Monday, July 14, 2008
Me and SusanIn 1997, I was based in Bangkok to do pre-sales and to support one Japanese manufacturing ( my client ).I was based there for about 11 months stayed and come home every 3-4 weeks. Its been like 11 years and now going back was feeling kinda excited.
Tour guide from Jetview Travel came to pick us at Bangkok Terminal and while in bus she introduce herself as ACE her nick name. I recalled my customer in Thailand used to tell me most people in Thailand has nickname which isshort name easy to remember and greet them. She introduce Bangkok and places to visits in Bangkok and start recommending some shows and asked if we are interested can contact her. Then she highlight the importance when taking taxi or tuk tuk (small 2 wheel vehicle) that will con tourists into taking their rides with high charges or taking us to places to force us to purchase items.
Bangkok's tallest hotel and night view from 75th floor. Other 2
taken same hotel level 77.
Arrived and check in Grand Diamond hotel at about 9.30 am. Was feeling very tired and moody.2 pm then we will get our room keys. So decided to ask tour guide (ACE) to help book traditional massage 2 hours (500 Baht) for us. So we book slot at 11 am and back at 1 pm. We also decided to go for dining at this highest hotel Bayoke Skyview Hotel 76th floor and tour guide got it at 100 Baht cheaper at 800 Baht for 2 of us.
She was promoting Agua show (lady Boy) and Tiger show but me and my Susan were not keen. We decided to pay 1300 Baht for one musical call Sirim Nith which was highlyrecommended.
During that 1 hour waiting time me and my room mate Susan decided to go out for a walk. We walk around to get familiar with place. Bought some food at road side but Susan did not dare to eat due to the dusty environment and worried if the food was clean but I don't care. It was quite alright and nothing happened so far after eating.
She was promoting Agua show (lady Boy) and Tiger show but me and my Susan were not keen. We decided to pay 1300 Baht for one musical call Sirim Nith which was highlyrecommended.
During that 1 hour waiting time me and my room mate Susan decided to go out for a walk. We walk around to get familiar with place. Bought some food at road side but Susan did not dare to eat due to the dusty environment and worried if the food was clean but I don't care. It was quite alright and nothing happened so far after eating.
This cute bags selling in one of the shops at PlatinumWe later went in another building near our hotel whereits like Singapore Sim Lim Square much smaller and alot of small stalls and pirated vcds/dvds on sale.I cannot believe that I see Wall-E show on sale but did not dare to buy. We walk back to Hotel by 11 am and the driver came to pick us and send us to the massage center. When we arrive we are the only 2 customers and we really enjoyed it alot. Very refreshing andall our tiredness kinda go away. After we came back to Hotel, checkin took an hour rest then we prepare to go lunch. Saw Ace and she informed us to go to next door "Platinum Mall" level 6 for lunch.
We had our lunch and find the food rather great. There were other Singaporean tourists also ordering food there. After eating we saw a shop selling titbits and managedto get last pack of durian chips and many other packs of titbits which my friend ask meto get for him. After that we went shopping for about 1.5 hours. Susan manage to get a bag and also a tee for tomorrow's outing purpose.
Then we went back hotel and change for the dinner we book at the highest hotel in Bangkok. Susan change into dress and high heels but I warn her that we need to walk quite a distance if she would like to change some more comfortable shoes but she insists that she can. Then we walk out about 6 pm across our hotel but turn wrongly to left instead of right junction and end up walking for 15 mins but could not find link road to hotel though we are very closeby. Then we decided to stop for cab. I told Susan to bargain for taxi. First cab stop but after knowing location is so close refused to take us. Then we stop 2nd taxi who asked for 80 Baht before agree to take us. The actual price should be around 35 baht for such close distance.
We later went up to 18th floor to collect our dinner voucher. A korean actor look alike person greet us and lead us to the reception to collect voucher. Then after collected lead us to the lift that will bring us to 75th floor. We were excited then when reach 75th floor we realised the place was packed with tourists mostly from Korea, Japan, Taiwan and probably HK too. And we got a table just 2 of us at corner. I can see Susan was quite disappointed. But the food varieties were good. Just a bit disappointed the Western food was not tasty. We ate quite a bit then try to look at scenary and find that Bangkok night scenary was not as good as other places. Then we walk up to 76th. 77th and 78th floor. At 77th floor there are a few places we can take our photos and we enjoyed the photo sessions. There are also a number of magicians in clown suit that entertained us. All these free of charge. After we decided to go back to Hotel when realised alot of tourists has left and hotel staff were clearing the tables. So we decided to stop for cab but hotel person direct us how to walk out to our hotel wo need of taxi. Then we realised we use wrong way earlier. This is how our 1st day in Bangkok turn out to be.
spoke at : 12:23 AM
