2013 New Year Bangkok Trip (Day-2) : Part 2 - Shop till you drop !

So, after cleaning up and prayer, me and Fle went off to internet cafe downstairs to charge our nearly dead battery phone while waiting for Nze to return back from accompany Suki finding his own guest house.

Yes, I learn 2 things about how to have your hp survive through out a long journey :

1) Bring your own powerbank (i need to bought this before next travel)

2) and Universal adapter for charging purposes

Gosh ! Why cant we have smartphone battery to last much longerr? *sigh* For thing #2, I mention about this to my friends, but they said, it's no different on the plug socket features in a hotel they found in Manila, HK, and Indonesia compare to Malaysia, so with assumption Bangkok should be the same. 

But turn out to be, its not. *sigh* i wonder what makes Bangkok difference from Msia and any other country? And , the hotel doesnt provide us with universal adapter also. 

Thinking about it now, I would assume that because their common customers were mainly from Europe, and Europe power supplied would only required 2-hole plug. It does make sense. 

So, both Fle and Nze bought their own adapter, and me, menumpang  only :P

Anyway, I was hungry at that afternoon, so before we decide to go off to our pre-plan destination, i drop by at the nearest 7-11 (oh ! this is soo convenient. the 7-11 store was everywhere , and i remember to count the stores available along the Khaosan road, all together we had 3 7-11 store nearby to each other, at the front , in the middle and at the end of KS road)

So, tell you what, i can't find any halal stalls around eventhough when im googling up for some halal food available around KS road, it stated there were some, but need to find thru. Then I decide to go the the 7-11, and bought maggie cup there, and with the hot water available in the store, i had my instant maggie cup lunch there. :)

Our 1st destination in plan, Wat Phra Kaeo Grand Palace - so, we asked the TukTuk drive to send us there. then they said, "It's close. Close. 3 o'clock" in a broken english. *sigh* I dont know if im being paranoid or what, but i truely believe now on the TukTuk's scam. Go on, read thru , google up. You'll find the most famous scam in Bangkok is TukTuk's scam. And i dont wanna be part of that scam. Seriously.

And, they do not want to send us to ThaChang too. Instead, asking us if we are interested in jewelery. Seriously? Again, do read this link - and you'll know what i meant.

We decided to get back to the hotel and asked the hotel's worker instead. They suggesting us to go to Walachang (? i wasnt sure if this is the how they called it) but the hotel worker wrote us the place in Thai's word, and asked us to show it to the taxi drive.

So, off we went. It was a market that looks like Gaya street? or, maybe Jalan TAR, KL ? Not pretty sure what is that place, but we decide to walked and look around. They sold lotsa of goodies like a bag, wrist watch, foods, clothes etc just like what you'll see in the weekend market kind of stuff.

1st place we drop off was, at watch shop. Initially, Fle wants to bought watch for herself, but a little later all of us were attracted to bought some too. I bought 2pcs for my lil sis, cost us around 170baht.
Then, when we stroll along, we saw these one shop that sold quite beautiful handkerchief wrapped nicely in a box. 12pcs for 360baht (30baht for 1box). Me and Fle decide to bought 1 dozen and split the cost. Later, Nze bought a pair of flipflop for convenience use on walking.

Later by then, we saw a shop that sold quite a lots of dolls, with keychain. It cost around 120baht for 12pcs (i cant really remember since i didnt bought any coz there's no sign  of "item made from Bangkok" )

quenching thirst with lemon tea on the beverage stall nearby.

We strolled again back to our starting point, and Fle wanna bought a bag, and Nze saw a stall vendor that preparing to close (that time was around 6pm) which sold kid's clothing. I bought a pair of clothes for my nieces, and it cost me 70baht each. Cheaper, but looks nice. :)

We headed back to KS road by TukTuk. This time much cheaper, we bargain for the fare from 100baht to 70baht. OK, cool isnt it? Life was all about bargaining. And it seems that he dropped us at the other side of KS road. And we decide to walked and search for our hotel, based on our half-day experience today.

It took us some time to back to the KS road where our hotel located, and in the meantime, we managed to bought a Bangkok shirt - which cost 99baht each. and here, i bought 3pcs.

