Finally, after weeks of intricate planning. The day of our trip to Bangkok, Thailand arrived.
We started off from Ipoh by chartered taxi at 6:30am and arrived Penang International Airport, where we checked in to Air-Asia. We then headed for breakfast of what was supposedly to be Roti Canai which our 'Tour Leader' lead us to. But when we reached the place, we got separated and set out to get our own breakfast. While I was lining up, she came to order her Roti Canai, but was told it was sold out. Not paying any attention to this, I continued lining up with my plate of rice and started scooping the dishes I wanted. But then to my horror, when I paid for my food and returned to our table, my group has left the table and I was left with my wife sitting there with our food. I asked her where were they ? and she said that since there was no more Roti Canai, they went into the airport lounge to have Nando's. I felt so silly.
Our flight was delayed for about 25 minutes and we were beginning to wonder what is happening? I than recalled Pamela's (my Underwater Angel from KL) experience about Air-Asia's flight having to return to base shortly after take-off. But praise the Lord!, The flight was smooth and so was the landing!
We arrived Bangkok about 12pm (Thailand Time) and had to haggle with the Taxis as they were trying to 'take us for a ride' (if you know what I mean!?). Finally, we managed to negotiate a reasonable price for the 8 of us. We arrived our hotel by about 1:30pm, checked-in and then headed for lunch at a nearby place, which I thought the food was great and the price very reasonable (though the place do look shabbish)
We finished our lunch and decided to go book a 
local tour which would also include the floating market. You would not believe the traffic in Bangkok, It makes KL's traffic look like daisytown. Take a look for yourself!Speaking of traffic, I noticed that Taxis in Bangkok are mostly Toyotas (Vios, Corolla and Altis)
there were even the occasional Mitsubishi. But unlike our Taxis here in Malaysia, They came in all sorts of colors, But the most prominent of them all, had to be the PINK one.
Our second day started off at 8am, as our local tour bus came to fetch us from the hotel after a hurried breakfast. We headed straight for the famous Floating Market (stopping along the way to pick up other tourists) the journey to the floating market took us about an hour's drive.
We were then taken on a dinghy
(can't call it a boat, cause we were so near the water that I did not even dare take a photo for fear of water splashing on to the camera) to the area where the actual floating market was (you cannot access via automobile) and while we were there,
we also managed to chance upon a american travel show filming.I could not believe my eyes when I saw all the people that was crampped into a narrow channel selling goods and wares oblivious to what is going on around them. Most of the traders were women of age and they cannot even
speak a word of english, imagine how would they be able to
communicate with the tourists that is abundant every single day!
After the floating market, we were than taken to a place where it was famed to have the best cobra show in the world ! ( I think it was really highly exegerated, how come no one has ever heard of it before?!) Anyway, none of the tourists on our bus wanted to see this so-called famous cobra show and after about 10 minutes, our tour guide seeing that none of us bought a ticket for the show, she suggested that we then head for the Thai Royal Handicraft Center.
We got to see quite a number of artistic wood art which we do not get to see in Malaysia.
The patience and intricate details the craftsman
has put into their work, is simply outstanding.
Can you all guess what the following pix is ?
After a good time at the handicraft center,
we were then told that we would now be taken to a restaurant for lunch. On the way, we had to go thru a little town where to our disbelief, was flooded (Note: there was not even a drop of rain for the whole 6 days we were there, yet this was what we behold!)Well, anyway, it was off for lunch (food, Glorious food!), we were taken to a very grand and lovely restaurant where they served a beautiful, beautiful buffet, there were so much of variety to choose from and we just did not know what to choose, the waitresses who did not know how to speak one word of english, greeted us
instead with a traditional 'Sawadee Kap' and their wonderful smile.
After a scumptious lunch, we were treated to an Elephant display show, which showcased the intelligence of a thunderous animal being so gentle and friendly.
Immediately after that, we were then ushered to the indoor stadium where we were treated to a beautifully choreographed traditional thai cultural show and also the famous thai-boxing which is only available in Thailand.
