Bangkok Trip : Day 4

Our last day in Bangkok. We woke up around 7am to prepare our things for our way back to Manila. As usual, we had our breakfast buffet at the Sky Lounge, 43rd floor of the hotel. After breakfast, I stepped out to the tiangge shops near the hotel for last minute shopping. Here I already bought our pasalubongs like the ref magnets and of course, the sweet and sour tamarind for our families and colleagues. Since the tiangge stores were open as early as 7am, I was able to buy some blouses for myself at THB100 each. Real good deal. Unfortunately my shopping experience in BKK tiangges not that good. Most of the items on sale were free size (or one size only), No sizes available for my built! I really hate it! No fitting allowed also in most stalls. LOL. Anyway, was still able to get some nice blouses for myself, hoping these items will fit me. Hehehe!

At 1140am, the service car arrived for our airport pick up. Travel time from the hotel to airport, 45 minutes thus by 1230pm, we were already queuing up for luggage check in. Upon check in, we were told that our flight was delayed for two hours. New flight time at 550pm. We were given meal vouchers (THB240 each) to compensate for the delayed flight. I hate it. But of course we can't do anything but wait. With more than 4 hours waiting time we just ate, roamed, shopped and checked our mails online.

while waiting inside the Surambhuvit International airport

Inside the Gucci store. Another impulse buying (blame it on the delayed flight! LOL). Getting a new bag is not part of the plan but can't resist the good deal. New arrival of Gucci Jolie Summer 2009 bag at THB2000 off plus THB2000 cash voucher that can be used any store inside the airport.

So what did the husband bought for the THB2000 cash voucher I got from Gucci? Hard drinks! He happily bought three Johhnie Walker Black Label (with free travel luggage) plus Chivas Regal.

After three hours of flight travel, we arrived in NAIA around 8pm (Manila time). One hour later from the time of Bangkok. Immigration went well with no long lines. Everything went well despite the small glitch with one of the customs officer. I was questioned due to the Gucci paper bag I was holding. Our conversation went like this:

Officer: Ma'am, Louis Vuitton ba yan?

Me: Hindi. Gucci. (ovious ba, written sa paper bag nga!)

Officer: Ah.. may tax kasi pag Louis Vuitton.

Me: Ah talaga...Gucci ito eh.

Officer: Magkano bili nyo sa bag?

Me: Discounted eh sa duty free mall ng Bangkok.

Officer: Ah ... pag LV kasi may tax. Thank you.

Then I saw a lady next to me holding a Chanel paper bag which obviously bought also inside the Bangkok airport too. She was not questioned or stopped. Makes me think our custom's policy keen on getting tax for Louis Vuitton items but not on Gucci, Prada or Chanel bags. Hahaha! These bags are sometimes more expensive than LV. Hahaha!

Anyway that concludes our 4D/3N Bangkok experience. Thank you for reading my long post and hope you were able to pick some travel tips or ideas with my Thailand experience. 'Til my next travel post.

Bangkok Trip : Day 3

Saturday, It's our 5th wedding anniversary. We woke up as early as 530am since we need to prepare for our out-of-town trip. Our hotel pick up was 630am and we need to be ready by then. Our itinerary for the day includes Floating Market, Elephanant Ride, Samphram Elephant Show, Snake Farm and Rose Garden. Ticket for the guide, transportation, entrance and buffet lunch at THB 1500 per pax. Travel time approximately 2 hours going to these places.

First stop: Elephant Jungle Ride at Saphram Park: Decided not to take the ride since we opt to try the floating market instead. It's a one hour ride inside the jungle at THB600 per pax.

Second Stop : Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak -- another food trip for the husband and I. The boat ride costs THB150 per person for 1 hour. The experience was ok and the husband was able to taste more foodie here. No, we didn't dwell much on the souvenirs, it was kinda pricey comapred to the street market. But we enjoyed buying some of the treats here like mango with sticky rice (THB10), grilled chicken wings (THB10 per pc) and Thai Spring Rolls (THB20) while cruising the river.

Next stop: Cobra Show at Snake Farm -- after our floating market trip, we were asked to ride a speed boat going to the Cobra Show. Entrance to the show THB200 per person. Again, the husband the show so much. Real live venemous cobra in action. Jumping for his prey. This show, too scary for me!



