Thursday, November 20, 2008

Weekend in Bangkok


While in Jakarta, I popped up to Bangkok and met up with hubby who has been in the area for a little while. Here are some pictures and a summary of the trip. 

Friday/November 7: Jakarta to Bangkok on Thai Airways. Checked into the Conrad Hotel. Ate delicious dinner at Curries & Co by Baan Khanitha - behind the hotel. Walked around the hotel to get to know the neighborhood a little bit.

Saturday/November 8: After breakfast took a Sky Train to Central Pier (Sathorn Pier). From there hopped on Chao Phraya Express Boat to Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the temple of the celebrated Emerald Budha. Snacked on chicken satay from the street vendor before meeting our friend C at the Giant Reclining Budha. The three of us then rode a tuk tuk to Khao San Road - the backpacker strip - for some lunch and cool drinks. Back to hotel for a quick shower before meeting C again for dinner. Grabbed a taxi from hotel to take us to ... Pier (I cannot recall the name of the pier right now), met up with C then boarded on a lovely old traditional wooded craft ferry of Supatra River House that took us directly to its restaurant across the Chao Phraya River. We sat on the best table at the restaurant that allowed us enjoy a wonderful night view of the Grand Palace throughout our meals. 

Sunday/November 9: Had breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, then took a taxi to Old Siam Plaza, a shopping center close to Pahurat (Little India) and Chinatown to look for Thai silk. What a pleasant surprise to find the atrium was filled with stallholders preparing all kind of Thai snacks and desserts; all looked delicious, colorful, interesting shapes with the names we couldn't pronounce. Tried several of them and all was delicious; what a great way to sample local food! I was very happy with my sticky rice w/ durian (without coconut milk) that brought back great memories. Growing up I always had this mix whenever durian was on season, even for breakfast! From there we took a taxi to Silom to scout out another Thai Silk store, walked to NaRaYa, then grabbed a taxi to Jim Thompson Thai House where we spent most of our afternoon. After touring the house and the museum, we had a late lunch at the Thompson Restaurant. Their pad thai was impressive and delightful. And I am now craving for their pad thai as I type this. Did some silk shopping at JT shop before heading back to our hotel. In the evening walked to Suan Lum night bazaar which was not too far from the hotel, but didn't stay there very long. Then got a good Thai massage near our hotel which was more relaxing then going to SLN. 

Monday/November 10: Went swimming in the morning, had breakfast in the hotel then relaxed in the lobby. Had lunch with P (my classmate when I was a student in England), her baby daughter and her mom in a restaurant inside the building adjacent to Conrad. In the afternoon I rode a sky train to Siam Paragon to get more silk from Jim Thompson before letting myself loose in the Gourmet Market at the Ground Floor of Siam Paragon. Bought juicy Rose Apple aka Jambu Air and some sticky rice with mango for afternoon snack. Had dinner at Baan Khanitha. 

Tuesday/November 11: Took a taxi to the airport then flew back to Jakarta on Thai Airways. Checked onto Intercontinental Jakarta then moved to Shangri-la the next day.

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