I’ve been a fan of Australia ever since i read the book “Down Under” by author Bill Bryson. I’ve yet to visit the country even though it’s so very near to Malaysia but i have a feeling that it’s a fun country to explore. Come on, who could resist a country full of world’s deadliest jellyfish, snakes, spiders, sharks and a whole lot more things imaginable and unimaginable that could kill you in a flash. I’d pack my bags in an instant, in fact i’d move to Australia if that’s what it takes for that kind of adventure.

It’s really unfair that such a deathly country is also a country so beautiful really. Almost everywhere you turn in Australia there’s something exciting to do and landscape so astounding to see. After reading the book i am almost certain that Australia is like a overly large amusement park. And someday i will be there for all the fun rides with the outback that will serve as my sanctuary i will return to after each fun-filled day. That i tell you my friend will make me a very, very happy and beaming person.

Someone told me Queenslanders are crazy. As a matter of fact, it was my boyfriend’s superior who often told him about how those people are a crazy lot. Ironically, he was from Queensland. I believed him actually. Where else could you find a job that pay 150, 000 aussie dollars just to enjoy the beach and sun-bath? Queensland of course.

Australia offers ‘best job in world’ on paradise island

Jan 12, 2009

SYDNEY (AFP) — An Australian state has launched a global search for candidates for “the best job in the world” — earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the successful applicant’s home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland’s state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the “island caretaker” will be expected to stroll the white sands, soak up the sun, snorkel the reef, “maybe clean the pool” — and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The winner, who will stay rent-free in a multi-million dollar three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be an excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

To read the whole story *CLICK HERE*

It’s just too bad i missed the chance. It would have really been my dream-job, having the time of my life lazying on the island. Now all i can do is to hang onto Ben’s every word on Island Caretaker Blog and sulk.

And play this video again and again and again. Great Barrier Reef you just wait!

Damn it’s a paradise.

Continuation from:-
Hour Past Midnight
Along Chao Phraya
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Majestic Wat Pho
Culture Shock

28th February 2009
===============

One of the many highlights of Bangkok is the Chatuchak Weekend Market which you would have guessed by the telling name of the very popular flee market, is held only on every Saturday and Sunday from the early hours of 8am til 6pm in the evening. Getting there is fairly easy because you could easily take the MRT or BTS, although i must say the BTS proved to be a better choice since the BTS Mochit station is right in the heart of the market.

As the bunch of us were walking towards the BTS station, a friendly old man approached me. He too were on the way to the station. Perhaps the Chatuchak Market is undeniably world famous or the seven letters T.O.U.R.I.S.T. were plastered on my forehead… or perhaps but least likely he has an uncanny ability of reading the mind of confused-looking tourists (i’ve been told it’s the first but i believe it’s a mixture of the three), the gentleman’s first guess was straight on, we were indeed heading to the flea market. Before he departed to his destination, the gentleman was kind enough to lend us some directions and share with us few tips/warnings too.

If all Bangkok people are as helpful and as hospitable as he is, i am utterly in love with this city.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chaktuchak Weekend Market is quite the shopping heaven, an extremely large shopping paradise at that. In fact, so large is the area that it occupies, that it is dubbed the world’s largest flee market (over 26 acres and 100,000 square meters) with more than 5000 booths selling goods from all over Thailand. With its very own “Chatukchak Weekend Market Map” dedicated to it, that’s saying a lot.

It is a good idea to get your hands on the map to avoid getting completely disoriented in a congested market like this. And believe me it can get really congested. It was only a quarter before 10am when we arrived but already the place was streaming with all walks of life.

Nonetheless, maps are of not much use to me - i can’t decipher a map to save my life. Maps and me equals LOST. We went looking for it all the same not because everyone else in the group had a better talent in map-reading but more so that we could look the part (full fledged shopper).

