Stress vs. Vacation

What's the connection between stress and vacation, you might ask. To answer this, guess the following graph would have cleverly depicted and explained it all ...

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Thus, you earn your vacation by working extra long hours to clear as much work as possible before your vacation.

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Thus, you repay your vacation by working extra long hours (again!) to clear backlog after your vacation.

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This Occasion Called Wedding Dinner

Wedding dinner - a ceremony to celebrate the union of two people, we call them a couple.

What else besides celebrating the union?

Reunion, perhaps, especially if it's a wedding of someone you know since childhood or schooldays. That's the time when you get to meet up with long lost friends, or friends whom you have not met for quite a while ... all those catching up and updating each other with what has happened the last few years since we see each other.

I have been to a few of such wedding these few years, and it has been really, really great to be able to reconnect with long lost friends since schooldays.

If it is a wedding of a colleague from your previous workplace that you are attending, then that's also a potential reunion time. However, if it's a wedding of a colleague in your current workplace, I would say that it's nothing much different from those daily lunch time that you have. You might end up sitting with the same bunch of people, talking about the same old topic which you discuss during lunch time. Worse still if you talk about work during the dinner :p

Someone I know of told me her wedding dinner somehow looks like a company's annual dinner. Half of the hall consists of colleagues from her workplace while the other half colleagues from her husband's workplace. So when it comes to yum sing (i.e. cheers) time, seems that both sides tried to outperform each other by cheering louder and louder (ha!).

What happen if you attend a wedding dinner whereby you do not know anyone else besides the bride and bridegroom? Well, you do have a choice of not attending. However, if you choose to attend, you have the choice to only savour the food and wine, or to get to know new friends.

I have just attended such a wedding this evening (although with a little twist for the fact that I still know one person there and not totally being alone). It's a wedding of someone whom I have known for at least half a decade. During the wedding, not only I choose to savour the food and a little wine, I also choose to get to know new friends. Usually if the person sitting next to you is equally alone just like you, chances of being able to make new friends are pretty good :p

Next, karaoke, an interesting component that worth a mention. Although not all wedding has karaoke session, for those who have, it's definitely a showtime for people who are not too shy to sing their lungs out. We don't really care if the singing is up to a certain standard (not necessary professional standard though). It's a different case if someone is merely "screaming" or singing out of tune, it's quite a torture, isn't it? Also, say someone is singing songs like "Un-break My Heart" or "Another Sad Love Song" ... not quite appropriate for the occasion, eh?

Oh, yeah, before ending this post, may this friend of mine whom I have known for at least half a decade live happily ever after with his lovely wife ... Congratulations to Kenny & Vivian on your marriage :)

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Somehow It's Still Different

Had a Ramadan buka puasa dinner at one of the resorts this evening. If you were to ask me how the dinner was, my frank answer would be it does fill the stomach but not entirely great when it comes to taste bud satisfaction.

Well, is it due to the food really being that "ungreat" or is it due to my taste bud then?

Remember that years and years back (when I had just started working and earning a meagre amount of income), having a buffet meal in hotel was something I truly enjoyed and looked forward to. Food seems to be great and satisfied my taste bud entirely.

It is quite interesting to hear from one of my friends once that he does not have the same amount of satisfaction and "feeling" when he eats those butter cookies in those blue tin can nowadays, as compared to when he had them during his childhood. It's even more interesting to hear him mentioning "perhaps we could not really afford it then, that's why we treasured and enjoyed those cookies entirely during childhood". Deep within my little heart, I totally agree, though.

Well, perhaps the food during the buka puasa dinner isn't that "ungreat" after all, but somehow, it's still different ...

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09.09.09

09.09.09 ...

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Another special day of the century. Am sure you would know what I mean - it's the 9th day of the 9th month of the 9th year of the century. Three more of such special day to go before the next century, which obviously none of us who is currently reading this would ever live to see such again next century :p

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What do people choose to do on such a special day? Well, getting married, if they are not too particular with the fact that currently is still the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. For the number 9 also refers to "forever" in Chinese (for those who do not know, "forever" sounds the same as "nine" in Chinese). Triple 9, well, doesn't that mean forever, forever and forever then?

