Back to the Past: My trip in Thailand

Can't really remember much about my previous trips to Thailand when I was much younger. Aside from one or two funny memories when I was a child, there wasn't any other concrete recollection of anything else on the trips - which was sad because I've always heard wonderful stories from my friends who've been there.

The first surprise to greet me in my hotel room: An elephant structure made from towels! Elephants are the national symbol of Thailand and are revered. No wonder you see so many charms, bracelets, decorations made with pictures and figures of elephants!

So you can imagine that when my parents told me they've opted to spend 2 days transit a.k.a. a-little-spoil-me-time in Thailand, I was thrilled! Dad gets to go golfing with his buddy buddy while Mom and I go shopping like "mad cows" - a term my sister used to describe our behaviour when it comes to eye-googling handbags, shoes and what nots.

Second surprise to greet me in the hotel room!

I tell you what... Bangkok is definitely a bustling city. As with all major cities in the world, the traffic is horrendous... but for those shopaholics in Asia, I say forget Singapore and Malaysia as shopping havens because Thailand has them all: quality original goods (at a HEFTY price tag after they add in taxes) but you can also find quality local goods at cheaper prices (if you know where to find them). The city has so many things to offer: things to see, do, taste, smell, feel (if you dare to) haha...

As you can see in the left: traffic is PACKED... and taxis are... PINK! lol
On the right: I also noticed how most cars driven by locals had beaded necklaces
hanging by the rear-view mirror. Charmed luck, possibly?

Since traffic was horrible and dad scooted off with our driver for the two days, my mom and I decided to have a walk around the neighbouring area. Luckily our hotel was situated within the confines of Siam Square, a heavily commercial area crowded by locals and tourists alike. It was booming with colourful visuals, live music and commercial adverts. It was like a mini-version of Times Square in New York... except the weather was humid.

A bustling evening market where you can get foods of various sorts!
Be warned: it's meant for heavy-duty stomachs, otherwise you'll spend the whole evening in the crapper!

Imagine this! A Golden 7-11!!

So we spent our "transit" days walking around the area, checking out what Bangkok scene has to offer.. and like I said before: TONS... there were SO many shoes and handbags on offer, that I could feel my heart fluttering as I walked pass by them... ahhh... IF ONLY we didn't arrive in Bangkok with excess baggage, then I could've probably bought the stuff I was dying to have. But then again... if it was the other way round, I think I would have splurged uncontrollably over handbags, shoes and god knows what else... lol Thankfully my mom was there to keep me in check hahaha, otherwise I would've probably end up having to buy a new suitcase!! hehe

After walking about one of Thailand's renowned mall, MBT, we popped into
Aunty Anne's for some tidbits and freshening drinks.


Dad enjoying the Almond Pretzel with Caramel Dipping.
So *ehem* you know who you are... jealous, yet? lol

For two days straight, my feet were SORE.. i mean unbelievably sore.! Even after having foot reflexology every night in Thailand, they were still sore! I don't think I've ever walked that much in my life... Wait. Actually I have but in more comfortable walking shoes. lol. It came to a point that when we flew from Thailand to Frankfurt, my left foot swelled up and I couldn't wear my shoe!! hahaha Thankfully it managed to go away.

One of Thailand's famous road transports: the "tok tok".
Sadly, my mom told me, you don't find as many of them as before. :(

One advice I'd give to ANYONE who plans on going to Thailand: bring COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES... because you're going to be walking A LOT. It's the only way to go about and discover the city - but it's worth it! A thoroughly wonderful experience.

One thing I've noticed: In Thailand, the locals here are very proud and
protective over their king. Very much beloved, as well.
You'll see plenty of adoration like these all over the city!


Once in a while, you'll come across some interesting sculptors created by local artists.
I found this one to be awesome... it looks so trippy, like you're looking at a photography
but as you keep walking straight, the image slowly distorts in front of you.
If you're ever in Thailand, I say check it out!

It was by chance that when we flew into Thailand it was during the election protest period. So unsurprisingly as we drove around there were a couple of roadblocks and security checks. There were a few times that we passed by tents filled with soldiers and police men in riot gears and heavy guns. Even as we were on the way to the airport, leaving Thailand, I saw some heavy armoured vehicles on the roadside highway, positioned for any last minute emergency calls.

During the two days, I never saw any protest demonstrations carried out in public... The only major "happening" was that we drove by a car filled with 'red' supporters waving a HUMONGOUS red flag by their window, driving around the city.

