Bangkok: City of Angels

Last year, when I attended one of those 'high-tea-time' meetings with my besties out of the blue we're talking about traveling again together.
It's almost a year since we're traveled together around Eroupe.
Starting from where I used to lived before, Muenster - Germany continue to other cities in Hitler country such as Dortmund, Essen, Koeln, Duesseldorf, Rattingen, then hop on in Amsterdam, hop off in Bruxelles, hop on again in Luxembourg, again in Barcelona, back to Muenster had a nice and warming farewell party with my best friends in Germany and finally headed back to J-Town.

Geez, miss those crazy and great 'bff' moments so muuuch.
So when it's suddenly came to the air this traveling issue, I was just so excited as much as my besties.
Without wasting so much time, we're discussing which country is going to be our next destination this time.
As everyone gets broke after the previous Euro Trip, we decided to choose one country in Asia. Which is quite cheap for transport and accomodation but still nice to be our getaway. Since everyone never been to Bangkok - Thailand, we chosed Bangkok instead of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Couple of days after that meeting ( yes, seriously!), everything's checked.
Itinerary : Checked.
Flight : Checked.
Hotel : Checked.

So, Bangkok there we go.
Fortunately, my hubby also need to go to a conference in Phuket - Thailand, so he will be joining us at the end of my holiday with my besties.

As soon as we landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport (located about 25 km east of downtown Bangkok), we took a taxi.
For your info: Do Not Get Into A Taxi At The Airport Unless The Metter Is ON.
Went straightaway to Ratchadaphisek Road.
Geez, it took appr. 15 minutes to explain the hotel address to the taxi driver.
We showed the address, still it doesn't help much because the addres was written in latin. They used Thai alphabetical in their daily life. It's difficult to understand what they said actually..., you should pay extra attention to each word.
Finally, after we pointed the street on the map he knows where to go.

Our friend who lives in Bangkok, already waiting for us in front of the hotel appartement just in case the taxi driver couldn't find the building.
We're stayed at his place until my husband came to Bangkok.
My friend's appartement is very cozy. A great combination between modern and minimalist architecture. Right in front of his living room, there's a beautiful swimming pool. We can also chilling out on his private balcony.
This place called: Ratchada Hotel and Service Appartement. Divided into two areas, first is for the permanent residence. Second is for the temporary guests.
Later on, I moved to the second together with my hubby.
The place is very comfy. Each appartement has: kitchen, living room, private balcony, bedroom, bathroom with bath tub and shower, even wash machine.
Feels like home yet very practical. It's ideal for up to 4 persons.

Soon after put our lugages in the appartement, we went to Esplanade (a shopping mall beside our place) to have our lunch. Hmm, we had a delicious welcoming Japanesse lunch from my friend. He bored already with Thai food, so this time he asked for Japanesse food as our first meal in Bangkok.
Well, as long as he paid for the lunch we don't have any problem with that..hehehe:p

After lunch, my friend went back to work while my besties and I continue exploring the mall. Bought some groceries for a week ahead.
After that we're taking a nap before went to Siam Paragon (the largest shopping mall in Bangkok).
We had a dinner meeting with my friend there (he works in this area).

Travel around Bangkok (BKK) is easy and flexible.
They have many alternatives transportation system in BKK, you named it.
From Tuk Tuk to Taxi. From Skytrain to Metro. From Boat to Train.
But for me as BKK is one of the busiest capital cities in Southeast Asia, I'd prefered travel with Skytrain and Metro around BKK.
Clean, fast and predictable. You'll save time, money and headaches from the traffic.

Wandered in Siam Square, window shopping, had our dinner at local restaurant.
The night went so fast.
For your info: Siam Square has lots of cinemas, a warren of stalls, shops, small pubs, eateries, trendy and funky boutiques reminds me of Kemang in South of Jakarta. Also cafes where you can mingle with students from nearby Chulalongkorn University.
On our first night in BKK, my besties already spent 700 baht in Siam Square. :D
But, true, we fell in love with this city as soon as we saw the price tag. Hahahaha.
It's very cheap comparing to any other country in Asia including Indonesia.

Our second day in BKK, first agenda was still shopping. ;)
We'd postpond our travel agenda in BKK sightseeings till my hubby is coming.
So, he could also look around the city together with us.
This time, we went to Mahboonkrong MBK.
Still around Siam area if you take sky train just stop at SIAM then countinue walking to Siam Discovery Centre than across the bridge following the signs that shows you the way to MBK.

MBK is like a Mangga Dua in Jakarta but much larger.
They have everything in MBK from mobile phones to toilet seat.
You can also bargaining with sales on the price. In fact, you NEED to bargain the price that they've been given to you. Otherwise, they will rip you off.
MBK is one of the famoust shopping district in BKK.
Not only for tourists but also for the locals.
For your info: Be careful with your belongings. This is pickpocket paradise.

