Showing posts with label thailand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thailand. Show all posts
Monday, January 23, 2017
Sunday, November 14, 2010
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 6: Leaving Bangkok
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 6: Leaving Bangkok
The day we left Bangkok is the same day that Thaksin Shinawatra (deposed Thailand prime minister) arrived from his self-imposed exile.
If you are still in need of magnets and picture frames, you can check the better ones in the airport, where you can also spend the remaining coins you have from your shopping days.
In behalf of my sister who is with me on this trip, we would like to thank PAL, Ibis Siam Hotel, Ms. Lee and Ronnie of KBS, Ms. Tananya from Dream World, Mr. Poon of River Sun Cruise and Mr. Tong of Oriental Tours for the warm welcome and good accommodation there in Bangkok.
The day we left Bangkok is the same day that Thaksin Shinawatra (deposed Thailand prime minister) arrived from his self-imposed exile.
If you are still in need of magnets and picture frames, you can check the better ones in the airport, where you can also spend the remaining coins you have from your shopping days.
In behalf of my sister who is with me on this trip, we would like to thank PAL, Ibis Siam Hotel, Ms. Lee and Ronnie of KBS, Ms. Tananya from Dream World, Mr. Poon of River Sun Cruise and Mr. Tong of Oriental Tours for the warm welcome and good accommodation there in Bangkok.
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 5: Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 5: Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Normally, there are no guided tour from Bangkok to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (http://www.nongnoochtropicalgarden.com/en/landscape.asp), because it is a long travel in between, but we really want to check out the place because the pictures are so beautiful viewing it from the net.
So we check out different travel agents and finally made our best deal with Oriental Escape (http://www.orientalescape.com/thailand/sightseeing/pattaya.html). According to our driver, Mr. Tong, the trip we had at around 2000THB/pax is just so cheap. It already includes Bangkok hotel transfer, buffet lunch (don‘t forget to get your lunch ticket from him) and Nong Nooch entrance fee.
From Bangkok, it took us 2 hours without any traffic to reach Nong Nooch. So just imagine how far it is from the city. This is already in the Pattaya area, where most tourists also visit the white sand beach of Thailand. Mr. Tong also inform us that Pattaya goes like a patpong and party place at night.
So there we enjoy the Nong Nooch travel with all the Butterfly Hill, French Garden, Stonehenge and Four Towers.
Aside from Nong Nooch and Pattaya beaches, you can also check out the Mini Siam and Underwater World Pattaya.
From Pattaya, we decided not to go back to our hotel and requested Mr. Tong to send us to MBK for our final shopping galore. Of course we need to check out the sawadee pose of Ronald McDonald.
And finally, have our foot spa to try the famous Thai massage.
Normally, there are no guided tour from Bangkok to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (http://www.nongnoochtropicalgarden.com/en/landscape.asp), because it is a long travel in between, but we really want to check out the place because the pictures are so beautiful viewing it from the net.
So we check out different travel agents and finally made our best deal with Oriental Escape (http://www.orientalescape.com/thailand/sightseeing/pattaya.html). According to our driver, Mr. Tong, the trip we had at around 2000THB/pax is just so cheap. It already includes Bangkok hotel transfer, buffet lunch (don‘t forget to get your lunch ticket from him) and Nong Nooch entrance fee.
From Bangkok, it took us 2 hours without any traffic to reach Nong Nooch. So just imagine how far it is from the city. This is already in the Pattaya area, where most tourists also visit the white sand beach of Thailand. Mr. Tong also inform us that Pattaya goes like a patpong and party place at night.
So there we enjoy the Nong Nooch travel with all the Butterfly Hill, French Garden, Stonehenge and Four Towers.
Aside from Nong Nooch and Pattaya beaches, you can also check out the Mini Siam and Underwater World Pattaya.
From Pattaya, we decided not to go back to our hotel and requested Mr. Tong to send us to MBK for our final shopping galore. Of course we need to check out the sawadee pose of Ronald McDonald.
And finally, have our foot spa to try the famous Thai massage.
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 4: Ayutthaya River Cruise
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 4: Ayutthaya River Cruise
We booked our Ayutthaya River Cruise in http://www.bangkok.com/river-cruise-tours/riversun.html . We were picked up form the hotel at around 6:30am. Then transfer to a tourist bus to start our journey to Thailand’s old city - Ayutthaya.
Our first stop is the Thai royalties’ summer resort - Bang Pa-In Palace. The area is just so wide that they offer tourists to rent golf carts to travel inside the palace. I must say that this area is more of a European like than a Thai place. I really love the bridge area of the place.
We booked our Ayutthaya River Cruise in http://www.bangkok.com/river-cruise-tours/riversun.html . We were picked up form the hotel at around 6:30am. Then transfer to a tourist bus to start our journey to Thailand’s old city - Ayutthaya.
