evilcaramel

My stay here in Thailand is almost coming to an end. And some of my other friends here are also counting down until they have to move to Singapore or to wherever their next assignment might be. So little time and still so many places to visit here in Thailand. My friend and I decided to make a list of things we must do and places that we must visit until it is time for us to move on.

Here’s a rundown of the things that we have to do and places we still have to visit:

1. Krabi/Koh Phi Phi – I’ve heard a lot about this beach in Thailand and seen a lot of pictures. Plus Koh Phi Phi was where the movie ‘The Beach’ was filmed. This is one place I really need to visit before I leave.

2. Chiang Mai – This is in the northern part of Thailand. It’s their version of Baguio. People say that this place is a must visit with its cool weather, quaint restaurants and lush greenery.

Lush greenery in Chiang Mai

Night market in Chiang Mai

3. Bed Supperclub – one of the ‘High So’ clubs/restaurants here in Bangkok. Although am not much of a clubbing person, this is still part of our list of must visit.

4. Sirocco – This is a restaurant located on the 65th (or was it 64th) floor of one of the highest buildings in Bangkok. Although prices are a bit steep, you pay for the ambience. So maybe we can do this for after dinner drinks or some dessert.

5. Lumpini Park – This park is actually just at the end of my street and for some reason I haven’t gotten around to visiting it. There’s a lake in the park with lots of joggers and people walking around, doing Tai Chi or having picnics in its grounds. I’ve heard there are even some giant lizards roaming about and sometimes when I pass by on the way to work, I see some squirrels running up the trees. Planning to jog there or do breakfast sometime soon.

6. Learn the language – Living here in Bangkok has made me appreciate the Thai language. We are actually entitled to Thai lessons while living here, just haven’t gotten around to calling up the language school 😛 Promise to do it next week…

So far, this was the immediate list we thought of. Am sure we will still be adding on to this list as the days go by. And although I can’t wait to go back home, am sure I will definitely miss living in this country and I will definitely go back to visit or who knows, maybe work here again… 😛

Just had some friends come visit Bangkok and although it has been a tiring past 2 weeks, I must say having them around has definitely been a blast. Was able to do some stuff in Thailand for the first time since I moved here almost 7 months ago (has it been 7 months now??).

Some of the stuff I got to do for the first time:

1. Hang out in Oriental hotel – Got to check out the Oriental Hotel by the Chao Phya River with Corrie and Cesar. This place is supposedly one of the best hotels in the world. In fact, it was even listed in the book 1,000 places to see before you die. So glad I was able to visit it and take some pictures in the famed Author’s Lounge.

2. Relaxing in the massage chairs in Central Mall after a long day of shopping – After a long day of walking and shopping with my friends, we decided to try out the massage chairs displayed in the mall. Ended up staying there for about 30 minutes! Will definitely do this again 😛

3. River Cruise by the Chao Phya & antique shopping in River City Mall – Decided to try out the River cruise along Chao Phya. It was really relaxing and got to see a different side of Bangkok. It’s so amazing how that part of town is actually part of the bustling city. It all looked so peaceful and provincial with all the houses along the river having small docks and mini rowboats docked along their sides. After the river cruise, my friends decided to do some antique shopping in the River City mall. I’m sure you guys wouldn’t be surprised that I didn’t enjoy this part much. Ended up striking a conversation with a 3 year old kid while we waited for our ‘mommies’ to finish their antique shopping.

House along the river

4. Eat in Erawan Tea House – Got to try some real good Thai food in a restaurant that’s real near my place. Yum!

5. Hang out in Vertigo – Read about this bar located in the 60th floor of Banyan Tree Hotel. It’s on the rooftop of the hotel with a great view of Bangkok. Despite the steep prices, the view and the ambiance made it all worth it.

6. Kanchanaburi – Another chance to go out of Bangkok. My friends and I hired one of the Unilever drivers to take us to Kanchanburi province about 2 hours from Bangkok. Highlights of the trip were the feeding the elephants, taking a ride on them and of course the pictures with the tigers and their cubs. Actually got to pet them (of course the grown up tigers were asleep) and squeeze the paw of a tiger cub!

7. Eat in Blue Elephant – after our Kanchanaburi trip and a good hot bath, we all decided to eat in Blue Elephant, a popular Thai restaurant and cooking school. It was a very quaint place with a bar on top and served very good authentic Thai dishes. Definitely planning to go back.

Outside Blue Elephant

8. Doing the BTS end to end – Planned to do some Chatuchak shopping the next day followed by a trip to the Jim Thompson outlet store. This meant having to go end to end of the BTS Sukhumvit line. We decided to buy a day pass for this and it was actually my first time to go to the On Nut station.

Some paintings in Chatuchak that my friend and I wanted to buy. Will definitely go back to buy.

All in all, despite having a very packed itinerary and very little rest in between, it was a great week! Had so much fun exploring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi and discovering new places and sights. And of course, best part was having my friends come over and spending time with them and catching up. Missing them all…

Friends for life…

Thailand is a beautiful country to be in. So many interesting sights and places to visit. I decided to post some random pictures of my sightings here in Thailand that I was able to take with my phone camera. Check them out…

Elephant Building beside my offic

Can you see why it’s called the Elephant building?

Pixie

One of the cutest dogs I’ve seen here so far (and trust me there are a lot over here!). My friend and I just had to chase her down the street. Can you see the pink shoes??

Lunch

My lunch last week from the cafeteria. It was made of big fat noodles cooked with pork and morning glory (kang kong). My friend said it’s a Chinese dish called Ho Fang (???) or something like that. Wasn’t really too sure since it was written in Thai alphabet. The best part…it was only 35 baht!

A scene from atop the BTS station during the King’s birthday last December 5. People stood outside Central Mall with lighted candles in honor of their King. Such a touching and beautiful sight. I just had to take a picture.

Samed

A picture of one of Thailand’s numerous beaches. Loved it!! It’s called Koh Samed/t and it reminds me of one of the best beaches back home…Boracay…but less developed and more private. And it’s so easy to go to. Just a bus ride and a quick boat ride from Bangkok.

One of the golden retrievers who was part of the retriever club outing in Koh Samed. So cute and fat! I forget his Thai name but his owner said it meant Smelly Dog. Check out the large birthmark on his tongue

I wish I had better and clearer pictures that I could post. But most often am too lazy to bring my camera along. And sometimes, a phone camera will do for those sights that you don’t expect to see everyday.