Taking a Leap

I am.. . I accepted an opportunity so rare. A friend of mine is going for a business trip to Hong Kong and offered me to bunk in with her if I'd like to. I grabbed the opportunity and booked my flight almost immediately, and without hesitation even though the tickets were blardy expensive. *oops*

I was just excited to know I'd get the chance to be alone and shut off; in another city. Though she would only arrive on the evening of 2 Jan, I went ahead happily and booked the earliest flight in leaving Singapore 6.40am. I wanted to maximise my time there. It didnt even bother me she has to report to work both from 9am - 6pm through from 3-4 Jan; I was just glad I have the opportunity to be away, at peace.

My excitement heightened when she reminded me it's really cold in Hong Kong right now. I have never been anywhere cold and you could imagine my curiousity. I could picture myself, snuggled under a few layers of compact jackets and sweaters... walking around with my camie, my journal and my mp3.. perhaps with my frozen hands and feet... sipping coffee or tea with scones and muffins, stealing wi-fi... buying notebooks and pens..... taking deep breaths... not having to make any conversations... no rush, no anticipations, no expectations, no disappointments.

2 more days....

And from the bottom of my heart; I'd just want to say....
nobody is irritating me or pushing me away right now. For some curious ones - NO there are no problems between the hubby and me and this is definitely not the reason of my many dodgings. I am just at a point I feel I need to untangle myself and find my strength so that I could carry on steering forward anew and afresh. I am running from city to city... to breathe, to recharge and to make peace with myself.

21 Dec - Happy Anniversary

We had to get up by Thai 5am to get ready and be out of the apartment by 6am.

H woke early too to help us hail a taxi and we took off to the airport. We had our hearty breakfast and boarded the plane by 8am.

[pictures soon]

I was feeling at peace on the way to the airport but the fear of going back sets in only when I was on flight.

Today is also our 2nd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Hubby!

20 Dec - Slow Day...

We took this day really slowly. I was up by 9am just waiting. The husband only woke at 10-ish.. *hhmmph*

We decided not to have MacDonald's anymore and thanks to my lovely hubby, he was observant enough to remember there is a Au Bon Pain few blocks away too. Thank goodness we stayed in the business district - lots of cafes and restaurants.

Good Caesar Salad!

My Bacon and Egg Croissant

This little cafe's food were actually delicious. I had their coffee and other snacks before but breakfast; this was my first. Impressed.

It was swimming and suntanning after breakfast. The chill was slowly disappearing.

Look at my legs... I am no longer fair! *yahoo*

We travelled out to Siam area close to Thai 2pm because we knew, we could only have our favourite Som Tam after peak lunch hours! YES yes yes! It's SOM TAM.

I've brought so many here before and all left and came back again and again. There were also some lovely bloggers who read mine and recommended this place in their own blog. *happy*

Must Try!
Good Food, Value-for-Money, Worth the Wait!

The Ultimate Chicken Wings in a Basket! One basket is never enough!

We hung around in Siam Square, Bonanza Mall, MBK, Siam Discovery Centre, Siam Centre today.

Oh and this wasn't really a shopping trip... though all of us managed to get things as we were walking around.

We were to meet H at Chong Nonsi station as he had to work today.
Thai 8pm, starved! H came and we took 2 separate taxis to some little lanes within Sala Daeng and had steamy steamboat! *yeay*

MK is a popular steamboat chain in Thailand and this restaurant we went was really high-end. It's ran by MK exclusively for business meetings or dinners - MK Gold.


What were the difference between MK and MK gold? Well, they paid more attention to the customers, the food presentation and the ambience. But of course, the price toO! :)

We took a taxi back at Thai 10.30pm.

19 Dec - Sunshine

I was awake since Sin 7.30am / Thai 6.30am but refrained from waking the man till Sin 9.30am. He was unhappy that I woke him too early. Angry. I always hate it when one does not have enough sleep, by choice, and they'd bite you for it.

I mean.. why? Manage your own emotions. If everyone gets grumpy over such things and exercise hurtful tones in a conversation.. the whole world will fall in chaos. Understand? And you'd not get to me anyway.. I will just get out of the way. *Ohmmmm* PEACE.

Well.. 'keep calm and carry on'. *smiles*

This is how cold Bangkok is to me every morning. I'd have a thick sweater on to keep myself snuggled.