Our first stop is the Thai royalties’ summer resort - Bang Pa-In Palace. The area is just so wide that they offer tourists to rent golf carts to travel inside the palace. I must say that this area is more of a European like than a Thai place. I really love the bridge area of the place.
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 3: Dream World
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 3: Dream World
Based on my research on the net, most of the temples are closed during Mondays, thus we decided to visit a theme park then.
We were picked up from the hotel, at around 9:30 and was able to reach Dream World at around 10:30. The package we got is straight from Dream World (http://www.dreamworld-th.com/english/index.php) thus it is much cheaper compare to those offered by travel agencies. The 1000THB package already includes the hotel transfer, the entrance to the park and to snow town and a buffet lunch.
Based on my research on the net, most of the temples are closed during Mondays, thus we decided to visit a theme park then.
We were picked up from the hotel, at around 9:30 and was able to reach Dream World at around 10:30. The package we got is straight from Dream World (http://www.dreamworld-th.com/english/index.php) thus it is much cheaper compare to those offered by travel agencies. The 1000THB package already includes the hotel transfer, the entrance to the park and to snow town and a buffet lunch.
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 2: City Tour, Temple and Catholic Church Visit
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 2: City Tour, Temple and Catholic Church Visit
We were picked up at around 8:45am from the hotel. Our first stop is the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit). Always take care of your valuables and don’t be surprise if locals here are taking your pictures. They do sell these pictures for your souvenir. Note that shoes are taken off before going inside any temple in Thailand.
There is also a fortune teller machine here where you need to drop a 5 baht coin and the lights will go on circles. This will stop on a particular number, then you can get the corresponding paper for that number. Don’t worry because these are translated in major languages.
Our next location is The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram). Entering the gate is so majestic as you will see the spectacular architecture of the temple.
We were picked up at around 8:45am from the hotel. Our first stop is the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit). Always take care of your valuables and don’t be surprise if locals here are taking your pictures. They do sell these pictures for your souvenir. Note that shoes are taken off before going inside any temple in Thailand.
There is also a fortune teller machine here where you need to drop a 5 baht coin and the lights will go on circles. This will stop on a particular number, then you can get the corresponding paper for that number. Don’t worry because these are translated in major languages.
Our next location is The Marble Temple (Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram). Entering the gate is so majestic as you will see the spectacular architecture of the temple.
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 1: Arrival and Siam Niramit Show
2008 February: Bangkok: Day 1: Arrival and Siam Niramit Show
Baggage Carousel numbers are not announced on plane nor posted on the end of the exit tube. You have to check them on the video screen before reaching the Immigration counter. After spending 30mins to 1 hour in the Immigration queue, we were now able to get our baggage. For those who avail tour packages with PAL, the name of the agency they are connected into is KBS Travel (http://www.kbsbookingonline.com/ or http://www.kbsthailand.com/). Always follow-up with PAL or KBS on your arrival instructions. For us, it is to Exit at Gate C located at the left most side of the Arrival Terminal (Level 2). This gate is located near Baggage Carousel Nos. 18-23. The KBS guide will be holding a KBS placard with clients' lead name.
Exchange rate in the airport is not good, but you may need to exchange some of your money to be used for the advance payment in the hotel.
You will wait for all other clients who avail the Swingaround promo before boarding a 10 passenger van.
Travel from the airport to Hotel is about 45 minutes.
Ibis Siam Hotel (has already been renamed to Seasons Siam Hotel, 2018) is located in 97 Rajaprarop Road Makkasan which is just a bus away from Pratunam area and mall district. The hotel is a different 3 star hotel among the others. The Ibis philosophy is to give “value for money” - they do not have room service and no bell boys. If you directly booked to the Hotel, the rate for a Standard Room is THB2000. We booked our hotel together with the Swingaround promo and it already includes a breakfast buffet.
Hotels in Bangkok also has a standard practice where guests should give an advance payment though you already paid the whole booking over the credit card. We paid THB2000 as an advance payment in case we make international calls and/or take sodas from the fridge.
Standard room is okay based on my preference. It has good lighting, sofa, soft beddings, closet and clean bathroom. It provides a tea making facility, an emergency flash light and bath towels.
Exchange rate in the hotel is also not good. Instead, we were advise to exchange our money on an authorized bank. The nearest money exchange from the hotel is located in Big C mall, which is a bus away. You can take bus 73, 204 and 514 going to Big C, Central World and Isetan malls. To reach MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Center and Siam Paragon malls take bus 73.
