Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Our Bangkok Getaway~

At Terminal 3 before heading over to the Budget Terminal

It was a pretty impromptu decision to head over to Bangkok for a short getaway.. haha.. it was definitely welcoming~ since it had been almost a year since I stepped foot into the transit area of my dearest Changi Airport =)

With less than a month to the proposed dates of the trip, we swiftly did a price comparison of all budget airlines available to come up with the most afforable air tickets package (round trip).. Price came up to be around $250 per pax, pretty decent considering that it was a last minute trip.. haha.. It was decided that we would fly there by Tiger Airways and come back by AirAsia..  2 airlines that we've never tried before and what's more, we get to depart from the Budget Terminal!

At this point, I was warned by security not to take pictures, coz apparently photo taking is prohibited =P But too bad, photo was already taken then.. haha..

Not the most glamorous of all terminals, but hey, how often do you get to climb up the plane yourself? haha.. I feel like a diva (cheapskate) sashaying my way up the plane - with a huge backpack =P.. haha! With that, we set off for a 4-day trip to bangkok~~ our grad trip to bangkok 3 yrs back seemed like yesterday.. honestly, time flies!

I can pretty much sum up the trip with a few words: Shopping frenzy, walkathon, eye-opener..
and in one word: Wonderful~~ =)

Shopping frenzy, walkathon, eye-opener!

Itinerary of our trip goes like this..

Day 1: Reach Bkk in late afternoon - After checking in, headed to MBK for dinner and shopping.. stroll down Siam paragon, Siam Centre, Central World, then back to Pratunam Night Market (such a mouthful, my fingers are tired after typing these).. haha! Kudos to us..... I'm not sure how much we've walked, but it was definitely a feat.. =P

A familiar scene for us.. taken at the MRT station near our hotel - Baiyoke Boutique.  The MRT station is affectionately known as Ratchaprarop =)

 Dinner! It's so cheap.. One bowl of ramen costs ard 2/3 bucks only! haha.. dinner for 2 in a decent Jap restaurant in MBK costs us $9.40........ cheap cheap~

 This is my favourite bag shop in MBK! cheap cheap 199 baht bags.... it's only $8 =) sadly, i bought 3 bags only.. I swear I could have bought more if I have the strength and space to lug it back to Singapore! =P

Posing with MBK! =) Though a tad blur~ You get the idea.. haha..

winding through the night markets along the roadside.. it was packed! with locals and tourists.. we were sticky and smelly after a long day.. haha.. but the clothes on sale at the night markets are nice I must say =P but I withheld all purchases coz we're heading to Chatuchak the next day!! haha.. I've high expectations of that place =P

Our shop! =P K and I.. haha.. and it was hotel sweet hotel after a long walk back.. we went to bed at ard 1/2 am Singapore time =P

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Day 2: Chatuchuk, back to hotel to deposit loot, out to platinum mall for dinner, pratunam night market, thai massage!

Sleepy head still looking sleepy during breakfast.. haha.. we wanted to try some exotic local fares, but seriously, the decent eateries weren't opened yet.. and the food court that we found was pretty empty, and don't really smell good.. =P so Macs was the best!

and off we go~~ to Chatuchak by train! =) During our previous trip 3 yrs ago, we went over by cab.. everywhere we went was by cab.. so this time round, we decided to try their public transport more.. and by our 4th day, Mr Koh was a master of thai language.. He can even buy train tickets from the machine that reads thai without changing the language to english! =P haha..

very empty train station.. I like~

There weren't many pictures of us shopping at Chatuckak (on Saturday), coz our hands were full.. haha..

Lunch at Chester's! We're back at Chester's 3 yrs later =)

Not sure how much it costs.. but definitely cheap! less than 10 bucks for the both of us..

We headed back to the steamy lanes at Chatuchak after filling up our stomachs.. fueled up for the remaining afternoon! =)


trying on the different hats.. I kinda like the one I'm wearning in the picture.. but sadly, I didn't buy it.. coz it's simply too big to fit into my bag =P haha..

