Woke up like at about 0710 hrs, and then shortly after, went back to sleep again, until about 1010 hrs, which if you count, its about 8-9 hrs, which is quite normal for me..
Anyway, below is an account of what happened to me over at Bangkok.. so ya.. so if you are curious about what happened, then pls read on.. =)
I woke up at 0430 hrs, bathe and was ready to set off the house at 0525 hrs, because my friend, Boon Sen, are sharing cab, so he is picking me up and then we travelled to Changi International Airport, Singapore together..
** Photo on left: Day 1 of my trip!Though there was an slight mishap in the beginning (the taxi that Kokwei got, the taxi-driver brought him to Terminal 1, though Kokwei specifically told the taxi-driver that it would be Terminal 2.. haha.. oh well..) but all 4 of us did still managed to check in at the stipulated time..
All 4 of us reached the airport with a sense of excitement, and knew that Bangkok is waiting for us.. Imagine all the shopping and eating.. and most important, spending quality time and catching up with one another (since we were NS bunk buddies).. so ya..
Ate MacDonald's for breakfast and then we were in the departure gate.. First stop, we went to check out the colognes that we want to buy (which we will only buy when we are landed in Singapore on 22/10), so that we won't spend so much time choosing..
After which, we were off to the Boarding Gate F60, and were cam-whoring..We didn't care who was behind or in front of us.. We were all trigger happy.. haha.. we are on a trip that we have been waiting for 2 years!! =)
We boarded SQ 970 and then inside the plane, we experienced some really good service (because we were ON Singapore Airlines!), and we were cam-whoring again.. haha..
I remembered last time, someone told me that I could request for wines on SQ flights, no matter how short the flight is.. and being a wine lover, I had a glass of white wine with my on-flight breakfast! It was enjoyable I must say.. and the potatoes and sausages were fantastic!! =)Once we have touched down and crossed customs in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand , we met our guide and then, we were wheezed off via private mini-bus to our hotel, Asia Hotel Bangkok.
After we have checked in, it is time for us to proceed to the Chatuchak Weekend Market via BTS. Our transport via BTS was really cheap; we each bought a day's unlimited pass, and it costs us only 120 baht/person (SGD$6), and its unlimited number of times/stations.. so ya.. quite worth it lah!And did I mention that the passengers who plans to board the BTS train actually queue up? They really let ppl alight first before they board the BTS train!! The BTS train driver actually also came out of the driver seat and check that everyone is inside the train, before the doors are closed.. For this, the Thais has earned my respect!! So maybe Singaporeans should learn a thing or two from them? =)
We proceeded over to Mo Chit station and walked a little while to the Chatuchak Weekend Market.. I tell you.. whatever you can imagine, it is all sold there!Believe it or not.. pets such as live puppies, rabbits, etc were all sold there!!
We had spent about 5 hours there, and we have not finish shopping the whole Chatuchak Weekend Market, but it was getting a little bit late and we had bought what we wanted (one of my must-buy items was the "Mime" T-shirts, which my brother, Sidney, has recommended, and it was so nice, that I've bought 5 pcs.. ha!.. and also, my dog clothings which costs only about 1060 baht (SGD$48) for 7 pieces, which I can safely say that with such an amount, you can only buy the most, 2 pieces of clothing, becos each pc is about SGD$30-40 in Singapore.. so its really cheap in Chatuchak Weekend Market lah!!)
Then we managed to come out of the "Chatuchak Weekend Market maze" (and we walked so much that our legs are starting to ache, and this is only the first day!!) and return to our hotel to wash up, before proceeding to dinner at a restaurant which is about 3 BTS stops away from our hotel, and it requires some searching (aka. walking) as well, as we don't know where exactly the place is. We refused to take cabs, because we don't find it a necessity (don't waste money mah!)..
After much walking, we finally found the restaurant, "Cabbages & Condoms". But before you all start to think "why on earth do they want to dine at this restaurant with such a name? Isn't it a bit obscene?", pls. read on for our explanation.We have done some research on the internet; this restaurant is a theme restaurant and part of the proceeds goes to funding HIV-awareness programmes and helping out those ppl who have contracted Aids in Thailand.. so its for a good cause.. so why not?