On our third day in BKK, my hubby came and joined with us.
We moved first to the hotel appartement, so we still can have some privacy. ;)
Breakfast at eight with the famous Thai Noodle Kluay Tiew and Beef Balls + a glass of fresh orange juice + a cup of earl grey tea with honig at the hotel.
Quite early for holiday I know, but sooooo muuuuch to do in Bangers.
We're soooooo ready to groooooovy this daaay...!

We took Metro first from Thailand Cultural Centre (the nearest Metro stop to our place) to Sukhumvit, then changed to sky train stop over in Central - Siam.
Then took sky train with Saphan Taksin direction until the final stop.
From Saphan Taksin we crossed the street to Central Pier where the river tours get start.
We can get this river tour along the circle or hop on and hop off at the sights that we chosed. This boat will takes us at the main area in BKK with many sightseeings need to be seen. Such as: Grand Palace, Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn),
Wat Po (the biggest and oldest reclining gold Budha statue in the world) and many sacred temples along the river.

Our first stop was Ratchawong.
Within walking distance, we'd arrived at China Town.
There're a lot of food stalls, fruit stalls, bustling markets, very narrow alley ways, hidden small restaurants, gold stores and many more.
We've tried what so called 'small eggs fried' (I don't know what it's called in English = telur puyuh ceplok), local foods like tofu fried, etc.
After our stomach were full, we get on the river boat again.
And stop over at Wat Po.

For your info: There's a small cafe across the street of Wat Po (Chetuphon Road), I forgot the name of the cafe.
But you'll definetely have no difficulties to find this coziest cafe in the area.
This cafe have an excellent originally Thai foods and a very nice interior.
I've tasted the best of Tom Yam Goong ever in this cafe..!!! Don't miss it.

After had our 'big-lunch', we're wandered around the sites. Wat Po, Grand Palace, City Pillar Shrine, etc.
We also tried TUK TUK because our feets already screaming for helps. Hahahaha:D
And OH MY GOOOOOD! My first and last experience with this TUK TUK.
It's an extremely dangerous sport for your heart!!!
We almost hit a truck in front of us, and this wasn't happened only once. All the times, during the 5 minutes of riding!
Can you imagined that...?
Well, at least we've tried already to ride the famous TUK TUK from Thailand. :D

Feel so tired and exhausted because of the heat, we decided to pampered ourselves at the world famous Wat Po reflexiology school centre.
Oow..oow..oow.., feels like heaven guys...!
You should give it a try, if you are a reflexy (foot massage) fans.
It's really worth to try!
They have a different techniques of massages and reflexy.

Thai massage is great for sore muscles and you can't go far in the city without bumping into a Thai massage place.
My hubby was even get snorred in the middle of reflexy. Hehehehe:p
We took a picture in front of this Wat Po reflexiology centre, but unfortunately I lost my camera with all of our Bangkok pictures when
I was in Citos - Jakarta. before I copied the pictures to my laptop. :(

Well, anyway after getting recharged at Wat Po we headed directly to the pier.
Waiting for our boat to come and pick us up. We get enough for today.
We took a coffee break at the hotel, then get ready for the night adventure.
We went to Lumphini, there's a night market with a lot of cafes, reflexy centres, handycrafts boutiques, traditional clothes, and many more.
We simply enjoyed the ambiance. Bought a white shirt for my hubby before we return to the hotel.

The next day, our destination was: Chatuchak Market!
Been waiting for so long to go to this market.
Chatuchak Market is the most famous market in BKK even in Thailand.
Most of boutiques in Jakarta get their stuffs from here.
Chatuchak is a very massive market which divided into several areas.
Antiques, Home Decor, Used Books, Textiles, Wood Carvings, Art + Decor, Jeans, Accessories, Agricultural Product Market,
Inexpensive jeans-clothes-t-shirts-etc, Animals, Kitchenware, Ceramics + Porcelains, Souvenir Gifts, and not forget to mention Foot Massage Area.
The most important area for my hubby and I. :)

After spent the whole day shopping in Chatuchak, again my hubby and I pampered our feets in reflexy area whilst my besties still busy shopping.
We're so addicted to Thai Massage especially their foot massage.
Don't you love being pounded and pulled like a piece of dough?
Fabulous, darling... ;)

The next day, my hubby went back first to Jakarta.
My besties and I still have one day to go.
So, with the rest of our BAHT we spent a day in the shopping mall.
Tried another Thai foods, Pad See-Eeuw (stir fried noodles with seafood) with a delicious Mango Thai Salad.
Hmmmm...damn so goood! :)
Had a cup of frappucinno at Starbucks Esplanade, chit chat and finally packing our bags for tomorrow.
How time flies?
We'll definetely come to this city of angels again.

"Kap Koon Ka" (Thanks for ladies)
"Sawadee Ka" (Hello for ladies)

Note: It's a pity that I lost my camera with all of our Bangkok's pictures inside. :(