotel was a street food stall offering Mango Sticky Rice for 8- Thai Baht, which works out to $3.41 CAD. She takes a fresh mango and carves it up right there in front of you, assembling glutinous rice, fresh mango and coconut milk, and some crunchy bits on top.

I took it back to my room to enjoy and it was delicious. I was skeptical at first -- rice in a desert? -- but it was flavourful and delicious and sweet, especially with the fresh mango. And a great deal, even for being right next to a tourist hotel.

My first proper meal was lunch at IconSiam, a large mall just across the river from my hotel and a major river ferry port. Most of my exploring was by river ferry, so I was here a bunch of times. My lunch was at Thipsami, an accessible Michelin Bib Gourmand spot known for its different varieties of Pad Thai. 

I ordered the Pad Thai Siam Royal with Giant River Prawns along with fresh orange juice, which seems to be their signature thing.

I would say it was fine. The juice was refreshing after the afternoon heat. I enjoyed the flavours of the pad thai, but pad thai isn't really my thing. But when in Thailand...

There was a street food-type hawker hall in the basement and it had a wide variety of foods, including this selection of fried offerings, available in air conditioned comfort (with requisite mark-up from the streets). Still cheaper than Canada. Some tasty-looking nibbles but I was full of pad thai.

I was also saving my appetite for my highlight dinner of the trip: the tasting menu at a Michelin Star restaurant in Bangkok – Nahm. They are renowned for their Heritage tasting menu that showcases the varied cuisine of Thailand – so much of which doesn’t make it to the West.

An amuse bouche centred on coconut to start.

(left) Miang Nopakoo: miang of live river prawn chicken, mango and herbs served on betel leaf

(right) Pu Sorn Klin: blue swimmer crab, pickled garlic and peanuts on rice cracker

(bottom) Khao neau kati sim tum: Sticky rice delicacy with celtuce salad

(top right) Yum dok mai tod: edible floral fritter delight, The texture of this was fun, and the sauce was delicious.

Namprik maak maad: Spicy fragrant northern style relish with pork jowl and vegetable. Very tasty.

Tom yung gung: Tom yum of prawn mushrooms and chili jam. A dish familiar to westerners. Not my favourite, but this is certainly an elevation of the form.

(bottom right) Gag pu bai cha plu: Southern turmeric curry of blue swimmer crab with betel leaf and calamansi lime

(bottom left) Pad pak goot: Stir-fried young fiddlehead ferns

(top) Pad nuea sau nomai nahm: Stir-fried wagyu beef, yellow capsicum and wild rice stems

The beef was amazing -- tender and delicious, best beef I've had. Enjoyed the fiddlehead ferns. it was nice to have some greens and I was amused as I had always viewed fiddleheads as an Ontario seasonal thing. Enjoyed the creaminess of the crab dish.

And in the shot here is my rum and diet coke made with a local Thai rum that was quite tasty.

A lemony palate cleanser before desert.

Desert was called the lifestyle of coconut. Coconut isn't my favourite, but it was a fun concept.

Here's the Heritage Tasting Menu -- you make a number of choices at the start, and they leave you the card to follow along. Other than the wagyu which was a must have for me, I placed myself in the hands of the chef.

All in all it was a fantastic culinary experience. Not cheap, but high quality and a great exposure to a wide variety of Thai cuisine that you certainly won't find at Thai Express.

For my next dinner, I ate riverside at my hotel, the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside, dining at their Thai restaurant, Thara Thong. It was quite enjoyable to enjoy the river view at night at watch the boats go up and down while I ate. I would take one of these dinner cruises the next night; the views were amazing but the buffet was just OK and won't be chronicled here.

Here I am at my table with my view.

First, I was served an amuse bouche of shrimp puffs with a Thai relish.

For my starter, I had the Por Pia Pak, or vegetarian Thai spring rolls. Basic, I know, but I could not come to Thailand without having them at the source. Pretty good, better quality ingredients than we usually get at home. Found the sauce a bit muted and hard to place.

For the main, the Nua Pad Bai, or a stir fry of beef, Thai basil and other things. Definitely very basil forward. It was supposed to be wagyu beef but, if so, it was cooked a bit too long. Again, I am longing for the beef the night before at Nahm. It was good, but suffers from the unfair comparison.

For desert, mango sorbet. I was mulling two scoops but was relieved I stuck with one as this was huge. I'm not sure the photo does justice to the size. Lived the fresh mango slices too.
Overall, while I regret not getting more proper street food in Thailand, I don't regret keeping my first visit chill and just enjoying myself at a relaxed pace. It was a fun trip.

