Hello, dear readers!
This a lengthy and loaded-with-photos post so get yourself in a comfy position and read on :)
Pictures below was what I did when I went MIA for a week. On May 9th, here in Indonesia we had a long weekend. Hence, me and my friends (another 10 of them!) decided to escape to Bangkok, Thailand! All pics taken by IPhone so apologies for such blurry pics on some of them..
Throughout the whole holiday, we stayed at Baiyoke Sky which is the tallest building in Thailand! You can go all the way to 84th floor which was a revolving deck and you can see pretty city lights of Bangkok.. The hotel is quite dashing with our room in 34th floor but breakftast was kind of bland and were not all that yummy. For four nights we got a total of around 12 thousand baht (Thailand currency) per room. It's about US$405. Quite reasonable considering it is a five stars hotel! We had no complains at all.. Well, except for the breakfast. And the tricky elevators! I mean, from the ground to the lobby there is a different elevators.. And then from the lobby to the room.. Another different elevators.. Tricky! But there's a little mini market in the lobby which I think it's neat and important for last minute snacks and drinks in your room. More info about booking and rates ->
http://www.baiyokehotel.com/
View from our room in 34th floor!
DAY 1 : PATTAYA
On the 1st day which was a Friday (we went on a Thursday via Tiger Airways on 3.45 PM flight and arrive at 6.45 PM, with immigration and baggage pick up took forever, not to mention trying to find our driver; we rented a mini bus, more info at the end of the post; and then checking in, we got settled down in the hotel around 9 PM. Grabbed a quick dinner then sleep!) we all went to Pattaya. Located less than two hours away from Bangkok via bus/cars. First stop was Mini Siam. It's a place with miniatures of world well-known buildings. And there's a special area for Thailand's miniatures as well. This is officially a tourist spot as it's a fun place to take narcisstic pictures to update your social account profile pic *winkwink*
Ticket is 300 baht (around US$10). Open everyday from 9.00 AM to 10.00 PM.
Light day dresses are essentials when it comes to vacation dressing in a tropical country. This one fits the bill with the dainty vintage prints from The Editor's Market. Make sure to bring your chic and trusty sunny. This one is from a local brand Riots Barbie. Sandals and bag are Mango.
Next stop was Pattaya Floating Market. There's a ticket fee but I forgot.. I guess 100 baht?
Not very recommended considering we were too busy wiping away our sweat instead of watching people selling items while rowing the boat on the the dirty super brown water.. There are neat stores selling Thailand's souvenirs and some unique Thai street food. It wasn't all that bad anyway.
We stopped by in a mall, I forgot the name, for strolling around and enjoying the cool air of air con. Later that night some of us watched ladyboy show at Alcazar. I didn't watch but my friends told me it was okay. Not all that great but it was an enjoyable show. After Alcazar, we all went to see Big Eye. It was one of the worst decision in my life. It was a +21 show and just pure awkward. Oh the horror!
For Alcazar, the show is 6PM, 7.30 PM, and 9PM. Ticket starts from 500baht/person. While Big Eye, the entry fee is 1000baht/person.
DAY 2 : SHOPPING DAY
Day 2 was a Saturday so by an absolute vote, we went to Chaktucak Weekend Market ( you can guess, this place only opens on weekend). It's a really vast area with soooo many little stores all to cater your thirst in fashion with jaw dropping cheapo prices. Plenty one of a kind items. Actually, Chaktucak also has different sections for bedding, households, pets, even antique items. But we only went to the clothing area. We took off from hotel (by taxi, make sure you ask to go straight to the destination and try to have taxi who are willing to keep their meters on) 9AM and got back to hotel around 4 PM. It was literally a 'shop 'til you drop' day.
Later that night, after a quick shower in the hotel, we decided to went to Central World which located near our hotel ( by foot around 20 minutes walk) for dinner and some sight-seeing.
