22 APril - On Our Own

I was still hungover from last night's painkillers 'overdose', I woke up tired & lethargic. Jason shook me gently awake a few times reminding me it was time for breakfast. When I forced my peepers open, it was already 9.30am. *Gosh!*

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really hate having menses on a trip! *darn!* But from this I also learnt that Jason is still very caring towards me... *blush* He kept asking me if I was feeling alright, buying me hot drinks as & when I needed & kept on looking for public toilet when I needed one. I didn't hear any complaints not felt he was impatient at any point, other than when his parents were around. *oops*

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wasn't having much expectations on the breakfast spread as I knew this was, no matter what, a budget hotel.. but I was happy with what I saw! Jason was not... I still get to have what I wanted! Except the coffee was not machine-fresh. The cafe was of no luxury nor elegance, instead, it was clean-cut & simple - just like a staff canteen. Like me, I crave for eggs & toast for hotel breakfast, Jason also has his must-have! He must have OMELETTE! *haha!*

We went up to pack & checked out at 12pm. We decided to leave our baggage with the hotel concierge & come back to claim them before we head to the airport.

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We took a cab to MBK. We had to get the local products. & We stopped by Dunkin Donuts! To eat or not to eat? *greedy!*

We had donuts, coffee & tea & headed out to scout for the things Jason needed to get as well. Somehow I felt that we had been in Bangkok for too many days already & I was getting a little bored. Perhaps a 4 Days 3 Nights Bangkok Trip would be ideal & not 5 Days 5 Nights!

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After MBK, was took a walk to Siam Paragon. I told Jason I really couldn't walk & need to sit & asked him to walk around on his own while I sat at Burger King at the basement. I was tired & alittle drowsy. Jason walked around alittle & came back for me. I told him I need to nap & sat at my chair & actually slept away for 20mins. It was the first time I had to snooze anywhere but my own bed... He didn't complain nor got agitated.

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We waited until 3pm! Finally!

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Our ultimate agenda was to attempt to dine at Som Tam & came up with the idea to avoid peak hours. When we walked over, Jason was delighted. There was no queue.. finally!

.We ordered the Fried Noodles. It looked & tasted like friend instant noodles, but the spices & ingredients that was added in made the dish really appetising & delicious. They topped the noodles off with pork floss.. VIOLA, there you have it! Jason ordered this to replace rice.

At Som Tam, how could anyone not ordered their famous chicken wings?

We ordered a basket - I thought the quantity had shrunk from the previous trip but till, it was so yummy & crispy! Of course, we also ordered the fried fish with Papaya Salad.
We were so happy we finally got to eat here that...... ....... ....... ....... we ordered a 2nd basket of chicken wings! *guilty!* See the HAPPY JASON finally tasting his SOM TAM - probably his happiest & most satisfying moment in Bangkok! He really waited & anticipated for this the whole trip.

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Fulfilled & satisfied, we took a cab back to the Baiyoke Boutique to claim our baggage, headed on to the Airport & finally.... "GOODBYE BANGKOK! When will I see you again?"

21 April - Goodbye Family

Monday, the family will be departing today while Jason & I would move to another budget boutique hotel for another day. Though I thought I would very much enjoy the last day to chill out & relax, I was just so horribly wrong. What gone wrong? MENSES Lor! *oops.. sorry!*
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We woke to have our breakfast especially early as H & Jason were going to Healthland again for their final massage.. & they had to set off early as H has got to catch the flight with the family at 3pm - which means all of us gotta clear & check out of the apartment at 1pm.
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Again.. I am happy this morning & every other mornings when I smell the aroma of the coffee & the sizzling pan of my fresh & runny sunny-side-up!

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Jason & H set off to massage at 9am. The rest of us went back up to the apartment for our final packing. I asked Jason's mum if she'd like me to bring her out to get some lingerie, she said she'd rather stay in. So, I got to watch 1 episode of CSI NY on TV while waiting.
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The 2 hunks came back refreshed & happy about 12pm. We all set off in different cabs at 1pm.
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Now that Jason & I were on our own, he shall be my leader again! *giggles* But it was really untimely, i have to suffer from menstruation cramps & runny bowels! I HATE MENSES! Let me be a MAN! I could have enjoy a kinky holiday! *haha!* Just kidding BUT I meant every word...
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We booked a room for the night at a budget hotel named Baiyoke Boutique costing only S$70 per night. It was ideally situated beside the famous Baiyoke Sky Hotel.

