Day 3: Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak

We left Bangkok past 7am .Headed to western Thailand - the Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi province. It was about two hours away from Bangkok. The weather was extremely hot and the AC wasn't working, imagine 15 people in a van sweating. 

We reached a pier where they served us coffee and a tiny slice of watermelon, I guess this is the part of the tour package where they mentioned fresh fruit will be served. We had our bathroom break instead while we were waiting for our motorboat. The motorboat took us into the floating market. So we got to get a glimpse and breathe the Thais life along the river. Since we chose to sit in front of the boat, water was splashing from the sides every time the boat picked up some speed. It was a fun ride. 

We arrived at the  legendary floating market, where it seems there were more tourists on a boat than vendors on a boat selling local fruits, foods and products. Everything was pricey so we just bought mangoosten. I believe TR and me were the only ones who bought something while on the boat. 

Our boat took us around before they let us explore the floating market on foot for 45 minutes. We didnt manage to get any because they weren't that cheap. We only had our lunch at a mini restaurant there where we were told the young coconut water costs 50 bahts (it was 40 bahts) but charged us 60 bahts after having it. Nice business!

We left this Little Venice of Asia to visit elephants camp called Chang Puak. Bought ticket to a 30-minute elephant ride around the man-made jungle and canal.

TR and me

Our mahout asked us to pay him 100 bahts if we want him to take our photo (that explains a lot why he hid his face with a hat on photos) so we said no and asked the facilitator instead. 

While riding off, he (the same mahout) asked us to give tip for the elephant (we gave 20 bahts, BTW). The ride left me feeling guilty.. Wish I had fed the elephant instead.

We returned to Bangkok and roamed around the street next to Khao San road before going back to hotel. I managed to buy at least one Thai harem pants. Since we had already checked out in the morning as the hotel did not let us have a late checkout, we only freshened up at the hotel lobby's toilet before leaving to airport. I seriously never felt so unclean and smelly in my life till that day.. LOL

◄  Last Night in Bangkok

Bangkok After Sunset - 2nd Night

On our 2nd night, I had my first ever (!) body massage session, authentic Thai massage at that (no, it's not the one with happy ending, LOL). So soooo relaxing.. I want more.

Tea and mango were served after the massage.

Evening - it was raining but that didn't stop us from walking to Khao San Road, known as the centre of backpackers, dancing, partying, barbecued insects/exotic snacks, market stalls, restaurants, bars, tattoo salons, massage parlours, budget hotels/guest houses and anything goes. It was 5-minute walk away from the hotel.

Khao San Road

We walked, bargained, stared and listened to every different band playing almost right next to each other (it's chaos!) before we decided to eat dinner. We chose the resto across the live music bar to enjoy free music. When we were about to pay, I checked our bill which I normally just pay whatever the total, I noticed that the total has a 100 baht excess. We called the attention of the waitress and the bill was corrected immediately.

At the resto where you should check your bill before paying!

Then we spent the whole night hanging out by the same bar across as they started playing reggae music. Most of the people passing by stopped to dance/listen and some stayed and drink beers. While TR had 3 bottles of beer, I only had a glass of mojito, LOL. We went back to hotel past 1am.

The bar at Khao San Road where we spent the rest of our final night

◄ Bangkok Day 2          |          Last Day in Thailand ►

A Little Time in Bangkok - Day 2: Old and Modern

After breakfast, booked the next day tour then took a tuk-tuk to Grand Palace (believe me, tuk-tuk is not advisable in a sweaty weather).

Another note to readers: Once you are a step away from Grand Palace, just go with the flow till you reach the ticket booth. Don't listen to what the street vendors and people around Grand Palace say, they are nothing but TOUTS who will scare and convince you to buy that expensive piece of cloth to cover your legs and/or shoulders. Ignore them. Trousers/jeans and clothes below the knees are allowed inside.

Let this be a lesson to you guys: Dress properly and appropriately upon entering the Grand Palace premises.

TR was approached by security (or police?) because, every time I click her photos, she kept removing her jacket (Never ever do this inside the Grand Palace or any temple in Bangkok as dress code is strictly enforced). She was wearing a sleeveless and above-the-knee dress. She was given a warning, was asked to show her phone and delete the photo.

Once you reach the ticket booth, pay an admission fee of THB 500 per head. You'll find a FREE map guide of the Palace, in different language, inside. There are 3 ways to move around the Palace, slow, normal, and fast (just follow the arrows, it is color coded). The slow tour/way is probably the stop-and-smell-the-roses-type, a thorough tour of the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha temple which will take at least 3 hours or more. The fast way is probably the whirlwind-romance-type, you'll move around the complex in a great speed without going into too much details.

