** Photo on left: On board SQ 976 to Bangkok, ThailandIt was a mix of feelings for me.. Am excited because this is my maiden business trip since I've started to work in the workforce, but also scared because if the trial fails, I may have to answer to upper management.. but the excitement feeling outweighs the scared factor!
Reached Changi Airport just on time to meet my boss, and she was actually late.. haha.. but thank God, we are still able to check in our luggage, becos the required timing was 90 mins before flight, but we checked in like about 70-80 mins before flight time..
** Photo on right: An overview of Singapore Changi International Airport from the sky!So there I was with my boss, whilst waiting for boarding time, we did grab a bite in the airport shopping areas, and also, I did some recee of the price of stuff and some particular brands of the stuff I wanted to buy, so that when I touch-down on Wednesday (11 Nov), I could go home fast, because I would not be allowed to take leave the next day (Thurs - 12 Nov), because I got to rush some reports..
Did that, and about an hour later, we boarded the flight, and surprisingly, the flight was quite full.. so ya.. Though I've check in via Internet before I left office on Fri (7 Nov), but we still did not get a good seat.. but nevertheless, I did book myself a good window seat.. not bad huh =)
** Photo on left: My onboard flight (SQ 976) meal.. and of course, how could I forget my favourite white wine =)And I'm so looking forward to the food served onboard the flight.. ha.. it's also a surprise to me of what food will be served on-board, and all I could say is that the food standard is still there.. haha.. and you know me.. I love white wines.. so ya.. so my meal onboard SQ flights are NEVER without my white wine! Woohoo~
I didn't bother whether it was for business trip or what.. as long as I don't drink myself tipsy, its ok.. but of course, this is a business trip afterall, and I have to project an image as well.. so 1 cup though its insufficient, but I think its good enough.. =)
** Photo on right: An overview of Bangkok, Thailand from the sky!The flight now seems what a bit longer than the one I took about a year ago, to Bangkok also.. but the difference is that tat time was for holiday, but now is for work.. maybe because no one to talk to, or no newspapers.. all I have was my Krisworld entertainment, and nothing else.. so ya..
So since there was nothing else for me to look at, I could only view what is outside the window, and man.. the sight was just awesome.. Clouds, sunlight, etc.. I just stand in awe of God's creation!
And shortly after that, the plane has started its descend from the clouds, and there before me, was a magnificent bird-eye view of Thailand.. they have a tremendous lot of land, and imagine Singapore has all these vast land.. man.. we would all be staying in landed properties, rather than the HDB flats.. haha..
** Photo on left: The living room at my place of residence (Day 1 & Day 2) at Kantary Hotel & Service Apartments, Ayutthaya Province, Bangkok, Thailand (its located at the outskirts of Bangkok)My boss and myself had took the 1600 hrs flight from Singapore, and by the time we reach Bangkok airport, it was already about 1725 hrs (BKK time.. but in Singapore, it is already 1825 hrs), and the sky in Bangkok starts to get dark already, and by 1800 hrs (BKK time), it was super dark already.. its like the 2000 hrs sky in Singapore!
We got a pre-arranged transport to bring us to our place of residence, Kantary Hotel & Service Apartments, Ayutthaya Province, Bangkok, Thailand. The journey from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand, to the Kantary Hotel & Service Apartments, Ayutthaya Province, is about 1.5 hrs. Far huh.. No choice.. its in the outskirts of Thailand!
Because the hotel is at the outskirts of Thailand, the rates of the hotel are naturally cheaper.. It cost 1400++ baht/nite (includes breakfast), which works out to be about SGD$80 per nite, which if you ask me, its super cheap!!
** Photo on right: The bedroom at my place of residence (Day 1 & Day 2) at Kantary Hotel & Service Apartments, Ayutthaya Province, Bangkok, Thailand (its located at the outskirts of Bangkok)An apartment with a king size bed, an attached bathroom with bathtub and shower area, mini kitchen, a fridge, a living room complete with sofas and balcony, and a dining area, is super cheap I tell you.. never in my whole life I've stayed ALONE in this huge room, and with such a cheap rate!
The minute I stepped into the room, I was shocked and amazed at its huge size!
But of course, becos its in the outskirts, shopping were scarce! We could only shop at the shopping centre opposite, which is like ghost-town, but nevertheless, still manage to get some essentials like plain water.. and one of my reasons to go there is also to buy the Sensodye "Total-care" toothpaste!
