MBK & HK Marine

We had to go on the pedestrian bridge to get to MBK (Mah Boon Krong). There were students performing in groups in what seemed like some pop music or dance competition at the entrance of the mall. The first waft of air-conditioned air sent the both of us sighing with relief. We were so hungry and were scouting for restaurants, which we did not see any until we saw advertisement signs by the escalator. It said we are to go to the fifth floor but we were not sure which floor we were on. We finally saw a sign telling us that we're on the third floor. Thank God the upper floors of MBK were not as crowded as I'd expected it to be. The ground floor was really crowded with people that you have to swerve your way through the many barricades of people . It's crazy!

Lunch was good. We had it at Fifth Floor Food Avenue. I had stir-fried prawns with rice while R had pineapple fried rice. I love the Mangoberry Trio from Juice Bar and had a second order after I finished the glass. The system is pretty efficient. At the entrance of the food court, a staff member will issue you an electronic card which records your orders from the respective food stalls. When you are leaving the food court after your meal, you will go past the cashier to make a one-time payment for the food you have ordered, irrespective of how many stalls you have made your food orders from. So, you can go around to any food stall and order any dishes you like with the card. There is a penalty for a lost card. I can't remember the penalty fee.

We met up with Ma, Wo and Mu at the food court later in the evening. They brought us to a fusion restaurant of Chinese and Thai food called HK Marine, where To, Fl and Ji joined. The food there is interesting and fabulous, and SPICY! I've never eaten Thai food like those they've ordered. I can't remember the names of the Thai food we ate except the papaya salad! I ordered a Thai dish of deep fried prawn patties with other stuff in it. The fish dish which the TPYs ordered were exceedingly delicious! I had an awesome time with the vivacious TPYs! It felt like SSEAYP all over again.

To brought along a pretty, neat camera. It's got displays both at the usual back and front! We were so enthralled by it! The camera got passed around as we tested on it by taking pictures of ourselves, hahaha. Wait till they see R's mobile phone! The labels on her keyboard changes according to the orientation of her phone. If held vertically, the number pad labels come on. Otherwise, appear labels of a qwerty keyboard with Japanese characters! While we were admiring these fancy gadgets, IPhone owner, Wo had to show us something. LOL. It was hilarious! Apparently, you can watch tv from R's mobile phone! But with its tiny antenna pulled out, we looked like we're making contact with aliens!

That night, we tried to sleep early as we have to wake up as early as 4am for our 7am flight to Yangon using AirAsia.

View of traffic from the pedestrian bridge


People on escalators


Grilling mussels and pineapple for R's seafood pineapple fried rice


My order, stir-fried prawn with rice


I like the Juice Bar


The Juice Bar kitchen


The heavenly Mango Berry drink! There's the electronic card they use here for ordering food/drinks.


The eating area


Chicken quesadilla, which I ordered later in the late afternoon


We met Ji here as we were making our way to HK Marine restaurant


Thai rice noodle


Beef dish


Sticky rice that came in nice bamboo pockets


Papaya salad


Very delicious fried fish


Thai noodle that looked like kueh chap

Bangkok: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple

We started our tour around Bangkok by having the taxi driver drop us at the Grand Palace where in its vicinity were several other wats to visit. It was an extremely hot day and the place was engulfed by tourists. We spent two hours adoring the beautiful architecture and artwork of the palace buildings as well as its intricate and lavish museum collections.

First, we walked along the wall painting galleries which surrounds the Royal Monastery. These were painted in the 1700s during the time of King Rama I's reign. These beautiful paintings, though aged with time, have been restored several times and maintenance work for preservation continues.

The Phra Mondop is such an exquisite building. I especially like the golden nagas with their tapering body of stained glass. We also visited the Wat Phra Kaeo Museum where the old wooden beams, framework and figurines of the palace buildings are kept. These have now been replaced with new ones as we see in the standing buildings. And, you will see a pile of elephant bones being exhibited. In the upper floors, Buddha figurines and fine glassware are exhibited. The other attires of the Emerald Buddha are also kept here, in a room where a menacing tiger head mat stares out of the door, frightening every tourist who unknowingly peer into the room.

The Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins is also an interesting visit. We saw jeweleries and other items studded with precious stones. Even the spitoon is made of gold and so finely studded with gems. It's unbelievable how much finery anyone can indulge in. The belt of precious stones reminded me of the waist belt from Deltora's Quest anime. So, there is such a thing!

R wanted to visit Khaosan area but we got lost as I struggled with the Bangkok official map I got from the airport. We walked towards the north and went past Silpakorn University and continued until we were near Thammasat University. We were walking along the Maharat Road until we reached a big cross road. A man approached to ask us where we were heading. "Lost" must have been written all over our faces. I thought we could visit the National Museum since it was the closest thing to where we were but it was closed. According to him, Khaosan becomes lively only at night. So, we walked back and decided to take a taxi to get to Siam Square. It was an extremely hot and sunny day. We were hungry and thirsty. Funny thing was that I always thought Siam Square is a mall. Hehe, when the driver got to the square, he didn't know where to stop while I was busy looking for the "building". He explained that the whole area of shopping complexes is Siam Square. Ok, now I get it. Sigh. I wanted air-conditioning and saw MBK. R welcomed the idea and that's where we spent an afternoon of comfort, window shopping and lounging at the 5th flr food avenue where a live mini orchestra plays in the evening.

