Backpacker Girls

Today is friday so Joe can not go with us. We are planning to go some shopping and sight seeing, i am determined to show Lee the Erawan shrine!  But before that we had to do a very long BTS trip from Rama 2. And start to think again about staying at the apartment, its convenient but not convenient for our budget as we had to hail taxi from the apartment to BTS station and could cost around 90-110 baht just for BTS station. And we have to do like 5 BTS station until the interchange, oh gosh too much! (See the BTS&MRT complete route HERE)

Joes Apartment >>>>Taxi to BTS Wongwian Yai (Silom Line)>>>> 6 BTS stations (Krhungtonburi, Saphan Taksin, Surasak, Chong Nonsi, Sala Daeng, Ratchadamri)>>>> Siam Central Interchange (FINALLY!!)


Anyway, we went to this mall Emporium for some sushi for lunch, why here? i don't know either hahaha.... but we went to the central already before. And because Joe's sms about meeting us on 'ON NUT" station which is only 3 stations away from where we are (Phrom Phong BTS).


But we had time of our own. To be honest this is my very first sushi. Lee a good guide, i like most of the sushi! she sometimes joke around and said something like... ohh thats a sea worm, and i said... what???? she laugh for fun. We enjoy our lunch for sure. The fish sooo fresh and as desert we had green tea ice cream, oh gosh.. so fresh! yummy!! The "damage" is around a thousand baht which is normal as i can see we eat a lot!!


While doing lunch Joe text her and said a friend of his invite for dinner and i told Lee, lets see some clothes here!


They had discount, but when we try and had some Joe calling, i didn't heard it as the phone on my back pack. When we rushed to MRT where Joe's waiting it rang again. He become inpatient hehe ...guys...


When we finally met he was too upset to listen to my explanation; i think i better split with him to avoid misunderstanding. So i am heading back to Siam to chill off left them both at On Nut BTS (Shukumvit Line) and do back up plan while on MRT, and i end up... planning to go to Suam Lum Night Bazaar.


Before going there i went to Siam Paragon for new sim card. I just realize IM3 charge me Rp 6000,- per sms to Lee, as Lee is using Thai sim card! Lee sound very worry..hehe so i reply her and say i went to Suam Lum night Bazaar. I had my self a "Happy" sim card color of the package is red with smile on it... as it had the best rate for internet as i would need for my gmail on phone and ofcourse free sms to some thai numbers (as it said hahaha). Their shop at the 4th floor of Siam Paragon, but i had no time to set the internet because its quite late for night bazaar.


So i head to Suam Lum night Bazaar at 8pm. Its bit late, and gosh the MRT sooo quiet even worse at BTS that i believe if some psyco jump off those one column on the wall and drag me out of no where no one will know!! But then i just think i had to go there because there are so many stuff i could get from there before Chatuchak weekend market. Short of warming up hehehe.... (hasrat belanja lebih tinggi dari rasa takut hahahah!!)


Siam BTS (INTERCHANGE between Shukumvit line & Silom Line)>>SalaDaeng BTS (Silom Line)>>off the station go outside the station by sky walk, down stairs (about 150meters, see the sign) switch to MRT Silom>> stop at MRT Lumphini Station


I use the underground BST, just too bad Lee didn't have this chance to try, but i think she will be all right with Joe.Train nearly empty, i just pick seat near the door. I forgot the fact that the store in Bangkok closed at 9.30PM!! And its major shop like the biggest Siam Paragon, unbelievable! hahahah.... Oh the nght bazaar also close the the Lumphini stadion where you could watch the Muay Thai traditional martial art, we both talk about this and think should be fun to watch this sometimes.


When i get off the BTS i was shock.. it was different than 2 years ago!! like when you got off the BTS you will see the Suamlum night bazaar lamps right on the right side of you, but there's only dark empty scary land there!! where is it??? i stood there for a while, and look around there was only several local bangkok guys prob half drunk, not good to ask, and also two caucasian couple face as puzzle as i am, pointing the empty land, hahaha... same... nasib  mu sama tohh...


I was so freak out hahahah!


But i walk to the street.. i think impossible to move such big market... i just walk to the right side when i sad neon lights said "Suam Lum Night Bazaar" and heard sound of local Thai band playing loud i know its promising!! so i walk faster, and hahahahah!! the entrance of Suam Lum Night Bazaar right in front of me!!



