One of the sights I love the most – an airplane wing glinting in the last vestiges of the warm evening sunlight, fluffy clouds below me and the most beautiful sunset seen above the ground.
Tell me this isn’t one of the most beautiful sights ever? 🙂
I always hum a little ditty when I get on board “I’m leaving on a jet plane. Don’t know when I’ll be back again…” except I do. I hold return tickets right? 😛 But yes, I love travelling and I was just recently on board one such plane 🙂 I spent the recent long weekend in Bangkok! 😀
Part of my annual pilgrimage, Bangkok is a city I visit often and fortunately is a relatively affordable city to visit. I took some photos using just my mobile phone camera this time so do hop along if you’d like a break from the beauty posts we normally get on the blog 🙂I stayed at the Tango Vibrant Hotel this time because it is near the airport link train station. I’ll blog about that if anyone’s keen to know what I think of the hotel. Just let me know 🙂
If there was ever evidence needed, here’s a picture with the obligatory Thai temple 🙂 I bought the straw hat for 120 Baht and just wanted a picture of this very cheap find 😉
Bangkok was still bracing for floods in the city centre when I was there. Most of the outlying areas of the city were already flooded but most of the city was nice and dry. It didn’t stop the locals from taking precautions though. In many parts of the city, low concrete walls were erected to hold back the water should it ever come.
At this bank, they at least created some “steps” for you to climb over. In many other places, all you get are sandbags for you to step on.
My favourite shopping area – Central World at Ratchaprasong district. The place was torched last year when there was unrest in the city but its been rebuilt very quickly to be even better than before. Incidentally, I purchased my first Suqqu eyeshadow palette here! 😀 They also sell NARS for those who want a dose of cosmetics.
And anyone who wants to buy very cheap clothes and accessories can head down to the Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunam. There is a brand spanking new Novotel hotel right next door now so you never have to leave the area! In many stores “wholesale prices” mean purchasing 2-3 and above pieces of clothing so dresses can start from RM15. Yes you read that right 🙂 I took a tour of the mall but didn’t really end up with anything (its too mind boggling!).
I’m quite adventurous when I’m overseas so I take the public transport to get where I need to go. I rarely take the public transport at home so that’s saying something 😛 I always take the public bus in to Chinatown (Yaowarat) It just costs me 13 Baht and I don’t have to worry about cabs or tuk tuks ripping me off 🙂
This time, I also tried the new MRT services from Hua Lamphong MRT Station near Yaowarat, into Chatuchak Weekend Market 😀 Its very convenient and costs something like 30 Baht for delivery right into the market. I don’t have pics of the weekend market but its a good place to go and visit and to snag some nice deals for souvenirs, household items, clothes and other interesting items.
What is Bangkok without its food! I can usually be found at the street food stalls in various parts of the city 😀
(1) and (2) is a Suki hot pot I have at this row of streetside stalls next to CentralWorld – B150. You cook your own dinner in the clay pots precariously balanced over a charcoal fire. Feeds 2 and is perfect downed with cold beer 😀
(3) Kuay Chap or rolled rice noodles soup with pork and various spare parts from a stall inside the rabbit’s warren that is the Chinatown market – B50.
(4) Scallop Rice at Isetan food court – B240. A place I try not to miss because I love the huge scallops I get cooked to order.
(1) and (2) Wait For Noodle Soup with Chicken at Chatuchak Weekend Market – B50. Wait For is I think the name of this stall where you get a bowl of spicy ramen style noodles with a braised drumstick and some additional chewy ends of the chicken bones. I love them, others may find it unwholesome.
(3) Grass Jelly (cincau) on ice with brown sugar at Chatuchak Weekend market. Can’t remember the price. Its a delicious cold dessert and perfect for indulging in after walking in the hot maze of the market.
(4) Char siew and Won ton noodles at Chinatown – B40.
(1) Fishball noodles at a random stall – B40. The Thai people do fishball noodles very well! Soup is salty as heck but I enjoy it nonetheless.
(2) Regular set of condiments at any stall – chilli flakes, vinegared sliced chilli, cilli sauce, sugar, fish sauce. The Thais love their food sweet and its not unusual to see people scooping spoonfuls of sugar into their noodles! I counted a lady scooping 2.5 heaping teaspoonfuls of sugar into her noodles. Amazing 😛
(3) Freshly squeezed orange juice – B20. Sold on carts everywhere you go are orange juice squeezed from local oranges. It is tangy and sweet and cold but I’ve stopped buying from most carts because they add in sugar and its just too sweet. I had some from this stall inside Chinatown market because they only add sugar if you ask! So I enjoyed the natural orange taste of the juice. Delicious!
(4) Fishball noodles with rice noodles and red sauce. I love that red sauce but I have no idea what its called. I always have to look around until I see someone eating it then point at it so they know I want the red sauce. Does anyone know what this dish is called?
