SHOPPING @ BANGKOK!!!!

It’s the end of my vacation, but I'm still holidaying inside. Every part of me is telling me not to get up from bed so that I can sleep just that little bit longer. The alarm rings, and I'm reminding myself I've got to work today.... going back to work after the holidays always feels sickening.

I'm a very practical kinda person; therefore I plan my trip meticulously from lodging to itinerary to transportation, leaving some room for sudden change of plans. For those who knows me, they'll know as much as I enjoy the planning and co-ordinating, I make it an utmost importance that they proceed smoothly with hopes of little hiccups. Its the first time I planned a trip for 2 all by myself from date setting to planning itinerary.... but thanks to some friends who helped along the way if not I'll be completely lost... BUT most importantly to diana, thank you for letting me plan the whole trip and your excellent company thru'out th trip.

The weather in Bangkok was so scotching hot, its amazing how powdery smooth the faces of the Thai girls' were. While ours were collecting buckets of perspiration, their make up were immaculate. Although both of us were totally thrilled at the fact we made it to Bangkok on our own (only 2 ladies) and were ready to hit the stores like never before, we made sure that we were comfortable, relaxed and prepared for the heavy duty shopping. Photos link www.public.fotki.com/adeline

The day we arrived, we racketed the nearest shopping mall (MBK) for the price range for the items on our shopping list. We were so engrossed shopping the 7 storeys shopping mall; we quickly settled late lunch at a local steamboat restaurant (MK) and continued till all the shops were closing. While strolling back to the hotel we decided to try some local gourmets at a roadside stall. Something memorable was a strange noise, which grew louder, and louder until before we knew it there was an elephant right before our eyes with a handler asking if we’d like to feed the poor creature a bunch of bananas or a bag of peanuts at a small fee of 100baht (S$4). Still in shock we declined and continued our meal.

The following day, Friday 10th march ’06, Diana decided we’d go to some historical site or museum. Looking the night before, we found a ‘JIM THOMPSON House Museum’ the home of the creator of Thai silk. The house museum was lavished with mainly antics of Burmese paintings, furniture and artefacts. The entire structure was designed by Jim Thompson himself; combined with both Burmese and American features in a Thai styled house. Tours were provided by the museum with local guides who were fluent in French, Spanish, Japanese and English. Details www.jimthompsonhouse.com/
Following the visit, we conquered another famous shopping district called Siam Square. Ending the day was a relaxing foot reflexology.

Bright and early on the 3rd and 4th day, there won’t be another place to be except for the infamous Chatuchak market. It only opens on weekends from 8am to 6pm, and trust me you need to be there early. The extensive land of the wholesale market consist of thousand of stalls, you can get basically everything you need at this market at the most affordable price. Exhausted physically and financially, unable to go to the foot reflexology, we soaked our feet in the bathtub with scented shower bath on Saturday. On Sunday night however, as it was the last night we couldn’t miss the Night bazaar at SuanLum. Although it was not as huge as chatuchak, there were as many stalls.

Pooped over the weekends, the final day of our trip started late. We skipped breakfast and check out during brunch. Once again we strolled to MBK for some last minute shopping picking up items we missed out. On the way we had a quick meal at a roadside stall selling economic rice. We returned back to the foot reflexology shop for a last massage and took some pictures with our regular mesus. Took more pictures on the way back to the hotel and zoomed off to the airport. Almost excited to go home, I was really sad that the vacation had just flu by at a wink of an eye.

If you really asked me “what’s so memorable about trip?” I’d say there were four emotions to describe them… terrified, funny, amazed and proud.

Firstly, the credit card stuck in ATM moment. I was scared stiff but I kept my cool…the elephant moment as mentioned earlier. Secondly, MTV programmes and music videos were repeated 4 times/day for all 5 days, we could even predict the following programme. Also, we actually got to know a Canadian guy while Jacuzzi dipping at the pool deck one night. It was simply hilarious. Lastly, I’m amazed at how smooth the Whole trip went and definitely proud of myself.

NO REGRETS!!!

I only regret things I've not able to do and not the things dat I've done.

but regreting is just waste of time, now....?

As NIKE says it...

"Just Do It"

Hin Daeng Hin Muang

This trip was a very fruitful one. I not only survived a trip alone, met new friends, experienced new things (first LOB) and gained a lot of knowledge.

My phone rang and dennis (my instructor) on the other line said i would be taking MV Mermaid II, a very big boat instead of MV White Manta. I was apprehensive yet excited, all sorts of mixed feeling were going thru my head. Worrying mostly. Wondering if I would be able to mix well with the people aboard, which would eventually affect my dive. But as night fell i was not left with any choice but to put my feelings aside as i went to bed. I arrived at Phuket early in the morning 07:30am, I was pleasantly greeted by Ms Kay Golding, an English born-Australian bred lady with a bubbly cheer. I'll always remember her rich voice answering phone calls "Mermaid liveaboards! GOOD MORNING!"

To much relieve i was well accepted by all, by the end of the 2nd dive. My bunk mate (Kaori Suzuki - left) a tannned, petite blond japanese lady, who spoke as much english as I could articulate japanese was the sweetest darling. (I'm truly blessed to be rooming with her.) Initially I thought she was a quiet and reserved person as she was always sitting alone during meals but as I observed closely she was actually very keen to get to know me and interact with the others. Maybe just shy towards the rest due to the language barrier. I was the only other asian whom she could best connect with compared to the rest who mainly communicated in German or english, to which she was very foreign to.

On my right is Chris and left is Walter/Wally (either not "whatever") are both Americans. Chris who lives in India works for wireless system company. Thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures and travel tales. Walter, on the other hand is a travel agent from the United states, who travelled wherever his feet took him. Numerous places I could only dream of going. Also thru'out the whole trip sharing many of his exciting and interesting expeditions and road trips. "Do take care of yourself, dear walter." i hope to see you in Singapore one day.

<- This is Beto, a Brazillian who speaks 5 different languages (English, porturgues, Japanese, spanish and German). He is our Cruise Director and also Dive Master for my sub-group. His humour is subtle, his smile is alluring. His manner is gentle and his advices are empowering. Never failing to assure my comfort thru'out the trip. Thank YOU very much. This is Danny Van Belle (right), an underwater videographer. Once you get to know him, he is extremely friendly and caring, and ever ready to dispense dive tips and knowledge. With his 2000 over dives in 10 years, he is more than suitable. Thank you for reminding me about my no flight time.

NOW this charming English gentlemen on the left is JEZ, also an underwater videographer and photographer. His pictures and videos are as exquisite as his megawatt smile. He's got a bag load of humour hiding up his sleeves just waiting for the right moment to dish it out. "I can make spagetti..." I exclaimed during one of our meals and he replied "just the spagetti or with the sauce". Well, Jez if you ever make a trip to Singapore, you'll know if its 'just spagetti' haha...

These two dashing skin heads, are Christoph (with glassess) a Swiss and Andree a Greman. Sadly with a failing memory I could not recall what he does for a living, but as for Andree he was one of the Dive Masters on board. Danke for the cocktails on Phi Phi Island :P i'm hopeless when it comes to alcohol keke... After a night of Fun on Phi Phi Island, it was a time of farewell bidding and photo taking for me. MORE PHOTOS!! yeepee!! And to bed i went...

Before the yoke jumps out of the sea, before the break of dawn, my unwilling departure was certainly not lonesome. Dear Kaori's companionship was truly touching as she bidded farewell before the dinghy sped off into the black sea.

To all my lovely new friends, till we meet again. Enjoy more photos at public.fotki.com/adeline