Surprise

It was at noon and i was about to go for lunch. My cellphone rang and i looked at it, an unknown number was displayed. I picked it up and i heard a man's voice asking me, "Is this Jane speaking?". "I am calling from a florist, may i know where is your office located?"

My mind was blank for a while, surprised because i was not expecting this. I gave him the directions and went for lunch, but was looking forward to the arrival of the "surprise" which was unintentionally exposed.

The awaited "surprise" came shortly after lunch. My colleagues were laughing at me and asked who was it from, knowingly there is no one else besides him. It came with a card and all it was written in the card was my name and a web address. As i was typing the URL to access the site, the smell of freshness filled up my lungs. I havent been feeling so close to the greeneries for a long time, right by my side on my desk.

There in the website, laid another bigger surprise. Words that he hoped to keep me strong when we are apart, 10000 miles away. And it did...

No, it was not my birthday nor our anniversary day. Coincidently it arrived on the 29th of Feb, a day which only exists in every 4 years. But that wasnt the intention. And it surely wasnt a proposal, so stop speculating :)

Thank you for doing this. I know it aint easy to arrange them with all the logistic difficulties. And i really do appreciate it very much. No words can express how thankful and happy i am.

^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Sawadee kha! - Part 4

Day 4

It was a pretty much a relaxed day. Our flight was at 6pm, so we planned to leave around 3:30pm just to get there about 2 hours earlier.

We took the skytrain again to Erawan Shrine, which is conspicuously located in front of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. This highly revered shrine was erected in 1956 and legend has it that the Lord Brahma employs his omnidirectional gaze to watch over and protect the mortal and immortal worlds. Offerings to the Lord Brahma Shrine: An offering set includes 16 incense sticks along with 4 each of candles, flower garlands and sheets of gold leaf.





Finally we did a Thai body massage at King and I Spa and Massage center before going back home (300 Baht for 1 hour). It was very very good! *argghhh*

Sawadee kha! - Part 3

Day 3

Vimanmek Mansion a.k.a. The Palace in the Clouds is pieced together from golden teak without a single nail and houses a fine antique collection. It is claimed as the world's largest golden teakwood mansion and located within the Dusit Palace.


The main entrance of the mansion.

We were not allowed to wear short pants or sleeveless tops in the mansion, which doesnt really make sense to me. It is just a mansion, previous residence of the king. Why cant we wear short pants? If it is a temple, then i can understand cos we need to pay respect to the Buddha.. but this...

I guess we have to follow the rules..


Can u see the word Vimanmek?


John with the canyon display.


Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall.

We didnt visit all the buildings in Dusit Palace. You are not allowed to bring in your stuff inside these buildings so you have to keep them in the locker available for rent. Imagine going into 5 buildings and you have to go thru the hassle to put in and take out your stuff each and everytime. It doesnt worth it..

Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall is a majestic piece of Italian architecture located at the end of the Royal Plaza, 200 m behind the King Rama V Equestrian Monument. The building is very nice and beautiful. I somehow felt like a princess when i was there. The feeling was just amazing. *day dreaming*


This is a nice side view of the hall.


Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall.


King Rama V Equestrian Monument.

We then took a taxi to the Victory Monument to take some pics and proceed to Siam Paragon via sky train.


Victory Monument.

Siam Paragon is one of the biggest shopping centres in Asia. I am really amazed by how big and modern the mall is. It includes a wide range of stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater with one of them having the biggest screen and seating capacity in Asia.


Siam Paragon.

The Siam Ocean World aquarium is the largest aquarium in South East Asia. I saw a lot of weird fishes and water creatures which i never ever thought that could have ever exist!


Siam Ocean World.



Another exhausted day.. oh gosh..

Sawadee kha! - Part 2

Day 2

It is a Saturday, and there is no where else to be than the Chatuchak Weekend Market! It is one of Asia's largest covered open-air markets with an incredible 15,000 stalls and an equally incredible range of goods including clothing, plants, household products, handicrafts, ceramics, pets and leather goods.

We took the skytrain, BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) from Asok station (at Sukhumvit Road) to the Mo Chit station. I am really glad that Bangkok's public transportation is good enough that it helped makes travelling easier. We can go to most places via BTS or MRTA (subway). It would be really bad if we have to take taxi all the time because a lot of the taxi drivers do not speak English. There are times that we had to resort in using sign language (to try to describe the place) because they cant read an English map as well. It was indeed a challenge.


One of the many many entrances.

