My Short Adventure to Bangkok

I had been eyeing to visit Thailand's capital for several months but it was just few weeks before my intended date of travel that I decided to push through it. I invited Eric to join me, however, due to work commitments he was not able to. So I told myself, "OK, I'll go solo." He persuaded me to just defer my plan until the time that he becomes available. But I already made up my mind. (*wink) With lambing and much assurance that I'll be safe, Eric gave his go-signal "OK! Sunduin na lang kita sa airport." Haha. YES!

My short adventure to Bangkok was my 2013 travel highlight as this is my first time to go exploring a foreign city of my own: no friends to accompany me, no relatives to fetch me, whatsoever. So before the trip I really took time to plan and prepare my itinerary and this is what I am going to share with you.

Night 1

I don't want to use my leave credits so it's a good thing Cebu Pacific has a flight to Bangkok on Friday night so just after work, Eric fetched me and we went straight to NAIA Terminal 3.

Flight details: 5J 931 MNL-BKK 21:35-23:50
Travel time: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Time Difference: Manila is 1 hour ahead of Bangkok

Arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport (su-waan-na-poom): First thing I did was of course find the immigration desk. It was a long walk and the airport is huge. When I reached it, I was faced with long lines of tourists and locals alike which did not surprised me because I knew Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world. Passing through immigration per my experience was just quick given the long queue, just took me around 15 minutes from the moment I lined up until the immigration officer stamped my passport. Tip: Make sure you completely fill-out the Arrival/Departure Card that is given to you by the cabin crew prior to landing before you queue at the immigration desk to avoid delays.

Upon clearing passport control, I immediately looked for money exchange booths. But since it's already late in the evening, there were only few that are still open.

After I had exchanged some money, I went to the 3rd floor and stroll around to find an area where I can rest and relax for the night. This was the suggestion given to me by my one of my office mate. She said since I am arriving in Bangkok at around midnight and train is already closed, might as well stay in the airport for more hours to sleep and wait for the Airport Rail Link to open. This will save me a night of stay in a hotel. She said that it's safe and is allowed. True enough, when I went there I also saw a lot of passengers doing the same thing sleeping in empty row of seats.

Day 1

I did not had much sleep that night because I also needed to be alert for my belongings. At around 4:30 AM, I went to the 1st floor where the Airport Rail Link is and strolled to look for an open cafe with a free WIFI. I found Coffee World! WIFI connection is fast and was able to chat with Eric who was on standby online waiting for my updates.

Going to Hotel

At 6:00 AM, the Airport Rail Link station started to open. I initially planned to take the Express Route Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan (non-stop service). I lined up for the token booth and an assistant asked me my destination and I said Makkasan while handing over to her 200 Baht. I was surprised she gave back the 100 Baht to me, put the other bill in the machine and gave me a change of 75 Baht. I asked her how much the fare is and said 35 Baht. At the back of my mind, I was questioning why only 35 Baht when I expected it to be 150. When I hopped on the train and looked at the route map on the side, that's the time I realized that I queued for the SA City Line. Makkasan station is the 5th stop after the airport. Despite the several stops, I was able to reach my destination for less than 30 minutes. Not bad for a very cheap fare. Good thing I ended up taking this line. :)

From Makkasan there are clear directions to what they called  the Skywalk. This is a 166-meter passageway for passengers to have easy transfer in between stations. I used the Skywalk to go to Phetchaburi MRT station. From this station I hopped on and off to Sukhumvit. Then from Sukhumvit MRT station I interchanged to Asok BTS station. From there, I can already see a sign with a direction to my hotel. I went downstairs and followed the signs leading to Tune Hotel Asoke Bangkok.

It was too early for me to check-in so I just opt for their luggage storage service with 50 Baht fee. I freshened up and then headed for my first stop: Wat Ratchanaddaram.

Going to Wat Ratchanaddaram

• From BTS Asok Station I ride on the train going to Ratchathewi.
• Ratchathewi station Exit 1 go downstairs and turn 180 degrees then walk straight until I reached the bridge. From the bridge at the right I can already see the Saen Saeb Canal. I crossed the bridge and walked down going to the Saphan Hua Chang pier.
• I boarded a canal boat for 10 baht and disembarked at Phan Fa Lilat near the Golden Mount.
• To my left there is a small bridge and a large bridge. I crossed the large bridge and passed the white Mahakan Fort and crossed the street for Wat Ratchanaddaram. 
• For my full post about Wat Ratchanaddaram, please click here.

Going to Wat Pho

• From Wat Ratchanaddaram, I headed back to the main street and hailed a pink-colored taxi going to Wat Pho.
• Fare was just 49 Baht but gave the taxi driver 50 Baht, keep the change. Haha!
• I arrived in Wat Pho at around 8:30 AM. I paid 100 Baht for the entrance fee with a free bottle of water.
• I strolled around and visited the famous Reclining Buddha. Before I can only see this on TV or in pictures, but now I am face to face with this very huge gold statue of Buddha.
• After much walking, it's time to relax my feet so I went to take a traditional Thai massage still just inside the complex.
• For my full post about Wat Pho, please click here.

