The media coverage about a possible flood treat at Bangkok didn’t dampen my excitment. Nor did the withdrawal of Emilda and her sister. I still have Diyana and Ina to enjoy with and show me around. And it’s my first ever trip to Bangkok. And no one can stop it from happening! Ceh… perangai…
I remember having the bestest feeling ever on the morning of the 14th October. And why not? The day before, the whole family were at ROMM to witness Marzuki and Juriah’s marriage registration. Then it’s packing for a 4 day 3 night trip to Bangkok.
Dee spent the night before at her mum’s house at Tampines. Ina was in the same area so I decided to get there and share a taxi to Budget Terminal. The inconvenient of no direct bus to Budget Terminal!
After our breakfast at McDonald’s, we decided to check-in to departure area. There, Dee was contemplating about getting a poncho which she didn’t get. Ina was contemplating about getting a bottle of contact lens solution which she ends up buying one. I was contemplating whether to use the toilet there or at Bangkok, which I end up doing at home ground but nothing came out! Perangai. That made the three of us Star Karats. Last to board the plane!
Two hours later, we arrived at Suvarnabhumi (Pronounced “Sue Wanna Poom”) Airport.
- Day One: Arrival Day, 14th October
Drizzling weather welcome us to Bangkok at 9:30am local time. But if you look at my face, I was grinning wide from ear to ear. If you X-rayed my heart, you’ll see it was jumping up and down. I text Juriah and mum as they were worried about the weather condition.
Since we are early to check-in to the hotel, we find seats at Dunkin’ Donuts at the airport. I didn’t have trouble counting in Bahts compared to the difficulties I had with Rupiahs when I first went to Batam.
This would be my second time I am travelling with Dee. The first one was when she was still single and we went to Kuala Lumpur for a weekend with a few friends. Now she is married but I know I won’t have any difficulties with her. Ina, on the other hand, I have seen her lots of time but never really got a chance to get to know or hold a conservation with her. She turns out to be gila like Dee and I. Then it is time to hit the road… ermm hit the train tracks?
After like thirty minutes train journey, we arrived at Phloen Chit station along the BTS Skytrain. And another five minutes walk to our hotel. The Legacy Express is a budget hotel but it’s rooms are bigger compared to budget hotels in Singapore and the kucing kurap hotel at Batam. The hotel has it’s own restaurant – Casablanca. Sharing the same building just on the left of the entrance is a 7-eleven and to the right a clinic.
You won’t read about this here but my room actually was prepared with vanilla scented aroma therapy and temperature set nicely at 22ºC. Dee and Ina’s room has nothing ready for them. That left the two ladies more jealous than puzzled.
After settling down, we head out. Dee is familiar with the area so I just follow where she wants to go or bring us. Like me, it’s Ina first trip to Bangkok too. With my pouch slinged, I am ready to explore Bangkok.
Had lunch at MBK. There is a Yana Restaurant – Thai & International Food. I don’t recall what I had for lunch but I do remember I had goat’s milk for my drink. Then we window shop and eventually shop for a few things. Then the toil gets to us, (ceh) we rest at the Star Coffee. I decided to get a hold of Nancy Chandler’s Map of Bangkok (recommended by an acquaintance.) from the book store opposite. It cost 275 bahts, about S$11. The A2 size double sided map is beautiful. (It makes me sit on my bed reading every little detail and tips on it that night before going to bed.) Very detailed and some humour of the Chatuchak, the Chinatown, the Banglampoo, Central Bangkok, the Greater Bangkok and our hotel area – Sukhumvit. Comes with a handy guide book listing the places of interests and the things you are trying to look for on the map.
Then something caught our eyes. Siam Ocean World at Siam Paragon, located just beside MBK.
We bought a 1100 baht (S$45) ticket each. It includes a choice of a soft-drink and popcorn, a souvenir we may collect, (which turns out to be a keychain) a 20 minute fish spa, the “Back-of-the-house” tour, (they let us see where the newly arrival fishes and the sick are quarantined and taken care at) a glass bottom boat ride, a walk through the underwater cannel, (like Singapore’s very own Underwater World) a 4D animated movie (about what humans can do to make the ocean a better place) and endless camera-whoring session. My favourite attraction would be the glass bottom boat ride. The trill about being on a small boat while the sharks swim underneath. But they must get bigger boats, lah.
Dinner at Nasir Al Masri Restaurant and Shisha. The Tomato Rice with Curry Chicken dish is awesome lah. I love it. That won’t be the last time I eat tomato rice at Bangkok.
