Bangkok 2012: What's it Like to Travel Solo? #Final

So, Im not alone after all!

Ignore the 'beer'. He didn't know that I don't drink that and it is a common thing for a guy to say 'go out for a beer' rather than 'let's meet up for some English tea and scones with clotted cream'. I thought he were joking about him vacationing in Bangkok during the year end, until I received that on my Facebook's inbox. 

Im still tired even after a week I came back from Bandung Trip, a company's trip. I'll talk about it on some other post. I really hope that Bangkok story would not be ended up like my Taiwan, NZ and my other unfinished travel post :(

"Honey, don't lean so close to me, you are too hot, and here is so hot, all hairs on my arm starting to  crinkle". That was one of the funniest line among many, I heard from the middle aged guy sitting behind me, on this free shuttle van. (Baiyoke sky Suite do provide free shuttle van from hotel to Siam Centre/MBK/City Centre hotspot) He was so funny, he never stopped teasing his wife and happily joking around with other passengers. I can't stop laughing to his words. How strange it is, a random stranger on the streets, or sitting behind you able to tickle your funny bone and cracked your face muscles, when it starting to stiffen. At the same moment, I was thinking, how lucky that lady was, having a funny someone that makes her laugh - everyday.

3rd day in Bangkok -  Im starting to feel like home, My room to be exact!  Waking up late, missed my breakfast, took my own sweet time to blow dry my hair, slowly getting dressed and all. That purple bread was my only breakfast, bought it the day before just because I find the color is cute. It tastes good too! Make my own cuppa, watch TV, then getting ready to meet up a friend.

What is late breakfast without fresh squeezed fruit juice. I bought this for THB20. Chilled. I saw this everywhere. So I gave it a try. It tastes different than normal orange juice that I had back in Malaysia. Their oranges are smaller, thin skin oranges. No additional sugar needed. It is too sweet on its own already. It was the freshest fruit juice I ever had on the streets so far.

Finally met my friend. He is from Wellington, New Zealand. We used "Asia Bookstore" at Siam Centre as our meeting point. Oh I feel all nerdy and decent  - use a bookstore as a meeting point. Not Starbucks, not bar or famous streets.

We met by the lunch time. And I wanted to eat Japanese since "Kobune incident". This is about me. No matter where I am, I must eat fish, for at least once. Be it raw, grilled, deep fried or soup, I must eat fish. Friends who knew me almost confused when I told them that my favorite dish is fish, while Im eating chicken - everyday. Well, I eat chicken, everyday, but I love fish.

Finally I have a decent picture of me with food :) And finally,  some friend treat me a lunch :) It feels good to have free meals sometimes. Okay, this is weird thing about me - I don't really favor  guys buying me lunch or dinner (too often) because I don't want them to have an idea that they could invite me for lunch & dinner, again & again after the 1st one. I meet people only when I want to. I don't go out, especially guys, according to their time, bait me with food & movie. Cut the story short - I do the invite, every time. But with special someone, um, that's different story. Hehe.

Our initial plan was to buy a day train pass and explore Bangkok by train. Stop at every famous spot and walk a little. But since it's kinda late, we changed plan to watch Muay Thai fight at the stadium. I always wanted to watch real Muay Thai fight since I was a little. Since I joined the class for a year, sometime ago, since Beautiful Boxer, since Ong Bak movie!

We headed to Lumpini, where the stadium at. But then we came to know that Bangkok has few stadiums and the fight is held on each stadium alternately. We had to go to other stadium located at old part of Bangkok city, somewhere before Banglumpoo, called Rajadamnern Stadium. So we decided to ride a tuktuk.

Sometimes, or maybe most of the time, event that is going to happen in our life actually it has been written accordingly to our will and wishes, dream, imagination and liking :) While we were asking people around about the Muay Thai fights & the stadium in the middle of Lumpini, there it is, the only BRAND SPANKING NEW pink tuktuk waiting by. No other tuktuk. That was the only one, sitting there just like it was waiting for me :D

Here is my happy spanking ride :)

and it costs us THB200 ( I think so) from Lumpini to Rajadamnern Stadium

and yes, it's VIP :)

No fart in Tuktuk :)

I came across some cute stuff  during my happy tuktuk ride.

Got my hands on ringside ticket. I know it's kinda expensive. But you have unlimited entrance during 5 hours fight and free to take pictures with the boxer. The ticketing boy even reserved the seat for us while we went out strolling the streets nearby before the fight start.

Again, I was so happy because I have somebody helps me with the picture. Haha!

We came back to the stadium right before the fight was about to start. I was so excited to see shirtless boys with lean meat kicking each other ass. I know that they are nothing like pretty boy Dudley O'Shaughnessy - West Ham Amateur Boxer. But It is a non fat, lean meat Im talking about :P

Oh dear. 