So i shop for few bangels and pins and a backpack and two tshirt for my self. And then headed to Joe's apartment in Rama 2 nearly midnight. I was so tired!!

 Sky still blue and not falling apart.....

....hmm... ok lets do some changes here... you ought to had  flexibilities on your plans, there for it will be fun for all of us!

Check out at 9am and then we use taxi going to Rama 2 where Joe's live.


Its far out side the heart of Bangkok. It is convenient for him, as he work in hospital right across the street. We check in on a room, a level below his room. The apartment just like a hotel. But you could rent it for a month with different price. Its like a studio apartment, large room, a tv set with the dvd player, cozy king bed size, and nice bathroom, a fridge and basically nice.


We had to go out for breakfast first before we going out, as we haven't had our breakfast, so we go to one of the mall there. Because he said its only breakfast so we didn't bring our cameras or bags. But after the breakfast he said we go straight to the China Town... omg!


I was panicking and said to Lee; "we didn't had camera!!" , and worse, i've been to Grand Palace before and we start at 9 am and it was HOT. We were on Chinatown before 12pm and it will be very hot in Grand Palace.


Chinatown, i can't say much as Joe brought us there and just walk passes through. Could see several things that i would love to buy. But i just thought we are going to get slower but we're not. I love Bangkok Chinatown feels like in Hongkong pictures!


Sorry i didn't bring the camera, its just so disappointing not to get pictures from here...


We use taxi after that for Grand Palace. The palace/home of Thailand king family. It was as beautiful as i remember before. Also as crowded as before too. We take few pictures and went around for checking the building one by one.


Lee seemed pretty amazed. Me too, even this is my 2nd time coming visit this palace.


I like the details that they do on the palace wall, window and also the carving doors.

The items on the  Grand Palace museums also complete and in good condition. We went to the weaponry museums and see some old guns and cannons.

Its 3pm and we are all exhausted, and haven't had lunch. So we went to Chaophraya again to go to MRT. Joe have to go to his friend wedding party. We had lunch on the pier when suddenly the rain fall so hard that it looks like a storm coming.


Its not a good way to use the boat then. So we went to the street again and using a bus that passes through the Grand Palace. Joe said its the first time he use that bus. I can't remember the number also. But it goes to the right direction to Rama 2! So we are pretty close to Joe's Apartment.


From the bus stop we use taxi, and Lee sleep on taxi ride. I talk with Joe about lots of things. And i could see i become more familiar with the street to his apartment. It still amazingly far. We spent about 30 min on the taxi. Grand palace seemed worn Lee out.


When we arrive at the apartment Lee said she didn't feel sleepy anymore. So Joe's preparing for his wedding party while we clean our self. I am thinking about going to the mall that i saw on the way to Joe's apartment.

When we just finish cleaning our self Joe's calling Lee and said that he cancel the plan to th e wedding party and said he was turning to the apartment and thinking about taking us out for dinner and movie.


So we get ready and meet him for dinner and movie at Rama 2 Mall. We eat pizza, i forgot the restaurant name, but oh, its very delicious and thick flavor. I love it... not bad. The pasta also taste very good!


We watch "The Sorcerer Apprentice" quite tense and funny. I love Bangkok caramel pop corn... (from last time i went to movie in Bangkok 2007 with kak Mari) still can't forget the taste, yums! Its almost midnight when the movie finished.



I went to sleep because pretty tired from Grand Palace tour, i still haven't discuss the next day plan with Lee that night, as the lover bird still on their nest...duh...(wink wink). 

Wake up a little bit late after our night out, i can't wait to show Lee Bangkok. She also excited about the trip. So we take shower in very nice bathroom of Lub.D. She impressed with the hostel since that was the very first time she stayed in hostel and on a budget traveling journey.

What i like about Lub.D (that i regret later didn't take so many pictures on this awesome hostel). It was very clean, and safe as they put multiple door, and the atmosphere are friendly, free wifi, free internet, and they had this bar down stairs that we could had our breakfast and maybe could hang out with the hostel guest at night. Chong Nonsi MRT/Sky Train not really far from there, if you know the map, its less than 15 min slow walk! Its very cool! There also public market not far from the hostel. I love buying food from hawker seller. Its clean, and i think i had more resistance on "un-certified" food hahaha! (sombong!) as long as its not pork, i will be jussstttt fine!

