Bangkok Trip - Day 1 (April 28th 2008)

Since I didn't start my post with a catchy title, how about I paste some lyrics instead?

One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster

The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free

You'll find a god in every golden cloister

And if you're lucky then the god's a she

I can feel an angel sliding up to me

If you are a fan of Murray Head you would recognise the lyrics as being the chorus to his famous "One Night In Bangkok". Well I didn't spend one night in Bangkok, instead I spent three nights. I didn't go alone, I had Tracy and Calvin (yes they are married) as company. So how did the first day go?

The interior of KLIA LCCT

Waiting for the plane

It was my first time stepping foot in LCCT and also my first flight with Air Asia. Thankfully Air Asia didn't disappoint and the flight left on time. The new Airbus was pretty comfy with acceptable legroom. The flight to Bangkok took 2 hours and we arrived around 12 p.m. local time (Thailand is one hour behind our time see).

Yes I even had time to take a snooze...
(picture courtesy of Tracy)

The interior of Suvarnabhumi Airport's arrival area

On the way to the hotel via the expressway
The famous Colonze 4 is on the left

Welcome to Woraburi Sukhumvit!

The view from my room, not exactly stunning...lol!


The room ain't too shabby indeed

Having arrived at the hotel early, we had to wait until my room was ready at 2. The original plan was to head on down towards the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (home of the largest reclining Buddha in Asia) but the weather was hot. Very hot. Faced with the prospect of walking in such weather, we decided to skip the visit and headed for the nearest mall in sight, which was conveniently on our way to the Ploen Chit BTS station!

So our first meal in Bangkok consisted of a very delicious Samurai Burger. Since I never had a pork burger before, well...I could be biased. Still it got the thumbs up from my traveling companions so I guess it can't be that bad.

Posing in front of J.W. Marriott
(picture courtesy of Tracy)

I'm lovin' it...especially when I'm starving

It's McThai here

Oh yeah!

Having satisfied our appetites we decided to head towards the Ratchadapisek area. Since there was a Ratchadapisek MRT station we assumed that would land us right in the middle of the area. We also assumed that Robinsons would be in that area (yes we were trying to shelter in air conditioned places, preferably malls). You do know what they say about making assumptions right?

It's actually pronounced as Bangsa (in Bahasa Malaysia)

After exiting Ratchadapisek station we were given directions to go 'straight straight'. After close to 30 minutes of walking straight with no Robinsons in sight we decided to ask for directions again. And again we were told to go straight. We ended up at Sutthisan station which was exactly one station before Ratchadapisek. Now by this time we were hot and tired and we decided to ask an international school student who happened by. He said "Erm...well...Robinsons is at Thailand Cultural Centre station". Which was like 2 stations before Ratchadapisek. At least we got some exercise out of the whole fiasco.

Since we were already at Sutthisan we decided to ask the ticketing counter for directions both to Poseidon Entertainment Complex and to Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Poseidon was conveniently located nearby this station (walking distance, around 5 mins) so I journeyed there for a two hour massage session (which ended around 1 hour and 40 minutes actually) while the married couple went scouting around the area.

By the time everybody was done it was close to 7 p.m. so we headed over to Lumphini station and exited right at the entrance to Suan Lum. No more getting lost...phew!

The entrance to the bazaar

A view of a very small section of Suan Lum

Interesting fountain in the heart of Suan Lum

A close up

Seriously, Suan Lum Night Bazaar is huge. We were unprepared for the sheer size of it. Imagine the SS2 Chowyang pasar malam (night market) multiplied by a factor of 3 or 4. Yes it's that big. So we gritted our teeth and steeled our leg muscles and began.

After three hours of shopping we finally called it quits for the day. Yes, us guys couldn't take it anymore but I'm pretty sure that the lady could probably go on for another three more hours...LOL! Anyway I did manage to get some souvenirs (nice keychains) and comfy pair of sandals. Also our bargaining skills probably went up a notch or two too. Hunger pangs set in and we headed back for our hotel to get a little rest before heading out for supper.

Aunty dishing out some great food

Old school Sprite bottle

Condiments...the chili flakes pack a punch!

The restaurant's resident sleepy doggy

Phad thai with pork

Flat rice noodles with pork

Beef noodle soup

We actually stumbled upon this restaurant on the way to the BTS station earlier in the day. Luckily we decided to return here for supper because this place serves good (and authentic) Thai food at pretty reasonable prices. We will definitely be returning here again during our vacation (and we did).

Our appetites sated we journeyed further down the road and arrived at the infamous Nana Entertainment Plaza. Now I'm not as brave as Kennysia so no pictures. Just imagine a whole area filled with bars all staffed with almost naked girls and you'll get the picture. After doing a scouting round we decided to get some drinks at Rainbow 4 (which is supposedly one of the best go-gos here). Conclusion? Yes, majority of the girls were hot but they were just standing there swaying around. Yeap...don't expect hot stripping action or anything similar (nudity is supposedly illegal). And the Coke costs THB130 (RM13 approx). Well I suppose it's a somewhat surreal experience being surrounded by babes while sipping a drink.

After an hour or so there we decided to leave (it was getting late) and thus, day one of our vacation came to an end.

The story continues...