Bangkok

Bangkok. What can I say? Beautiful? Vibrant? Energetic? Sexy? Or just simply HOT? Perhaps all of the above describes the city of smile. We purposely visited there during the Songkran Festival, Thailands New Year simply because we want to have fun, and to experience new stuff. They say Bangkok is jam all the time. Let me tell you, Malaysia is much more worse than Bangkok. They say Bangkok sells cheap goods. Let me tell you, their shirt now can cost up to 220TBH and they don't even bother to bargain with you as if they don't even care you want to buy or not. They just let you decide by your own.

Flying with AirAsia from the LCCT on the 15th of April.

The first day was rather a kick start for us. At first we was planning to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market as not only because it is the mother of all Thai markets, but also it will be closed down due to future development. Not sure whether it is a rumour or what, but well, we just missed it because by the time we reached our hotel, it was already 6pm. It means, the market has closed. However, never mind. First day was equally exciting even though we had missed Chatuchak. We went Khao San Road. That place was crazy! Packed like sardines. Water splashing all over the place, and people also tend to wipe your face with flour! No pictures were taken. Of course! How can I take such risk! However, it was damn fun! And the tuk tuk that we took during our way back even stopped by a station and let us splashed by water by the people around!

Took this photo when we arrived at Nana Station, a BTS station near to our hotel. Well, this is not the main place to celebrate Songkran. Yet, you can imagine how the festival was being celebrated!

We were in luggages and bags. Yet, they didn't take that as an excuse not to splash you wet! However, they were very disciplined. This is true. They only celebrated the festival on the dates which were set by the government. So you don't have worry about the next day whether or not you will be getting wet again. 

So, this is our hotel. Booked through Bookings.com. We stayed there for 4 nights. And 4 of us staying in a same family suite. The bed was very comfy, the room is very clean, the bathroom is very clean too...everything is in good condition. Nothing to complain actually except for its location. It took us for like about an hour to look for the hotel. However, the service and everything in the hotel is just nice. No regrets. And the hotel was very near to some of the most famous pubs like the BedSupper Club, Q Bar and many many more. 

The next day was kinda nice. Beautiful sunshine. And today we are going to the very famous floating market in Bangkok. According to some reviews, it will took us about 2 hours to reach there. But well, from my hotel, it only took us about 75 minutes to 90 minutes to reach there.

Slpendid experience at Damneon Saduak Floating Market. Although the admission is rather overpriced, yet the experience is a total pay back. 1000THB per person. The admission is actually the boat rental fee. However, you can only be in the boat for about 2 hours. The best time to visit is of course early in the morning, as the sun won't be as poison as the afternoon's. Another thing to mention about is that the service provided by our hotel is just excellent enough. We didn't plan to visit this floating market at first due to transportation problem. However, something just made us feel like going and therefore, we asked the hotel's reception. And, things just settled in minutes. They helped us to arranged everything including transportation at a very reasonable price. 

Night at Chinatown. Lovely place. A place full of foods and goodies! We visited here after floating market. From late afternoon until night. Had lots of good food over here. When we first arrived here, was about 3pm if I not mistaken. The streets were still not as busy as I thought. Somehow, when the sky turned dark, and the lights lighted on, this is where you feel the crowd. The whole street were filled with people and of course, food. And, we even had bird nest and shark fins soup. Taste good and selling in a very very affordable price. 

So, the next day, we went to Wat Pho, Grand Palace and Wat Arun. This three places are located very very near. Wat Pho and Grand Palace are situated side by side. However, as for Wat Arun, you have you to take a 3THB boat to move across the river to reach Wat Arun. Bangkok has truly some of the most exquisite temples in the world. Their details, their decorations, their state of art are just amazing and astonishing.

The magnificent Sleeping Buddha. Covered with gold leaves, he shines not only in the temple, but also in every Thais heart. One of the biggest in the world I believe. At least in South East Asia. It's really huge! Something you have to know about Thai temples. You can't wear your shoes inside the temple. Shoes will dirty the floor. And best of all, their floor is really clean! It's even cleaner than my hostel's floor! 

