BANGKOK - DAY 2 (Saturday, 27 July 2013)

Food has been the highlight of this trip. I've taken photos of almost everything we've eaten. I thought I'd be photographing a lot more street scenes since I don't have the kids with me, but on the contrary, I haven't shot much. I think I've lost the drive to shoot. Such a sad state. I don't know if I'll ever get it back again, but I sure hope I do. I've been desk bound too long... I still love photography, just need the motivation to get back to it. 
So we started off the day with breakfast at the noodle shop opposite the hotel. Our room booking doesn't include breakfast and we would've had to pay about S$25 for their buffet breakfast. Firstly, it's too expensive and secondly, one tends to eat a lot at buffets so we decided to forgo it and explore the breakfast places around the hotel instead. 
We had tom yum mee sua (95฿) for breakfast. After we both ordered that, we noticed that everyone else was eating the beef noodles in dark brown broth. While our dish was good, I wondered if I should've ordered the beef noodles instead. Broth always sounds delicious. It's cheaper too, and that's probably why almost everyone ordered it.

It's quite spicy but a good morning 'wake up call' for me. I love tom yum!

There are holes in the table where you sit your bowl firmly. How quaint!

Ah... my all time favourite snack...crispy fried pork skin!

My philosophy: Just don't think about how unhealthy it is, just how good it tastes! It always works for me! hahahahaha!

We headed for Chatuchak immediately after breakfast. I've always wanted to get there at 9am when the stalls open, but have never managed to. We got there at around 11am and it wasn't as crowded as expected. Apparently, this is the low season during the monsoon months from May to October... either that or Singaporeans are planning their visit over the long National Day weekend. Methinks it's more like the latter. 

The trains were generally not crowded, an exception on a weekend.

Standalone screens have popped up along the train platforms, a good advertising revenue. No doubt we'll see them eventually on or MRT platforms too.

The clogged overhead bridge connecting Mo Chit BTS to Chatuchak.

We decided to head to the exit away from the crowded one to avoid the human traffic jam. 

I will never tire of going to Chatuchak. Every trip to Bangkok must stretch over a weekend just for this. We usually go on both days, Saturday and Sunday as one day isn't enough time. I sorta know which section sells what type of stuff, but of course I still have trouble finding a shop I've been to before and want to visit again. It's just such a maze! But it's such an a-maze-ing place!

Shooting these pix more for generics than anything else! I'm sure they will come in useful later on...

This place has 15,000 stalls, and receives 200,000 visitors each day!

If you can't find what you want at Chatuchak, you probably can't find it anywhere else in Bangkok!

There's a mall that's come up opposite Chatuchak on the Or Tor Kor side. I wonder if it will affect business at Chatuchak much. I personally don't think so, but we'll see. It will be open by the time we next visit.

Paella! This is new. There used to be just local Thai food available but now there's greater choice!

We stopped at this dessert and drinks stall with a quaint old display cabinet full of old tins like Ovaltine and Milo probably from about 20 years ago at least! It was very interesting to see them again.

The stall serves delicious coconut ice cream with 3 toppings of your choice. 

This is our friend Nit, whose shop we visit every time we are at Chatuchak. We've patronised her t-shirt store since our first few trips to Bangkok. Between MJ and I, we probably have at least 20 t-shirts we've bought from her store, called "Feel Good". Each one of her designs is original. Her husband, who takes care of another shop in Section 4 at Chatuchak, designs most of them, and draws very well. This time, we happened to stumble upon her husband's shop too and popped in to talk to him, even though we've never met him before. He shared his philosophy of life with us and was very passionate as he spoke. At times I thought he was going to tear. We asked them why their logo is a dog with an aeroplane for its eye. I can't quite remember exactly what they said but it goes something like this: In Thai folklore, when a dog looks up to the sky, it means that there is a longing, like a dream that hasn't yet been fulfilled or something that hasn't been achieved yet. 

Meg Turns 10!!!

Meg turned 10 yesterday. It was a quiet celebration. The poor thing received no birthday wishes from her friends as all of them had forgotten that yesterday was the actual day! But the smile soon returned to her face when she received her birthday present...albeit with several restrictions that came with it, including the ban from using the earphones. She can only listen to it via a speaker, which we have yet to get for her. MJ doesn't want her to turn into an angsty teen always plugged into a gadget and affecting her hearing in the process, not to mention becoming anti-social in general. I concur!

