I'm going to Universal Studios Singapore!

I'm so happy, because just this morning, an official email was sent out by my company's Wellness Committee, that my company is going to organise our Family Day 2010 at Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa.. wooohooo~.. so happy..

It will be on 19 Jun 2010 (Sat), and thank God I can attend, because I'm back from my church camp in Malacca loh!

Super happy.. just hope nothing goes wrong at last minute.. *cross fingers*

Being a kid again,
<<< abriel >>>

Star Awards 2010 - Show 1

If you all have missed the show yesterday evening, below are 2 clips which I think are the most interesting and funny of all segments.. Enjoy and have a good laugh.. I laugh till I literally tear.. enjoy!!





Signing off,
<<< abriel >>>

The top hit of the chart on my iPhone

This is a must-listen for me the moment I access the iPod app on my iPhone..
Its a very nice song.. love the R&B and chill out feel of the song..

Of course, this is from my favourite singer, JJ Lin Junjie..
If you want to know the song, it is "加油" from his latest album, "100 天".

So if you are curious as to how the song goes, here it is:



Loving the song,
<<< abriel >>>

My Bangkok Trip (27 Mar - 30 Mar 2010)

DAY 1 (27 Mar 2010)

** Photo on left: Marcus & myself on board JetStar 3K 511 to Bangkok!

Finally the day is here! I have been waiting for this day for months, and its finally here!! Woohoo~

The day started with me waking up at 2.30am abruptly and can't sleep already, because my alarm is set at 3.30am. My flight is scheduled to be at 7.15am, therefore, it is a must to check in by 5.15am, so I bathe and cab to Changi International Airport, Terminal 1 for my flight, JetStar 3K 511 to Bangkok.

Met Marcus at Terminal 1, and after we check in our luggages, we headed for the departure gate and we shopped around the vicinity before we had our breakfast at Killeny Kopitiam inside the transit mall.
Quite nice I must say... I had Nasi Lemak with the traditional Kopi-O.. nice~

** Photo on right: Fantastic coconut ice-cream eaten at Chatuchak Weekend Market!

I was somewhat nervous because this is the first time I'm boarding a budget plane, and it is indeed very cramp and small.. the seats are okay for me when going from Singapore to Bangkok, which is a surprise for me.. maybe because I sit at the window seat, so naturally there is more leg space, which is a must for me, because I have long legs.. haha..

Reached Bangkok earlier than schedule and the aircon inside the Airport is surprisingly cold.. Don't know why.. The wind outside is like super windy, and its as if its raining or something, but its not!

Waited for Marcus's friend, James, who is a former church member of his but because of the massive size of the congregation in his church, he has never seen him before.. but how they got to know each other is through mutual friends in Facebook.. so this is the power of Facebook huh! =)

** Photo on left: Or Tor Kor Market (recommended by Pornsak of MediaCorp, on the programme, "回家走走" shown on Channel U sometime back in early February 2010)

James is actually a Singapore citizen, but because he decides to set up a web-hosting business in Thailand, he has migrated to Thailand and thus becoming a citizen of Thailand. In fact, he has been there for 13 years already! so yupz.. it feels good to have at least an ex-Singaporean around, but knows the Thai language and Thailand very well..

Waited for him at the Airport for quite a while, because the red shirts are protesting and slowing down traffic.. so he eventually came and we check into our hotel room (Room 6710 of Baiyoke Sky Hotel - the 67th storey of the hotel), and it was only 10.24 am (Bangkok time) and surprisingly, we are able to do so, instead of the normal international timing of 2.00pm!

After checking in, we told James our plan for the day, and he drove us to our destinations!

** Photo on right: Beds in our hotel room, 6710, on the 67th storey of Baiyoke Sky Hotel (which is the tallest hotel in Thailand because it spans 88 stories!)

First stop was Chatuchak Weekend Market.. I already had a shopping list all planned up, so buying was simple for me! Bought a number of stuff from there!

