Day 2 Bangkok > Ayutthaya > Bangkok

Day 2

Started the day around 9am+ looking for breakfast around nearby area.

 A lot to choose from and we couldn't decide!

Not sure what this is but it was nice! Crispy on the outside, chewy inside. Topped with sweet chilli sauce, reminds me of png kueh without fillings.

Wanton Mee from a stall along the roadside. 

So nice that we ordered another bowl to fill our stomach.

After breakfast, time to head for Ayutthaya. We had initially planned on taking the train to Ayutthaya. Based on various travelling sites, we planned to take the train from Bangkok Train Station to Ayutthaya (the second class seats is priced @ THB $245 ~325+  per person with fixed seats allocation or a third class seats with free standing at THB $15 ). The journey varies from 1 hr 30 mins to 2 hr 30mins and we factored in:
1. Rent a bicycle to tour around or hire a tuk tuk for short trips within Ayuthaya.
2. Recommended to head for the station for the train back to Bangkok by 3pm.

So....

We secured a driver for a round trip (to and fro) to Ayuttaya (the car can cater up to 4 person), costed less than THB $3,000 and it was a breeze from place to place.

Our driver suggested the following route which was good enough for us because my original route only covered 4 locations.

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace > Wat Yai Chai Mongkol > Wat Ratchaburana > Wat Maha That > Wat Phra Si Sanphet >  Wat Lokaya Sutha > Wat Chaiwatthanaram > Back to Bangkok

1. Bang Pa-In Royal Palace - A palace for the King during summer times.
(Admission fee is THB$100 for tourists (adults pricing))

2. Wat Yai Chai Mongkol 

Climbing up is tough as the steps are very high. Getting down was another difficult task because of the steps' height. Had to be careful not to fall down.

3. Malakor Cafe - Break time, went to have lunch @ Malakor Cafe.

The aircon area is cafe and the 2nd level (open air) is the dining area.

Spicy Minced Pork with Basil on Rice

Fried Rice with Chicken 

Tom Yum Goong

Royal Thai Milk Tea (*thumbs up!!)

4. Wat Ratchaburana - Across the street just minutes away from Malakor Cafe

5. Wat Maha That - By the time we get to Wat Maha That, we were exhausted. The heat got to us.

6. Kum Khun Phaan towards Wat Phra Si Sanphet. We didn't proceed into Wat Phra Si Sanphet and took a rest outside instead.

Kum Khun Phaan

The fishes in the pond

7. Wat Chaiwatthanaram - Our last location before we head back to Bangkok. Totally drained, we took a few shots on the outside.

As it was a weekday and happened to be the peak hour when we make our way back to Bangkok, it took us 2 hours + to return back to our hotel.

We started our journey around 10.30am and covered:

1. Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
2. Wat Yai Chai Mongkol
3. Wat Ratchaburana 
4. Wat Maha That
5. Wat Chaiwatthanaram 

and back to Bangkok around 7pm+.

We took a short break and head out to Central World for a luxurious dinner. (Wanted to go for After You as last order was 9+pm but our heavy dinner forbade us.)

Mixed Fruits beverage

The picture in menu showed cut fruits but it was served in a bottle. 

Lasagna which was nice but took a long time to come

Deep Fried Fish

(can't rem if it was sea bass)

Initially it was nice, but when it started to get cold, and only 3 of us eating, we can't finished it.

Fried Pork Belly                               Calamari Rice.

Our total bill amounted to approx. THB $2,000 (for 3!)

Although we didn't go for After You, we grabbed some dessert on the go!!

Japanese Water Cake @ THB $100/pc

(got a promo and got 20% off and it costed THB $80!!)

Mango with Sticky Glutinous Rice, THB $60/pack

On the way back hotel, couldn't resist this!! 

That's all for day 2.

Impromptu 4D3N Bangkok Day 1 - SG > BKK

Travel Period: 9th Feb 2017 - 12th Feb 2017 (Wrote this post many months ago then realized I never published.. OMG... old age?!)