Chatuchak Weekend Market Map

Under the blistering sun while our skin started to sizzle and bake, I realized that hunting for the map wasn’t as easy as i thought it would be. I had no idea where they placed the maps or whether there was a mini kiosk with the usual “Take one” sign which they probably have but definitely not one that i spotted. (Ok, i found out later that there is an information kiosk distributing maps, probably at the entrance of the market)

Nonetheless, we gathered from a lovely Finnish couple that most hotels carries the map at the the front desk. Obviously our hotel had none since the reception didn’t mentioned it at all but it’s a good idea to ask less like us you’ll have to hunt and pounce on the poor uniformed official whom was strolling around the market distributing the few maps he had.

Labyrinth of shops

As i stood surveying the lively market, i felt an instant surge of adrenaline. Chaktuchak is veritably a wondrous place.

Just as told by the old gentleman at the BTS, it’s full of B grade fakes, fake Levi’s, LVs, Burberrys and almost whatever international or local brand you can think of. But mind you, the quality is way better than fakes from China and the selection is wide. It is very much like Malaysia’s Petaling Street but at least 3 times larger and carries higher quality goods minus the Japanese punk-style type of product affectionately term by locals as “la la” products. That’s already one brownie point earned.

They even have puppies!

Chaktuchak Market is not in any case for brand hunters nor is it for the faint hearted because most of the time you’ll need to wrestle your way through the narrow alley, duck and dodge in every direction to avoid being smothered by sweaty, smelly bodies, and assert your bargaining skills with a vengeance.

If you’re lucky, you’ll come out with just a few bumps and sores and two handful of well-earned merchandises to bring home. And if you are even luckier like us, you’ll get a peep at some ample bussom, get a sneak preview of someone’s “bushy” region and meet Captain Jack Sparrow on the way out.

Like i said Chatuchak is a wondrous place.

Look at the plump retriever. Super adorable!

There are all kinds of imaginable merchandises on sale in Chatuchak Market with offers ranging from tourist junks to clothes and fashion accessories to kitchen wares and live pets. I could go on and on, the list is endless. Hence for convenience sake, the seemingly endless labyrinth of shops are organized into zones, with each zones occupied by shops selling the same genre of goods.

Nonetheless, it is impossible to seek out each and every shops in the market within just one day and even the most determined shopper not to mention myself could get overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the site. In between navigating and jostling through the crowd, scanning for potential buys and constantly making sure not to be a target for pickpockets, it could get extremely exhausting and dehydrating. Having a few bottles of bottled water would save you much hassle and misery.

Food stall

That being said, after hours of cramped up in the narrow shops trying to get the best bargain,  the stuff we bought never seemed to be enough.

Many had come here believing the things are dirt cheap which i suspect it actually was few years back or maybe more than affordable for European tourists or visitors from other countries with a upper-hand in currency exchange but the price of the goods although are slightly lower, weren’t that much of a difference compared to stuffs sold in Malaysia.

Fruit stall

It’s not that good of a bargaining ground either. Even after much coercing, most of the shops assistants would not budge after the final offer, a reluctantly lowered price at most only minus 3 to 5Baht. That is unless you buy in bulks like many personnal boutique owners who came all the way from Malaysia or other countries just to take stock. To me, the only consolation is the wide variety and higher quality of goods that’s not available in Chatukchak as opposed to the monotonous stocks in Petaling Street and that similar goods selling in other part of Bangkok are almost double the price in Chatukchak.

But that’s the beauty of Chatuchak Market. The merchandises are affordable but not outstandingly cheap, yet people still flock to the market dragging large empty luggage (seriously) filling it to the brim with souvenirs and wares. With so many selections of colorful merchandises displayed in the dozens of shops it’s difficult to resist.

All walks of life

Chatuchak Market is not all only about shopping but also much of it to people-watch. You get to see all type of interesting characters, be it tourists or local drenched in sweat but still very much lively. It’s also amusly fascinating to watch people so absorbed in the shopping frenzy and others minding their own business without a care in the world.

Imagine standing next to people stripped down to their bare undergarments (there wasn’t enough fitting rooms/changing rooms to occupy so many customers), trying on clothing in the public. The shop assistant didn’t even blink an eye, neither did anyone else for that matter. Being first timer there and also being typical Asians - we are admittedly only an itsy bitsy teeny weeny conservative and since running around in public half naked is not something one can do without getting arrested in my country, we were curiously surprised. Yet we did not want to appear in lack so we pretended not to stare… too much. After a few more rounds of bumping into half naked men and women in the market, it didn’t seemed as outrageous.

