To Sum Up The Trip...

We'll be back!!!

Bangkok - Day 7

KUPPA
This coffee joint roasts their beans on site but weren't doing it when we were there. We read about it online and it was on my 'places to go' list. It got good reviews in general and while the food was decent, and the coffee 'not bad' according to Yen, the service there pales in comparison to the other eateries we've patronized. We were met with broad smiles and a desire to communicate even though we don't speak Thai at many of the restaurants we've been to, this one 'stood out' for their lack of warmth. The place is airy and bright, but I don't think we'd make another trip there.
We got a couch at the corner which was nice and comfy and Meg lost no time in snuggling in.Their wild mushroom risotto, which Meg and I shared.Yen had the basil chicken with rice.
Verdict: It's Greyhound over Kuppa for us anytime! We Love Greyhound and Baan Khanitha. The service at these two places are impeccable!

WOODSTREET
We saw pictures of this place in a book Yen bought which features interesting places listed by local designers and personalities and this was one of them. Located in a very un-touristy area, this is a place one would probably go to if one were looking to furnish a new home. It's quite a ride from town, in the Bang Sue area, near Chatuchak but we thought we'd visit it anyway. The wonderful smell of wood hits you once you get onto the street. There are all kinds of wood shops along the rather long street. There are wood merchants who sell raw timber planks, wood carvers, wood furniture shops, hardware shops which have almost everything under the sun and woodcraft shops which sell wooden letterings and even bathtubs! It was an interesting walk and we managed to catch the setting sun with lovely evening light as well.

Bangkok - Day 6

Today was probably the least fruitful day we've had so far. We went to Platinum mall, located just opposite Pratunam. It's a haven for wholesalers and I saw many Singaporeans there. The place was extremely crowded and one just had to make a quick round or end up spending the entire day there. It was there that I realized I don't like shopping for clothes at all! They have all kinds of stuff there, and if you buy at least three pieces from a shop, they give it to you at 'wholesale' prices, which could mean significant savings. A top I bought would've cost 390B if I'd bought just one piece but it went for 250B for three. That's just about S$11. For me, I had to persevere to find some much needed clothes as I've outgrown my old ones.
After that, we went on to Thong Lor, at Sukhumvit Soi 55 to revisit some of the places we've been to before, namely, H1 and Playground. H1 - a small cluster of minimalist styled modern white buildings with a Zen look and feel - was quiet as usual, and pretty lifeless.
This restaurant, named 'To Die For' has got good reviews but we never did try it.


There is a Basheer bookstore there but they don't carry many photography books.
Then we walked to the former 'Playground' which used to be a center for design but it too didn't survive and it's now called 'Midtown Thonglor'. Both places didn't really inspire and we probably won't make another trip out there again. We tried to look for another shop called 'Shades of Retro' but we could not find it. My mistake was not having the hotel staff write the address out for me in Thai. It's a pity that we missed it. Tomorrow is our last day here. We leave really early on Saturday morning.
A cowboy cobbler along Thong Lor

Bangkok - Day 5

The Red Shirts...
We finally got to see them on our fifth day in Bangkok. We heard them before we saw them from our hotel room which overlooks Ploenchit Road, and rushed down to catch them as they passed by. The entire entourage lasted about 15 minutes. They were passing through after their morning mission of splashing blood in front of the Thai PM's home in Sukhumvit. They created a raucous din as they approached, with the sounding of their truck and car horns, clappers, loudspeakers and chanting. It was all in good spirit and the atmosphere was actually quite joyous and elevating, not at all violent or angry. There were smiles and cheers all round, and hardly any angst or aggression. It was quite a sight to watch. I'm glad they passed by the Siam Sq area as they usually congregate around the Sanam Luang area, near the Government buildings. If not for my condition and the fact that Meg is with us, both MJ and I would surely have gone to get better pictures at the heart of the action. But I'm glad the protests have been non-violent so far. Peace is something we take for granted too easily.

I have to relate this really funny conversation between my mum and Meg. My mum, being terribly paranoid about the potential violence awaiting to erupt, kept reminding us to be careful.
Mum: So did you see any demonstrations?
Meg: Yes, we saw demonstrations. At Siam Ocean World. Fish demonstrations!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHA. MJ and I burst out laughing...Kids really say the darndest things! She said this in all earnestness and was not being a smart aleck or anything! Geez!