At last, we managed to find our hotel, from the back road. And tonight we had decide to eat at TomYamKung restaurant nearby.

Me ordered seafood tomyam and plain rice +tomato juice that cost me 200++  baht (cant remember exact amount), Nze ordered Prawn Fried Rice with pineapple skin + tomato juice that cost her 160++ baht and Fle ordered Fish + plain rice that cost her 400++baht ( i cant remember the exact menu, but it was pretty similar of what i found in KhunThai restaurant at Bagan Ajam, Butterworth ). They served it pretty similar to KhunThai. 

Then we walked around the KS road, it was pretty live during the night, with a lots of club and loud music, on the left and right hand side of the road, a food stall, clothes stalling, and even fake licence stall around ! 

And i found this :

So, let's called it a day. Time to go off, back to the hotel , rest , facebooking, instagramming, twittering and sleep ! Need to save energy for 2nd day ! Hee. 

I'll be jotting down more on 2nd day in Bangkok. But might takes a while since im now at kampung, sudden leave due to "illness" and will be back to work next Tues. And it almost quarter end. So, might be quiet busy, and.. im having a right wrist pain. Ugh. 

Anyway, till then , take care bloggers ! :)

Xoxo,

Far.

2013 Resolution

I dont think it's too late now to say "Happy New Year 2013" dear blogger friends ~ :)

You might be wondering , why didnt i update my 2nd part of 2nd day Bangkok trip instead, right? Pls accept my apologies, this weekend im a bit distracted with work (im always be) and a bit unorganized. Why?

1)  tons of workload were pending (non-stop issue.. *sigh*)

- due to the long hols taken due to Bangkok trip, I need to cover up lotsa issue for my product. Report, clearance, miscellaneous task etc. *stop complaining Far ! * *sigh* cant help it. 

2) Seoul Itinerary Draft

- Well, i promised my friends to get the draft  by this weekend, but, like i said, im distracted, but still doing my best to finished up the draft, at the very least. 

3) Losing Energy & Exhausted

- Since so many task i need to do, I have to work till late last week . Monday and Tue, working till 12am, Wed working till 2AM, Thursday working until 10PM, and Friday - yes its Friday, so i went off home early, around 8pm. Syhhhh. My boss doesnt really know this, coz he will scold me indeed for working till late. I couldnt help it, unless he provide me with FA tech. I cant win this task alone in timely manner. Seriously. 

Okay, enough saying, enough complaining. I am a bit down, seriously. But, get myself back to reality, this is 2013, let's open a new page of life. I have realized that i never had a resolution to set this year. 

Pretty amazed how my phase of life changing ever since im graduating, well, I can bet mine as not great as yours, but its a great personal accomplishment for myself. 

2009 :

July 2009 : Temporary employee in Telemarketing company 

Aug 2009 : Graduating from UTP in Bach of Eng (Hons) Electrical & Electronics, 2nd class upper 

Sept 2009 : Back to home sweet home

Oct 2009 : Began the academic career as Lecturer in private college

2010 : 

April 2010 : Bought Blackie for family used

July 2010 : Moving to new place , for fams convenience

2011 :

Oct 2011 : Leaving academic field

Nov 2011 : Began engineering career as management trainee with an agent

Dec 2011 : Bought Whitey for convenient to work

2012 :

Feb 2012 : Converted as SMART employee within 4 months of training (converted earlier 2 months before training ended) with 6 months probation

Oct 2012 : Appointed as permanent employee, alhamdulillah. :)

2013 :

Jan 2013 : Embark of 2013 travel list - 1st place, Bangkok

Coming soon..

Looking forward for Feb , Mac & April 2013. 

So, my 2013 resolution ? I have soo many : 

1) travelling

2) clear all debt

3) self-career development ?

4) start saving

5) bought DSLR/Samsung camera/ 3G HP

and basically, I need only 1 thing - HAPPINESS. Yes, i wanna be happy. No jealousy, no hard-feeling, no emotional attached. (eventhou im start a bit distress now..)

