Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan

Koh Ngai is a peaceful little island in Krabi Province. A hidden gem not commercialized with global visitors just yet. There ain't much to do on this island basically but swimming, snorkeling, sleeping, eating and doing nothing. Serenity is what attracts us and most of the tourists here I guess, apart from its natural beauty.

Koh Samui: Fisherman's Village and Bophut Beach

Sometimes, it can be pretty frustrating when you spent quite a certain amount of time to edit and upload the photos only to realize later that they have actually been re-sized in the first place during download. Or rather say, I downloaded the wrong image size without even realizing it!!! Grrrrrr... Time and effort well wasted, Christina! Please tell me that they look OK so I can leave them here as they are with less guilt =p

This takes us back to my Samui Island Trip back in the month of Christmas last year. We were killing time at the Fisherman's Village and Bophut Beach after settling down in our temporary "home". I believe no caption is necessary as most of the shots are candid.

Happy flyday and enjoy!!! ☺☺☺

Lipe Trip: Koh Rawi and Koh Hin Ngam at Tarutao National Park

Hey, hey! Happy Easter Monday everyone!!! *throws Easter eggs and chocolates*

Are you guys sick of my island post yet? I hope not シ 'cause what I'm about to do right now is to load you up with more and more of these images, until you get sick of it! LOL. Just kidding. I wouldn't go that far really. Just relax and enjoy scrolling them k?

Koh Lipe (Maldives Of Thailand) in Satun Province: Koh Khai and Koh Tarutao

The word "lipe" literally means paper in the local Chao Ley (Sea Gypsies) language. An island by the name of Lipe makes "Koh Lipe" — the Paper Island. *clap clap* Sound knowledgeable, don't I? Nah, praise Google and Wikipeda for sharing almost everything that we need on the internet nowadays 😄

Lipe Island was BEAUTIFUL and that I truly acknowledge it as "Maldives of Thailand".

I was blessed with the opportunity to visit there last February, during the Valentine's weekend and was assuredly lucky as well to be able to witness the most happening and heart-warming side of the island.

Koh Ngai (Koh Hai) in Krabi Province: Koh Hai Fantasy Resort & Spa

Friends and colleagues have been asking me why do I travel to the Kingdom of Thailand so frequently that I almost look like a half burnt gingerbread man now, except with long dark hair. LOL.

Island hopping is very much fun (well, who doesn't like traveling huh?) despite the fact that soaking your body in the sea water under the devilish hot sun can significantly boost up the entire tanning process. Not to mention the tormenting boat ride (if the sea is rough and rocky) plus long-hour road trip travelling to and fro. But they are all worth it!!!

It's the experience that counts right? ツ

Koh Ngai, which also referred as Koh Hai by locals, is a tiny island measuring 4 km long and 2 km wide in Amphoe Ko Lanta of Krabi. We got there via Pak Meng Pier in Trang Province. Approximately an hour boat ride for the 15 km route from mainland to island.

Bangkok Trip: Wat Na Phra Men and Wat Lokayasutharam in Ayutthaya

Finally, I made time to conclude my Bangkok Trip happened back in October last year. What an effort! It's been almost half a year away from now already. Time really does fly huh? I'm trying very hard to recall what we did within our four days in Bangkok. Pictures are scattered everywhere, in my iPhone, my sis and brother-in-law's cameras. So, here we go guys! A summary of our tours and activities after some serious digging.

Day 1:
- Arrived in Bangkok after spending 23 hours on the train from Butterworth.
- Checked-in Baiyoke Sky Hotel.
- Lunch at Koh-I-Noor Restaurant.
- Visited Chatuchak Weekend Market.
- Buffet dinner at the Bangkok Balcony Crystal Grill on the 82nd floor of Baiyoke Sky Hote.
- Visited Observation Deck on the 77th floor and The Bangkok's 360° Revolving Roof Deck on the 84th floor of Baiyoke Sky Hotel. 

Day 2:
- Buffet breakfast at Baiyoke Sky Hotel.
- Visited Palm Sugar Making and Orchid Farm.
- Lunch at Chao Phraya Floating Market.
- Shopped at Platinum Fashion Mall.
- Had hawkers for dinner on a street near the Pathum Wan Police Area.
- Shopped at the night market.