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How do I spend this day of the century, you might ask. Nothing extraordinary. Perhaps it's just another day for me. Just like any other weekday, woke up early and obediently drove to work to earn a living. Don't mistaken that I don't enjoy doing such. Remember that you need to treasure what you currently have, although that does not mean that you should stop pursuing for something better :)

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Anyway, one thing for sure is that today is a late night at work. It's the busiest time of the year. Plans for the coming year is being laid down now. Plans that lead the direction for the coming one year. Hmm, sounds important, doesn't it?

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Although am not spending this day in a special way, but am pretty sure the time spent is definitely on something fruitful and important :)

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So, how do you spend this day of the century? Mind to share?

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Treasure It

Am back to the company which I have just left for a final handover now. Suddenly I just miss coming back to this place. Don't ask me why I feel this way, it's just a sudden feeling that I have.

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Human is just a funny being. When you have it, you don't treasure it. When you no longer have it, how you long to have it back. What an irony ...

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Well, nevertheless, am very sure that there would be lots of challenges awaiting me at my new workplace. Already had a day full of meetings and phone conferences on my second day there, which was yesterday, unfortunately. But I am pretty sure that I can make it (well, need to give myself the confidence to move on, right?)

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My friend, do treasure what you have presently and not forgetting to lay the path for your future days :)

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Till next post ...

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A Molar Lesser

Finally have taken the courage to have my "problematic" wisdom tooth extracted this morning.

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Being a member of the "Me Not Going to Dentist" Clan, I have been trying to avoid going to the dentist to have this wisdom tooth removed for the past 2 years.

Guess it has reached an unbearable stage now. This tooth has been giving me problems at least 75% of the time these few months. This tooth has grown to a size long enough to "bite" the inner wall of my mouth each time I chew my food ... imagine how painful that is. How to enjoy my favourite food lah?

Now, with this tooth gone, rest well for a few days ... would be back soon to enjoy all the gastronomic sessions ahead ... yes!

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Bangkok - Random Shots

Did take quite a number of shots "along the way" or "on the way" ... here are a handful to share ...

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Sawadee-kha from Khun Ronald McDonald's :)

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Took the following shots at a market, which I passed by along the way to the Grand Palace. Variety of goods and foodstuffs sold here ... perhaps the more "authentic" side of Thailand, not the "typical tourist spot" ... although you can still find "something" for tourists here :)

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* Memento *

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* Food *

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The following shot is taken at a car park near Chatuchak Weekend Market ...

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Japan or Bangkok ... nevertheless, the following shot is taken near Sala Daeng Station ...

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Bangkok - The Proceeds

Buy, buy, buy and these are what I've gotten from this trip to Bangkok ...

Always think that fridge magnet is a good souvenir to get when visiting a place

* tink ... a hint to those who do not know what to get me for a souvenir, hmm, now you what to get :p



Simple tees with beads and sequins at very low price

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Hello Kitty pack is for a good friend who is a Hello Kitty lover

Pooh and gang are for myself :p
Hmm, wonder when we would have such cute packs in MY

This is especially for a PIG lover (*oink oink)

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Something from Hard Rock Café

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Bags & pouches



More souvenir items :)



Not forgetting food ...

Thailand mangoes & Lay's Nori Seaweed flavour

Hmm, wonder when they will have this flavour sold in MY ... it's nice!

Well, not all for myself though ...

Mostly are for family members, close friends and colleagues.

For those who have received their bit of the memento, hope you do like it :)

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Bangkok - All About Shopping

For those who wish to have their retail therapy (i.e. shopping) sessions in Bangkok, besides Chatuchak and night markets, there are a few shopping malls for you to choose from.
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Although I don't really shop when I travel (as I prefer sightseeing), somehow I still manage to slot in some sessions in between to pay a visit to a few of the shopping malls in Bangkok ... more for some quick window shopping :p

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Centralworld

Currently the largest shopping mall in Southeast Asia, you can find the finest fashion stores, global brands, specialty stores and all kinds of luxury designer lifestyle goods here.