- Day Two: Almost Bankrupt, 15th October
Dee and I read the leaflet from our hotel room about a tour to the floating market. We were interested and give our three names to the front desk personnel. Each person has to pay 900 baht. And was told we need to be at the lobby tomorrow by 6:30am. (7:30am Singapore time)
We went to Chatuchak! We set out early to have breakfast there too. There is a Halal hawker smack in the middle of it. The 27 acres weekend market is a shopping heaven for locals and tourists alike. Everything is affordable (yet we need to bargain) and we could not resist the temptation of stopping and asking how much something cost. At least for Dee and Ina. I have a better resistance against impulse buying. Macam paham… I almost gone bankrupt at Chatuchak after buying a few meters of Thai Silk for my mum and Juriah. I bought a big bag to content my shorts, lots of tees, lots of soaps, trays and a pair of slippers. This handy bag eventually becomes heavy and a hassle to bring on the plane on the way home. Damn…
The girls went for a foot massage after spending eight hours at Chatuchak. I helped with their shoppings and head for the hotel as I dislike foot massage. I do not like people to touch my sole. It is ticklish and if they do touch them during a full body massage, I could give the massuer a ninja kick to their face free of charge.
I took a shower while waiting for the girls to return and get dinner together. I even have time to repack my shopping bag and pick a new “I Love Thailand” tee for dinner.
We got Lebanese food from Akbar Restaurant five minutes away from the hotel. I recall the scrumptious kebab and ice coffee I had there. The pizza was tasty too. Om nom nom…
After dinner we went to the 3rd room (actually meant for Emilda and her sister) to hangout. We had dessert which Ina bought earlier and we recorded a Birthday song for Syafiqah. That was hillarious! I laugh till my nose bleed. Serious sia!
Since Channel V is playing K-Pop once too many times, we off the telly and play songs from Dee’s iPhone.
Then start a round of Monopoly Deal. I have two full sets alrdy (both shown but not complete. I hold the remaining “winning” cards in my hands) and just need one misarable card to appear and I could have won in three moves. But Dee got Lady Luck with her. She won that one and only round. I was distraught! After the laughing session, we head for bed. We will be heading to the floating market bright and early tomorrow. 6:30am at the lobby!
- Day Three: My Birthday, 16th October
I was sure I didn’t request for a morning call. Dee did. So the only person who would call the room at 4:50am would be her. I cleared my throat (to not sound like I just woke up) and greet “Sawadeekap!” Trying to sound eager for the tour. The male person over the other line wished me,
“Good morning, this is your wake up call.”
I went “Oh, thank you so much.”
*Slaps forehead*
Obviously front desk had the room numbers wrong because the girls didn’t receive any morning call.
Apparently there is more than one floating market. (I got to know after I return to Singapore. Duh!) The one we went to is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
I wanted to stay there longer to shop or sit by the river and sip coffee but the time allocated to us was just 45 minutes, as it is only a half day tour.
The only thing that left me aggrieved during this whole trip to Bangkok is this – the descriptions on the leaflet wasn’t thorough and deceiving. The leaflet about the tour to Floating Market from the hotel didn’t mention it includes the stopovers at the Elephant Village, the Cobra Farm and the Gems stones showcase. On top of this, the entry fees into these places are not included in the 900 bahts we had paid! Com’on! At least the front desk personnel could give us a heads-up. Knowing things are done this way, we would have miss this entire trip and use the 900 bahts to visit Madame Tussauds instead. Grrr…
After a disappointing first half of the day, we went to Pratunam market. I did not quite like that place, to be honest. The drizzling weather and an empty stomach made it worst. Or maybe I did not like Pratunam because we were just passing through there to get dinner. So I did not get a chance to soak-in the sights and sounds and atmosphere there like I did at Chatuchak. Dee did some shopping (I think she can even shop if the flood is up to her waistline) and started to find a place to eat. A kind traffic policeman ask if we needed help. Then it’s either he gave us wrong directions or we totally misunderstood him. However we did found a Muslim restaurant with a waitress who speaks no English. Just point the picture of what you want to eat and drink. Perangai nyer waitress!
