Saturday, June 23, 2012

Pathumwan Princess Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand (Part 3)

What and what not thereafter ( Madame Tussauds & Bangkok Part 1)? Like a Bangkok hero, me crossing the road while the sky was still slightly bright for heading back to the hotel (Pathumwan Princess Hotel Part 1) and for packing food for dinner. Wrong check-mate outrightly. Why? I didn't dare being amongst the many walking up and down. My main concern was, what if I am robbed or mugged? Silly thoughts you think so? Maybe, but seriously, I didn't want to risk my handbag. Passport and wallet? I really didn't want to take a chance. So, I started walking as fast as I could. By then, sky had turned dark, yet, Pathumwan Hotel was no where to be seen. I panicked until I could think anymore. I thought I was lost in space and my heart kept pounding louder and louder. In fact, I felt as though my heart is going to fly out. Logically then, I had to ask around. Thanks to the 3 or 4 kind Thai samaritans who pointed towards the direction of Pathumwan Hotel. God! What a relief.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Bangkok, Thailand - Through My Canon (Part 1)

The start to my sightseeing in Bangkok (Pathumwan Hotel Part 1) after lunch (Santa's Fast Food)? Travel agent arriving by 1.30pm and me being driven to the agent's office, and where, alongside the rest of the tourists, plus the tour guide, let's say, all in all, the 15 of us hopping into the bus. Bangkok! My first ever time. Goodness me! Traffic jam in Bangkok? Bad shape. Nevertheless, you just have to put your trust at the helms of the bus drivers. They have it. They have mastered it for ensuring your safety and completing your tour within the stipulated time. Our this half a day tour? To the temples. The first temple we visited. Wat Tramit Wittayaram Temple. Swarmed by hundreds and bustling busy. All walks of life tourists and locals as well due its a public holiday for ushering Thai king's birthday and year end school holiday.      

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Pathumwan Princess Hotel (Bangkok) - Part 2

My three days in Pathumwan Princess Hotel? Oh, before I forget to tell you, I decided to extend another day instead of returning to boredomness (Chonburi & Pattaya). Obviously, not free. Me paying another RM400.00 and the account taken up by my credit card. Pathumwan Princess Hotel. What else can you expect apart from a beautiful and well kept room? Honestly, to tell you the truth, I can't say much. I was out most of the time. Nevertheless, I did though walk within wherever I could when I had some extra time in hand. Of course, it all started on the first floor. Booking my room and like I have already told you, lobby on the ground floor. Lobby? Like any other hotel lobby, but this one? Darn stylish. Spacious and where you sit around or idle your time away by sipping into a drink or maybe, even order food and once sun goes down, light live music instead of heavy duty head banging.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Pathumwan Princess Hotel (Bangkok, Thailand) - Part 1

Goodness me! Like a hero I took a ride from my bestie's colleague to Bangkok (Chonburi & Pattaya) and this kind soul insisting on helping me out in booking a room. I in return didn't want to trouble her and after thanking her, I walked into the hotel across. Can't remember which hotel specifically because the moment I was told rooms are not available and that I have not prior book a room in any hotel, I almost shed bricks. The adorable hotel staff, I think noticed me panicking. Another kind soul who wrote down Pathumwan Hotel name on a piece of paper and telling me to show it to the taxi driver. Alright. To the main road for flagging down a cab and prior to getting down in front of the hotel and then, me standing in front of the reception counter on the first floor. Thank god. I managed to book a room for two nights (RM800). Oh-what a joy! Next of course, heading to my room I think on the 15th floor. Swipe card mind you. Dang! My safely ensured. All the way most probably and till into the lift and to my room. Only that if I have to smoke, I have come down to the smoking room on the ground floor or I can also puff, if I am not mistaken, on the 8th floor where the open air bar is. Fine. 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Chonburi & Pattaya (Thailand) - My Solo Travel Trail

Lessons I picked up from my holiday to Malacca (Philea Resort & Malacca Part 2) or even from my first ever, over the sea trip (Rome & Milan)? Travelling with friends is not as sunshiny or rosy as it may seem to be or as others share on social media. Furthermore, for indication that perhaps I should start travelling alone. Solo travel? The thought of it? Quite scary and frightening initially mind you until I was in two minds. I wasn't even sure if I can do it. Then again, unless I try? Of course. But getting the green light from my other half-half? God! This Indian husband of mine who behaves as though he is the most liberal male gender in this world. Debated over and over again until he finally said yes. How did it all start for my first ever solo travel? Thanks for the encouragement from bestie who was based in Amata Golf & Country Club Chonburi for a golf tournament project.  

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Pandan (Screwpine) Cheesecake

What's next after the pretty-pretty Mango Cheesecake & No Bake Cheesecake? Obviously, as you have already noted, Pandan (Screwpine) Cheesecake. Idea invention tumbling down from? No where actually. One of those things I suppose. One of those when you keep thinking and thinking. How far by the way I could I gone? Basically, the two previous cheesecakes being the idea ideology. After all, you tell me. Those of you who have already had a hands-on experience to baking (Lemon Cream Pie) cheesecake, I bet you know. You know which are the standard ingredients we need? Precisely. Cheese and the bottom biscuity layer. Right. But the challenger for me really was how much of, pandan/juice should I add instead of, of course, we love citrusy fruitiness and most probably can I say from mangoes (Mango Coconut Jelly, Mango Coconut Cake, Prawn Mango Curry & Mango Cucumber Salad). Or maybe even fruits, but I was so adamant about how can I incorporate Pandan juice from pandan leaves. Those of you are growing them, I bet you can connect to me? Why not to our garden harvested scent? Of course. I am one of them alright. Typical Malaysian my (Pandan Jelly With Coconut, Poached Pears in Citrus Syrup & Coconut Panna Cotta). What else should I say. Can I assume you are triggered? You like can't wait to make this Pandan (Screwpine) Cheesecake? 

Friday, May 11, 2012

Mee Rebus (Vegetarian)

Vegetarianism? Should we, must we go over it, over and over, again and again (Cucumber Yogurt Salad)? I doubt we should. We shouldn't talk about matters which are not close to our heart? Unless you are a hard-core, do or die, vegetarian? I definitely am not. So, why bother? Let's just ditch vegetarianism (Vegetable Kurma, Mor Rasam & Creamy Coconut Lentil Soup) aside & also, supposedly if you kick your bucket whilst you are vegetarian, you will be floating in cloud nine in heaven alongside god. Whereas the rest of us of who are carnivores, oppps, actually we who are meat eaters, we will be burning in hell alongside satan. Duh! Honestly, I have nothing further to say except that we do hail in vegetarian dishes (Lemon Cashew Rice & Chloe Masala) at our whims and fancy whenever we long for. Mee Rebus Vegetarian? Sure? Who said Mee Rebus Vegetarian is impossible or out of our reach? Not me (Mee Rebus). I am the living example. I made. For further contributing towards the rest of the vegetarian noodle dishes I have already shared with all of you (Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup, Mee Rojak Vegetarian, Curry Mee Vegetarian, Mee Rojak VegetarianVegetarian Mee Hoon)? Thick, smooth, packing a punch gravy, ladled over yellow noodles, assembled alongside boiled eggs, green chillies, fried shallots, other bitsy ingredients and yeessss, the must have crispy fritters.  

Verona, Italy: A Journey Through Romance and History

As the days dwindled down to just two left in Italy ( Venice ), a feeling of reluctance settled in ( Florence ). How I wished our tour could...