On our first day stay, we booked to watch the Siam Niramit show (http://www.siamniramit.com/index.php). It is a Thai cultural show that presents 3 acts (Journey Back to History, Beyond Imagination and Joyous Festivals). We were picked up from the hotel by 5:30 pm and reached the place in 30 minutes. We check out the place and made some photo op with the other characters from the show.
We took our dinner buffet and return to the waiting area. Take the opportunity that you can take photos with the participants because cameras are not allowed inside the auditorium.
The show is very amazing and spectacular. They were able to include real elephants, goats and roosters in the stage. They even had reproduced the floating market with small boats over the real water. We already know that there will be acrobatics and aerial movements, but what totally surprise me is when it rains on the stage, every time water flashes and when plain water turns to a fountain.
After the 80 minute show, there is another photo op with the participants, but we did not stay late. We go back to our driver to sent us back to the hotel.
We left Manila at around 10:30am and reached Suvarnabhumi International Airport at around 1:00pm Bangkok time. Note that Manila is 1 hour ahead of Bangkok. It is advised to change one of your watch to follow their local time and to not miss any of your appointments. You can also keep your Manila time on your mobile phone to have a reference as well.
Guardians in Suvarnabhumi International Airport
Baggage Carousel numbers are not announced on plane nor posted on the end of the exit tube. You have to check them on the video screen before reaching the Immigration counter. After spending 30mins to 1 hour in the Immigration queue, we were now able to get our baggage. For those who avail tour packages with PAL, the name of the agency they are connected into is KBS Travel (http://www.kbsbookingonline.com/ or http://www.kbsthailand.com/). Always follow-up with PAL or KBS on your arrival instructions. For us, it is to Exit at Gate C located at the left most side of the Arrival Terminal (Level 2). This gate is located near Baggage Carousel Nos. 18-23. The KBS guide will be holding a KBS placard with clients' lead name.
Exchange rate in the airport is not good, but you may need to exchange some of your money to be used for the advance payment in the hotel.
You will wait for all other clients who avail the Swingaround promo before boarding a 10 passenger van.
Travel from the airport to Hotel is about 45 minutes.
Ibis Siam Hotel (has already been renamed to Seasons Siam Hotel, 2018) is located in 97 Rajaprarop Road Makkasan which is just a bus away from Pratunam area and mall district. The hotel is a different 3 star hotel among the others. The Ibis philosophy is to give “value for money” - they do not have room service and no bell boys. If you directly booked to the Hotel, the rate for a Standard Room is THB2000. We booked our hotel together with the Swingaround promo and it already includes a breakfast buffet.
Lobby
Internet service of Hotel
Breakfast Buffet
Hotels in Bangkok also has a standard practice where guests should give an advance payment though you already paid the whole booking over the credit card. We paid THB2000 as an advance payment in case we make international calls and/or take sodas from the fridge.
Standard room is okay based on my preference. It has good lighting, sofa, soft beddings, closet and clean bathroom. It provides a tea making facility, an emergency flash light and bath towels.
Exchange rate in the hotel is also not good. Instead, we were advise to exchange our money on an authorized bank. The nearest money exchange from the hotel is located in Big C mall, which is a bus away. You can take bus 73, 204 and 514 going to Big C, Central World and Isetan malls. To reach MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Center and Siam Paragon malls take bus 73.
On our first day stay, we booked to watch the Siam Niramit show (http://www.siamniramit.com/index.php). It is a Thai cultural show that presents 3 acts (Journey Back to History, Beyond Imagination and Joyous Festivals). We were picked up from the hotel by 5:30 pm and reached the place in 30 minutes. We check out the place and made some photo op with the other characters from the show.
We took our dinner buffet and return to the waiting area. Take the opportunity that you can take photos with the participants because cameras are not allowed inside the auditorium.The show is very amazing and spectacular. They were able to include real elephants, goats and roosters in the stage. They even had reproduced the floating market with small boats over the real water. We already know that there will be acrobatics and aerial movements, but what totally surprise me is when it rains on the stage, every time water flashes and when plain water turns to a fountain.
After the 80 minute show, there is another photo op with the participants, but we did not stay late. We go back to our driver to sent us back to the hotel.
2008 February: Bangkok: Planning our Bangkok Trip
2008 February: Bangkok: Planning our Bangkok Trip
We took PAL instead of Cebu Pacific because CP has night flights only going to Bangkok. Though CP ticket is much cheaper, we just don’t want to have delayed flights (like what I had in Hong Kong trip - the CP flight is about 6 hours delayed). Check out the Swingaround promo from PAL (http://www.philippineairlines.com/), book early for you to get the cheapest tickets and hotel reservation. In our case, we book a little late, thus, we missed the cheaper seats and we need to upgrade the ticket to take the flight based on our selected date.
Meal offered in Philippine Airlines
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