I did a complain, once, when i think i found someone else hair on my pillow (since my hair long and dyed/colored so i know its not mine).  They change the bed sheet then.

Back to our cruise at town. There are two MRT station close to the hostel, Chong Nonsi and Sala Daeng. But we didn't want the same mistake as last night when we get lost and realize that Sala Daeng actually bit far from the hostel. So we took different  route.

Today we are planning to do a little bit shopping at MBK. A shopping mall well known among Indonesian. I bought two tshirt last time i went to Bangkok in 2007. It was cheap, and the quality was very good! it does made me regret not to buy more while i were there that time.

From Chong Nonsi station we have to go to National Stadium station. Its quite far from Chong Nonsi but.. it only took less than 20 minutes. I love the Sky Train or MRT in Singapore. I wish they build this transportation someday in Jakarta. (Ngarep gak papa kan?)

I forgot how Bangkok could be so hooot! a short walk and my shirt wet! and i am an Asian!

Oh, when i arrive at the MRT, i just realize i was become a skimming victim (smile). You know the ATM machine crime? when they copy your ATM card and stole your bank account? yepp.. happened to me! my account left to Rp 28.000 (below US$ 3), thank you very much Mr Skimmer! (weep weep)


Panic? hell yes!! feels like i want to scream, and rolling on MRT floor but i didn't do it. I just stare at the ATM monitor and scared Lee. Hahaha... its really happening to me!

It was my first day in Bangkok i still have like 11 days to go before i land in Jakarta. I only book, half price of most of my accommodation. But all flight tickets are covered tho.

In gasp of panic i try to find at least 5 different ATM at MBK. Lee starve, so we eat our lunch, i still feel like my tummy been kicked hard! hard to chew the food.

It looks delicious, don't know the name, but its a green beans with jelly wrapped shaped like fruits.. amazing!

But we found this unique cute food!! oh its desert... more to. Its a jelly, small size, soooo delicious looks, inside of it is green beans! very creative! i want to ask Lee.... can it made me high now? because i need it please!! haha but i thought Lee was worry enough to think about the rest of our journey. So i didn't spell it out. She bought a box, and its relaxing tho.... sweet and fresh cold. Not that hard to finish the whole container.

Delicious, looks very very attractive! (just note the seller name Pa' Lek>>>suspicious its a Java language!)

At home mom already contact my bank, and nothing i could do as they said it was a valid withdrawn from Thailand ATM, and they know i am in Thailand. Anyway, it was happened, and i ask my mom to send me money for the day and i try very hard to remember if i did brought my Credit Card or not.

Look in to that troubled eyes.... so much cute things at MBK but penniless! this is crueell! T.T

Reason why i don't want to bring my Credit card?
1. I shop a lot (shooooeeeesssssss!!!!!! ruuunnn! discount! ooohhh aawww! madness!)
2. I shop a lot of things i do not need and worse about that, i REGRET IT later, and feel annoyed why i can not hold my seld and bought so many stupid things.
3. I lost things, i forgot things.
4. My CC had no insurance.
5. I just basically don't trust my self being alone in shopping city like Bangkok and Singapore.

Anyway its more to silly personal reasons that worry me. But at last it wasn't proved on this journey tho. You could bring your credit card of course!

Is it a cat head? its cute, and funny, and artsy!

We walk at MBK almost all day. Window Shopping for things. So many cute things there. Until i decide time to get back to hostel. So we walk outside and notice the next building to MBK. There are cute cat head and garbage bin in front of the building.

I never been to that building before. Its Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. They had movie exhibition there. We decide to get in and take a peek inside. Its very calming place, lots of painting and art craft and actually unique stuff! there was post card and its hand drawing very unique for collection!

After going for two floor, we become bored pretty easy. I told Lee about Erawan Shrine. Lots of Indonesian business went there for good luck pray. Shes pretty excited to see. So we walk down to the street because the Erawan Shrine doesn't have Sky Walk (pedestrian walk but its placed align with MRT or above the main highway, even singapore doesn't have this!!)