Equivalent standard to KLCC and Pavilion KL.

Getting there :

If you are travelling on Sukhumvit Line, alight at either the Chit Lom or Siam BTS Station.
If you are travelling on Silom Line, alight at Siam BTS Station.

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Neon lights in front of Centralworld

"Looking up" shot

BIG BIG crab spotted in the mall :p

Siam Paragon

Another trendy shopping mall, which showcases a good selection of shops, restaurants and designer fashion outlets. Expect to find quite a number of global brands here.

Equivalent standard to KLCC and Pavilion KL.

Getting there :
Nearest station is the Siam BTS Station.

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One of the global brands found here :)
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Fountain in front of the shopping mall

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Platinum Fashion Mall

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Caters especially to wholesale clothing, this mall has six floors which are filled with small outlets - most of them specialising in women's clothing and fashion accessories.

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Since this is a wholesale mall, you can get items at very reasonable prices - provided you buy larger quantities, usually three items and up. Some outlets allow mix and match.

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No fitting rooms are available for you to try the clothes though.

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Equivalent standard to Sungei Wang (although Sungei Wang not really of wholesale in nature, the crowd is that of Sungei Wang)

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Getting there :

It's actually located near Centralworld. Walk pass Centralworld, cross the canal, turn left and walk a few metres up. Platinum Fashion Mall is on your left.
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Bangkok - Chatuchak Market

Day 4 AM

A flea market with more than 10,000 stalls on a 35-acres land ... that's Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, the world's biggest weekend market. Once inside the market, you would be caught up in a world of bursting crowds and stalls stretching as far as the eye can see.

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Let's head to Chatuchak Market :p

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The "published" opening hours for the market are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Having said that, we still see some stalls setting up and arranging their goods by the time we reached there at around 9:30 am. Apparently, it's also open on Friday, however as a market for wholesalers.

Chatuchak Market usually gets very warm and hot by noon, so it is recommended to go early when it is a bit cooler. Was pretty lucky on the day we visited Chatuchak Market ... it wasn't a sunny day, yet it didn't rain, the weather (and thus temperature) is just perfect for one to spend a day there :)

The market offers an endless selection of antiques, intricate wood carvings and handicrafts, decorative ornaments, soft fluffy toys, bags, household wares, clothes and accessories ... just to name a few. You would definitely be spoilt with such various choices :p

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Hats ~ Varieties of them

Colourful (and cute) towels for one to choose from

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Intricate wood carvings and handicrafts

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You can get such handicrafts at reasonably good price ~ remember to bargain :p

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Souvenirs :)

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Fashionable accessories

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Another real fun part when you shop in Chatuchak Market, besides the various choices available, is the fact that you can bargain with each stall you are interested in. Although the prices here are generally lower than the street stalls and night market, you can still bargain here. I did some bargaining and managed to get those stuffs which I want at a reasonably low price :)

Don't worry, the quality is still up to expected standard, despite the low prices :)

If you need to fill up your stomach or to quench your thirst, Chatuchak Market has an endless selection of food and drinks ~ rice, noodles, Thai-style fast food, iced refreshments ...

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Thirst quencher :p
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The choir food stall ~ staffs singing while cooking and serving your food ... interesting !!!

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Was told that if you have set an eye on something which you like and managed to bargain at a good price, don't think twice but to get it. With so many stalls around, it would be quite difficult for you to return to the same shop to get what you want. Having said that, I actually managed to track and return to a stall to get something which I did not get earlier :p

If you are lost, not to worry, as maps of the market are available. A helpful and informative personnel (I suppose it's one, as I only saw one) is there to help out :)

To sum it up ... it's a shopper paradise not to be missed when you are in Bangkok.

Getting there :

Easiest is to take BTS or MRT.
If you take the BTS, alight at Mo Chit Station and follow the signboard to Chatuchak Market. The walk to the market takes about 5 minutes.

If you take the MRT, alight at Kampheng Phet Station, which is directly in front of Chatuchak Market.

