2 dreadful years of housemanship has finally come to an end!! To celebrate this long awaited day, JW and I took a short break and went to Bangkok. This trip was indeed fun, fruitful (with loads of pics and purchases) and has thought me a couple of lessons....
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| our travel itinerary |
We departed from LCCT at 11.30am and arrived at Suvarbabumi International Airport, Bangkok at 12.40pm (Thailand is 1 hour behind of Malaysia time). As scheduled, the flight took approximately 2 hours 10 minutes.
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| while waiting for boarding in LCCT |
We boarded the Bangkok Airport Rail Link (located on the basement level of Suvarnabumi Airport) to Ratchaprop, the station nearest to Pratunam Pavillion Hotel, in which we stayed for 4 nights. The light rail was very clean, well air-conditioned and not crowded. Very vast difference compared to our KTM...The fare to Ratchaprop was THB40 for one trip ticket and the journey took about 30 minutes. It is indeed a good mode of transportation to and from the airport, especially if you are traveling light.
According to Google Maps, Pratunam Pavillion Hotel is only about 450 metres away (5 minutes walk) from Ratchaprop station. Thinking that the hotel wouldn't be too hard to find, we decided to walk. Even with the help of Google Maps and the many different "directions" given by the locals, we still could not find the hotel after walking for 25 minutes. We did approach many taxi drivers but not even one knows how to get to the hotel. Thank goodness one tuk tuk driver overheard my conversation with a taxi driver and offered to send us. Though that was our first time on a tuk tuk, immediately I told JW that would be our last since it is much more accident-prone and costlier than a taxi. The 3 minutes ride costs THB150. By the way, Pratunam Pavillion Hotel is probably 15-20 minutes walk away from Ratchaprop station, not just 5 minutes!
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| Carmen & the Tuk Tuk Man |
The hotel is located in a very narrow back alley of Pratunam. Citin Pratunam Hotel is just next to it. It took us quite a while to locate the hotel when we first arrived. Note to those who plan to take a cab or tuk tuk to Pratunam Pavillion or Citin Pratunam, most drivers do not know the place, even if you show them the hotel's map and address in Thai (as shown below). You will probably need to direct them to Baiyoke Hotel (which every local knows) and then walk from there to the hotel.
Pratunam Pavillion Hotel, which I booked through Hotels2Thailand.com, wasn't that bad for the price paid. Four nights hotel stay without breakfast was charged at THB4015. Although situated deep in a narrow, one-way, busy alley with plenty of vehicles passing by, the hotel is conveniently located near the shopping places in Pratunam. Pratunam Market is just 5-10 minutes walk away while walking to Platinum Fashion Mall will probably take 15-20 minutes. The entire place isn't too hard to locate once you get a hang of it. Furthermore, the roads and alleys back to the hotel are littered with food and clothes stalls, operating mainly in the morning and at night. There is also a 24 hour convenient store just opposite the hotel. You will see all sorts of people (including prostitutes) and numerous African men lingering the alleys near the hotel at night. So ladies, avoid walking alone in this area at night.
Our hotel room was clean and cozy, albeit small. It has all the basic necessities; flatscreen TV, mini refrigerator, safe, well functioning air conditioner, water heater and free WiFi (password changed daily). However, the hotel wasn't well soundproofed. You can even easily hear people walking outside your room. =.='''
A note to those who plan to stay in this hotel, ask for rooms at the higher floors (5th floor at least) as there are plenty of cars and tuk tuks passing by, even at midnight.
A note to those who plan to stay in this hotel, ask for rooms at the higher floors (5th floor at least) as there are plenty of cars and tuk tuks passing by, even at midnight.
The hotel staffs speak minimal English and may seem unfriendly. Nevertheless, they would try their best to understand and help when you need something. The hotel also provide complimetary Tuk Tuk, but only to nearby places in Pratunam.
