Dining In Bangkok

I moved into to Tita Jit's guest house when Lisa and her parents left for Manila.  Tricia, the sister of Jing, was already waiting for me.

I told Tita J that I do not want to shop anymore because there is no more room in my luggage but there is still lots of room in the stomach for Thai food!

We went to my favorite market.  I do not know the name but I just know where it is.

My eyes just feasted on the fresh produce and other cooking ingredients.

We then went to the "batok" place.  Again, I don't know where it is.  The nice thing about knowing a local is that Tita can take us to places where authentic Thai food is served.

Grilled "batok".

A plate of vegetables to cool the tongue because of the spicy dipping sauces.

Tom Yum Goong

Som Tum

Sticky rice in a basket

Hello Kao Chay!

Tita J borrowed the dog of the neighbor.  When you go to the restaurant of Kao Chay, she is the official greeter.

The next day, we had lunch somewhere "far"! Hahahaha I really don't know where it was.

We were with Ryan and our driver for the day. I do not know his name.

The specialty is Northern Thai cooking.

Crispy Shrimp Cakes!

I loved it! I know how to cook it.  I have to buy plum sauce.

Mixed Fruits Som Tum

It had red and green apples, guava, macopa and pineapples.  I will also recreate this salad.

Grilled batok

Fried fish with garlic

Tom Yum Goong

Laarb

Fried Rice

Sticky rice with mangoes

Green Dessert

We had dinner at Bei Otto, a German restaurant with Ryan.

Liver Pate

German Sausage

Wienner

Bread and pretzel basket

Crispy Pata!

We brought our own suka, toyo, sibuyas sawsawan.

Brunch the next day at another Thai restaurant.

The specialty is Mee Krob - crispy bihon

We also ordered....

Tom Yum Goong.

Tita J wanted us to try the different versions.  I loved this one the best because it had lots of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves.

Fried rice

Freshly squeezed orange juice with salt.

Thai Royal ice cream.

Tricia and I went to Chatuchak after lunch but we were also there the day before with Ryan.  There were some things we wanted to buy so we went back.

My favorite in Chatuchak is the popsicle! I probably had all the flavors.

Orange

Strawberry

Thai Milk Tea

Coke

Grape

I also love the Moo Ping, I bought from several vendors.

We tried the Thai ice cream.

My favorite Khanom Buang

Tricia tried the quail eggs

Baby octopus

Lots of food at Chatuchak Market.

It is also a haven for pet lovers!!!  Section 13 to 17

I wanted to buy the stroller and bed for Snowball but I already reached my baggage allowance.

I could only get her a dress!

She looks so pretty in the dress!

Hahahahaha But Mona said it looks like Yaya Hermie's uniform,  I told her, Snowball is the assistant.

I bought a 3D Westie poster!

Because I missed Snowball while I was in Bangkok for 9 days.

It was a satisfying food trip with Tita J and Tricia.  Thank you so much Tita!

Thanks also Tricia! We had so much fun shopping for our beloved pets.

Had to go home to Manila already.

As usual, we looked like we came from the probinsya instead of Bangkok.

All mine!

The box contains 8 bottles of shampoo for hair growth and 24 boxes of Babi double milk soap. And the rest of the luggage had all my pasalubong and Christmas gifts for friends and family, not counting 1 suitcase that was with Lisa.

I have to schedule another trip to Bangkok!

Early Christmas In Bangkok With Lisa

I spent an early Christmas in Bangkok with Lisa and her parents, Tito Tony and Tita Des.

The reason why I always exceed my baggage allowance is because before I leave, I am almost near my limit. 

Upon leaving Manila, the weight was already 20 kilos out of 30 kilos.  Why? I have to bring a lot of things. My hair dryer even if the hotel has one. I always bring an extension cord. My toiletry kit has a nail cutter, nail file, now it has a retractable back scratcher and a whole lot more. 15 tops and 12 pairs of shorts. etc etc etc. 

And let us not forget Sia, my traveling cat, and my green security blanket.

Whew!!!! I am tired already just typing the contents of my luggage.

I was so excited after checking in the airline counter because I will eat my favorite siopao in Terminal 2.

Vin Vin Cafe was under renovation!!!!

It was a major let down.

Good thing I checked out the other food kiosks.

Yes!!!! They were selling my favorite Jumbo Bola Bola!

I only ate the filling because I was "wheat-free" while I was travelling.

Small world! We bumped into our HS classmate, Marie Flor who was on her way back to Toronto.

Touchdown Bangkok!

We booked a van from Klook to pick us up at the airport and vise versa.  It was the second time I booked from the online travel agency. The first time was in HK.

I chose Arnoma Grand Hotel across Central World because the location was great.  Near the shopping and dining areas.  It is an old hotel but well maintained. I've been staying there since the 90's with my family.

We had dinner at a shabu shabu restaurant in Central World.

The food was too much for 4 people but we enjoyed it just the same.

On our way back to the hotel we bought green mangoes and corn from the street vendors.

The hotel booking came with buffet breakfast.

Our first shopping adventure was at Or Tor Kor Market across Chatuchak.  We used Grab everywhere we went. So convenient and it even has a translation feature when you send a message to the driver.

Lots of fruits and food.

I even tried the pad thai and broke my Coke Zero fast!

Back at the hotel to rest and check out my favorite Big C Supermarket.

Ratchada Night Market was our next destination. It is behind Esplanade and near Thailand Cultural Center train stop.

We had grilled river prawns and grilled fish encrusted with salt.

I loved the fact that they use a giant tumbler with lots of ice for the soda.

The goods there cost less than other markets.

Gearing up for Sampeng Market the next day!

Lisa is so embarrassed to be seen with me wearing my Paddington Bear hat with matching tote bag. I bought it in Chatuchak last year when I was with Jing.

I bought a mini rice cooker from an appliance store! It is smaller than Sia.

In the evening we we crossed to Central World to look at the Christmas display.

We went shopping in the mall and I saw Sephora!!!  It is the favorite store of my friends, especially the Junkies.

I did not go in because all the products were non edible!

But... ice cream... I would stop for ice cream!

Watermelon gelato.

Ikea was our itinerary the next day.  I went toy shopping for Snowball!

Just got her a Husky and a pig.

Late lunch at MK.

I discovered that there is a food court at the top floor of Big C!

I had Pad Thai

And Oyster Omelet.

Hahahahaha I did not order Fried Rice with "Crap".

Platinum Mall shopping the next day!  Lisa and I bought the same shirt!

Twinning moment! She hates it when people ask if we are sisters!  It happened several times in Boracay, Bangkok and here in Manila.

Lookie! I bought a see through long dress!

On my last day with Lisa, I went to Central World again to buy something for PD

and to eat ice cream at Godiva!

It was a fun vacation with Lisa, Tita Des and Tito Tony.

Thank you my dear friend!!!

Merry Christmas!