Bangkok trip Nov 2014 - Day 1

And it's Bangkok AGAIN! Ahaha. Actually I dint intend to visit Bangkok again so soon. But since we could get relatively cheap tickets and I had to clear some leave so I decided to go for a low cost getaway!

I booked the flight via Jetstar this time and paid $570 in total for the 4 of us. Including 40kg checked-in luggage for the return flight. And our hotel - Ideal Pratunam (chose for the location) for about $630.

So we reached airport at about 7am for our flight at 905am. We took the chance to visit the SATS lounge (which I got complimentary 4 access from the AMEX Krisflyer card, which I cut haha).

It was awesome though my parents said the one they had at Pudong airport was much better. But probably it was due to the breakfast timing. Had a filling breakfast and WINE, haha, before catching the flight. Since budget airlines doesn't provide meals.

Flight was just a short 2.5 hours. Not even enough for me to catch my slp. I find it's more comfy to nap on the company bus to work than on airplane. Still remembered how 'torturing' the flight to HK was on Tiger.

Mum and I on Jetstar!

Reach BKK airport at 1030am TH time. Clearing of customs took longer than last year as international airport is much bigger. I think we took only 20 mins to get out of DMK airport last year!

At BKK airport!

We hurriedly cleared the customs and find our way to take the airport link to Ratchapraop station! They no longer have express train service ( I think its not making money) so they use the express train for the normal line. So there were lesser seats available and more packed. Luckily I had a seat! Somehow a local gave up his seat for me. I hope it’s not because I look pregnant. :(

Entrance of airport express!

Upon reaching the station, we made our way to the hotel. It’s quite a long way to hotel! Tried to navigate using the google map. But some parts of it isn’t clear if the roads are linked so we ended up taking a longer route. Under the HOT SUN :( And most locals don't really know that hotel as it is hidden a the side road.

Finally we reached the hotel about noon. But it was too early and the rooms are not available. So we went to have lunch at SXB wanton mee! It is located just opposite Ideal Pratunam! 

It was crowded but service was prompt. The entire place is filled with tourists, mainly from Singapore and Malaysia. We ordered 3 wanton mee and 2 braised pork rice. I prefer the braised pork rice. The wanton mee is slightly different from ours, noodles were plain without sauce. But more healthy! We only ordered one coke to share!

Look at the crowd!

Braised pork rice.

Eating~

Small portion of wanton mee!

Greedy haha.

Cost about 300thb for our light lunch.

Bro and I then had some Pork satay (our favourite street food there in BKK!) once we came out of SXB haha.

Bro and his fav pork satay~

Then we explored around Pratunam area! I dint buy much some how. Actually throughout this entire trip, I dint buy as much. Each time I only bought a few pieces. Though I still ended up with 20+ (I think about 22 new pieces at the end of the trip haha).  We shopped around at Shibuya 19 (which is still as empty as last year) and went up to take a look at Glow. I expected better, so was abit disappointed.. we also visited Grand diamond and Krung Thong plaza, till about 2 before we went to check in the hotel. We had a crepe to share otw back hotel! Banana chocolate crepe, as usual! We left everything in our room, settled down and left shortly after!

Choco banana crepe in the making!

Piggies rolling on the bed haha.

Next, we headed to Central World! Walking around Central World aimlessly. Nothing much to buy there actually. Since I’m there to buy cheap stuff only haha. I find that buying branded stuff is still cheaper in Singapore, especially after the bank charges me for exchange rates. So after exploring around for a while, its food time again!

Central World!

 Chabuton~ I’m sure its much more affordable there than here. We ordered 2 sets to share since we planned to eat other things in a while haha. Total bill was about 700 baht. 

Chabuton~

Tom Yum Ramen

Signature Ramen

Set comes with gyoza and karage.

After Central World, we explored towards Siam Centre and Discovery but there was nth much that interest us so we went towards Erawan Shrine. A must-go place for every BKK trip.

Otw to Erawan Shrine.

Otw back.

 After that we walked back to Central World area to find the sze char place for the grilled snakehead! There was a long queue at 7pm alr! We had to wait for about 20mins before we got a table. Food was served shortly as they took our orders while we were still waiting.

Right outside Central World. Because it was nearing Christmas period and it was some snoopy festival!

WIth the snoopies!

 Our dinner! Oops took it too late haha.

All these for 600baht too! So we spent only about 1700baht on food for 4 of us!

After dinner, we went to Big C for shopping! To get snacks back to Spore for colleagues and piggy haha. I think we took like 1.5 hours doing that. Of cos including the long queue. We also bought 2 Magnum to share! Only 40baht! Think Spore is selling at SGD3? Even Shanghai is selling it at about 2SGD. 

Our loot from Big C!

N my Magnum¬ Teehee.

So we ended up getting back to hotel rather late at about 11pm! We hurried washed up and prep for the next day as we’re getting up early for morning market next morning! Till then… stay tune!