Bangkok 2012 : What's it like to travel solo ? #2

"Bangkok : where Parti PAS & BN are one. Heh."

Traveling alone gives you more time (and privacy) to observe things around you since you have no one to talk to. You tend to gain more on streets knowledge, too, because you need to ask A LOT. Yes I've googled, read and asked some information regarding some interesting places in Bangkok, but well, when you are busy dragging your heavy luggage up and down public transportation, made you forget it all. 

Travelling alone save you from embarrassing / disgusting / inappropriate candid shot by your travel buddy too.

Exhibit A: Stupid

Exhibit B: Disgusting & embarrassing up skirt. And she uploaded this on Facebook (without the X)

Not to mention you can wake up and sleep whenever you want to, you can miss hotel breakfast, continue to sleep in bliss without hearing voices waking you up. You can eat whatever you want without worry that your travel buddy actually wanted to eat other things and again (on time). Ok. Stop about how good is to travel alone already. It just some of my points to make me feel good about it :(

Bangkok Day 2:

My decision to stay at Bhiman Inn on my 1st day arrival wasn't bad at all. The hotel just 2 minutes walk from River Taxi pier "Phra Arthit". I need to move to my next hotel and stay there until the end of this lonely trip :(

I read about Chao Phraya River a lot during school. So now I want to 'cruise' along something that I read for almost 20 years ago. 'Cruise' - sounds very grand. But actually, it is the cheapest public transportation in Bangkok. Dirt cheap.

THB30 for a view of Bangkok City for 20 minutes, complete with tour guide. Opps, my Xmas nail color still on. Fugly.

This is me with Mr Timer taking my picture. I can rely on Mr Timer every time when I'm alone. I love you Mr. Timer.

On Board. She explains and gave information on every big and little buildings that built along Chao Phraya River stream, left & right.

Well, the water is scary. Friend said to me that I will fall sick if I accidentally swallow the water splash. Uh.

But the view is quite amazing. I didnt come back here at night, which, I should. I bet the skyline view along this river would be so much more amazing than day time.

I present to you, day view of Chao Phraya River. 

I was lucky one of the tourist willing to help me with the picture on the boat!

The Kapitan is so happy, finally someone care to snap his picture. He even smile for my camera :)

At Sathorn Pier.

After dragging my luggage up and down, No! I didnt lie! look at the staircase!

and I found that they have lift after both of my hands are all blistered :( Im so stupid, why I never thought of it.

My next hotel is in Pratunam Area (and again, public transportation which is, Train) so that's why I choose to take train from Sathorn. it's not that the tuktuk is that expensive, I just want to take a look at Bangkok city from many type of views.. river view, high city trail view, ground level view.. bird's view.. in 4 days time.

So it cost me THB45 to go nearest train station to my hotel, Rajchathewi, with one stop at Siam Centre from Sathorn. They have a day pass train, priced at THB120 and you can use it from morning till midnight. Hop in & out every stop, or anywhere you want to. All rail except train to International Airport.

Im quite sure of where Im heading to, but then I still wanted to feel like a lost traveler. I don't know why. I became  addicted to ask around. Or, maybe Im too lonely and I find that, asking around is the only way for me to chat with someone. WTF. So this girl, Im not sure what she is, she looks like Korean/Japanese/Vietnamese,  not Thai's, but my point is, she's Asian but yea she did sound like an English speaking Japanese, explained to me to change my train at Siam Center station. She even offered to give me her map. I knew she isn't Thai! No local girls walking around Bangkok holding city map, but white men's hand! 

Well, I looked around me, be it on the streets or train, I saw many white guys with Thai girls, walking hand in hand. I bet that is not his wife or girlfriend, and I strongly believe that he is not purely STUPID to read / ask direction where he wanted to go to either. But from my observations, these guys automatically became retarded & lost their back bones (but their balls still attached somewhere) once they stepped into Asia. Suddenly they need someone to help them to cross the street? During day time? I still forgive them if it's a night time, well, maybe these guys has poor night vision due to cataracts or astigmatism or BLIND. AND these guys are either TOO UGLY, TOO OLD or TOO FAT.  I mean, seriously? They are willing to travel that far just to get PAID service of 'helping hand - crossing the busy road'? If yes, I PITY YOU.

