Time really flies when u are on a holiday. By the time I am entering this entry, I will have taken my dinner and preparing to catch some sleep before the run in the morning.
Today was slightly different as I decided to skip breakfast all together and have lunch instead at the May kaidee vegetarian restaurant. Its a short walk from my hotel and since i have spend some time exploring the day before i was able to reach the restaurant fairly quickly. Its just behind Burger king and in the back ally. I count only one western couple and myself as the customer. Could be early as its 11am in Bangkok time.
All i did was to put down the food no. on the menu and pass to the chef. The food was prepared quickly and I think i over-ordered. I had a tom yam soup, a plate of green curry fried rice and a plate of fried spring roll. Thankfully i did not order any drinks if not, i will have throw out. The soup is ok with lots of vegetables in it. A little under spicy though (you can ask the chef to increase the spice when placing the order). The fried rice was good. I seldom take brown rice let alone with green curry so the taste is good. The spring roll is pastable; Its filled with carrots, rice noodles. The spring roll is crispy though.
After lunch its time for me to find the way to the Marathon start point. I was planning the night before on how to go there. by cab is good but i doubt can go as most road will be closed. Plus I don't want to spend the money on cab. By the river boat, also cannot as the last boat leave at 8pm too early for me to be there. So armed with a map and the 'go anywhere on foot' mindset, i set off. When I was able to cross the road from Khao San towards Tano road, a western gentleman stopped me and ask for directions to the king's palace. I asked if he is referring to the grand palace and guide him accordingly. I tell him to skip the roads and take the boat via the piers instead. He did ask on how to go there on foot but i am not sure.
Once I cross Tano road, its like back to walking in Chinatown. The shop-houses on both side of the road is bustling with people. There is a temple nearby and i see many people going in to make offerings. The offering include 2 eggs, 1 bacon on a plastic tray. I don't know if its for praying but i see many taking it with flowers so i guess its part of the offering. Unlike Penang, I have a easy time to walk around but cross the road is another matter all together. There is no traffic light to stop the cars during the predestination crossing so for the faint hearted, don't walk. Take the cab. I cross and walk over a bridge and into a small parking lot.
Little did i realize that the parking lot is next to the Bangkok temple of light which is next to the Ministry of Defence overlooking the grand palace and where the start/finish point is. In the middle of the road is a park large enough for honda Jazz to go through. I walk around and take some pictures of the grand palace, the Ministry of Defence and the temple. It took me under a hour to reach from Khao San to the grand palace and the map is not too helpful. The roads are all in thai while the map in english so cannot match the signs. I was only able to go around by roughly looking around for the Grand palace Pagoda. I decided to explore Banglampoo market and find many clothes there. There is also a supermarket there and i bought some tibits and water. I was looking for some clothes but decided to buy it later tomorrow after my run and massage.
I will upload the pictures later as it is getting late and I wish to have a good run tomorrow morning.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Daily Life: Second day in Bangkok
By the time I am writing this entry, I will have taken my dinner and enjoying some drinks in my room. As i am running so i take only soft drink instead of beer. The morning started with breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Nothing to shout at as I have eggs with ham, bacon and some toast.
As I am still not too familiar with the area, i decided to take a taxi to Royal Thai Army club where I was to collect my marathon items. They start run from 35 Baht and using the meter. I wish KL also have such cabs instead of trying to bargain through. I was lucky i took the cab as it is further than i thought. The journey cost me 50 Baht. The collection was not unlikely SG or MY but when compared, it does not show justice for such a important event in sporting. I count only one booth open (New Balance) and the collection was quiet. As I am a foreign runner, I had my tag/bib seperated prepared. The girl at the counter ask me to go and collect my marathon items but the lady there say i have to show the voucher. Its to say I have paid for the event but as I did it online, no such voucher can be found for me. I have to go back to where I collect my tag/bib from and ask them for help. They are helpful enough to collect the items for me and I left.
I took a cab from the club to Wat Pho where I intend to go to Wat Arun. Wat Pho is close to Grand palace and the traffice again was the killer. There are so many tourist buses at Wat Pho but the worse are at the grand palace. But as the Marathon starting point is near there, i have the chance to see the setup. The start/end point is opp the Ministry of Defence. The journey cost me another 70 Baht and the driver cannot speak english. I was able to go there as the guard at the Army club helped me.