Here it goes...

Boarded the plane @ 7am flight and arrived @ 8.20am (Thailand time) at Bangkok International Airport.

Day 1

Reached BKK, applied for data plan with AIS @ 7days unlimited data @ 4.5Gbps rate for THB $299
Went to find food and we ended up eating Subway. 

Took the train via city line to Ratchaprarop station @ THB $35 per person. 

It was fast getting to the city via Skyline BUT it was so packed when it were nearing the intersection station (MRT Makkasan). Still can't figure out how we were able to make it passed the crowd to exit the train.

Walking to Citin Pratunam can be tricky. If not for another group of travelers heading the same direction, we were bound to have problems getting to the hotel. The route to the hotel was via a train path which has a small exit and cannot be seen from far. We didn't had a heavy luggage so it wasn't a big issue walking on this train path.

The track towards Citin Pratunam

Along the path were individual basket cages of cocks. Was told that on every Sunday morning around 10am (Bangkok time) there will be cockfighting.

Caged Rooster/Cock

Citin Pratunam

After we dropped our luggage at the hotel, we started our journey towards BIG C. Despite seeing the shopping mall from far, walking seemed to take forever. Must have been the hot weather despite the journey only took approximate 15-20 mins time. 

Busy traffic on a weekday morning

At BIG C, we started our buy-buy-buy. Bought medication, bought snacks, and beverages and almost wanted everything there. 

Pharmacy @ Big C

After our endless buying, we were in need of a lunch/tea-time break. We went searching for After You with high recommendations from friends. Fortunately, there was No Queue on weekday around 2pm but the cafe was 90% filled with customers. Ordered the Milo Toast, Matcha Crepe (both had the must try sign at their menu), Royal Thai Milk Tea and Lavender Earl Grey Milk Tea.

After You desserts and beverages

- Milo Toast is heavenly nice but if you have a full stomach, don't go for that because it can be quite heavy
- Matcha Crepe didn't live up to my expectation. Cream was light and tea aroma is good but the overall bite texture is slightly harder than the ones from Najdes (Malacca) or Lady M (Singapore)
- Royal Thai Milk Tea is slightly too sweet
- Lavender Earl Grey Milk Tea is just nice for me

After our long break, we proceed to pray at Erawan Shrine. 

With our purchases at hand, we walked back to hotel but not before we ended up going in circles because we tried to take shortcuts via the several shopping malls. The crowds that filled up the 2 man lanes were making it more difficult for us to get around. 

Finally back at hotel, we took a long break before we met up with our friend and back to BIG C for dinner.

Note, dinner @ almost 9pm is not advisable if you are going to the shopping mall because most restaurants were almost at the last order. Settled for Japanese meal @ Yayoi

My dinner

We revisited Erawan Shrine at night and it was much better than in the afternoon time in terms of the weather but it was more crowded at night.

After praying, we headed back to the hotel but not before we shopped around the streets outside of Indra Regent.

The walking route for Day 1

Dawen 王大文 - 練習愛情 ft. Kimberley 陳芳語 "Let's Work It Out" (Official MV)

This song is so spot on.

No one is perfect and regardless of how perfect a couple is, they are bound face problems and/or differences.

It's not about how one have to give in to another, it's about how to overcome the problem together.

Trivial stuffs to major issues, when we overcome each steps, it's another milestone met.

And all in all, it's takes a lifetime to maintain the relationship.



Part of the lyrics which is really the key to everything:
脚步错了　拍子错了　再一遍
没有关系　我们有一辈子的时间

Loosely translated the above lyrics to English:
wrong step, wrong tempo, repeat again
it doesnt matter, we have a lifetime 

Some Thoughts

Never take someone for granted...

Even if the person is around always...

Especially if the person always around...

Because like the firework...
The time you have that person will only shortens
And once it ends, it's the end.