I remembered my church friends telling me that going Chatuchak Market, the must try is the coconut ice-cream on the husk.. and yes, I tried it (which is the second photo on this blogpost you see above on the right!).. and such hot weather, with complimentary cup(s) of coconut juice (because its free flow!!), it was indeed heavenly!!

I do remember sometime back, I've seen a programme of Pornsak (a MediaCorp artiste) going back to Thailand to film some stuff, and he recommended this market, called "Or Tor Kor Market".
I had planned it on this trip, and I told James, and he said he knew where.. so there we went, and man.. the market is huge! Its not very common with tourists, but very common with locals..

** Photo on left: The BEST Tom Yum Goong soup I've ever tasted (which we had for dinner), under the recommedation of James (who is Marcus's friend, and he has migrated to Thailand for 13 years already!)

So I got most of my dried foodstuff there, including ribena flower (which is said to lower cholesterol).. its sold in Singapore but I found the dried version in Thailand! Bought 2 packets.. very nice because my mum bought and cooked it for me before.. its sweet, and its actually quite a common thing in Thailand!

And you know what? I have actually completed most of my shopping on my shopping list just on the first day! Quick huh!!

After which, we proceeded back to our hotel room for washup and some rest, as James wanted to bring us out for dinner and also a glass or two of drinks in a very unique place!

** Photo on right: The night view of Bangkok from our room, 6710!

The time came where we had to have dinner, and James was like asking us what we want to eat. We did mentioned that we want to eat at some real authentic Thai place..

And he brought us to this coffeeshop style place for dinner.. and the food is superb.. the Tom Yum Goong was especially good! I think I can finish 1 whole big bowl myself!! Yummy.. even now I'm salivating.. haha..

After dinner, James brought us to the area whereby there are quite rowdy pubs around, and I do mean really rowdy.. According to James, that was not rowdy enough.. I was like "err.. really?".. The place naturally gave me headaches due to the loud music!

** Photo on left: Having a drink at Lebua Hotel & Resorts Bangkok, at Skybar (located on the 64th storey of the hotel!)
L-R: James, myself & Marcus

But thank God, we did not having our drinks at those rowdy pubs.. The one we had was at this atas hotel, Lebua Hotel & Resorts Bangkok, and we proceeded up to Skybar (which is the 64th storey of the hotel) for our drinks..

I never really see this concept before, because there is like this huge outdoor cocktail bar.. and it was crowded!!!
I had a Margarita and its my first time having it.. I did enjoy it =).. but a pity that it was not a windy night, so therefore, it was a bit humid.. but I like the feeling of being top of the world! =D

After which, we proceeded back to hotel, and by the time I sleep, it was already close to 2am (Bangkok Time), which is 3am Singapore time.. haha..

DAY 2 (28 Mar 2010)

** Photo on right: Breakfast on the 77th storey of the hotel we are staying (Baiyoke Sky Hotel)

Its our first day having breakfast on the 77th storey of our hotel, Baiyoke Sky Hotel, which is actually the tallest hotel in Thailand, because it spans 88 storeys!

The spread of breakfast was plentiful! They had Western, Chinese & Japanese.. Quite a full spread.. Didn't try everything, since I got the next 2 days to try.. haha..

But because we were there like 30 mins before the breakfast buffet ends (because we slept late the night before!), not much variety we can choose from, but we were okay, because there is always the next 2 days.. haha..

** Photo on left: Freshly squeezed fruit juice served during our breakfast at our hotel!

What I like about the breakfast is that they actually have FRESHLY SQUEEZED fruit juices for consumption.. which is definitely a healthier choice than those pre-made ones! I love the starfruit and dragonfruit juices best!

I had so much food in the morning, that I've decided to like skip lunch altogether or at least have a late lunch. And that's what I did lah..



** Photo on right: A bird's eye view of Bangkok (taken from our breakfast place on the 77th storey of the hotel)

We were just stuffing ourselves with food, and at the same time, admire the scenery..