Day 3:
- Buffet breakfast at Baiyoke Sky Hotel.
- Visited Bang Pa-In Palace (Summer Palace).
- Visited Wat Maha That (Monastery of the Great Reli).
- Visited Wat Na Phra Mane and Wat Lokayasutharam.
- Buffet lunch on River Sun Cruise.
- Shopped at CentralWorld.
- Visited Than Toa Mahaprom (Erawan Shrine).
- Thai food for dinner in MBK Center.

Day 4:
- Buffet breakfast at Baiyoke Sky Hotel.
- Shopped at the Day Market.
- Lunch at the Don Mueang Internation Airport.
- Flight from Bangkok to Penang.

Next, you'll get to witness the last two temples we visited in Ayutthaya Province. One of them was Wat Na Phra Men aka the "Monastery in Front of the Funeral Pyre" which sometimes also referred as Wat Na Phra Meru, located off the city island in the northern area of Ayutthaya in Tha Wasukri sub-district.

Bangkok Trip: Wat Maha That / Monastery of the Great Reli in Ayutthaya

The sun shines so much brighter this morning, when I woke up. The flowers smell sweeter and the grass look greener. Hehe, I'm in a cheery mood apparently. Little things make me happy =)

Today, you're lucky enough to get to lay your eyes on one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thailand, Wat Maha That aka "Monastery of the Great Reli". But before showing you the actual images, I shall just brief you through a little history of Wat Maha That, written on one the notice boards there.

"Wat Maha That is located to the east of the grand palace. It is the royal temple and most sacred in Ayutthaya during the glorious time. Buddha relics were enshrined in the Mahathat Chedi (the principle pagoda). This monastery was once the residence of the Supreme Patriarch.

According to Ayutthaya chronicle, Mahathat Chedi was starting to be built in the reign of Phra Borom Rajathirat I (Khun Luang Pha -Ngua) in 1374 and completed in the reign of King Ramesuan.

In the reign of King Song Tham, the principal pagoda collapsed through the foundation but it was restored later in the reign of King Prasat Thong.

This monastery was destroyed and had been burnt in the last war between Ayutthaya and Burma in A.D. 1767 and was left ruined."

Bangkok Trip: Bang Pa-In Palace / Summer Palace in Ayutthaya

Sipping on a tall Chocolate Cream Chip as I'm writing this post in Starbucks, one word - YUMMEH! It's the only coffee-free drink I enjoy most from the coffeehouse chain stores so far. Yeah, speaking of the miserable life of a gastric sufferer.

Bangkok seems distant now. I hardly remember the details about our Bangkok trip anymore. Blame my prematurely aged brain. Argh! Gotta watch my sodium intake from now on. You better, Christina!

We joined local tour again on day 4. First stop of our marathon temple tour was Bang Pa-In Palace aka the Summer Palace located in Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya Province. Approximately 60km away from the Baiyoke Sky Hotel we stayed in Bangkok. It was a great honor to be able to visit the facilities once utilized by the royal family, despite the blazing hot sun that cost us so much sweat and strength.

Bangkok Trip: Chao Phraya Floating Market

Hey, hey! How's everyone been doing? I don't feel very good still. Been down with food poisoning since Monday. Vomiting, headache, nausea, diarrhea, fever, stomach cramp...

I AM SO GLAD I SURVIVED!!!

Apart from visiting palm sugar factory and orchid farm, our day 3's itinerary also consists of a trip to Chao Phraya Floating Market. It's a bit remote from the Bangkok city to my surprise, approximately two hours or more by car. Transportation fees, both land and water were all included in the day tour package, except meals. Why need it when food is just at the reach of our hands?

Bangkok Trip: Palm Sugar Making and Orchid Farm

For years, I've been using palm sugar in my cooking, and I wasn't aware what exactly it is made of or made from until my recent trip to Bangkok two weeks ago. Well, it never occurred to interest me, so yeah. Fortunately, our third day tour package covered the topic pretty well. We were exposed to the process of palm sugar making and a little hands-on experience.

I woke up super early that morning just to get myself ready and to enjoy the complimentary buffet breakfast which started from 6 to 10 every morning. My restless body wished to stay in the bed longer but my mind opposed, "Come on, girl. It's your first morning in Bangkok!!!"

So minus all the time spent to wait, ride and change elevators (only certain elevators get you to certain floors *smacks head*), we had merely half an hour to eat or less. In that case, "gulp down" is the more appropriate way to describe the situation.