I leave you with a river view from my room at sunset.

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Eating on the road: Lounge and plane food from my summer vacation -- part two

 After five amazing and relaxing nights in the Maldives, and some great meals I will review separately, it was back into the air for the next leg of my journey to Bangkok, Thailand, via Singapore.

My first three flights in business were on Aeroplan points, earned thanks to my decade as a frequently-travelling technology journalist (nowadays I mostly earn train and hotel points) but the Maldives to Bangkok trip I paid out of pocket and booked economy on Singapore Airlines.

As one of the top airlines in the world I was looking forward to the trip, even if it would be another redeye to Singapore and an early-morning flight on to Bangkok. But I researched upgrade options and I learned they were often available for purchase a few days out. So I made a point of logging in right when the upgrade window opened and, on my laptop looking out at the ocean in my Maldavian villa, I decided I could justify the price as a once-in-a-lifetime experience (when will I be back here?) and I upgraded both legs to business.

And this business class experience was a step above any other I've experienced. Comfortable lay flat pods, great menus, and warm, friendly and attentive staff that greet you by name. 

But first, they use a private lounge at the airport in Male that was just ok. Very busy, lots of kids running around, food nothing to write home about. No photos taken.

As I settled into my pod I enjoyed a fresh orange juice and looked over the volumnius menu. I had pre-selected my entree, but the drinks selection was quite interesting and abundant. And unlike on Emirates, I was well-rested from my week in the sun and ready to partake.

I ordered a glass of the 2020 Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve Bordeaux which, while only $24 at the SAQ, was excellent and, of course, enjoyed with mixed nuts.

But I couldn't leave it at that, as one other option on the drink menu also caught my attention. I hadn't had one before, but how can you be on Singapore Airlines enroute to Singapore and not try a Singapore Sling?

It was fruity and delicious. And yes, I was double-fisting but hey, I'm on vacation! Also, I wanted to get to bed right after dinner.

Speaking of which, meal service did begin promptly and efficiently for this overnight flight but was still served course by course. As an appetizer, they served a seared pepper-crusted tuna with fennel, crab and togarashi mayonnaise.

I would judge it OK. I'm still not totally sold on tuna. I made little lettuce wrap tuna sandwiches. I was more excited for the main course, and I added ordered the local option: Mee Siam Goreng, or Fried spicy rice vermicelli with prawns, fish cake, chives and lime -- they kindly accommodated my request to hold the hard-boiled egg which I appreciated.

It was a tasty entree, not stellar, but very good. 8/10. They warned me the sauce was spicy, and it did have kick, but it was enjoyable -- though I didn't go to hard to avoid bedtime heartburn. Their bread basket selection was very varied and they came by a few times to top up. I had a few garlic bread. I also enjoyed the sticky date pudding with quenelle of cream and butterscotch sauce.

With dinner complete, I put the bed into lay flat mode and managed a little but of sleep before a sunrise approach into Singapore.

It took quite awhile, and a train, to navigate an airside terminal change at the airport in Singapore. Unfortunately I didn't have time to explore any of the cool airport attractions like the garden or the jewel, but I did have time to try their lounge. Finding the right one took a minute (I didn't have access to the more exclusive First Class one) but eventually I did find the one for business class passengers. 

And wow, made to order noodle bar at breakfast time? Oh, yes please.

After watching a few others go to figure it out, I made my selections and my noodle dish was made to order in front of me. 

I can't use chopsticks so eating some of the bulkier choices with a spoon was a challenges, as was getting the noodles to where they needed to be, but no one here knew me so I slurped without shame. Pretty tasty. A Coke Zero as you see; I found that in Asia it seems like Coke Zero has replaced Diet Coke for the most part as the no-sugar option.

I left the dining area to chill before flight time; it was a very busy lounge for early/mid morning; maybe it was the rush hour I don't know. There were some other buffet and breakfast options but other than the must-try noodles, I was saving space for my next leg.

Which was back on business again for the connection to Bangkok, and in preparing for this flight I saw that it had Book the Cook available, which allows you to pre-order a few days in advance from a much broader menu. 

And while it may seem like a very odd choice for a morning flight, I had to go with their renowned chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce. And, my friends, it did not disappoint, Even my flight attendant approved of my choice.

