THE HELIX QUARTIER IN EM DISTRICT IS BANGKOK'S NEWEST (IT OPENED LAST MAY 2015 SO IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD) AND MOST SENSATIONAL HANG-OUT FOR THE HIP AND HAPPENING WHICH MEAN YOU AND I!
It helps if you are rich like me but even peasants are allowed to enter The Helix and Waterfall buildings adjoining each other across Emporium mall on Sukhumvit road. All buildings facing each other are owned by the same company so everything is amazingly co-ordinated and blends seamlessly to be one of the world's most amazing shopping, dining and entertainment district!
Visit Bangkok and you don't come to EM District means you did not come to City of Angels at all!
All the top brands are here, facing each other across the road and conveniently linked by overhead bridge so no way will you be run over by a tuk-tuk.
Everything your heart desires is to be found here and quite a few things you never knew you wanted until you see them here!
Shopping is out of this world and while a nice but not spectacular shift dress from Dolce & Gabbana costs a shocking 150,000 baht or RM 17,600 you can get amazing deals from local Thai brands at very attractive prices. I saw a posh shop selling clothes at 90% discount! I almost fainted from ecstasy.
Most stores apart from high-end, branded boutiques seem to have sales all the time and the selection is incredible.
But the highlight of Helix Quartier (dunno why they spell Quarter in French as 0.01 % of Thais speak French fluently) is the astounding Hanging Rainforest Chandelier that spirals 6 storeys laden with thriving, lush green ferns, creepers and plants!
At 100 metres long!
The escalators are conveniently located next to the hanging spiral living chandelier so you can take stunning photos on the way up and down! Or video all using the lift located just behind the living, plant-encrusted helix! Of course as a tourist you gotta do both!
All this excitement calls for drinks and succour which is another problem---there are around 45 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges to choose! All encircling the helix spiral from 6 to 9 floors so the best thing is walk past them all before deciding on the one that tickles your fancy!
Some prefer sit next to the windows overlooking Sukhumvit road while you may want to sit facing the living helix.
Of course when I heard about this 100-metre helix that spirals down like a modern day Hanging Garden of Babylon, I presume all I need do is walk into Helix Quartier lobby, look up and gape with mouth wide open!
Alas, this is not the case!
Due to the architectural design, the ceiling for some bizarre reason, stops at 5th floor so there is nothing to see except for the usual lights, lamps and decorative mobile hangings!
You have to take the escalator to the 5th floor before you begin to see the helix!
Maybe this is to force you to pass all the tantalising shops on your way up!
Once on the 5th floor you will be floored by the awesome, jaw dropping helix that hangs 100 metres from the ceiling! Suspended in midair like a magical christmas tree!
On the 5th floor, turn right and you enter a vast balcony which has been transformed into a mini rainforest! This time spread over 2 levels filled with trees, ferns, flowers, sculptures, benches, pools and now the recently installed flying fox which you see at training camps!
Allocate at least 3 hours here! And don't forget to check out the shops as a vast store sells only clothes, shoes and accessories by Thai designers which is the best thing to do since you are in Bangkok so why buy foreign goods which are cheaper in Europe their own turf?
1 comment:
Hello, I also would like to comment over all the points mentioned in this blog. I agree with essence of few point but somewhere I found myself on other place. I hope, there might little opinion of others as well.
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