In September 2003, another gala party was held at The
Oriental. This one, also attended by the cream of local
society, marked the completion of a multi-million-dollar
restoration of the Authors��� and Garden Wings, the two
oldest sections of the now legendary hotel, the last part
of a four-year program which has also seen a complete
renovation of the towering River Wing.
Nostalgia was the prevailing emotion that night, for much
of The Oriental���s fabled history has taken place in these
two wings. From a winding pathway in luxuriant gardens
near the river, filled with orchids, palms, ferns, and other
ornamental plants (not to mention two chatty mynah
birds in a cage, who call out a greeting in Thai), guests
could look up and see the hotel���s original pediment,
HYLAND
