Khao Yai / Bangkok Trip 29 April - 5 May 2012

Yay! We are finally planning for another longer trip together this year, amidst all the short trips we had these 2 years.
This time we will be visiting Bangkok and Khao Yai. This will be Yz's first trip to Bangkok and my first too, after the last visit with a school trip a decade ago. Revisiting the Land of Smiles after a decade, with a different companion and a different perspective, should be refreshing!

So far, I have looked through the places to visit for Bangkok. I have yet to take a look for Khao Yai. 2 more weeks! Our hotel is near the Nana Skytrain (E3), so getting to most of the places should be quite convenient.
Here's a convenient link to the Bangkok BTS to further plan our routes:
http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/02-route-current.aspx

So anyway, I have listed the places we may want to visit during the 3 day visit in Bangkok:

Chatuchak Weekend Market
BTS Station: National Stadium, 6 mins, 25 baht

Directions: Take exit 1 and walk straight 100m to Chatuchak Park on your right.

Opening Hours : Saturday - Sunday from 08.00 hrs - 20.00 hrs.

Entrance Fee: 100 baht?

Pak Khlong Talat (Flower market)Not sure if the Husband would be keen on this. My concern is that he may be too sensitive to the scents. This is large riverside market in Bangkok, specializing in fruits, vegetables and flowers. At night, area along river between market and nearby Buddha Yod Fa Bridge turns into night bazaar selling clothes etc, including new and second hand stuff.

BTS Skytrain: Saphan Taksin (transit at Siam), 14 mins, 35 baht.
Directions: Take Exit 2 and walk to Chao Phraya Express Boat Pier Catch Express Boat from Sathorn Pier (Central Pier) up river to Memorial Bridge Pier (Saphan Phut). Flowers tend to be sold along far side of Chakkaphet Rd.
Opening Hours : Open 24 hours.

Taling Chan Floating MarketBTS Skytrain: Saphan Taksin Station, 14 mins, 35 baht.
Directions: Take Exit No. 2. Then, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier and take a bus.
Buses that go there : Bus No.79, 507, 509, and 511
Opening Hours : Saturday and Sunday from 07.00 hrs – 16.00 hrs


Grand Palace (Emerald Buddha)BTS Station: Saphan Taksin (transit at Siam BTS, 14 mins, 35 baht)
Directions: From Taksin BTS, take Exit No. 2. Then, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Ta Chang Pier (No.9). A 5-10 minute walk will bring you to the entrance gate of the Grand Palace.Opening Hours : Daily from 08.30 hrs - 1530 hrs.

Admission Fee : 400 baht (including admission tickets to Vimanmek Mansion, and the Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavilion).


Dress code:
Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves -- no tank tops. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc. If you show up at the front gate improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entry that can provide clothes to cover you up properly. You must leave your passport or credit card as security.


Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)Directions:
A) Skytrain to Saphan Taksin Station, 14 mins, 35 baht. Take Exit 2 and go to Chao Phraya River Express Boat Pier.Take boat heading to Tien Pier (N.8) and walk straight to WAT PHO
B) Walking from Grand Palace: 10 minute walk directly south of the Grand Palace
C) Taking a tuktuk from G.P would be quoted around 50 Baht (negotiable of course!), taking a cab would be abt 35 baht

Opening Hours : Daily from 08.00 hrs. - 21.00 hrs.
Admission Fee : 50 baht for foreigners

A massage school in Wat Pho offers massage at the following prices:

• B220 for 30 minutes
• B360 for 1 hour herbal massage
• B360 for 45 minute foot massage

Madam Tussand's Wax Museum (Featuring well known Thais and world famous people)

BTS Station: Siam Station
Directions: Exit No. 1. Walk to the 6^th floor, Siam Discovery Center.
Opening Hours : Daily from 10.00 hrs. - 21.00 hrs.
Admission Fee : 350 baht / adult and 250 baht / child (aged between 5-12 years old). Free of charge for children under 5 years old.
Jim Thompson's House

BTS Station: National Stadium (transit at Siam), 6 mins, 25 baht.

Directions: Take Exit 1 and go straight ahead to the end of Soi Kasemsan 2, Jim Thompson's house is on left side.

Opening Hours : Daily from 09.00 hrs. - 17.00 hrs.