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| The complimentary Tuk Tuk |
Upon checking into the hotel, JW and I headed straight to Platinum Fashion Mall for lunch and of course, SHOPPING! There's a huge food court on the 6th floor, serving a great variety of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean food. There are even stalls selling bird nest and shark fin soups. You will need to purchase a pre-loaded coupon of any amount from the cashier and swipe it upon ordering the food and drinks. Any balance can be refunded from the cashier at the end of the day. Just remember to redeem your balance before you get out of the food court.
We had Kuay Chap (rice with braised pig offal, braised duck meat, braised beancurd, braised hard-boiled eggs and preserved salted vegetables; THB50), Hoy Tod (oysters served in crispy egg omelette with a side dish of bean sprouts; THB75), a small bowl of red bird nest soup (THB 200) and a piece of pancake (THB18). The prices here are costlier than those stalls along Pratunam streets but it is also the comfort (clean, air-conditioned dining area) you are paying for. The taste, I would say, just OK.
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| Kuay Chap, THB 50 |
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| Hoy Tod, THB 75 |
Platinum Fashion Mall is definitely one of the must-go for every fashion enthusiast. Opened daily from 9 am to 8pm, it has approximately 2000 shops and stalls selling huge array of clothing (majority selling women clothes...hehe, definitely a paradise for women like me), accessories, leather wear, gifts, etc. Most clothing retailers here implement no-trying policy since most of the clothes (women's in particular) are free-sized. Fortunately, some shops allow size exchange for clothes that come in different sizes. Prices are rather cheap but you may find some identical items in Pratunam Market at even lower prices. Not much to haggle but you may do so if purchase more. Most shops will entitle you wholesale prices if you purchase at least 3 items from the particular shop (could be of different designs). Note to shoppers, remember to bring along a big, empty luggage to lug your harvests. Else, there are always shopping trolleys for purchase in the mall. :)
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| Pick. Pay. Pull |
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| You might be wondering what kinda of accessories they have here. Tee hee :) |
We also visited Pratunam Market which is slightly opposite Platinum Fashion Mall. Nothing much to see as most of the shops and stalls have closed by late afternoon (it was almost 4.30pm then). So, we went back to Platinum Fashion Mall and did some shopping for JW boy. JW bought 2 pairs of shorts and 3 few pieces of casual shirts for only THB1300, and they fit perfectly!! With the same amount of money, he can only get one of his usual G2000 casual shirt, that also after 20% discount!!! :)
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| What's left in Pratunam Market at late afternoon |
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| Tee hee +) |
After few hours of walking around Platinum Fashion Mall and Pratunam Market, we were helplessly hungry, again. LOL. As recommended by a friend, we had Pla Pao (Thai-styled salt crusted grilled fish with lemongrass) at one of the road side stalls stiuated between Central World and Platinum Shopping Mall.
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| What a name for a food stall! |
When I first saw the way the fish is cooked, I wasn't too convinced and perhaps, a little curious. This dish does not require any marinade and not even a slightest drizzle of oil before grilling. Instead, the whole, FRESH fish (with scales, gills and innerts still intact!) was stuffed with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves before heavily coated with coarse salt and wheat flour. Then, thrown straight to the charcoal fueled fire. My first reaction was, wow....won't that be a little too salty?
There were quite a number of locals patronizing these stalls, and almost all of them ordered this dish. Now, a little more convinced, we decided to give it a try and ordered grilled tilapia. As we peeled back the densely salted crust (the fish skin is to be removed and only the flesh is to be eaten), and took our first bite of the delightfully sweet and juicy fish, we were sold. The flakes were so moist and juicy, with lemony fragrance from the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves tucked into the body of the fish. And amazingly, it was not salty! I suppose the salted crust acts to form a seal around the fish, locking in the natural moisture of the fish. This dish is really awesome, even without the dipping made of bird eyes chilies, lime juice and fish sauce. Indeed a must try!!
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| Pla Pao, THB 150 |
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| Thumbs up!! |
Ok..that's the highlights of Day 1..I feel I am a little too "cheong hei"...
xoxo,
Carmen
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