Friday, September 02, 2022

Day Two of My Week-Long Holiday to Bangkok

Thinking it would be a quiet park would be so wrong as there were ample park-goers! There was also a bustling morning market next to the park. By the way, there were a lot of cats in Lumpini Park!

Judging from the cars queuing to get into the open-air carpark and secure a parking lot, I wonder if the park was indeed that popular or that Thailand has a scheme similar to Singapore's Park and Ride (which ended in 1996).

Got back to the hotel and since Alex was still snoring; I decided to take a relaxing soak in the bathtub using the bath bomb I previously purchased from Don Don Donki in Singapore. 

Run the tap, threw bath bomb in and drank coffee / read newspaper while waiting for the water to fill up. Turned a bluish tinge, I removed my clothes and with my myopic eyesight, I saw something bobbing on the water.

What the heck is that?!
There was a toy in the bath bomb!?

Turned out to be a rubbery mascot of Don Don Donki. To be honest, I wanted to dispose it, thinking it was just a boring rubber toy. Turned out this thing has hidden LED lights, which was activated when you press its head! 

Preparing to go out but Alex was still washing up. Unlike Alex, I can't sleep as much as I would love to and it often means the poor chap had to pull himself out of bed to accommodate my schedule whenever we travel together.

So, I must exercise patience!
Shall take some selfies to better use the time.

Finally out of our five-star accommodation! 

After a hiatus of more than two years, I can use the BTS Rabbit Card! It was deactivated due to inactivity (I think); you just need to go to the control station to re-activate the card for usage.

So early and there were already moo ping for sale?! I was talking to my friend about this and she said in Singapore, we also eat nasi lemak, which is no less sinful from moo ping. Hm.... I should start eating satay for breakfast next time.

I ever ventured to this part of Sala Daeng at night; when bar girls crowded the street. It might look empty at this moment but who knows how it would transform at night.

Took grab to our next destination! 

Our sumptuous brunch at Here Hai Restaurant! It's now a Michelin bib gourmand eatery; while the food was still delicious, we were a tad disappointed with the insane fried rice. It was way about average although this time; it didn't wow us as it did on our first visit. 

Tummy was full and you may assume that we were trying to stroll for added digestion. Not really as we proceeded for a 2-hour Thai body massage at Health Land Ekkamai, on a full stomach! 

Since we already had intention to take a cab back to Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri, it would be convenient to just buy 2 gallons of drinking water from the nearby 7-11 convenience stall.

unFashion Café changed my plan to return back to the hotel; I was curious about the mayonchid desserts and persuaded Alex to chill for a while at this laidback cafe. 

First thing after reaching the hotel?
A 30-minute session at the gym! 

Dark clouds looming at horizon and that's not a good sign as we would be going to one of the hottest observatories in Thailand. Rain would mean bad photographs! 

Walking from Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri to Ratchadamri BTS station. Distance covered: just 300 meters. Only downside? Non sheltered. 

Didn't have to wait long for the train. 

Two stations later; we arrived at Chong Nonsi BTS station; this was one of the areas we had considered for accommodation. I am quite flexible so long it's near to downtown Bangkok and within walking distance from a BTS / MRT station.

Where we wanted to go can be accessed via this sheltered link. However, no, stubborn me wouldn't be going the conventional way as I wanted to take a better picture of the iconic building.

King Power Mahanakhon! 

The skywalk was impressive and tourists should really consider a visit if they are in Bangkok! Try to book for a lot when the sun is going into its slumber. Do also check out the toilets at the skywalk! 

Alex almost got himself a headset priced at more than S$100! Thankfully, he decided to open up before buying, to confirm it's a wireless headset. Despite the assurances from the salesperson, the headset turned out to be wired! Heng ah.

Tsuruha is like Singapore's Watsons and Guardian, and I would almost go there every time I am in Bangkok. My main purpose was to get those boxes of freeze dried miso soup! Maybe I should have a proper review about it soon.

Taking the MRT train this time! 

Dropped at Phra Ram 9 MRT station and took Exit 2 to the new train market; Jodd Fairs! Would it be a better version of the now-closed Ratchada Train Market? We shall find out soon. 

Atmosphere was nice; weather was good; I managed to have Grilled Salmon Stick, Grilled Beef on a Skewer, Thai Style Fried Bananas and Milk Ice Cream. Honestly, the vibe was better at Ratchada Train Market and Jodd Fairs seemed to have a lot more eateries.

Quite a disappointing meal if you ask me.

Alex wasn't keen to squeeze with the crowd at JODD Fairs and we had to take this narrow, unkempt passage next to the canal. Quite a surprise since Alex is a scaredy cat and the route didn't seem safe.

Side entrance of Central Rama 9 shopping mall. We could have just taken a shorter distance to Phra Ram 9 MRT station but I had another objective.

To go to the carpark of the mall for a panorama of JODD Fairs! This would gave you a good reference on its scale, which you can the compare with the photos I took of Ratchada Train Market here. 

Decorations within Central Rama 9 shopping mall.

Train again; it might be faster to take grab / cab but we have had endured jams in Bangkok that took one hour just to move meters. Therefore, MRT and BTS trains are somewhat more preferred, especially if our accommodation isn't far from the stations.

Changing from MRT line to BTS line.
The Thai Japanese bridge near Lumpini Park.

A pet lovers centre in Bangkok?! Some of you might know I worked there for about 4-5 years and made many friends, some of whom I still meet up every now and then. 

And the start to clearing some work emails.


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Vomited by Cavin Teo at 11:30 PM
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