There is another incident that will forever be implanted in my memory, involving a local shop owner and her… uhm… nether regions. It was a hilarious incident whereby my mom was casually looking at some clothing displayed outside a shop.

The lady shop owner were in the shop sitting in a rather immodest manner, legs wide open like she was about to give birth, and she wasn’t wearing anything underneath her extremely lose shorts. Mom got quite a scare when she looked up and was greeted by the unappealing but luscious view. It was quite obvious she knew her intimate area is showing but all she cared was how hot the weather is. Quite fortunate for my boyfriend but unfortunate for me, by the time mom told me to look, she had gone to the back of the shop.

And there you go, an eventful day of people-watching at Chatukchak Weekend Market. What fun!

Clockwise from top right: Variety of noodle, roasted pork, spring rolls, round sausages

The blaring sun doesn’t show no sympathy even when it’s soon to be evening. In fact, the heat was getting even more impossible. With our bottled water all finished we had no choice but to emerged from the shops to quench our thirst.

Quails egg

There are many stalls selling drinks and fruits and more than a handful of food stalls selling cheap Thai food and snacks such as sausages, satays, noodle, small pieces of roasted pork and others. We were looking for a more adventurous variety like fried grasshoppers and the likes but seeing that we didn’t spot any of those we settled for a round of snacks which were not bad at all especially the coconut ice cream and roasted pork.

I later learned that the fried grasshoppers and crickets could be purchased at the insect area. My, that’s really appropriate.

Non-dairy coconut ice cream

Having rejuvenated, we dive back into the crowd for another round of bargaining. A little before dinner time we reluctantly walked to the BTS to return to our hotel.

And who shall we bump into but Captain Jack Sparrow.

Pirates of Caribbean

Didn’t i tell you we would?

To be continued at:-
**** ——- ****
Note:
All photos are taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8.

Continuation from:-
Hour Past Midnight
Along Chao Phraya
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Majestic Wat Pho

27th February 2009
===============

After a tiring day to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, we were bear hungry and our aching feet were desperate for some idle time. Relieved that we were once again within the comfort of our air-conditioned hotel, we rested and clean up a bit before heading out for food. It was too early for dinner but never mind that, our stomachs were desperately calling for help, the whole orchestral symphony at work with a string or two broken.

Peculiarly, there are many restaurants around the Silom vicinity (near our hotel), but none of them offers Thai food. There’s an Irish bar, a bunch of western fast food chain and plenty of Italian restaurants offering the common “most delicious Italian and Thai fusion pasta”. But we couldn’t find an authentic Thai restaurant anywhere within walking distance. Peculiar indeed. I was beginning to wonder if we were in Thailand.

Clockwise from top-right: Watergrass,Garlic & Lemon Snapper, Seafood Tom Yum, Oyster Omelete

In despair we stumbled across a smallish restaurant called Sor-Hathai Seafood Restaurant set in the narrow alley which we hoped and later confirmed after having a glimpse at their menu, serves Thai food. What luck! The food was absolutely scrumptious too - evident enough from the supremely polished plates on our table. Yes, what luck, what luck!

Read more about Sor-Hathai Seafood Restaurant *HERE*.

Stepping out into the streets of Bangkok on a Friday evening is somewhat of a culture shock. Yes, even in Malaysia we would see party of merry people getting drunk and having fun, clubbing or to the pubs or whatever youngsters do to celebrate the beginning of a workless weekend. But in Bangkok it’s a whole category all together. It’s not a party of people anymore, it’s more like mobs of people armed with paper bags, mostly students or workers spotting students costumes attacking the malls and rows of shows nearby exercising their consumers right!

We headed out to Siam Paragon to see what was happening there. And what a frenzy it was! As it got darker, the more people roam the streets particularly where there are malls or boutiques. As if there is a none-written rule that being at home on a Friday night are only for losers. Students in particular still in uniform but obviously in a weekend mood, had thick make-up on and hair-sprayed hairdo (most student looks suspiciously good as if they just ran away from a sitcom photoshoot) ready for a enjoyable night out.

