Bangkok Trip 2.0 - Hotel review and where what when~

So during the short 2 weeks October school holidays, I went on a trip to BANGKOK!!!

YES BANGKOK! Been planning and waiting for this trip for 5 months(Since May!). And well it was worth it. My last semester in school was super cray cray, been way too busy with projects and exams... and I almost forgot my birthday. (Yes, it was that busy..)

But lucky enough after all that chaos in school, I was able to look forward to my trip with my bf and my bestie, Hazel, and her bf.  Funny story but well its a double date trip. Hahaha. 

Anyway, this time round we decided to take up my sisters recommendation and book a hotel at

   The Residence Rajatavee

Well... Firstly this hotel has a super good location. It's a 5 min walk away from Siam Paragon and a 5-10 mins walk away from Platinum mall. Location is superb. Cos everything is of walking distance (which also means you get to save on transport *wink*). 

Secondly, the service staff is really nice and prompt too. Which is good.... But the bad thing is when we were there, the water heater in the hotel was spoilt so everyone had to shower in cold water. EVERYONE. Which was kinda stupid and irritating... (I really wanted to have as much tub time as i could but.. sadly i can't)  ):

Third, the hotel isn't well known by many taxi drivers or tuk tuk drivers making it hard to tell them where to go, especially when we are flagging for a cab and there is a jam or fast traffic.
But I would totally recommend the pick-up taxi service that hotel provides, the services is good and you don't have to worry about getting a cab on time for your flight.
It usually cost about 700-750 if you get a big cab from the airport to any hotel and around the same price back. So the total would take about 1400bhat or so. We decided to hire a cab by the hotel which cost us 800bhat, it was for a mini van but it was definitely worth it, no worries just a smooth ride to the airport.

Fourth, and also one of the most important thing is a 7-11 which is just in front of our hotel, approximately 30-40 steps away. Which I might add is a really important thing, cos we need late night snacks and water.. so the nearer it is, the better hehe.

Lastly... and also the major thing that makes all of us decided NOT to go back was that it freaking flooded right in front of our hotel... only our hotel.. The main road was fine but the alley leading to our hotel was flooded. And put in mind Bangkok roads are not the cleanest, and boy was the water cold and black. (Although it was at night but... you can definitely see it was black.)  

But to be fair.. It was the raining season in Thailand.  So it rained every night when we were there... but it was no excuse. It's just bad.  Bad bad bad.

Next SHOPPING!!!

Platinum Mall

#ootd
Crop top and High waisted floral shorts from Cotton On

Of course Breakfast at Soi 19 before going to platinum mall 

As usual, Platinum Mall is a must go for both Hazel and I.
1. Its to buy Contact lenses
2. to buy clothes and accessories
LOL

The poor boys didn't stay with us cos.. well the mall.. is mainly catered to girls.
Although there's a guys section... but honestly there isn't much.
But of course don't miss out a chance of finding something nice.. walk the whole level at least once!

A huge tip when shopping there is to take note of the places that you have walked before..
it can be confusing. But try to remember so you don't get lost or waste time walking the same place twice! Also start from the top and work your way down.. and don't rush to buy something immediately.. there can be shops selling the same things at a wayyyyy cheaper price.


Chaktuchak Market

Coconut, Mango and Thai Iced Tea Ice Cream

So ONE of the main attractions in BKK is to go to CHAKTUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET.
I always try to make sure that the trip falls near or on the weekend so I get to go over to get so cheap deals.

Yes, Chaktuchak can be dirty.. it is a market after all...it ain't no shopping centre.
But rest assured! Be adventurous here, be prepared to walk and shop till you drop.

I've been to BKK many many times before the last two years and yes I did find CTC quite intimidating at first... not being used to the environment of hot and sweaty people, squeezy rows and rows of shops and alleys. But! don't go with that mindset!

Be ready to tackle all of that, go with :
1. Wet tissues (Not only for your hands but for your face and body to wipe of dirt and sweat)
2. Umbrella (extra cover from the heat, sun and rain)
3. Sunglasses! (Those eyes need protection from that hot sun too!)
4. Re-usable bags (those fold-able bags that you can get from supermarkets, to put your shopping into, I bring this everywhere in bkk it helps to have lesser things on your hand when browsing.)
5. BUY WATER THERE!! (No need to carry 2 bottles in your bag.. buy them there!)
6. Sweets (in-case like me.. we don't stop for food.. so sweets is a good idea...)
7. Money (of course! don't forget to bring enough money to shop! if not if won't be fun walking around with and empty wallet)
8. Map of CTC! (We found this.. very very important. travelling in groups means splitting up and meeting each other later.. so this definitely helped alot.. plus if u need to go back to somewhere mark a huge X on it)

Things at CTC are far much cheaper than malls in the city area, So be sure to make this your first pit stop of the trip so that you get an idea of how much things really are.
BARGAIN as much as you can.. Nowadays some shops don't do bargaining.. but don't fret if you really like it buy it.. you may not see it again so get it.. unless its too expensive den think and think again before buying it.