After quick breakfast, we came down to lobby to find that our friendly tour guide was already there waiting with a big smile on his face. Some of the Thai people are genuinely really friendly and soft-spoken. He led us to a mini shuttle bus parked not far from Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Departure time was sharp at 6.45am as scheduled.

Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok: Buffet Dinner and Night View

Another month has passed by. Time is just slipping away through my fingers like sand, I realize. There's only eight weeks, exactly 55 days left of 2013. It does not feel good, awful indeed, living in a luggage that I was unsure whether to unpack or not in the past few months. But I made it through alright. Having my family and friends who have been kind and supportive to me. THANK YOU.

I take it as an opportunity and freedom to rot at home and grow mushrooms on my head do things I wanna do and go places I wanna go. Bangkok was one of the destinations on my travel list.

We went through a 23-hour exotic train ride from Butterworth, checked in into our accommodation, did some shopping and street food hunting at the Chatuchak Weekend Market before returning for a seafood buffet at the Bangkok Balcony Crystal Grill.

Bangkok Trip: Chatuchak Weekend Market and Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Our first day in Bangkok was free and easy. We wanted it that way actually, so it wouldn't end up like our Hong Kong and Shen Zhen trip back in 2011, overly packed schedule that involved lots and lots of walking. I enjoy a leisure trip better, personally.

Upon arrival, we faced the dilemma to choose between train, tuk-tuk and taxi. Communication was really an issue in Bangkok. The people there don't speak foreign languages or dialects as good as those in Hatyai and Betong. After going through some discussion that required body language, LOL, we came to the conclusion that taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to deliver our exhausted bodies and baggage to where we stayed.  

Bangkok Trip: Train from Butterworth

Spending 23 hours in a train from Butterworth to Bangkok may be one of the wildest and craziest things I ever imagined myself doing, and I did it!!! Yay to my virgin cross-country train voyage! Would this considered backpacking without traveling with an actual backpack? Hahaha, forgive my silliness.

I went without preparing anything to keep my tummy and mind entertained. Glad that my sis brought grapes, breads and some other tidbits and my brother-in-law brought Steve Jobs, the book. LOL. Oh well, I'm easy. As long as there's a socket for me to charge my phone, I'll be more than happy. Even happier if there's internet access on my handheld device. I was born a social media addict!!!

Hatyai Stainless Steel Temple / Chedi Traiphop Thaimongkhon

Hatyai, sometimes being spelled as Hat Yai, Had Yai or Haad Yai, is the largest city of Songkhla Province in southern Thailand. On a broiling hot Saturday, we traveled more than two hundred kilometres up north to Chedi Traiphop Thaimongkhon aka the Hatyai Stainless Steel Temple on Ko Hong Mountain.

By the time we arrived, it was already past two in the afternoon, Malaysia Time (MYT). It's subtle how the temperature increases every time we cross the border of Malaysia-Thailand. So clammy and ravenous I was that I secretly wished we were dining in an air-conditioned restaurant, feeding scrumptious good food into my mouth instead.

Lunch and Shopping in Betong

We came back to have lunch with my mom and her friends (who are also my former secondary school teachers) yesterday at one of the Thai restaurants in Betong. It was the same restaurant we visited last year when I came back to Malaysia (sorry that I still have no idea what's the name of that restaurant =.="). The feeling was good, being able to sit down and have a decent meal with my family once again!

Betong: The Southernmost Town of Thailand

Betong is a not-so-big-yet-not-so-small town located at the southernmost district of Yala Province, Thailand. This place has successfully attracted quite a huge number of tourists from nearby Malaysia, Pengkalan Hulu (formerly known as Kroh or Keroh) in particular.

Grand Mercure Hotel, Bangkok

Let me clear something up before you start making any assumptions. All these pictures were taken ages ago, before we came to Australia! Our flight (Thai Airways) transited at Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi) prior its departure to Sydney and Brisbane. We were arranged to spend a comfortable night at this Grand Mercure Hotel, and they really made us feel like we were in heaven.

A Night in Bangkok

A photo taken with my aunt's baby before I come to Australia.


A memorable family photo was taken in Penang International Airport.

Photos Taken in Bangkok International Airport













Grand Mercure Hotel

This is the 4 stars hotel we stayed when we were in Bangkok for 1 night. We had been served & treated like Kings and Queens but everything changed when we're here in Australia. =x