The Ultimate Bangkok Sept 2006 Trip

The Exclusive Summary

Day 1 – Sunday, 17 September 2006
There were 10 goofy people, brought together by fate and friendship, out on our very first overseas trip – Me, Albert, Rachel, Angeline, Siew May, Jessica, Kath, Gary, Vicky and Benny.

Bright and early, 10 extremely blur people gathered at our usual mamak place, drinking their poison while waiting for the van to pick us up to LCCT. Everybody was way too excited. On our flight to Bangkok, Rachel sat in the middle between me and Albert. As we were so sleepy, so we tried to get some sleep and reserve energy for the hectic shopping later. But the too lively for her own good, Rachel refuses to sleep. She was disturbing us for a while, filling in some forms and doing her make-up.

Finally, touchdown on Bangkok! After so many months of waiting and anticipating, at last we’re there! Although I’ve been there twice already, I know it’ll be more fun travelling and exploring with my friends. Check in and we’re off to our 1st stop – Chatuchak weekend market. Absolutely love that place as there’re so many cool, unique designer T-shirts, copycat bags, nifty jewelleries and whatever else you want is there! My shopping buddies were May and Albert, and we just took our slow pace (thank god!) walking around and buying stuff. Albert is definitely the king of bargaining - got to give him credit for that. I think everyone enjoyed ourselves, and after that we head to our nice dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya river. It was a pretty romantic setting, although a bit spoilt by some rowdy tourists on the same boat. But when we saw the rainbow, it was so worth it.


Day 2 – Monday, 18 September 2006
The Grand Palace Expedition! With our knowledgeable tour guide, Yelly, explaining to us the significance of each statue, monument and temple, the visit this time was much more interesting. It’s fascinating how revered and respected the past and present Thai Kings are by their citizens. It’s something Malaysians may never understand. The palace and the golden temples were grand and majestic beyond words.

Next we hop on our van to go to Pattaya. This is where May almost went into the wrong van, luckily got pulled back by Albert. Probably was too blur after being blinded by all the sparkly, shimmering gold monuments. Anyway after an hour ride, we have to stop by a Gem factory, where Jessica got her new shiny bling bling, which she said suppose to help her to be more thrifty in the future.

Another hour drive and we reach Pattaya. The girls have fun putting on some make up and play dress up for the night out. We have a little cocktail session with the Raspberry Vodka that Jessica and Albert shared in buying. Don’t think Albert would make a good bartender as he poured way too much liquor in the mix!

Then we went for dinner and the group split after that going their own ways. The 2 couples, Jessica and May went for the XXX shows. Me, Albert, Angeline and Rachel chose to go for shopping. But shopping there was a disappointment, so we wander into a small alley that has surprisingly really good artists set up shops there. The 4 of us excitedly went for the black and white portraits that cost us just RM30 per person. We waited hours for it but it was definitely worth it. It’s something tangible from Pattaya that we’ll always remember by. It was pretty funny as Rachel was the 1st one to pose for it, and Albert kept fooling around with her and ruining her concentration. Overall, all of us like our portraits and glad that we did it.

Day 3 – Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Oh my god, this summary is getting rather long winded isn’t it? Shouldn’t call it a summary then. Think of it like a commentary or review even.

The Coral Island Excursion! First stop was the parasailing platform where everyone except Jessica, went for it. Rachel was the 2nd to go and we could hear her scream as she run like a headless chicken for the lift off. It was so funny! The rest just enjoyed the adrenaline rush and appreciate the view from the sky above. Definitely should try it just for the fun of it.

2 hours was way too limited time for us on the island. Some of us did our henna tattoo immediately. I’m very proud of mine, though it’s fading already! It’s a single rose with twisting vines on my left hand. Rachel – a single rose on her left hand also. May – a crane on her abdomen below. Jessica – a unique symbol on her abdomen. Albert – a distinctive symbol on his left arm. Kath – a butterfly on her abdomen. Vicky – a sun symbol on her chest and another symbol on her leg.

Rachel, Kath and Vicky did braids on their hair. They look like Jamaicans. I was trying to get a suntan but the sun wasn’t shining that day. And before we know it, we got to leave the island already.

After showering and checking out, we try out the Thai Traditional Massage. All the girls in one room and guys in another room. The most laughable moment is Rachel getting scolded by her masseur! She was too skittish and tense when pressed on her thigh area. Damn funny, first time I hear some one get ticked off during massage.

On the drive back to Bangkok it was excruciating. The ride was bumpy and the massive jam made it worse. It seems forever before we reach our dinner location. Had our dinner, chase after a hyperactive swan and saw some cultural performance, all on a nice, very traditional venue.

When we reach Bangkok, this is where things get interesting. After chucking our luggage in our hotel rooms, we decide to visit the Suam Lum night bazaar. It was only 10pm and we know the market close around 2pm. On our way there, May asked me whether it’s normal to see so many soldiers manning their posts all around the city. I thought it was just a common occurrence as I always see soldiers in Bangkok every trip.

So we arrive at Suam Lum night bazaar and started walking around. But we start to see shops closing down when it’s just bout 10pm. We thought nothing of it as we figured some shop owners just want to close shops early. Then May overheard a shop owner telling a foreigner that there’re ‘soldiers fighting soldiers’ in the city now. Alright so we start to panic and head out of the market. We double confirm with another shop keeper who advise us to go back quickly to our hotel. In a state of confusion and unease, we ran out to the main street to catch a cab. And at that critical moment, it just had to bloody rain like cats and dogs. So I ran to the nearest taxi and just sat on the front passenger seat. In my nerviness, I just blurted out ‘Caesar Palace’ (which is the hotel we stayed in Pattaya, not Bangkok!). Rachel was like shouting “Noooooooo! It’s Regency Park!”. Then only I snap out of the haze I’m in and showed the driver the hotel name in Thai, written by our tour guide earlier. He was nice enough to squeeze in 6 of us for only 100 baht (RM10) for the ride to hotel. Hen we got back we start calling n sms-ing the others not back yet And we all gathered in one hotel room to watch the news broadcast. Blah blah blah a coup is going on in Bangkok, army tanks rolling in, blah blah martial law is not implemented… Pretty scary for a bunch of clueless Malaysians to hear that. What an exciting time to be in Bangkok, not!

Day 4 – Wednesday, 20 September 2006
Wake up and all is calm in the city. So we’re off to pray at the famous Four Face Buddha and then begin our crazy shopping spree. Shop, eat, rest and shop some more. Did a session of foot reflexology. At night went to Emporium and later just lepak and drink Bacardi Breezers at our room.

Day 5 – Thursday, 21 September 2006
Did another session of foot reflexology at a different place and it was good! Then check out and went to Pratunam Centre for final shopping binge. At 8.30pm, we hop on a plane and fly back to our peaceful-loving country.

The End.