FRIENDz-terism

King Chulalongkorn Statue is located at the edge of Lumpimi Park. There were a few nice places to visit close by, such as the Anantasamakhom Palace and the Vimanmek Palace.

Yes, the King Chulalongkorn Statue is a must visit place (IMHO) because he is regarded as one of the greatest kings in Siam. The locals called him “The Great Beloved King”. He is the one man who elevated Thailand’s status in the world by abolishing slavery and forming strong allegiances with the world’s then ‘superpowers’ – Britain, France, America and Russia.

Standing right in front of the statue, one could already see the Anantasamakhom Palace. I would say the best time to visit this place was during the evenings… when the sun is about to set. Wow… brilliant bronze statue with a palace background. What more can you want.

Address:
King Chulalongkorn Statue
The plaza in front of Anantasamakom Throne Hall Dusit District
Bangkok 10300

We then walk around a little where we ended up at a temple. Ah.. finally, I get to go in to a temple! Quite a big temple I would say. Okay… obviously not as big as Wat Phra Kaew. But Wat Benchamabophit Marble Temple is big enough compared to any temple found here.

Not as fancy and not as much golden designs and so, the simple temple is enough to amaze me with their Thai roof design. They have so many sections to go to… they have the lakes, nice bridges, bells and obviously Buddhist statues. Too bad we can’t actually take pictures inside. But it was really beautiful.

It was drizzling when we are about to leave the temple. So we hop on to another cab that brings us to the Golden Mountain. Now incase you are confused and couldn’t locate this place in the map (which is impossible), you can actually look for indication like Wat Saket.

Now, let me explain, Golden Mountain is part of Wat Saket. So yes they are related and interlinked. Apparently, Golden Mountain is one of the most popular tourist area leaving the other part of Wat Saket less visited.

Why so? Golden Mountain is practically a hill in the middle of Bangkok city that gives you this nice beautiful scenery. One could actually have a good view of the whole Bangkok city. Now, initially, King Rama I decided to build a place to mark the entrance in to the city. However the land structure does not permit so. This dream was carried on to King Rama III. However, the Golden Mountain was finished under King Rama V.

Yes, I see steps. Lots of them. Everyone knows I am not a exercise person. So if I can do it, so can you! The steps weren’t that steep. And the journey uphill was amazing. There were so many things to see. I think one would forget they were actually climbing a hill.

The best things was the lines of bells. Awww… they look just so beautiful. Yeah, you are supposed to ring each bell for good luck :). At the top of the hill, you can see a large golden chedi.

Being not so lucky, the place was about to close when we were just a few steps there. I know… sad right? Sigh… so yes… take my advice carefully. Most places there close like around 4 – 5 pm. So… please do shoppings at night if you plan to go sightseeing.

We then decided to get back to the hotel and have some rest before proceeding to our nightlife activity. We have been through a long walking day and so we thought… how can we not be in a tuk tuk before.

Yeah, a Thai trip is incomplete without sitting a tuk tuk. So, we decided to jump on a tuk tuk and get back to our hotel since it was quite a close distance. Now… if USA have “Too fast too furious”, Thai just have their own version called “Tuk fast Tuk furious”.

No kidding… they were practically faster than some of the cabs around. Going left and right… squeezing through tight roads. Woohoo… just like what we call “Mat Rempit” over here in Malaysia. I wonder what will happen if Malaysia have tuk tuk.

We rested, Jimbo took a short nap while I was watching tv in room. After the short rest, we decided to walk around Khao San road. Yes, I saw a few catchy shirts the other day. Yeah, something different from those typical “thai” shirts found everywhere. I just walk in and bought like 6 – 7 shirts and just left. When I asked how much… the girl actually talked to me in Thai. Then I was puzzled and shocked.

Looking at my shocked face… she asked “Are you thai?”. Now that trigger the laughing button for me and Jimbo. After we left, we started back on the “Are you thai? You speak thai? Tuk tuk bring you here… wait for you.” joke.

We walk along the street to notice more and more funny signs used. Right, we never actually walk towards this side of Khao San before. Apparently this side of the road has more pubs and drinking area than the ones opposite our hotel.

We have dinner at the Sawasdee House. This place actually rooms above the eating area… but I wouldn’t really recommend it.. cause the eating area is open 24/7 and the music is quite loud. Yeah, similar to some pubs… so yes, if you want a good rest after a whole day of walking, this is not really the place you would wanna stay in.