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Next ~ Shopping in Bangkok :p

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Bangkok - Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum

Day 3 PM

Another must visit spot for me would be the Philatelic Museum or Centre, if there is one in the city or town I visit. Being a philatelic lover and collector, I would feel that the trip would be incomplete for not dropping by :)

Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum

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Yes ~ I was there !!!

Huge postal letter box at the staircase to the museum

The Philatelic Museum shows how the postal service developed in Thailand. A collection of Thai and foreign stamps are also available for viewing there. Miniature postal letter box of a number of countries are on display as well.

Have gotten myself a few first day covers as memento ...

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International Letter Writing Week 2000 Commemorative Stamps

7 October 2000

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Zodiac Postage Stamp (Year of the Ox)

2 January 2009

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120th Anniversary of the Postal School Commemorative Stamp

22 Feb 2009

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The Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum is located at :

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Between Soi 3 and 5

Pathon Yothin Road

Saphan Khwai

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Open on Tuesday to Sunday, 0900 to 1600

(Free admission)

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Next ~ Chatuchak Market ...
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Bangkok - Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market

Day 3 AM

Woke up early on Day 3 as the itinerary for the first half of the day is to visit Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market, which is located in the Ratchaburi Province, about 105 km away from Bangkok. Since this Floating Market closes about mid-day, coupled with the long distance, you just need to start your journey early.

As Bangkok was once called the "Venice of the East", it is worth to pay a visit to at least one of the floating markets while you are in Bangkok. You get to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying from small boats.

Being a free and easy trip, instead of joining a local tour, we took a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market. It took us about 2.5 hours to reach the so-called jetty near the Floating Market.

Take Bus No. 78 to Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market

Once we reached there, we were being approached by a boat tour operator asking us whether we want to hire a boat. The price offered by her is definitely a "cut-throat" tourist rate ~ 800 Baht per person for a 1-hour ride. She kept on pestering us to hire the boat and promoting to us what we would get to experience and see from the boat ride (blah blah blah~). Knowing that this is definitely not a fair and reasonable price to pay for, we did not agree to hire the boat but tried to bargain for a better rate. Yet, we still find it expensive even after some so-called price off given.

We then decided to walk to the Floating Market instead, when at this point of time, she was willing to reduce the rate to 500 Baht per boat. Imagine if there are 2 of us, it's only 250 Baht per person. If there are 3 of us, it's 167 Baht per person. Now, that's a huge difference from the initial rate offered !!! Also, remember to settle the fees before settling off :)

The boat ride covers a few canals ~ the boatman calls it the "Big Market" and the "Small Market" ...

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Routes covered by the boat ride

Long tail motor-operated boat which we hired :)

The sight of the Floating Market is something which you rarely get to see. Opened daily, it is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their boats selling and buying goods. Goods sold include food, fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, paintings and souvenirs, to name a handful.

Price wise, of course, don't expect very good bargain here as it is a tourist spot, and thus you should expect at least a tourist "rate" being charged.

Sightseeing and photo-taking are what I look forward to this visit here. Here are a handful of shots to share ...

Houses along the canals



Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market ~ I was there :p

Cooking on the boat

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What to eat and drink?

Fruits ... coconuts ... etc

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Paintings

Handicrafts


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Handicrafts and souvenirs

Handicrafts in a souvenir shop, the last destination of the boat ride

Bags :p

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Spicy ... or spices ... or spicy spices?
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Getting there by bus :
Take Bus No. 78 from the Southern Bus Terminal ~ air-conditioned bus, more comfortable :p
Each trip costs 64 Baht.

Note :
Bus driver drops you at the jetty (where the tour boat operator is) on the trip to the Floating Market. However, to catch the bus back to Bangkok, you would need to walk to the bus "terminal" instead.

From the jetty, walk to the main road (take the left turn at the juncture adjoining the main road). Go straight until you cross the flyover, of which head or "turn" right. The bus "terminal" is in front of the shops there.

You would pass by a police tourist information centre, so if you are lost or unsure on the direction, feel free to drop by and ask for direction :)

Another option ...

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For those who prefer to join a local tour to the Floating Market, the tour will probably include another stop to places such as the Rose Garden (where you can see Thai dancing, Thai boxing and a demonstration of a Thai wedding) and Samphan Elephant Farm.

