CHATTERBOX: CELEBRATORY MOMENTS - 25th JAN 08


A belated celebration in the same building that we went just about a month ago. This time round, we went local! And we probably had the most expensive local food in our lives. We were greeted by mandarin speaking waitresses at the entrance of Chatterbox at Meritus Mandarin. But somehow the mind is already tuned to converse in English in such classy places. And its apparent that it took us awhile to actually reply in mandarin too.

Even the glasses were tinted red.

I must say that I really really love this! Would always love sides and desserts more than main courses =x. Fried to the right level of crispiness! YUMMIE. Goes ultimately well with the sauce!hmm...wasabe mix w sth else..=x hahas.

Labels: Anniversary, ecstatic, Extravagance/Fine-Dining, Indelible memories, my love :), Sweet

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NOT TO BE COMPARED


Happiness.
An entity that is not to be compared, difficult to measure.
We hold different values, encounter different experiences, perceive issues and events in an unique way, share chemistry w different people. That leads to a different set of expectations that can affect one's happiness level.
When expectations run in tandem with things around us, its more likely that happiness will occur I guess. This makes it happiness an entity not to be compared because too many factors are affecting it and it's not determined by universal factors but subjective ones.

Happiness, however, can be shared.
With ur loved ones
OR
simply just friends.
Though not totally.

It just makes more sense to share happiness than to compare happiness in which the indicators for it are up to one to decide.

Oh and of coz, its childish to compare happiness.
then again, its understandable that being envious is a human nature too.



love to share, hate to compare.

Labels: inner voices

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Sometimes I just wonder how much courage and bravery I have to go through the same trauma or obstacle twice, thrice or more. Will I still be susceptible to it or can I grace through it?
Its a wonder, its a question that's lingering in my head. Of course, this doesnt mean that I want the answer through experiencing nightmares again.

And I have come to accept that many of the times, we are forced by the circumstances to struggle things through. To not fall and still be able to continue with the subsequent journey of life. Given the same circumstances, whether you are being left alone or you had someone to rely on makes a huge difference of who I am as at now.

After a good 18 years of living on this planet as a worry-less lil gal, I finally discovered some of my weird temperaments. Unlike the norms who would ease into the comfort of their loved ones in times of agony, I would choose to drift away from the social circle. For I think the social circle or rather anyone out there except myself is like a social stage. The constant efforts to put up an act that all things are fine and to incessantly carry out a smile or simply typing a 'ha-ha' add to one's pain.

Perharps the need to act in front of others..strong at first look but weak on the inside. Its the weakling who doesnt even dare to reveal the flowing emotions. Remember my question of who is stronger? The one who cries or the one who grit it through w a smile. It seems like either way of arguing has a certain degree of convincing myself.

Even so, my choice is to delve in solitary and isolation. It's only in my own isolation that I wouldnt have the pain of a manicured smile. As much as solitude can sometimes encourage intrusive and scary bad thoughts, somehow it removes the burden of being in the social circle and the worries of mentioning that whatever particular topic. Maybe a bad sign. but...hhahas..thats just me. And its the time when i can let my emotions flow before I step out of isolation and grin at everyone again.



new discovery

Labels: Emo.., inner voices, Reflections

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DAY 4 - 8 JAN 08- THE END





We started Day 4 slowly, with a slow breakfast, back to hotel to do a final pack of our luggage and the sis and cousin took a nap for bout 1 hr while I laid on the bed thinking through the trip in that past 3 days.



Then my reflections and thoughts start to possess me again.






Seriously, Bangkok's food haven really made me yearn for more. Perharps I haven tried the right food and those roadside stalls didnt look appealing to me. (Even though I've heard that they're yummie!)



But I really love the Pineapple Rice which I tried on Day 1 and Birdnest on Day 2. ;]]] The nicest Pineapple Rice Ive eaten so far!

Labels: Bangkok, Reflections, Spicy, Travel

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DAY 3 - 7 JAN 08 - A SMARTER WAY


Headed to Platinum Fashion Mall, a wholesale shopping mall. I was still happily shopping until towards the mid noon that I started to feel so saturated w shopping. Just too many things to buy.