Sexy Thai uni Uniform, taken from http://www.malaysiaminilover.com/

One thing that i absolutely adore in Bangkok is their students’ uniform. It’s really very sexy - white shirt top and knee-lenght or short skirt. Very much like a uniform for stewardess or female pilot. However, some of the girls i saw wearing the uniform was obviously way passed the student age category but hey, it’s looks good and who says only students gets to wear sexy uniform right?

Many types of uniform, taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfuller/

Sis bought a pair (top and skirt) for under RM40 at Siam Square the next day which she diligently wears to work now. LOL

As it happens there was something like a Thai fair going on outside Siam Paragon so getting around that area was a pain. Everywhere i turned i bump into somebody. I had an eerie visioin of getting elbow punched in the stomach by a guy with a big torso and a larger bicep. Fortunately that vision did not come true else the trip would had been cut short.

In addition to the fun fare, there was a mini concert right under the bridge towards Siam Square. With youngsters perched on the bridge anticipating the start of the show, getting to the opposite road through the bridge was next to impossible. Luckily, we Malaysians are used to squeezing our way through sardine packed crowd, our rail and commuter transit is the perfect training ground if you asked me.

That is how alive Bangkok is without counting the bedazzling yet rowdy Patpong district during night time.

Before we retired for the night, the receptionist handed us the 2 train tickets to Chiang Mai. Efficient, no? I can’t wait.

To be continued at:-
Euphoric Chatuchak Weekend Market

Note:
All photos are taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8.

Continuation from:-
Hour Past Midnight
Along Chao Phraya
The Grand Palace, Bangkok

27th February 2009
===============

Neighbors to the Grand Palace is the famous Wat Pho or better known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha where it houses both Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha image and the most number of Buddha images in Thailand.

You could easily get there by foot from the Grand Palace or by taxi or tuk-tuk but do be aware of the scams. Remember that Wat Pho is open DAILY from 8.00am to 5pm with an entrance fee of 50Baht. Don’t believe anything otherwise.

Worshippers

Upon entering the compound, we could see there are individual temple halls with Buddha statutes within it. Outside, there are small golden statues where worshipers would make their joss stick and lotus buds offerings.

Interestingly, each of them would slab on the statues a small square of thin gold leaf not unlike really tiny Post-It notes. The statues was entirely covered by the gold leaves making some sheets falling off to the ground.

Post-it statue

I learned that the action of applying gold leaf relates to the concept of making merit, which is of core concern to Thai Buddhists. I’m not a deeply religious person that i didn’t bother to pick up some joss stick less disturb the peaceful procession of praying worshipers.

But it was entertaining to watch other tourists having a good time rubbing the gold leaf on their forehead, their arms and everywhere else that suit their fancy, obviously mistaken this for a party. :S

The magnificent Reclining Buddha

The Wat Pho complex consists of two walled compounds, the northern walled compound is where the reclining Buddha is located and massage school are found. It is also one of the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images. But nothing can beat the very renown, Reclining Buddha, the largest single Buddha images.

It truly is magnificent as i stood in pure astonishment and awe admiring the forty-six metres long statue within the heavily decorated walls and high ceiling (kind of like occupying 3 or 4 hotel ballroom). Decorated with gold plating on the body and mother of pearl on the eyes and the soles of the HUGE feet which displays 108 auspicious scenes in Chinese and Indian style, the Reclining Buddha exudes a majestic aura and is so inspiring, people from all over flocked to get a glimpse of it.

That pretty much explain how long the queue was and how musky the corridor was coming from the fully occupied shoe racks - you have to take off your shoes before entering, locals and non-locals on separate shoe racks.

Huge!

Line against the wall are 108 prayer bowl. For a small donation, you get a bowl of coins that you can drop one each inside the prayer bowls as you shuffle along the queue. This act is supposed to bring luck and i guess it’s pretty therapeutic listening to the coin drop into each bowl.

