BKK CRAZY DAY 1

We touched down at Bangkok at around 2 PM Manila time (there's an hour difference in the time, so it was 1 PM in BKK). Suvarnabhumi Airport, when you first see its entirety, can be both impressive and daunting with its modern styled architecture. But once everything sinks in, the exterior looks like a giant, shiny durian. I realized after 15 minutes of walking around that other airports such as Chep Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong or Changi Airport in Singapore are still more impressive and traveller friendly. But I won't complain, especially when I know how much of a wreck our local airport is.

Upon stepping onto the tube from the plane, the cameras started flashing. Our initial picture taking starting from the plane, walking a straight line until the immigration counters took about 30 minutes. I was a bit taken aback by the long lines that greeted us at Immigration. Was I in the Philippines?! Apparently, the newly opened airport still has a number of kinks to resolve. Lining up here took another 30 or so minutes. However, it was when we got our luggage that I received a bigger shock and regretted dissing the Manila Airport. First of all, my luggage was one of the last few bags to come out of the baggage carousel. In fact, I was already picturing scenarios in my head on what to do in case my bag got lost. To my credit, I did not lose my luggage (I know Pam and Mike were silently hoping that I did), however, someone did try to pry open my bag as the lock got lost and the zipper handles were broken. It will take more than long lines at the airport and broken luggage to ruin this trip for me. I promised myself that I would have a grand time in Thailand, and I'm not going to let anything rain on this occasion. On a side note, as I was nearly frantic from searching my bag, a number of women approached Mike to ask him for help on lifting their heavy luggage from the moving carousel. Pam and I observed as an old lady, a middle-aged woman, and another dubious looking woman give Mike the "helpless, single female traveller" look. Mike being the gentleman that he is, obliged to every single request, eventhough we knew that those bags were'nt exactly light. I don't know, I guess Mike has that porter look.

We checked in at the Bangkok Palace Hotel, which isn't so bad by the way (we expected worse). After a brief rest and a game to determine who gets first dibs on the bed (I won), we decided to go for a walk to Siam Paragon. We asked the hotel concierge for directions on how to get there - he said that it was within walking distance and that it would take a maximum of 20 minutes to get there on foot. I guess the concierge thought that he was talking to a group of marathon speed walkers because the trek that he guaranteed would take 20 minutes tops, took us a little less than 2 hours! However, I must say that the blame does not lie solely with the concierge for lying to us about the real distance to Siam Paragon. We stopped several times to eat, take pictures, eat again, and take more pictures. I have no regrets with walking though. Between walking and taking a cab, i'll take walking anytime. In a city like Bangkok, taking a cab should always be the last resort. To say that traffic is bad is an understatement. Also, how would you be able to explore and discover hidden treasures if you opted not to use your legs. And discover treasures we did.

We first had green mangoes by the road. Filipinos have their mango with bagoong, the Thais do it differently. The man gave us plastic baggie of mangoes along with a mixture of chili powder, sugar, salt, and other spices. The taste? Lets just say that we all had to buy bottled water after tasting it. In Thailand, even their mango is spicy. I know, I tend to exaggerate. After walking a few hundred meters, we stumbled upon their version of carinderia / hawker stalls selling traditional Thai delicacies. Pam tried what the locals called "pork salad", a hodge podge of different ingredients and flavors, with a heat level that registers high on the Richter scale. Mike was in tears as he was wolfing down pork salad wrapped in vegetables. We then quelled whatever heat was left on our tongues by having tea-flavored ice cream.

Needless to say, after our numerous stops to eat authentic Thai streetfood, conduct crazy picture taking sessions at Central World Plaza, and bicker over the distance and time we've been walking, we finally arrived at Siam Paragon Mall. We were like children let loose at a toystore. We headed straight for Siam Ocean World were we ogled and prodded the marine life. Entrance wasn't cheap, by the way, so we made the most out of our visit. We took a couple of hundred pictures, stared hard at the fish, cradled a lizard in my arms, poked a starfish, and read all the educational literature.

After Ocean World, it was time to raid the shops. I was surprised to observe how robust the shopping culture in Bangkok was. It actually reminded me of how Singaporeans and people from Hong Kong did their shopping. There were luxury brands, high-end specialty stores, and even retail outlets selling car brands like Ferrari, Bentley, and Aston Martin, no less. Pam & Mike raided the shops while I tagged along with them. Pam bought a number of underwear large enough to stage a mini fashion show, while Mike bought a book on Sudoku, which he answers whenever he's in the bathroom. We stayed in Paragon until closing time, and by then my eyes were about ready to pop out from hunger. We took a Tuk-Tuk (say it 10 times!) to Rosabieng, where in my opinion, I had the most delightful Thai meal. We had Pad Thai, Crispy Catfish, and Bagoong Rice, among others. I also had my liquid gold, my personal ambrosia - Thai Iced Tea with Milk! I told myself that if I could only choose a single Thai dish/delicacy to have during this vacation, it would have to be this drink. Luckily, it did not disappoint, it tasted exactly as I had dreamt of.

All in all, it was a blast of a first day! I'm sure the next couple of days will be much, much better.

BKK CRAZY

March 1 - 7:10 AM, outside the Centennial Terminal

I'm already here at the airport. Sometimes it sucks to be the early bird. No, you don't always catch the worm, sometimes you wait...for a long time. I don't remember setting an 8 AM meeting time with Pam yesterday. So here I am, about an hour early, standing right outside, taking in the Manila air, while writing at the same time.

I know for a fact that Pam is still at home right now. I called her on her cellphone and I can hear the tricycles breezing past in the background. She's probably waiting for her boytoy to pick her up. :) As for Mike, hell, I don't know where Mike is. Hopefully, he's on his way basing from the fact that among the 3 of us, he's the one who lives closest to the airport.

The minor hitch of being early (once again) notwithstanding, I am psyched to be going to Bangkok. This was a trip that took a year to plan. Finally, the stars aligned and all the hitches were ironed out - We're finally going! I'm betting that this trip will be one for the books. I can feel it.

9:40 AM, near the Duty Free shops

We're about to board in a few minutes. Mike, not surprisingly, arrived last. Pam and I went ahead to check in and we just asked the lady at the counter to reserve Mike a seat. We went around the airport's measly version of a Duty Free, which we were able to complete in 5 minutes, and when Mike finally joined us, we went looked around some more. But I won't complain. I feel too good to be let down by our excuse of an airport. This is the first international trip I'll be taking that I paid for with my own money. Add the fact that I'll be spending time with good friends. Nothing will let me down today.

12:00 NN, Mid-air

We're about halfway through the flight now. I just finished my meal of "pork with rice", at least thats how the attendant called it. "Barely Edible" is what I would call it. It didn't look like pork to me. The headache I had from take-off has thankfully, subsided.

The trip already has the makings of a classic. The insults have already begun, laughter follows shortly. I've been jeered at by both Pam and Mike for my controversial blog entry (its gone by the way). We've been teasing Pam with her boyfriend (which I hope does not get to read this blog). All of this during the first hour we've been together!


Wow, people seem to be in a peeing mood right now. Its Pam's 3rd trip to the lavatory already. I tell both of them that I've never used the toilet in a plane before. They give me weird looks. Hopefully, I get to experience using the plane's toilet for the first time during this trip.


The new James Bond flick is on the screen right now. I would be watching it if I wasn't too giddy & excited. Mike's been reading the same magazine over and over. So with Pam's full bladder, Mike's compulsive reading, and my constant fidgeting, you could say that we all are excited for this trip.