And on Day 3, im smarter but more cruel it seems. Since the 3 of us had diff interests fr the hmphs oldest...i decided that we sshould split our shopping to prevent more conflicts! Plus Platinum is quite safe and non-crowded. And im sure i did the right thing! ;p

Labels: Bangkok, Retail Therapy, Spicy, Travel

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DAY 2 - 6th Jan 08 - WHEN TROUBLES BEGAN BREWING.



I awake to see Goey by my side. Both of us sleeping on the double queen size bed. Unlike the usual beautiful bright morning we see in Singapore, Bangkok's morning is greyish, hazy and much more dullness was felt compared to Singapore.

The glance over the glass windows of the suite, seriously, wasnt, impressive. And it disappoint me a lil for not being able to enjoy the beautiful skies at 26th storey high.

Breakfast was buffet at Sky Lounge located at the 43rd floor. It is a place where one can enjoy the views of skyscrapers and even the streets in BKK or at least around the Pratunam area.

The food was fine. Enough to tame the growling stomachs of the ladies. But hmphs there's 2 of us who's ultimately displeased at the way the cousin eats. Showing bad ettiquettes and the ultimae kiasu-ism of a typical Singaporean. Sometimes free just doesnt means abuse.



According to our plans, we were supposed to head to Chatuchak Weekend Market at 10+ am. We hopped on to sis's favourite tuk tuk again, for a fare as low as 100bahts! Just as we've travelled 2km or so, another tuk tuk came along and advised us that having 4 persons on a tuk tuk is an offence and ther's a checkpoint in between Chatuchak and where we are now.

After much persuasion and agreeing at 50bahts per tuk tuk, we agreed to split since its more comfortable too! Rather than having the poor koon to sit and squeeze on the ground of tuktuk.

Yet things werent as simple as a 'checkpoint'.

First,we were told that not all the shops in Chatuchak are open yet.
Next, we were asked if we wanna visit a place and at the same time they can have free petrol once we visit.
Third, advertising started regarding nice earrings and rings the place have. I remembered the guy repeating 'Beautiful' continously.
Not only so, it was said that Chatuchak is just OPPOSITE the place they are bringing us to.
The last thing he said was that if we buy anything fr the place, they'll give us free transport!

We agreed to help them since we know TukTuk drivers are poor.
We reached the GEMS GALLERY INTERNATIONAL. There, we saw live manufacturing of gems like sapphires, topaz, etc. All of which were heart-winning. Especially the first sapphire ring i tried on. It was perfect! Size, feel and the way it looked but it was far off from the budget. A 300+ sing dollars. BUt to be ffrank, it was cheap, just not for a student. I really loved that.

The 2 working adults - sis and cousin brought a ring each. Much envied.

And to begin our day w a shock, we could not find our tuktuk!! We frantically looked through our photos, scanning for the plate no. and the photos of the drivers. (the usefulness of photoSS)

We were conned. not really in terms of money or what.
But 1 tuk tuk escaped, and we were forced to get on the original tuk tuk w 40bahts. Fueled by anger, we decided to walk there than to rely on tuktuk. Yet when we asked the people working in the gallery for directions, we were told that it is too far to walk ther!

Stranded in the faraway place, we had no choice but to take the tuktuk but negotiating it to as low as 20bahts. Poor tuktuk man 1, who were supposed to be paid 100bahts in the first place.

It doesnt pay to be too kind. But well, the gems gallery was an unexpected eye-opener.

Arriving at Chatuchak, it has an overwhelming of 60+ sections. Each section itself is a maze and a small maze within a big maze is a BIG maze. Biggest buyer of the day is me! Combed the place w dresses mainly.

Yet another trouble is brewing here. The cousin who doesnt seems to appreciate the beauty of weekend markets(and also shopping malls) keep complaining of the low-class fashion hanging out there. No doubt the place itself is not of a class. But the clothes and accessories are not any lesser than what we see in Singapore. We just need some sorta fashion sense to imagine things out since all that Ive bought were not allowed to try.

More nonsense from her came as she hinted that she wants to rest. Then she screwed us up w a stomachache, telling me that she wanna blackout and wants a 19 year old to bring her (a 22 yr old) to a toilet which was just right in front.

The worst thing came when she said she wanna go back to hotel and rest first and msged me at the end of the day to say meet at the mainroad! AMongst the maze, wher the hell do we know wher's the mainroad she's talking about! Mainroad to us may not be to her.