Image Source: By Sukree Suplang/The NY Times

Secretly I think our driver was a protester too - though I can't really confirm that. Just subtle hints, I picked up like how he always wore the same red plain shirt night and day and stuffed in the pocket of his vehicle, I noted a red cap and a small red flag. Then again, there were many possible answers to these observations: so guys, bear that in mind.

As we drove around the city, there were a couple of cultural things I've learnt and personally thought was interesting. You'll see them in some of the photos I've shared with you.

I feel so CHIC!

Walking out of Sunday market with fresh, colourful bouquets of REAL flowers, juggling bags of fruits and freshly baked french baguettes jutting out of my shopping bag made me feel so CHIC - FRENCH CHIC!

It was a wonderful and exhilarating feeling to be standing there in the middle of the market square, immersing myself with the sights and sounds around me: the calls of haggling market vendors, the clicking of shoes upon old stone pavements, chattering of french and Flemish lingo all around me. On one slightly chilly Sunday morning there I was, bundled up in my warm spring jacket, neck cosily wrapped in a sky blue pashmina scarf and lastly my never-have-failed-me-before goodly worn black flats. I felt like the only thing missing from my outfit was a french barrette!

Carrying my camera around was a dead giveaway to the local folks that I was not one of them and it turned out to be a lovely experience: most people I encountered were friendly and welcoming. There was even a vendor who asked me to take a photo of him and his friend but his friend was shy! As you can see down here! LOL

To read about these blokes and a few other interesting stuff, click "read more"
at the bottom of the entry

The Sunday market was simply awesome! Located close to the "Arabic town" of Brussels, it's where everyone goes during the early mornings (on Sunday, obviously) to get really good, dirt cheap deals on household items and produce goods - I couldn't believe the amount of stuff I found there! If you feel like being a good sport and are up for it, I suggest that you spend a few good hours walking around. It won't be long until you pretty much find whatever it is worth finding!

Bags of spices for sale. Can you guys make out what these spices are?

The Belgians sure love their meats!

Aside from Germany, I've never seen a country obsessed with meat and cold cuts

available in a variety of sorts!

Something amusing, I thought was that at one point I came across rows of vendors selling women's underwear and bras like nobody's business! It was a hilarious sight seeing rows upon rows of tents set up, decorated with bras and underwears hanging everywhere about the tents - and people actually bought them! I don't blame them though since everything was so cheap!!

Rows upon rows of tents hanging underwear and bras for sale!

Some of a few things I saw: Strawberries, plenty were as large as the palm of my hands, sold by carts for merely 5 euros! Chocolates, belgian waffles, sweets and confectionaries were priced at 3 euros for 5 packages of your choice! Freshly baked french baguettes for 75cents EACH! How awesome is that??

Huge pumpkins for sale!

Imagine how much pumpkin soup you can make with one of these?!

It was a huge market and quite possibly much bigger than Victoria Market, Melbourne. As with any other Sunday markets, you can find fresh produce, fruits and other household junks (if you'd like to look at it that way, i.e. bags, shoes, dolls, etc) anywhere and everywhere. The market was SO big and beautifully disorganised (i.e. you'll find a chocolate vendor in the middle of the produce section or a fish vendor in the middle of the clothes and spice section) - but I guess that's what makes it exciting because you never know what you'll expect to find.

Fresh local farm-grown strawberries with some as big as your palm!

A cart of these were sold for a mere 5 euros... and it's a good thing because I LOVE strawberries!

The agricultural section was one of the best that I've encountered: tents upon tents of flowers, planted herbs, greeneries and what-cha-ma-call-its where there for cheap prices. There were so many variety of plants and flowers, no wonder the Europeans love buying fresh bouquets and flowers from the market: fresh, clean, BIG, colourful flowers.

A bumblebee joining in the fun at picking the best flowers!

The whole section had sweet floral smell lingering in the air. Flowers of sorts could be seen: freshly cut, potted plants ready to be placed in gardents at home, etc etc. Orchids, Roses, Pansies, Lilies, Daisies, Irises, Hyacinths, and so much more! I mean the ground was literally FULL of bring beautiful colours - it looked as if someone had just splashed colourful paint all over the floor!

One of the roses bought my parents for the new house

Mom ended up being a few bouquets for the new house (more on that and our hotel later) but I've made a private note to myself to come back later and buy a beautiful potted plant and flower to store in my room :)

The happy couple with their recently purchased fresh bouquets!