It costs SGD$7 for a 100g tube in Singapore, but at there, i can get a 160g tube for only SGD$6.20, and the 100g tube costs only SGD$4.20 in that supermarket.. and man.. that is cheap! I know this because I got this same good deal at Thailand also (which was 1 yr ago when I was in Bangkok for holiday).. Call me uncle or what.. but I don't care.. its really cheap, and come'on.. toothpaste is something we use everyday (unless you don't brush your teeth everyday), so because its so cheap, I bought half a dozen, and when my boss saw it, she was like asking me why I buy so much, and after I explain to her, she herself bought as well.. haha.. the power of influence.. =P
** Photo on left: How could I forget my favourite Tom Yum Goong! Aroy-Mak-Mak!After our supermarket shopping, we went back to Hotel, and have our dinner.. by that time, it was already 2130 hrs (BKK time), and it was my first dinner which I have ate so late (SIN is already 2230 hrs)!
But nevertheless, the first dish I ordered was Tom Yum Goong.. and man, it was so good and feels nostalgic man!! The taste of Tom Yum Goong cannot be compared to what is sold in Singapore.. but ya.. its this real good feeling of being home.. really nice and yummy!
And of course by the time we were done, it was abt 2230 hrs (BKK time), becos the food took a long time to come.. and there was this call by my Thai counterpart which was not made to arrange the transport to the arranged place the morning after, so in the end, we did arrange some form of transport in a tuk-tuk..
But thank God, just before I sleep, I got a prompting of the Holy Spirit to msg my Thai counterpart about our pre-arranged transport, but shortly after, she replied and told me that she will pick us up at the time which she specified.. so ya..
I was so thankful for God's Hand on this issue, and quickly inform the hotel to cancel the booking for us.
** Photo on right: Another "aroy-mak" dish.. Stir-fried squids with basil and chilli!The next day (10 Nov, Mon), we worked from like 0900 hrs in the morning, all the way till 2100 hrs in the nite.. non-stop.. but the driver was so good.. he waited for us till 2100 hrs, though the arranged timing was till 2000 hrs.. so ya.. really appreciate the driver for that kind thought..
Oh.. in the afternoon, we were served lunch at my working place, and the food was even BETTER than the hotel food which we had last nite.. i wonder why..
The Tom Yum Goong was very good (sour and spicy enough), and I was introduced to this new dish, which is called, "Mu Dart Diao", which is actually deep fried pork strips with pepper and garlic.. it was so yummy, that I almost finish the whole plate.. haha..
(The people know I like this dish so much, that when I went back the second day, there was this dish again! I love it so much man! Missing it already!)
And once we reached hotel, we went to the same place for dinner, and man.. we ordered a lot.. becos I super hungry.. haha..
A good 7 dishes, but I ate the most, becos my boss said she is too full to eat a lot.. the only thing I didn't "touch" was green curry.. so ya..
** Photo on left: The bed area at my place of residence (Day 3) at Cape Racha Sriracha Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand (its located at the outskirts of Bangkok as well!)After my trial ended on Day 2, my boss and I packed and left for another hotel, which is again 2 hrs away, and man.. its a long journey.. but no choice.. we had to stay at this hotel, because the day after (11 Nov), before we come back to Singapore, my boss and myself would have a meeting with our Thai counterparts in their office..
So by the time we reached this hotel called Cape Racha Sriracha Hotel, it was already 2000 hrs (BKK time), and we have not had dinner.. so after we checked in, my boss and I proceeded to a nearby restaurant to have our dinner!
** Photo on right: The view of the night market at my place of residence (Day 3) at Cape Racha Sriracha Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand (its located at the outskirts of Bangkok as well!)Though this Hotel is the same company group as Kantary Hotel, but the rooms are much smaller, and its more expensive.. apparently, this hotel costs 2400++ baht/nite, and of course, this Hotel is much more posh, but room wise, I still like the Kantary Hotel =).. bigger and much more spacious!
After we ate our dinner, I proceeded to shop round the nite market (located just in front of Cape Racha Hotel which I stayed), and I was hoping to find some dried longans for my family, but there wasn't any!
But I bought a singlet for my dog.. was hoping to buy more, but there wasn't a lot of designs.. but at least, I got an experience of the nite market in Thailand.. so ya.. Its like a little chatuchak shopping market but at night! haha..
** Photo on left: Another favourite dish of mine: Somthum (which is the papaya salad!)Speaking of dinner, my goodness.. the dinner on Day 3, was a horrendous experience!