We ask around to get to MBK on foot. Power! The girls did more shopping. Then I found a brown emo looking alien stuffed toy with his hand in his chest. When I pulled his hand out, It comes with his red heart and with he words “For you”. I WAS SOLD! I showed Dee and Ina how cute that thing is. I knew at that point I have need to get that stuffed toy but I also know that I shouldn’t be wasting money on things which are not important. Then Dee took it and went straight to the cashier. I thought she could have bought it for her husband because there is no way a girl would like a hideous stuffed toy. I mean, like really hideous. And I remember thinking if Ali would appreciate that stuffed toy like I would. (Ok, I like stuffed toys and I do know of other boys who do too!) Stop it, ok!
We went to Dee’s favourite cafe – Star Coffee. After a long walk and shopping, I’m relieved to have a comfy seat and sip ice mocha.
Halfway through my Banana Choco Cake, Dee handed me the bag containing the stuffed toy which she bought earlier. Then she wish me “Happy Birthday” Ina even sang me a Happy Birthday song in Tagalog. Yup, in loghat Tagalog. You need to hear it to believe it. A dissapointed morning and an average day suddenly became awesome and memorable in a good way. The stuffed toy I fell in love at first sight with became mine! Thank you again, Dee! To be very honest, I didn’t even remember it was my birthday. Being there at Thailand seem to be a more happening thing.
Smack in the middle of MBK is a emormous protrait of King Chulalongkorn or Rama V. I remember reading alot about him during my lower secondary school days. Now I have forgotten the significant about him. Then, Dee voiced out that uniqueness about Thailand. The only one country in the south-east Asia that never been colonised by anyone till now. The King rule the entire kingdom since forever. She added that King Chulalongkorn, through his policies and acts, managed to save Thailand (then called Siam) from being colonised. All his reforms were dedicated to then Siam’s insurance of survival in the midst of Western colonialism.
When Dee ended her lecture, Ina and I glance to the man that stood his ground right for his people. And there was a feeling of honour in me for him. I have a new found respect for him all over again.
- Day Four: Last Day, 17th October
We started the day late, on purposed. After brunch at Nefertiti Egyptian Restaurant, we head for our hotel to fetch our bags. I tipped Mr. Boonsong with all the money I had left. About 10 bahts. (S$0.40) Hahaha… I wonder what he could do with money that much. But I have already treat him a big bottle of Singha the night before. On top of that, I nominated him as Employee of the Month. (Little did I know, Mr. Boonsong ever won that title. I saw a photograph of him receiving an award on Facebook.) Mr. Boonsong is the doorman cum bellman cum security cum whatever else he does. The nicest person from Legacy Express, if not whole of Bangkok.
Mr. Boonsong greeted us with a smile whether it was raining or sunny. Always making sure the three of us don’t slip after a heavy downpour. He is knowledgeable about the shopping hotspots; bargains and well informed about street traffic jams. One night when the girls were having their nightly massage and I volunteered to take their harta karuns back to the hotel, Mr. Boonsong helped even before I reach the hotel stairs. He carried half of my loads to the lift and even use his own lift card to operate the lift as my hands are full. It’s the little-little thougtful gestures from him that made our stay at Legacy Express memorable. Impeccable service by Mr. Boonsong.
What Diyana and Ina don’t know is that when I return home, I wrote in a compliment e-mail about Mr. Boonsong to the Hotel Manager. He replied the next day saying thank you for taking time to write and will share my e-mail to all his other service personals at Legacy Express to boost their morale. Perangai nyer hotel manager. Ingat email aku tu dvd pe? Boleh passing-passing?
I believe in credits must be given when credits are due. Especially for service staff. I know the shit they put up with on a daily basis.
The toll (ERP, lah) during the taxi ride from the hotel to airport was paid by Dee. I’m officially baht-less.
Ok, I don’t want to start writing about the taxi driver. I’m trying not to remember him.
Ina even treat me to ice mocha at Baskin Robbins at the airport. While our flight got delayed, Dee got me donut and coffee from Mister Donut. Thanks for everything, girls!
While Dee and Ina are doing their best to finish up their last bahts (LOL) I started to jot down ideas for this blog entry. But it was much later when I actually have time to publish it.
We reached Singapore 12:30am. I manage to get the last bus home. And all three of us have to report to work in a few hours time. Power sia, kitorang!
In my defense, suffering for a while more wasn’t so bad.. afterall we managed to tahan the whole morning, wat’s a few more minutes for me to buy some tops? Wakahkahakahaka…..
eheh… shopping queen from singapore. dasyat!
Ehhhhhhhh you got blog! You even have me linked! Never sayyyyyyy
hehehe… no need to say lah. never maintain one. same like my twitter and whatever other things i have. the link is for my easy excess to your blog and those other people’s which i read… sometimes…