Not exactly … I was cordially invited by a friend to attend an event held on the top of Swissotel … where the helipad is … the finishing line of the annual vertical marathon …
The process as follows:-
Step 1) Flashed invite, ushered to the lift at ground zero … lift accelerated upwards at top speed … reached 69/70th floor in 2~ish minutes
Step 2) Joined the queue … flashed invite second time … wasted 5 mins joining the wrong queue … ushered to media partners’ queue … friend bantered with the media host
Step 3) Got stamp of approval … started slow ascent (meaning walk) up the summit … greeted by Ms Earth wannabes on every floor, every mezzanine flashing ample legs & b**** pearlies
Step 4) Finally reached the top of Swissotel … greeted by eager-beaver waiters who can’t wait to serve us flutes of Moet & Chandon champagne … there must be crates of them lying around … the alcohol spirit awakens
Step 5) Inhaled the air up there … enjoyed the spectacular view from the helipad … let the film roll … *I feel the earth move under my feet*
It was enjoyable for the most part of the evening. You marvel as dusk slowly descends upon the silver sky.
The event offically kicked off with the host making a welcome speech and inviting us to partake of the sumptous meal that awaits us. The event serves two purposes; to thank the guests for their continued support and to showcase the hotel’s latest French cuisine. Apparently, the hotel has recently hired some big-wig chefs with exotic names and even more exotic culinary resumes. A few of them have been honoured Michelin one/two stars … like war-time generals who have earned their stripes.
My verdict: Queue long-long, Food so-so, Portion small-small, its an excuse for people to be seen, heard and maybe drunk … maybe that’s what a PR exercise is about. I caught a bunch of folks dishing out namecards and networking furiously.
An unusual weekend getaway but I bet half of the folks up there do not know what the event is about.
There you go … pictures as proof … and oh yes, we left early and hopped across two streets (not from the helipad!!!) for some power-packed rice and soup.