A wall painting


Another wall painting of a monastery


A couple enjoying the sights of the Grand Palace


Trash bins that blend in with the buildings' artistry


Phra Mondop (repository for sacred scriptures of Buddha on palm leaves), next to the gold Phra Siratana Chedi


5-headed Naga at the entrances of Phra Mondop


Beautiful stained glass pillar


Designs of stained glass walls on Phra Mondop


Miniature model of Angkor Wat


Miniature model of Angkor Wat


Lined statues on every storey of Angkor Wat model


Deity statues supporting a pagoda


Golden guardian figurine


Purple lotus by Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn (The Royal Pantheon)


Temple of Emerald Buddha & Phra Siratana Chedi


Emerald Buddha in rainy season attire


Corridor of Emerald Buddha Temple


Golden statues along corridor of Emerald Buddha Temple


Giant doors at the back of Emerald Buddha Temple


Big tall pillars


Many tall pillars


One of the many pagodas near the entrance


Bell tower


Phra Siratana Chedi through the pillars of Emerald Buddha Temple


Grand Palace


Grand Palace


Heavily crafted window borders of the Dusit Maha Prasat hall


Monks entering the palace grounds


View as we are walking out


School children

Bangkok: BS Residence

The insecurity at work plus work itself have driven me a little insane. With the timely mid-semester break of one week coming, I had planned a trip to Laos with my SSEAYP cabin mate from Singapore. However, due to some miscommunication, I had thought the trip was not going to happen and arranged a trip with Japanese SSEAYP mate to Myanmar instead. When I realised the Laos trip was actually still happening, all the bookings to Myanmar had already been made. Sigh. I'm glad that V's still making the Laos trip happening with her cousin.

On 20th September 2009, I started packing on the morning of my departure day. Life seems so numb to me these days. I keep doing the things I do and only come to be truly aware of all that's going around at a later occasion. Like this Myanmar trip, for instance. A few weeks back, we were busy making the bookings and applying for the visa. Now, I cannot seem to recall and re-invoke that same feeling of excitement like when we were running these errands. And, there was that strange feeling of unfamiliarity and indifference as to how I got myself going on a trip like this in the first place. I must not be making any sense. Sigh.

Anyway, I had some time to spare after packing and getting ready. So, I continued watching the anime season I was trying to finish before the trip. Dad, as usual, would be rushing me though it was still early. Also, the norm now with all airport journeys with Dad, he was teasing me about our misadventure during my last trip to Tibet, if I'd forget something and make him rush like a mad man again.

Our trip this time should be exciting. We haven't got our itinerary planned but I've jotted down a list of places to visit with reference to Lonely Planet Myanmar. Somehow, nature had our trip all sorted out and it came to be like this:

20 Sept: Arrival in Bangkok
21 Sept: Visit to Grand Palace and Emerald Temple
22 Sept: Arrival in Yangon; Visit to Battotaung Pagoda, Independence Monument, Immanuel Baptist Church, Sule Paya, Bengali Sunni (Sunne) Jameh Mosque
23 Sept: Moseah (Musmeah) Yeshua Synagogue, Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Ngahtatgyi Paya, National Museum, Gems Museum, Kandawgyi Lake, Bogyoke Aung San Market, SOS International Clinic and Shwedagon Paya
24 Sept: Going to Bago: Taukkyan War Cemetery, Kyaik Pun Paya, Gaung-Say-Kyan Paya, Mahazedi Paya, Arnandar Pagoda, Shwethalyaung Buddha, Shwegugale Paya, Maha Kalyani Sima, Shwemawdaw Paya, Snake Monastery, Sule Moni Paya
25 Sept: Going to Thanlyin & Kyauktan: Portuguese Church Ruin, Yele Paya, Padagyi or Padaywa Nga-Htat-Gyi, 100 Nats temple, National Races Village
26 Sept: Back to Bangkok; Shopping at MBK and Major Ratchoyothin Market
27 Sept: Fly back to Japan/Brunei

We stayed in BS Residence. We chose this hotel because it is just 3km away from the Suvarnabhumi airport and they offer free shuttle service to/fro the airport. The taxi fare to city center costs about 217 baht which we thought is ok for the both of us. They charge about USD19 a night for an ensuite twin bedroom. They've just opened last year. The room is cosy and clean, they have a nice garden and their complimentary breakfast was not bad; sausages, some bacons, toasts and eggs with free flow of coffee, tea and Milo. They have massage services; 300 baht an hour and 500 baht for two hours for Thai Massage and 600 baht/hour for Oil Massage. There is a market right outside where street food is easily available and a 7-Eleven store is about 5 to 10 minutes walk away. Check their website and hostel world for more details.



Sunset as plane is about to land in Suvarnabhumi Airport. When I saw this, immediately I was thinking ANIME and superpower laser beams!


Our beds


The room


Bathroom


Shower


Yes, the snack bar includes a condom at the price of 60 baht, if I remember correctly. Both R and I were so amused by this! This is the first time I'm seeing this!


Magical shower cap?