Unlike destinations like *ahem* Bali, Bangkok doesn't inspire enough introspection for endless paragraphs of prose, so I'll keep it simple and let the pictures do the talking. Here are the highlights from my Christmas vacation.
The oriental glamor of Shanghai Mansion, naturally, especially since we booked early enough to get the Mu Dan Peony Suite at S$112 a night. With nary a water stain or peeling paint, I was shocked to find out that the extremely well-maintained property is actually over 30 years old. Impressive. Very impressive.
Hotel breakfasts! I've always fancied being able to shuffle down to a breakfast spread in my rumpled pjs, though a daily packed itinerary rendered that little daydream impossible this holiday. Just as well for I would have felt too out of place in the intimate restaurant with a setting more appropriate for cheongsams and delicate dim sum.
Dinner and shopping at Suan Lom Night Bazaar, with the BEST Tom Yum Kung.
Ringside seats to my first Muay Thai match. The Wai Kru (Ram Muay) was graceful, kind of, but like the boxing moves, it soon got a little too repetitive. There was only so much kicking and head locking I could endure before I called it a night. It is definitely an eye-opener, but I think I would be that much more enthralled (like the punters) if I were betting...
The interactive cooking class at Silom Thai Cooking School with our jovial instructor Nusi. Just like what Eileen had said, this was no watch-and-learn cooking class. It was extremely hands on with no corner to skulk to and hide. We were divided into groups where we had to wash, peel and prep the ingredients, and pound the rempah. And we had individual stoves to cook our meals. The sticky rice was the best I've tasted ever, so good that I ate it before snapping a picture.
Cheap and good food everywhere, from roadside stalls to malls like Mah Boon Krong (MBK). The humble food court serves up my favourite ka prow and pad thai, and the best steamed tapioca (all under S$2 each) I've eaten in a long, long time.
Delish street food. Pad thai dinner from a nondescript food stall near Asia Hotel, and the surprisingly fresh seafood from T & K Seafood 20 seconds from our hotel. I've officially developed a thing for prawns.
Another first - a lady boy cabaret show. Cheesy at parts, but worth the hefty price. Some of the lady boys are astoundingly beautiful - I wouldn't know they were men if they weren't performing in the show.
Driving out of main city to the Ancient City Muang Boran, a sprawling landscape of reconstructed Thai symbols. Some towers were really quite impressive, but I was having much more fun driving the buggy with the wind in my hair and the sun on my skin. Time to pick up where I left off at those pre-India driving lessons...
A once in a lifetime, been there done that Royal Thai Banquet meal at the renowned Blue Elephant Restaurant. The food was executed nicely, but its watered down flavors had me craving for a hearty roadside pad thai ten bites into the meal.
And well, I don't have the pictures, but the daily rubdown at Burberri Spa was heaven. That had to be the highlight of all highlights. I've always been a sucker for massages. Ahh...
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