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! 🙂
I wanna go makan and shop at Bangkok too!! Can you believe I’ve NEVER been to Bangkok?! 😛 Yes please blog about the hotel you stayed at! Btw, fantastic shots with your mobile phone! 😉
Ah Jo, you will have to remedy that the next time there is an air fare sale 🙂 I’ll try to blog about the hotel – its a very simple no frills hotel but its clean and comfortable which is what’s important!
Did you get free fare? 🙂 Guess a long weekend would be more than sufficient for a quick trip to Bangkok eh?
No I didn’t. Mine was a last minute decision, but it was still a cheap deal on MAS. If you book during a sale, Airasia can be quite cheap (about RM200/pax). I usually fly MAS but its because I’m spoilt LOL! 🙂 For a first time, 4D3N is quite sufficient to take in the sights and hit up the shopping.
Oh gosh we are so alike that way! Haha! That’s what I did when scouring for a trip to Bali – booked a flight plus hotel package with MAS. 😀 I want a last-minute getaway too… woohoo!
Oh *whew* many people think me nuts to fly a commercial flight because its pricier but I find for last minute getaways, a commercial flight will give you a better deal than a budget airline. Also the idea of free flow drinks and food and comfort and KLIA gets to me LOL! 😛
Ditto! 😉 Bet the sales in Bangkok are MUCH better than sales here huh?
It depends. Some international brands are pricier there. If you wear Triumph underwear, its generally cheaper there item for item. If you are looking at market clothing, then no comparison because many stores here get stocks from Bangkok. Sales wise I guess it depends on what you’re looking for 🙂
I miss Bangkok (and my BKK travel buddy too!) – wanted to make a trip this year but got put off by the flood news. After looking at your pictures, I’m now hungry and have itchy feet!! 😛
ahaha I remember the haul you guys had 😛 I was initially put off by the flood news too but decided to chance it. Turned out good 😉
been to BKK once and totally want to go back another time. the 1st time was horrendous. >.< but the bf isn't keen in going there for the same reason like Lyn's hubs 🙁 sigh. i had no street food or anything cuz that time the bf parents want to only eat at chinese restaurants! double sigh!
The Chinese food in BKK is really quite good 🙂 But I don’t go there coz its quite pricey compared to the local food – time for you go to again 😉
Great! I’ll be going there soon. Mind sharing what brand of make up and clothes are cheap to buy in BKK compared to Malaysia? Thanks
I previously found that some L’Oreal products were cheaper in Watson’s BKK than here. Department store cosmetics has a wider range but are in general pricier, I think. I don’t shop for cosmetics in Bangkok. As for clothes, much depends on your style and preference. If you go to the markets or Platinum Mall you could easily get dresses for RM20 if its your style. There are no comparable brands as far as fashion as concerned. Enjoy your trip.
I’m from Bangkok! Born and raised! =P That noodle with red sauce is my favorite too! We call it ‘Yen ta fo’ but I think it is called ‘Yen tofu’ in Singapore.. Simply because that red sauce was originally made from fermented tofu or something.. Glad you had a good time in Bangkok! 🙂
Hi Tippy! Thanks for shedding light on the name of the noodle. I love it and have it every time I go to Thailand. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it sold anywhere in Malaysia. Pity!
I remember you blogged about your stay at the Tango Vibrant Hotel in Bangkok. However, I couldn’t find that particular blog. I would like to know more about it coz planning for a family trip this year.
Hiya! I did stay there but I’m afraid I didn’t blog it eeps! Its a nice little hotel, clean and tidy and affordable and I do recommend it. The location is very convenient (you can take the train from the airport to a stop nearby and walk from there – about 5 mins) and its walking distance to Pratunam area. There is also street food just outside and a slew of foot massage places just outside. I will try to see if I can find the photos & blog it. But if I don’t, I still recommend it 🙂
Thanks! Now I can just show my other half & say :”You see, you see? This place is convenient & recommended.”
Haha I hope you enjoy your stay there. I remember the breakfast was quite good and hearty. Let me try to find the pix 🙂