The Grand Palace. The one and only place for you to see the Emerald Buddha and the beautiful palaces in Thailand. You have to be properly dressed before you can really enter the Grand Palace. This is something I really like about Thais. They are very disciplined. And very obedient. I think that's the reason why tourists around the world like Thailand. Furthermore, they are no doubt very friendly and helpful. Although we have problems in communication, but they will help you as much as they can. Really like this kind of people. Not like Malaysians!

Love this temple. It's also known as the temple of dawn. Well, of course, there is a story behind this very special Wat. Once upon a time, there was this general, was about to escape from his enemy. And therefore he reached this temple. And the time he reached this temple, it was dawn. This is of course, just the simplest version of the story. Somehow, the architecture of this temple is just speechless. Really nice. Another must-visit in Bangkok.

Thailand tomyum, is no doubt one of the best in the world. Their tomyum will never let you down no matter which restaurant you are dining in. Tomyum kung means tomyum soup with shrimps. Kung means shrimps in Thai. And I am not sure whether this is their culture or not, adding coconut milk to tomyum seems like a must for them. However, I personally don't really like the taste of tomyum with coconut milk, so do my friends. So we requested one without it. And guess what, the best tomyum soup you had never tried before in Malaysia has just being served in front of you!

Clear tumyum soup. This is what they called because it is cooked without coconut milk. Ban Khun Mae, is the restaurant's name. I believe almost every Siamese know this restaurant. Because everyone we asked seems know this restaurant very well and they know where it is! This bowl of tomyum somehow cost us 170THB.

Thai food at Ban Khun Mae. Located opposite Siam Paragon, somewhere around Siam Square. Words really can't describe how lovely is the food over there. 2 sets of set meat cost us 9600THB. I would say it is totally worth it. The ambience of the restaurant itself was already a plus point, not to mention its food. 

 

Jim Thompson's story remains a mystery after his sudden lost in Cameron Highland. He is the founder of the famous Thai Silk Company: Jim Thompson. There are stores in Malaysia too. 

We visited Jim Thompson House and Museum on the day before we fled back to Malaysia. Mr. Jim Thompson studied architecture before. And it is very obvious when you find his home is design based on several architecture theories and principles. His house is designed surrounded by trees and waters. The flow of spaces is no doubt a masterpiece. Really cannot explain everything here. You really have to go there one day to experience yourself! Anyway, bought a silk-made bag for my mom and a silk-made hand-phone case.

Oh, another fantastic experience in Bangkok. The Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant. This restaurant seems disgusting, but when you know the meaning behind, then you will never feel weird. First, why cabbages? Actually, this restaurant is opened by some kinda charity foundation to promote safe sex. So, as cabbages are one of the most abundant food you can find in Thailand, so their aim is to make condom as easy-to-obtain as cabbages and as  easy-to-be-accepted as cabbages. 

 

Flowers made of condom. New concept.

So I guess this is all about our trip. Of course, other than that, we also visited Pratunam Market, MBK Shopping Mall, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and some bars. Overall, I do love Bangkok. Although the heat was terrible, but the life there was just awesome! And, I'll definitely go back again.

A good camera is always the thing you have to bring for a holiday.

Cappuccino

Our story starts from March 26.  :)

FullHouse

Well, it has been a while since my last post. So, gonna start to write something. Something about food, of course. With my course mates, we went to this FullHouse along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. This place is kinda nice at the first sight. But when you start to sit down, then you will see.. torn cushions, cracked tables and chairs...but at least, their food is still great. :)

Clam Soup

Mushroom Soup 

Mushroom Spaghetti 

Club Sandwich

Pineapple Cheese Sandwich

Dessert

I still love my Samsung F480's camera! Look at those pictures, not bad huh. Haha...all in all, it cost us around 87, including those unnecessary taxes. 

5 things about my 2011

Reminiscing...

1. Part Time Job

This year, it all started perfectly. With nothing in your mind, with the freedom you have and most importantly, with the time you have, you can do WHATEVER you want, as long as it doesn't exceed that boundary. After SPM, I started to do a part time job, as a brand ambassador (BA) aka promoter. BA is just another high class name for promoter, which is kinda true to me. If it's not because of the job, I don't think I can speak that 'well' in my presentation now. It just somehow benefits me indirectly. And what I like about doing part time job is that, it makes me realise how useful money is because I am now (that time) monetarily independent as I don't need to always depend on my parents. Most excitingly, I can buy things I want and eat food that I had always wanted for.