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When we arrive, I was also delightfully charmed by the cheerful colors & modern decor.

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These are snapshots of the lobby - small & clean whites with splashes of colors on soft furnishings & loud paintings!




A really clean & modern hotel.
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As the check-in time was supposed to be 2pm & we arrived a little too early, we had to chill out at the lobby cafe.. with food & drinks of course!

The cafe was also tiny with a huge pool table though... perhaps for guests' entertainment.

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We ordered some finger food & to satisfy my craving for chocolate, I ordered HOt Chocolate.

When our room was eventually ready, we went up. When we entered the room, I was alittle agitated they gave us 2 single beds. Why would I want to sleep in a different bed with my 'husband'? *blush* Ok Ok I was cranky because tummy was not feeling good too!
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Jason then called the front desk for a change of room. I also took this opportunity to snap pictures of the twin-sharing room! *how clever!*
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When we eventually got another room, it was on the highest floor.



I thought the decor was cheery & reasonably comfortable. Well, at least they had a bath-tub which Jason loved. However, Jason complained the bed was not comfortable. It was fine with me, as long as Jason was sleeping beside.

When I entered the room, I had the feeling of entering someone else's master bedroom in a 3-room HDB flat that's all. Nothing spectacular but the feel of a boutique hotel. WELL, it was cheap!

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We decided to walk down the stairs instead of taking the lift as we noticed they have different wall murals on every level, not wall paper but painted graphics on the walls! & also on the lift-landing level. The lift landing level was in between 2 levels just like what we could find in old HDB flats!

This was the big flowers one -

This was the small grey roses one -

Then the painted bricks -

Interesting isn't it?

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Then the lift-landings -

The lighting wasn't too good so I couldn't snap more BUT we were amusing ourselves with the different colors we saw on the different levels. Noticed most of the pics only had Jason in them, because Jason didn't offer to take pics for me!

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We swopped slippers before we went out! *cheeky!*

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After enough fooling around, we ventured out. We walked out to Central World passing through the Platinum. The weather was hot & sun was merciless! Eeekk!

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We rest awhile before heading on foot again to Siam Square. Both of us were not really buying much things anymore, we were more keen on chilling out & the food. Jason very much wanted to go to Som Tam Restaurant again but there was a long queue, AGAIN! Disappointed, I brought him to the other restaurant I found on my last trip. Both of us were sweating like a broken water-pipe & we dashed into Inter at Siam Square.

We ordered the Papaya Salad, my fried Macaroni with Chicken & Basil & his Phad Thai. Then we decided to add another chicken wings to see if it would be just as nice as those in Som Tam.. sigh.. disappointing! The meal was cheap however, didn't cost us more than 300baht.

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We ate & cool ourselves down in the air-con restaurant then went over to MBK. My tummy was so painful I had to sit down... Jason had been understanding, he didn't complain at all that I kept asking to sit down & also running to the toilets! *thank you!*

We had a nice hot cuppa latte on a quiet cafe called Star Cafe on the high floor of MBK. My dear Jason didn't order anything & he just waited for me patiently to finish my drink.. made me so guilty as if I spoiled his holiday..

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We walked around after that & headed to take the skytrain to Phrom Phong after that as we needed to pick up the suit for his bad along Sukhumvit. When we arrived at The Emporium, we decided to catch a movie as it was only 100baht per ticket on weekday evenings! We quickly got the tickets before heading to the tailor & dinner.

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We had dinner at the Food Loft on the 7th Floor of The Emporium after that before the movie. I needed a hot soup so I opted for Korean Ramen.. Jason had his all-time favourite Japanese COld Noodles & he ordered Xiao Long Bao too! GREEDY MAN! It was a big foodie place but not crowded, perhaps it was a Monday!
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We watched Street Kings starring Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker etc. Not too bad but I guess we were both tired we didn't enjoy the movie much. It had been a long day & I had too many painkillers I actually felt as if I floated through the day!

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By the time the movie ended, it was close to midnight. We dashed out to take a cab back to the hotel.. Strange cab fares remained the same, they didn't have extra charges for Midnight? My tummy hurt so bad I didn't know what happened next excepted i hurled myself into bed & heard Jason walking here & there, packing stuff until late & kissed me goodnight before he snoozed off trying to watch a movie on his mobile phone.

I love you TOO Honey...

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20 April - Exciting!

