Ayutthaya (Thailand) - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Ayutthaya! Such a significant name to my ears. Ayutthaya! Bookmarked for as long as I can remember. Me like been patiently waiting to explore Ayutthaya, said as a must do if you are in Bangkok, and finally, the day arrived. As if my dream came through. Though, honestly, I really didn't plan for Ayutthaya to be included in this solo trip of mine which started in Chonburi (Chonburi & Pattaya), followed by arriving in Bangkok (Pathumwan Part 1 & Pathumwan Part 2) and immediately jump starting my sightseeing (Bangkok - Through My Canon). I survived. I sure did. Albeit the hiccup before finding my way back to the hotel (Pathumwan Princess Part 3) and trust me, sleeping alone for the first time in your entire life in a new place? Aha! I made it. Thanks also to the hotel staff and travel agent staff for their kind advice on me safe keeping myself in Bangkok. 

Nandu Rasam (Crab Legs Pepper Soup)

Old habits die hard, don't you think so? Even our cooking habits embossed and embedded in us by. Who else will drill cooking in our head, but our grandmothers and mothers? Girls must learn to cook their philosophy. Yes. Trust me. If you don't start cooking as young as you are, simultaneously you don't pick up the cooking tips from them, all hell would have broken loose those days. Sometimes they themselves can be the hell monsters. Literally pushing you, no matter what, you must cook. I know. I didn't have it all easier either. Knocks on the head and being pinched. Duh! Perhaps maybe, for the better? I really don't know what to say. Regardless, this habit of whenever its a crab dish at home (Malaysian Chilli Crab & Crab Curry), it must be in tandem with the claws or legs kept for Nandu Rasam until I am still till this day doing the same and of course, no complains from my Indian other half-half. And so, the story goes as well for this another version compared to the previous (Indian Crab Soup). Indian Pepper Soup (Mor Rasam) and crab legs in one. A tweeted and modernised version because I used store bought spice powder and of course, as usual, how can our Indian soup be perfected without turmeric powder (Turmeric Tomato Soup) and for Nandu Rasam, pepper is quintessential (Mixed Vegetable Soup). Nandu Rasam (Crab Legs Pepper Soup). Go ahead slurp in or like us Indian, banjir/flooded over rice. 

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.

Sambal Sotong Petai

When you have already made Sambal Tumis Ikan Bilis Petai, Sambal Petai Udang Kering & Sambal Bilis Petai, what should be next? Potentially, don't you think petai and sotong? A great marriage together? Petai trust me, works wondrously with sotong. Of course, it must also be in sambal? Sambal (Sambal Udang) Our Malaysian sambal. Our sambal (Belacan Fish Sambal, Nyonya Fish Sambal, Sambal Belacan & Salted Fish Mango Sambal) we so sincerely love. Yep. You are right. Especially petai lovers, wouldn't you absolutely agree? Sambal Sotong Petai? Without a doubt, if you are asking this petai queen. So, what's the cooking style to Sambal Sotong Petai/Squid Stink beans (Sambal Sotong)? I mean, how different can it be? Pretty much the standard style right? Sambal ingredients sauteed and then alongside sotong and petai. 

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.      

Santa'S Fast Food - MBK Mall, Bangkok (Thailand)

Up next after booking my room (Pathumwan Hotel Part 2 & Part 1)? Heading to MBK mall for lining my stomach with some food and the moment I spotted the first eatery, I decided. I will have my lunch in Santa'S Fast Food. Why Santa'S Fast Food? Because I didn't have the guts for walking any further for spotting other eateries. Remember, I have just arrived in Bangkok an hour ago (Chonburi)? My first ever travelling on my own in my entire 45 years. As it is, I am still coming to terms I am alone in Bangkok and my confidence level still very low till the floor. Hunger by this hour, about 12.00pm was already killing me and me quickly deciding between the set meals offered in Santa's by standing in front of the counter.  

Thai Fish Noodle soup

Obviously, am I not growing stronger and stronger, tougher and tougher in the noodles department (Thai Mee Hoon Kerabu/Soup & Spicy Thai Noodles)? For a matter of fact as well, in the Thai country cooking origin (Tom Yum Prawn Fried Rice, Tom Yam Chicken & Tom Yam Fried Mee Hoon)? Fish Of course.  Do I have to say anything when I am married to a man who lives by fish and I think if he can, he will swim alongside them daily (Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish, Vietnamese Fish Soup & Chilli Lime Fish). Until no dish, mind you is spared without fish (Fish Sambar, Grilled Fish Sandwich & Spicy Grilled Fish). What else is new, you tell me? Nothing by far I think is new, but the newest Thai recipe? Yes, this Thai Fish Noodle Soup. Not the red kinda powering broth though. This is the subtle one. Of course, we still need chillies, as you can see, salmon my choice to fish was fried and later, after assembling noodles alongside red chillies, bean sprouts, green peas, spring onion and mint leaves, packing a worthy customary Thai tastes broth poured over. Sounds so mouthwatering right?