Out of the items that we have ordered for our dinner, we love 2 items: The "Roasted Duck Salad" and the "Tom Yum Goong". They were fabulous!! You should try it, but a word of advice if you want to go to this restaurant.. The restaurant is situated like quite an ulu part of a street, so you are required to walk a street which is quite quiet and your surroundings resembles a mini red-light district, so I have to admit that it gives me a little of the crepes when walking towards the restaurant.. so ya..
After our dinner, we proceeded back to hotel and turn in for the nite.. =)
This day is shopping, shopping and shopping.. read on...
** Photo on right: Day 2 of my trip!Waking up was as early as 0730 hrs (BKK time - which is 1 hr behind Singapore), and we had the breakfast (which was so so only..).. Then its rest a while, bathe and got ready to go out and start our shopping (as per itinerary which I had pre-planned before coming to this trip).
We went to the malls (Siam Center, Siam Discovery Centre, Siam Paragon, MahBoonKruong [MBK]) to shop and shop..
Went to Starbucks for morning tea (I was surprised because they had the limited edition drink, Dark Chocolate Frappucino, and it was VERY good, because I had tasted it in Singapore, but they don't sell it anymore, due to its exclusive time period!! So now I can find it in BKK, I see it and immediately went for it, and I went for the Venti size!).. Then went to shop for a while at the malls, but my favourite was Siam Paragon's Gourmet Market (which is a supermarket).. it is so so good! Got what I wanted lah..
(It ranges from Tom Yum Goong paste, Tom Yum instant noodles, to some Brands' health drinks [namely Veta Prune Essence (concentrated prune juice - for gut health) & Veta Balance (concentrated apple essence with apple cider - [don't know for what! haha..)] which can't be found in Singapore)
Went also to the MacDonald's at Siam Paragon for lunch, where they had the pork burger (which its set meal is only 108 baht [SGD$5]!!).. It was not bad.. but the one at Burger King at Siam Paragon (which we had for dinner on Day 3) was better - this cost cheaper; only 89 baht/meal [SGD$4].. so ya.. a refreshing change lah..
Oh.. did I mentioned that there was a publicity effort to promote the Siam Ocean World @ Siam Paragon shopping centre? But we didnt go, as it was 850 baht/person (SGD$39).. A bit expensive.. so ya.. Of course, we did take pictures lah.. Call us "cheapo" but we don't care.. haha.. =P
Then we headed over to MBK for more shopping.. There, we shopped again, and I've bought something as well, and of course, bought foodstuff.. so ya... very typical of a foodie rite.. haha.. =P
In the end, we were very happy, becos' we all again got what we've wanted, and then, its taking the BTS train back to our hotel, because our parcels were getting quite heavy..
Then after depositing our stuff in our respective hotel rooms, we proceeded to the Memorial Bridge Night Market (the locals called it sa-phan-poot).. We cabbed there, and my bargaining skills were practiced here..
The taxi driver wanted 200 baht (SGD$9) to the place, but I bargained it down to 150 baht (SGD$7). The taxi driver refused, and then I said don't want.. Just immediately, you see a line of cabs begin to queue up.. the next one came, and then I asked the same question, and the cab driver initially said 200 baht, but then I bargained it down to 150 baht from the 170 baht (SGD$8) which he has counter-offered, and he agreed.. so we were on our way to the night market.
I didn't buy anything, but the rest of my friends went there to buy soccer jerseys which were selling at 300 baht/piece (SGD$14).
We've settled our dinner at the same place as well, and communicating with them is a little wee bit difficult, with only my basic Thai and knowledge of only a few Thai dishes.. haha.. everything was with hand-signals and thank goodness, they understand a little bit english, or else, we would just grow in hunger.. haha..
Well.. what do you expect? This day is shopping and eating again! haha.. but this time, its slightly further away, and its walking, walking and more walking!!
** Photo on left: Day 3 of my trip!We ventured further into the town centre today, and visited Pratunum Market and its nearby malls (one of which is Platinum Mall).. so ya..
Didn't buy much becos the places we've walked today sells ladies stuf.. so ya..
