Christmas Holiday in Bangkok Day 1

The week leading to Christmas has been very busy for me, as the kids, myself and maid move down to Seremban for refuge away from our home which was scheduled for a fresh coat of paint on the interior walls. Then we travelled back up PJ on Tuesday 20th Dec as Vic had music class in the evening, and we overnight at a friend's condo as our house was still in a mess and dusty. We had dinner with two other families at Extra Super Tanker in Damansara that night, enjoyed the good food, ambience and fellowship.

The next morning, I went for my pre-booked Groupon appointment at Bangsar together with a friend, for a mani pedi session cum foot bath (which was really just soaking your feet for 5 minutes in warm water) and hair wash and styling. Here's me with Joanna, with our temporary wave which didn't last to the next day.

Oh well, at least the nails lasted till Christmas minus a teeny weeny chipped off on the right thumb.

At night we went back home to pack up for our Bangkok holiday which is super last minute I know. Then we headed back to Seremban.

This year, we let the kids open their presents 3 days before Christmas, and unlike last year's loot of merchandise, this year we kept it very very simple with only a present each. Have to teach them that it's not the value that counts, but the thoughts, and most importantly, we don't want them to look forward to Christmas for the presents, but to understand the real meaning of the occasion.


Saturday, 24th December 2011


Our taxis came slightly before 9am to fetch us and Mama Yeh Yeh to KLIA for our flight MH788 departing KLIA at 1225.  We met Yee Sok, Yee Sam and cousin Theodore at the airport.

The kids were excited, as usual they love to run around the airport, pulling their push trolley bags along.  After check in, we relax and at the Plaza Premium Lounge where we enjoyed the facilities there.

Vic headed straight for the computers and ipods available to surf for her favourite characters Smurf (yes, I think she has moved on from Ben10 to the little blue creatures now).

We arrived at 1330 local time, and met up with Pastor Kevin, Aunty Judith and their families who arrived an hour before us. Together, we left the airport via two hired vans. Thai weather greeted us with sunshine, unlike the gloomy drizzling weather that sent us off at the KLIA.

We stayed at the Twin Towers Hotel in Bangkok, about 1 hour from the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and 20 minutes away from MBK Shopping Mall, minus traffic jam.

The lobby area.  Vic, William and cousin Theodore simply love to run around the spacious lobby area.

The next day William accidentally broke off Mr Santa's thumb, and Daddy quickly stuck it back before the staff noticed the dismembered limb.  ; P

Double beds in the room, love it!  The rooms were clean yet very basic as it did not come with any pantry facility ie electric kettle or a safe deposit box.  We called housekeeping to ask for one, and they sent a hot water thermos up, then we called to explain again, and they sent up a maintenance guy!  Finally we got our message across and they loaned us an electric kettle. 

After checking in, we had 2 hours of rest in our rooms. I bathed the kids, and it's always the excitement and joy in them (about staying in hotels and going for holidays) that brings smiles to us.

We had dinner at an uncommercialised (read, not many tourists go there) seafood restaurant, recommended by Pastor Kevin. Here are only some pictures of the food we ate.

The restaurant is not very big and was crowded - sign of good food.  We climbed two flights of narrow stairs to get our seats.  Service was fast, and the manager who took our order could speak a little mandarin and english.  We informed her for certain food, "mai sai kai" which means no eggs. 

Deep fried fish with garlic and pepper

Stuffed crab

Fishcake

Spicy tomato sauce fish

Sights of Chinatown...

What is Chinatown without lanterns?  No Christmas trees or decos, no christmas jingles... no hint of christmas at all...

Selling fresh seafood by the roadside

There were many stalls selling freshly squeezed promegranate juice in a plastic bottle, only for THB40. The kids can easily down more than 3 bottles if not for me limiting them (first day holiday - better be careful especially with too much Vitamin C can cause diarrhea)... ooh, but just look at the inviting, juicy red rubies... if Gong Gong was here, he'd buy the whole cart back! 

Imported fruits can be found here.  Yeh Yeh bought the cherries upon hearing Vic's request to eat cherries.

William got restless after dinner, I guess walking around by the roadside is not his cuppa.  He kept asking when we will be sitting the tuk tuk back to the hotel.  This boy loves to sit in the tuk tuk.  The first tuk tuk charged us THB100 to Chinatown and the return trip cost THB70.  We tried to bargain with a few tuk tuk drivers, but they rather ride away than to earn less.  Not very smart.