Because of the scorching heat (I was melting) and large crowds, we went from normal to fast way. . 

The day I visited the Grand Palace was the same day the Chinese decided to invade it. 

After 2 hours or less, we took a taxi to go to "modern" part and went to Platinum mall, as suggested by the tour agent. Spent another two hours staring at clothes, that everyone can probably afford, then bought a few. I can say Bangkok is the place to be when it comes to clothes-shopping. Clothes are really extremely inexpensive and trendy! My kind of retail therapy! Was too overwhelmed and I later realized that I forgot to take pictures while we were there..

◄ First Night in Bangkok          |          Last Night in Bangkok ►

Bangkok After Sunset - 1st Night

Had dinner at some noodle house, 2-minute walk away from the hotel, at about 6pm. I dunno the name as it was written in Thai script but it was located opposite the Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific Food & Agricultural Organization of the United Nations along Phra Athit Road. Bus stop in front of the resto. Anyway the food is inexpensive and tasty spicy and served in a large portion. Wasn't able to finish it.

After noodle-ing, we checked nearby money changers (first one has same rate with the bank = 8.04 and the other one has slight difference = 8.03) and tour packages offered by two different travel agencies before going back to hotel. We rested for a while in the room, planned what to do next day. 

Our original itineraries (Day 1 - Old Bangkok, Day 2 - Pattaya, Day 3- Modern Bangkok) have been changed to Days 1 & 2 finish the whole damn old & modern bangkok and/or decide later. Still upset about being scammed and lost my excitement to explore. I was feeling so down... If I was doing the whole finding-myself-again thing, it was not helping. LOL

We decided to check the rooftop pool. Swam and did a lot of floating on my back, made me relax. Jacuzzi isn't feeling like one. Anyway, TR wanted to go out after swimming for body massage and some nightouts, and I was like okay, whatever. We went back to our room past 8pm. Had shower and started feeling dizzy right after it. Guess it was fatigue and lack of sleep. Was really feeling a bit under the weather like I was going to collapse, so I stayed in the room to rest and recharge for the next day of scam exploration. 

Overlooking the Rama VIII Bridge (a cable-stayed bridge) crossing the Chao Phraya River

Overlooking the Chao Phraya River (the river of kings) - the lifeblood of Bangkok

TR went down and had night out alone. I was still awake when she returned with beer, mojito, instant cup noodles and few stories to tell me. She was already asleep when I started dozing off.

◄ Bangkok Day 1          |          Bangkok Day 2 ►

A Little Time in Bangkok - Day 1: SCAMMED

Arrived Bangkok mid morning.. seeing Thailand from above it looks like the Philippines. The hot humid sweaty weather, the roads and the traffic makes me feel like I'm in Manila. The people (Thais) - we look alike. TBH, everything look the same... well, except they are having Buddha statues every corner and Temples everywhere. 

Anyway, due to bumper to bumper traffic, reached the hotel (2015 world luxury hotel winner) located in old Bangkok, in the Phra Athit road/Chao Phraya riverside almost 1 pm. Changed clothes immediately, had lunch and started the exploration.

Phra Athit pier (N13) is right next to the hotel and the terminal is in front of the hotel's restaurant. Paid 150 baht for Chao Phraya express boat service to reach Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple  and Reclining Buddha Temple which are 2 piers away from where we came from.

After getting off the boat at Tha Chang pier (N9), the just off the boat thing happened... a SUPER NICE uncle-looking Thai man (let's call him UTM) approached us, introduced himself as a teacher with a wife nurse etc etc and led our way. I wasn't paying attention 'cause I was sweating like a sheep the night before Eid (LOL). UTM said she thought we're Thais, which the roomie (TR) took it as a compliment... Anyway, UTM goes on and on and TR listened to his story intently so I secretly kicked her foot as I have read about this scam and told her in Tagalog to cut the crap. I think UTM sensed it because he told us not to worry he won't ask for money he just want to help as he's a teacher in this so and so University blah blah. (Note to self and readers: if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck!). He said the Grand Palace is closed at the moment ('twas 2pm) for some royal event and will reopen 3pm to 5pm (sounds familiar, really), so better go to this and that place (while writing it on the paper and on our Bangkok map about some exhibition centre where "they only sell genuine ruby stones half the price to locals but since today's the last day, they open it to tourists just when buying tell them it's not for reselling but personal use like gift to your mother, you'll get a good bargain" and that we can go to those places for 200 baht by taking a Tuk-tuk but choose the blue one because it's government-owned. I was against UTM's suggestions but he talked TR (well, us) into it.

And some blue Tuk-tuks were miraculously parked nearby as if they are waiting for us. So old Bangkok, here we come in a Tuk-tuk. 

