Bangkok/Pattaya.. Fly me back pls.

*Day 03 updated.. and more to come. Scroll down to read!

I promised to blog yesterday night but I'm totally burnt out by the time I reached home at 11pm. So I slept.. And woke up at 1:30pm today. Woah! Quality sleep - something I did not have for the last 5 days or so.

Everyday at Thailand, I am sleeping after 12am (latest being 2am) and waking up around 6am, which may sound alright to you, but I definitely need more sleep than that.

First thing first..

Friends (people like Meng esp.. haha), sorry I probably didn't get gifts for you guys 'cause there wasn't much shopping time since, much to my agony/disappointment, my parents signed us up for some package tour. WTHHH...

So if you ain't getting angry with me for not buying you gifts, feel free to read on.. hee.

(Meng.. You reading on? I'm sure you are. fwah.)

Day 01

Nice weather on the way to the airport.. where I'll soon be airborne.

At the departure hall - they have the nicest chairs..

My brother and mommy.

And the most interesting cigarette packings.

On board Valuair.. the miserable lunchbox.

I'm just glad it is warm. We had Carrot Cake.

This is taken from Singapore skies.. Rainbow! Can you see?

My dad.. The overall sponsor of this trip! Hurray*

Artistic impression. Ok.. Narcissism.

Reaching the Land of Smiles..

Meanders.. Woohoo*

The 1st thing that draws me to Bangkok.. Billboards!

And they have so many, it is all over the place. =)

Lobby of our hotel - Narai Hotel.

My brother and I don't seem to look vaguely alike.

After this, it is a mad blur of getting to places and shopping since the 1st day was free and easy. I missed Pratunam, MBK, Siam District and Silom. Sigh. Anyway, I should have gotten the presents on this day, instead of waiting to get it on the last second day (which of 'cause never happened.. read on to find out).

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The picture on the top of the pile left a strong impression on me. Little kids who look as young as 3 years old are selling flowers on a flat basket balance on the top of their heads.

Dinner at Chinatown. Me and Momma.

I'm said to look like my mum. We beg to differ.

Slurping 100 Bahts bird nest at Chinatown, that is approximately 4 dollars.

Back at the suite, trying out my new FAKE Hollister tee.

I love it! Regretted only buying one, should have bought at least a dozen. It only costs me a freaking 50 bahts!! A little over S$2. Fly me back to Bangkok, anyone!

Day 02

Because my dad forgotten to adjust his hp's time back by 1 hour, we had a very early breakfast at 7am SGT, that is 6am in Thailand. By the time we realised it, we were all down at the dining area. (Thank goodness breakfast starts at 6am.)

Looking lethargic already but the fab scrambled egg and pancakes Narai serves are enough to perk me up.

The view from my suite.

This day we headed to Pattaya, which is a 2 hours ride away.
En route we visited..

1. A Buddhist temple (whose name i can't recall)..

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We have Singlish. They have Thai-lish.

-_-" Thanks, I think i will stick with Singlish (lah)!

2. The floating market.

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Sucha pretty little thing (taken near the Temple of Dawn).

This is also where I got my 1st garland of flowers (symbolises welcome)..

.. Fed fishes..

.. And got cheated of 100 Bahts for taking 2 shots with some cardboards.

After these 2 shots WITH OUR OWN CAMERA, this woman promptly came up to us pointing at an inconspicuous part of the cardboard (smacked right at the bottom), asking us to pay her 160 Bahts (40 Bahts each). My dad just threw her a hundred and walked away. It is not alot of money but we just felt cheated. I mean where in the world you pay to take photos with freaking cardboards. Well, Thailand that is. Pfft..

3. Next stop.. Leather factory.

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Evil place. I can't help but think of all the animals they must have killed and how the animals were kill. You name it, they probably have it - ostrich, horse tail, crocodile, snake, lamb, ray, elephant and so many more. =(

I visited their toilet and for the 1st time in Bangkok, I see toilet that comes with no flush system. (Reminds me of rural China, which is worse 'cause it is just a hole in the ground.)

4. Leaving the evil place, we visited Sriracha Tiger Zoo!

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What's really interesting here is that tigers, pigs and golden retrievers live together. Tigers are brought up by pigs and vice versa.

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Very heartwarming sight isn't it? =)

The pigs are really cute. They take part in pig racing..

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.. And can do mathematics.

Someone said 6 minus 4, and the pig picked up 2. Who say pigs are stupid?

5. We finally reached Pattaya and went for the famous Alcazar Cabaret Show after dinner. That is the Ah Gua Show if you ain't familiar.

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The performance that impressed me the most!

Bringing out the male and female character solo. Freaking cool*

I was expecting something more big scale, more enticing, less cloth - something like what i see in Moulin Rouge. Fell short of what i expected and it got pretty boring draggy at some parts but overall, it was great! Some of them look so good, they make half the female population ashamed of themselves.

Zero shopping accomplished on the 2nd day, 'cept i got to try out this Thai dessert - mango with glutinous rice. Yummy! Love Thai mangoes!!! Anyway, the hotel (SunBeam Hotel) we stayed in was located at this very sleazy area - somewhat like living in the middle of Geylang. It is an eye opener though!! Outta 10 Caucasians, 9 are hugging on to at least one Thai lady. Can't trust guys really. Wells.. It is sad but sex trade really flourish in Pattaya.

Day 03

Woke up early to set off to Coral Island which is located offshore Pattaya. As the name suggest, it got its name 'cause of clear waters and the presence of corals on its sea bed.

Great weather. Waiting for the boat to fetch us over.

En route Coral Island, my brother and I tried para-sailing!!!
.. I'm on the top of the world looking down on creation
And the only explanation I can find..

It's a great feeling looking down on this Earth. For a moment, I can fly. woah* Divine experience. =)

Finally reached Coral Island. Whee*
Absolutely adore the beach!!

Look! Clear waters!!

According to my momma, it used to be much clearer. Wait till she sees Sentosa.. -_-"

This lil boy in red is so adorable - keep wanting to return to dry land. Fwah.

Bah~ The bumpy ride back. Almost died.
Good thing i was tired enough to fall asleep almost throughout the ride.

More photo-whoring on the way to Nong Nooch Village..

Lalala~ I love my Ovalteenies!

Chheckk outt my new FAKE A&F tee. Whee* Urps.

We got so bored during the bus ride, i forced my brother to do a coupling shot of our faces.

TADAH!

Freaking gross.. Now i am glad we don't look vaguely alike.

Cultural performance at Nong Nooch Village.

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Elephant Show!!! I like!!!

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These elephants play darts, draw, play soccer, play basketball, twirl ribbons, play hula-hoops, bowl, massage and seems to have a huge sense of humour. So cute!!

This chimp looks really sad. =(

Closer view. =(

It wasn't captured but one of its legs is chained to the wall behind.

Info: Nong Nooch Village belongs to the 3rd richest person in Pattaya. Nong Nooch is the name of the woman who established this "village". The whole property has been passed on to the 2nd generation already - Nong Nooch's son. According to the tour guide, the whole place is 1700 li (?) and employs 1500 people.

Typical scene - Thailand has lotsa fruit stalls.

All cheap cheap and succulent. Slurp* Missing their mangoes.

[to be continued..]