Arrived at Rajchathewi. People told me that it took only 5 minutes walk to the hotel I booked for my whole stay from here. I can see the tip of the hotel tower from everywhere I stand. It looks so close and I think I can hit it with a slingshot. Yea.. after 5 minutes trying to get there with so called - slingshot - distance, I gave up. So it's time for a Tuktuk. I'll post up my video on Tuktuk on my next post (tak tau bila la tuuu)

For THB60 (after some bargaining) he agreed to bring me to the Hotel. You see, the type of hotel or hotel area you stay can give you some kind of trouble too. They sometimes quoted you the ride charge according to the type of hotel you stay. If I really know Bangkok city area very well next time, I just ask them to drop me at wet fish market & tell them I sleep there. They might send me for FREE!

Streets in Bangkok is all about shopping spree. Ladies' favorite mostly. But then it will be men's favorite too after seeing their lady putting on something they get from the streets. But if you are not careful enough, you will end up looking like a street girl and your man looks like paying a street girl to help him to cross the streets!

Hey, looks like tuktuk that im riding now has the same color with the other one. Were they separated at birth?

And here I am. The other reason why Im in Bangkok.

"The Baiyoke sky Hotel, rising 88-storeys above Bangkok's skyline, is Thailand's tallest and Bangkok most scenic hotel. The hotel is strategically located in the largest fashion square of downtown Bangkok, surrounded by various shopping centers and entertainment attractions. While enjoying the spectacular view of the colorful city from the artistically built hotel or haggling around the famous Pratunam area, there is also easy access to many shopping paradises. The Central Wold Plaza, Platinum Fashion Mall, Pantip Plaza, peninsular Plaza, Gayson Plaza, Sogo Department Store, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon and Siam Square are only within a few walking minutes from the hotel. Cuma kau nak kena bawak banyak duit jer. Shopping la sampai keluar buih ikut mulut kau"

Source~ Baiyoke Sky Hotel website.

er, the last statement is mine. Not theirs.

Um, the more you pay, the sweeter the treatment is. Bellboy came running to help me with my luggage soon I stepped down from a cheap Tuktuk. Ah, I don't need to drag my luggage for few days now. #bliss.

Hotel reception is at 18th floor. I arrived earlier than check in time. But they still let me in. Yeah, I bet they saw the amendment record I sent them online - double bed - twin bed -  double bed - then twin bed. I mean.. what kind of person who pay attention to the of type of bed when they are sleeping ALONE, anyway? Well, I CARE.

48th Floor is all I can afford.

and for extra precaution, since Im travelling alone, I took a lesbian's lady's floor. No male on this floor, they can enter this floor but only up to elevator's lobby. Male still need the magnetic card to pass through the glass door. Ladies, you can walk naked on this floor. Just like ladies changing room at spa recreation.

I know, the bed and the carpet isnt that impressive. But they are not selling the bed or how the carpet looks like & feel. But they are selling the View.

Ok la.. the bottle of complimentary mineral water is kinda cute. It's the shape of the tower itself.

OMG, Im so tired. I want to rest. I mean, not after I drink that mineral water.. but I mean now. I'll continue about Bangkok View and all on my next post.

Tata~

Bangkok 2012 : What's it like to travel solo ? #1

Flood what? I know I shouldn't read the news on the internet. I stop watching news on TV and read news paper for almost 5 years now and it is some kind of therapy for those who worries a lot, like me. I know world is going to end somehow, there are always be wars somewhere, some part of the world, because hatred, greedy and all kind of non senses are always inside human and it is bigger than love and compassion. So why worry? But I can't help to read the headlines  on MSN or Yahoo page, every time I wanted to log into my email. It was all about "sinking Bangkok" news for the past 2 months next to the Kim Kardashian's divorce headlines. And that fucking false news made me wait and wait (wait until flood receded), ended it up getting myself expensive flight ticket to Bangkok. It was two hours flash flood!  It happens to KL too, and it is not the end of the world, duh. Next time I will still fly to South Korea even the news said the North is about to press that missile button in the next 5 hours. I don't care anymore.

This supposed to be a sweet trip with someone. You know, welcoming new year with a new phase in life, lips locking under giant fireworks, be in each other's arms and seal the deal. But you don't always get things as you planned. There always something more important in life besides kissing under the fireworks. So here I am, instead of getting kissed on the new year eve, I learned something else.

"For half a second, I wondered if I was dreaming. I saw something flickering, and I knew I was not dreaming."

I never imagined that I'd be able exploring stranger's land on my own.  I keep on telling people that, "if I was a guy, I'd be travelling this planet earth alone with no fear, I wait for no body to go with me, I can sleep on the streets and talks to anyone I'd liked to, I can carry a big heavy bag on my back and feast my sight and soul with everything strange around me - just because, I am a man".