By this time of the trip, all of our bags (in our hotel rooms) were getting full, and we were searching for another bag to put the additional stuff we've bought (clothings, food, footware, etc).. and we looked and looked, and finally, we saw and conquered what we've wanted at Platinum Mall.. so ya..
Next, we proceeded over to the Platinum Mall foodcourt for lunch, and we ate the seafood pad thai (which I tell you is very nice), Tom Yum Goong and ka-pow.. But after eating the pad thai, it wasnt enough to go round, as it was very good!! So we ordered another one and eat away..Then we ate 3 desserts, one of which was very interesting.. they call it creamy coconut and we were expecting that its either coconut ice-cream or something.. but what we didnt expect that its actually like big chunks of "yam-like" coconut.. I just wonder how they do it.. it taste not bad actually.. so ya..
After this, we went back to our hotel to put down our stuff... Then we proceeded for foot reflexology (30 mins) and a sub-standard full body massage (30 mins) in the hotel premises, which costs us 400 baht/hr (SGD$18).. It was an experience I must say.. quite pain, but effective!! Its a little bit expensive, but oh well.. sometimes, one must be pampered a little.. haha..
Then we explored round the hotel and the nearby shops, and we saw the A&W restaurant, and we settled our supper there! We had a chocolate waffle and strawberry waffle.. completed with 2 cups of root beer float with 2 scoops of vanilla ice-cream each.. I tell you.. It was simply heaven!! Each set only costs us 134 baht (SGD$6)!! Cheap rite? =)(All 4 of us share the 2 sets of waffle.. so ya.. so this is called "sharing the calories".. haha.. =P)
And thereafter, we walked back to the hotel and rested for the day!!
During our walk back to the hotel, we saw how they transported big blocks of ice from the truck to the shop.. though its a bit dirty, but we were amazed at how innovative they are, and the best thing is that during its transportation (from truck to shop), the ice didnt stray off "the track" a single bit, and it was simply amazing lah!!
This day, it was more of a relaxing day.. not too much of a shopping..
** Photo on right: Day 4 of my trip!Morning breakfast is starting to get boring (except for the streaky bacon that was served this morning).. but nevertheless, still have to eat, becos I can't survive without breakfast..
However, we didn't eat a lot this morning, as we didn't want to throw up later when we are being massaged.. so ya.. As a matter of fact, we rested for about an hour plus before we left for our traditional Thai massage..
(Yes.. we went for massage again, as the massage yesterday was not shiok enough! Yesterday was just more of foot reflexology rather than full body massage.. so ya..)
We have checked out the price of one of the massage parlours, Asia Thai Traditional Massage, and this parlour was also recommended by Yizhou's friend.. so we've decided to go for the full body Thai massage, and it was so so good and relaxing.. so ya.. it costs just a mere 400 baht for 2 hrs (SGD$18).. very worth it.. 
After the massage, all of us went back to bathe, and got ready to go to Nam Sing Restaurant in Yaowarat Road, Chinatown, via cab (which needs no bargaining, because the cab driver auto-on the cab fare meter, and as a result, we tipped him because of his honesty!).. Talks has it that Nam Sing Restaurant is famous for its sharks' fin & bird's nest! And man.. it didn't disappoint! We had our lunch at Nam Sing Restaurant, and we had things like fried venison meat (200 baht/plate = SGD$9), 2 claypots of sharks' fin (which cost 600 baht/pot = SGD$27), a big plate of salted fish fried rice (400 baht/plate = SGD$18) and a plate of fried squid (300 baht/plate = SGD$14). And we were feeling full already even without the bird's nest! We've settled the bill and went off to walk the rest of Chinatown..
When we first stepped into Chinatown, we were a bit shocked to see how similar it is to our Chinatown here in Singapore, except that it is dirtier and not so organised.. Other than that, everything look so similar..They were selling everything from hardware to foodware (aka food lah.. haha.. my terms!).. And there were scooters, motorcycles and small trucks moving around the small streets even though its already so crowded with people and makeshift stalls! I'm like inhaling carbon monoxide every minute lah!