After which, we took some photos on the "basement" level of the breakfast place.. its like this very touristy place, whereby there are artefacts to take photos with and all, and it states the history of Thailand and all.. Nothing really nice to take, so just take some pictures only.. not many..


** Photo on left: Pratunam Market (located just in front of our hotel, and they only open on weekends!)

After breakfast, we rest a while, and we started to explore the places around our hotel on our own, as James had his own agenda in the morning..

So we just shopped around, and just in our hotel's vicinity, there stands the Pratunam Market, which is actually a market which opens ONLY on weekends.. its where locals and tourists shop..

They sell a variety of things; from fake branded watches to fake branded clothes to food & beverage to weird lucky charms! It was quite a nice place to just see see look look.. but of course, not forgetting the extremely squeezy streets! A lot of stuff going on at the same time.. its really similar to our pasar malam, but the day version..

** Photo on right: Tom Yum Ramen I had at Oishi Restaurant @ MBK Centre! Quite cheap for such a big bowl (can't remember the price).. but the Tom Yum cannot be compared to what I had on the first nite during dinner! It was the best!

Didn't buy anything from Pratunam Market, because nothing caught my eye! Thank God!! haha..

Then we proceeded to MBK Centre to go for a fitting session for our tailored shirts (which we chose our ideal cloth and they took our measurements the day before - under the recommendation of James), and for me, it was ok.. except for Marcus where they have to make a little adjustments!
And the shirts are really cheap and with good workmanship.. it works out to be only about $40+ per piece.. which is actually for the quality of the shirts, it is considered quite cheap..

** Photo on left: Somboon Seafood Restaurant for our dinner! (James brought us there of course!)

Somboon Seafood Restaurant is one place which I had not heard or eaten there before. James brought us there, and surprisingly, he said that it is popular with tourists as well..

We had a spread lah.. very nice food, though I prefer the food to be a little more salty.. but it is okay lah.. Still edible.. haha..

We had food from fish, crabs, vegetables to even Tom Yum Goong.. which I feel is not as good as the one I've tasted yesterday at that authentic Thai food coffeeshop stall during dinner yesterday!

** Photo on right: Stir-Fried Bittergourd Leaves (very nice [in fact, it is BETTER than fried tapioca leaves or dou miao!] but its a rare sight in Singapore!! Sigh...

But the one dish I like best and I think I will like it in future (if I ever come back to Bangkok) is the stir-fried bittergourd leaves. It was actually sweet and crunchy..

At first, I was thinking how it would taste like, but then the taste is superb! Even better than the sambal kangkong or tapioca leaves in Singapore.. so ya.. never eaten it before but this is good =D

** Photo on left: The usual end of the night in Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) - Bird's nest at Nam Sing Restaurant!

Almost everyone I know who goes to Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) in Bangkok will usually end the nite with a bowl of Bird's Nest soup, because it is super cheap over there.. but as to whether it is real stuff or not, I don't know.. only the stallholders know..

But at least I get to fulfill one of my agenda also.. drink Bird's Nest Soup! haha.. =D

I had a bowl of 300 baht Bird's Nest Soup, which works out to be about SGD $13 a bowl! Quite cheap if you ask me =)

DAY 3 (29 Mar 2010)

** Photo on right: The all famous windy expressway roads that Bangkok is famous for! - photo taken from our breakfast venue at the 77th storey of Baiyoke Sky Hotel (which we stayed of course!)

Its breakfast again at the 77th storey of our hotel, Baiyoke Sky Hotel.. and this time, I've decided to take a photo of the famous windy expressway roads that Bangkok is famous of.

Imagine this is Singapore, and I think I will faint.. haha..



** Photo on left: Bread again for breakfast! Amazing!!

Its the second consecutive day that I had bread for breakfast.. never in my life I've done so at hotels.. but no choice.. the food are getting a little bored already..

