Tuesday, 24 February 2015

BANGKOK (Part 5)

Been away for some time, sorting out my "new" life.
Let me quickly wrap up the last bit of Bangkok!

Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as JJ Market, needs no introduction.
Shopping, eating, anything you're in Bangkok for.

*Flights are more steep during the weekend, but it'll be worth it to visit Chatuchak during your Bangkok trip!
All prep for Chatuchak!




Auntie Beh shows her true self :*

Challenge me to eat this everyday?
I wouldn't mind!! This is thus far my favourite dish in Thailand.
I like to add the chilli spice in my soup to add flavor :D
Some locals add sugar!

I found my favourite food in Chatuchak. 
Garlic toast (I chose condense milk - yes I've a thing for it!)
IT WAS HEAVENLY! 
And Beh followed and bought the same one, hehe.
It was only 20 or 25 Baht if I didn't remember correctly!

Then we saw many people holding cute-looking ice cream and tada! 
We found it too and thought we should give it a try.
Nothing fascinating, but eating an ice cream on a hot day wouldn't hurt!


--
Authentic Thai Massage, another reason to visit Thailand.

Our accommodation boss recommended Health Land, as we were quite a big group and it is said to have rather good reviews.
Advance booking is required.
(Anyway, it is quite atas so prices are steep)

It is located near our accommodation, and walking distance to Terminal 21.

Be sure to be on time! 
If you're 15 minutes late, they will cancel your booking!


And we ended the trip with a not very nice mookata :(
Cause silly us didn't check and just went in.... and after eating, the famous one "Family mookata" is just next door.
*sobs*

--
Photos are taken from Casio Ex-10 and GoPro Hero 4

Working on the Bangkok video, a book review and my current UK trip and 2015 travel plans!
Till later, xo

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

BANGKOK (Part 4)

Water adventures!

None of us expected ourselves to be visiting a water park during the trip, but it happened and I'm glad I went for it. Travelling to Bangkok isn't just about eating, shopping, clubbing and visiting massage parlours. There are actually several theme parks around, though I went one 2 years ago and was utterly disappointed because it was hell dead quiet during a weekday. It could be due to wrong timing, or perhaps that particular water theme park I went was close to shutting its doors. HAHAHA.

Nevertheless, when Mave initiated to visit a water theme park, we were all hyped! However, this water park isn't in Bangkok itself. It requires a 2.5 hours to 3 hours drive to another small city, Hua Hin.

We rented a van with the help of Mave's connections, and it cost us approx 26SGD per pax (for 6 persons). Only Minni, Mave, Qi Jin, Dex, Nana and I went. The rest went shopping instead (what a waste though!)

Vana Nava, Hua Hin Waterpark
http://www.vananavahuahin.com/
1st opened in last December, it has attracted many to try out the biggest slide in Thailand!

photo credit: http://www.vananavahuahin.com

Entrance fee for the water park is 1000 Baht (approx 40SGD) + 100 Baht deposit.
Other than the water park itself, there are other activities available at additional cost. The following are part of the adventure attractions: Flow rider, rock climbing, rope climbing etc.

And yes, we were all very excited and I even prepared my gopro for some videos and pictures.
However....... we were stopped at the very first attraction.
NO CAMERAS ALLOWED.
(like seriously whatttttt?)

I believe it was for safety reasons, where they expect us to hold on to the handles of the floats at all times, that's why we shouldn't have any extra hands to hold a camera (unless you are an octopus of some sort)

Neither did we want to leave the camera with the lifeguards, nor did we want to go back to Bangkok without a single picture/video... thus, we smuggled a gopro up all the rides.
Yes, it was kind of stupid, clumsy and all because we could only flash out the camera halfway through the rides (when we were busy screaming away).

After many tries, we have well mastered the art of hiding a camera up, taking it out during the ride and hiding it right before we reach the end of the ride where there are (life)guards around.