That’s pretty much what’s Wat Pho is about except that i did not get my palm read or future read and did not experience the popular massage session that’s supposed to be available in the vicinity… ok i admit, i didn’t do much research before coming here hence i had no idea about the massage. But having seen the Reclining Buddha with my own eyes is already a satisfying experience.

Mother of pearl feet

To be continued at:-
Culture Shock
Euphoric Chatuchak Weekend Market

Note:
All photos are taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8.

We all love a bargain don’t we? Yes, we do, especially when it comes to traveling. Being a travel bug, i always and proudly thought of myself more of a budget traveler, spending only when it’s absolutely necessary. With that, saving up hopefully for the next destination much sooner than later. Plus it’s only common sense. Would opt for a more expensive airline tickets or a more affordable one given that the comfort level of the cheaper one is actually tolerable? I’ll pick the cheaper ones. No doubts about it.

That is the reason that i check out Low Fares with much interest and anticipation. They offer cheap airline tickets, affordable hotel stays and bargain vacation packages. That’s like heaven for me!

The website is very user friendly so finding out about flights availability and fares is actually a breeze. As i am planning a family trip to China, i thought why don’t i give it a try. All i needed to do is enter the city and airport of departure and also arrival, select the sites that i want to compare and voila! I have the best flight rates i could get my hands on.

Sure beats going through the many websites for comparison to get cheap flights.

Oh, i was just bored and looking through my photo archive when i retrieved this video.

It’s a short video i had taken in Old Quarter, Hanoi, pointing my camera here and there placing the whole scene in memory.

Darn i miss that place.

I miss the charm of the old town and especially the cold icy weather when i can see my own breathe.

Continuation from:-
Hour Past Midnight
Along Chao Phraya

27th February 2009
===============

As we got off Ta Chang pier, it suddenly hit me this is Bangkok’s peak season - not a good time for taking photographs of the Grand Palace. Almost all the tourist on the boat got off the same stop as us, most of them are heading towards the Grand Palace. Yikes!

Hawkers at Ta Chang pier

At the pier, there were many hawkers and local peddlers trying to sell junks, souvenirs and all type of food/snacks to the foreigners. The food smelled almost tempting but the preparation didn’t look too clean. Thanks but no thanks, i wouldn’t want to risk a trip to the hospital on my first day in Bangkok.

Goods on the ground

It’s a tourist area since the Grand Palace is just opposite road from the pier. Hence, many peddlers occupied the stretch with goods placed on a mat on the ground - big umbrellas set up to shun from the sun.

The tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers at this area are notorious. They have no qualms stopping you in the middle of the busy traffic offering their services. Beware of getting ripped off at this area. Some of the drivers are not as honest - hiking up their price, and some might even lie to your face!

Tuk tuk

At one point after we were done with the Grand Palace, one of the driver tried to con us. The hawk-eye driver obviously saw us asking the palace guard the direction to Wat Pho. Might i add that the palace guard was drunk?! I can’t believe it! The intoxicated guard had a hard time understanding our questions and even mistaken my sister for a local Thai girl. LOL.

Anyways the driver stepped in and informed us Wat Pho was closed at that time and would only be opened for visitors later that evening. He offered to take us to some other sights then back to Wat Pho in the evening for a fee. Fortunately Mr. Bf had read about such conning scheme from Lonely Planet. We weren’t fooled at all. He walked with a sour face empty handed.

Outside Grand Palace

The Grand Palace looked huge and magnificent even from the outside. The walls surrounding the grounds seems to stretch on forever.

Palace Guards enjoying the shade while we bake under the sun

There is an entrance fee of 250BHT per pax (inclusive of visits to Wat Phra Kaew) and there is a dress code you must adhere to. From what friends told me, no slippers or shorts are allowed else there are sarongs available for renting at the entrance. Females must have their shoulders covered too.

We were quite worried because of the super humid weather and we had to wear long pants and tops with sleeves.  I remember the sun being so blazing hot, it’s like getting roasted marinated in sunblock! But like i said rules are rules and there are cultures you have to respect. Roasted human or not. Right?

