Weekend in Bangkok~

December 2007. Our short weekend getaway in Bangkok before year 2007 end. This is our second time travel to Thailand together after we went to Hatyai, Southern of Thailand few months ago as our first couple trip. Since I've been to Bangkok twice, I bring him to visit what I think he will be interested. We arrived in the evening before dinner time. As we are staying at Central world, we hang around Central world and had dinner here at a Korean restaurant that he chose. After dinner we also visit the famous Erawan Shrine which is literarily just in front of Central world; watching the Saturday night crowds enjoying their beers and live band at the outdoor of Central World then back to hotel and rest.

Second day after breakfast at the hotel, we walked over to Platinum Fashion Mall which is about 500m away but nothing much to see or buy since we are not keen with shopping. From there we hail a tuk-tuk to take us to The Grand Palace which is less than 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 offer 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 after half an hour ride.

Take tuk tuk back to hotel for some rest and refresh ourself, we then out again and walk to check out Siam Paragon and MBK (both are shopping malls). After enough of browsing, we took the BTS (Sky train) at 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 rest early since our flight back to Penang will be 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 in last 2 photos.

Seoul Garden Korean Restaurant, Sunrise Tower, Gurney Drive

November 2007. Seoul Garden is the very first Korean restaurant I first time have Korean meal. There are only a few authentic Korean Restaurant in Penang as 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 drove passed 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 when he is back to Penang to see me since it is just walking distance from condominium that I am living. 

Sam Oh Jeong Korean Restaurant, Cantonment Road

October 2007. He is back to Penang during the weekend to visit me and we came to Sam Oh Jeong for lunch. A family-run Korean restaurant hidden in a white heritage terrace house and white fence at Cantonment road - between Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawai. Sam Oh Jeong is one of the few authentic Korean restaurant in Penang that we have visited so far. Simply love our table next to the large window with front yard view when we enjoy our lunch here.

Petronas Twin Towers View~ Novotel Kuala Lumpur

September 2007. Short weekend in KL to attend my first TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam in UKM (University Kebangsaan Malaysia), Bangi. And here's the view from the hotel I stayed with Petronas twin towers behind~ 

Bon Odori 2007~ Esplanade Penang

July 2007. 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.