Well, I was wrong. I undermines myself too much. I was too comfortable being in my own compartment - familiar roads and faces, being around friends who took me few years to trust them. "Nothing like home" is such a killer phrase. It is an excuse made for those who are too afraid to take the chances and to leave what's used to them. The food, the language, the weather or friends. I admitted that I was too worry and afraid to be all alone in Bangkok. I've heard many versions of stories about Bangkok. I begged everyone that I know to go with me. But it seems I was fated to go through this trip alone and learn from it.

For the 1st night, I choose to stay somewhere nearby the Chao Phraya River. Because I still don't have any idea how am I going to move from city center to this area in cheaper way. Bangkok have a lot of temple and most of it located along the river. There is also famous spot/streets called Khao Sarn road. It was such a relieved  to get an email on my last minute booking from this budget hotel called Bhima Inn, that I booked for 01 night, giving me some information of how much the taxi charge supposed to be from airport to their hotel and how long it will takes - like they know that I am all alone! 

I was lucky because the taxi driver is a Thai guy who happened to stay in US for more than 10 years. His English is perfect so I don't have difficulties in getting a lot tips and information to get around Bangkok.

This is how 'single' room looks like. Never booked a 'single' room before and it wasn't bad for THB900. Clean, quiet, I dont care about the small TV because I don't have time to stay in. The room has big mirror both in the room and toilet, so that is what most important to me! At the reception, is a guy who really helped me with a lot of information too. Free wifi at the lobby area & restaurant, and the guard was so nice to me, he came with mosquito's repellent coil and put it underneath my table when I was busy facebooking on my iPad. Everybody was so helpful, welcoming, and filled my heart with warmth feelings after few hours I've been here.

Tomyum is my favorite dish. I would never missed to eat tomyum if I go to any part of Thailand.

It was okay, not as what I expected. Maybe I need to go to the streets rather than having one in Hotel. My 1st night dinner was kind of expensive! THB 370! Im still learning!

So I put on my pink shoes and started to explore around after dinner. From Phra Sumen Road to Rambuttri Road then to Khao San Road (see red dot). I hadn't take a long walk for a long time, I almost break my back that night!

I don't know where I was heading to, I just followed the direction given by the guy at the hotel reception. Go straight, turn right, go straight again and will see the place with stalls and bars. Right. I wanted to go to Khao San night market, but ended up with Ranbuttri road.

Well, I always use a 'moth to a flame' method when I got lost in direction of where Im heading to. Without map in hand, I just find colorful flickering lights, and I know, that must be a fun place to go :)

Just strolling the streets without worries in my heart. People enjoying their drinks and the locals smiles welcoming you to their bar and restaurant.. and to take a look the stuff they are selling and always at ready to hear your bargain price.

It's nothing like Petaling streets, they never forced you to buy, not after you bargain with them 100 times. You are free to touch and take the pictures of it. I bet you will get your head chopped off if you do that in Petaling Streets. In fact, they are happy just to get attention from tourists, they are chatty, asking where I came from and alone? The most common replies I got from them was "oh! I thought you are Thai!" and they started to ask about Kuala Lumpur...

But I still want to go to Khao San road, so I keep on asking the directions along the road. They gave me short cut, through not so dark but quiet alley.. it was the back of some people's house.. or shop.. and I saw a gym complete with small boxing ring in it, it must be Muay Thai training studio or something like that. Not all locals fluent in English, but if you pronounce the road or destination right, they surely pointed you to the right direction, with a smile.

I was at the end of the alley, no way to go but this stairs. I feel like I was in some kind of Alice in Wonderland.. or Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. So this shabby stairs will lead me to the place I wanted to go?

So I climbed the stairs and found myself a nice bar, restaurant behind that doors with shabby staircase..

in Bangkok, a stranger can feel like home. You are free to sit at the corner by yourself, do whatever you wanted to do and no one bothering you.

So I asked the restaurant's staff where is the Khao San Road;

The flickering lights distracted me for a while. I was a bit astray from the direction given and keep playing with my camera. I found myself at the main road. I just wanted to cross this busy road, to be where the lights are. But Im too tired to figure out how to climb the fence and be on the other side of the road, so I gave up and back to find Khao San.

Finally here I am. It is a one busy road! Puppet show was on Bruno Mars song greets me on my 1st time in Khao San Road.