Next Stop: Elephant and Crocodile Show at Samphram Park. We enjoyed the elephant show so much. Funny seeing these big animals play football and do wonder tricks. I didn't enjoy much the crocodile show. It was long and boring, and I think the crocs not in the mood for the show.LOL.

Last Stop: Rose Garden for Thai Cultural Show. I was tired of taking pictures here. It was a short presentation showcasing thai's culture, their dance, sport (muay thai) and way of life. This is more for tourist presentation. It was a nice show but I guess was too tired to appreciate it.

After the tiring day trip, we went back to Bangkok city around 430pm. It was early yet to have dinner thus we asked our guide to drop us at Chatuchak Market. Travel to BKK will not be complete without a trip here. It was our last day in Bangkok and we wanted to end our day shopping for pasalubongs.

the husband buying tie silk at THB20, munching the crispy, deep-fried street food chicken and pork

Since it was our last night, we decided to hav dinner at the 93rd top floor of Baiyoke Sky Hotel. The tallest building in Bangkok. Picturees below from the revolving tower. 360 full view of Bangkok by night. Really amazing!

Bangkok Trip : Day 2

We woke up with a bright sun, shiny day in Bangkok. We had breakfast buffet at the 43rd floor of the hotel with the breathtaking view of the enitre city. The buffet food selection was good. Inter-continental breakfast with a few thai dishes. I enjoyed the toasted bread the most, really good bread. Love it with strawberry jam and butter mix, while the husband indulged in bacon and eggs. We love the hotel's buffet breakfast so much. So much that we never missed it during our entire stay in Bangkok. LOL.

Our temple and city tour was scheduled at 930am hotel pick up. The tour guide arrived on time. Luckily, we were the only guest for the temple tour for that day. We had the entire van to ourselves. We were brought to Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) as part of the tour. Sadly we didn't get to go inside Wat Traimit (golden buddha) temple. We were told it was under renovation for months now. But we get to visit the pagodas and the Reclining Buddha. It was sooo huge and long. I wonder how they clean this buddha? LOL. Just look at the pictures below.

outside the reclining buddha temple: with more temples, pagodas, oldest buddhist university and more pagodas around.LOL.


with the Saturday Buddha --- yes they have buddha for different days of the week.

After the temple tour, our guide brought us at the famous Jim Thompson Thai House. He was a well-known promoter and patriot of thai silk who introduced the material to the US Market. He became successful exporter of thai silk who got lost in the woods in the 70's and never came back. His house became a famous tourist spot that showcase the authentic thai architecture house.



After the Jim Thompson Tour, we went to Siam Paragon for late lunch. Was able to finally check shops at the Siam Malls (Paragon, Discovery and Center) and went home with few shoes from VNC which coincidentally on sale that time. Got red and purple wedge here at a steal price. I love it! While the husband busy browsing for discounted tuxedo or formal suits at the mall.
Dinner spent at Chao Phraya River Cruise with Dinner Buffet package at THB 1300 per pax. Supposedly the dinner cruise set for Saturday, our anniversary date but decided to get it a day earlier instead. Aside from the buffet dinner, live band music also available as entertainment.

another yummy buffet..mix of thai, a little japanese, indian and american food. Not all spicy food. Hubby and I again indulged in maki and shrimps! Obvious ba we love buffet food so much?!hehehe!

can't decide eh? sulit buffet sa amin noh?!LOL. Over-all the food was just so-so ... not my usual type of food because of curries and spices mix. I find it too bland for my taste. Good thing maki and shrimps were served. We just feasted on this. Hehehe!

on river cruise with view of Bangkok by night ...

After our river cruise date, we went straight to Patpong. We were brought to this underground bar which has no name at all but very famous with the girly shows. The place was full with tourists like us. And with THB600 per pax entrance fee (inclusive of one beer), you get to watch girls performing amazing and mind-blowing shows! I want to elaborate more about this but simply I can't. PG rating you know! Hehehe! But all I can say... really AMAZING THAILAND! LOL. (sorry, pictures not allowed here)

Day 3 , the anniversary post next ...