When I said lean meat, it is a compact, non bulky muscular Mr Olympian Phillip Heath. No way! Big bulky guy scares me off!

Nooooooo....

So, here are some pictures and videos I took during the fight.

and this is me enjoying the sights with a low grade popcorn - it tasted like polystyrene soaked in salt. yeah. Don't blame me! Im so used to caramel popcorn at TGV & GSC!

Me and the Boxer. Yes, I purposely put my hand on his shoulder. Hard shoulder and Um, Im all cougar. :P

Some live K.O fight.

Bet and gamble surrounds every Muay Thai fight at the stadium. The bet and gamble is the factor of why cheering sound, sounds louder. There was a French boxer participating the fight that day, his name is Ludovic. At the same time there was a friendly french couple sitting next to us, and the topic of conversation ranged from Real Steel's robot boxing to real bet. Yeah, he bet with my friend, David, during the match between French boxer vs Thai's. Since  that picture shows he is holding the beer glass, so, you know the result. If he plays the bet with me, I definitely use French fries as the betting prize. lol

End of the fights. It's time for dinner. We head to Nana district in the hope to see some entertainment of pretty ladyboys & sexy Thai girls. There were a lot of Middle Eastern restaurant around this area. So, if you want to find Halal food, come to Nana. How irony it is that, you can find something Halal at Haram spot in Bangkok.. for those who  been to Bangkok, especially Nana district.. you know what I mean.

..here at Nana, you can find a lot of fancy stuff a long the streets, such as - Gold Viagra.

Multi-racial toys.

'Porno' on the streets. yeah. Macam gerai goreng pisang gitu...(Like fried banana stalls in Malaysia)

We unable to find an awesome entertainment spot in Nana. We've been asking around 'ladyboys, ladyboys' like a bunch of weirdos wanting to have threesome with it. God still wanted to protect my eye sights from watching beyond porn at Nana streets I guess. Haha.

I was getting tired. A taxi driver drove us to a place where a 'ping pong' shows at. But the entrance fee was too expensive. And I already spent my money on Muay Thai fights. At the end of the night, I told my friend that I wanna go back to my hotel and call it a day.

I intended not to miss the breakfast on my last day in Bangkok. Heard people told me how awesome to breakfast at any of high floors in Baiyoke Sky Hotel. So I did. But um, I was the last person who shows up. They were clearing the food counter, but, there were still some food left.

This is the most delicious breakfast I found at Baiyoke's Crystal Grill, 82nd floor. Thai's coconut pudding. Crunchy on the outside, soft, warm & sweet on the inside.

I was the last person eating, and alone. The hotel staffs are very friendly, and they came chatted with me. Then I realized, I was not all alone. I was having breakfast with 5-6 people surrounded me. They were funny and sweet. We even exchanged our Facebook id's. Ha! I will re-visit them someday. Yes, I will.

My friend, Dave, came by at afternoon to send me to the airport. Before I left, I took him up to the Baiyoke's skydeck to view Bangkok, for free. You have to pay in order to get up to the skydeck if you are not staying at the hotel.

Yes. Been here, done that. Next - Tokyo Tower. :D

Im showing you the most cheapest and convenient public transportation in Bangkok. It cost me THB40 from Ratchapraprop (150 meters from Baiyoke Sky Hotel) to the airport. THB40! MYR4.00 from city center straight to the heart of Bangkok International Airport! Damn. LIVING & LIFE IN KL is SO OVERPRICED.

Shame on you ERL.

Leaving Bangkok with intention to return again. BECAUSE 4 days is not enough. Look at what I missed during my short visit;

Bras heaven!

Yums NOT delicacies on Bangkok Streets!

Crispy yum NOT. Euww. Siap dengan daun serai. Macam sedap la pulak. I took all these pictures from David's album. 'There was a lot you didnt "see" in Bangkok'. That is what he's telling me after I reached home :((((

So, yea. I definitely will return to Bangkok, and will spend time in Pattaya. David went to Tiffany's Show right after I left - Backstage, free entree. FML.

I hate you.

Yes! I finally able to finish my Bangkok post in 1.5 month. What an achievement. Horray for me.

Last but not least, Some statue picture taken inside Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

If you wanna know what is the story behind this statue is all about? Well, you've got to buy the ticket to Bangkok & read it for yourself! Booo!

Bangkok : Despite of million of neon lights which contributes to crazy climate change & global warming, a skycraper city with mutant generation, you can't tell it is a boy or girl until you lift up their skirt,  - they proud of their culture and beliefs, and everything in between.

Next Post : You are always a celebrity in Bandung, Indonesia.

Back!

