The next day, Sunday, we woke up early to have breakfast at McDo again. Then we prepared to go to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre—-art museum across MBK, which was a few steps from Lub-D.
Here are some of our photos inside the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre:
After we have visited all the parts of this museum, we entered Siam Discovery to check out what’s inside. Here are some of our photos there:
I would like to apologize for the blurry photos. I was in a hurry to take these photos as I didn’t want to be left behind. There were a lot of people. I was so amazed by the architecture of this mall. The team who has designed this was able to use the different shapes to come up with an artistic, sophisticated, and unique design, which would surely astonish any visitor who comes here for the first time.
Then we went back to Lub-D. We prepared to leave this place, which became our shelter for two nights. Thank you, Lub-D, for a comfortable stay. 🙂
Then we ate lunch at the cafeteria where we ate dinner last night. We had the dishes which we previously had because we liked its taste and we didn’t want to try other dishes. Talk about being scared of disappointment..haha 🙂
After lunch, we headed to MBK to buy some “pasalubong.” We were able to buy some tamarind candies, also some shirts and the traditional pants from Thailand. It was still early when we checked the time so we decided to have some coffee in a shop there named “Black Canyon.” The coffee was too strong! I wasn’t able to finish mine, but Hubby did. We also tried their green tea cake. It was okay but too buttery.
When we had killed enough time in Black Canyon, we explored some more and we saw this shop called “Animate.” It has a lot of anime stuff. There were even standees of popular anime characters outside this shop. Of course, DZ1 was thrilled!
Finally, the time to leave MBK arrived. It was still a few hours before our flight, but Hubby’s allergic to being late. Thus, we always head out early, especially when we’re visiting another country. We were able to book a Grab driver right away. This time, he wasn’t a talkative one but still friendly. We arrived at the airport after 30 minutes or so due to mild traffic. When we’re inside the airport, it was noticeable that there were a lot of Chinese people traveling together. In fact, there were several groups. Even when we went to the restroom, the place was full of Chinese women who talked to loud. There was even an incident when one of them didn’t line up even a girl who was lining up called her attention. She just went straight to one of the cubicles. I would say that Chinese woman was quite rude and inconsiderate. There was another one who went out of her cubicle while still pulling up her panties. The scene was quite shocking to me as I haven’t seen anything like those instances in the Philippines.
Our experience with Air Asia had not been so delightful this time. We waited for two hours before we’re boarded for our flight. As a result, we arrived late in our country, and it was a Monday. We’re still planning to go to work and Hubby has to bring DZ1 to her dorm. On top of that, we had to fetch DZ3 and DZ4 from my mother-in-law’s house.
It was a tiring Monday as expected due to or delayed flight, but we were able to manage. Hubby was the most exhausted of us all.
I would say this Thailand trip was exhausting but full of new experiences, which will be saved in one of our books—so many memories to be recalled when the time comes. Thank you, Lord, for this Thailand trip and for bringing us home safely. 🙂
We booked a Grab taxi for our trip to Wat Pho. We decided to ride a taxi since we’re not familiar with the place and there were four of us—thinking about convenience which was just a little higher in price as compared to taking the train. The first Grab driver who took our request was a girl, and we were so amazed by that! But then, she declined our request after a few minutes, stating that traffic was bad where she was. So we sent another request to any nearby driver. Luckily, after a few minutes, another driver accepted our request. It was also a lady driver! There were a lot of lady Grab drivers in Thailand.
The lady driver was not so young; maybe she was in her late 50s or early 60s. Really amazing, right?! She was quite friendly. But the thing is, she doesn’t speak English that much. She just said “hello.”
As we spent some time in the car and she asked us where we are headed, we said we’re going to Wat Pho. Then she checked her phone. We realized we’re headed the wrong way when she stopped the car to check her phone again. She was saying a certain place, and we just answered Wat Pho, the temple of the Reclining Buddha. I turned out there’s another place with that name—Wat Pho—and we booked the other one. When we finally understood each other, she asked us if we’re willing to pay the first bill for the trip that was done and rebook another one. What are we supposed to do? Do we have a choice? Of course! So, we paid for 2 trips….that was quite sad.
Finally, we arrived at Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha!
This is the main entrance gate. We paid 200 Baht each for the entrance fee.Near the main entrance, there was a mini museum which displays the history of the temple and other important facts about Buddha, traditional medicine, and Thai massage.
DZ1 beside a Chinese guardian figure in one of the doors of the main temple where the reclining Buddha is housed.
Wat Pho is the home of the 46-m long reclining Buddha, and it is one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Its original name was “Wat Photaram” or “Podharam”—thus, it’s now called Wat Pho. This name refers to the monastery of the Bodhi tree in India where Buddha achieved enlightenment. You will be astonished as you see this very large image of Buddha personally. I sure did! Oh, and just a reminder, you cannot enter the temple wearing mini skirts or shorts. Make sure to wear pants or sarong 🙂
Before you enter the temple of the reclining Buddha, you will be given a mini bag to put your shoes after removing them. Then you have to return that bag upon exit.
