Long overdue... let's continue about my blessed trip to BKK in September 2019.
Day 2. This is the day that I will be going on solo trip to the Floating Market and the Train Market. Jane and the others have been here (not once) before, so they are not interested to spend 4 hours (to and fro) in a van to go there. But, it being my first time to BKK, of course I had to do the touristy stuff that I've always seen on TV right? Right. And I thank God that I am not the type who will shy away from solo journeys / meals. As a matter of fact, I was looking forward to do this on my own. So liberating!
So, early on Day 2, the gang woke up super early and were so kind to go with me to Siam Paragon to catch the van to the markets. Jane helped me to buy my ticket on Klook and the meeting point is at Siam Paragon. We were VERY early. TOO early. Haha. Forgive me friends for dragging you out so early, just because I am kiasu like that. I know... I know... I've gotta learn to chill... hmmmm... NOT!
We asked around Siam Paragon for places to have breakfast. Guess what? They pointed us to 7-11. Haha... It would seem to me that Thais, or at least Bangkok-ians don't really eat breakfast. True? I don't know. It's just that I don't see many shops like in our towns. 5am breakfast places. Or perhaps, I was just in the wrong area; the urban areas.
Because we were super early, we googled nearby places where we can have a good, substantial breakfast. So we found this place famous for its porridge. Porridge? Really? Mana2 lah. Since there's no wantan mee available, porridge pun boleh. So, we took the train to this area, walked a bit and came to Prince Congee. The line! My goodness. But the taukeinio was gracious enough to set up a table for us in the alley and while waiting, Elvis and I crossed the road to go to 7-11 and grab their coffee and tea. I grabbed some sandwiches for my long journey ahead too. Have I told you how much I love Thai's 7-11? Then, our congee was delivered to us. Hangus / Hangit. Haiyah. Verdict? Boleh lah. Won't come back running for seconds.
On the way to Prince Congee, we also came across this roasted shop. Another popular shop. Should have eaten here. They had wantan mee. But then, Elvis won't have anything to eat, since he is SDA. But we tapau-ed some meat to be eaten at the congee place while waiting. The meat? Not too bad, but not mind blowing good. Edible.
The first destination was the Floating Market. Because I was solo, it was easy for me to get the front seat. Classic kiasu aunty syndrome. As I was getting in the boat, I kept thinking how on earth I'm going to get out and this that this isn't an ideal vacay spot / item for the elderly. It was not easy to navigate the entrance into the boat.
I reckon you can read more about the floating market online. It was basically a market where some merchandise were sold on the boat. Others, by the riverside. The customers; us, where all on the boat (for now).
I'm not sure if the helmsman of the boat has affiliated sellers of whom he will stop his boat for us to buy goods, but if you are interested on what the other boat was selling, you can just tell him to stop. Of course we had to order the coconut ice cream and me, being the carnivor that I am, ordered moo ping. The moo ping were grilled fresh on the boat. It was delicious!
We did not stop at too many boats, they generally sell the same things. And I reckon the stalls at the riversides also sales at the same price. Perhaps you can get cheaper stuff at the night market, or at Chatuchak! (which I will go on the next day).
After the boat ride, we returned back to the van and was taken to another side of the market and were stopped there for lunch. I was so happy to have this time to wander around on my on. You must remember, I love any body of water. Even if the river looked like cha yen, it didn't smell (at least it didn't smell that bad to me). I saw a lady with piping hot noodle soup so I sat at the riverbank, and ordered a bowl from here. I love the soup. I love the slippery noodles. I love the heat. I love the sourness. I love the piping hotness. I love it! And the authenticity and feel of sitting at the riverbank whilst slurping the noodles. Man, priceless. Tell me again, how did I get so blessed to be given this trip?
At the appointed time, we all returned the the van onwards to our next destination. The Train Market. It was super crowded, slow stroll (don't expect to go fast) but orderly. We all waited for the train while looking around. Mostly local goods. Can't really compare the prices, I can't convert the price fast enough!
From far, you will hear the hooting of the train. And then the action starts. The grocers will slowly and coolly pull back their items in to make way for the train. It was very entertaining to see how cool the people were, I mean, they have been doing this for years, so of course they know it's safe.
I stood at the crowded five foot way with a group of Irish tourist. They were all cheerful and sang song as the train passedby. It was fun. After the whole thing, I made my way back to the van and it's time to head back to town. It was all on time. I happily pop in my earphones again and read & watched my movie. I was hungry on the way, so I took my 7-11 sandwich. The aunties were of course not happy that I weren't socialising and kept trying to make small talk. Bless their kind hearts!
