21 December 2018 Friday
Marcus arrives from Melbourne early this morning, and took the airport train to KL city. I picked him up from KL Sentral at 6.30 am and we were home before the work day traffic starts.
We had a roti dosai breakfast with Uncle Walter and Auntie Joann at Kanna Indian Restaurant. Wang Theng won't be in KL till Sunday, so we were left to our own devices the next couple of days.
Some kids came by with their parents and asked what kind of fishes they were. I suggested they might be piranhas and their parents don't need to worry about buying shoes thereafter.
We then walked to Madras Lane for their famous curry mee, which was delish and for Marcus (large bowl with extra noodles) very filling.
On the way to catch the MRT (subway) to NuSentral Mall, we walk past a durian dessert shop and the lady inside beckoned.
So we relented and had a kampung durian ice cream.
Marcus is holding up a fake plastic durian.
Then we took the MRT to Nu Sentral Mall where we decided to see the Aquaman movie starring Steven Adams. Marcus said he wasn't, the actor was Jason M(something) who was not known to me.
Then it was home for dinner with the family at the Xigong sea food restaurant in Kepong.
22/23 December 2018 Saturday & Sunday
I arranged a day pass for Marcus to join me at my gym in Kepong Village for a couple of hours.
After the workout, he found time to get a slick haircut.
24 December 2018 Monday
We fly out to Bangkok this afternoon on Air Asia, arriving at the Don Mueang airport mid- afternoon. I tried out my Thai hello (saw war tee krap) and "wai" (prayer palm together) on the immigration officer, who seem to appreciate it. She said very welcome when I thanked her in Thai (cop koon krap).
While WT and Marcus waited for our one bag, I got some money exchanged. And a 2nd chance to practise Thai. I requested smaller notes so that we could give the taxi the exact change. This will avoid having to make a large tip when the driver claims no change.
Then we went through a seamless customs, and into the arrival hall. A couple of 8-day tourist sim cards were procured for 300B each.
The airport taxi is well organised, you pull a number from the machine and go up to the counter when your number's up. They then assign you a driver. There was no one else at the taxi queue, so we got our ride immediately. The mid-afternoon traffic in Bangkok was pretty light on our route.
We remembered to ask for the meter to be turned on, which turns out cheaper. The fare to our Ibis Hotel near Khao San Road was 230 bhat, including toll 120 bhat, airport surcharge 50 bhat totalling 400 bhat. I added a 20 bhat tip because a typical trip was closer to 600.
Our hotel Ibis Styles in Rambuttri Road near Khao San Road is pretty much near all the tourist action.
After check-in, we were invited to the Xmas Eve party for complimentary cocktails at the pool (and only cocktails, I was denied a complimentary beer).
Marcus had arranged to meet his friend Dean from Brisbane and his parents for dinner. They were touring South East Asia and happened to be in Bangkok.
But first a recce to the Chao Praya river where I plan to catch the Orange commuter boat tomorrow.
Recce done, and menus were inspected for dining potentials, on the way back to the hotel to meet Dean.
We met up with Dean and parents, and had dinner at the above Yummy Kitchen.
After which we walked Khao San Road where the boys bought some fried scorpions and durian for a snack.
While most signage has English, these are phonetic translations and are not official English names. You cannot rely on the English version as they only provide guidance to an approximate Thai pronunciation. The only accurate address etc are in Thai, even if you have to google translate it.
Marcus arrives from Melbourne early this morning, and took the airport train to KL city. I picked him up from KL Sentral at 6.30 am and we were home before the work day traffic starts.
We had a roti dosai breakfast with Uncle Walter and Auntie Joann at Kanna Indian Restaurant. Wang Theng won't be in KL till Sunday, so we were left to our own devices the next couple of days.
I decided we'd lunch at Madras Lane near Petaling Street, but first stop, Central Market for a fish spa. This is where you stick your feet in these ponds full of little black fishes and they eat the dead skin off your feet.
Some kids came by with their parents and asked what kind of fishes they were. I suggested they might be piranhas and their parents don't need to worry about buying shoes thereafter.
We then walked to Madras Lane for their famous curry mee, which was delish and for Marcus (large bowl with extra noodles) very filling.
On the way to catch the MRT (subway) to NuSentral Mall, we walk past a durian dessert shop and the lady inside beckoned.
So we relented and had a kampung durian ice cream.
Then we took the MRT to Nu Sentral Mall where we decided to see the Aquaman movie starring Steven Adams. Marcus said he wasn't, the actor was Jason M(something) who was not known to me.
Then it was home for dinner with the family at the Xigong sea food restaurant in Kepong.
22/23 December 2018 Saturday & Sunday
I arranged a day pass for Marcus to join me at my gym in Kepong Village for a couple of hours.
Wang Theng was back in KL on Sunday with the in-laws. We went to the Starling Mall area for an Indian curry lunch.
We fly out to Bangkok this afternoon on Air Asia, arriving at the Don Mueang airport mid- afternoon. I tried out my Thai hello (saw war tee krap) and "wai" (prayer palm together) on the immigration officer, who seem to appreciate it. She said very welcome when I thanked her in Thai (cop koon krap).
While WT and Marcus waited for our one bag, I got some money exchanged. And a 2nd chance to practise Thai. I requested smaller notes so that we could give the taxi the exact change. This will avoid having to make a large tip when the driver claims no change.
Then we went through a seamless customs, and into the arrival hall. A couple of 8-day tourist sim cards were procured for 300B each.
The airport taxi is well organised, you pull a number from the machine and go up to the counter when your number's up. They then assign you a driver. There was no one else at the taxi queue, so we got our ride immediately. The mid-afternoon traffic in Bangkok was pretty light on our route.
We remembered to ask for the meter to be turned on, which turns out cheaper. The fare to our Ibis Hotel near Khao San Road was 230 bhat, including toll 120 bhat, airport surcharge 50 bhat totalling 400 bhat. I added a 20 bhat tip because a typical trip was closer to 600.
After check-in, we were invited to the Xmas Eve party for complimentary cocktails at the pool (and only cocktails, I was denied a complimentary beer).
But first a recce to the Chao Praya river where I plan to catch the Orange commuter boat tomorrow.
Recce done, and menus were inspected for dining potentials, on the way back to the hotel to meet Dean.
We met up with Dean and parents, and had dinner at the above Yummy Kitchen.
Khao San is kinda of a fun tourist trap with vendors for clothes, shoes, loud music bars, masseurs, crocodile BBQ and accomodation.
While most signage has English, these are phonetic translations and are not official English names. You cannot rely on the English version as they only provide guidance to an approximate Thai pronunciation. The only accurate address etc are in Thai, even if you have to google translate it.
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