Purr Cat Cafe @ Bangkok [Near Thong Lo BTS Station] #purrcatcafeclub

It's hard not to get my heart fluttering when i was going through a Facebook photo album of a friend who was in Bangkok a few months ago. The appearance of so many gorgeous looking felines in a cat cafe was just too irresistible and i knew i had to pay it a visit!

From the google map, it seemed quite straightforward; take exit 1 from Thong Lo BTS station, right turn at the first lane and walk all the way in till you see the cat cafe on your left. I timed and it took us roughly about 11 minutes to reach the cafe from the BTS station. 

Singapore has a number of cat cafes and it was kind of funny that i had to travel all the way to Thailand to have this first experience! To add on to the sarcasm, i didn't even have sufficient time in Bangkok! 

No shoes allowed - be prepared to remove your shoes and wear the hideous looking slippers provided by the cafe. Recommendation: please wear socks! 

Unlike dogs, cats are well known for their aloofness and most dislike to be handled as if they are soft toys. Cafe rule number one: please don't attempt to hold the cats. If you are really a cat person, the kitty would willingly jump onto your lap. 

The high and mighty position given to the felines in the cafe was best portrayed in the two cat portraits at the cafe that would otherwise be replaced by pictures of the president / first lady, king / queen in normal households. 

But, no cat leh! Have i been duped by my friend!?!?!?!?!? Rest assured this was one of two sections within the cafe and given the lazy afternoon on a weekday, only the inner section was open.

Slide the glass door and be overwhelmed by over twenty pedigree cats slacking in the fully air-conditioned cafe that also came equipped with a thoughtful air purifier!  

Since i had to endure the heat while walking in, having a cuppa drink and a cake would be fair rewards for my effort! And of course i shouldn't be shocked to find a cat guarding the cake / dessert display!

Decided to have hot cappuccino instead as i didn't have enough sleep, as usual. The coffee art was a good attempt to reflect the theme even though that doesn't really matter to me. I missed my Singapore / Malaysia-style kopi! 

I was caught off guard by the size of the beef lasagna; in case you are still wondering, it was indeed housed in a soup bowl slightly bigger than the cup holding my cappuccino! Thankfully, it tasted really delicious with a comfortable dosage of melting cheese hiding a generous splattering of hot minced beef!

Earlier, i mentioned the "no attempt to hold the cat" rule. However, there wouldn't be any difference from being in a zoo; can see yet no touch! Here comes "Purr me milk" to the rescue! 

Trust me - this would tremendously help to enhance your relationship with the furballs! As with all milk for pets, i think this should be lactose free.

The expected interest among some of the kitties! 

Check out the tabby cat! Instead of drinking from the bowl, it first dabbed its paw into the milk before licking them off the paw! So kawaii right?!?!?!

For a closer, more intimate experience, take your place at this area with low lying tables! Do note that the cats were free roaming and they might jump onto your tables / chairs anytime. Those afraid of cats should just stay away from this cafe. 

Remember, they are the bosses; we are merely the guests. 

In addition to the first house rule, there were seven more for you to take note! Click the above photograph to have a better look; do keep in mind the fine of 1,000 Thai baht for each offence! 

I absolutely love this cat-only staircase and platforms! It's hard to control humans' inconsiderate behaviours sometimes and it might help to have this as a hideout.

See how secured this kitty felt; she was in total bliss! Without further ado, more photographs of the felidaes for your indulgence! 

As expected, they were sleeping most of the times! They didn't mind the occasional stroking though. Personally, i thought this cafe would not be suitable for hyperactive children (like the two brats in my family). 

She was just stunning; a beauty in the cat world. 

Want to spend your entire afternoon in this cafe and flood your instagram / facebook with tonnes of photographs? Wifi is available! 

There might be kitties hiding in corners unnoticeable to guests; so keep a keen eye! This ginger cat was so cute but i could not coax her to get out of the box for a clearer picture!

Got to leave for a visit to the Chinatown of Bangkok, Yaowarat! 

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Location

Soi Sukhumvit 53 Sukhumvit Road, 

Bangkok, Thailand 10110

[Near Thong Lo BTS Station Exit 1]

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Friday - 11am to 10pm

Saturday to Sunday - 11am to 11pm

Closed on Mondays

Menu

As above

Additional Information

This piece of information would not be useful for foreigners; grooming services for cats at 450+ baht for short haired and 500+ baht for long haired felines. 

There is also a retail section where you can buy cat-shaped, related products for cat-loving friends. Cat owners would also be able to purchase food / accessories for their feline charges. 

Happy Birthday, Father!

Birthdays in my family have always been a low key affair; a meal followed by a birthday cake back in our house (or my sister's). Hence, the photographs taken look familiar except for the ageing faces, the change in waistline and in the case of the two brats, how much they have grown! 