But I like the dried fruits bread.. very nice, but a little too sweet for me.. However, it is still nice.. haha..




** Photo on right: The delicious and juicy cup corn we had at Pratunam Market (and the stallholder was very friendly as well!)

Then we made our way to Platinum Mall to meet another group of Marcus's friends.. and as we pass by Pratunam Market, the cup corn hawker appeared.. wanted to eat on Day 2 when we were there, but I was too full and it was too crowded, so we gave it a miss.. so yupz..

But I ate it on this day.. the cup corn was nice and juicy, but a little too much margarine/butter, which is why it was very oily after that.. but okay lah.. still quite edible..

** Photo on left: The horrendous road traffic on the streets of Bangkok - taken on the overhead bridge from Pratunam Market to Planinum Mall!

And yes, you have heard so much about the horrendous traffic in Bangkok right? So there you go.. the horrendous traffic picture for you..

There was suppose to be like 3 lanes on each direction, but when the peak hour comes, it may become 4 lanes back from city and 2 lanes to city kind.. so yupz.. the traffic is that bad!.. not to mention the amount of carbon monoxide emitted from the vehicles!!


** Photo on right: I have aimed for this Pad Thai [from Platinum Mall Foodcourt] ever since day 1 of this trip (because 2 years ago, I had it!) and I had it today! Yummy!!

I wanted to eat the Seafood Pad Thai @ Platinum Mall Foodcourt, ever since I've eaten it 2 years back.. and I'm glad I did it today, because I will never forget the taste.. it is actually the best Pad Thai I've eaten so far..
I love peanuts, and at this stall, you can add how much peanuts you want.. cool rite?

And the best thing is that this Pad Thai only costs 75 baht. cheap rite? which works out to be only SGD $3.25, which has prawns, oysters and squid!! nice~
And I complete my meal with a cup of Thailand Ice Tea.. it is a little too sweet for my liking, but as I take more, I actually like it leh.. haha..

** Photo on left: The traditional and yummy Wantan Mee at one of the stalls, which I heard it is very popular with Singaporeans and locals!

I was actually very hungry already, which was why I had the Pad Thai and the Thailand Ice Tea.. but then, the wantan mee was also a must try, so I ate a small bowl myself..

It comes complete with a side dish (which is pig trotters with pig intestines).. and ermm.. don't really like that dish because its so oily.. but the meat is really tender.. as to the pig intestines, I didn't want to eat any, but Marcus's friends (who was with us.. more people then fun mah.. or else only 2 of us.. very bored) all ask me to try, so I was game.. so I put one small piece in my mouth, and immediately, I spat it out.. I didn't like it.. the taste was too strong for my liking.. so yup.. that ends my attempt of pig intestines.. and this is why I will CONFIRM abstain from kway chap!

** Photo on right: The very cute Cotton Candy balls (which is very attractively packaged and shaped) sold at Gourmet Market [which is my favourite Supermarket in Thailand] in Siam Paragon Shopping Mall!

Then after which, we all share in one cab and go to Siam Paragon Mall, which is one of my favourite shopping centres in Bangkok.. and the supermarket (which they call it "Gourmet Market") is the best!

And they actually enjoyed the supermarket as well, because it was very interesting.. lotsa stuff to see, and they camwhore loh.. haha..


** Photo on left: A group picture - which we all met in Thiland [whom I don't know at first], and they are somewhat related to Marcus in terms of his friends network!
L-R: Leon, Marcus, Lynette, myself, William

After which, we were attracted by the sunset and also the bossa nova band which was playing outside of Siam Paragon.. we decided to ask someone take photo for us and yup.. we took advantage of the natural sunset lighting lah.. =D




** Photo on right: Mt. Sapola - bought the aromatherapy oil for my house, which was 25% cheaper than Singapore!

And then we continue walking, and I saw Mt. Sapola, which is the brand of the lemongrass aromatherapy oil my family uses in our living room.