We went out to get breakfast for the rest. There is a MacDonald's few blocks away. As our orders were pretty big, we had to wait and while waiting.. I had a cookie! *simple joy*

Chocolate Chip Almond Cookie.. this was a soft cookie so I liked it.

After breakfast in the apartment, it was time for some Sunshine!

Though alittle chilly, at least to me, I was able to get colors on my skin!!!!!!!!!! Goodbye to pale and frail me! *super satisfied*

My own little spot... managed to pull my own chair to a spot I wanted.. :)
I regret not having my track shoes with me if not i could hit the gym! Extreme guilt.

My book, my mp3, my journal and my pen! I am powerful in pink and bling! *bleh*

They boys had their swim and I had my dose of Vitamin D.

After the much needed sunshine... we did the usual - quickie washed up and head out to Chatuchak Weekend Market in a taxi.

We had our lunch there (www.tohplue.com) right smack in the midst of the market. This is the second time we visit this little cafe.

I love the ceiling.. lovingly put together with pages of comics of all kinds... isn't it creative and nostalgic?

The cosy and rustic interior.

After the consumption of so much rich food... I was happy with my soupy order!

We walked around a little...

Our next stop - MBK.

Tea Time at Dunkin Donuts, MBK.

Sugar high...

balloons.. happy things.

Coffee - my simple joy.

Dinner at Sukishi in MBK

The retail scene in Bangkok ended at thai 9pm sharp thus we took the train from Siam back to Chong Nonsi; where our apartment was. I was out in the balcony again, for awhile, but was back in bed doing alittle reading after that... the rest; believe me, they played Wii until 1.30am. *OMG*

End of Day 2

18 Dec - Continued

We freshened up and headed out for lunch one station away at Sala Daeng.

5 pairs of feet.... threading Bangkok.

4 faces you see here + me behind the camie.

In Bangkok, it's always fun to see stretches of street hawkers and make-shift stalls selling things and they are everywhere... you'd never get bored there.

The Chinese restaurant we went that was so retro to me.

The Dim Sum were good and very authentic. Though the restaurant was not crowded at all, those who were there looked well-to-do and with age.

After the hearty and sinful-to-me meal, we took the train again down to Siam station. There. we spent some time in Siam Paragon where I managed to find notebooks and pens... my favourite things! *all smiles* And it was a nice slow walk to Central World after that.

It was difficult to be back at Central World and saw that a huge half of the building we used to visit and chilled out were gone. Rather emotional. It sets you thinking the chaos and fear the people must have felt during that time.

We stopped for coffee at Karma Kamet. They sell aroma essence, scented joss sticks and tea in their little shop that is romantically and insufficiently lit. Dark but pretty relaxing.

My Iced Americano.

After Central World, we walked to Platinum too. This time round at Platinum, I actually felt it;s a nicer place than I'd previously visited. They cleaned up the design and stores but a pity, they are no longer selling men's apparel. Why huh?

Everyone was tired by evening as we were all up by 4am in the morning. H suggested to treat them to massages. GREAT! I wanted time on my own for a while too. It was good timing. They went ahead to Healthland somewhere and I had 3 hours to myself.

I stole this time to myself and walked; just walked. With my music to my ears, I was able to walk through the noise and bustling streets yet feeling completely shut off. It was peaceful, though crowded. I didn't feel a thing.

I stopped over at Starbucks at Siam Centre for a drink and Wi-fi! I got to know that in Bangkok, there ain't no free Wi-fi not like in Malaysia.. so I had to purchase a 1-hour Wi-Fi access from Starbucks at 150THB (SGD6) for an hour but the connection and all were fast.

I was satisfied with my little time and when the clock strike 9pm Thai time, I hopped on the train from Siam to Sala Daeng to meet the rest - Dinner Time!!!

We went to Mango Tree.. a Thai Restaurant in a Villa.

They had indoor and Patio seating.

in case you are interested...

The delicious Prawn Cake.
Papaya Salad

The Ultimate Pork Neck
The Super Tender Lamb

The best Mango Sticky Rice...

After dinner, we walked towards the infamous Papong Night Market.. Papong - famous for its pole-dancing clubs and all.. take a walk through and open your eyes wide.. I shall not say much. :)

We made out way back to the apartment and by the time all finished washing up, it was Sin 1.30am / Thai 12.30am. I sat at my favourite balcony and scribbled my thoughts for the day, thus this post was possible.

It was chilly but perhaps 吹吹冷风能让人更清醒？

End of Day 1