Review of The Buffet @ Level 2 M Hotel

Wasn't open till 12pm exact. A couple was earlier than us. Not sure how long they waited, but they were clearly upset that the restaurant had no staff at the counter minutes before 12pm.

At least the food was all ready when they opened the doors.

Compared to other hotel buffets, the dishes available is lesser than expected but my friend commented that it had more interesting dishes. (He is one who had been to many buffets.. well...compared to me)

The service is good though. The staffs were friendly and prompted in helping to clear the plates.

Complimentary cold/warm water and hot teh tarik were provided. 

Service: 4.5 out of 5. Despite they didn't have any staff waiting outside the counter before 12pm, once it was 12pm, service received was great.

Location: Walkable distance from Tanjong Pagar MRT but a bus ride and alight at the opposite of M Hotel is even close than the distance from MRT station.

Food: 4 out of 5. The buffet has a lot more desserts to choose from. Cake, ice creams, cut fruits and chocolate fondue.

Cost: $29.50++ per pax for weekday lunch (price per pax is after 50% discount using Eatigo App)

Movie Review: Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter

My review of the final installment: Resident Evil 6 (R.E.6): The Final Chapter

Spoilers Ahead! 

Thumbs up: 

Wrapping up the storyline: R.E.6 The Final Chapter worked hard to wrap up the story line than purely an adventure on the go action/effects movie.

Another side of Alice: Rather than showing Alice being good at fighting, a portion of the screen time was used on showing she is good with strategy.

Lee Joon Gi's short appearance but refreshing character: Lee Joon Gi stood out a lot. The only refreshing character which could be put to bigger use to bring more impact to the movie. His character certainly stood out among the many characters despite having minimal scene time.


Disappointment Factor 1: No action pack battle and replaced with narration

After years of waiting, the final movie is finally released. At the end of Resident Evil 5: Retribution, looked like a big battle between Alice and zombies + dragons? BUT at the start of Resident Evil 6: The Final Chapter only showed the end of the battle. (Sigh) Not surprised they chose to do it with a narration by Alice (which is the typical opening of R.E.) 

Disappointment Factor 2: Alice Identity (What about the previous red queen?)

When I saw the resemblance of Alice and the red queen, I suspected about Alice origin being the same person as the red queen. It would also explain why Alice could bond with the T-virus without becoming a zombie. BUT the kid which the red queen copied was featured in the R.E. Part 2 so I quickly dismissed the possibility. This is one part I am puzzled with. Does it mean that the kid in part 2 is just a clone or the entire part 2 movie was one of the Umbrella Corporation's simulated environment? 

Disappointment Factor 3: Budget for other scenes... perhaps?

I find the scenes where Isaac and Alice were predicting about their attacks on each other... initially nice.. but when it goes on to attempt 2 and 3 etc, it was too repetitive. 

Disappointment Factor 4: Weak in refreshing characters, the new assembled team didn't have much time to make an impression

1. The 48 hours restrictions to save mankind didn't gave Alice enough time to bond with the team except Claire Redfields (Ali Carter) and Abigail (Ruby Rose) .
2. Alice have yet another group of travelling companions BUT was killed off one by one, which saved much time for Alice to solve the mystery on the undercover identity.
3. Reprising her role as Claire Redfields (Ali Carter), it was fortunate Claire wasn't killed off but her character in this last chapter didn't seemed to bring bigger impact as compared the previous movies.
3. 2 of the rescued survivors from Umbrella corporation volunteered to join Alice in a pursue to the Hive. Seemed like they were up to something, BUT... they were just one of the first few to be killed.

Overall:

The focus was upon Alice, Issac, Wesley and the Red Queen which seemed lacking in the WOW factor. Apart from the character showing themselves to be the original version of themselves, the clothes were new? the style was cool black BUT weak on the element to make me go WOW as these characters has been seen repeatedly in the R.E series.

Verdict: 

Only for those seeking for a closure to the entire R.E. movies. Glad that they didn't save on the budget for the actions and effect and Alice is still portrayed by the Milla Jovovich.