And there was a 20% discount, and when converted back the amount to Singapore dollars, it is about 25% cheaper than Singapore..

So bought a bottle of the lemongrass for family, and help my sis buy a bottle of Lavendar oil for herself.. so ya..

I was not the only one in the group who bought it.. the only girl in our group also bought it, after I recommended it.. so yupz..

** Photo on left: The bossa nova jazz band which was playing in Siam Paragon, and I tell you.. they are VERY GOOD!

After we bought the oils, we carried on walking, and I thought a CD was playing some bossa nova songs.. never did I expect that actually the same group who was playing when we were outside, was playing inside as well.. and man.. they are good man.. how I wish I could play like that.. sigh~





** Photo on right: The Jap dinner we had on our last nite in Bangkok - Uttanadon @ CentrePoint

This was our last nite in Bangkok, and James actually wanted to bring us to a Japanese buffet restaurant in a hotel, but we were unable to do so, as we were wearing flip flops.. so yupz..

So no choice, we went to an alternative Japanese restaurant, and the food was good, big portion and reasonably cheap!



** Photo on left: The Chawamushi which I had.. and its super huge!

One thing to mention is that the Chawamushi is very big portion.. and I do mean big! You will probably never see such big bowl of Chawamushi in Singapore!

It was not too bad, except that the portion was really big.. so yup.. with one big bowl of my main course, the beef Udon noodles, finishing the Chawamushi was tough but satsifying!

And you know lah.. we order to share.. and we had a lot of side dishes, like potato salad, agedashi tofu, grilled salmon steak, salmon sashimi, and the salmon with cheese sushi.. quite a lot..

And it only works out to be 700 baht per person, which is about SG $31 per person.. which is quite cheap!

DAY 4 (30 Mar 2010)

** Photo on right: This is the ONE and ONLY time where I had so much bread for breakfast!! Scary!!

Okay.. this is the last day we are in Bangkok.. and I can safely say that this is the morning that I ate the MOST bread! its really a lot!

I practically take those bread which I have not eaten for the past 2 days, and I take one of each.. and yes.. I have easily 5-6 types of bread on my plate.. and if you know me well, I'm a person who don't really like bread.. but I still eat, because no choice.. no other food le.. haha..


** Photo on left: The free shuttle bus which we board from our hotel (Baiyoke Sky Hotel) to the mall shopping belts of Thailand

As we had some free time, we took a shuttle bus to the shopping malls and just walk walk loh.. since we were quite free..

Of course, this was included in our package, therefore, we must utilise lah.. haha..




** Photo on right: Marcus had the frozen yoghurt at Swensons in Siam Paragon

Marcus was finding for yoghurt for this whole trip, and he found it at Siam Paragon.. I had absolutely no cravings for it, because I was simply too full to eat anything.. nothing else could go in le.. so ya..

But its a good idea lah.. get to save money.. haha..

But the yoghurt was quite cheap I must say.. it was 89 baht before taxes, which works out to be about SG $4.. and even after taxes, it will cost only SG $4.20.. cheap hor.. =)..
And this was in a restaurant mind you.. it is under the umbrella of Swenson's group.. so yupz..



** Photo on left: The beef & chicken platter with dips and pita bread at Hard Rock Cafe, Bangkok

We had a farewell sort of dinner with Lynette (who was the only female in the group), and she brought us to Hard Rock Cafe, Bangkok..

You can say its my first time there lah.. I've not even stepped into Hard Rock Cafe, Singapore!

And yup.. we took a tuk tuk there because of the rush of time.. we had only like 1 hour to eat!~
Though I don't favour tuk tuk becos of the exorbidant prices and I get to inhale all the carbon monoxide, but no choice.. this is the only thing that can take us there fast!

We've ordered quite a lot of stuff, and surprisingly, we are able to finish.. amazing! Maybe because we didn't had lunch.. so yupz..