Today is Sunday.. the breakfast cafe was unusually peaceful. Perhaps most of those travelling on business have flown back to their countries, we almost owned the cafe. Today, they finally had baked beans! YEAH! Give me more?! *contentment*

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Today we'll visit the Wat Phrakeo - the holiest temple in Thailand. It is also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The special thing about this temple was also that no monks are housed within the complex.. quite unusual in Thailand. The structures of the temple was breathtaking. Everything was gold & shimmery. Spectacular! I was very intrigued in knowing if everything was made of gold which explained the shimmers. I took very close looks & touched whatever I could get my hands on.. I understood one fact - besides using gold or shimmery surfaced stones or tiles, they also used mirrored tiles in tiny pieces. This clever use of mirror actually helped reflect the sunlight & made the whole compound shone like we're in another paradise.

I loved this 2 pictures that I took. The colors of the structures were of such vibrancy that I could even remember clearly until today.

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The weather was, however, grilling everybody. All walked in & out covered in perspiration.. quite disgusting even myself.
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One must observe respect & conservative religion when entering the temple, they provide wraps or clothes free of charge for anyone inappropriately dressed. Luckily all of us were told beforehand by H & we all turned up in long pants & sleeved-tops.. ironic for such HOT weather! I have got my 'Ultra Man' with me... NO! Not referring to Jason.. I am referring to this! My ULTRA MAN fan! bought from Chatuchak for 20baht! *giggles*

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Here's Jason after he complained he didn't like sightseeing! One thing about Jason, he'd never offer to take pictures for me or anyone.. *hng!* I actually had to ask! *wink* It was H whom took pictures for his parents & family.

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H also told the story of the Emerald Buddha. I was so amazed that the Emerald Buddha had 3 outfits to change each time the seasons changed - He had an outfit for hot weather, one for cold weather & one for.. I couldn't remember.. & these pieces were actually exhibited! COOL! H also shared some history when we visited the exhibition center within the temple compound displaying many historical pieces of gold or headpieces the royals wore for occasions. I was not bored BUT in fact very excited. Then those history of Thailand I learnt from secondary school flew back in bits & pieces! *hahaha!*

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After about 2 hours of the 'tour' we hailed cabs & headed to Siam Square. We had wanted to bring the family to Som Tam Restaurant but sadly, there was a long queue. So, we led them to MK instead.. the 2nd place first-timers in Bangkok must go! We went to the MK Trend at Siam Square. We had STEAMBOAT! Yeah! I am a happy girl! Though I must say we kept eating on full stomachs, we'd still finished whatever we ordered!
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It was shopping again after the wonderfully soupy meal!

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Again, K & Jason's mum gone mad shopping, we went to the Bonanza Mall & MBK. BROTHERHOOD OF MEN - the 2 elder ones helping the youngest find a pair of jeans & cutting right for his age!
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At MBK after they were done with their shopping, we finally went to Dunkin Donuts for coffee & doughnuts! Heaven! It was rather affordable. For a value set with 1 selection of doughnut + one coffee, it was only 49Baht which equalled to S$2.. but poor me I am on diet! *boo hoo!* I took bites though.. Happy Cup that made my day... again!
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After this, we took the skytrain at the National Stadium Station back to Chitlom Station.
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We got back to the apartment at 5pm & took our short rests. H brought dad out for the Final Suit-Fitting.

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For dinner, H had his own engagement, so, we were told to bring the family to the Food Loft at Central Chitlom for dinner at 8pm. When We arrived there, I felt that it was like Marche in Singapore but of a more luxurious & expensive setup.. definitely at a lower price. So much yummy temptations; I'd stuck to my diet plan! I ordered noodles soup! It was only at SIngapore Foodcourt price.. I paid only 180baht for it.

Jason & the rest of his family ordered many many things! *evil* I also reminded Jason to help take pictures for his parents since H was not around.

& here is the HAPPY MAN who ordered soooooo much food! He got his favourite Jap-Curry Rice, Indian Chicken Tikka & Fried Calamari! K also gone crazy ordering Pizza, Fish & Chips & ice cream!

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As you could see from the pics, the ambience of the place was really quite nice & cosy, dark & modern... gorgeous.
Really felt like we were in a loft!
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During dinner, I had the most intimate conversation with his parents. They told of how they met & where they used to live & how life were, how the children were when they were young etc.. so funny! Mum got very excited telling me how they met. I enjoyed the dinner so much.
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We took a slow walk back to the apartment after that long dinner. It was already 10pm.

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My legs ached like crazy when I finally sat down on my cosy fluffy bed.