Admission Fee : 100 baht for Thais and foreigners.

Safari World

This was suggested by YZ' sis, who visited this place before and recommended it.

BTS Station: Mo Chit, 19 mins, 40 baht

Directions: At Mo Chit Station (or N8 Station) take Exit No. 1 or 3. Take a taxi or bus no.26 or 96, get off at Fashion Island Shopping Mall, and use the overpass to go to the other side. Take a taxi or minibus to Safari World.

Opening Hours : Monday - Friday from 09.00 hrs - 16.30 hrs. Saturday- Sunday from 9.00 hrs - 17.00 hrs.
Admission Fee : Foreigners 750 baht

Wat Pho Temple Visit + Massage
Wat Pho Temple = Sleeping Buddha Temple

http://www.watpomassage.com/

Stuffs to bring

Ok.. Roughly compiled a list of stuffs we got to pack:

Clothing
- 6 sets of clothings + inner wear
- 2 bottoms
- 2 sets of Sleepwear
- Jacket / Sweater / Outer wear
- YZ's suit / casual wear for the shoot
- Cheongsam
- Corset
- YZ's leather shoes
- Bridal shoes
- Slippers
- Comfy walking shoes
- 4 - 5 pair socks

Toiletries
- Shampoo + Conditioner
- Showerfoam
- Facial products (provided by me)
- Make up remover
- Cotton pads
- Eye make up remover
- Skin lotion
- Tissue Papers
- Wet Tissues
- Deodorant
- YZ's shaver
- Hair wax?

Medicine / Health Supplements
- 2 Berocca Tubes
- Plasters
- Eyedrops

Others
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- Handphone Charger
- Adaptor
- Passport
- 2 pens
- Disposal bags
- Hair pins / Safety pins


Er.. Any more?

Travel Plans for Taipei in March 2010

Ok. It's coming, and I really need to finalize the details.


Arrival: March 8, 2010
Departure: March 11, 2010
Hotel: Dandy Hotel Tianjin, Taipei
Address: No.70 Tianjin St. Zhongshan
Room type: Elite

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Arrival: March 11, 2010
Departure: March 12, 2010
Hotel: YangMingShan Resort www.calla.com.tw

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Reservation No.:	S04UEQ4GB001727
Hotel:	A-SEN Hot Spring Hotel No.1, Alley 22, Lane 103,Jhongsiao Rd, Jiaosi Township, Ilan County
Phome:	03-9887299
Fax:	03-9872858
Room type:	Standard King Room
Room description:	Complimentary Chinese/Western buffet breakfast
Check In:	2010-03-12
Check Out:	2010-03-13

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Arrival: March 13, 2010
Departure: March 14, 2010
Hotel: Hualien Homestay

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Arrival: March 14, 2010
Departure: March 18, 2010
Hotel: San Want Hotel, Taipei
Address: 172,sec.4 Chung Hsiao E. Rd
Room type: Superior Double

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Random ramblings.

Met up with Jiao and Jasmine just yesterday for dinner.

It was a short session, which ended with us going to Changi Airport, unexpectedly sending off some friends like Johnson, LiHui & Hubby and some others who were going to Taiwan .. probably for the 3rd time and above.

Mum and Dad will be off tomorrow too! I need to literally fly from Yew Tee to Changi tomorrow. Wowee. We are talking about an estimated $25 cab fare.

Apparently the itinerary this year is much better, coupled with some scenic attractions. Mum would love the nature visits. Heh. Mum came back home with a new swimming suit just now! She bought specially it for her first Sauna experience. They will be gone for 9 days, and I seriously thinks the house needs some mopping! It is superbly... dirty. Time for Housework!

Like I mentioned earlier, YZ has been so busy with work. I am so proud of his great work attitude, that 'never-say-die' Energizer bunny thing, because I personally feel every man needs to possess this to succeed in Life. And also because I am simply the opposite. OK so opposites attract. I am just not so keen in my career...

I guess every Man's priority in Life is different. For some, their Career is Number 1 (mr tan....). For some, it is their family, friends. And for certain people I meet, it's their religious beliefs.

I think religious beliefs are indeed important for each individual. It builds an inner strength in you that you can hold on to in instances of grief, confusion, and bad times. In many Life Stories that we read, religious beliefs sometimes are the only strand of hope the victims are holding on to.