May 2013 bring you all a great happiness & love. Indeed, love is all we need to be happy . Im sorry, im lacking of love. Dont get wrong perception on this, but Im talking about universal love - towards God, all human, and unliving or living things. I need to learn this. and i know it would get hard. but . i'll be trying !

take care, blogger's friend. 

i'll c u when i c u. 

till then, have a blast year ahead. 

ps : what's your 2013 resolution? :)

yes, looking forward for this. :)

XoXo,

Far. 

2013 New Year Bangkok Trip (Day-2) : Part 1 - Sawadeeka ! We've met a Stranger!

It was a pretty long night, and thank goodness, even though im kinda having indigestion last night, but it was a soundless sleep last night. The bed was comfortable,and i personally kind of loving it. :)

So, we get awake around 6.30am, and washed our teeth and face, before having the breakfast around 8am. 

I took a glance outside the windows, the Thai scenery, it's beautiful. *smile* I was for once fall for it's wonderful landmark with a green paddy looks.

Good morning Angels ! haha :D Nze spotted to be still in her blanket ! :P

my breakfast that morning. 

Since the toilets and sinks was just couple of berth from us, i went to get my shawl get ready properly, until this one guy, suddenly appeared at my back, gimme a shock and said, "Are you Sabahan eh?" to which i replied, "Yes, and you?" 

"Im from KL" 

"Oh, i see"

"Student?"

"Nope, working. and you?"

"Student, just finished studying last Oct"

"I see.."

"Where you guys were staying later in Bangkok? Did you guys have a place aldy?"

"KhaoSan Road"

"How much per night?"

"Each of us has to paid RM96 for 2 night stay. "

"Can I follow you guys later during check in? I dont have a place yet to stay. Pleassseeeee"

*pitied..*

"Okay, sure, let me inform my friends also"

And yes, we've met a stranger ! the same stranger Fle talked about yesterday, when he asked if he really need to bring his back along during immigration check.

I told both of Fle and Nze, and they kinda agreed of letting him to join us on our journey. 

So, in the middle of our chitchatting while breakfast, he suddenly popped up, and start asking things. He sat next to Fle, and tell you what, he's kinda blabbering type of person. He asked and talked about lotsa things, to which Im the only person who were able to entertain him at that point of time - where mainly because we were coming from similar engineering background eventhou with different field. He's 22, a UniKL MICET graduates in Chemical engineering, majoring environmental. His name is Mohamad Subki, and basically we called him Suki , or Key. 

He talked a lots, and we knows few interesting facts about him as well , which i dont think i should share here . :) *wink*wink*

I dont know how long would the train reached Bangkok station, but we were kinda stuffy and tired, but due to our gracious patience, we finally reached Hualamphong Station at 1.21pm (Malaysia time).

All of us were excited to see "Bangkok" signboard, and here we go !

Bangkok , Aku Datang ! yehaa ~ *best*best*best*

First mission - bought  a return tix on Jan 4th, its a must ! So we went to "1-60days Advance Booking Counter" to complete our mission before checking in. But then, too bad , the tix salesman said there's no more seat available on Jan 4th, its FULL ! *knock2 my head*

this is where we bought our advance tix. if you plan to visit BKK by train, pls take notes that there's no return tix sold from Msia, but must bought in BKK itself.

*nervous* mode attack ! we HAVE to go back on that day , by hook or by crook, since both my friends is having their return tix to KK on Jan 6th! The stranger suggested us to bought flight tix, but, thinking of the budget (which is obviously last mins tix cost you more) i would preferably to go back by train, or bus. YES ! Bus ! When we were almost leaving the train station after deciding to check on flight fare first before coming back here to bought the return tix, the tips from Kak Lily suddenly popped-up in my head.

I once asked her, what happened if we couldnt get train back to Butterworth? To which she said, we can bought tix to Hatyai, and from Hatyai we can take a bus back to Penang. I told my friends about it, and luckily they agreed. :) Train fare from BKK-Hatyai Junction = 855 Baht (~RM85.50) Save our budget !

Now heading towards the EXIT, and time to check-in ! We want to take a taxi, but that stranger suggested us to go with TukTuk (some kind of transportation available only in Thailand), to which we were lucky to found a TukTuk which can fit all 4 of us in, and it cost us 150 Baht to Khaosan Road !

