Bangkok Trip with JC friends 6 to 9 Jan

It was just a random suggestion at first when two of my JC pals went to bowl without me, I did not actually wanted to go at first because I was already going on two trips overseas. Hee Yuan initially suggested for us to go for a 5 day trips, 3 days first to Bangkok then 2 days to Phuket before heading back home.

DAY 1: On the first day, me and Eugene had a meal first at Causeway point woodlands before Hee Yuan came and we left for Changi Airport terminal 1 via bus. Me and Eugene had a student meal at pasta-mania which was not bad.

When we reached Changi Airport Terminal 1, we decided to try ice-cream at birds of paradise. It was surprisingly affordable at 5 dollars one scoop, 2 scoop 9 dollars for premium quality ice cream.

We decided to then check in as our flight was at 4.15 pm. It was a short flight of just around 2 hours and sadly we did not get the window seats. After we landed at the airport in Bangkok, we wanted initially to eat dinner at the airport but it was a bit pricey so we decided to get some bread from 7-Eleven first. We took a grab down to our hotel. When we reach the hotel, even though it was just a 3-star hotel, I think it was pretty worth it because it has just enough space the three of us needed and it has everything ranging from a gym, free breakfast buffet in the morning, refrigerator, nice hot showers etc.

We decided to head down to the nearby street to have some street food. It was very lively filled with lots of street food and items. They even sold insects! We had some pad Thai, some fried prata pancake, basil pork, papaya salad and also pineapple fried rice. The pineapple fried rice was very tasty and good, a special taste that we had never taste before. We also went for a Thai message which was super cheap, only just for 10 bucks. Usually I only go for feet or shoulder/head massage but this was my very first time going for a full body Thai massage. It was very relaxing and comfortable, thought I found when they were massaging the feet it was pretty itchy.

DAY 2: We went back to our hotel and slept. It was a comfortable sleep and me and Eugene share the queen size bed while Hee Yuan took the single bed. We woke up around 9 plus next day and had breakfast. I felt that the breakfast buffet spread was limited. It was not that of a wide spread, but given a 3-star hotel it was still worth it nonetheless. The second day we planned like pretty last minute, so we headed to the giant swing first and took some pretty well-lit shots. After that we visited some temples and took some shots too.

We took a tutuk down and went to the area where the Grand Palace was at. We did not enter the interior as it was too expensive to enter (35 sing dollars), so we decided to just marvel the architecture around the exterior areas. We then decided to head to a nearby cafe for lunch. The food there was quite healthy and not super oily.

After that, we decided to explore shopping malls. We headed to a shopping mall and went to sing K. The price was still similar to Singapore prices and the cinema movie tickets were much more expensive however. The songs there were limited too as it was in Thailand and there were mainly over Thai songs.

After that, we shop around to buy some stuffs. However, some of them items are not that cheap and even more expensive than in Singapore. We then head and grab towards one of the night market. It was super busy and happening and sold a lot of interestiny street food. We bought like Roti, Meats on skewers, Ribs, fruit juice, wings and even crocodile meat! 

Pic: crocodile meat, taste like chicker but more chewer like beef

Pic: Hee Yuan trying scorpion, taste like cracker no insect juice, only can feel the sauce

We walked around the market and I bought some keychains but unfortunately I lost them on the way back to Singapore:( After trying all those yummy food, we head off for a foot massage. I felt very ticklish and painful but I endured all the way. 

DAY 3: It was an early day as we had previously arranged via Klook to visit the floating market. We had to wake up early at 7am and had to rush. We were still late in the end but luckily the tour guide still waited for us. 

We took the chartered bus to a city out of Bangkok. We rode on an electric motor boat and rode upstream through the floating market. 

Pic: I bargained this hat from 400 Baht to 200 Baht

Pic: delicious coconus ice cream

Pic: we fed some fishes

After dropping off, we walked around and ate pad thai again. After that the chaterred bus drove us to a seafood marker which sells very fresh seafood on the go. We ordered like a chili crab that was already peeled off and tom yum seafood

Pic: we managed to nego half price for pad thai from 200 Baht to 100 Baht. This place is truly a touristy place and the prices are jacked up quite high, but however if you know how to nego especially when you are Asian you are good to go!

We then head back to the city of bangkok and we took some scenic shots in the bus ride

We then shop around and bought more stuffs at a cheaper mall like clothes. I got a dennim shirt for like 5 dollars and I regret not getting the denim jacket which was also 5 dollars too. We then head to another street food mall. We ate at some restaurant and tried the salted grilled fish which was great. However, we were too tired and did not have enough money too .

DAY 4: This time, we can afford to wake up late. We packed up and left for a shopping center which was along the way to our airport. We ate lunch at a cafe. Me and Eugene spent our remaining Bahts on some snacks at the supermarket

We left the shopping mall and had problems with the Grab. Thank God luckily we navigate out to a shopping mall and got a grab. We had a smooth flight after that and ate A&W at Jewel. It was my first A&W meal too

In conclusion, it was a fun trip and I also grew how to be more independent as it was my first trip overseas via flight with my friends and without any of my family members. I needed this much physical and spiritual rest too. Looking forward to the next trip!

⛳ Batam 2019 Dec 16-17

To celebrate and also as a birthday gift, my father decided to take me along for a short 2D1N trip to Batam along with my sister. We took the business class instead. Even though it was 10 dollars more, it was very worth it as the seats were very comfortable and there were lots of extra seats to choose from on the upper deck. In addition, the checking in service and queues was much shorter too.

Pic: me in the business class seats

It was about an hour ride for both the to and fro journeys. Once we reach the port we decided to have a simple breakfast then head for a massage and hair cut. I went for a hair cut, simple herbal hair treatment and wash followed by a simple head massage. Even though the currency there is weaker, the prices weren't still that cheap. I still enjoyed it though

Pic: breakfast

Pic: Hair treatment and cutting hair

Pic: New haircut

After that we then head to a hotel to have lunch, though not the one we are supposed to stay in. The Nasi Lemak was pretty delicious and cheap too. After that we head to our actual hotel and then load out our baggage before we head to Nagoya hills, one of the popular shopping center in Batam

Pic: Nasi Lemak at a hotel for lunch

At Nagoya, I got a lot of cheap stuffs like slippers, bags, pants, etc. My father's friend tag along and we watched a late evening movie, "Knives Out". The movie was not bad as the detective plot was super good. The movie ended late and we end up also spending time grabbing to the wrong places before finally grabbing to the correct places. We ate at a seafood restaurant. The food was super good and the fish was cooked on the spot on a electrical heater at the center of the round table. The vegetables was super good that we ordered an extra. I also enjoyed the chili crab a lot and its sauce.

Pic: Seafood Dinner

We wanted to sing K late at night but since it was super late we just head back straight to our hotel. The hotel room was super big as actually it was a mini suite and had two small rooms in it, which had a big bed enough to host around 2 to 3 people on it. My sister slept it one room and me and my dad slept on the other room. The next day, we just head to another mall, a more expensive one but still affordable. We ate Japanese and bought some more stuffs and head back to the port to head home.

Overall this was a pretty chill trip and I could have bought more stuffs, stayed at a resort near the beach and played some water sports instead.