Our daughter is growing up fast! I'm happy to say she is quite well behaved and isn't a spoilt brat who has to get what she wants. At least to my mind she isn't. I hope she stays sweet and loving. Many people have commented that she is pretty but I never fail to remind her after she receives these compliments, that beauty is on the inside, not the outside and I'd rather she be pretty inside as outer beauty is a passing thing and will eventually fade.

Happiness is... an iPod Nano! For a 10-year-old at least...

Painstakingly wrapped by her mother...

Nice, ain't it? I don't usually bother too much with the wrapping since it's going to be tossed within a minute after it's received!

We celebrated at Putien Restaurant at Nex Mall.

Getting a hug and a kiss from mei mei.

To wish or not to wish, that is the question... we told her she only gets to do this once a year so better not waste the chance!

We had an early dinner, popped into the computer store to have a look at some iPod Nano 7th generation cases, but she didn't like the few on display so we walked out of the shop empty handed.
It's rare to go out on a school night but it's a rare occasion that warrants the rare treat! 

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY MEG!!!

An Update...

Our two daughters have grown somewhat in the last year. Meg turns 10 today and Em turns 3 in less than two months... here's what they look like now... quite different from a year ago...what a difference a year makes!

21 June 2013, during the haze.

14 April 2013

16 June 2012, at the lift landing of our apt block.

10 November 2012, in Meg's P2 classroom.

30 June 2012, on our bed.

18 June 2012, at home.

Christmas 2011 at CCTK.

In Bangkok (yes again) but this time (the first) without the kids...DAY 1 (Friday, 26 July)

I should be wracked with guilt and I am a little but I did want some time alone with MJ and I've always wanted to make a trip to BKK without the kids so we can do the things we otherwise would not be able to with them in tow. It was also a good chance to see how they would do without us. I have my mum to thank for looking after them, thus allowing us some alone time...

We flew Jetstar as it was the cheapest available at the time of booking, and it suited our desired timings. We would never book budget airlines if we fly with the kids, given the potential unexpected (or expected?!) delays.

We took the 1040hrs flight on Friday morning.

Singapore from the air showing the runway strips at Changi Airport.

View showing the East Coastline. It's amazing how built up Singapore is . We know this but when we actually see it from the air, it's mind boggling...

Another view of Changi Airport.

Big ships like little toys. 

When we arrived on Friday at around noon, our mood was a little dampened by the cab driver we got at the airport. These public taxis are supposed to use the meter and the passenger pays for what's shown on it, excluding toll charges and the 50฿ airport surcharge. This is the first time a cabby did not turn on the meter and I only noticed it when he said: "450฿ all in". We've been to BKK often enough to know that the cab fare is about that price, give or take 50฿ and we usually give 50฿ tip anyway so we didn't protest about the flat fare. What were we to do since we were already in the cab? But I didn't like it that he wasn't upfront about it and only said it after we had left the airport. Also, it is against the rules to charge a flat fee. So not wanting to make a big deal out of it, we sat back to relax. All was in order, he drove quite fast and hit the first toll booth. He paid and we continued on our journey. Then before I knew it, he veered off the highway and hit the regular road beneath the highway viaduct. Then I understood what was happening. He decided to bypass the second and more expensive toll (45฿...1st one is 25฿) to make more out of our 450฿. Now I was upset. I contemplated telling him off but the road he had chosen to take was quite clear and he seemed to be making good speed. So I held my tongue. I'm always reminded how ple struggle to make a living in Bangkok and 50฿ to us is actually not a lot (about S$2) but significant to them. But while I empathise with  the poorer Thais, I don't like it when people try to take advantage of me. We got caught in a traffic jam of course but I managed to glance at the highway above us and noticed that traffic was also crawling. So in a way being off the highway was perhaps a blessing in disguise as the cab driver could use the smaller roads to beat the jam. Anyway it wasn't too long before we arrived at the hotel. Needless to say, I didn't give the cabby a tip.

A taxi fare chart showing its rates. Taxi fares in Bangkok are still very much cheaper than in Singapore.

We got the corner room on the 6th floor (613) and like most corner units, it's bigger than usual. We have always stayed at Novotel and will continue to do so. Its location is unbeatable and there's so much good food at Siam Square...what more could one want!