The food and restaurant (which is behind Cape Racha Sriracha Hotel) was ok.. just that, the food we ordered was also a 7 course meal (becos my boss ordered certain dishes, and when she cldn't finish, she blames me order too much.. ha.. oh well.. women.. oopppss)..
But we did specify to the person that it is only for 2 persons, and man.. when the food comes to our dish, the servings were huge!.. and its like able to feed 4-5 persons..
Later than we know that it is only a 1 size serving, which they did not tell us, or tell us that we order too much.. maybe they thought we can eat..
We ordered so much, becos it was all our favourite dishes, and we tot since its a small serving (just like what we had yesterday at the hotel), it looks ok.. but we were shocked.. so ya.. in the end, we cldn't finish, but manage to eat all those good stuff up, so that we don't waste money.. so ya..
** Photo on right: My welcome drink (white wine) at my place of residence (Day 3) at Cape Racha Sriracha Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand (its located at the outskirts of Bangkok as well!)After my nite market shopping, I proceeded back to Cape Racha Sriracha Hotel and decide to utilise the complimentary drink coupon which was given.. and I was given 3 choices: soft drink, beer or wine.. and course, you know what I would take already.. a glass of white wine.. haha..
There was also a pianist playing the piano.. quite good actually.. he played jazz style, but oldies.. so not say very enjoyable, but its good enough..
So you can say I had a nice end to my evening, or shld I say my stay in Thailand, because the day after (Wed - 11 Nov), my boss and myself were bound back to Singapore..
** Photo on left: My onboard flight (SQ 979) meal back from Bangkok to Singapore.. and of course, how could I forget my favourite white wine again =)So there we were.. after the meeting in the morning till early afternoon, we were then zoomed back to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok (a 1 hr car ride from the meeting place), and we board SQ 979 back to Singapore..
Before boarding, I of course utilise my remaining Thai Baht and just shop in the airport itself.. so I bought quite a lot of snacks for office, home, some dried longans (finally!.. but not the one like I bought from MBK last year in Bangkok), and also, 2 pineapples.. haha.. I tell you.. its a MUST-TRY fruit in Thailand.. the flavour is not say very strong, but its very juicy and sweet.. and everywhere you go in Thailand, you can see pineapple.. so ya.. you must try it.. I bought it back to Singapore, and my mum just cut it today, and she likes it because it doesn't have that "cut your tongue" feeling and its very sweet and juicy!.. which I can say that this is the ONLY pineapple that my mum will eat!
The food onboard SQ979 back to Singapore was of course so so only.. a little bit salty, but of course, with white wine, everything taste nice.. haha..
The plane landed at Terminal 3, Singapore Changi International Airport, and it was a first time for me.. so ya.. quite nice interior and very big.. I walk a LOT just to grab my luggage and all, but it was worth it lah.. so ya..
And as usual, I was one of the last few to get my luggage, despite my short working time.. maybe all of them once alight from plane, went straight home, whilst I shopped. Imagine if I didn't do any pre-recee, I will take even longer.. haha.. =D
When I touched down Singapore, I proceeded to buy fragrances (Chanel Men Cologne Sport, Davidoff Coolwater & for my mum, Davidoff Wave), because it will be much cheaper than if you buy from department stores like Robinsons, etc.
The fragrances are shared between my dad and myself.. so ya.. usually buy 2 bottles every year or every time I travel via airplane, since its cheap.
Then proceeded to buy some alcohol - an ice wine (for my mum's birthday celebration next mth) and 3 bottles of HoeGarden beer.. not too sure whether the beer nice or not, but can try, because never try before.. so ya..
And yes.. the ice wine costs me a whopping SGD$106, which has increased in price.. the last time I bought a year ago, was only SGD$96!.. oh man.. the cost of inflation!
I just take and go only.. didnt stay long to shop further.. becos its already late and I had to work the next day.. so ya..
By the time I slept and unpack my stuff, it was already 12 midnight, and I had to wake up for work.. so ya..
(Landed in Singapore at 2140 hrs, instead of the scheduled 2205 hrs)..
Ok.. I have spent like too much time on this blogpost le.. Need to sleep.. very tired.. been working non-stop.. I don't know why.. its like this business trip has drain me of all my energy.. so ya..
Hope you enjoyed my blogpost.. and yes, I STILL LOVE Thailand! =)
Sawadee-khrap,
<<< abriel >>>
My new toy bought at Sitex 2009 - Fujitsu L1010