I texted Jane that I was almost back in town. It was raining cats and dogs and the guys were heading to Jim's again for fitting and measurement. Jane told me to stay put and that they will head over to me.
So I hanged at Siam, and went down to the food area in search of what Fread and Togs deems the best banana fritters in the world (or was it in BKK?). Anyways, I found, and indeed it was very nice. The best part of this mall is that they have this authentic thai food market near the supermarket and I had a field day looking and drooling.
I was going to meet the gang for dinner, of course I did not want to waste my stomach space on nonsense. But I did buy some interesting things to try. What's visiting without trying local food right?
Then, I crosses over to some other mall in search of some other 7-11 which I've read online as being more special than the rest. Couldn't find it. At that time, Jane asked me to cross back to Siam Paragon to meet them there for dinner. Something that amazed me while crossing here and there was the emergence of these shelter walkway to keep the public from being wet! So considerate and so... maju! Win for Thailand!
I waited for the guys at the food court and walked around for a bit.
There were so many local delights, we really don't have to venture out far to get a taste of the local food.
All of these stalls are the "popular" ones. Try google them. I reckon what they are doing is similar to Hutong Foodcourt, Lot 10. Getting all the best to be under one roof.
Eventhough for this trip we said we wouldn't "prepare" much, one of the things we of course had to research on was food. And in one of those reading, I came across a shop called Thipsamai, which had according to reviews, the BEST orange drink in the world. I was pleasantly surprised to see this selling here! I didn't have to venture into the unknown to find this shop in order to get a sip.
This bottle of the BEST orange juice costs 199TBH. Which is about RM30. RM30 for a bottle of orange juice. REALLY? Being on a tight budget, I didn't want to spend unnecessarily, so I turned and turned the food court debating if I should buy this.
Of course I did!! I had to! One's gotta taste what they claim as the BEST orange juice right? Bought a bottle, pop open the lid, drank one gulp. Silence. Selah. Heaven. It was indeed, IMHO, THE BEST orange juice I've tasted in my life so far. It was so good that you wanna drink the whole bottle on the spot, but so expensive that you have to remind yourself to drink slowly and savour it.
It was so good that when the guys came, and though I've poked them numerous times to buy it and try, they weren't so interested because it was so pricey, I just had to buy it and make them drink to attest to it's goodness. Yes. They agreed. BUT OF COURSE. I told you!
We all ordered different types of food, for us to try there and there between us.
Oh, it's day 2 already and I forgot to tell you the ordering system of the food court in BKK. I haven't gone to all, but it seems that most (if not all) operates in the same manner. You've gotta go to the counter and purchase like a "credit card" with whatever value you want, and then go and order at the stalls. The stalls will deduct the price from the card. Repeat. Reload if necessary. At the end of your meal, if you still have money in the card, you can just go back to the counter to return the card and claim back your money.
I'm not sure why they do it this way. Perhaps it is to minimise cash handling at the stalls. A bit troublesome if you ask me. But at least you can get back your money. And the service of loading / reloading / giving back is fast. So, it's all good actually.
To be honest, after 5 months, I don't really remember what went on during that time. I remember a good whole chunk of it, but forgot some of it. So... I might miss some stuff there and there.
After having our fill, we decided to go to MBK to 1) buy a silver ring for Noel and 2) to buy goodies to bring home (nuts, pork rolls etc). Here it is, another of those pop-up covered walkway. Super love! We went round and round MBK, they got what they wanted for food stock to bring home and silver rings were blardy expensive, so I did not get for Noel then.
One thing I noticed about Thailand is how much the people love, respect, adore and worship their King. The previous King, Bhumibol Adulyadej was so well loved that the whole country went into mourning for one year. Every programme was cancelled. Here in BKK, the King's portrait is everywhere including the malls.
After roaming around at MBK, we decided to call it a day and go back to our hotel. Fread dropped by to buy McD Pork burger. I have always said I must try and also bring home the pork burger from McD for Noel but after contemplating, I decided against it because we still had another day to fly back. Didn't want it to rot, and felt bad to try it without buying for Noel, so decided not to buy and try for myself too. On the way back to the hotel, of course we had to stop at 7-11 and get our supper! That's it. Day 2 done!
