29/8/11 - Having celebrated our first two anniversaries at Marina Mandarin, we both felt the need for a change and decided on Bangkok- also where we went for our honeymoon three years ago. Going back again certainly brought back precious memories…
We booked for our trip with Chan Brothers. It’s a special promotion for a 4-day free and easy packaged deal at about $400 per person.
Our flight to Bangkok was with Thai Airways. It was our first time flying TA and I must say it left a deep impression. Once settled in our seats, we tried to do some self shots but just didn’t manage to take any nice shots. An air steward walked by and asked if he could help. We couldn’t thank him enough.
We enjoyed some movies with the in-flight entertainment and a good meal too. The Thai-style steamed fish and chicken curry was a great way to welcome us even before we stepped foot in Bangkok. Thanks to TA for their warmth and hospitality. Oh, and I just love the colourful seats! =)
We booked for our trip with Chan Brothers. It’s a special promotion for a 4-day free and easy packaged deal at about $400 per person.
Our flight to Bangkok was with Thai Airways. It was our first time flying TA and I must say it left a deep impression. Once settled in our seats, we tried to do some self shots but just didn’t manage to take any nice shots. An air steward walked by and asked if he could help. We couldn’t thank him enough.
We enjoyed some movies with the in-flight entertainment and a good meal too. The Thai-style steamed fish and chicken curry was a great way to welcome us even before we stepped foot in Bangkok. Thanks to TA for their warmth and hospitality. Oh, and I just love the colourful seats! =)
Alighting from our flight into the Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal, we were amazed to see the marked difference to the time we were there three years ago. The airport is now so new and modern. Under the packaged deal, there was also airport transfer to our hotel. As we waited for more passengers to arrive via other flights, Bernard went to get a prepaid SIM that ensured connectivity during our next few days there.
It was not long before we arrived at our hotel, Ramada D’ma. It’s a decent hotel but great service by all staff. Checking in was a breeze and we were shown our room. Contrary to some Tripadvisor reports, we have no complains about the room, which was rather spacious and clean. I was amazed that there was a bedside control for the lights, music and alarm and it actually works.
It was not long before we arrived at our hotel, Ramada D’ma. It’s a decent hotel but great service by all staff. Checking in was a breeze and we were shown our room. Contrary to some Tripadvisor reports, we have no complains about the room, which was rather spacious and clean. I was amazed that there was a bedside control for the lights, music and alarm and it actually works.
We wasted no time and were out of the hotel and into the Bangkok streets in a jiffy. With Internet connection and the Google maps app, we manoeuvre the streets of Bangkok quite easily. We walked past the wholesale fashion malls and to our first stop at Paragon where we stopped for a rest and a drink. We then headed to MBK and the first thing we did was to head to the cinema to purchase the tickets for a late evening show. Walked around the place a bit but there was nothing attractive. We decided to head out and explore the streets around MBK.
We passed by some food eateries and decided on one for our dinner. As we walked into The Krok restaurant (Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand +66 2 251 9916 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting), we could see that the first level was packed. With 2 dishes and 2 drinks, the bill came to about S$16.
We passed by some food eateries and decided on one for our dinner. As we walked into The Krok restaurant (Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand +66 2 251 9916 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting), we could see that the first level was packed. With 2 dishes and 2 drinks, the bill came to about S$16.
Headed back to MBK to walk a little more. With 2 hours more to show time, I got into a salon for a hair wash and blow while Bernard cleared his emails with iphone. After that, we went to Starbucks for a drink before our late night show. Including us, the big cinema with about 200 seats has only 5 couples watching the show. What a waste of resources! Past midnight, we had to take a tuk-tuk back after the show.
30/8/11 – Happy Anniversary! We woke up just in time for a nice buffet breakfast. Together with the packaged was actually a half-day tour for us but having been to Bangkok before, we didn’t want to visit those places again. We were offered a slightly cheaper rate for International buffet at Baiyoke Sky (locals pronounced it as Si-kai; the tallest building in Thailand). We made a booking for the night with a tour represenatative at the hotel lobby and she was kind enough to help us request for window seats as well.
30/8/11 – Happy Anniversary! We woke up just in time for a nice buffet breakfast. Together with the packaged was actually a half-day tour for us but having been to Bangkok before, we didn’t want to visit those places again. We were offered a slightly cheaper rate for International buffet at Baiyoke Sky (locals pronounced it as Si-kai; the tallest building in Thailand). We made a booking for the night with a tour represenatative at the hotel lobby and she was kind enough to help us request for window seats as well.
Took a taxi to Chinatown where we walked around and bought some stuff. There were a few streets with wholesale outlets but they don’t do individual sales; must buy at least half a dozen of same size and colour for shoes. =P
Then, we came to this building, with a busy supermarket on the ground level. As we went upstairs, we saw an entire concourse filled with many tea tables and many senior folks have their yum-cha time. Massage shops line the perimeter of the concourse. With tired feet, we walked around the place and chose one that looks clean and with customers. Our choice proved to be a good one and we vote it as the best for this trip. The strength was just right and we like the special ginger treatment. With mainly old folks as their customer base, the treatment involves pounding boiled ginger pieces and placing them on the kness wrapped with a towel. Hot and shiok!
With friend’s recommendation, we went to one of the MK restaurant outlets for their char siew and pork. The char siew was so-so but their roasted pork was crispy and yummy! Ordered a mini steamboat set to share too. Price was great too at about S$10 per person. What’s interesting was that it provided a slip of paper that calculates your nutritional intake for the meal. Highly-recommended!