Despite the above, I still make it a point to post an entry here. I believe in time to come, when both Jerald and Jovyn are way older and i have likely made it to heaven, it would be nice to reminisce the moments we had together. 

Both kids, for sure, are going to beg me to remove some of their photographs in the many posts under the category of "family". I shall consider the requests then. Wahahahaha

Lit the candles and let's sing the birthday song for dad's 62nd birthday! Even though he was happy, i could not help recalling his birthday two years ago when we had a heated argument over the tour package in Chengde (China). Till now, i still feel pangs of guilt. 

Oh well, life goes on and i just have to remember to keep my tempers in rein whenever i am overseas with my parents. It's only a few days; learnt from mistakes and make sure it doesn't happen again. The next time i go on a tour to China, i shall sign up for a factory shopping tour package! Oh, and no way am i going to buy a package from Hong Thai Travel (康泰旅行社).

Jovyn waiting for the cake to be cut so that she can have the chocolate bits! Contrary to Jerald's birthday, she was less competitive this round and respectfully left the cake cutting to her Yishun Gong Gong.

Do you know that she is really good at making funny faces?! To take attendance, her childcare centre would take a photograph of her everyday and upload it the website. You should see the many hilarious, exaggerated expressions she has! 

More photographs of her having the red velvet cake from Cedele which was surprisingly quite good; moist with lip smacking good cheese cream that wasn't over-saturated with sweetness. This is coming from a guy who doesn't appreciate red velvet cake. 

A number of feedbacks were received from friends who complained that Jerald has been severely neglected in my blog! To counter that, look above for the pictures of the boy who has brought us a lot of joy with his good natured-ness and much frustration with his never-ending questions!

Now, i haven't bought my dad any birthday gifts.

Shall i bring him to Cameron Highlands again? 

Ice Cream Frenzy @ Rochester [Near Star Vista]

The original branch of Ice Cream Frenzy at West Coast Drive has one serious problem despite its popularity; the pretty inaccessible location! Hence, it was a nice surprise to find a second branch so conveniently located near Buona Vista MRT Station.

Let me introduce to you Ice Cream Frenzy @ Rochester Mall! 

Shop's concept was rather normal, playing on vibrant, practical colours that were not as appealing as the homely setting of its original branch. Of course, decor would always be secondary so long the ice cream / waffle is good. 

Waffles with Double Scoop Ice Cream

A single scoop of premium ice cream (durian for example) would set you back by S$5.50 and i would strongly recommend you go for the waffle with double scoop ice cream at S$13.90 if you are going to get two scoops of premium ice cream!

Departing from my usual style of reviewing the waffles first, i would like to start with the Swiss Chocolate and Passion Fruit ice cream; the former was rich enough for me to imagine a sore throat the next day if i decide to indulge any further! Don't be too worried; balance out the heaty richness with the sour yet sweet passion fruit ice cream which was still peppered with the crunchy seeds! 

Now on the waffles; too soft, too gooey and lacked a flavour that would make me return again. I was puzzled as the one at its West Coast Drive branch was definitely way better! I actually feel guilty for posting this negative review for the waffle as the female staff was so sweet and friendly! Even though it was a one-person operation, she served everyone with a wide smile and even took the initiative to pass us cups of plain water! 

That's one bloody good service staff i would love to have if i ever have my own cafe! 

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Location

31, Rochester Drive, #01-01,

Rochester Mall [Near Buona Vista MRT Station]

Price

Waffles with double scoop ice cream - S$13.90

Menu

As above

Additional Information

Free WiFi is available! 

Jerald is now 7!

The month of September is never kind to my wallet with three birthdays just for my immediate family; Mom, Jerald and the upcoming one for Dad! This also happened to be the month when i am super sick of cakes! 

As anticipated, there is the usual bickering between Jovyn and Jerald; the former won the battle with her tears although she eventually relented when we reminded her once again that it's the brother's birthday! 

I do feel sorry for Jerald sometimes as Jovyn can be so unreasonable and bossy; traits that were likely picked up when she was staying with us!! It's a blessing that Jerald has always been very forgiving, especially towards his little sister. 

A clearer picture of the birthday boy and the brat. Tsk tsk tsk; those who have seen Jovyn before would remember her angelic, super adorable expression. Those who KNOW her would have a vastly different picture of her! 

Awwwwwww they made up pretty fast though with just a kiss. 

Time for the birthday song in four versions! As i mentioned before, it would be in the traditional English language, Bahasa Indonesia / Melayu, Mandarin ending with a Christian one!

After competing to blow out the candles, it was another tiring session of Jovyn demanding to hold the knife to cut the cake! Jerald, ever the sweet and nice brother, gave in. 

Happy Birthday, Jerald!

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The strawberry cake was purchased from Lavender Confectionery in Malaysia! Taste wise, it felt healthier with cream that wasn't overly sweet. If i could have my choice, it would still be Glace!