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Next ~ Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum ...

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Bangkok - Hard Rock Café

Day 2 PM

Another place which I would make an effort to go whenever I visit a country is none other but the Hard Rock Café. Being an international chain, having at least an outlet in quite a number of countries, why not pay a visit here, either for a dinner or just to get a memento :)

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Hard Rock Café Bangkok ~ I was there :)

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Hard Rock Café Bangkok is located at :

424/3-6 Siam Square SOI 11
Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

Thailand

(Nearest BTS station is the Siam Station)

Next ~ Dumnoen Saduak Floating Market ...
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Bangkok - Wat Arun

Day 2 PM

It's almost 5 p.m. by the time I reached Wat Arun. Sunset is around 6 to 7 p.m. in Bangkok, thus am at the right time to catch the "golden" moment :p

Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmark in Bangkok. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, the easiest and common way to get to Wat Arun is via the ferry or boat.

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Wat Arun from the opposite bank of the river

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Wat Arun taken from a nearer distance

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The temple consists of a massive elongated prang (Khmer-style tower) and is surrounded by four smaller prangs, which are decorated by bits of porcelain.

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The main, also central prang

Bits of porcelain arranged into intricate patterns on the prangs

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It is possible to walk a limited way up the very steep stairs of the main prang, which gives you a reasonable view of the Chao Phraya River. Being an acrophobic, I only walked up not even mi-way, merely had a little view of the Chao Phraya River.

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The staircase of the main prang

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Figures of demons "carrying" the prang

Exquisite decoration on the chedi
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Looking up the main prang

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Buildings in the compound of Wat Arun.

Some of them are used as small museum and library.

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Wat Arun is said best seen from the opposite bank of the river. Well, this is pretty true, especially if you want to get a good shot of sunset. Unfortunately, did not thought of this when I was there ... and thus miss the good shot :p

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Sunset shot taken at Wat Arun "side"

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Getting there :

Due to its location, the best, easiest and most common way is to take the ferry / boat to get to Wat Arun. From the Tha Tien Pier, take a boat to cross the river to the other side of the river where Wat Arun is located. Per boat ride only costs 3 Baht.

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Entrance fee :

50 Baht

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Next ~ Hard Rock Café Bangkok :)

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Bangkok - Chinatown

Day 2 PM

For me, whenever I go to a country, Chinatown is a place not to be missed. Nearly there is one in each country, so it is a good experience to visit each to have a look at the similarity as well as compare on the differences.

After visiting the Grand Palace, took a ferry and disembarked at Rachavongse Pier to get to Chinatown.

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Rachavongse (Ratchawong) Pier



Map of Chinatown area
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Chinatown district is one of the oldest areas of Bangkok. The Chinese merchants were originally moved to this area when Bangkok was founded on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. This area has a somewhat seedy historical reputation for large numbers of opium dens, brothels (namely the Green Light district), pawnshops and a fondness for gambling.

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Unmistakeably it's Chinatown, with all the Chinese signage around :)



Quite a busy place

Today, gold shops and pawnshops are still very popular in Chinatown. The busy Yaowarat Road, Chinatown's main street, has great concentrations of gold shops anywhere. Was told that you can get quite good prices on gold here, however, not having the intention to shop, did not step into any of the gold shops.

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Stalls selling fruits and foodstuffs in Chinatown


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Food stall

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It's not only all about gold in Chinatown. For gastronomic lovers, there are plenty of restaurants here, where you can get bird nest soup, dim sum, shark fin soup and other traditional Chinese delicacies at good reasonable price. As for me, wanted to have something light, I went for the bird nest soup only :)

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Bird nest soup :p~



Condiments to come with the bird nest

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There are actually some other attractions at Chinatown area, such as Wat Traimit, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which is located at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road, near Hualampong Railway Station. Didn't have much time left, thus have opted this out.

Getting there :

Easiest way of getting there is via ferry. Alight at the Rachavongse (Ratchawong) Pier and walk up Ratchawong Road to Sampaeng Lane or Yaowarat Road, which is just a few hundred metres away.

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Next ~ Wat Arun ...

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