I know it looks a but out of place on this tray with the breakfast fruit bowl and yogurt, but it was so good. Juicy, flavourful, the peanut sauce was excellent. And so much chicken, oh my god. I enjoyed it while watching The Pit fit the first time, Noah Wylie's not an ER rip off, which was pretty good too.

All in all, a great experience on Singapore Airlines. Definitely my favourite business class experience to date.

After four nights in Bangkok -- again, food to be chronicled separately, it was time to begin the long journey home. The trip home was another Aeroplan redemption, this time in economy. I has wanted to keep going West to make it a true around the world, but Aeroplan was making me go on Air India and I was not down for that.

So I ended up on Eva Air to London with an overnight layover. Managed to get an aisle seat at least for this all daytime, 13 hour flight.  I was in the middle four seat section, and the person on the other aisle and I had the two middle-seats free so that was lucky. In this scenario I like to watch shows on my screen and have the map on the one beside me.

It was a long but reasonable long haul experience. Good IFE and moving map, free wifi, two meals, many drink services, and snacks. First nosh, this rice cracker snack mix.

I didn't snap menu shots so I can't give fulsome menu descriptions. But for lunch there was a seafood salad, a fruit bowl, a chicken/veg/rice thing, and some sort of desert. For an economy meal it was good, and a lot of food.

I mentioned the moving map and WiFi. It was both fun and a bit frightening to watch the moving map and the route projection. We did a very weird deviation over Pakistan and Afghanistan, perhaps avoiding Kashmir? We seemed to deliberately stay South of Russian air space through Central Asia but the rotue projected us right over Crimea and Ukraine, which seemed a questionable choice and led to some concerned Facebook Messenger activity.

Thankfully though, we turned south, hugging the south side of the Black Sea over Turkey before turning North-West over Eastern Europe. A relief to be sure.

As I pondered the possibility of becoming a statistic, they passed out these snacks. It was fine.

Finally, safely over European airspace they served another meal. 

Some kind of chicken stir fry, that fruit bowl again, and bizarrely, a yogurt and a very beat-up croissant. Breakfast vibes from the sides, dinner from the entree. It was tasty enough though. It was probably after midnight to our bodies, but early evening in London. 

Navigating the Queen's Terminal was a bit of a challenge; more specifically, getting to the hotel bus area. But I made it to my airport-adjacent Marriott, checked in and dropped my bag, and navigated a double-decker, the Elizabeth Line and the Tube to Westminster to pay homage to the Mother Parliament and get a Big Ben Selfie.

I reversed the journey, except with an Uber from the nearest train station to my hotel, and collapsed on my bed to sleep.

No hotel or airport food pics, but there were some adventures. I got a free breakfast in the hotel restaurant as a super shiny member, and they had a prix fixe. There was a 10 pound upcharge to the prix fixe listed on the menu for the steak and I got that because, why not, still on vacation. When the bill came they charged me the full price as if I has ordered it a la carte. Raising this with the manager it was taken off, he said the menu was out of date. Well, it's the one you're still giving out though mate. Steak was decent, anyways, and cooked to order.

I filled my bag with duty free snacks to bring home at Heathrow, and had lunch. I remember whatever it was being over priced, you order from an app at your seat, and while the cola was way overpriced apparently free refills aren't a thing in Europe. I think it was some kind of mac and cheese with brisket at a BBQ place; it was fine.

I managed to use my upgrade credits and some cash to get into Premium Economy for my Air Canada flight to Ottawa. It's my third time in Premium Economy and, if you can swing it, it's worth it for long haul. The meals are supposed to be better than economy. In my experience, they're just different. But the seats are more spacious with more leg room and that's the key thing.

This was another daytime flight, leaving London mid afternoon with an evening landing in Ottawa. Again, I didn't snap a menu shot so I don't have exact descriptions here.

But there's that salad dressing again! Went with a lighter entree with the pasta option. It was fine. Desert was interesting. And, of course, a glass of red.

The hotel night to break up the journey home was nice, and I landed back in Ottawa in reasonable shape. And when I got home, discovered my bag had been pilfered. Surpassingly though, what was missing was two bags of Lays chips from Thailand, one squid and one prawn. They didn't take the chili sauce or the mango candies, so I guess it was a baggage thief that was hungry for weird chips. Probably happened when stored overnight at Heathrow. I was only out like a dollar so no big deal, just weird.

Anyways, this concludes my on the move food chronicles from this vacation. Up next, eating in the Maldives.

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