First stop, the Tuk-tuk driver (another SUPER NICE young Thai man, YTM) dropped us at the back/exit gate of some under-construction temple which later I found out it was Wat Suthat. He told us to come in 20 minutes because he'll get fined if he parks there for long.

Wat Suthat

While taking photos inside the compound a not-so-normal-looking guy scared the hell out of me as he was staring at my sling bag, tried several times to come near me and followed me wherever I go. So we hurried up and left the temple without getting inside.

When we came, YTM immediately  excused himself as he needs to pee or something I forgot.

While waiting, TR and me were taking turns taking a pic while sitting in the Tuk-tuk. Some Thai man in the waiting shed offered to take our photos. I was hesitant to give my phone (really have trust issues with strangers) and told TR that if that man runaway with my phone, she will need to buy me a new one. After some shots, he told stranger-friendly TR that he is a Project manager in that temple and some blah blah story of his life (not much of a conversationalist here esp with strangers). He inquired where we came/are going, how much we pay YTM, etc. He even advise us to pay him at the end of the "tour" (Thai men are SUPER NICE). Later I deduced that this man is in connivance with UTM and YTM.

TR and me in a tuk-tuk

YTM finally returned and apologized for taking so long (I guess it was intentional as he wanted to prolong our stay there since we came back early).

Next stop: Exhibition Centre. On our way to that "Exhibition Centre" I noticed we are just going round and round (same road over and over) but didn't say a thing (I know, I know). The Exhibition Centre is just a small jewellery shop, I was expecting a world trade centre kind of a thing. Anyway, I'm not into jewelries so they failed to sales talk me but TR is... So you know what happened next. (I now wonder if her ruby stone earrings are real...).

We told YTM to take us to money changer or bank as TR runs out of baht (she paid around 5 to 6 thousand baht for that pair of earrings).

At the bank, it took us some amount of time for our turn, too many customers that time, the security gave us glass of water to drink. TR half jokingly side commented that I should be thankful because she was with me otherwise I won't get that water and those men earlier wont approach/help us...

We didn't change our dirhams as the rate was too low at the bank, 1dh is 8.04 while in Dubai it is 9.09 baht. Left the bank and YTM drove us back to the Grand Palace area.

It was past 3 pm. YTM stopped at the opposite road of the Palace. When we told him to wait for us, he said his duty/time is finished we have to pay him. TR wanted to hire him to drive us around and took his mobile number. He was hesitant to give but gave it anyway. (Maybe he had given her wrong number, we dunno.) While walking some bystanders told us Palace is closed now. We couldn't believe it so we went inside the Tourist Information booth (TIB) across from the Palace and asked the ladies there. We were told that it's about to close now but we can still check. Then it dawned on us that we had been duped, told TR that I should have had trusted my instinct but since well you know... 

Anyway, we still crossed the road and tried but the guards at the Palace told us that they cannot let us in anymore as it is already closed. I checked my watch,  it was almost 3:30 pm. (Note to readers: The Grand Palace is open from 9am to 3:15pm, Tue to Sun)

We went back to the TIB for the Reclining Buddha Temple, they gave us the direction which is behind the Grand Palace and about 5-10 minutes walk from there.

While we were walking almost ALL of the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers including bystanders and street vendors asked us where are we going and told us to take taxi/tuk-tuk because it's far, some of them said it's closed (seriously, Bangkok is a hotbed of scammers). TR almost got persuaded (again!) by these people because she felt it's far or we're getting lost. Since I was really, really, really pretty fecking upset and annoyed at myself for not trusting my instincts, speaking up, telling what I think and for letting her drag me down with her gullibility, I told her to stop talking to these scamming scumbags and reminded her what the TIB ladies told us - it's 5-10minutes from here, just take left then straight then left, and that they are open until 6:30 pm meaning we have plenty of time even if we get lost. So finally we reached the temple (praise Buddha for that!), paid 100 baht each with free small cold bottled water. Explore the compound for an hour or two. (Note to readers: The Temple of the Reclining Buddha is open daily from 8am to 6:30 pm)

Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

So that's how our first horrible day in Bangkok goes..

First Night in Bangkok ►

The UAE Roads Less Traveled

My sister and her family (her in laws and their friends) decided to have a road trip last Eid holidays (16^th of October). We headed to the eastern part of the UAE where the roads (less travelled) and stone mountains never end. So I was just sitting my flat butt for almost ten hours, probably the longest road trip of my life, while our vehicle following the other vehicle driving aimlessly. The only time I got out of it was when we need to go inside a resto and eat lunch. Oh and the one I had my picture taken at god-knows-where.

