Bangkok Bound

I started 2006 by spending time with my family (hubby, parents and kid bro) in Bangkok! Clearly it wasn't totally a party trip, my main goal was to s.h.o.p. I've heard so much about Bangkok shopping being so great and cheap, I can't resist. What I was most interested in was Bangkok famous market, Chatuchak (also spelled Jatujak..similar pronounciation).
Departure day, in the wee hours of the morning, the household lights came on and we were all showering and doing last min packing before leaving the house. We drove to Putrajaya ERL station and sent Atai to send the car to my office where it will parked safely. Atai came back to the station on a bike sent by a colleague, and off we boarded the ERL transit. I am always already excited when boarding the first transportation towards a vacation. We had ample time before departure so we relaxed, even had McD's big breakfast at KLIA. All filled up, we went in the waiting room just to find that our flight was delayed, thank God it was just for 30mins, so we relaxed, read the newspapers and I played around with Atai's new handphone. Boarding the plane, knowing it's Air Asia, we tried to find seats which can seat 5 of us at closest proximity. And we ended up on the wing, so it was all good. I read, relaxed and dozed off a bit during flight, and was eager to land.
Touch down Bangkok! Oh, the airport is not so impressive, but still in awe to see so many aeroplanes practically parked scatterdly on its grounds. We were picked up by 2 standing express buses. Although this is not my 1st time in BKK, I have totally forgotten how it's like, coz the last time I visited it was when I was quite young. Although BKK is still Asia, it has a different feeling stepping into Thai's biggest city grounds. The normal hustle and bustle and headache is the same, but the politeness and simple attitude always reminds you that you are not anywhere else but in Thailand. To make a long story short (yeah, yeah I always get tired after a long introduction heheh), we had comfortable ride (Benz 7 seater van!) to the hotel which is just 15mins away. Love the hotel's service, and rooms are with new furnitures and very modern facilities. No time to waste, we took a taxi to the nearest monorail station (dad's wish of course) and boarded the train and went from one end to the other. Stopped at the shopping area and walked a bit till night time. Had a few seafood meals along the way. By evening our feet was killing us. But we snapped, walked some more and then decided to take the cab back. Oh gosh, then starts our nightmare (nothing major thamk God). We had communications problem with the cab driver who sent us to a different destinations, which is a far away bus station which is crowded and smoky.. We had to find an English speaking cab driver who knows where our hotel is. And we did. In the hotel, I took a long shower and hang out infront of the tv for the countdown. Yeah, so much for being away for new years. We saw the fireworks far far away which looked tiny from our hotel window. Then I was well asleep. The next day is ze day I have been waiting for. The visit to Chatuchak market! Yey. Had good breakfast in the hotel, caught a cab and off we went. Aand it was just 5 mins drive away. Stepping into it, I had a feeling it's gonna be an interesting day.. Ahhhh..luv it luv it luv it. So many things, so cheap. Especially ladies' stuff - handbags (branded imitations, all I can afford), shoes (lotsa slippers), clothes, accessories, lingerie..to name a few. After walkingf for an hr or two, me and hubby decided to split from folks and Muiz. Mom was looking for homeware stuff, and I wanted to look for MORE clothes hehe. It was a good idea, as we found B's Bulgaria watch, yey. I got several cheap stuff as well. And before we know it, it was time to meet folks back at the clock tower. Then we caught a cab back, this time with a hotel name card which has the hotel name in Thai language (remember this folks, when you head there next!). Feet all sore but feeling satisfied we chilled and then went out to find dinner. The 2nd day in BKK, we still didn't find good tomyam. As they say, the best tomyam goong is either at the north (ChiangMai) or southern border (Haadyai) of Thailand. Oh well, had a few good seafood Thai dishes nevertheless. Last day, after check out, we decided to do the tourist thing and visit the Grand Palace. I wasn't really interested to do the tourist thing, sorry to say, I wasn't THAT into history and monuments. Things made it worst as since it was a public holiday, local folks were also visiting the palace as there is huge praying shrine inside. So after B got his baggy pants (yes they provide pants and skirts for visitors who weren't 'dressed' properly), we walked in among the Thai worshippers. I have to admit thought the architecture is very majestic, full of shining gold buildings, and angry faced tongue hanging statues everywhere. They make a great picture. Makes you feel like you're in one of those old ancient movies. A quick walk through which took about 25 mins I think, had made me tired and bored. Then dad wanted to go to Angkor Watt..oh no, I whispered to mom that I rather go back to Siam Paragon (the big mall). And thankfully, due to the jam and time restraints, we took a cab whose driver was SO impatient and have a suicidal attitude (ark!). What with the traffic jam, yes as we were heading to downtown, it was like Jln Sultan Ismail in KL going towards Bukit Bintang..how fun. But being a cab driver he managed to manuever his way behind buildings and got us where we needed to be. Ahh...malls, my kinda thing. We headed straight to where a good restaurant seem to be. So we had lunch, which took us almost 3 hrs I thnk because the service was SO slow. Although the food was good. I was eager to visit Siam Ocean World which is just underneath Siam Paragon. My folks and Muiz decided to skip it as there was a long line. B had to follow my command coz I made the 'please..' look. Ah..it's not as great as I'd imagine, the glass bottom boat ride I read about is not opened yet..dang it. And becoz it's crowded, we see more people than fish..great. I was thinking I havent even been in Aquaria KLCC and I been to Siam Ocean World. Oh well, I have a thang for the underwater world. Anywaysss, at about 530pm (deadline to get back to hotel and head to the airport) we met up again, and started our way. The cab to airport was smooth, no jam. And from then on, our journey home was good. Reached home in the wee hours of the morning (irony!). Love BKK for the market, me and hubby decided that it can be our annual shopping spree..