I intend to take the boat to Wat Arun as i will be able to see more from there. (Grand palace also is too ex for me at 100 Baht per entry) I took the special transfer boat from Tha Tian to Wat Arun which is just across the river. Cost me 3 Baht. The view from Wat Arun is very nice indeed but the steps are very steep. Luckily I am wearing my shoes instead. There is a strict dress code when visiting the places of worship especially to the temple. Entry to the temple is another 50 Baht but its money well spend.
On the return to Tha Tian (another 3 Baht), I decided to take the journey to Central pier where I can take the skytrain to Siam. Siam is the interchange to go to Phaya Thai. I will need to be on my way to the airport and i am taking today to try out the route. There is no paper note to put in only coins allowed and i have to change at the information counter. The journey is very fast and the PA is in both thai and English so I can hear. There was a cinema at Siam paragon but there are no good shows so i decided to cut short my journey to siam and come back to the hotel after taking my lunch at KFC. The return journey is more fun as I take from one end to the other for this boat trip. It only takes 30 Baht regardless where i want to go. The pier i going is called Phra Althit and its very near to Khao San Road.
All in all, today trip was very fruitful and I looking forward tomorrow where I will move around Khao San area and spend more time resting for the big day on Sunday morning. I cannot imagine running at 2am.
As I am still not too familiar with the area, i decided to take a taxi to Royal Thai Army club where I was to collect my marathon items. They start run from 35 Baht and using the meter. I wish KL also have such cabs instead of trying to bargain through. I was lucky i took the cab as it is further than i thought. The journey cost me 50 Baht. The collection was not unlikely SG or MY but when compared, it does not show justice for such a important event in sporting. I count only one booth open (New Balance) and the collection was quiet. As I am a foreign runner, I had my tag/bib seperated prepared. The girl at the counter ask me to go and collect my marathon items but the lady there say i have to show the voucher. Its to say I have paid for the event but as I did it online, no such voucher can be found for me. I have to go back to where I collect my tag/bib from and ask them for help. They are helpful enough to collect the items for me and I left.
I took a cab from the club to Wat Pho where I intend to go to Wat Arun. Wat Pho is close to Grand palace and the traffice again was the killer. There are so many tourist buses at Wat Pho but the worse are at the grand palace. But as the Marathon starting point is near there, i have the chance to see the setup. The start/end point is opp the Ministry of Defence. The journey cost me another 70 Baht and the driver cannot speak english. I was able to go there as the guard at the Army club helped me.
I intend to take the boat to Wat Arun as i will be able to see more from there. (Grand palace also is too ex for me at 100 Baht per entry) I took the special transfer boat from Tha Tian to Wat Arun which is just across the river. Cost me 3 Baht. The view from Wat Arun is very nice indeed but the steps are very steep. Luckily I am wearing my shoes instead. There is a strict dress code when visiting the places of worship especially to the temple. Entry to the temple is another 50 Baht but its money well spend.
On the return to Tha Tian (another 3 Baht), I decided to take the journey to Central pier where I can take the skytrain to Siam. Siam is the interchange to go to Phaya Thai. I will need to be on my way to the airport and i am taking today to try out the route. There is no paper note to put in only coins allowed and i have to change at the information counter. The journey is very fast and the PA is in both thai and English so I can hear. There was a cinema at Siam paragon but there are no good shows so i decided to cut short my journey to siam and come back to the hotel after taking my lunch at KFC. The return journey is more fun as I take from one end to the other for this boat trip. It only takes 30 Baht regardless where i want to go. The pier i going is called Phra Althit and its very near to Khao San Road.
All in all, today trip was very fruitful and I looking forward tomorrow where I will move around Khao San area and spend more time resting for the big day on Sunday morning. I cannot imagine running at 2am.
Daily Life: First Night in Bangkok
Yesterday was my first night in Bangkok. I flew to Bangkok as i am taking part in the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon 2011. It was supposed to be in Nov 2011 but due to the flood they moved the date to Feb 12 2012.
My flight from SG to Bangkok was uneventful. Except that i arrived on time to the SG budget terminal and managed to get onboard in time. The flight was empty with most passengers sitting in the middle towards the end. I chose a seat to the passenger pathway and beside me was 2 empty seats to the window.The flight TR 2104 take off on time and we reach Bangkok international airport around 3pm SG time (2pm Thailand time (they are 1 hour behind)). As there were no immigration forms available on-board, I have to fill in one the ground after arriving at the airport. In a hurry I fill in the wrong flight no and the Custom officer scold me for it.