If you ever thought of visiting Vana Nava, you have to try the following!
Abyss
Boomerango

Freefall (Purple slide) + Aqualoop (Blue slide) 
Hahaha I'm not so courageous to try out Freefall and Aqualoop (but I played the same like Aqualoop in Wild Wild Wet last year!) 






I'm sorry qj :/


After N tries, Minni finally mastered the Buddha jump hahaha

I almost drowned in the wave pool because 1. I was too short and couldn't reach the ground, 2. I wasn't even 50% confident in myself treading water and 3. my very-nice bestie kept pulling me to the deepest end wanting to drown me
-___- "
I sure did enjoy myself despite getting sun burns and feeling nausea
:D

After washing up, we got our photos printed and headed to a seafood restaurant in Hua Hin that our driver recommended.
It was so delicious! Now I do trust local restaurants whose menu are in their own language (which also meant the restaurants are not targeted to tourist). They tend to be more authentic and food are yummier!

No pictures tho :')

Photos taken are from GoPro Hero 4
The more professional group shots are by Canon photographers :)

Friday, 6 February 2015

BANGKOK (Part 3)

22nd Birthday!
feels like I've just aged 5 years

Firstly, I want to thank my dear friends for a super advanced birthday present (which I received a month ago)
GoPro Hero 4 Silver!
Minni, Shannen, Nitro, Qi Jin, Milly, Leon, Zhi Ying, Lian Cheng, Jun Ming, Jin Han, Wen Jie (I'm sorry guys if anyone of you were "forced" hahaha), Brenda, Gina, Jie Ying, Winson, Jasmine, Cheuk Yiu, Yan Ling, Wei Jie and hopefully I didn't miss out any!

And, everyone who wished me through instagram, facebook and whatsapp!
Sorry I haven't been sociable ever since don't-know-when, as I personally would prefer to keep close friends closer, rather than being a social butterfly.
If you feel neglected by me, or we have been close previously, let me know how can I make up to you *hugs*

Not forgetting my family who are 9659.5 miles away, thank you for keeping me in your prayers everyday! And, my mom who likes to send me pictures of me, telling me how much she misses me :*


--

Many asked why I didn't throw a big 21st party last year.. 70% reason being I'm socially awkward, 30% I didn't want to disappoint myself if the party didn't go well.
If it's my party, I shouldn't be awkward right? Since everyone invited are my friends.. (True that)
Or rather, I didn't want to end up just hanging with my closest friends and neglect anyone at the party. I know how awkward it is especially at someone else's party. So, nope!

In fact, I love small celebrations individually or in groups. A simple dinner or meet up will do just fine.

This year, it was different. I knew it the moment I decided to come UK.
But who knows
...
...
My dear friends decided to throw me a surprise party during our trip to Bangkok.


--

I was directed to a dark room, and they started singing the birthday song... 
There were balloons, decorations, and a big birthday cake.
I was stunned.
I was socially awkward, fidgeting and speechless for a good 10 minutes. 

Inside me was like "O.M.G. What am I supposed to do next? What do you want me to say!"

I was quiet, but I wasn't disappointed by the surprise guys! 
(Don't worry, 我是有被感动到!)

The hotel boss and the kitchen staffs prepared a sumptuous dinner for us. Really thankful!






Big loves to:
 Minni who initiated this surprise party, getting the rest involved and preparing games (which didn't happen cause we were all too tired hahahaha)
Mave who liaised with the hotel boss for the booking of a room, dinner menu and all!
Dex who knows I love Haagen Dazs, and decided to get me a 1kg HD ice cream cake worth $100 sgd. (So thankful for my manager to be my friend HAHAHA, yes the cake is on him)
QiJin, Nana, Jon, Shan and Milly who kept it a secret (though someone almost spilled the beans, oh Milly bean hehe)


--
Photos are taken from Casio EX-10 and GoPro Hero 4
Today is my official birthday, and I'm going to do something different. 
Till later, xo