Quickie update: Bumpy road - constipation then diarrhea, homesick, flight delayed - finally home sweet home. No matter how lousy need - to - pay - many - types - of - tax and empty promises by politicians, the feeling of coming home greets by "out of service" ATM's at the airport, aroma of Nasi Lemak as well as armpit of Taxi drivers who refuse to use taxi meters... is a total uplifting.

Being away from home / own country for once awhile is cool. But it was a total depressing experiences when you left home for a place where english language is a total alien..

Vietnam - the bitter sweet, (but mostly bitter) journey.

to be continued - with quite awesome pictures. Thee hee (perasan)

Weekend as Mama San...

Apparently this became my sub - work scope for month of July, every year, after my boss decided to diversify his inbound travel agency business, by getting Russian/CIS country's students joining the summer camp program in Malaysia during the low season.



..and this is what I got over my MuayThai workshop for my weekend.








Honestly, the experience of handling and managing these students was very pleasant and enjoyable, by considering their polite manners, friendliness and cute looking faces. A condolonce to all local teachers out there for working so hard in getting their Ijazah Perguruan yet end up with brutish students like what has happened in Kuala Terengganu recently =(



First stop, Putrajaya, it has been 4 years I didnt come here...full of memories lah. Sad.



Yep, still the same.


Since the weather was damn hot, we cut the trip in Putrajaya short & rushed to AFamosa Resort, Malacca. We made a quick stop somewhere after Seremban, and I found a self service KFC for the first time in mylife. I dont mind queing at the counter to have my order, but, to pick up my own nuggets and cheesy wedges ermmm felt like a bit cheesy, felt like at warung nasi campur pulak. And yet, they still charging me 10% service charge. "Service" charge for what? I queued and picked up my own food ok?






Since it was Friday, the highway was a bit jammed along Seremban strech and we arrived later than the scheduled. I booked 02 unit of 4 bedrooms villa for 14 pax of us. Here is one of the 4 bedrooms villa that we stayed for the weekend. Look nice? Yaya.. the pool water so dirty until the students complained right after they jumped out from the bus. 5 minutes after we stepped into the villa, I already busy calling the reception about the dead pool and porch light la, towel provided not enough la, the buggy was not enough la, and constantly remind them about the shuttle bus service which suppose to bring us to Cowboy Town for our Dinner at 7.45PM...





Tunggu punya tunggu, those students chirped like a super hungry little birds. The reception counter refused to pick up the call from our villa until we had to do the trick by calling them from mobile phone. All they said "We told you already that now we are running full and busy cuz of middle east season" SO? since when their lack of resort management has to do with us? If they worshipped those Arab guests, just black out the dates and their rooms, fill their resort with just Arab ok! Dont bother to confirm our reservation. If you promise to send us shuttle bus at 7.45pm, it means 7.45pm Malaysia time, not 1 hour later, and made this group of students starved until they almost calling their parent and missed the carnival show at Cowboy Town. We paid you for this meh?

Finally at 9pm, the stupid shuttle bus arrived to pick us up. FYI, 9pm is already "supper" for these students. Becuz they keep saying like "so, are we going to have our supper at the same place?"

Look at their hungry faces...

Some of them dont even bother to look at the camera and busy digging their "supper" like they been fasting for 3 days already.

So this is what the villa looks like from the inside. The villa have 4 bedrooms, 4 bathroom, 02 powder counter with cupboard, A huge living area cum dining area with 6 seater dining table, 1 kitchen area with fridge, electric kettle and coffee cups provided. Last one, a pool with dirty water. And oh, a complimentary of 08 bottles of 500ml mineral water.

Next morning, we drove to Golf Terrace Club for a breakfast. I unable to get the picture of them in a group since they going bananas over the buggy ride. They had their buggy race right on the first night we stayed in and finished up all the battery with a swift...I think our group has the highest number of buggy exchanged in AFamosa Resort's record. Never mind lah.. we paid RM150.00 per buggy per day. Lets the kids utilized it.

Even they are a high profile kids, wearing Dolce & Gabbana sneakers, carrying Gucci handbags at age 15, fully manicured and pedicured, wearing EdHardy swimsuit and put special sun tan liquid for the sun bathe, (usually I saw people put sun screen lotion), they still sweet cute young girl who went gaga over buggy ride with big swirl lolipop in their hands...

At Animal World Safari.

Feeding time.

Vladimir Yan and KhojiAkhbar, the orange stripe shirt is Ganny which the group called him "Malloy" - the little ones.

Maybe you wonder how come they look like a chinese? Actually some of them are half Korean, half Uzbekistan, thats why their name end up like half half too like Kim Olga, Kim Marishka, Vladimir Yan..and the thing is that.. they dont even know how to speak Korean. At age as young as 15, they already study all over the world like Beijing, London and France. They dont go normal school like us. Hurmm.. some kids.. are so blessed...