We ate at Bar b q Plaza. Good food good price. Some languange barrier but the menus were also available in Romans so we just point and order. LOL
The top and skirt (+belt) is what I bought from Chaktucak. Not bad at all, right? :)
DAY 3 : CULTURE DAY
Grand Palace and Wat Phrae Kew located in one area. We entered from the Wat Phrae Kew (royal temples, obviously, that much gold and gems are up there for nothing) which was ridiculously gorgeous with all those beautiful details! Entry fee is 400 baht. Open everyday from 8.30AM to 4.30PM. The Emerald Buddha was under construction or something so we couldn't see it. Too bad cause one of my friend was really curious! I was curious as well but too busy dealing with the heat to feel dissapointed. Anyway, if you ever want to visit Grand Palace and temples, make sure you wear proper outfit. Which is no sleeveless top and bottoms must hit below the knee. No sandals are allowed either. No sexy here! That was exactly what the securities will call you if you wear revealing outfit.. Which was kind of a compliment in a strict way..
White crocheted top is one of the trick in tackling the heat. Enough holes for the wind but still proper to visit the sacred ground. Midi pleated skirt in pastel color was my choice and this one from
Auburn and Ginger is a personal favorite of mine. Those slightlly oxford-ish shoes I scored at Chaktucak the previous day. My saviour! I mean, I wore a yellow flats when I left Indonesia and even though color blocking is still trending, that is just not what I was aiming when I thought about this outfit.
The Grand Palace. It used to be the residence of the royal family but not anymore and now it is function as a hall to hold royal events.
Next stop was Wat Pho where a statue of 46 meters Reclining Buddha located. This statue is plied all over with gold. Not to mention, mother pearls decorated the eye and the feet. Luckily, the door is way to small for anyone to steal this statue! Wat Pho is located within a walking distance from Grand Palace. Open everyday from 8AM to 5.30PM. Entry fee is 50 baht.
We went straight to Platinum Mall near our hotel for lunch and then some more shopping! Didn't take any pics as we were to busy shopping. I actually like Platinum. Besides the fact it is fully air con, the items are more on trend than the ones in Chaktucak. I got some pretty good finds although the prices are surely better in Chaktucak! Men fashion has more options here, my male friends say..
Pad Thai for lunch. Sort of a vermicelli cousins. Quite yummy. Not as good as I had in mind tho..
Later that night (after a quick shower) we went to Asiatique for a night sight-seeing (we had dinner at McDonalds right in front of Platinum, how non-tourist I know, but we were starving after all the shopping!) Asiatique is a darling riverfront area and I fell in love with the antique setting here and there. A true riviera heaven in the middle of Bangkok. Very much worth to visit even tho it was quite far from our hotel. About 20 minutes ride with taxi. There are beautiful restaurants and original local brands of fashion stores.
DAY 4 : BYE BYE BAIYOKE SKY
On the last day our sole clear destination was Madame Tussauds. I visited the one in Hong Kong although they all pretty much the same, it's always fun the be a total tourist and take pics in every single corner. Entry ticket is 800 baht but we got an early bird ticket (you must enter before 12 noon) for 400 baht. Such a good deal! Madame Tussauds is located at Siam Discovery Mall. Open everyday from 10AM to 9PM. You can book early bird tickets online
HERE.
We had lunch at Evaime. The tom yum (the red soup one in the middle) was sooo good! Steamboat for lunches is definitely my new obsession :)
The Loft is located at Siam Discovery as well and worth a visit. So many adorable stuff here! I actually scored a cute passport cover for less than 200 baht! And I FINALLY found a line pluggie which I have been obsessing about since I went to Japan..
Suvarnabhumi Airport!
To be noted :
1) We rented a minibus which can carry 12 persons. It costs 1200 baht for a pickup from airport to hotel. 3500 baht for a one day rent to Pattaya from 8 AM to 8 PM, additional fees per hour is 30 baht. Contact info : Mr. Tom (081-776-1920 / 084-900-8494)
2) Be careful when you are riding a tuktuk or a taxi. Make sure you told the driver to go straight to the destination. Most tuktuk and taxis will take you round and round stopping at souvenirs stores or something like that because they get a cut when they bring tourists in. Also, try to get a taxi who are willing to turn on the argo/meters. Most taxis already fix a price from one point to one point. But make sure you do your bargain! They overcharged tourists all the time..
3) Also be careful of pickpockets! I make sure I keep my bag in my sight all the time.
And here we are at the end of the post..
Thank you so much for reading and so sorry for excessive pics and words. I just need to get it all in one post since I still have 2 posts left from my Japan trip.
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Wishing everyone a great Sunday!
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