We had lunch at Som Tam Nua right next to the hotel. Every time we pass by this eatery, the line is so long that we abandon all desire of having a meal there but this time, we arrived at the right time and got a table immediately. We've read that it's very popular because of its taste and prices, and boy oh boy, are the reviews spot on! We had a late lunch at around 2.30pm and by that time the crowds had dissipated but inside, the restaurant was still full. 

The place serves many varieties of Som Tam, but the most popular one is their papaya salad which costs 65฿. It's not that spicy but deelish!

The command centre of the restaurant behind is where the Som Tam is made. A few staff  churn out plate after plate of Som Tam without any let up.

Everyone orders this fragrant and delicious fried chicken (98฿). My only complaint is that it had a tad too much spring onions! But luckily, I was able to 'shake it off' quite easily.

We had one of the few soups they have on the menu, Tomsep Kadook On Moo soup (North East Style Spicy Soup with Pork Bone (97฿) (top), an Issan-style sour and spicy Tom Yam soup. It wasn't spicy though but it did taste great. At the bottom is their popular grilled pork neck/collar (98฿), which, when paired with their chill dip tastes delicious!

spicy minced pork salad (laab moo)

Our first feast for the day. We managed to finish everything we ordered! The total bill came up to  less than S$30 including drinks! Where to find?! In Bangkok of course!

This alley at Siam Square Soi 5 is usually lined with people  waiting for a table.  It is right next to Mango Madness, a mango dessert place, and across the road from Baan Khun Mae, a good Thai restaurant popular with Singaporeans…all within half a stone's throw from Novotel Siam Square. Need I say more...

If you want good food at reasonable prices, this is the place to go, but please take your patience along! Order whatever is indicated with a star on the English menu!

The night market right by Siam BTS station. 

It's always a big squeeze walking along the narrow pathway. Gotta really watch one's bag here.

They've got wonderful street food like fried chicken wings and BBQ seafood...so yummy! But I've only tried the former and not the latter. 

Look at that...a friend said all fried food is bad, but I say yes, it's bad for you but it's the tastiest!

Another highlight of our day was our visit to Asiatique, a food and shopping place along the river. It's a very nice place that's reminiscent of both Boat and Clarke Quays combined (actually better than that). It's located along the Chao Phraya river, south from Saphan Taksin Pier. There is a free shuttle boat that takes visitors there. This is the only option to get there if you go after 6pm. The orange and yellow flagged boats cease operations at around 6pm, just after peak hour is over but on Sunday evening when we went back, there were additional boat services which took tourists there for 20฿. The queue for the free shuttle is always pretty long but once it arrives, it can take quite a few passengers on board…about 80, I estimate.

The giant ferris wheel seen in the distance is a landmark which allows one to gauge how far away Asiatique is from Saphan Taksin pier. When standing at the pier facing the river, it's on your left, about ten minutes away by boat.

There are many restaurants here and people come for food too, not just shopping. There are quaint cafes which offer live music and semi outdoor seating. The atmosphere is pleasant and enjoyable.

The place generally has a 'feel good' atmosphere about it. It opened about a year ago and the wide walkways accommodate the ever increasing number of people who visit every evening.

Pretty crowded on a Friday night. But it doesn't feel as cramped as Chatuchak. It's supposed to be a substitute for Suan Lum night market, which was more centrally located, near Lumpini Park. The market closed a few years ago as the landlords wanted to re-develop the area. Spot MJ.

One of the hundreds of shops (the website boasts 1500 but I didn't get the impression there are that many! Maybe some have yet to open). This one sold interesting toys and knick knacks. Prices are reasonable and not exorbitant. Bargaining politely is still the order of the evening.

The place is made up of former godowns and there are 10 main buildings, each housing different shops and activities. 

A late dinner at our favourite Thai restaurant, Baan Khanitha. This branch called 'Baan Khanitha By The River'  is housed in a beautiful white colonial styled building and they close late. Last order is at 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Not sure about Sunday to Thursdays. The only minus point about this restaurant is that they don't serve complimentary Meang Kum. You have to order and pay for it! :o( 

I believe this place will only grow in patronage and the next time we go, it will be even more touristy. Hope that doesn't drive their prices up! I would recommend a visit if you haven't been there!