Bangkok Hauls 2012

A special post on the damages done at Bangkok:

I absolutely have a thing for earrings like these. I have a whole collection of them with all these quirky prints. These were really cheap too, just RM2 per pair.

Some of the snacks I always get whenever I go BKK: Lays chips (is a must!!!), coconut candy and instant noodles. They have a variety of weird but tasty flavors of Lays and instant noodles.

I only bought one bag because I have too many already. Only 200 baht so cheap right! Pouches from Naraya (btw there is a Naraya at Isetan KLCC now)

Of course, the main reason we go Bangkok are for the clothes! Lovely pastel colours and printed items bought at Platinum Wholesale and we only covered like 3 floors!

This were bought from the Baiyoke morning market. Unfortunately we arrived too late at the market and they were getting ready to pack up (at 9am!) so we didn't really get any good stuff. The skirts were the best bargains for me!

These were bought from Siam Square and although pricier, they were actually my most favourite items from all my Bangkok loots. The funny thing was the orange lace top that I had gotten at the last minute, my friends who went to Bangkok the week after that, also got the same top but in different colours. Lol =D

Day 5: Relaxing Day

Finally, our last day at awesome Bangkok =)

Initially, our plan was to go to a Japanese themed garden but due to time constraint, we changed our plans.

A little tea stand nearby our hotel

Instead, we went food & snacks shopping at a huge supermarket that we noticed before. I simply cannot recall the name right now. All I know is that it is near Platinum Wholesale Mall.

It was also inside this mall that we found another cafe to enjoy the free wifi. 

Again, this small cafe has all the most lovely vintage interior and items on display. So adorable right?

I commented on how Clara dressed like a fifties pin-up girl that day, complete with polka dots and that bow hairpin. So, I made her pose in the cafe since it suited her retro look.

The coffee was not that great. Starbucks still rules.

Our last meal at Bangkok - Pad Thai

After checking-out and hauling all of our luggages, we bid goodbye to Bangkok as we took a taxi to the airport.

Goodbye Bangkok. Till next year!

Day 4: Khao San and Platinum

Continuing on to Day 4 at Bangkok. Today, we knew we were going to go shopping at Platinum but wanted to go somewhere for breakfast. Clara saw that Starbucks at Khaosan Road had a really beautiful interior and since I was such a coffee addict, we decided to head there in the morning.

Khaosan Road is also away from the shopping centre of Bangkok and nearer towards the old town of Bangkok, therefore only can be reached by taxi. It is basically full of foreigners to your right and to your left. There are also many backpackers' joints here and American-style pubs so I imagined it must have a quite "happening" nightlife here. 

Somehow I loved all those signboards, it's such a signature of Khaosan Road

So many pretty coffee cafes found along the road

We had breakfast from this street food stall and it was good!

Bookshop

A proper brunch

We were actually practically craving for wi-fi, so when we spotted the "Free Wifi" sign outside this restaurant, we instantly went for it. Needless to say, during the whole meal, no words were exchanged as everyone was busy on their smartphones. Le sigh.

After brunch, we started looking for Starbucks just to find out that it has been relocated and is now undergoing renovation. How sad right! But I was still craving for coffee so we went to one of those coffee cafes nearby. 

Found one called True Tone (has free wifi too, win!).

It has such a cosy interior right

I love this place because of its lovely cosy ambience and interior. There were many vintage stuff on display too, much to the delight of a vintage lover like me.

Outside another cafe

Outside True Tone were also other coffee cafes that had such interesting exteriors. I took so many photos of just these cafes lol.

One thing I would often do when I go on trips is to send postcards back to myself. So when I asked the coffee barrister if there were any post offices nearby, he very kindly gave me the directions and the address of the post office. I really appreciate my travel buddies who hunted for the post office with me. Along the way we passed by so many western-type restaurants. 

Finally after delivering my postcards, we wanted to look for a taxi to bring us to Platinum Mall. Somehow we stumbled upon one of the many "wats" situated around the old town area.

This one is actually called Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (according to the signboard since we found it by accident).

Democracy Monument

Finally time for more shopping! There were still lots of items on my list that I had not yet gotten!

The last time I been here, Platinum was not as big. Now, it is humongous consisting of 3 buildings! You can find absolutely any type of clothing here. I only wish that firstly, I had a trolley bag to carry my purchases. Trust me, carrying plastic bags ain't so great after 2 hours. Secondly, more money! So I don't have to think about budget when I shop. And thirdly, more luggage space (and wardrobe space as well!). I can stay here whole day if they let me.