2. SPM Results

Then the next major event is of course, my SPM results. That day I remembered so so clearly that the moment I received that SMS from 15888, my teacher reached. And she was the first to know. And next was, Zhao Feng. One of my most special friend. :) (Maybe because I am sms-ing with her right now when I am writing this, and it therefore reminds me of the those day's tits and bits). And with that Straight As result, I owned myself a VAIO S! Nice! But that was not the main point. That thing which make me feel kinda proud is that I had successfully maintained a straight As from UPSR to PMR and now, SPM. Well, at least I won't regret for the rest of my life now. 

3. Application

So with that result of mine, I applied for JPA scholarships, UPU, and Axiata, and Matriculation. Actually, the chance for me to get a full scholarship is very very low. I always know that, due to my not-straight-A+-result. But never mind, just take it as an experience. I remembered that that day before the JPA interview, UTM called me, and informed me about the interview session that will be held on the same day with my JPA interview. Of course I get kinda nervous when I knew it (How can I not be nervous?). But the outcome is I didn't get any scholarships. And there was that very moment I think about STPM, which I really don't want to go for it if possible. Luckily, UTM offered me a place in Architecture. It simply means that I did quite well in my interview with them last time. So, it surprised me as I was once wandering between architecture and nutrition (this is what my mum wanted actually). And here I am, on my way to become part of the architecture world in the future.


4. National Service
This is the most priceless and timeless experience I ever had in my life. Although I just went there for 10 days, it just make me grow up. I must be independent. I must mix with others. I must face the reality that there are so many different faces in this society, no matter good or bad. Perception and perspectives towards people, is what I learnt most. People you think is bad may not be as bad as you think. They still have their good side where you have to discover yourself. And from here, I realize: People like me may look good on the outside, but who knows what is inside. I tend to always reflect myself from that time. Another very worth-to-share thing is, I still get in touch with my NS friends although it is just a short journey. It's an experience that will always be part of my memory.


5. Architecture
After my ten days experience in National Service, I started my university life, as an architecture student. It's tough, but it's fun and challenging. I am just in the diploma stage. In this stage, we need to first polish up our technical skills like our drawings. This course is seriously tough not because of the subject itself, but the characteristic of the course. This is a very abstract subject. It's very subjective as well. It really depends on the lecturer you work with, and the environment you study. It's not easy. Somehow people here is the reason for you continue to work hard, and smart at the very same time. Here, you must overcome endless projects and assignments. The only time we can rest is weekends (sometimes not) and semester break only.   However, the thing that you will first learn is how to sneak in through that bombastic and hectic lifestyle. You must. Or else, you are gonna die.  

A piece of thought.

Almost everyday, we log in to social networking media such as the Facebook and Twitter. Some people use it as a way to communicate with each other and of course some use it as a way to stay connected with their beloved ones. However, something we all should know, that is, social networking media actually plays a very important role in educating the public, and to create awareness to the people as Internet is believed to be the fastest media to share and spread informations. In fact, it is now replacing newspapers and some other methods of spreading informations. Therefore we should appreciate the innovation of this technology and make the world better. :)

Best Blog!

http://goodyfoodies.blogspot.com

is all about food, good food, and honest feedbacks.

A Girlfriend?

Love heals and hurts. How irony is that!

Actually, I don't really mean to start any relationship with anyone else. Maybe it is because I know how irony is love, and that's why I am always so passive in searching for a new relationship. Love is so risky to me and so fragile at the same time and you will not know what to do when that bomb has arrived, or even departed. when it comes to a relationship, I have so many reasons and so many excuses. From personal excuses to parental reasons, there are always too much to explain. To prevent that, I stop myself from crushing with someone. Perhaps, I should let time do the rest for me. With that statement, I am proud to say, I am still single, but never unavailable.. :)

Sounds irony right? That's love.