From the airport is where the nightmare starts. from many blogs i know that there is a free shuttle bus from the airport to the public transport center and the airport rail. As I am a little free, I decided to take the less traveled route which is to take the shuttle bus. I exit from Exit 5 from the depature floor and upon reaching the transport center, know that Bus no. 556 had been terminated since 2010 Nov. So the customer service show me a slip, showing me to take bus no .555 instead, drop off at Din-Daeng road and take bus no 171 or 12 to Khao San Road where I am staying.
The first half of the journey was ok. When i boarded bus no 555, I am the only foreigner and as Thai people seldom speak english, I have to show them the slip. Thankfully one for the passenger know where I going so let the bus conductor know. Thai public bus is driver only drive while there is a bus conductor that will issue the ticket accordingly to where the passenger is going. Surprisingly they can remember who is going where and she let me know when I am nearing my stop. Bus no 12 is a non-aircon bus and very frequent. But i decided to wait for bus 171 as its air-con and has less pickpocket. I count 25 bus 12 before bus 171 arrive. As usual, I am the only foreigner on the bus and it introduced me to Bangkok traffic. Luckily its air-con or i will sweet like a pig on the bus. After passing the Democracy Monument, i alighted. Before I alight, there were some Thai female students who were laughing away, I guess they seldom see a foreigner on a public bus. The whole journey cost me 49 Baht and cost me 4 hours of traveling time.
I am staying at Sakul House and at room no. 301. Its a corner with the hotel signboard next to the room. I am ok with it as its a window room with me able to see the floor below. As i arrived there around 5.30pm, there were street hawkers selling their items so I had my pad thai with chicken and egg and some meat skewers. Street Food in Thai is cheap, less then 100 Baht is my dinner. I turn in early as I still need to go and collect my race pack on Friday.
My flight from SG to Bangkok was uneventful. Except that i arrived on time to the SG budget terminal and managed to get onboard in time. The flight was empty with most passengers sitting in the middle towards the end. I chose a seat to the passenger pathway and beside me was 2 empty seats to the window.The flight TR 2104 take off on time and we reach Bangkok international airport around 3pm SG time (2pm Thailand time (they are 1 hour behind)). As there were no immigration forms available on-board, I have to fill in one the ground after arriving at the airport. In a hurry I fill in the wrong flight no and the Custom officer scold me for it.
From the airport is where the nightmare starts. from many blogs i know that there is a free shuttle bus from the airport to the public transport center and the airport rail. As I am a little free, I decided to take the less traveled route which is to take the shuttle bus. I exit from Exit 5 from the depature floor and upon reaching the transport center, know that Bus no. 556 had been terminated since 2010 Nov. So the customer service show me a slip, showing me to take bus no .555 instead, drop off at Din-Daeng road and take bus no 171 or 12 to Khao San Road where I am staying.
The first half of the journey was ok. When i boarded bus no 555, I am the only foreigner and as Thai people seldom speak english, I have to show them the slip. Thankfully one for the passenger know where I going so let the bus conductor know. Thai public bus is driver only drive while there is a bus conductor that will issue the ticket accordingly to where the passenger is going. Surprisingly they can remember who is going where and she let me know when I am nearing my stop. Bus no 12 is a non-aircon bus and very frequent. But i decided to wait for bus 171 as its air-con and has less pickpocket. I count 25 bus 12 before bus 171 arrive. As usual, I am the only foreigner on the bus and it introduced me to Bangkok traffic. Luckily its air-con or i will sweet like a pig on the bus. After passing the Democracy Monument, i alighted. Before I alight, there were some Thai female students who were laughing away, I guess they seldom see a foreigner on a public bus. The whole journey cost me 49 Baht and cost me 4 hours of traveling time.
I am staying at Sakul House and at room no. 301. Its a corner with the hotel signboard next to the room. I am ok with it as its a window room with me able to see the floor below. As i arrived there around 5.30pm, there were street hawkers selling their items so I had my pad thai with chicken and egg and some meat skewers. Street Food in Thai is cheap, less then 100 Baht is my dinner. I turn in early as I still need to go and collect my race pack on Friday.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Daily Life: First Day of CNY 2012
This year CNY is slightly different from previous year. Instead of waking up late and having a late breakfast at Macdonald, I woke up as usual (I sleep normal time despite its the holiday) and went to take my bath before 8.30am. I had to wake the rest of my brothers and get them up n ready to go for breakfast before 9.30am.