I think we didnt even cover 20% of the market. That just described how big the area is. I guess we need at least 3 days...


Look at the crowd!

Please beware of pickpockets since there are so many people walking by you all the time. You never know if that someone who bumped into u was really just an accident or intentional. Maps are available for free to help visitors to get around the market but we couldnt find any until half an hour before the market closes. *sigh*


Pets or live animals are sold here too.

We didnt buy a lot of stuffs. Altho there are so many stalls, John couldnt find a nice messenger bag designed for men at all. Most of the bags are for women. He was a lil disappointed. I think Petaling Street sell more nice bags than here. Anyway, i guess it depends on what you are looking for. If you wanted Thai arts or products, you will never go home empty handed.

After a long walk at Chatuchak, we took the subway to Suan-Lum Night Bazaar. It is also a very popular market offering one of the largest selections of Thai products in the country. There are more than 3,500 small shops selling clothes and accessories, jewelry, home decor items, arts and handicrafts as well as souvenirs.


Suam-Lum Night Bazaar.


Beers *burp*

Our feet were crying in pain at the end of the day as a result of walking too much. So we went for a foot massage in the night bazaar. It only cost us 250 Baht for an hour and the end result was very satisfactory. Now we are ready for another day of walk!

Sawadee kha! - Part 1

As soon as i came out from the airport taxi, i was greeted by the revolving cube at the entrance of the Dream Bangkok Hotel. The whole concept of this boutique hotel is very hip and cool... To be honest, i think i like this place more than a lot of other 5 stars hotel..




Day 1

Before boarding the flight here, i've already done some prep work. My fren helped me to list out a few must-go places in Bangkok for a first time tourist like me.

After getting a quick breakfast @ McDonalds, we hailed a Tuk-Tuk with the intention to go to the famous Grand Palace, to begin our "temple day". We never had any experience with a tuk-tuk before but the driver looked decent and nice, plus he offered us a very good price - 20 Thai Baht for a 30 minutes drive to Grand Palace. So why not?



Unfortunately, it was a bad mistake! As soon as we head off to the main road, he tried to persuade us to go to a tailor shop. He begged us to just hang out in the tailor shop for 5 minutes and he will get 5 litres of gas coupon. My fren has pre-warned us about the tuk-tuks who claimed that Grand Palace is only opened around 12pm (it is actually opened from 8:30am) so there is no point being there earlier and that we have no choice but to go to whatever places that they bring us to...

We already knew the trick but being nice and to avoid pissing him off, we agreed. We thought we'd let him get the free coupon as a good start for his day and in return, he will be nicer to us. Again, we were wrong. Not only he did not appreciate our nice gestures at all, BUT instead, he tried to repeat his trick again and get us to visit another store to get another 5 litres gas coupon. This time, he was pissing us off! John was mad and insisted that he fetch us to the Grand Palace as promised. When he said no, we got off the tuk-tuk and took a taxi (and it only cost us 80 Thai Baht ~ RM8).

Oh well, at least we had an experience riding a tuk-tuk for free. No next time, please. -___-""

On our way in the taxi, we saw a lot of pictures of the current king (King Rama IX). He is obviously a very beloved and respectable king of Thailand. I was told that he is the longest serving king ever in the Thailand history. Recently, he just recovered from a spine injuries so there are a lot of sign boards along the road wishing him a speedy recovery and being healthy all the time.


The King with an old man when he was young.

First, we went to Wat Pho, home to the famous Reclining Buddha and also where traditional Thai massage was first taught. You need to dress properly before being allowed into the temples; meaning no sleeveless tops, short pants, spaghetti straps, short blouses, short skirts or singlets.




Miniature manuscripts and buddha images carved on the bottom of the Reclining Buddha's feet.





Very hot and sunny. I am definitely getting tanned after this.. *_*

Wat Pho
Opens daily: 8am - 6pm
Entrance fee: 50 Baht
**Appropriate dress is compulsory

After that, we took a boat ride to the opposite river bank to visit Wat Arun, which is also famously known as Temple of Dawn. The Temple of Dawn is one of Bangkok's most spectacular sights. A quick climb up its porcelain-bedecked prang offers some lovely river views.


Wat Arun from Chao Phraya River.

It was a very very short boat ride, actually. If i were somehow asked to swim across the river bank, i think i could possibly do that. *grins* But of cos, that is not something that i would prefer to do, imagine what could have been thrown into the brownish river.. *ewww*


The central prang from the bottom.


The amazing statues forming the platform of the prang.