Labels: Bangkok, Retail Therapy, Spicy, Travel

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The night before I broad the plane, I knew I was super excited as i cant slp! I tossed and tossed feeling that my heart is gonna jump out anytime.

Its difficult for me to contain my excitement despite my lack of rest. Snapping became my full time 'profession' during the 4 days. None of them is in the right mood to entertain my hyper active soul.

Anyway, as we arrived at Budget Terminal..its definitely not as impressive as the other Terminals around. They had sloppy looking check-in counters and even the unforms of the crews stand close to being ordinary than smart-looking.

Seriously flying on Tiger Airways was thrilling'! At the point when the plane accelerates and takes off into the lumps of clouds, it feels like roller coaster or pirates ship as said by Goey.

Thanks to Goey who let me sit by the window seat! SUch that i can see the layers of clouds and beautiful blue skies w the sun far in the background.

Upon reaching Bangkok, i saw huge areas of water and I wonder if thats the fields...hahs



Taken when the cousin was changing her money.

Way to hotel

Many aggressive salesperson were around inside and outside the airport. They target you like once we step out of the revolving door. Offering us transport services which apparently were overpriced according to my researches. Tourists do their homework too, hello!

We dragged our still light luggages to this seemingly the airport authorised counter for taxis. Indeed it is and the fare was agreed at 400 bahts relative to the gimmicky others-800bahts!

Unfortunately, we werent given the chance to pick a cab. And first time in my life, i sat in a cab that has mosquitoS flying around and they were well-fed mosquitos! Not only so, the cab was crammed even in the front seat and i was forced to sit hunched.

From empty expressways to the busy areas..Pratunam area.
Our hotel..the rainbow building, Baiyoke Suite Hotel.

After checking-in, we made our way to MBK, changing our plans a lil. And i probably cant believe it that I led the group to the 20 mins far BTS - Ratchathewi. Considering that im a directional idiot who always lost my way. But to be frank, i did ask around to make sure we are moving towards the right direction. And i realised that BKK folks are really helpful and friendly! Those folks by the roadsides. Really friendly. And what I m glad is that there are police or legal ppl all around who understand English~

And ther we arrived at our first stop - MBK. The departmental stores like Tokyu was overpriced for a Singaporean. More worthwhile products are waiting for us in MBK itself.

But ironically, the shopkeepers there are less friendly and some of them were really rude. It goes to show that in a place where people are supposed to be equipped w the right etiquettes is only a 'supposed to be' On the other hand, those by the roadsides are probably the humble. The warmest.

We were overwhelmed by the number of shops there. A little maze that requires some kind of order and recognition to comb the place. Nevetheless, we more or less combed the place and dinner was at Fifth food avenue in Marche's style. (cameras not allowed but i still snapped some..hahas!)



Tuk-Tuk rides back to hotel and all of us loved it! Though its a lil squeezy for 4 persons that i had to sit on the ground and my two darlings were holding me tight as they were afraid that i may fly off while im sitting at a dangerous position and still snapping away.

The tuk tuk drivers were real reckless but only possible w gd skills. Send us 'whoa-ing' away w his sharp drifts..But well...sitting on tuk tuk is absorbing maximum pollution..

Thanks 'mum' and sis!

Labels: Bangkok, Retail Therapy, Spicy, Travel

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Back years ago, I would wanna choose my parents over anybody else on my first flight. Flying sounds enjoyable yet scary to some people. I hope to be w my closest ones as it might calm me down. Hahas. Months ago, I thought it would be sweet to travel with your lover and carve unique memories in that unfamiliar and probably a total novel place, most importantly only of your own.

That's just..back then.

And in a few hours time, i'm setting off to my first destination to Bangkok! Not with parents nor lover. With my friend, a cousin and my sis. I cant imagine how it feels like when the plane takes off,what i'll see and what i'll hear! Then again, budget air might not be as comfy! But doesnt matter. Being a budget traveller now as a student. I'll enjoy what i can afford in future!

A real good chance to experience a lil of independence and not follow blindly.
Oh well, hope that this trip won't be chaotic!



i wanna share my joy w u!

Labels: Bangkok, Spicy, Travel

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