Going to Wat Arun

• Exit Wat Pho through the West Gates just behind the Reclining Buddha walk towards Tha Thien pier. There are signs pointing to this half-hidden pier. Going here I passed across stalls selling different dried seafood such as squid.
• At the pier I paid 3 Baht and hopped aboard a boat going to Wat Arun. From the pier across the Chao Phraya river I can already see the temple. 
• In Wat Arun, I bought a ticket to enter the temple for 50 Baht.
• I also saw several stalls outside Wat Arun which offer Traditional Thai costume for a few minutes rent just to have your picture taken wearing it. Rate is 100 Baht - costly but okay with me for a one-time experience. :)
• For my full post about Wat Arun, please click here.

Going to Taling Chan Floating Market

• It was already past 11 in the morning when I finished my tour around Wat Arun and I'm already hungry. Time for lunch!
• I headed back to the pier where I came on and hopped on the Chao Phraya Express Boat going to Sathorn Pier (Central).
• From Sathorn Pier I looked for the Saphan Taksin BTS Station (S6) and there I got a taxi going to Taling Chan Floating Market. It was not easy for me to get a taxi; I don't know but probably because not all drivers know where Taling Chan Floating Market is? Or they just didn't understand me. Tip: Before going to a place, as much as possible write down in a piece of paper the address in local language so you can just present it to the taxi driver for easier understanding.
• After three taxis, finally I was able to hail one whose driver can understand and speak a good English and knows where the floating market is.
• For my full post about Taling Chan Floating Market, please click here.

Going to Jim Thompson House Museum

• After the filling lunch, I headed back to WongWian Yai station by taking a taxi.
• From WongWian Yai station went to Siam station.
• From Siam station I rode the train going to National Stadium station.
• I took Exit 1 from the National Stadium station and turned right into Soi Kasemsan 2 and continued walking all the way to the end. The museum is on the left side and is easy to spot with a big sign at the entrance.
• Entrance fee is 100 Baht which includes a guided tour of the complex to see the house that is designed by Mr. Jim Thompson himself, the founder of the renowned Thai Silk company. The museum showcases Thai silk and various art collections of Mr. Thompson. This tour is recommended for  first time visitors who want to learn the contribution of Mr. Thompson in the revitalization of silk industry in Thailand, as well as Thai architecture, arts and culture.
• For my full post about Jim Thompson House Museum, please click here.

Going back to Hotel

• What an activity-filled morning for me and just after the museum tour I started to feel my legs getting heavier. A sign that I already need to rest. Time to go back to the hotel!
• From National Stadium station, I hopped on the train going to Siam station and then transferred to BTS Sukhumvit line and off to Asok station.
• From Asok station, I went back to the hotel, checked-in, and then rest and took a nap.

Night 2

Going to Asiatique

• After I have recharged my energy, I prepared and then visited Asiatique for shopping and dinner.
• From Asok BTS station, I went to Siam BTS station and then interchanged to BTS Silom line going to Saphan Taksin.
• It was already dark when I reached Saphan Taksin. From there I walked towards the Central pier where I heard there are shuttle boats bringing people directly to Asiatique for free.
• There were huge crowds lining up for the shuttle service. I initially queued to a shorter line but I noticed that there is a 20 Baht fee sign-posted. So I asked people in front of me if this is the line with a free shuttle service. They said the free one is on the other side pointing to a very long line (well no wonder it's free). So I went to the free line and waited for around 15-20 minutes before I got to board. Tip: Some regular river boats stop at the same area where Asiatique boats are so to avoid confusion and ended up paying for a fare, look for the red sign that says Asiatique. There is a separate, dedicated line for this so make sure you queue here.
• Asiatique is Bangkok's latest night market located at the bank of Chao Phraya River. I strolled around, bought some pasalubong items and then had my dinner before going back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day 2

Time to go back to Manila! :D

The experiences I had in Bangkok were truly unforgettable and though I felt like I've already seen many interesting places there, I still feel that this is the city that I'll never get tired of visiting again and again. And when that time comes it would be much more relaxed. :)

Buffalos Wings N Things

Team D & E visited Buffalos Wings N Things branch in Glorietta 5 to try their spicy chicken wings. When we saw this sign (spiciness is not a flavor), surely enough we are on a chicken treat.

We ordered Wings N calamari and 1 pound buffalo wings smothered with NY finest & Jalapeno Cheddar sauce. So we sat down feel the place and watch some few clips on Man vs Food on the television while waiting for our order.

When our food finally arrived we first tried the Wings N calamari and ordered two rice. The calamari was soft and easy to chew and the chicken wings is firm, try also the dip and use your fingers while eating the wings.

Then onto the next meal which is the 1 pound buffalo wings with New York finest & Jalapeno Cheddar sauce. We really like the chicken wings as the meat is soft but firm and you can easily peel in the meat. Spiciness is tolerable as we didn't choose the K bomb or even the wingsanity.

Price cost for the two meal is reasonable and we recommend to eat and enjoy the spiciness  together with your friends. :)

For more info. please check out their site:

https://www.facebook.com/get.buffaloed