Shops were selling more or less the same thing everywhere.. And we actually got quite curious at some of the items they sell; one of which was coconut ice-cream, and I tell you.. it was fabulous!! Not too sweet and the best part, its icy-cold.. it costs us only a mere 35 baht/cup (SGD$2). Cheap and good! What's more, they top it up with chocolate sauce, which makes it even better.. haha.. but everywhere you go, you see them sell this.. So you should try when you got the chance!
Then its getting a little wee bit late, and therefore, we've decided to end off the Chinatown trip with a bowl of Bird's Nest each, and we went back to Nam Sing Restaurant again.. haha.. I think the shop owner must have recognised us, because we just left the place like about an hour or two ago.. haha..There, I had a third grade Birds' Nest with Gingko Nuts @ 300 baht/bowl (SGD$14) whilst my other 3 friends (Boon Sen, Kokwei & Yizhou) had each a third grade Birds' Nest with Dried Longans @ 300 baht/bowl (SGD$14) as well. It was worth it I tell you.. not too sweet and yet, you can eat the bird's nest! =) Whether its fake or real, I don't know.. but I just eat only.. haha..
Then we hopped on the cab to the hotel, and without our bargaining, the cab driver has told us that it will cost us 100 baht (SGD$5), and we've agreed, because on the day of our arrival, I have asked the guide roughly how much would be the cab-fare to Chinatown, and she said that it would be 100 baht.. so its within the expected cost.. so ya..
A few minutes after we've hopped onto the cab, it started raining cats and dogs!! But oh well, we are in the cab!
Then its dinner time, and we were getting hungry, and as we were quite poor already (because according to the hotel staff, we may need to pay an airport tax of 700 baht/person [SGD$32] when coming back from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, but in the end, we do NOT need to pay as we are sitting SQ flights, and its already included in the air-ticket that we've purchased).. so because we didn't know whether we need to pay initially, and on the safe side, better set aside money, we ate some roadside hawker food for dinner and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise!We each had one bowl of wanton noodles @ 35 baht/bowl (SGD$2), whose serving is a little bit small, but it was not bad.. with the chilli powder added in, everything from bad becomes good.. haha..
And because the wanton noodles were too little, just a stone's throw away, lies a pad thai roadside hawker stall, and judging from the looks of it, it has many customers, so being typical Singaporeans, we decided to try it, but there was no available seats, so we ordered it as take-aways and went back to the hotel to eat it.. Oh.. before I forget, this pad thai, we ordered the special version (which actually I don't know what is the difference between ordinary and special.. maybe the difference is only the portion size) which again, costs us 35 baht/packet (SGD$2)! Its cheap lah!My verdict of this pad thai? This still cannot compare to the one I had at Platinum Mall (ie. the seafood pad thai), but at least, its better than the one I had on the first day at Cabbages & Condoms restaurant.. so ya..
After which, we cleaned up and proceeded back to our respective rooms to turn in for the nite, and do some packing of stuff, as time is running out already..
The last day of the trip, and we were all indeed very sad, because its time to be back to reality.. haix.. =(
** Photo on left: Day 5 of my trip! Woke up this morning and then had our breakfast..
We rested for a while, before we ventured to some of the nearby malls (namely, Zen & Centralworld).. but there was nothing, so ultimately, we were back at Siam Paragon Gourmet Market (ie. its supermarket) and did some last-minute grocery shopping..
Then, its time for us to check out at 1400 hrs (which I requested for late check-out, because original timing is 1200 hrs.. so ya)..
Because we didn't want to go anywhere (and also because there was no where for us to go), we have decided to just sit in the hotel lobby for 2 hours after we check-out.. A bit boring but what to do.. =)
We were then wheezed off (via a private mini-bus) to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, for my flight back to Singapore..
We've checked in our luggage (and thank God that our luggages didn't overweight!).. haha.. but I think mine did, because I think in total, I've checked in about 35kg of luggage (normal is 25kg maximum/person), but becos the rest of my travel-mates (Boon Sen, Yizhou & Kokwei) didn't buy as much as I did, so I think it somehow compensate!
Oh oh.. let me tell you this.. look at the following no. of baggages that each of us came back after the trip.. Don't be surprised!! So here goes..
