Friday 23 May 2008

Bangkok, Thailand - Day 2

Headed to MBK shopping mall right after breakfast on a Thursday morning. About 10 mins ride by cab from our hotel. Simply huge. Bangkok is well known for being a shopping heaven. The prices are pretty reasonable but the electronics might cost a bit more than Malaysia.

For photgraphers out there, I'd recommend you to go see Mr Nai of Digilife (I've just realize the website is in Thai), located at the 4th Floor of the MBK Center. I've just made a good purchase on some EQ's from him. Friendly fellow too!

Fotofile is also a huge supplier of photography EQuipments. They're located at the ground floor & 5th floor in the building. You'll find a wide range of camera body brands, lenses, bags etc. They also accept trade-ins so if wanna let go of your old lenses, check out Fotofile.

Walked passed few other malls which lead us to the temple of The Lucky Buddha. These are basicaly the highlights of our second day in Bangkok besides me shooting at beggars, the many hawkers along the sidewalks, walking passed some gorgeous 'Ladyboys' (don't take pictures ah.. they'll give you a man-slap on the face if your not careful) and of course, being greeted by the humble Thai's.

A video of one tourist greeting staff at a hotel. One word you should know when going to Thailand. "Sawadikap"!




City of Life..Busy life I can say!
Photobucket


MBK Center.. one of the many shopping malls in Bangkok
Photobucket


The ladies were classy too in Bangkok..don't play play ah!
Photobucket


A 'Tuk Tuk' being stopped by an officer for drifting.
Photobucket


"Who says you only wear Fullface Helmet when riding big bikes. Its also a trend to wear one when riding a Vespa, okay!"
Photobucket


Though mobile phones are owned by many, proper 'use-able' public phones are still easy to find in Bangkok. We Malaysians should learn from these people. Love our property, people! Don't vandalize!
Photobucket


A blind man singing his heart out to earn a day's living.
Photobucket


Where is the love?
Photobucket


Temple of 'The Lucky Buddha'. We were informed that this temple is only open once a month.
Photobucket


The temple window. Gold like designs everywhere
Photobucket


Since visitors are not allowed to enter, I took a shot from the entrance. Buddha sure looks rich, coated in Gold everywhere. Need me to say, Thailand is one place you should buy gold & jewels from.
Photobucket


Monks were praying for the people's prosperity and good health.
Photobucket

Thursday 22 May 2008

Bangkok, Thailand - Day 1

After sending the family of to KK, we left for Bangkok 2 days after. Thanks to Uncle Charles, he manage to book a hotel in Bangkok for us. I guess many left for their holiday in Bangkok as well which I think caused the full occupancy of hotels in Bangkok.

Anyway, we drove to Brunei on a Wednesday morning after our ticket purchased from our agent. Thank you Auntie Sepai. Reached Brunei around 12pm, we accompanied mum n dad for lunch at the airport. Yup..we went via Royal Brunei Airlines. Very tight security so do follow every instruction you read okay. Before boarding, a guy's perfume still half full was thrown into the bin during security check. I wonder how much that could've cost him?

We left Brunei around 4.55pm. The flight was comfy & t'was pretty relaxing while watching a movie on board. The food in the plane was just nice. Landed in Bangkok around 6.30pm local time headed straight for a cab to our hotel. Lucky I printed the map to the hotel. The cab driver din really speak english. Took him a while to study the map but on the way, Uncle Charles came to the rescue once more (all the way from KK). He called to check on us n I passed the phone to the cab driver (imagine the bills I have to pay for roaming this month end). He was literally directing the driver where to go! (I was surprised that Uncle Charles also speaks Thai).

Upon reaching The Ecotel Bangkok, we planned to change then head out for Thailand's local delicacies when our plan just got halted after opening the room door. Not for the worst but we were so touched by the arrangements made by Mr. Suwat of GM Holidays (Uncle Charles friend) and the staff of The Ecotel. Will show you the pics below. Suwat, if you're reading this, thank you for the flowers, the petals, the cake and all the arrangements.

Dinner was served at a nice restaurant just around the corner to our hotel. The Tom Yum restaurant. Not much details on our 1st day. Check out Day 2 soon. Need me to say, on the 1st day only, I've shot about 100 pics.

Could have landed here but NO..thats the highway.
Photobucket


Disembarking the plane (No cameras please!! hehheehee)
Photobucket


The arrival hall..this is just a 'small portion' of the airport
Photobucket


No wonder he was confused..Too much money makin scheme on his head!
Photobucket


Didn't want to ruin the flower petals on the bed. She slept at the bed side instead.
Photobucket


Flowers were everywhere in the room. Even in the washroom. How sweet!
Photobucket


Yeeaah!! You got that right, Suwat! We're very happy indeed.
Photobucket


"You come to Thailand, You drink SINGHA!" ROOAARR!!
Photobucket


They call it 'The Green Chicken Curry' though it wasn't so green to me
Photobucket


Forgot its name but that was really a tasty fish I tell you! The 4 of us had a very filling diner. These were just a portion of the food we ordered. So much we ate & so tasty too!
Photobucket


Suwat and his *ehem...She pretty aei?!
Photobucket

Wednesday 21 May 2008

"Travel3Sixty" with Air Asia

Hi everyone..

Good to be back again after about 3 weeks of silence. Was on a long break due to 'higher calling'. I didn't wanna miss the Miri International Jazz Festival on purpose actually especially when I was awarded 2 nights free entry tickets. Sorry guys, I gave the tickets away already.

Anyway, the 10th of May happened to be our wedding day too & that's the 'higher calling' I was hinting earlier.

Guess what! After coming back from Kota Kinabalu before the wedding, after talking to the very nice air host & hostess on board, we brought down one of the Air Asia in-flight magazine (Travel3Sixty), after purchasing some other souvenirs on-board. Know why???

Well, coz MY ARTICLE ON LANGKAWI WAS PRINTED IN IT! After the Langkawi trip last February, I submitted an article to Air Asia and few weeks later, I was informed of it going to fill a page in the magazine. Yes...I'm very thrilled about it.

For any of you who will be flying via Air Asia this month (May), do take a peak at the magazine kay. If there is none in the seat pocket in front of you, do request one from the sweet air hostess. Tell em you know me...heheheeee..

Its (Travel3Sixty) a very informative magazine indeed. Wanna know about culture, places of interests, music, tech's and food outlets around Asia, Travel3Sixty is one magazine you should check out!

Here's the May 2008 issue with my write-up attached:

Photobucket


Photobucket

ShaShinKi.com - Malaysia's Online Camera Shop!
Stock Photography
ServerFreak Web Hosting Solutions
Innovative PPC platform.
d