I personally go there to get jeans shorts.. cos its really cheap.. like...150BHAT = SGD$8 a pair so I mean why not right~ hahaha

(PS: How to measure the if shorts/skirts are right size for you?The size of your waist can be measured with your neck.. but to be safe get a size bigger (if you wanna).. and always measure the circumference of the widest point i.e. your butt.. cos that thing... takes up the most space.. so be sure to get the right size )

Siam

But first lemme take a selfie 

Siam was mainly for the boys.. they have many thing to see there actually..
For us girls after shopping at platinum and CTC, Siam can be wayyyy out of your price range but they have really nice and unique things there. so take a look and walk!
H&M, F21 and High end brands are located at Siam Paragon, Siam Square and etc all around that area. So walk! or take the train~

Shopping centres to me are reserved to buy make up hahah! or things from oversea brands like H&M.. but sometimes it can be much cheaper then the ones at home so no harm to walk one round!

Terminal 21

#ootd
Black dress bought from Platinum mall
Bag bought last year from Pratunam market 

So on the previous trip, I missed out on going to terminal 21. So it was definitely a must-go this time round. Hazel and I was definitely not disappointed... hahaha! I mean there is H&M there and there was this little store which we bought bracelets from (which we loveeee) so we were definitely satisfied. Not forgetting the boys of course, they were able to look around too!

PS: There is a really cool denim shop that sells jeans so if guys are looking to buy jeans you could go and have a look~ the price is that much cheaper so think before you buy!!

PPS: Don't forget to take photos there! Terminal 21 has many of these cool locations where you can take photos! Every floor is a different country!~

I don't have much else to talk about cos we were focusing on shopping and eating hahaha! sooo.. NEXT POST! FOOD!

... To Be Continued....
*just keep scrolling scrolling scrolling scrolling~*

BANGKOK 2.1 - FOOD!!!

On to part two of my Trip~
This is all about food.
Yes food, we wanted to try out all the rave about their cafes there as well.
Not just their local food of course~
Need to be a'lil like the locals and try all the cool cafes and stuff too kekeke~

Greyhound Cafè

Walking into the cafe, the ambience is really laid back and has a hipster feel to it. But has a atas touch to it somewhere you will bring business partners to have a business lunch meeting to. Cos it really isn't noisy and spacious enough to have privacy at your table. The food *omg* is so good. I really loved my pesto pasta, which was mistakenly ordered by our waiter. BUT it is so yummy. So so yummy. We were all too full to order dessert but next time we'll definitely go back for more. A really nice place to check out. Other than having a language problem with the waiter  (Rating:3.5/5)

photo by : @ivorydork

Pesto Pasta!

Looks kinda gross but rest assured, it tastes really good.

Phad thai

Tom Yam kuey teow

Spicy Seafood Pasta

Chicken Wings

Iced tea with milk and Iced tea

Pink Cooler

Doesn't it look pretty~

That's all for Greyhound.. it was sad we couldn't have dessert cos there was absolutely no space in our tummies..
But! If you have gone and tried their desserts or other yummy food please comment and tell me whats yummy! I'll definitely go back and try it! (:


Next!
On the last day we decided to make it a MUST to go to...

After You Cafe~~~

Which I must say, it was a right choice. A very good choice in fact.
It was like having an orgasm in my mouth. (Sorry for being so descriptive)
The pancake was my absolute fav out of all.. not to sweet not too heavy.. *heart eyes*
The banana crumble was really yummy too and the portion was just nice for one and of course a good sharing size. seeing how we are a party of 4 we had a yummy yummy and filling lunch~
I have a big weak spot for desserts especially pancakes and sweet stuff.  **guilty**

After you cafe has many branches and the one we went to is located at Siam Paragon, there are also other branches located at Central World, Siam Square one, Silom Complex and many more...

Souvenir Corner~
They have really cute little trinkets on sale but they aren't very cheap but still!!! *CUTE!!* 

Baby Shibuya Honey Toast

Baby Nutella Toast 

Banana Crumble

Hazelnut Pancake 

DRINKS!!

Matcha Frappe

Iced Horlick Latte

Earl Grey Squash Jelly

Peppermint Frappe

If you ask me... After You Cafe is a place that i would DEFINITELY go back to.
Like a 100% must go..
I've never had such yummy and fluffy pancakes and that banana crumble (hmmmmm~ so good) the toast was okay not a huge deal.. but it looks really cute and its a popular dish so we decided to try it.
(Overall Rating: 4.5/5)

TIP: After You is really popular, there was a queue when we went there.. but luckily it was short and a table was available almost immediately.. maybe we got lucky.. haha so either look for other outlets or go at a timing when its not lunch time hahaha!