To the Grand Palace

I’m not a temple or a palace person in this case. They all look the same, no? But it was mom and dad’s first time so i complied.

Nevertheless, i admit being a little in awe upon entering the gates. The place was huge and the buildings/monuments so heavily ornamented, even the giant guarding the palace statues are covered whole with decorative. It was a magnificent view of Bangkok’s religious and ceremonial life.

Demon guard

Demons

The Upper Terrace of the Grand Palace house the 4 main monuments, The Phra Siratana Chedi (the Shrine),  a miniature Angkor Wat, Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn (the Royal Pantheon) and the Phra Mondop (the Scripture Library).

Phra Siratana Chedi

The Shrine must be the most photographed monument within the Grand Palace. It’s in the postcards, catalogs even in friends’ holiday photos. It’s like meeting an old friend don’t you think?

Miniature Angkor Wat

My favorite happens to be the Phra Mondop which serves as a repository for scriptures and manuscripts. The walls of the library a wonder - covered in green tiles inlaid with gold medallions. Stone Buddhas guard the Phra Mondop at each of its four corners, and sixteen columns support the Phra Mondop’s roof.

Phra Mondop

The exterior is amazing.

To the Gold Buddhas

Unfortunately, the interior is not open for public

Beautiful detail

The next important visit within the palace grounds is the Wat Phra Kaew also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside lies the green jade Emerald Buddha enshrined on a golden traditional Thai-style throne. The Buddha is clad in one of the 3 seasonal costumes (summer, rainy, winter). Within the wat is also some old relics on display - coins, cutlery, accessories and etc.

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the monastery but visitors can take photographs of the surroundings i.e. the halls.

Wall murals

The monastery compound is enclosed by narrow halls with galleries of murals. The walls are decorated with scenes depicting scenes from the Ramakien.

Up above

Like i said, the palace ground is huge. It’s torture maneuvering around in the extreme weather. We decided to call it a day after our last stop at the Weapon Museum.

Opposite weapon museum

Again, no photopraphy are allowed.

Dad were in there for quite some time. Guys have a thing for weapons and war LOL.

Oh well, while he was busy with the displays we were outside posing with the guard.

My sisters doing the salute!

To be continued at:-
Majestic Wat Pho
Culture Shock
Euphoric Chatuchak Weekend Market

**** ——- ****
Note:
All photos are taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8.

Continuation from:-
Hour Past Midnight

27th February 2009
===============

We had a good night rest at the hotel and woke up to a bright morning in Bangkok just in time before the breakfast line ended. As expected, it was an English breakfast, with yogurt, juices, toast, eggs and sausages in buffet style. Why is it that every hotel no matter which country we go to, serves English breakfast? We’re in Thailand so i would very much like an authentic Thai meal. Thank you very much!

Anyways, the breakfast was just so, so - everything was already cold and few of the serving trays were already empty so we had to wait for replenishment. Oh well, next morning we woke up real early. At least the food were warm then.

Moving on to our first day in Bangkok. On our itinerary today is a visit to the Grand Palace. Instead of taking the guided tour we did it free and easy style. The lovely receptionist recommended us the more scenic route through the canals as opposed to taking the taxi. It’ll cost us less too :).

From the pier

My first impression of Bangkok was how busy the city is. Everyone is in a rush to somewhere else, the busy chatter of pedestrians fills the air. Once you stepped into the street it’s easy to get caught up with the fast pace rhythm. I swear, even the escalator moves faster in Bangkok compared to Malaysia! And you know what? That’s a good thing. The escalators in Malaysia are so slow, i could practically fall asleep before reaching the other side.

Chatter and pedestrians aside, Bangkok is renown for it’s traffic. Yes, Bangkok traffic is notorious. Surprisingly though, it is pretty easy to navigate around city. Getting from one place in Bangkok to another is a breeze with the excellent public transport system. There is the Subway (Mass Rapid Transit network - MRT) and the Skytrain (Bangkok Transit System - BTS) that covers most of the important perimeter of Bangkok, tuk-tuks, the colorful taxis, buses and boats/ferries.