Okay, let’s talk about the eating area. I really love the lighting and the decos at the place. Lots and lots of mixed style but I think it was comfortable. The best part, they have house resident deejay! Did I mention.. they thought I am Japanese? LOL!

We get to know a few backpackers that sits next to our table. They are all cool people. Cool enough to help me and Jimbo take picture. Haha… I guess this is our first and last together gather picture in Bangkok.

Yumm yummm… eating time. We ordered Green Curry with Chicken Soup (60 Baht), Charcoal Grilled Fish (150 Baht), Fried Soya Bean with Tofu (50 Baht). Yes… lovely eh. Our last dinner at Bangkok!

The Green Curry with Chicken Soup was good. Not something very thick… it’s quite nice but it comes with this green pea like thing. I don’t know… it wasn’t really happening for me. It was crunchy but have this bitter-ish after taste. I wonder what it was.

The Fried Soya Bean with Tofu is just right for the occasion. We tried so many flavourful dish. Now something more clear feels just so good. Everything seems just fine… till the Charcoal Grilled Fish came. Yes, we were being noted before hand that it might take a while since they need to grill it.

For 150 Baht, the fish size is just amazing. It’s so huge… I think it could feed 4 people! I am not kidding. It’s large and woo… the aroma was amazing. Even better when dipped with the special thai sauce. Woooo…

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and leave our shopping bags at the hotel. That is when we decided that we should go out and party a little. Yes… party! Er… since those red light stuff ain’t really something I am interested in.

They have lots of world renowned deejay’s performing in the club. Yes, it reminded me a lot about Zouk! I guess there was a theme for the day as the deejay dress like a surgeon while the waitress dress in nurse suits. Ah… kinky eh!

Now… they even have dancers that dance on the podium. Woohoo.. I can tell you they are sexy-li-cious! They can really dance. No… no hanky panky stuff. I was simply amazed and can’t set my eyes of them. The best part.. they wear nurse outfits too. *drool*

Address:
Club Astra
29/53-64 Soi, Soonvijai,
Rama 9 Road, Bang-Kapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok
Telephone: (662) 9497 8422
URL: http://www.club-astra.com

Like every other clubbing places, they all have curfew. When the places ended, the amount of people leaving the area is like when a concert ended. Everyone rushing to go home, everyone wants to get a cab… so it’s total madness.

At that point of time, the cabs won’t usually follow the meter. They would just tell you an amount. You either agree and hop in or close the door and wait for the next one. Me and Jimbo was too tired to bargain and just agreed to the amount requested. I forgot how much it was. I only remember Jimbo saying “I can’t even get lunch with that amount.”

Now… the feeling hungry after clubbing mood kicks in. Everywhere else was closed so we decided to head back to Sawasdee House since they are open 24/7. There, me and Jimbo each ordered Pancake with Ice Cream (70 Baht). Oh yeah… maybe I was too hungry. Everything tasted just so nice… even when the pancake was thick.

Yawn… I am too tired to move a muscle… I need to sl…eee…e…e……e……e………p

After a tiring walk, we stop at Green House Terrace at The Landmark. It was quite a place for coffee where we both just sit down, lepak a bit, drink some coffee, enjoy some small town sights and just rest our legs.

I had the Iced Cappuccino (90 Baht) while Jimbo have their Iced Coffee (90 Baht). I must say, it was just a nice feeling.. doing nothing while everyone is working, sitting down by the roadside drinking ice cool cappuccino. Just amazing! Surely do feel time just stop and I could just do this sorta stuff on a daily basis.

After a tiring walk, we stop at Green House Terrace at The Landmark. It was quite a place for coffee where we both just sit down, lepak a bit, drink some coffee, enjoy some small town sights and just rest our legs.

I had the Iced Cappuccino (90 Baht) while Jimbo have their Iced Coffee (90 Baht). I must say, it was just a nice feeling.. doing nothing while everyone is working, sitting down by the roadside drinking ice cool cappuccino. Just amazing! Surely do feel time just stop and I could just do this sorta stuff on a daily basis.

We lepak for an hour or so before continue walking.

