THierry's Diary: Bangkok Trip: Day 1 (Arriving at BKK)

StupidGenius and I arrived at BKK International Airport at about 0920 local time, some 45 minutes before the scheduled time of 1005. SG called E straight after we touched down, and in the process, woke her up from her slumberland... Then we still gotta wait for S and XY, whose flight is scheduled to arrive at 1040. So we went changed our money and then went into a small cafe at the airport for some makan. SG ordered a not-so-nice and expensive bowl of wanton noodle. At the same time, we managed to complete the movie that we've watched halfway through during the flight here.

Me and SG wrote the names of S and XY on a piece of A4 paper and held them up while awaiting for their arrival. But then 1 hour had gone and there were still no sign of them. Finally, S and XY appeared after a while more (and the best part was that they totally missed the names that we wrote on the paper). It was almost 12pm already by the time we meet up.

Took an airport transfer in a mini van which cost us about THB800, after trying hard to bargain for a better deal but to no avail. We were staying at Bangkok City Suite and The journey took about 20 minutes.

SG called E after we checked into the hotel, so that she could come meet us for lunch. Managed to nua a bit in my room while waiting. At the other room, S and XY called for room service to order some food. E arrived after a long while as the taxi driver couldn't find his way here. And so the 5 of us decided to walk from our hotel to MBK Center. Halfway through the journey, we stopped by at a small restaurant for lunch.

Continue our journey to MBK after lunch. Passed by a money changer but S and XY did not change the currency there (and they had not changed Thai Bahts at the airport either), even when the rates seems good. Shopped a while at MBK, where I bought a T-shirt (quite surprised that I was the first to get something here...). The gals wanted to change their currency at MBK, but the exchange rate was worse than the one we passed by on our way here. So we walked back to that outlet but found that it was already closed. So we walked back to MBK and took a cab down to Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) from there.

Reached Chinatown in late afternoon. Managed to walk and shop a bit at the market along the back/side alley. Most of the shops were closing though. Still some of us managed to buy something here. Then SG suggested to go eat bird's nest and sharks fin. It was sort of like our dinner. Besides bird's nest and sharks fin, we ordered Duck's tongue as well. They served the bird's nest last. I ordered the one with the super duper sweet ginko nuts.

E suggested going to the Flower Market nearby and so we took a cab down. They do really sell a lot of flowers here. E managed to buy some flowers, which is to be put in her room.

Then went to E's service apartment. Her room is really big and well-equipped. SG and I stayed to watch the EPL match between Liverpool and Everton while the gals went to shop at Suan Lum Night Bazaar which is nearby, but not within walking distance. Took a cab down to the night bazaar and meet up with the gals after the match. More shopping coming our way, although I did not buy anything from here. Had wanted to go to a place called Tawan Daeng, but was told by a taxi driver that the place closes at 11pm (not sure if it was true). In the end though, we stayed at the night bazaar for our dinner (or supper if you consider the time that we were having our meals)

There is a big screen here and it was showing EPL matches. But then the game between Portsmouth and Arsenal was postponed due to waterlogged pitch. So no game interest me for the night. As usual, we ordered quite a lot of food, including fried rice, papaya salad, pizza, stir-fry pork liver, and some Thai Otah. We had beer as well. Food was so-so only. After having our meal, we send E back to her service apartment before going back to our hotel.