The escape plan was confirmed over mahjong a few weeks earlier. It’s a shame Ryan couldn’t join us because of his new job- that shattered any idea of mahjong in Bangkok. So, it was down to me and two of my closest friends. As always, they settled the air tickets and hotel bookings, as well as currency exchange. I just turn up at the airport with my luggage, passport, and a wide dimpled smile

The night before we flew, I saw this introduction on Ayutthaya. We booked the day tour, which included a coach ride to this ancient capital and a river cruise back to the city.

In view of the unearthly reporting hours of 0645 hrs (GMT +7) on Wednesday, we decided not to go to the Patpong market on Tuesday night and returned to the hotel at 2100 hrs. Because we were a talkative trio, we were still wide awake at 0000hrs. Don picked up the room service menu and suggested we share a fried chicken. The order exploded to include a tom yam soup and mushroom omelette. By the time we were done, it was nearly 0100 hrs.

“Erm… Are you sure you guys still want to wake up at 0530 hrs for the trip?”

“Erm… But it’s non-refundable ley.”

“Erm… But not enough sleep, oso won’t enjoy right…”

“Haiyah… See how lah…”

That conversation took place at 0300 hrs.

And we slept till 1300 hrs. Muahahahhaa.

The lady who took our booking two nights earlier waylaid us at the hotel exit later that afternoon, “Why you all never come down? You go tomorrow ok? I arrange for you. Or else no refund.”

The same thing happened again. Although there was no supper, no one bothered to set any alarm. And although I picked up the morning call again the next day, the other two laid motionless and didn’t show any intention of waking up for the tour.

Fine. Let’s sleep.

Yaowarat- the Chinatown of Bangkok, has a wide selection of Chinese delicacies. I love birds’ nest!

NAM SING, 39-47 Soi Texas, Th Phadung Dao (off Yaowarat Rd)

Bangkok is not only about cheap shopping, cheap dining, and cheap everything. In celebration of my secret project (to be announced on this blog soon), we had a splendid 9,000 baht dinner at The Dome. Compared to Singapore’s Equinox (at Level 72), Sirocco‘s tables are set on the rooftop and provides a far more panoramic view. The moment I stepped out of the elevator, my eyes lit up and I had to control any urge to exclaim. Going ooohh and ahhh like a suaku isn’t the right thing to do at such an atas place lah.

SIROCCO, The Dome, State Tower- 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500.

By the way, Vertigo at Banyan Tree offers a similar experience. We’ll drop by on the next visit.

And to do that, we have to return here to work our asses off.

Work mode began at the airport last evening. While holding to the ipod, I started a mental sketch of my next radio drama… …

The buzzword at the start of the Bangkok trip was “amazing(ly lucky). An adjective on the extreme opposite end of the spectrum could be used to describe our last day in the Thai capital.

I woke up with a sharp pain in my neck on Thursday morning, presumably caused by the flimsy bundle that was being passed off as a pillow by Asia Hotel. Pillows aside, I’m never ever going to check into that place again. I’m tempted to list my complaints here, but this is supposed to be an entry on my SuayWaDee. Let’s not get distracted.

As I gingerly packed the final few items into my bag, I felt an ulcer growing on the right side of my tongue. Argh.

With a couple of hours to go, we headed to Siam Paragon for lunch. JX texted me the night before and said Greyhound Cafe on Level 2 was worth trying. I’m sure he wasn’t out to sabotage me, but the food turned out to be really awful. Everything from the appetisers to the entrees. Argh. If I had to choose an item to do a review, it would be the bottle of Coke. It was chilled to perfection. Thank you very much.

A hungry man is an angry man.

A hungry man who doesn’t get good food is an angrier man?

As Don and Jan proceeded to fill their luggage, I headed to Marble House for a final massage. The petite auntie with very powerful hands was specifically requested not to touch the protuding screw in my left foot and to pay special attention to my neck. That was the only highlight of the day. The pain subsided a little. *weak woohoo.

We arrived at the airport to see this glaring word flashing in yellow on the screen. “Delay”.

As I mouthed “Ta Ma De”, I saw a girl staring at me. From the corner of my eye, I saw that she was carrying a red passport. Great. If she has a blog, she’s going to write that she saw me say “Ta Ma De”. And then the tabloids will pick this up on a low news day and make a mountain out of a molehill. And then….

Ok, the pain in my neck just caused my imagination to go into hyperdrive. Anyway, I’m just glad she wasn’t there when I was saying, erm, something else.