When i first saw the central prang of Wat Arun, i said "WOW". When i saw the steep steps going up to the balcony, John said "OH MY GOD". Haha.


Holding tight..


From the central balcony.

The view from the balcony is really magnificent. You can see the Wat Pho and Grand Palace from here. We spent half an hour appreciating the nice sceneries and taking dozens of pictures before moving on to the next temple.

Wat Arun
Opens daily: 8:30am - 5pm
Entrance fee: 50 Baht
Ferry to Wat Arun: 3.50 Baht

Wat Phra Kaew or famously known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most important temple, consisting of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden sapphires and glittering mosaics that date back to 1782.

The Emerald Buddha is in fact carved from a block of green jade and was first discovered in 1434 in a stupa in Chiang Rai. At that time, the image was covered with plaster and was thought to be an ordinary Buddha image. Later, however, the abbot who had found the image noticed that the plaster on the nose had flaked off, revealing the green stone underneath. The abbot initially thought that the stone was emerald and thus the legend of the Emerald Buddha image began.



By the time we reached there, we only have an hour left before it closes at 3:30pm. We didnt take the free guided tour altho it was highly recommended by my friend. The whole tour is gonna take a longer time and we were afraid that we might not be able to visit the whole place. So we decided to walk on our own.. and read the history of each area from the brochure that they gave us.


A mythological giant (yak).

Located at The Upper Terrace are four main monuments - Phra Siratana Chedi, a reliquary in the shape of a golden chedi; Phra Mondop, a repository for Buddhist sacred scriptures inscribed on palm leaves and contained within a beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinet; a miniature Angkor Wat crafted by the order of King Mongkut (Rama IV); and the Royal Pantheon in which statues of the past sovereigns of the ruling Chakri Dynasty are enshrined.


Phra Siratana Chedi.


Model of Angkor Wat.

Grand Palace is the jewel in Bangkok's architectural crown and it is still used for state functions. But public access is sufficiently extensive to make it a must-see.

The visit to Grand Palace this time around was kinda bad because partial of the palace was closed due to lying in state ceremony of the king's elder sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana, whom had passed away in January(read the news here). According to the Thai's royal customary, the body will be laid in the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace for 100 days and therefore, those area will be closed for visiting.




Chakri Maha Prasat Hall.


John with the Thai guard.

Hope the princess will rest in peace.

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Opens daily: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Entrance fee: 250 Baht (includes Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Vimanmek Mansion and The Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavillion)
**Appropriate dress is compulsory.

Tired, but looking forward to the next day..

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat

Lately, i'm addicted to this song. It is very nicely presented.. btw, i think she looks a little bit like Jennifer Aniston, dont u think so?



Will you count me in?

I've been awake for a while now
You got me feelin like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore

It starts in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

What am I gonna say
When you make me feel this way
I just mmmmm

And it starts in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
'Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth

And it starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feelin' shows
'cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin' me tight

Wherever wherever wherever you go
Wherever wherever wherever you go

Wherever you go
I always know
'Cause you make me smile
Even just for a while

Everything

Michael Buble - Everything

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.
Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just FYI, CJ7 is way much better than Kung Fu Dunk. For those who said KFD is nice, i am pretty sure they are just watching Jay Chou and they are his fans.

So back to the topic, this is the day the restaurants and the florists are making great money. Imagine for a normal dinner set, it can go up to RM120 per person by just putting a nice name "Valentine's Set Dinner" or "Couple Set Dinner".with additional love shape food. And it is superbly crowded that you may have to wait for an hour for just a table for two.

I am gonna skip all these troubles and fly to Bangkok for a short vacation. Not purposely planned for this occasion tho, but this is indeed my best Valentine's Day gift ever! Thank you, baby.

To other couples, Happy Valentine's Day!! Enjoy your celebration with your partner. I know i will :)

Will talk to u guys again after i come back. Ciao!

Happy Chinese New Year!

To-do list

1. CNY decorations - checked.
2. Cookies - checked.
3. New Year clothes - checked.
4. New shoes - checked.
5. CNY wishes - checked.

Ok, i guess i can sleep now...

Congrats Ah Kok & Catherine!

Today is your day! I am so happy that you guys finally tied the knot.. gosh, what took u so long Ah Kok??!! :P

I am so sorry that i didnt manage to attend your wedding dinner at Seremban. I just got back and there are so many things that i need to take care of. Hope you will understand.

But nevertheless, i am sincere in wishing u guys "Happy Forever!". When is little piglet coming into the picture?? *hehe*