We went for breakfast at Kallang way and enjoy a nice meal with the day's newspaper to read. By the time we are done, we went to the Singapore Pools near our house to buy 4-D. Its not in my liking to buy 4-D so I did not spend any money there. My grandmother was in the house since 10am but since my relatives are not in yet, there is no cause for alarm. Its already 11.30am when we arrived back home from the 4-D shop.
The rest of the day is as usual except for the weather. This year the rain starts early and last until 7pm before it dies. I have no choice but to postpone my run to early morning tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will hope and I can go for some exercise as planned.
We went for breakfast at Kallang way and enjoy a nice meal with the day's newspaper to read. By the time we are done, we went to the Singapore Pools near our house to buy 4-D. Its not in my liking to buy 4-D so I did not spend any money there. My grandmother was in the house since 10am but since my relatives are not in yet, there is no cause for alarm. Its already 11.30am when we arrived back home from the 4-D shop.
The rest of the day is as usual except for the weather. This year the rain starts early and last until 7pm before it dies. I have no choice but to postpone my run to early morning tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will hope and I can go for some exercise as planned.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Daily Life: Dinner at Indonesian Restaurant
Normally I go home for dinner on weekdays, dinner with friends on Sat and family dinner on Sunday. but if my friends are free on weekdays and to take a break from home-cooked food, I will go out.On Wednesday as my friend is free, he asked me out for dinner which i agreed. We were at Paragon in Orchard and walked around. There is much restaurant in Orchard but too ex. We then walked towards lucky plaza and i commented that no Macdonald & KFC. My friend suggest going into lucky plaza to see what is available. There is Pizza hut which i say too ex still and he suggest going further into Lucky Plaza. There is a Indonesian restaurant and it looks good and affordable. We went in, ordered our food (pay first before the food comes in). I had smashed chicken while my friend has smashed catfish. We ordered a soft shell crab to share between us. The chili is good very spicy so much so that my friend cannot take it n pass his chili to me. I gladly consume my chicken and some soft shell crab. For the price (S$6.90 for either with the crab at S$1 more), it comes with the meat, fried tofu, fried bean cake and vegetables.
The ambiance is normal with good chairs. But the place is quite small so we are unable to put our bags on any chairs as the restaurant is full when we entered. If I have indonesian friends, I will recommend them to come here. Its hard to find good and affordable food in Orchard area.
Ayam Penyet Ria
304 Orchard Road #01-45 Lucky Plaza
Operate between 11am to 10pm daily (I think daily)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Daily Life: Bye bye 2011, Hi 2012
As the clock ticks closer to strike 12am, I am here at home reflecting the year 2011, the danger it brought, the events that took place and the many experience gained. There are a few aspects that I am interested in: Family, Work, Finance, love life.
Family
This year see the 1st year of my youngest brother departure to Australia. For better or worse, he has settled over there and is enjoying life with his GF. He still calls home but only sparely and to my mother only. Guess have to spend a little time next year to open communication with him. This year also saw the death of one of my parental auntie. She walked the last fight with breast cancer which is a relapse 2 years before. I still have the watch she gave me before she pass away and I don't intend to wear it. Its more of a memorial item from her and i intend to keep it that way for a while. I also spend more time exercising and this year see me going to KL, Penang for half marathons. In the coming year, I will continue to do so and aim to do all half marathons when possible and have 1-2 full marathons before end of 2012. Exercise keep my weight under control and my stress level manageable.
Work
This year marks the 9th year I am with my company. Its also the year that I am heavily involved in the move from AMK to Woodlands from the IT aspect and security aspect. I am effectively running 2 sites at one time traveling between AMK n woodlands. There is much learn and though one of my team left in August which left the team shorthanded, his departure is well taken and in view of the bigger picture, a good choice as I will do the same in his shoe. Because of his departure, we employ a new IT engineer and we spend quality time with him to guide him along. So far the experience is good and i hope the relationship maintains the same in the coming year. Whether he will replace me in future, I will do within my limited powers as the unofficial HOD of the IT department to guide him as such
Finance
Towards the end of the year, I managed to clear my debt to a even more manageable level. I also embrace the lessons taught by Dennis Ng who is a millionaire. He is very down to earth in his dealings and I cannot help but admit that he has many characters which I can learn from. Moving forward 2012, I hope to volunteer my service under his charge and see how it goes. Not expecting anything in return. I also switch from trading in FX to commodities. Its a totally different playfield and though i loss a lot as a result, the rewards also are greater and more fulfilling. Its still in my master plan to have my own hedge fund in 2015. The goal is clearer now and I am working hard towards it.