I do believe in God. I believe there are greater beings who look upon us all, who know exactly what we are doing every second, who know that I am typing this sentence at this very second, who know whatever devil stuff we are hiding in our very inner core of thoughts. And I believe in Karma. You reap what you sow. I believe in having a conscience too, whether during work, dealing with different people you meet.

But i believe in having a balanced life too. Too much of anything is never good. You got to balance up your time and give yourself enough rest to continue your path.

I am rambling. I have met a few who lead their lives in ways I do not agree with, but am in no position to criticise. As long as he is happy, that's good enough. I often wonder about my balance in Life too.

To conclude, humans are not robots. We have priorities in Life, but ultimately, we need our breaks too. We may just fall apart when pushed too hard.

And yes, YZ you need a break!

Is it any of my business?

My dad shouted for me in the kitchen just half an hour ago, so I went, thinking he was going to lecture me about the water I was boiling. Instead, he whispered (yes, whispered. I don't know why) to me that they would be in Taiwan for a couple of days in mid December, so he asked if I go re-schedule my classes so that I could arrange to go to Mum's office to help out for another 2 days. Ok, actually he didn't ask. He told me to either re-schedule my classes or cancel some of the classes and do make up lessons on other days.

My initial reaction was a bit of outrage actually. I told him frankly that I couldn't change my classes. My upcoming Lasik appointment on Boxing Day will deprive me of my year end Term Holidays, and next year March's wedding shoot means I would need to do make up lessons for next year already! I honestly didn't have any free time left.

And guess what. Dad got pissed. The reaction: "Then how? Urban won't have anybody there for so many days!"

In return, I seriously got pissed. First and foremost, Urban is not a family business. My mother just happens to be a super loyal employee there for the past decade. Secondly, I have my own job that is taking a hell lot of my time. My whole family knows I am working every single day of the week. I had just explained to him that I can't change my classes because my schedule is too packed.

I am not a robot.

I need my rest time too.

Ever since I started teaching, I have diminished my working hours at Urban from 5 working days to simply 1 day now. I squeeze in my class to Sunday so that I can keep Friday available to continue going to Urban even just for that 1 day.

But what I don't understand, why do my mother, even my father now, think that it is my responsibility to go there? Frankly, if given a choice, I would rather rest at home on Fridays. The only reason I go there, is to help Mum out.

I want to get out from this crap.

Recently, I helped type a few letters to URA appealing against the 3 fines that the Boss has racked up in 2 weeks. Letters like that, sometimes are effective and the URA replies compassionately and "kindly waived off the fine". I have conjured up all sorts of reasons these few years and the success rate is around 70%.

This time however, the two appeal letters for these 3 fines fell through. According to Mum, it fell through because I failed to notice that there were 3 fines and I appealed for 2 fines only, causing a broken link in the "story". She called me during my class to confront me about it and remained annoyed about it for the next two days.

All these feels like a shit hole.

Luck.. is probably not with us.

YZ recently got me an Asus Laptop and I've been using it with much glee.
This also means I probably would start coming online more and do more blogs, since the internet is readily available for me now! Thanks to dear hubby. =D

YZ has been getting even busier, staying late nights in office these few days to get his work done. I am fine with it, but of course in the midst of getting busy, one also tends to focus so much on getting his work done, that he may neglect his health. My only concern at the moment is that he may end up getting too exhausted.

Speaking of bad health, I was down last tuesday till thursday, with fever hitting 38.7 degrees. All thanks to the savouring of a very delectable curry puff that just came out from the Oven on a lazy Monday afternoon. According to my Mother, we should not eat stuff that just came out freshly from the oven as they are very 'heaty'. So there. Point proven. I was promptly ill the next day!

As I was saying, luck is indeed not with me and YZ. The recent results of the Balance flats was out, and as usual, we received another 4D number from HDB board for the queue number. The number of flats available ? A mere 170.

Of course then, me & YZ hurried to the nearest lottery shop and bought our latest 4D number bestowed upon us by our HDB. ok. I was just crapping. I already forgot the number. Like we have a chance..

So now, given such circumstances, we have applied (yet again) for the latest Punggol project.
May the Luck be with us! But then, if we are successful, this will be another 4 years wait. Wow.
Wish us best of luck!