1 Jan 2025 - BKK Day 10 (Bangkok): Farewell Bangkok!

We had our last meal (lunch) in Bangkok at the same restaurant where we had our first meal (dinner) in Bangkok.  Reason:  Cheap and good!

Did a bit of last-minute shopping of the supermarket in SENA fest mall before taking a Grab ride to the airport.

As we were early for our flight, we were unable to check in when we reached the counter.

As such, we went to The Coffee Club and had some drinks and desserts.

This marked the end of our adventure to Khao Yai and Bangkok.  Quite an enjoyable and relaxing trip.

We were back at Changi Airport after a 2+ hours flight.

Back to Itin

1 Jan 2025 - BKK Day 10 (Bangkok): Spectacular New Year Day Fireworks Display

HAPPY NEW YEAR and WELCOME 2025 as we witnessed a spectacular fireworks display over Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Watch the full fireworks display in the following video!

The party at the poolside of the hotel was not over even after the fireworks!

Back to Itin        Next

31 Dec 2024 - BKK Day 9 (Bangkok): Getting Ready by Chao Phraya River for New Year Day Fireworks

One key highlight of this Bangkok trip is the upcoming New Year's fireworks display over Chao Phraya River.  One hour before midnight, I was already getting ready by the riverside within the hotel compound.

There was a special dinner set tonight at the poolside of the hotel.  Everyone was having a great time.

Very soon, I could see the river getting crowded with river cruises.  People on these cruises were having a great party time, and they will be watching fireworks from the middle of the river to have a different experience.

Let's start to do the countdown.....5, 4, 3, 2, 1... (continue in next post)

Back to Itin        Next

31 Dec 2024 - BKK Day 9 (Bangkok): Last Shopping Day at MBK Center

As today was New Year Eve, everywhere was in a celebratory mood.  While walking around MBK Center, there was a group of performers moving around entertaining visitors.

After few hours of shopping, we took a break at Tim Hortons Cafe.

Then we saw a pop-up store of Junji Ito. Since it's free admission, we went in to take a look.  A bit scary so Javier did not go in with us.

We decided to have early dinner today so that we can return to our hotel early and get ready for the New Year fireworks along the river.

When we were back at our hotel room, we saw the below on our beds.  It's a nice gesture from the hotel.

Back to Itin        Next

31 Dec 2024 - BKK Day 9 (Bangkok): Lunch at Maidreamin

Today was New Year Eve and we did not have any specific activity planned.  So far we have not bought much in this trip and since it's our last full day in Bangkok, we decided to shop for some "affordable" clothing in MBK Center.  We left our hotel quite late this morning and by the time we reached MBK Center, it was close to noon.  As such, the first thing we did was to look for a place for lunch.

During our last two trips to Japan, we did not try to have a meal in Maids Cafe.  We were surprised to see one (maidreamin) in MBK Center so decided to have our lunch there.  It's part of the maidreamin chain originating from Japan, offering a unique experience where customers are served by waitresses dressed in maid costumes, adding a touch of cosplay and fantasy to the dining experience.

We were not allowed to take photos of the "maid" in the cafe but we could take pictures of our food.  We ordered a special giant curry rice, shared by Tracy, Jerlene and me.  Javier had carbonara as he does not like spicy food.

Halfway through our lunch, there were live performances by the "maids" on stage.

As we ordered the special giant curry rice, it includes an opportunity to take a Polaroid photo with some of the "maids". 

Back to Itin        Next

30 Dec 2024 - BKK Day 8 (Ayutthaya): Wat Chaiwatthanaram

The fourth and final temple that we visited was Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a stunning Buddhist temple complex located in Ayutthaya Historical Park.  The central prang (Khmer-style tower) is the temple's dominant feature, surrounded by smaller chedis (stupas) and prangs. The placement of the surrounding chedis, and prangs, creates a very symmetrical and visually appealing complex.

Constructed in 1630 by King Prasat Thong, in memory of his mother, the temple is situated on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River.  The riverside location contributes to the temple's picturesque setting, especially during sunset.

The temple's design reflects the king's desire to replicate the Angkor Wat style, which he greatly admired.

Like many temples in Ayutthaya, it suffered damage during the Burmese invasion in the 18th century. The ruins that remain allow visitors to walk through the remaining structures, and get a feel for the scale, and design of the original temple complex.

The temple showcases the Ayutthaya period's adoption of Khmer architectural elements, particularly the prang design. The remaining stucco decorations and sculpted figures provide insights into the artistic skills of the time.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram's popularity has surged in recent years, notably due to its prominent feature in the Thai television series "Love Destiny" ("Buppesannivas"). The drama, which aired in 2018, frequently showcased the temple's picturesque architecture and scenic surroundings.

The show's popularity has led to a significant increase in tourism to the temple, with many visitors dressing in traditional Thai attire to immerse themselves in the drama's atmosphere.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a captivating historical site that offers a glimpse into the architectural and artistic achievements of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

This marked the end of our day tour to Ayutthaya, which I highly recommend to anyone who is in Bangkok.  On our way back to Bangkok, we witnessed the sunset from our tour bus.  Our tour guide even performed a dance to entertain us while in a traffic jam.

Due to the massive traffic jam in Bangkok city, we alighted the tour bus at Siam Discovery instead of CentralWorld.

We had our dinner in one of the Japanese restaurants in the mall before heading back to our hotel.

Once again, we could not get a Grab ride due to the heavy traffic in the area, so we took the metro back, similar to last night.

Back to Itin        Next