Good thing, there was a family who asked us to take their picture. In return, they also took our photo 🙂 We forgot to bring the extension rod for our camera, haha!These are some of the 108 bronze bowls in the corridor which represents the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha.Also, along the corridors are framed displays of facts about Buddha and other historical information.The inner design of the whole temple and the framed illustrations, which looked like handmade, are really exquisite.If you go out, you will be further amazed as the architecture of the buildings there, which have what they call “chedis” or stupas, are really jaw-dropping! These are the large stupas. I love this photo of Hubby! Very candid!It was really hot there, just like here in the Philippines, but we can’t let this opportunity pass without having a photo together 🙂There were also statues outside showing how to balance, just like when doing yoga.Here are some of the thousand Buddha statues in Wat Pho.Here’s a photo of DZ1 and DZ2 outside Wat Pho. They decided to sit on the metal bars for the bikes first while resting.There were several Tuk-tuks parked outside the vicinity of Wat Pho.And, yes, we tried their famous Thai coconut ice cream. It was so yummy! 🙂You may have the plain coconut ice cream or you may request for some chocolate toppings, just like what DZ1 was having in this photo.
After eating ice cream, we crossed the street to wait for our Grab driver who will bring us to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Look at their streets, so clean!
This time, we were satisfied with the driver who accepted our request—-he speaks English better than the first auntie driver 🙂 Also, when he learned that we’re not Thai, he changed the music station to one which plays English songs. Cool! It was an SUV so it was more spacious as compared to the mini car driven by auntie driver.
Upon arrival at Chatuchak, we saw this delicious-looking pancake roll with ham and cheese inside. It was only only for 20 Baht!
The yummy pancake roll with ham and cheese 🙂We’re at the Chatuchak Weekend Market now 🙂 Yahoo!
We started walking around the Chatuchak Weekend Market, and I was so amazed with the things they sell there. The clothes were so stylish, with good texture, and they were cheap given their good quality!
There were lots of products to choose from. There were clothing, toys, gardening stuff, and of course—-food! We visited a gardening store first as I was looking for seeds to bring back home. I was searching for lavender seeds or plants, but I found none. I just bought the usual seeds, such as mint, peppermint, sunflower seeds. Then after shopping from the gardening shop, we got hungry and decided to try the noodles in this weekend market. We found this shop which seemed to have a lot of customers. DZ2 and I chose a seafood noodle soup; Hubby chose a pork-based one; DZ1 had chicken-based soup. We really enjoyed our noodles. They were so tasty without the aftertaste of MSG. It tasted like they used authentic spices and herbs to give each noodle’s distinct taste.
Yummy Thai noodles 🙂 *The owner was very good in speaking English so it wasn’t hard to order.
After eating, we decided to walk around some more. DZ1 bought two rings, one for each of us. We bought some pasalubong for our relatives and friends. I also bought an artsy pencil-cut skirt. There were so many clothes that I wanted to buy….but I didn’t as I was trying to be a minimalist. I didn’t want to bring home so much stuff only to be conflicted by which one I should give away or remove from my closet. So we just walked around and looked at all those good stuff—-window shopping at its best 🙂
Finally, we all wanted to go back to Lub-d to get some rest. We got tired from all those walking, and it was quite hot. It was just like we’re in Divisoria, but spaces were wider and no jeepneys and other vehicles were passing by while you’re shopping. We used Google maps to find the train station.
We took some photos outside Siam Square when we got out of the train as the station exit was near that mall. We didn’t go in yet as we were so eager to lie down and have some rest first.
We went back to Lub-D and rested for an hour. Then we ate dinner at the nearest local restaurant. It can be compared to our “carinderia” in the Philippines. Most of us ate rice and spicy seafood and chicken. DZ1 ordered a Tom Yum Soup, but it so happened she didn’t like it very much. I think liking that soup would require an acquired taste.
We went back to Lub-D after dinner and rested some more. The almost-whole-day tour really used up our energy. After resting, Hubby asked me to come with him to this local bar which sells craft beer. He said it’s close to Lub-D. He was correct—it was close to Lub-D. But there was a scary and challenging path that we took when we followed the directions in Google maps. It required us to walk in the narrow sidewalk of the main road! There were literally fast cars moving while we’re walking in that narrow sidewalk and it was a little uphill! I wasn’t able to take some photos as I needed to concentrate in walking.
Finally, we saw the neon lights from the bar which says “cold craft beer.”
The official name of the bar is “FEAT LAB,” and it’s just a small place, which has 4 or 5 mini tables for customers. Hubby was so happy when we found it and ordered as soon as we entered the shop.
After finishing his first bottle labeled “CHA TRI IPA,” he ordered another one and another one after that.
Hubby’s second bottle, “OUTLAW BREWING”Hubby’s third bottle, “PEAK A BREW.” This was the one with the highest alcohol percentage.
While he was enjoying his beer, I was also enjoying my Thai milk tea. It was much better than the 20-Baht Thai milk tea which we bought that morning in the mini marketplace. Well, it should be as the price was much higher.
They used these bottles and cans as display in their shop.
Hubby was so delighted with their craft beer offerings! 🙂 But of course, we cannot stay there all night. So after three bottles, we paid and started walking that scary path again. Hubby said that trip to the shop was worth it. Before going back to Lub-D, I asked him to treat me to McDo. I’d like to have some of their pies again.
When we went back, DZ1 was still awake and was listening to some music.
We cleaned up and started getting ready for bed. What a day! Thank you, Lord, for this tiring but wonderful day in Bangkok! 🙂