In that three hours at the airport, I lost a (cheap) pen because it slipped through a hole in the new bermudas I bought. By then, I had given up. Whatever lah.

Later, I was texting Ryan to inform him of the flight delay. Though he had to work the next day, he didn’t mind fetching us at midnight.

“No, no! Please don’t come! The last time you insisted on fetching me, I fell into a drain. Given the series of unfortunate events that happened today, I don’t wanna tempt fate. I’ll take a cab. Thanks. Night.”

We walked out of Changi Airport Terminal One to see a dizzying human queue at the taxi stand. How could that be?! There should be plenty of taxis on queue! No? Asking Ryan not to come to the airport didn’t sound so clever after all. Argh.

Holding on to my quota of 1 x wine, 1 x liquor and 3 x beer, I lugged my 20.6kg luggage and headed to Terminal Two via the Skytrain. If I couldn’t get a taxi there, it would mean I’m positively certified doomed.

I finally produced one of my famous dimpled smirks which had been sorely missed for the entire day. There wasn’t a single waiting passenger at Terminal Two! Everyone was queuing at Terminal One and there we were hopping straight onto a waiting cab at Terminal Two!

Ok, I’m back.

Physically. And otherwise.

One more thing folks, it’s Friday!

P/S:

My mobile wallpaper since Wed. Saw this in one of the malls, but I have no idea what this is or what it can do. I just like the fact that it’s ugly, funny, and cheery all at the same time.

I’m going to store this image permanently in my phone and look at it the next time I have a stiff neck/ ulcer; encounter flight delays/ crazy taxi queues; lose my temper/ belongings through holes in new clothings; etc…

The last 24 hours have been really amazing.

#1

The check in process took like 25 minutes. While waiting for Jan to haggle with the receptionist, I strolled around the lobby, trying to recall the different people whom I have stayed in this hotel before. Then I saw a huge sign- Day Tours to Ayutthaya!

Ever since the visit to Ephesus, Turkey, I have been most intrigued in ancient ruins. After reading about Ayutthaya the night before departure, I was enthusiastically gushing about the place and suggested to Jan and Don that we should do something new, instead of just doing the usual shopping, massages, etc. The friendly people at the hotel just solved my problem as we can just fork out 1,600baht for them to arrange a coach to the place and a boat trip back. Wheet.

(By the way, we’ve got to be at the hotel lobby at 6.45am, GMT +7 tomorrow. Wah biang.)

#2

One station away from our hotel- the legendary MBK and its neighbouring malls. Jan was talking about this fabulous Japanese restaurant when we walked right into a deserted lobby. That eatery was right at the end of the hallway! Woah. What a coincidence!

(It’s called Fuji. White background with blue logo. On Level 2 of one of the malls.)

#3

After a swift and light dinner, we walked around a bit before heading to the usual place for a traditional Thai massage at 500baht for 2 hours. As we stepped out of a mall, we saw that it was drizzling outside. Not knowing which direction to go, I hapzardly pointed to the left and and headed to the main road to see if we could get our bearings from the junction.

It turned out to be the correct direction. Novotel was right ahead! Another stroke of good luck!

(Marble House is located directly opposite Novotel Hotel. We go back to them year after year because of the huge sign at its door- NO SEX.)

#4

Erawan Shrine was the first stop of the day. That’s where the Four Faced Buddha is located. Lunch was at Central, adjacent to the shrine.

We emerged from the mall with full stomaches and a couple of shoes, apparel and stuff. Once again, we weren’t sure of the correct direction. Once again, I tikamed and took the lead.

And once again, I was right! Muahahahha.

#5

Jan is currently shopping for bras, so Don and I are walking around elsewhere. The shopping freak in me has been unleashed, so I’m happily looking around for every oppotunity to spend my Thai Baht. Don, however, wants a break. I mumbled that there’s an internet cafe somewhere in this mall- and he could rest his feet while I blog.

Then… The cafe appears three seconds later! OMG.

I get lost in Singapore ever so often. I can’t believe I’m getting to all the places I want so quickly and efficiently while in Bangkok. Amazing.

It’s nearly 3.30pm. I’m going to board a Thai Airways flight to the Land of Smiles in a couple of minutes. Woohoo!

Bangkok has been an annual destination, except for last year when mobility was greatly reduced. We’re looking at doing something apart from the usual shopping at MBK, et al. I spent 3 hours online last night, so I hope this doesn’t turn out to be a typically nua-ing excursion. Haha.

Cya folks!