Here's our loot after 1 afternoon at Chatuchak.. It's definitely not enough.. haha.. and Mr Koh surprisingly bought quite a number of things =) He's infected with my shopping bug~



Dinner was at the food court at Platinum mall~ and look! our dinner costs 7 bucks~~~~ CHEAP! =P

Night time was thai massage time~ which is also his favourite and most looked forward activity while we were in bkk.. his eyes will light up with every mention of 'massage'.. haha.. too bad, there were no pics of us at the massage parlour =P 1hr for 200 baht!! cheap cheap..

End of Day 2
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Day 3: Chatuchak, MBK, thai massage!

On day 3, we started our morning trying the bfast at our hotel.. Our stay didn't inc breakfast, so this had to be paid separately.. but it was cheap, approx 4 bucks per person..
Sleepy head still looked very sleepy.. haha..

Right outside our hotel, there's a daytime street market.. and I stopped to buy some hair rubber bands =)

We took train to Chatuchak again.. but stopped at a station to find a toilet~ =P and while roaming in search of a toilet, we spotted a lao pok train making its way across the railway.. had to snap it!

finally at Chatuchak and I bought this colourful choc dipped frozen banana~ think it costs 30 baht.. $1.20?

Lunch was at JJ Mall again (the previous day was at Chester's).. we had some decent thai food and fruit smoothie! yummy~

Back to Chatuchak, final moments of shopping before heading back to MBK.. haha..

Bye bye Chatuchak~ =)

National Stadium stop~ next to this sports complex is MBK! we headed over with bags and bags of clothes~ haha..

He always manages to find a shop with his name everywhere.. haha.. There was another KKK shop at Taiwan's xi men ding too!

Dinner at a Japanese restaurant! too hungry to take pics of the food when they arrived..

rewarded ourselves with Dairy queen's sundae.. each costs less than $1.50!

stopped at Central World (an atas shopping mall) to quench our thirst and rest those weary backs and legs.. haha.. This is by far our most expensive beverage in bkk.. costs 4 bucks each but packs lots of fibre, vitamins and nutrients =)

Posed with the mini dottie car in the mall~ haha..

Ended that day with last but not least.. his favourite activity~ Thai massage.. at the same parlour! haha..

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Day 4: Platinum mall, Baiyoke Sky buffet dinner + drinks

breakfast at KFC! i had green curry chiken rice.. he had some thai style chicken rice.. it's surprisingly refreshing~ i like! total bill.. $8.50 =)

A picture says a thousand words.. haha.. Poor Mr Koh! I know it's tough on him.. A grown up man being defeated by shopping.. hee! *massage*

I'm still going on strong.. hohoho~

Back at hotel for a quick shower and change of clothes before we head over to Baiyoke Sky for a nice buffet dinner.. Time to indulge and pamper ourselves =)

Up up we go~ to the 80th level.. *zoom*

breath-taking!

Hee! they built this mini hot air baloon for ppl to pose for pictures =)

Our dinner venue~ how loft and atas! haha..

One of my favourite shot =) hee!


We went up to the revolving tower (open air) at the top of the building.... It was at that moment, that I wished time would stop~ it's beautiful...

Us at the top~ It was fenced up for safety purposes though...

Look who we spotted!

Ended the lovely night with a glass of wine, baileys and a basket of complimentary popcorn =)
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Day 5: Breakfast, check out, Home sweet home!

Went back to Baiyoke sky for their breakfast buffet.. =)

Our final moments dining like king and queen, overlooking the skyline of bkk~

We both arrived at bkk with only a backpack.. we each left with an additional bag.. haha!

checking out.. posing at the lobby~

Waiting for train to head to the airport.. Posed with the Jason Mraz hat I got for Ah Qi.. haha!


Bye bye bkk! It has been a wonderful short getaway =) haha..

and we're home! =)

haha.. finally, showcasing my 'trophies' from bkk! hahaha.. I think I can set up my own shop =P

Special thanks to Mr Koh.. to accompany me on this wonderful shopping frenzy, walkathon and eye-opening trip! Let's go back again soon.. hee..









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