And while I was browsing in Big C Supermarket for groceries (yes I do my grocery shopping overseas too! LOL) I saw this rack of chocolates. So here we are, for all the kitty lovers reading my blog … awwww….. 😀
And for puppy lovers, here’s one for you! Awwww…… 😀
I didn’t shop very much. But the end of the year is a good time to visit Bangkok if you are into shopping. Sales abound everywhere and its very hard NOT to buy anything 🙂
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour. Until next time! 😀
Sawadee-kap! oops! Sawadee ka! (Thanks ishi!)
Paris B
All photos taken on a 3.2MP mobile phone camera. Photo taking is possible on the go without a proper camera! 🙂
ishi says
December 4, 2011 at 9:04 am‘Ka’, Paris, ‘Sawadee Ka’. Unless you are a man 🙂
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:29 amThank you so much for that, Ishi 😀 I never knew when to use which *shy*
xin says
December 4, 2011 at 9:10 amNice! I wanna eat the scallop rice next time too!
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:29 amJom!
Juan says
December 4, 2011 at 9:16 amI always love Thailand for their very friendly people and everything is cheap there. When I went to Bangkok years ago, I had the chance of also experiencing taking the public transport by boat along the Chao Phraya river. It was really a wonderful experience especially seeing those beautiful boats specially catered for people who stayed in 5 star hotels along the river bank.
I truly enjoy reading this post 🙂
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:31 amI’ve been meaning to take the boat for ages! I’m told its very interesting and there’s a stop at Chinatown to the Ratchaprasong area where I hang out so I plan to try it next time. Time for you to plan a trip to Bangkok perhaps? 😉
nicoles mirror says
December 4, 2011 at 10:17 amAhhh Bangkok!!! Love the shopping there. Clothing are sooooo cheap and waaaay better than times square!!! XD
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:31 amHaha Times Square probably gets stock from there 😉 I see loads of people buying up giant bags of clothes 😛
Hanny Daforcena says
December 4, 2011 at 12:27 pmI’ll never, ever forget the two weeks I spent in BKK, seriously. The food, the shopping! One can literally faint there, no?
Sadly, I did not get me any Nars when I was there >.< Oh well, me aunt is going to be stationed there so now I can go there whenever the tickets are cheap! (Hopefully)
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:32 amAh 2 weeks in Bangkok would be awesome. I only ever do 1 or 2 night trips 🙂 Lucky you to have a place to crash there!
lyn says
December 4, 2011 at 12:46 pmHaven’t been to BKK in years and only been once. They didn’t have Nars or Suqqu back then. Hubs is not that keen on going again. It was too hazy and muggy for his liking. But I wanna go visit the markets, shops and temples!
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:32 amAlaaa jom we go! 😛
LeGeeque says
December 4, 2011 at 2:13 pmCan you believe I’ve never been to Bangkok before?Would love to go! Love that pic of you with the sunhat 😀 I ADORE sunhats 🙂
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:33 amAhh you have to go if just to get a stamp on your passport 😛 I have been looking for a decent sun hat for a while so this cheap find did the trick – not terribly well made but then what was I supposed to expect for that price, really 😛
Jenn says
December 4, 2011 at 2:43 pmI make a yearly pilgrimage to bkk too to replenish my wardrobe! Hehehe! 😀 The clothes in the markets are so cheap and the quality, not too shabby! I also LOVE the food there!! Eh I tried that chicken drumstick noodle before too… it’s great!! *drools*
I’ll try to remember the scallop rice the next March! 😉
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:34 amYes! Try the scallop rice. Its in the Isetan CentralWorld food court and they cook it only when you order it. 😀 I find it hard to shop for clothes because apparently Thai girls are TINY! And because you can’t try, I’m so scared I can’t fit into anything 😛
Jamilla says
December 4, 2011 at 3:32 pmLucky you! Great pics! AND There is Suqqu at Isetan in Bangkok!
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:34 amYes! that’s where I got my eyeshadow palette 😀
Connie De Alwis says
December 4, 2011 at 4:54 pmawwww…. kitty! and food pics not helping when I’m hungry now~
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:35 amKitty was for you 😀
sesame says
December 4, 2011 at 4:56 pmI miss eating in Chinatown. The food there is so great but it’s a bit out especially cos when friends are not so into it.
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:36 amWhere do you go in Chinatown? I usually go to the food stalls that come out in the evening but I am rarely in there in the evenings these days, so I tend to eat elsewhere. I have to agree though that the food is good but getting there can be quite a hassle when traffic is bad
Jarucha says
December 4, 2011 at 5:04 pmThe red noodle soup is called Yentafo – its red because of the bean curd. The pics are so great – can’t believe its from a phone! I enjoy seeing the pics esp since I’m a Thai person living in the U.S.! 🙂
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:36 amTHANK YOU! This is why I love blogging – I learn something new all the time and now I know how to order it 😀
Renee | Beauty Fool says
December 4, 2011 at 6:09 pmGah! I still have not been to Bangkok yet. Looks amazing 🙂
xx Renee
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:36 amYou have to go Renee! Next year perhaps? 😉
lavender says
December 4, 2011 at 7:52 pmBangkok is a shopping paradise. I didn’t know they have Suqqu. Do they carry thr brushes too? Just went there Oct this year.