Well, I had a chance at the “Friday market” but I was completely stuck assisting my sister changing the diaper his infant son (oh yea he was with us), that’s the downside of having an infant/baby/toddler/kid when you are travelling, you don’t get to enjoy on your own and no one wants or is available to take your photo, LOL, because they are too busy with the baby!

Besides, I didn’t know that we were heading nowhere, really. I was like waiting for them to stop at a certain spot and had some photos taken. Until I realized we weren’t going to that certain spot whatever. Was too late. I regret that I didn’t take photo of that awesome tunnel that we went through in Fujairah(?), it was built there under those endless stone mountains. It’s narrow (2 lanes) and kinda long. I was really amazed, I wasn’t expecting that tunnel there. We took the other roads going back home, so I just took pictures as much as I could..

Around the Globe in ONE night

How is that possible?

Remember, Dubai is known for making impossible things possible... so, voilà !

Since I didn’t get to travel on Eid holidays (wasted 5 days, I know..), I revisited the Global Village after 7 years. Went there at night of October 15. Changes are not so much but I got to experience riding an Indian rickshaw. I know my rickshaw driver was happy having me us his passenger, he didn’t need to put so much effort pedaling as my weight won’t add much to whatever he was “carrying”. I feel sorry for those with 4 or more heavy passengers... *sighs* C’est la vie.

Anyway, China and India pavilions still look fab and grand as they were before.. 

Le Me in rickshaw. Then the India and China pavilions.

And Egypt pavilion? The pyramids are stunning. While Afghanistan pavilion is beyond expectation (sorry no "decent" photo of it). Turkey pavilion made me miss Istanbul. I ended up buying and eating grilled kestane (chestnut) and süt mısır (milk corn)... it was actually the food stand outside the pavilion that made me miss Istanbul, LOL.

The façade of the Global Village. Then the Turkey & Egypt pavilions.

I got to see the display of fireworks at the Global Village. Oh and Italy, France, etc pavilions are nice too but I didn’t get to take photos that much. My phone wasn’t working that time and the one I was using for taking photos wasn't reliable at all plus the fact that I was with my sister fambam and her in-laws, in short, I was with an infant and some oldies so you know it was really quick visit..  

That's all for now... Later ;)

Beyond Oman, Lies Musandam

Oh, man! Two weeks ago, I had some weekend getaway to experience Omani traditional dhow cruising in Dibba, Musandam - the Norway of the Arabian Gulf because its inlets are similar to Norway Fjords. See and discover its stunning scenery through the pics from friend's cam (the ones I have taken are already posted on my Instagram)

Let the journey to the endless Hajr (stone) mountans begins...!!



Hajr is the highest mountain range in the eastern Arabian peninsula

a traditional Omani dhows

a banana boat in a speed boat :D

and co-cruiser has taken the plunge

;)

A Taste of Sonamu, A Bit of Korea in Dubai

Last Sunday, I had experienced Sonamu, a Korean resto inside Asiana Hotel, Dubai.

I booked a reservation 3 days in advance for 5 people in a private dining room and was actually expecting they will put us in a Korean room/table inspired like in the 2 images below (images grabbed online) since I requested a private room .



So when the resto staff sent us to the private room, I was really very disappointed. It was nothing like the above photos. A very ordinary, a very plain room with a table with a divider/partition. Nothing special at all. I didn't even feel that we were inside a Korean resto. Partly my fault, didn't tell them it was a birthday celebration, sort of and that we wanted it in Korean style.

So anyway, we ordered Jeongol (a noodle dish), seafood Japchae (hotpot) and one "whole" cow set and a bottle of soju. We liked the Korean pickled dishes (kimchi, etc) and the Jeongol. The Japchae is fine though. I enjoyed grilling our own slabs of beef and eating it. We didn't finish the soju, it tasted like gin (or gin-tonic according to my friend.) The food and the complimentaries we had is more than enough for 5 persons, I think I should have had brought 2 or more friends.

Japchae

Soju and the pickled dishes

I think this is a beef soup or the vinegar, I forgot. LOL

gyeran jjim (Korean steamed egg)

seafood jeongol (hotpo)

jeon (Korean pancake)

raw beef

grilling the beef

I'm happy with the bill/price because it is affordable. I was actually expecting it was a tad pricey. :)

An Hour in the Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden, is world's largest natural flower garden and houses 45 million flowers.

I've seen a lot of garden already but I've never seen as colorful as Miracle Garden. The creative arrangements that include the long flower wall, arches and gorgeous flowerbeds in different shapes and patterns (hearts, igloos, pyramids, cars, stars, and flowers like a bucket of water spilled over) is definitely worth a visit.

The only disappointment here is it's too crowded during weekend (esp Friday). Check out my photos ;)