Weekend in Bangkok~

Our short weekend getaway in Bangkok before year 2007 end. This is our second time travel to Thailand together after our first trip to Hatyai, Southern of Thailand few months ago. Since I've been to Bangkok before, I bring him to visit what I think he will be interested. We arrived in the evening before dinner time, since we are staying in Central world, we just hang around Central world and had dinner here (at a Korean restaurant haha!). Visit the famous Erawan Shrine after dinner which is literarily just in front of Central world and watching the Saturday night crowds enjoying their beers and live band at the outdoor of Central World.

Second day after breakfast at the hotel, we walked to Platinum Fashion Mall which is just 500m away for a visit. Nothing much to see or buy, we then hail a tuk-tuk to take us to The Grand Palace which is less than 6-8km away to visit the Royal Thai Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (The Temple of the Emerald Buddha). If you like architectures and history like me, don't miss out to visit this 17th century palace that built in 1782; where it served as the royal family's residence until 1925. Now it is only used for royal ceremony purposes. 

After spent 2 hours in The Grand Palace, we left and walk across to the opposite to the Ferry Terminal for boat ride along Chao Phraya River. Unlike the cruise which is a leisure ride with longer hour, we opt for the private long boat for shorter visit time where we get to see Wat Arun, Wat Po closed up and hop on to the Thonburi canals for visits where cruise doesn't go. We did not take photos along the boat ride as it is really bumpy and splashy (but won't get wet so no worries). Maybe we are just coward - we hold the boat railing tight and did not take out the camera as we afraid the camera might slip off our hand and fall into the river lol (over-thinking). Anyway we are back to the land safely.

Take tuk tuk back to hotel for some rest, we head out again and walk to check out Siam Paragon and MBK (both are shopping mall). Not keen in shopping and enough browsing, we take the BTS (Sky train) here from MBK (National Stadium BTS Station) to Suam lum Bazaar (Lumpini MRT Station) where we need to interchanged from BTS to MRT at Sala Daeng. As National Stadium BTS Station is an end station of Silom line, we decided to checkout the view of another end of Silom line which is Saphan Taksin BTS Station. Turns out, Saphan Taksin BTS Station is located at the entry of the Taksin Bridge where we can see Chao Phraya River and Thon Buri again from the BTS Platform. Seems like there will be a future development for the Sky Train to cross the bridge. 

 

Back to Sala Daeng, where we interchange to MRT which goes underground and it takes only 2 stops to reach Lumpini Station where Suan-Lum night bazaar is. Maybe because we were tired from the activities during the day. After have some Thai food at the night bazaar and browse a little, we decided to call it the day and go back to hotel take rest early since our flight back to Penang is early in the morning tomorrow.

End of our short weekend getaway at Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok International Airport) in sunrise when our plane take off. 

Seoul Garden Korean Restaurant, Sunrise Tower, Gurney Drive

Seoul Garden is the first Korean restaurant I had authentic Korean meal for the first time! There are only a few authentic Korean Restaurant in Penang since the population of Korean in Penang is small. Seoul Garden probably is the first Korean Restaurant in Penang Island and has been existed for long time. Located at the 1st floor of Sunrise Tower, above McDonald and Pizza Hut. The Korean restaurant always can be spot from far whenever we passed by the Gurney roundabout. Friendly Korean lady owner who take care of the restaurant operation, while the Korean husband is the chef who cook all the meals at the kitchen. Occasionally we came here for lunch date as it is located next to the condominium I am living at.

Saturday lunch~ Sam Oh Jeong Korean Restaurant, Cantonment Road

A family-run Korean restaurant hidden in a white color heritage terrace house and white fence at Cantonment road - between Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawai. One of the few authentic Korean restaurant in Penang that we've visit so far. Simply love the seating next to the large window with front yard view.

Petronas Twin Towers View~ Novotel Kuala Lumpur

Short weekend in KL to attend my first TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam in UKM. And here's the view from the hotel I stayed with Petronas twin towers behind~ love it!

Bon Odori 2007~ Esplanade Penang

My second time joining the Bon Odori event. This year I am not taking care of the company booth like last year, so I came to enjoy the event - participate in any game I like, enjoy the food and drinks with the coupon purchased, watch the dance performance and stay until the event end with fireworks at 9.30pm.