Everybody melt over these cute Otters...

I wish I can keep one of these.

These Raccoons looks comedic even they walk around and do nothing.

As per itinerary, Multi Animal Show.

I tell you, it was a tough job supervising these students, when the guys around constantly tried to hit on them...

Kids nowadays grew up so fast, word of advice for you guys out there, please check their ID before you think of doing adult thingy with them.. cuz all of them are below 17. Oh except the one sit next to me, she is 19 =P

This is Madina from Tashkent, actually this is her 2nd time joining our summer camp program

And this is Bonny from Kazakhtan, she speaks fluent french and play golf during her free time.

To me, this multi animal show were super boring. I know it is not a regular sight to see cat jumping over the ring of fire and monkey riding a bicycle. I rather be at Suria KLCC please.

Walked around until my leg fell off ler...maybe I looks young, but I cant ignore the fact that my stamina isnt on par with 16 years old teenager anymore (the girls not happy when I called them "kids". They say they are not little girl anymore)

We supposed to watch the Bird show, but those "teenager" insisted to go for Animal Safari. They must be thinking Safari trip here are like in Africa ? To tell you the truth, Safari in A Famosa are no difference you go to the National Zoo ok? Except you got to ride a caged van. Felt like we were the caged animal pulak. Ahh maybe that's the only difference la.

All the tigers sleep in the afternoon. Or is that a plushie tiger ler?

The tiger play hide and seek.

The tiger play jacuzzi

Oh finally~!! I met the real Plushies~!!!!

After had our lunch at Lake Side Restaurant @ Animal Safari (THE FOOD SUCK. DONT EVER GO THERE), we proceed to WaterWorld for a chlorine wave splash. No bikini picture taken since I also joined these teenagers for some tube sliding adventure and my heart and brain almost misplaced. I swear, I dont want to do it again.

With Madina's overly protective brother. I bet he came here just to keep an eye at her sister only.

Since we missed the Carnival show at the Cowboy Town on our first night, we re-scheduled it to the next day..

We were welcomed by Malaysian Version of Cowgirls


Look at Bonny and Miss Raisa, they were so happy and danced around.

Ganny took a wild ride.

at the Carnival.

The hot girls

and their not so hot mama san.

The Carnival show basically consists of Fire Eaters show by the Malaysian Red Indian

Plenty of Animal Parade, from elephant...

to a gay parade.

Lastly, they end up the show with fireworks. This one, I LIKE~! I always like fireworks~!!!!

I wish I have skill in capturing the fireworks. I just looooovvveee fireworks in picture. Looks magical, except those were taken by me.

Sunday 12th, I skipped my breakfast due to tremendous headache. So I test those students skill of being independent and self control without their mama san. (heeeee). Wow~! it turned out to be fine. No buggy were broken, no one got accident and when I woke up, they were around the villa riding buggy still, giggled and laughed happily. No doubt these student are the best teenager in this world.

Since I woke up quite late, I brought the students to have our last lunch together at Side Walk Cafe @ WaterWorld. We wanted to surprise Vladimir Yan with a birthday cake after the meal (it's was Vladimir Birthday on 12th July), but hell, the chef of the restaurant came to me with cake still inside the box, unopened and asked "here is the cake". WTF??

Well, he spoilt the surprise, and made it worst by told us the restaurant doesnt have spare birthday cake candles. Should I laugh or angry this time??

It was a buffet lunch, does it mean the buffet drinks it has to be from a tap water? None of the girls drink the water until they provided us the real mineral water in coffee pots. PPffttt.

Yaa.. they have variety of foods.. somehow I manage to eat this only. I wonder if all the restaurant in AFamosa Resort ONLY prepare foods for the guest who starve after they running around their 1,300 acre site. If my assumption is proven to be true, well it explains lah.

Finally, the birthday cake came out without its box and the candles. Oh you must be wonder what is written on the cake ey? It means "Here's the cake" (My boss sure forgot which student is having the birthday when he bought this. Nice)

Happy Birthday Vovachka~!!

Discussing who will get the biggest piece.

Finally I can eat a decent piece of cake as a dessert during my whole stay in AFamosa Resort. Thanks to the birthday cake.

Left AFamosa Resort, "Where all Suck Foods come True" around 2.30pm and dropped by fruit stall area nearby so that these students learn and taste our real local fruits.

So long I never get to buy cheap fruits. This rambutan it only costs me MYR2.00 for 1 kg. Yay~! bought 2 kilos so that I can make Rambutan Ice cream ~!!

Good kids with happy face as always. What a relief. Im started to love them already.

The most fancy souvenier I brought from AFamosa Resort. Priceless.

This time, I let my girls closing my entry for today. =)

Hotness.