I'm Back!

Wow, I have deserted my blog for more than 3 months already! I better start updating it or otherwise, people will begin to think that this blog is dead for good.

These past few months had been an exciting one for me, especially from end of July 2013 to early September 2013 as I have been on the move most of the time. My first destination was Pulau Perhentian. It was a spontaneous, last minute trip, as my last day in the company came a week earlier than expected. I took a bus from Putra bus terminal to Kuala Besut and from the small town, took a speedboat ride to the island. I spent about 3 days there doing nothing but lazed around the white sandy beach, went out into the sea to snorkel, and read a book or two. It was a truly simple life.

The beautiful beach of Perhentian Kecil

After that, my next stop was Vientiane, Laos. I went with a fellow blogger, Diana, and we spent a good one week exploring the capital city and its charming countrysides up north like Vang Vieng, Phosavonh and Luang Prabang. With Laos done, I have finished with the Southeast Asian countries, excluding Timor Leste.

Patoxai or the Victory Monument in Vientiane

Plain of Jars, a mysterious occurance in Phosavonh

I then crossed border to Thai side from Vientiane to Udon Thani, a city in northern Thailand only to take a train ride to Bangkok to meet up with my family. Somehow, it has become an annual thing with my family to go for an overseas trip even though after the disastrous Singapore trip. Luckily, this time in Bangkok, it fared much better.

When the week was over, my family flew back to Malaysia while I took a bus ride to Phuket. I spent roughly 3 days in the island, exploring its quaint old town as well as hopping around its surrounding islands. Even though it was supposed to be low season, the crowd there is still large and most of them are Chinese tourists. I followed Phuket with a quick stop in Hat Yai to catch a train back to Malaysia.

Rows of umbrellas in Patong Beach

Next, I continued with a 2 week stay in Sabah. I concentrated mostly in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu. While Sandakan is more of a small town, it is much easier to navigate around its attractions as there are public buses and transportation to bring you around while in Kota Kinabalu, the famous sites are almost 2 hours away from city centre.

These two shots of old buildings, can you tell which is Luang Prabang and Phuket Old Town?

Well, at least for these past one month plus, I have a wonderful time, seeing new things and meeting new friends. I can't wait for another long-term vacation like this again. More about it soon.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Bangkok - Wat Pho

After our visit to the Grand Palace, we continued our tour with a visit to Wat Pho, home of the famous reclining Buddha statue. It was just walking distant away from the Grand Palace. When we reached the temple, dark clouds were residing, causing fear in us that possible heavy downpour might occur. Plus, the sight of construction on the temple put us into a dilemma whether or not to enter the temple. However, the idea of coming so far to Bangkok and not visit the famous landmark put us off and we just entered without any second thought.

Wat Pho from afar

One of the few entrances 

Inside the temple, besides the giant statue of sleeping Buddha, it is also a huge complex with many stupas and side temples. Being the main attraction of the building, we first visited the reclining Buddha statue and boy, is it huge! The statue sent off an aura of majestic and importance as we observed it with awe. Tourists from around the world snapped photos of the statue non stop and me being a tourist as well, did the same thing. 

Three shots of the reclining Buddha

There's a limit as to what my digital camera can do and it is near impossible to capture the golden statue in film. I did my best. After admiring the Buddha, we continued with our tour around the complex of the temple. Here are some shots inside the temple:

Bangkok - The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Statue

So, after cruising all the shopping centres at the districts which pretty much sum out what we did the first day, the next day, we went to the Grand Palace which is easily accessible by BTS from my place. First of all, we took BTS from Chong Nonsi station to Central Pier which is located at the Saphan Thaksin station. 

Then, once reached Saphan Thaksin station, we walked heading towards the exit that'll lead to Central Pier. At Central Pier, you will notice there are many people queueing up for the river cruise. At that pier, there are two types of boats/ferries. One is that you can have the whole boat by yourself or with your friends while the other is like a public speed boat. Of course, the former will cost you more than the public speed boat but you get to have the whole thing by yourself. More spacious but not budget conscious. We made a mistake which was we took the 'private' boat. Two persons sharing is not cheap. However, the experience itself worth it. Cool, river breeze brushing your hair, caressing your face, with the views of skyscrapers and antique buildings by the riverbank. 

'Private' boat

Some of the scenic views you'll get along Chao Phraya river

Me enjoying the ride and the cool breeze

Our stop is at the Chang Pier, the closest stop to our destination, the Grand Palace and its Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We walked across the road and headed to the main entrance of the Grand Palace. The entrance fee is 350 Bahts per person.

At Chang Pier

Some of the local delicacies you'll notice while at the pier

When we entered the palace, the first word on my mind was F***! It was damn majestic and vast! There are many buildings inside the compound, each has its own unique appeal. The designs of each building are very detailed and made of gold. Whether it is real gold or not, I'm not so sure about it. Lets the pictures do the talking.

Before we entered the compound

You may have notice that these buildings are mostly of old designs and are not allowed to enter. You can just look at and admire the intricate and detailed exteriors these buildings spotted. By the way, the King of Thailand still stay in the Grand Palace though I'm not sure whether he was in during our visit. His palace? Here's the picture.

A very modern building who follows the planning of the old palace

Another highlight of the palace have to be the Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of Emerald Buddha. As the name suggests, the Buddha statue is made of emerald and was enrobed in a gold gown that change according to the season. At the time of visit, it was summer, so the robe wore by the Buddha statue was breezy. No photography is allowed inside the temple but if you want to snap a photo of it, you can do it outside of the praying hall.

The Buddha is in the middle but the poor quality...

More pictures to go!

Bangkok - Jackie Chan, Frank Lampard, Julia Roberts and Kate Winslet

What do Kate Winslet, Jackie Chan, Frank Lampard Steven Gerrard, and Julia Roberts have in common? Well, they were seen in Bangkok looking fabulous and posing with fans! Of course, when you saw them in the flesh, surely you'll do the same, won't you?

Miss Pretty Woman

You can't see how excited I am 'cause I played it cool

Miss Titanic, Kate Winslet

Not a football fan but here's LampardGerrard

With Big Brother himself, Jackie Chan

I saw more celebrities when I was in Hong Kong. Wait for it!

*TO BE CONTINUED*

p/s Apparently I made a mistake in identifying the footballer. I was told it was Lampard but rupa-rupanya it's Gerrard. Oops...

Bangkok - Shopping Heaven

Bangkok by daylight is another world. What used to look like a seedy street is now crowded with tourists walking about, exploring this magnificent metropolis. We officially began our exploration of the city and what's better way to explore than through what Bangkok is famous for? Shopping!

Traffic was slightly congested in the Saturday morning

Our mode of transportation

Our ride is coming!

Bangkok - A Glimpse of the Underworld

The sky was already dark when the aircraft that we were on landed on Suvarnabhumi International Airport. We expected there's nothing for us to do once we reached Bangkok and checked into the hostel. Imagine how surprise we were when after we put our bags into the room and went out to explore that the night market near our hostel (Silom Road) was still open and peoples were roaming around shopping for pirated goods and cheap gifts. Massage parlours and food stalls were crowded with people. 

YHA Hostel, our accommodation