Oh when I say perth I meant the whole western side 'cos perth in the city itself is really nothing much.
So Bangkok it is! :) 26.01.13-29.01.13
Some tips:
1. The moment you step out the airport, BARGAIN is your name! Lol
Really first thing we reached there, we went to the departure area where people get off their taxis and we were told to catch a taxi there 'cos it will be cheaper. They normally don't use meters (from airport to city) 'cos they wanna earn more. Yes taxi also must bargain, there are so many taxis there so competition sial. Pretend to walk away and they'll be like shouting prices from their windows.
2. Ask them use the highway. Bangkok is known for their jam. Tell the taxi use highway (they may give different price) but don't let them cheat you! One time when the taxi driver asks us whether we wanna pay the toll fee or pay XX amount including toll so we just decided to pay toll ourselves and it's actually cheaper.
So we go straight to our hotel - Aloft at Sukhumvit Soi 11
I have to say it's the best hotel I have ever stayed. Expensive but you're actually paying for the services. I think it's 4-star..? And they have international plug points! You can actually bring your lappie there USD, HDMI port also got.
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| Double twin beds, with sofa!! (left hand side) |
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| Shower, with bathrobe!! |
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| View near the lift. |
3. Research research research! Get a map, know your nearest train station. We took the BTS and taxi as many times. It's really on the timing. During rush hours and nights, it is better to take the BTS 'cos taxi is much slower and they charge like crazy. 10mins drive can be like 30mins or more. Though for 2-3 people taking the BTS is cheaper.
We landed at late noon so we straight went to search for 'lunch'. As I said everything is in Siam square. Like all the malls that people talk about? Ya there. We first went to MBK food court 'cos they say food is nice there. Their food courts all use the 'top-up card' to buy food. Abit mafan though, gotta top up and refund everytime you makan. :/
First thing we ate, padthai, fried oyster (o-jian), forgot, mango sticky rice! Padthais there are more to the sweet side, they even have sugar if you want to sprinkle some. >.< And the mango is seriously sweet like it has been soaked in sugar! It was a nice dessert :)
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| A must-try in Bangkok! Mango sticky rice! |
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| Siam center - alot of local brand boutiques. (but not that cheap) |
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| VW bar vans.
Then we went back to the hotel, abit tired. The road to our hotel they have all these VW vans that sells alcohol and mostly ang-mos drink there. Everyday I see them lol. Our area has all these italian, german, australian,whatlian restaurants. All eat money only lo.
DAY 2
It was a Sunday and well, the Chatuchak weekend market is a must-go! Last time I went Bangkok we didn't go there. Things there are cheaper and it has the most variety of things. Shop till you drop while you're lost! Oh and you must get a cab to go there (try to use meter) and coming back you have no choice but to pay more 'cos they all like that -.-. [adviced by driver]
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| Breakfast of fried oyster, thai fried rice, fried dong-fun with prawn @ some all at chatuchak. This was not really nice. |
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| Part of chatuchak.
4. Chatuchak only opens on weekends and when you go there, be prepared - tied hair + shorts. Go early to avoid sun and crowd but not too early like before it opens lol. (above pic) This was like the main road and when you walk in the little shops you'll see they have thousands more stalls like a maze! Get a map I recommend, 'cos it was hard not having one, don't dare to simply explore.
Then it got really sweaty and we went back to the hotel and bathe + nap.
That night we went to try a restaurant dad's friend introduced.
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| Ban Khun Mae at Siam area. |
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| Full table of food - pineapple rice, pandan chicken, green curry, tom yum kung, and that prawn-dongfun thing, don't remember the name but I always eat it in Thai Thai. SOUL FOOD |
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| Dessert! I remember it is pumpkin and it is unexpectedly yum! |
DAY 3
5. Went to Platinum mall, which is abit further than the other malls. That mall is more of a wholesale mall, but don't worry 2 pieces and above you can get wholesale price. It is not that cheap though they have alot of things. Note: not much bargaining at this mall. Things here are like sungai wang and timesquare price which is actually okay to buy.
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| Lunched there and this is one of the interesting thingys that I see in most food courts but it tasted ordinary. |
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| Basically every meal we have mango smoothie on the table cos its that good, but this coconut smoothie I ordered is also wonderfulllll! Can never have this here :(
For dinner, we went back to Siam area to central world (high-end mall) to try this restaurant my uncle recommend. Anything there is relatively expensive so...it was an expensive meal.
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| Nara @ central world top floor Kangkung, pandan chicken, tomyum kung, fried serai chicken, and some northern curry. Note to you and me: NEVER order anything Northern thai, it tasted awful and no one can eat it. |
DAY 4
Last day, flight at late noon so gotta hunt for lunch first! Went back to the Siam area 'cos we saw this restaurant that won 'best som tam restaurant' so we wanted to try it. Like the heck we know what is somtam right. Haha. (Later found out somtam is green papaya salad)
The shop open quite late so we gotta get some breakfast first...at the lorong. lol We didn't want to walk far and the only thing we get to eat is from the stalls at the alley.
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| Recognize this again? haha. Not that cheap considering the place but it was not bad! |
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| This was sold in many places and we only try it that day. The mango was not fully ripe so it was crunchy and the sauce looks like cincalok, tasted sour and spicy and weird. I did not like it at all but my mum was savoring it well. She ate almost all lol. |
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| Last meal! no idea what it is called la but all tastes good! Nothing you have ever tasted! It shows not all food in thai is spicy and sour :) |
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| Fried chicken. Dunno where's the salad pic hmm..but I know it was abit too spicy for me, still appetizing! |
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| 'Cos we pass by the shop so many times and always packed so my sis must try it (mango fan). Mango Tango!
Ban Khun mae, mango tango and som tam are actually at the same corner! When you walk out to the main road it will be siam center and all the malls. Oh and massage is a must for the tired feet! It's so much cheaper there.
6. I think staying in novotel will be so much easier. It's where all the malls are and you can just walk and save energy bargaining and stuck in jams. From there you can go, central world, siam center, siam discovery, MBK, siam paragon and walk abit to platinum mall/pratunam market. Not to mention, massage, food all available there.
Till next time! :D
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