*snap*snap* us & stranger

we are here ! <3 Khao-San road ! the once that become running man spotted filming location! Coincidentally okay :)

and we are here~ D&D Inn, our accomodation for 3D2N stayed. Triple room, cost us RM288 for 2 nights, as per RM96/head.

Suki doesnt have his room yet, and D&D quite fully occupied at that time, and he has to find another room. 

Three of us went upstair to get our shower, get our handphone charge, before we start our journey again. 

Im gonna stop writing here first, since i dont wanna make a long entry just for a day. Pls stay tuned on Part-2 of Day-2 , dear blogwalkers ! 

XoXo,

Far.

2013 Travellog : Bangkok (Day-1) Embark of Our 2013 Journey

As per plan 2 months earlier last year, our trip to Bangkok began today. *Nervous* & *Excited*. And yes, i havent packed my stuff yet. Bought pretty big backpack last night in Aeon Perda cost me RM176, after 20% discount . Well, looking forwards for more travelling this year, this bag worth the price.

So, I was awake at 6.30am for Subuh, and followed after, both of my friends, Fle & Nze got awake. We went to Kapitan (again, i know :P ) for breakfast around 7.30am, and drop by at Petronas station to bought some stuff to brought in a train later, and get back home around 9am. I called taxi from Bukit Mertajam earlier to asked the uncle to pick us up around 12.30pm earlier, but too bad, he said he's available only at 12pm. (our depart time was at 2.45pm tho, and frankly,i just hate to be there early. *sigh*). But rather than risking our journey of missed the train, so we had to leave at 12pm to KTM Butterworth. It's not far from my place tho, as it tooks only like 20mins (without bad traffic jammed). 

So, me & Nze tapau foods from the auntie who's selling in front of the minimart at ground floor of my building - as Kak Lily (the regular visitors of Bgkok) advise me to bought food from outside, as it was hard to find Halal food inside the train as they tend to mixed both halal & non-halal food, that would lead to doubtness on its halalness. 

We've reached KTM Butterworth around 12.20mins, and straight went to the food court around, and both Fle & Nze grabs some lunch there. We've board to the train around 1.35pm, and there was only 2 coach train from Butterworth to Bangkok, as from what I read before, this train will be joint to another train coach in Hatyai Junction, so basically, it will be a long train when it reached Bangkok.

Us , just reached KTM , waiting for the train :) Fresh face, ok ! *giggling*

Us, again, before depart, in front of BKK train *smile*

look at this sign for your seat accordingly, on the side of the seat. (sorry, its kinda blurry since the train was still moving and the camera position became unstable, and it was taken by my HTC phone)

my newly bought travel backpack, which cost me RM176, worth the price. :)

and newly bought flipflop for comfortable journey, cost me another RM50.

Nze who's sitting on the opposite lower berth, still fresh .  

and both of us, pretty sleepy on our depart day. *LoLx* I know, look at how smiley Fle was, but seriously, we fall asleep followed after. sorry for my ugly pose. ngaa 

It was around 6.30pm, that we had stopped at Padang Besar for immigration check point, and how funny it was that we were not aware actually that we need to go thru both Malaysia and Thai immigration, when the Thai's officer called us, "adik , adik.. Siam immigration here..here" *dush* and the funny part was when i was straight away rush to the counter, but then he came again , asked me to step on the allocated box, stand straight still, and look at the camera on the counter. This is for the passport face recognition purposes, and im being dumbfounded for awhile. Still, it's forgivable for me as a noob traveller :P It does makes sense, doesn't it? 

Pre-ordered dinner and breakfast in train, at Hatyai Junction.  Seriously, language barrier was the only issue here. 

  

 Both of them had delicious tomyam during the dinner, and me..

.. just had my previous tapau food for dinner without table..(the train attendant is #&%$^#. just because i didnt order for food, she does not want to open the table for me, but took what supposed to be my table in my coach to be used for the passenger at the back ! mmg *pissed off* okay !)

getting ready for bed :) Fle had to be in the upper berth since she lost in rock, paper , scissor game :D

That's the story on beginning of our journey, on D-1 ! Good night, everybody . Will be uploading soon for D-2, pretty tight up with works after long holiday. Stay tuned!

..and sincerely apologized for the bad quality of the image - it was all taken by our SMART phone :)

XoXo,

Far!