Long tail boat

With a good transport system like that, getting to the Grand Palace on our own wasn’t difficult at all.

We were going to board an express boat along the Chao Phraya waterways then get down at the nearest pier that is within walking distance to the Grand Palace. So, from our hotel we first we took the MRT from Sam Yan station to Silom station. A change to the BTS service is necessary. The journey from BTS, Saladaeng station to Saphan Taksin station takes less than 10 mins and nearby Saphan Taksin is already the Tha Sathon pier, our target destination.

Super convenient, no?

Yes, if you can stand the crowd and the hot weather… and the waiting.

On board the orange flag express boat

The pier was crowded with tourists but mostly locals traveling to their work place - i told you, the ticket is really cheap. Sure beats getting stuck in traffic too.

Several kinds of boats are available according to your needs and destinations although not all the boats are available everyday. There are the rental boats like the long tail boats(’hang yao’) for hire that’ll bring you exploring the canals.

River route - taken fron http://bangkok.sawadee.com/expressboat.htm -

Then there are the tourist boats and also express river boats. You could purchase a 1 day river pass for an unlimited trip aboard the tourist boat. Great if you would like to stop at the interesting temples and sights along the route.

The Express river boats on the other hand are mostly boarded by locals (workers and students) and it’s either with orange flag or yellow flag, available only on Monday to Friday. It mainly serves like something of a bus, stopping only at the main piers, dropping off passengers and picking up passengers. However, many tourist would opt for the express boat too because it’s so much cheaper. I think at about 17Baht only for the orange flag boat.

Bit of a warning though. The express boats operates during peak hours so expect a huge crowd.

Old buildings

It’s really crazy at the pier. The boats will only stop for a while so everyone was clambering on board, pushing their way in. We missed the a ride because it was over-crowded and naive little us didn’t want to shove our way in.

Big mistake.

The express boats are always crowded, anytime of the day. We learned our lesson the hard way because we had to wait for quite some time for the next one and it was super hot at the pier. I was drenched with sweat!

When the next boat came along we scrambled on board as quick as possible… but still there wasn’t much space to stand on. I was practically pushed up against the boat railing. LOL.

Mr. Bf was besotted by the satellite dish mounted on the old balcony… crazy geek

Ok, enough of that. Let’s talk about the view.

You know, traveling by waterways is a great and economical alternative for locals as well as tourist. There are 20 stops along the river route where you can experience the view. Along the river is some interesting temples or sites to visit such as the Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Grand Palace. Afterall, the river is formerly known as the “Venice of the East”.

Wat arun from the pier

The Express boat doesn’t offer much to see though. Nevertheless, along the route you get to glimpse of the old Bangkok - the old buildings, wooden boats, ancient temples.

Though the river is far from clean (i recall seeing slipper and empty mineral water bottles in the river) LOL!

To be continued at:-
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Majestic Wat Pho
Culture Shock
Euphoric Chatuchak Weekend Market

**** ——- ****
Note:
All photos are taken with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8.

Bad news and bad news.

First the bad news. The top level/centre tower of Angkor Wat is still closed for climbing. No luck there.

The other bad news is Cambodia is actually considering opening Angkor Wat temple for night visits - extending the visiting hours to at least 8pm. My first thought was “Great!”. Imagine roaming the archaeological site at night. It’ll be a once in a lifetime experience! I had goose bumps just thinking about it.

But then, if the visiting hours is extended it means the temples will have some modifications. Even now, some lights had already been installed at the ancient temples. Holes drilled onto the temple’s walls to place electrical bulbs.

It’s jeopardizing the preservation of Angkor Wat for the expense of gaining more tourist and money. I think it’s a really bad idea no. No matter how much i want to visit the site at night, i wouldn’t even think of risking the conservation effort.

Guilin trip is coming up in less than 60 days. That’s less than 2 months away but we are in no mood to go.

In the midst of planning a trip to Christmas Island for end of this year and Hangzhou/Shanghai trip next year.

But we already booked and paid for the tickets to Guilin. That’s almost RM800 down the drain if we decided not to go.

The big question is how do we get a refund?