Bangkok - Day 4

SPRING, SUMMER, WINTER AND LOMO
We discovered this new place for dinner in the Sukhumvit area. Saw it in a book and of course, the photos are what drew us there. The place consists of three different areas, Spring, the dining area; Summer, a chocolate bar and Winter, where one can hang out and lie on giant cushions strewn in the garden to have a drink. We went not knowing its restaurant prices but it's a nice place, though we didn't get to lay on the comfy-looking cushions as it was full after we'd finished dinner. MJ ordered the seafood pasta with basil and chilli. It had a subtle taste and was quite pleasant.I ordered the soft shell crab with crab pad thai...very good, but my appetite wasn't too good that evening so I didn't finish it. What a waste! The little one ordered a simple dish of rice with chicken.One of the highlights was the dessert. We had something called "BB Pudding" and it's sinfully delicious! We only ordered one though, and had to share it. It's wonderful and when we return the next time, we'll be sure to order one each!The interior of the restaurant. It was quite empty on a Tuesday evening. Hope it doesn't go under anytime soon! We like the place!LOMOGRAPHY EMBASSY OF BANGKOK
Lomography has caught on worldwide. These fun, quirky, plastic cameras started off being quite affordable but has grown to a cult-like status with a huge following. The cameras have become rather expensive but still nice to look at and photograph. We managed to find this small little place at Phrom Phong. It was hard to resist the temptation to buy something, but we ended up walking away with just a couple of camera design buttons. A place worth visiting just to see the variety of Lomo and Holga cameras they have!


SOI LALAISAP
My friend Sue told me about this place and even wrote about it in the papers. In English, the name translates to 'money disappearing lane' and it is near impossible not to buy something from this market. Everything is very reasonably priced and there is usually no bargaining. It's most crowded during lunchtime as it's located in Silom, the business district of Bangkok and the place is chocablock with locals and expats in nice crisp long-sleeved shirts. We spent a couple of hours there, and came away with good bargains, mostly for Meg.

Bangkok - Day 3

Most of today was spent at Siam Ocean World, a great place for kids. We purchased the super package which includes a Back of the House tour, the Glass Bottom Boat ride, Happy Fish Happy Feet (dead skin eating fish), the 4D X-Venture show and free pepsi and popcorn (which we didn't redeem cos we didn't feel like having any). It wasn't cheap, but we managed to get a 20% discount with our Thai Airways boarding pass. Still it amounted to about SGD30 per pax. It was something Meg was looking forward to since we left home and needless to say, she was all excited and wouldn't stop chattering all morning until we arrived at the place. This is probably our third or fourth time there, and it's still a pretty amazing place to us. Well worth a visit!

Shark attack!Tourists can swim with the sharks for a price. When we were there, two Caucasians were in the tank and having a thrilling time.Yen and his antics.These spotted garden eels live in sandy burrows and expose two-thirds of their bodies when they are feeding but quickly retreat back into the sand when they are disturbed. Fascinating to watch!The jelly fish display is set in a darkened room with classical music emitting from a Bang & Olufsen sound system. There are cushions placed in the centre of the room where one can lay down, and watch the jellyfish dance to the music. Quite therapeutic and relaxing.Happy Fish Happy Feet, is what this is called. I guess the fish are happy cos they're having a wonderful meal, picking at all our dead skins...but I couldn't take it and was out within two minutes. It was too ticklish...but at least I tried it once...It'll probably be my last time.Yen loved it though...he doesn't have ticklish feet!

SIAM PARAGON

Our hotel is just a five-minute walk to Siam Paragon. Such a convenience when we need to pop back into the room to freshen up or to leave our shopping bags. Its gourmet market and the food hall are the main draws. There's a huge variety of food available and one is really spoilt for choice. The gourmet market, though a little on the pricey side, also has a wonderful variety of Thai delicacies and fresh fruits. Other interesting shops at Siam Paragon that we usually visit are "True Urbanpark", a really well designed and cool place and Kinokuniya.

Nice evening light at the plaza outside the building.Walking from Siam Center next door to Siam Paragon.Enjoying getting wet!Yen trying to look cool in his shades and black tshirt...duh...not in those bermudas!