Then, we came to this building, with a busy supermarket on the ground level. As we went upstairs, we saw an entire concourse filled with many tea tables and many senior folks have their yum-cha time. Massage shops line the perimeter of the concourse. With tired feet, we walked around the place and chose one that looks clean and with customers. Our choice proved to be a good one and we vote it as the best for this trip. The strength was just right and we like the special ginger treatment. With mainly old folks as their customer base, the treatment involves pounding boiled ginger pieces and placing them on the kness wrapped with a towel. Hot and shiok!
With friend’s recommendation, we went to one of the MK restaurant outlets for their char siew and pork. The char siew was so-so but their roasted pork was crispy and yummy! Ordered a mini steamboat set to share too. Price was great too at about S$10 per person. What’s interesting was that it provided a slip of paper that calculates your nutritional intake for the meal. Highly-recommended!
Forgetting to bring my dress shoes along for the trip, we next went to Platinum mall to get not one pair but three before heading back to hotel. We washed up and changed for our special night out. ;) We can actually see the Baiyoke Sky from our hotel but not wanting to perspire before reaching dinner place, we took a cab there instead. It was another busy place with a few storeys of wholesale shops. Received a chop on our wrist before we took the lift up. Went straight for dinner. Food was average but the view was great. From where we sat, we could see the entire city and the heavy traffic of the area. Not a very romantic place with all the chattering from big groups, both locals and tourists.
With dinner, we were also able to go right up to the revolving platform. We met two girls from Switzerland who were on a two-month pre-university trip. Chatted for a while and took photos for one another. It was drizzling lightly and we were off the platform after one round. Strolled around the bazaar markets in the area before heading back to hotel.
With dinner, we were also able to go right up to the revolving platform. We met two girls from Switzerland who were on a two-month pre-university trip. Chatted for a while and took photos for one another. It was drizzling lightly and we were off the platform after one round. Strolled around the bazaar markets in the area before heading back to hotel.
31/8/11 – Shopping day. Went to MBK for supermarket shopping and some souvenir shopping too. We decided against having mango sticky rice but bought pre-cut and packed mango and pomelo instead. Healthy and sweet. Went to the MBK food court for lunch and had my favourite Tom Yam with steamed rice again. =)
With too much shopping on hand, we headed back to hotel before heading to the Platinum malls for more shopping with controlled spending. Went to the nearby Big C for dinner and had steamboat again! There was another MK restaurant here but we chose another hot pot place that was having promotion. It was cheap but with drinks and even ice chargeable, the price works out to be the same as MK. To work out the food, we went supermarketing again as Big C stays open till late. As we walked back to our hotel, we were hijacked by an elderly auntie touting along the streets for a massage place. After much walking that day, we felt it was just right to give our tired feet another treat.
The place was very crowded with tourists and we were ushered to an upstairs area. It was almost pitch-dark. What we could make out were areas separated by curtains and saw mattresses that lined the floor. Asked to lie down on one of them and I hear a snoring customer next to me. Couldn’t really get to Dreamland with the snoring and the constant chattering of the masseuses that worked on our tired feet. An hour’s massage for 150 baht; it was the cheapest we’ve seen so far, also the standard price many massage parlours that lined that particular street next to our hotel. Thus, no complains.
1/9/11 – Departure Day. Checked out and deposited our luggage with the hotel after breakfast. Decided to visit Indra Mall just down the street from our hotel. It’s another wholesale mall. Not very crowded in the morning though. Went around the place and managed a good bargain for Bernard’s jacket, maybe we spoke in Teochew with the auntie; 自己人. Wanted to go to this restaurant that displays many photos on its walls, so supposedly good. Alas, it was not opened yet. Walked to a restaurant opposite our hotel for another Thai meal before the airport transfer was due to fetch us to the airport for our flight back.
A great trip overall. Till next time! =)
With too much shopping on hand, we headed back to hotel before heading to the Platinum malls for more shopping with controlled spending. Went to the nearby Big C for dinner and had steamboat again! There was another MK restaurant here but we chose another hot pot place that was having promotion. It was cheap but with drinks and even ice chargeable, the price works out to be the same as MK. To work out the food, we went supermarketing again as Big C stays open till late. As we walked back to our hotel, we were hijacked by an elderly auntie touting along the streets for a massage place. After much walking that day, we felt it was just right to give our tired feet another treat.
The place was very crowded with tourists and we were ushered to an upstairs area. It was almost pitch-dark. What we could make out were areas separated by curtains and saw mattresses that lined the floor. Asked to lie down on one of them and I hear a snoring customer next to me. Couldn’t really get to Dreamland with the snoring and the constant chattering of the masseuses that worked on our tired feet. An hour’s massage for 150 baht; it was the cheapest we’ve seen so far, also the standard price many massage parlours that lined that particular street next to our hotel. Thus, no complains.
1/9/11 – Departure Day. Checked out and deposited our luggage with the hotel after breakfast. Decided to visit Indra Mall just down the street from our hotel. It’s another wholesale mall. Not very crowded in the morning though. Went around the place and managed a good bargain for Bernard’s jacket, maybe we spoke in Teochew with the auntie; 自己人. Wanted to go to this restaurant that displays many photos on its walls, so supposedly good. Alas, it was not opened yet. Walked to a restaurant opposite our hotel for another Thai meal before the airport transfer was due to fetch us to the airport for our flight back.
A great trip overall. Till next time! =)
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