The following pix is an example of one of the many Thai Beauties we saw while we were there in Thailand.
After an hour of this wonderful traditional cultural presentation,
We were then taken back to our hotel. We then proceeded to head towards street food and while we were there, we had 'Bugs', Yes; BUGS!. our 'Tour Leader' was the daring one. She took the 'creme de le creme' by eating a fried baby frog, while we all ate either crickets or worms.- an experience not to be forgotten-
Our next day's agenda was to go to Chatuchak (Cjatujak, to the thais) weekend flea market. There were lots (and I do mean lots) of stuff that you could buy and bargain there, a real shopping haven for the ladies.
But one particular stall had a sign up which really caught my attention- Can you see what caught my attention?We left early in the morning as an 8 pax entourage, but ended up only 4 before lunch, as the 2 elderly ladies who followed us could not take it anymore. I then volunteered to take them back to the hotel while my mum and the other 3 (including our 'Tour Leader') continued their shopping. My wife, Peace accompanied me and the 4 of us made our way back to the hotel. Along the way, we tried asking people for directions to the MRT, but it is like 'Chicken and Duck' talking to each other.
Anyway, by the grace of God, we managed to find our way back. After a short rest, I asked the ladies if they would want to continue walking? and they said, so long as it was nearby and not under the sun. So I took them for lunch at Robinsons and later with the help of the tourist information booth's assistant, I managed to find a place where the ladies would love to go, AIR-CONDITIONED shopping mall. We went to a place called
SIAM PARAGON, it was supposed to be the super high class shopping mall in
Central Bangkok and
when I say Super High-Class, I mean that!. The shops in the mall included names like, Versace, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana,etc.
I think you know what I mean lah.. During the time we were there, there was even a fashion show on parade and a showcase of the super-expensive cars on display. My favourite is the one in red.
We also happened to chance upon some ' Thai Warriors' there and decided to have 'a Kodak Moment' with them.
While there, we were even serenaded by two pretty thai lasses with renditions of yester-years on the violin, This is to give you a hint of what I said about being a super high-class mall.
The following day, our agenda was the King's Royal Palace. We had to take a sky-train (Some of the ladies waiting for the Skytrain, The lady in red is my Mum) to the pier and than a boat ride thru the Chao Phrya river to reach there. As we were walking towards the sky-train station, we saw some very unsual food along the way.
Mini 'Hum Chin Pang and Yow Char Kwai'
as well as things you would not get me to buy or put in my mouth.
I also happened to chance upon
a camera shop that was displaying some very unique and antique cameras which is of a bygone era and I just could not resist the temptation to take a pix of it.We then headed towards the much talked and raved about
King of Thailand's palace. When we were there, I could not, but gape in amazement the superb architecture and details placed into the design of the palace. I think you may not be able to find such anywhere in asia or even the world of such thoughts to details as this.
After about 2 hours in the scourching sun,
we finally gave up and moved on to another place.
This time we went to see what was supposedly
to be the first temple in thailand, there we also happen
to chance upon a signboard that also made us wonder what it was to mean...
On our last day in Bangkok, Thailand. We went last minute shopping and then we had lunch at one of the foodcourts in the biggest hypermart called BIG-C where the payment system is so advanced that I wondered why developed countries like Singapore did not adopt?!.
It works like this, you pay a sum of say 500baht (RM50), they give you a pre-paid card. You go buy whatever food you want and at the respective stalls, they just swipe the amount you pay for your food, do this with your drinks or other foods and when you are done, Just bring the card back to the station and they will refund you the amount balance. Neat huh!?.
While we were having lunch, I noticed a board that again caught my attention, see the pix below
After six hard walking and back breaking days in Bangkok, we were then ready to say 'Sawadee Ka' and head back to our beautiful land of Malaysia where we need not have a 'Chicken and Duck' conversation anymore. Was it a good trip?..well....
Will we come back again..??, yes. But this time, to Chiang Mai.
All glory be to God our heavenly Father for a safe and experiencing trip. - Sawadee Ka !
