To the Beach!

The long weekend aint over yet!

3 days to go - So I took the opportunity to escape the city, and onto an island! Koh Chang!

5 hour bus journey plus an hour on the ferry (and another hour on the taxi to the beach of my colleague's choice - to escape the crowd and commercialism). And we're here on Bai Lang Bay, next to Lonely Beach.

You'd think that it would be the perfect getaway, and rest before Monday comes again. Let me give you good advice - don't go to Koh Chang in the middle of July, the monsoon season! Or check the weather first, at least. It was rain rain rain, and only a few hours of sun (cloudy sun actually).

What's more disappointing, was that the beach is like this (at low tide):

Feet-hurting rocky beach! Bleaakhh...

And while taking pictures on the beach, such as this crab above... I hurt myself walking into this:

Ouch, the spikes! (and the poison?!?) Good to know that my feet is still OK. Phew!

Well, at least the sunset was KINDA nice (for the first day), though kinda cloudy. (Of course, there was no sunset on second day - too cloudy/rainy).

But we still got to relax...

And do silly things with the camera again

Long Weekend in Bangkok

Thursday is Buddha Day, a holiday - Yippee!

Friday is Buddhist Lent Day - another holiday - Hurrah!!!

Long weekend!

 

I decided to take it slow on Thursday, and then go visit the temples and see how Buddhist pray. So I went to Wat Tat Thong near Ekkamai station (supposedly famous amongst Thais for funerals).

 

People light candles during this day (and supposedly a few other Buddhist celebrations too).

And they go round the temple 3 times, anti clockwise.

Internet in Bangkok Sucks...

I'm having internet problems in the apartment at the moment. That is why there hasn't been any posts for some time now. Hope it'll be resolved soon.

'T was a Dark and Stormy Night in Bangkok

A picture says a thousand words.

Took this from my balcony tonight.

(Go ahead, click it to save the picture for your wallpaper - higher resolution available upon request)

The Chatuchak Challenge

Chatuchak weekend market (aka JJ Market) is the biggest market in Thailand. Or probably all of Asia. In fact, probably the biggest in the world! Its so big, it contains more than 15,000 stalls (some say up to 100,000 shops! - but who's counting?). Its so huge, you'll need a map to find what you want.

You can find almost anything you need at this market. From the usual child labour used for begging...

... to fake plastic chicken/duck...

 

... to Dorothy's ruby slippers...

... to cockroaches for 10 Baht...

... to even Teh Tarik (in Thai its called Tae Ta Re).

Even Jack Sparrow is here

And if you cant get what you want... there's always this guy

 

Yes, you can get almost anything from this market. The problem is just FINDING it from the thousands of stalls here. Go on, challenge me - give me an item, and the next time I go there, I'll try to find it! 

Pak Khlong Flower Market

On Saturday, I followed a bunch of Flickr people to go on a photography outing in Bangkok. One of the places we've visited is the Pak Khlong Talat, or flower market.

The place is cool! Its a real "assault" on the senses. Beautiful, colourful flowers everywhere. You can smell its freshness throughout the market.

Rows and rows of bouquets of flowers.

Orchids of every colour.

Bunches of roses for only 50 Baht

Colourful garlands made specially as temple offerings

Colourful daisies of every shape and size

Best of all... is all the cheap flowers available there. I got this bunch for only 30 Baht! (Can anyone tell me what type of flower this is?)

The Storm is Coming

Today, it was a gloomy day. Thanks to the monsoon season here in Bangkok, we have lots of rain, and occasional thunderstorms. Today was especially dark and stormy. And it was also the time I ventured to the rooftop of my 24-storey office building!

Yes, our office building, I think, is the tallest in the area. From my 19-floor office, we have a lovely view. And even better views from our toilet.

Going to the highest floor - 23rd floor, then taking the stairs one more floor up, we reach the door to the rooftop. It was unlocked. In fact, it was wide open.

Venturing further, there's a metal spiral stairs leading upwards into the windy area. And, that area is just wide open! We're right on top. No barricades or railings whatsoever!! And it was windy!

One can venture right to the edge, like this...