It lifted my spirits, I feel I am no stranger here. Streets were filled up by NON THAI'S. Some of them speaks the language I never heard before. I believed there must be alien or martian among these people, I just couldn't catch one.

It sting me a bit when I saw everybody walking hand in hand, smiling and laughing, just happy, or to something funny along the streets, or from the drinks they had in their hands. I passed by a white girl crying on other girl's shoulder in the middle of the streets. Her friend just stood there rubbing her back and whispering something to her.. to calm her down. I looked back at myself, just me and my camera.

This appear to be my 1st photo since I arrived in Bangkok, 7 hours after landed. It so unusual, I supposed to have 150 pictures of 'ME' taken in 7 hours time if I have my travel buddy with me :( Yea, travelling solo can be sucks too. Haha. Thanks to the stall guy, who helped me with this. I wanted to buy that straw hat, but I didn't bring much money in my pocket at that moment. I left it all in the room. I didn't plan to shop. He offered me THB 320 for that straw hat. And all I have is THB 180. Ha!

It is a shopping heaven for the cheap skate (sorry!) T-shirt is THB100, accessories, dresses, everything is below THB300. But I don't feel the need to have them. I still favor discount sale in MNG and Zara, or Bershka, or Forever 21 back in KL. But I did bought few T-shirts here as a souvenir, for my girlfriends and special someone :) But I already told them it is a stupid t-shirt. So, they should expected how stupid it is. Ha!

I am a sweet Mango lover. I dont miss the chance to get one on Khao San Streets. THB25 complete with sticky rice soaking in sweet salty coconut milk.

I did have a lot of chats with the people on the streets, the guys who sell the t-shirts. All I did was looking at their shirts and stuff on display, they came to me speaking Thai, and I replied "oh, Im not Thai.. I can't understand and don't speak Thai" So the conversation went on and on and on.. until I have to excuse myself. That's how friendly people in Bangkok are.

The night is always young in here. There is no sign of calling it a day. People just keep on pouring in, and my back hurts.. it seems like, I was the 1st person who went to sleep at 1am at this part of old Bangkok..

Few more snaps while I was heading back to my hotel room..

I came across this stall and saw this. I stopped by and asked the guy what is it. Apparently he don't understand English and he just smile with shy and continue cooking. :( What a non responsive chef!

I didn't see any ladyboys or prostitutes on this streets. Or maybe I didn't pay close attention enough, or maybe people just exaggerate things about prostitution in Bangkok. I bet they are not that cheap, just be everywhere just like a flea, they do have decent spot or station to operate the business.

But I do notice pretty, smooth flawless skin girls on the streets. Long legged with Victoria Secret's supermodel hairs, with girlfriends or alone texting on mobile. If those are prostitute.. well, don't blame the guys.. I also want to BUY ONE!

Back to the hotel with smile, and I know this going to be one sweet lonely trip. I know everything is going to be alright. 1st day - it's already addictive. I can't wait to wake up to tomorrow. I can be a citizen of the world, dah-ling..

...to be continued.

Dear 2012.

I have a lot of wishes, and i wish a lot. Some of my wishes do come true, and the rest, unfulfilled. I lose nothing from unfulfilled wishes... It,s just the thoughts that failed, dream that just can't come true. Effortless.


I plan things, and i planned for weeks, months, years in advance. It is easy to plan things on your own, because you know exactly what you want, where you will be. But when planning involve person other than yourself, it seems a little bit uncertain. It involves compromise, promises and hope that it's going to happen. And what i know is, Plan isn't like a wish, at all. It is kind of frustrating when efforts you put in your plan, went into the drain.


I didnt wish to be alone, not just tonight - but for the rest of my life. But that's just a wish, and wish might be unfulfilled because, that's how it is.


I didnt plan to sit, watching the fireworks alone either. In stranger's land - no friends or familiar voices wishing me happy new year. No familiar faces around me to welcome this very new year... I'm all alone as far as i can remember...and i can't believe i am able to arrive into this phase - beyond lonesome, beyond emptiness, tonight, welcoming the new beginning of 2012.


Dear 2012, i welcome you with tears and loneliness, not because i'm leaving 2011 and its memories...but i just come to realize that i'm watching beautiful fireworks tonight just to celebrate the cracks within me is about to shatter.


....and as when the glitters in the skies subsides, i look upon dark, hollow skies and i wish.... I wish i will never felt this way again, ever.

'there are those among us who are blessed with the power to save what is loved by another. But powerless to use this blessing for love themselves'