Love life
This area continue to be bare by choice. I think at the end of the day, the lack of economical power to provide for the family discourage me to look for a gf or even a wife at this stage in life. Being 34 this year has not brought me any issues with being single all this while. I think I still value communication as the total most important aspect I look for in any relationship and though I have many exchanges with my account on Okcupid, they remains as friends and i hope to take things slow.
With the above notes, I stand committed to the following
1) Maintain closer relationship with my fellow team mates at work and brothers
2) Continue to pay visit to my grandparents at the memorial during my BD & Christmas
3) Work towards a own hedge funds before/on 2015
4) Run half marathons within 2 hours and full marathons within 6hrs
5) Clear one more debt before my 35th birthday in September
* By writing them down, i will know what to reflect in 2012 when its time once more to welcome 2013 (if 2012 is not equal to end of the world)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Daily Life: Christmas Eve party
Normally for christmas eve, I tend not to go out as everywhere is crowded and prices too ex (high markup by seller to make a quick buck). This year is different. My friend has booked a room at City beach resort and invited me along. I decided to go as to have a different Christmas eve.
Earlier in the day it was raining badly so I was unable to go and buy the mango mousse cake. I went to Cold storage to buy some party food like crackers and chips. Earlier on friday i had bought 2 bottles of Brown Brothers 2008 Cienna and decided to bring one along. I had a movie n dinner with another group of friends first before going to my friend's invitation.
City Beach Resort is at near to labrador nature reserve and the nearest circle line MRT is labrador park station. It a 1Km walk from the MRT to the resort and one can take the bus no 408 to go in (I prefer to walk instead). My friends has decided to go for dinner so when I was waking towards the resort, they saw me and stopped me. I joined them for another round of food before going back to the resort. My friend bought me a gift (I did not know anything about it) and was glad she did. It's a men's wallet and I promised to change it first thing on 2012: its the thought that counts.
I get to know this group of friends through badminton game every sunday ( they play every sunday while I am alternate sundays). The age group are all within 40 years old so we can get along well. My friend was a little different as i get to know her for a long while (5 years ago through a event). We played cards and drink wine as part of punishment. I cannot hold liquor well and end of the day vomit out the liquor (its good and it clears my head). A nice 4 hours of sleep clear my headache and by 5am the next day I woke up for another round of cards and played till 6am before turning in. We woke up at 9 plus and checked out at 11.30am
I may consider booking this resort for the upcoming CNY hideaway but have to see how costly it gets.
Earlier in the day it was raining badly so I was unable to go and buy the mango mousse cake. I went to Cold storage to buy some party food like crackers and chips. Earlier on friday i had bought 2 bottles of Brown Brothers 2008 Cienna and decided to bring one along. I had a movie n dinner with another group of friends first before going to my friend's invitation.
City Beach Resort is at near to labrador nature reserve and the nearest circle line MRT is labrador park station. It a 1Km walk from the MRT to the resort and one can take the bus no 408 to go in (I prefer to walk instead). My friends has decided to go for dinner so when I was waking towards the resort, they saw me and stopped me. I joined them for another round of food before going back to the resort. My friend bought me a gift (I did not know anything about it) and was glad she did. It's a men's wallet and I promised to change it first thing on 2012: its the thought that counts.
I get to know this group of friends through badminton game every sunday ( they play every sunday while I am alternate sundays). The age group are all within 40 years old so we can get along well. My friend was a little different as i get to know her for a long while (5 years ago through a event). We played cards and drink wine as part of punishment. I cannot hold liquor well and end of the day vomit out the liquor (its good and it clears my head). A nice 4 hours of sleep clear my headache and by 5am the next day I woke up for another round of cards and played till 6am before turning in. We woke up at 9 plus and checked out at 11.30am
I may consider booking this resort for the upcoming CNY hideaway but have to see how costly it gets.
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