2D2N Bangkok - Day 3

Must be the Swedish massage. We slept really well and even for me (given I can't stand the mattress and the pillow) I didn't wake up till close to 0815. Just a point of reference, the previous day I was awake by 0715.

Packed up and made sure everything was in order before I left for my waxing appointment at 10am. The service was quite fast for full leg (800B) and I was done at 10.30 although there were still some sticky bits left behind. Supposed to be at 53 salon by 11 for my hair appointment and I happily decided to walk from soi 23 when my destination is soi 53. Thank you google map for giving me wrong directions and a misconceived idea of how inconvenient the place is. In the end, I walked 2 BTS stations to get to Thong Lor and was gong to head down soi 53. I was about 8 mins into soi 53 then I wondered whether all this trouble was worth it. The unit number is 55 and it seemed to be a pretty damn long walk. This was when I decided to abandon all ideas of the hair treatment and just leave. Next time, perhaps. 

By then it was like 1130 (yes I have walked close to an hour). I figured since I was in Thong Lor, why not look for the branch of After You? After walking down soi 55 for about 5 mins, I decided better not, since I'm uncertain of the exact location. May end up walking for a really long time. Then the brilliant idea to head to Siam. 

First stop, After You. No queues. I was apprehensive about finishing a Nutella Toast myself but the baby toast is just 20B cheaper than the actual one so I figured no point. It was good but would have been better with company from the husband. By the last third, it was getting slightly too much for me to handle. But I finished it anyway (except the ice cream). 

On to the next stop - paragon departmental store to get all that I have set out to get. Thank God I cleared everything on my list - lingerie, underwear, goggles, just that Scholl's insoles was out of stock else it would have been perfect. Dropped by H&M as well and was blessed to pick up exercise shorts that were reasonably priced (799B). Took a breather at Paradise Dynasty and ordered my 6 pcs cheese xlb (185B) and my usual sliced pork la mian (195B).

Last stop, the supermarket for Brands items. Got to claim VAT refund on those as well. Whee! Picked up some chou from Bake a Wish. Note to self - the husband thinks the strawberry one is a little artificial. Opt for vanilla in future.

Then it was a mad rush to make it for my 3.30pm foot massage appointment but I reached close to 4. Still got my massage and it was ok. Think the masseur might have been skiving cos I was sleeping. We grabbed a cab close to 6 due to some delays on the MIL's dental stuff but for 450B (horrible cabbie did not agree to turn on meter) we got to the airport in less than 25 mins! 

Super long queue for VAT refund. On hindsight, ought to just opt for credit card refund then don't need to queue. Esp since the refund was only 196B after taking 100 or admin fee. Tobs bought 2 dozen chicken drumlets and we almost couldn't eat it. Had to sit at the waiting area, hoping that there are more late comers while we chomped down as much food as possible. Didn't manage to finish, that shall be breakfast tml:) 

The next time we come back, hopefully there is no more babysitting to be done and we can properly stay in Siam Kempinski please!!! 

2D2N Bangkok - Day 2

My Ta-to delivery was supposed to arrive at 9am. By 9.45, it was nowhere in sight and I was getting seriously impatient. Did not help that the front desk staff is like most unhelpful human in Bangkok. So I left at close to 10am, after leaving my Thai mobile number with the front desk.

Was supposed to go to Jinny's store for grade a bags at Silom Village which required me to take the MRT to Silom before changing to the BTS to reach Surasak. I tell you the best decision I made was to get the free SIM card. The hotel front desk called close to 10.30 saying that the delivery guy came (like finally) and I had to urgently text Tobs to get him to return to settle the payment. But thank God it went smoothly and we got our goods. 

It was quite a chore trying to locate Jinny's. I got slightly lost but thank God there were helpful passers by who pointed me in the right way. The weather was scorching hot and I had to keep drinking to keep myself hydrated. When I got to Jinny's, the first bag I picked up also became the one I bought. The collection is decent and the quality is better than those you see in Platinum. Was super happy with the buy and even though I only managed to bargain off 200B, it was a good buy at 3600B (paid 2100 in credit card and 1500 in cash). 