Address:
Green House Terrace at The Landmark
138 Sukhumvit Rd.,
Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Telephone Number:
(660) 2254 0404, (660) 2254 0424
Fax: (660) 2253 4259
URL: http://www.landmarkbangkok.com/

Along the way I took pictures of their thin and sleek ATM machine (I think it would be a goner in a days time over here). Being a “bully” I just gotta snap a picture in front of the Bully’s cafe! And not to mention, while we were busy complaining our petrol prices are expensive, take a look at other country’s price.

We carry on walking and walking… thinking we were heading to Sukhumvit, we were actually heading otherwise and ended up at Phleon Chit. Being a little tired of walking, we took the train from there and stop at Shukumvit where Jimbo will meet up with his friend at the Emporium.

The mall there was not as luxurious as Siam Paragon but still have everything a mall need. Branded stuff, household stuff, food section. Everything was just there.

After walking for like a while, Jimbo’s friend arrive and we sat down for coffee at Starbucks. The place was just next to the Emporium. It looks rather classy, sorta dim with some down lights and from there… the sunset scene was just so amazing. Oopss.. I was to in to it till I forget to snap some pics.

While drinking coffee, Jimbo’s friend tells us more about Thailand and places we should visit and go see. I like how he gives us options on like sight seeing, you should go this, this and this place while if you want to go shopping, you should just hit on this, this and this places.

He even recommend us to come visit thai during the ermm “Water Festival”. Ah… he said it would be a fun time, but we must make early arrangements as Bangkok would be packed with tourist from around the world.

After a long chat, we all decided to make a move and head to the place Jimbo’s friends picked for dinner and a meet up. It is said to be one of a very famous restaurant in town.

It was actually quite near to where we are. We just sort of like walk for 10 minutes and we arrive at this small little house like place. Very cozy and comfortable place called Sonie’s.

Apparently this place is a very famous place and used to be packed. Yes, it is said that it’s quite difficult to find good fusion food in Thailand. But well, I guess it was quite my day. 🙂 Sonie’s is one of the famous fusion food outlet in Bangkok. While marketing itself as a Thai-Japanese restaurant, Sonie’s ends up delivering almost every culinary influence ever to touch upon Thai shores.

When Jimbo other friends arrive, we started ordering so much food… so much that we all have a hard time finishing.

We ordered lot’s which includes sushi, pizza, salad. It is said that their very own pizza, Sonie’s Pizza is not to be missed. Unlike other pizzas that uses this thick bread as base, Sonie’s Pizza had shrimp, crab, and flying fish roe crumbled on top of rice and seaweed.

The secret to its success is an added element of what I think is crumbled rice in tempura batter, fried again to resemble in taste and texture crushed junk food, like a bad-for-you deep-fried rice cake. Supposedly an appetizer, forget about sharing and order one for yourself.

We even have fresh sashimi, which was a typical Japanese dish. The Fresh Salmon Pizza was amazing also. I think it was nicely blended fusion food. A little Japanese with Italian. Just a perfect combo. You can see the pizza was baked and topped with fresh salmon. It just added a new texture to eating pizza. The cold and hot blends in just so well.

There were many more weird and different type of rolls and this big soft shell crab salad that came later on. But as usual, when I was too in to eating, I forgot all about the snapping.

Dinner was on Jimbo.. so I have no idea how much it cost 🙂 Anyway… thanks bo! Lovely dinner, lovely friends you have.

Address:
Sonie’s
59/1 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Bangkok
Telephone Number: (662) 258 4247

We chit chat a little and they were telling how they get to know each other in the workshop and all the fun they have… oh… it just makes me jealous.

After dinner, everyone was sorta busy with their own agenda. One of Jimbo’s friend was kind enough to drop us down at Silom where have a short walk around again. This time we focus more on looking at the stalls than walking around looking for food. Jimbo manage to pick up some deco lightings for her mum while I just look around.

We manage to even walk in to Patpong Road. Wow.. I was totally shocked to know that actually the stalls at Silom pass by Patpong Road. I always think Patpong is a street where you could just walk in the middle of the road… looking left and right, with not much people except poll dancing girls, guys… loads of guys asing you to go in and take a look thing.

But nope, there were stalls selling Thai stuff from the start till the end of Patpong street. But well, I wasn’t comfortable shopping there as people will come approach you with this funky books with funky names.

Oh yes, never know one can do so much stunts! Now yes, if you would just a life size bottle opener, perhaps this is a place to get one.

We then just head back to hotel and doze off. It was really a tiring day considering the amount fo walking, and shopping done. Total damage… hemmm let’s not get to that part yet!