But then this is the first time i passed by Siam Junction. There are more shop there. We quickly forgot about Erawan Shrine and drowned to the shops. Lee had a good taste in clothing i could see that. And most peopel here think that shes a fashion models. We both tall, over 173cms which not average in Indonesia, we are tall girls and not very feminine as lady boy hahahah!

Ballack, mein liebe!!

When we walk through the isles of shops there it was... the golden dome the roof top of Bangkok Hard Rock Cafe. I saw it on internet before. So i told Lee about it and she said "lets go there!" so we march down there, made few pictures, between me and mein liebe Michael Ballack, German national football captain (Ich Liebe dich!!). Its pepsi ads. But i could see that the Siam Junction been one of the place where you could watch the World Cup 2010. You still could see flags, posters and pictures along the street. Love German team always... for picture souvenirs (and to irritate someone that been fans of Socceroo... hahaha!) so i take one picture on one of bench with Ballack picture.

To the 2nd Floor, basically a Beattles and Elvis "museum"

Actually before we enter the Hard Rock Cafe, i feel little bit "scared" as the car that parked in front of the Cafe mostly very expensive car (Mazda coupe, BMW, Porsche, etc) freak me out, and think ...ohhh.. only rich people come here, wonder hows the food/drinks price is. Thinking about my less than 3 dollars bank account, basically i am one of those homeless beggars (weep weep).

Having Extra Large Ice Cream, its a big Lunch desert!!

 
We sit on table with "John Lennon" and Paul McCartney memorabilia on walls. They even allow us to check the place until the 3rd floor. The 2nd floor actually the bar, it was closed that time and open only at night. The third floor is more like office.

Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok 3rd Floor Office

I got my self sundae ice cream, while Lee order glass of mocktail, i forgot the name (haha we want to get bit tipsy in day light!) and set of fries which we gladly only order for 1 set, because it comes in big basket!! too much even just for two girl, but maybe its just fine for guys. And i want a bottle of water after the ice cream. Oh ice cream HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (two thumbs) for the brownies inside the ice cream taste very good. And have to warn you, its also on big cup, as you could see on my picture, so Lee and i trying so hard to finish it, but we couldn't make it to the bottom of the cup! (soooo yummy that it made me drools to remember how it taste...)

I like this..sound like three Musketeers in music!

We take some more pictures there before leaving. The waitres are very friendly, and actually "too friendly" hahaha. We learn some of thai language from the guy, which is nice things.

Lee then said she want to meet up with her friend "Joe" so, we have to leave! back to MBK because he will go there. So back to MBK, we walk a bit since it will took him about 45 minutes before he arrive.

We sit at Mc D and watch how much students use the McD as place for studying. Its fun to see also some of the (looks like) University Student teach them. Same like in Indonesia, difference that we don't really use McD as place to study, as there are too many distraction!

Joe finally arrive, and he was very nice person!

He ask if we had dinner already, and we both said we had big lunch and still full. But then he took us to a japanese restaurant in Siam Paragon. Its a fancy restaurant! I didn't really enjoy another food because suddenly i had acid indigestion and i didnt bring my antacid!! i always bring that when i was traveling! it must be fall somewhere but its not on my back pack (weep).

So lee and Joe had their dinner while i had a cup of hot green tea (i think it was yamcha). Its calming tho. We had great time during dinner. And then Joe invite two of his friend to come to join us!

Bowling at Siam Paragon Mall

It was a blast! they were very funny, and crazy. I feel so full, so does Lee! but the fun was not over as then we went to the top of the mall and play bowling!

Fun at Bowling with new friends

It was crazy as i never bowling before! very fun... and Joe was very kind to show me things, and i think i learn it very quick! but of course i was not as good as they are! Even Lee does bowling before!

Mr. Strike! He really show off his bowling skills!

There was a lot of people, families and young old guys mixed there. It was very fun night! I also found out later that the bowling place also had an ice skate rink! wow...

Closing time!

We are the last costumer went back home from the bowling place! hahaha... feels like we don't want to end the night tho! so we walk Joe friends back home, and then find a taxi to get back to Lub D in Silom.

It was 3 am when we had to say good bye to Joe! it was an awesome night and he think he could join us tomorrow tor the "wat" tours!