Platinum Mall is actually a short walk from our hotel, around 10 minutes.

This was the grilled meat from our 2nd day, we bought them again

For our last night at Bangkok, we decided to go for seafood, a must at Thailand.

Although the food was good, but it was so expensive that we really felt that we got cheated. Anyway, it is also a good experience. Next time we MUST check prices before ordering!

Decided to spend the rest of our money buying food stuff at Gourmet Supermarket, Siam Paragon :)

Day 3: Bangkok Sight-seeing Day

Our 3rd day in Bangkok was dedicated to sight-seeing as we had already did some shopping on Day 2. Although the subway lines in Bangkok are fast and convenient, it only links all the major places within centre of the city. So, if you are planning to visit the old city where Imperial Palace, Wat Phra Kew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho are located, taxi is the only option. 

But we had something else on our itinerary - the largest floating market in Bangkok, Damdoen Saduak Floating Market. The people working at hotels sometimes take comission from taxi drivers, so they were more than willing to call a taxi to take us there. The market is really far, and took us more than an hour to reach there. Our taxi costs 900 baht which I think is quite reasonable, considering the distance to and fro. 

Our taxi was decorated with currency notes

Our taxi driver was a young friendly guy (he was even younger than us omg). He chatted with us in simple English and was funny too. He told us how he came from a village near Cambodia and rented a taxi to earn his money staying in the city. It is sad that he started work at such young age though.

The admission to DS Floating Market is an exorbitant price of 1500 baht, which was really not worth that price. There are actually some markets that didn't charge for admission but we did not really look up on it.

Inside the boat along the canal

Our boat driver also took us to this small shop selling coconut candy

Having our breakfast inside the boat along the canal, Thai-style. We would first ordered our food from our boat, and then the driver would park his boat along this table so we can eat. Thai soup noodles is one cheap but delicious food worth trying.

People selling all kinds of stuff, especially fruits and other local delicacies from their boats.

Although it was a Monday, there were surprisingly so many people at the market that we were unable to stop at the shops at the main pier. So sad :( The main canal was so congested with so many boats that we keep knocking into one another lol.

Instead, our driver stopped us at this temple for some sight-seeing where of course, we had to take the famous jump shot.

After the (disappointing) floating market experience, our taxi driver dropped us at Jim Thompson House Museum. Here, we had lunch at their restaurant.

Pandan leaf wrapped chicken

Thai noodles

Pineapple seafood fried rice. Thumbs up!

Thai milk tea. A must-try!

Coconut ice-cream yum yum

The restaurant has a very pretty ambience around it and the food is delicious as well, albeit pricier. A must-go if you don't mind the price and want that peaceful surrounding.

As mentioned, the restaurant is surrounded by scenic garden landscapes. A great place to take photos as well. Next to the restaurant is of course, the house owned by Jim Thompson which has now been turned to a museum. The adult admission is 100baht but since we brought student cards, the fare is only 50baht =) So, wherever you go, always bring your student card.

After you pay the admission, a guided tour is provided for you with language of your choice. The guide will bring you around Jim Thompson's huge mansion filled with both traditional and western elements. No photos allowed btw. A trivia about Jim Thompson: He mysteriously disappeared while walking in Cameron Highlands and his body was never found. Creepy.

So messy and yet they worked.

Exhausted from all the morning activites, we then took a taxi back to the hotel for some nap time.

Didn't plan for this to happen but Clara and me brought the exact same dress to Bangkok lol

After a good rest, we walk over to Baiyoke Sky Hotel for our dinner reservation at their buffet-style restaurant (690 baht).

Thai puppets which entertained the patrons while dining.

Honestly, the buffet dinner was not much to shout about. They did have a variety of dishes, from Japanese to Western to Chinese to Thai.

This was actually the main reason we visited Baiyoke Sky - to see the amazing bird eye's view of Bangkok night skyline from their observation deck. This view was definitely worth it as it was breathtakingly gorgeous. Since their observation deck is open-air, you might want to think twice wearing short dresses as it can be quite windy and chilly at night.

Going down a few floors, you will come to Baiyoke's small exhibition museum. When we reached there, it was about to closed but the manager was kind enough to wait for us as we furiously snapped pics lol.

Reminded me of Up!

Mini Baiyoke Sky Hotel