Very tempted to grab a cab to head to Central World but I know the husband will not approve. So I obediently took the BTS to Siam and walked. Lunch was 8 pcs chicken drumlets at Pizza Company (179B) plus the usual maggi mee papaya salad I always get at Central Food Hall (60B). Then it was Platinum Mall. 

Just to satisfy myself, I popped by the shop with the secret room that contains (apparently) grade a bags from Korea. I took a look at a similar one that I bought and the shop owner's starting price was 5800 (or sth) but he said he will give it to me for 3800. And this is for the smaller one. I had a quick look at the make, it was nowhere near Jinny's and therefore I conclude that my buy was fantastic. Did see some shops selling Jimmy Choo bags in quite good make too. Perhaps for next trip? :)

Needed to get a cheap replacement for my tour bag that is severely overused and the zip has even come off. Decided on (shop name) that was selling bags for 300B each for 2 pieces and will drop it to 250B if I get 3. This is when it would be really quite useful to have a bunch of gfs who can share purchases. But being the bargain hunter I am, and the fact that the marginal cost of the third bag is only 150B, I took 3. 

Revisited some of my short listed shops from last time and bought a dress from (shop name) for 600B. Alas the one I was eyeing is out of the larger sizes. Boo. Grabbed another Korean style top cos it was only 200B. Barely had time to shop around much cos our Urban Retreat appt is at 4pm. 

We finally finished the package with the in laws doing 2hr Thai and the husband and I doing 2hr Swedish. I initially protested to being in the same room with him because I expected him to be noisy when he sleeps. Turned out that I was the noisy one instead as I developed a blocked nose for facing down for a prolonged period of time. So that was the last 3 sessions for our 10,000B package. I asked if there were still selling it and unfortunately, no more! 

Dinner was at San Sab and we had quite a feast including 2 chicken dishes (the fried winglets are not v good), pad Thai, some strange beehoon, fish (nice but ex) and San Sab Son Tum (like!). It was apparent the Tobs was not full and we grabbed some cream puffs from Beard Papa. Thank God for seasonal special - green tea! Next time we should try the green tea beverage too. Saw a few people getting it. 

Uneventful end to the night where a green tea cream puff was dropped onto the floor and Tobs bought a GMAT book and scored and additional discount. 

2D2N Bangkok - Day 1

Primarily for the purpose of taking my in laws for their dental surgeries at Bangkok Smile, the husband extended an invitation to me. I instructed for tickets to be booked but to reconfirm just before payment was made. Unfortunately, on the day of intended payment, I was uncontactable for work reasons and the tickets were purchased. 

But no complains on my part, except for the fact that this is an awfully short trip and no matter how I try to plan my itinerary, it did not see that I would be able to accomplish all I set out to do. 

Flight: Scoot return. TZ 302 1735/1855 TZ 301 2005/2320 Fly price $314.09 FlyBag (return leg bag only) $327.09

Not fantastically cheap I know, because of severe procrastination on the part of someone when I have been saying since January after our earlier trip that we should book ahead. 

Accommodation: Citadines Sukhumvit 23. Nothing to shout about unless you are looking for long term stay and have use for a living room area and a kitchenette. Hate the bed and pillows. Tuk tuk to Asok BTS available. 

Exchange rate: 24.2

Got a free tourist SIM card from True and only had to top up 50B for credits. Main purpose was so that I can unlock all those Ensogo credits that I have accumulated. They refuse to unlock unless there's mobile verification. Ugh. 

Cab ride to hotel was fine except it was a squeeze at the back seat. The hotel is also a distance away from the station so after putting our things down when we decided to head out, we had to rely on the Tuk Tuk. 

Headed to T21 for a late dinner and settled for Chabuton, which was still having the 59B for 3 side dishes promo. They also have a new promo, 15% off bill if you show your passport. Unfortunately the husband was too eager to lock up valuables we didn't enjoy this benefit. He also stupidly ordered Miso ramen when their top recommendation was Tonkatsu. I got their Champion set which came with a small salad, gyoza and chashu don. 169B only! Total damage came up to 552B.

Also got a Yoghurt cheese cake from Secret Recipe for takeaway cos that will be my breakfast. 115B. Came back and watched another episode of Secret Garden. Yeah to DVD player in room:)

Now (15 June) I'm just hanging around waiting for the Ta-to delivery guy to come.