** Photo on right: The group picture - taken at Hard Rock Cafe, Bangkok
(L-R: Marcus, Lynette & myself)

Then after which, Lynette didn't want to go back to her hotel as it was too early, so she walked around herself, whilst Marcus & I actually tuk tuk back to hotel, because we got a flight to catch and already pre-book a taxi to Airport..

The tuk tuk bargaining was an experience, because in the Hard Rock Cafe area, they wanted to charge us 150 baht (SG $7) back to hotel, but we only came from hotel to Hard Rock Cafe for only 80 baht (SG $3.50).. so we didn't take it in the end.. and we decided to take from main road.. the starting price at main road was much lower (which is 100 baht - SG $$4.50) but still expensive.. and we manage to secure the deal at 80 baht ($3.50).. so yup..

We were like quite late lah.. about 10 mins late.. but then the hotel was very efficient.. indeed when we were there, the cab had already arrived, and we just put our luggage back to the boot and off we went to the Airport.

** Photo on left: Screen at Bangkok Airport which screens our flight number! - You guess which one lah =P..

We reached the Airport with no traffic jams (thank God!) and manage to check in on time.. with even time to spare for a light dinner and some walking around with the duty free and checking out all the fragrances that I wish to buy in Singapore's DFS..

Spent about 30-45 mins doing so, and I recorded all the names onto my phone, so that it would be much easier for me to get at Singapore DFS.


** Photo on right: Marcus and myself on board JetStar 3K 514, flight bound back to Singapore

It was time for us to board the plane, JetStar 3K 514 back to Singapore, and surprisingly, because it is a last flight out of Bangkok, the plane was on full load!

And this flight was especially noisy because there were a lot of uncle and aunties around..

I remember this particular scene whereby there was a young couple in the row between one auntie and one uncle.. and apparently, I think the auntie and uncle are friends.. the aunties were literally passing the sweets to the uncle which is 2 rows behind.. and I tell you.. I'm not too sure how the young couple in between felt.. but I reckon they must have felt irritated!

** Photo on left: The night skyline of Bangkok from the plane!

And during the flight, I was very uncomfortable, because I'm sitting in the middle seat and Marcus was sitting at the window seat.. and my legs cldn't stretch.. I dun know why but there wasn't enough leg room for me.. sigh..

This actually made me decide that if possible, I will NOT take budget airlines anymore, because I could not stand the leg room.. it was too cramp!

So after 2 hrs, we reached safely at Terminal 1, Changi International Airport, and yes.. I don't like Terminal 1 at all, because its super small (because its undergoing renovation).

** Photo on right: It's 0030 hrs (Singapore time) and we have landed safely in Terminal 1, Changi International Airport.

After we landed, I proceeded down to DFS Singapore to get my fragrances (which I help my sis buy also, until I spend like almost $500!.. but there was a $50 voucher given, so manage to offset a few items..)..
I also bought my Lab Series for Man's Toner & Face Wash as each tube were about %10-$15 cheaper than outside.. and I need it everyday, so might as well buy more..

Then of course, pass through immigration and of course, bought some alcohol.. bought ice wine (this time I buy the not so premium one and yet I can save money because pay a little more, I get 2 bottles).. and also for the first time in my life, I bought a bottle of vodka tropica (which is a combination of mango, pineapple, lychee, orange and melon flavours) which is also a traveller's exclusive!.. wonder how it taste like.. haha..

So yupz.. spend quite a lot on this trip.. so as to whether the Taiwan trip (with my NS buddies) at end of the year would be successful, would very much depend on whether my studies at UNISIM would be successful.. if its successful, then its a 'no' for the Taiwan trip, as the travel period which MUST be planned (no change allowed) is within my study term.. so ya.. Will see how lah..

But I enjoyed Thailand tremendously, and I must thank God for providing safety and fun during this trip! I'm missing the Tom Yum Goong & Moo Dart Diao already.. sigh..

Goodbye Thailand, hello Singapore...,
<<< abriel >>>