Yizhou:
Before trip - 1 luggage, 1 Crumpler hand-carry bag (medium-size)
After trip - 1 luggage, 1 Crumpler hand-carry bag (medium-size), 1 hand-carry backpack (packed to the brim)
Boon Sen:
Before trip - 1 backpack
After trip - 1 backpack, 1 hand-carry backpack (packed to the brim)
Kokwei:
Before trip - 1 luggage, 1 normal school-children carrying bag
After trip - 1 luggage, 1 normal school-children carrying bag, 1 hand-carry plastic bag (to store foodstuff)
Myself:
Before trip - 1 luggage, 1 Crumpler hand-carry bag (large-size, but half-filled)
After trip - 1 luggage, 1 Crumpler hand-carry bag (large-size but FULL), 1 hand-carry backpack (packed to the brim)
And so after checking in our luggage, we felt a little hungry (but knowing that we would be served on-flight meals, we've decided to only eat a little to fill our stomach!)And therefore, we went over to the Black Canyon Coffee cafe and had a bowl of wanton noodles with roasted duck, char-siew and roasted pork.. To top it all up, we each had a drink to go with it (Boon Sen, Yizhou and Kokwei each had an ice milk-tea, but I didn't want to because not very worth it, so I choose ice-chocolate, but its all the same price... so ya.. I go for value-for-money.. haha..)
After our dinner, we've paid up (approx. 250 baht/person = SGD$12) and proceeded to board our plane at its boarding gate. We were quite shocked actually, becos its only like 20 mins past the boarding time, and they are already telling us that its final call.. haha.. They are really efficient huh.. haha..We then posed for our final photo at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, and that ends our 5D4N tour of Thailand.. Come to think of it, the holiday is real short.. haix..
And there we are.. on board SQ 981 (back to Singapore), and we were served dinner on board our flight.. I had the pork pasta set meal, and it was good.. but of course, it cannot be compared to what we had (ie, our on-flight breakfast on 18/10).. so ya..And of course, what's a SQ flight without wine right? So I had 1 glass of white wine, and another glass of red wine, and the wines were fantastic! I love it! It certainly goes very well with my meal lah! =)
And during the flight, I've experienced some turbulence (due to raining weather in Singapore), but its still managable lah.. so ya..
Surprisingly, we have landed on the time of my pre-planned itinerary (ie. 2230 hrs), and everything seems to go clockwork.. oh man! I think I can be a part-time itinerary planner.. haha..
After which, we all went to the "Perfume & Cosmetics" section and got ourselves some fragrances (becos we do NOT need to pay GST!).. I consulted the salesperson, and got some really nice-smelling ones! =)
Didn't buy alcohol this time round, as I was out of cash and also my house has quite a few.. so ya..
At 2330 hrs in Changi International Airport, Singapore, we said goodbye to each other, and said that we will meet again on holiday next year.. and in fact, next year's destination would be Taiwan, but its again subject to confirmation, becos of our various commitments.. so ya.. so now can't wait for the next trip.. and man.. haix.. now its back to reality.. work and slog for 1 year.. haix..
Holiday mood has certainly not gotten over me yet and I've just checked out my company's email via my home internet, and there were so many emails for me to attend lah.. I also some urgent things to settle when I get back to office next Tuesday (28/10).. I actually wanted to go back tomorrow (24/10 - Fri), but then decided not too, because I wanted to have a good rest and also settle some of my personal things, because I know once I start work, I will have no time to do all these.. so ya.. haix..
Oh well.. All good things have to come to an end right? So ya.. no choice.. but I can be confident to say that this trip, has brought 4 of us (Boon Sen, Yizhou, Kokwei & myself) fostering even a more closer friendship.. so ya.. really looking forward to Taiwan 2009, and hope that it can be a reality! =)
Okay.. I've spent so much time on this blog (approx. 3 hours!), and I hope that you had a great time viewing the photos and reading this blog of mine.. it is really an unforgetable trip! Woohoo~
Goodbye "Sawadee-khrap" land and looking forward to Taiwan 2009,
<<< abriel >>>