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:37 amYep, they carry the whole Suqqu range which is awesome! I didn’t check the prices of the brushes but the prices are generally very high. The brushes felt very lovely though 🙂
shah says
December 4, 2011 at 7:55 pmthe hubby & i are absolutely crazy over bkk and we try to make a trip annually. though it’s muggy & when it rains, u’d inevitably get caught in a flash food, the atmosphere, food & shopping more than make up for it. our fave mall is MBK, as for dessert, sticky rice with durian wins hands down 🙂 btw, the cab fares are reasonable, especially for the type of cars they use. plus, they do charge by the meter, no fleecing foreigners, like over here
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:38 amI usually go at the year end when its drier and a wee bit cooler. If I go in July I’d expire almost immediately 😛 I don’t really go the way of MBK – I keep meaning to though but I get distracted elsewhere all the time LOL! I have to agree about cab fares being reasonable but I’m generally very paranoid about taking cabs and I’ve been fleeced before (driver took a longer route than necessary) so these days I take the public transport like trains and buses and enjoy the local experience 🙂
peach_ says
December 4, 2011 at 8:21 pmFood looks gooood! 😀 I was wondering how Bangkok was looking these days after the flood since it’s not on the news here anymore. I hope the water recedes in the outskirts…it’s been too long!
I like your wide-brimmed hat. 🙂
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:39 amCentral Bangkok is fine and I think the outlying areas are the worst affected. I haven’t heard a lot of news recently too so perhaps alls well there now 🙂
Mari says
December 4, 2011 at 9:44 pmI’ve never been further than western Europe, but Bangkok looks surely attractive! And the food is something else! I’m not sure if I’d have the heart to try all those dishes but they do look promising. I had thai food only once – thai restaurants are not that common here – and loved it! It is very fresh and it’s got lots of spices that I adore (no idea what they are), though some are too hot – even for a pepper lover like myself.
Oh, and I did love your hat! I’m a mad hatter myself and love wearing hats – which strangely (since it’s so hot in Brazil) not many people use around here (unless they’re old or Japanese or both! the Chinese’d rather wear umbrellas).
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:40 amYou have to come to Asia Mari 😀 Its a whole new different experience! Thai food is generally very spicy – even I can’t handle it sometimes 😀 Like Brazil, people here don’t wear hats too! They carry umbrellas in the sun but no hats. Makes you wonder why eh?
jengae says
December 5, 2011 at 3:58 amahh u make me wanna go to Bangkok right now!
i’ve never been there though. i only been to Krabi and i’m dying to have real thai food again.
I’m definitely checking out this space again if i ever go to Bangkok. (hopefully soon!)
you just made me realize how much i’ve missed by not visiting that city!
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:41 amI’ve never been to Krabi so we’re even 😉 Bangkok is a whole different thing because its a city and very crowded and very busy and dusty but I enjoy it a lot 😀 I hope you have a good time when you go (after all air fares there aren’t too pricey 😉 )
carina says
December 5, 2011 at 9:33 amArgh! I miss that freshly squeezed orange juice..I was so into it and drank it for almost everyday when I was there! Did you try the Coconut ice cream at Chatuchak Market? It’s a MUST! Once you try,you’ll get hooked! Ha ha!
I like the MRT there..100 times better than Malaysia. So,did you go to Beauty Buffet and ”sapu”? The honey facial mask is the best selling product! Hehe!
p/s : I went to the Skin Boutique yesterday. Will call to fix appointment soon 🙂
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 10:45 amI didn’t try the coconut ice cream but I did see lots of people eating ice creams in Chatuchak market. It was red though so perhaps not coconut LOL! The orange juice is great if its literally freshly squeezed in front of you but in many carts, the pre bottled ones are loaded with sugar so I stopped drinking but if you manage to find one that will squeeze it for you, its heaven! The latest craze is pomegranate juice! 😀 I didn’t buy any beauty stuff except the Suqqu although I did see the Beauty Buffet store- everything looked so cute! Hope you’ll enjoy your facial 🙂
lemon says
December 5, 2011 at 11:07 amWhat a coincidence! I was up in BKK too on Monday! Just that to attend a funeral. Its my first time and the Thai really dress up for the occasion, in black. Quite an unusual experience……
Paris B says
December 5, 2011 at 2:28 pmI do find that the Thais in general dress well – I’m sorry you were there for a sad occasion though.