Haagen Dazs Treats

It was pouring rain, and I didn't have an umbrella with me. I decided to wait it out at the station first, then got bored after 20 minutes. I spotted a Haagen Dazs shop below; expensive, but better than waiting and doing nothing.

I ordered their hot chocolate which was 220 Baht (ouch!). This is quite the dessert -- it comes with three toppings, which you are free to add onto the whipped cream: chocolate syrup, chocolate shavings and cocoa powder.

It was quite rich, but a good way to warm up from the chilly rain.

Just as I had finished, the blue sky came out again. Out the door and back on the road to home....

Otoko Market

This is famous among Thais, but not so among foreigners. "Otoko Market" is the food market in Bangkok. It is said that all food from Thailand is distributed through this market.

The market is located across the street from Chatuchak market, near Mo Chit station.

It is amazing CLEAN, which is absolutely shocking for Bangkok. Clean is not a word I would associate with Thai markets, but this place is unbelievable. The white tile floors are bright and clean, highlighting the equally clean food stalls selling fruit, dried fruit, juices, meats and vegetables. It's really a pleasant experience to walk around.

Here, I tried Mangosteen juice (anti-aging properties ladies!), banana chips, Chinese oranges and more.

If you do visit this market, be sure to come on an empty stomach! There are so many good things to try, buy and eat here. Highly recommended!

Water Apples:


Melons (which are VERY expensive in Japan -- over $40 for one!)

Scenes from Chatuchak

AHAHAHahaha! I'm at Chatuchak!


Chatuchak (pronounced: chat + DU + chat) market is a sprawling indoor/ outdoor market at the end of the BTS Sukhumvit line (stop: Mo Chit).

Popular with tourists and locals alike, Chatuchak boasts clothes, bars, food stalls, furniture, animals, and knick-knacks; basically, whatever you are looking for, can likely be found here.

I had a rare Saturday off, so I headed out to the market to do some x-mas shopping. I also enjoyed a bowl of noodles and some cold coffee. The place is so huge, it's quite easy to get lost. Printing a map and bringing along a compass, might come in handy. If you're like me, you'll enjoy getting "lost" and finding unusual shops.

Prices on most items range from 10 up to 1,000 + baht. It's up to you if you want to bargain or not.

A few warnings:
- It gets hot there while walking around, bring a bottle of water.
- Toilets are few and far between, and are not clean at all. Try to use the washrooms at JJ Mall nearby.
- Arriving around 10am, you'll find all the stalls open. Arrive before then, and you'll walk around very bored (which is exactly what happened to me one time. I like "early mornings", but Thai shopkeepers, don't. ^O^)

Korea Town, Bangkok

Located off of Sukhumvit road, close to Nana BTS station, is "Korea Town". Korean restaurants, shops and even a supermarket can be found here.

In Japan, I tried Korean food for the first time and got hooked. Their specialty is barbecued meat, fresh vegetables and spices. I was craving some Korean barbecue, so I headed over to a shop called "Doorae", which was recommended in Daco (a Japanese Bangkok weekly magazine).

The service was amazing. In Japan, you have to cook the food yourself, but here, the staff do everything -- flipping the meat and vegetables, arranging dishes, etc. There was so much food served as well, it's better to bring a group of friends.

For two people, my friend and I ordered: kimuchi rice, tofu soup, 3 meat dishes and all the rest was provided as part of the meal. We also drank one beer each and a Korean, sake-like drink called "soju". The total cost was 1,800 Baht (=$54), a bit pricey, but there is a lot of food included..really enough for 4 people.

Kimuchi rice with omlet:



Various small dishes: (the hole in the middle is the b.b.q pit--they place charcoal here and a grill rack, which you can cook on. There is a fan built into the side that sucks away the smoke.)

More hidden cows!

Yeah, I love cows. They provide me with my favorite drink, milk. This cow is hidden at the cafe "Mooville" on the 4th floor of Amarin Plaza in the Central Business District of Bangkok.

This little guy just perks up the artificial flowers. Moo moo?

Khao Man Gai

"Kao Man Gai" is the Thai phrase you use when you want to order "Thai Steamed Chicken with Rice". This dish is very popular among Thais and you can easily find it at food courts and street vendors.

In Bangkok, the most famous shop is on Pechaburi road and is simply known as the "Pink Shirt Ladies Shop".

This dish usually includes the following:
- steamed chicken (you can often choose the cut of the chicken -- leg, breast, or thigh
- a piece of chicken liver (also steamed)
- some veggie (usually spinach)
- soup (chicken of course!) ^_^

The shop keepers will also dish out some yummy chicken sause and pour that all over the rice and chicken. The taste? Holy cow! It's delicious. To me, it's the perfect meal: carbs, iron, and protein.

I bought this one at the food court and it costs 40 baht (=$1.20). Great deal. If you visit the Kingdom on holiday, please try this dish!

Loi Kratong

What is Loi Kratong? It's a festival in Thailand that is held on the full moon during late November. This year, it will be held on Nov.21st. (Today!) ^_^

This festival takes place in the evening, between 19:00 -- 0:00. Thais give an offering of incense, flowers, banana leaves and candles to the river. They do this in hopes of receiving good luck for the next year, finding a mate, giving thanks to the river for providing "life" (water), or to get rid of bad luck.

I joined my teachers and classmates last Friday, at the Thai language school, to learn Loi Kratong songs, Thai dancing and make my very own "offering". (all for free!)

After listening to a presentation about the history, meaning and how to enjoy "Loi Kratong", it was time to make our own offerings.

The tools needed: banana tree trunk pieces, banana leaves, marigolds and lots of pins!


Incense sticks and a candle -- these go in the middle.


Step 1: Place a banana leaf on top of a piece of the banana tree trunk, cut and pin in place.



Step 2: Fold the banana leaves in a "lotus" fashion. Attach to the banana trunk piece.


Step 3: Add the marigold flower tops...


The final step: Add the incense and candle. Voila! A "kratong".


I want to say a special thank you to the great teachers at the Thai language school where I study. We could have a long, but fun lesson about a traditional festival in Thailand, all in Thai. While many Thai language schools offer very intensive, 3+ hour lessons, this school is more relaxed and laid back. If you're in Bangkok and want to study twice a week only, try this school:
Paradigm Thai Language school

Happy Loi Kratong!

Collagen Drink

I bought this at the 7-11 near my condo. I usually drink water, but I thought I should try something new.

This drink is made by Coca-Cola. The ingredients are:
- White grape juice
- Lime juice
- sugar
- collagen

In Japan, collagen drinks were quite popular among women there. Collagen is supposed to keep your skin looking young. I am not sure how effective it is in a drink, but why not try?

The taste was like a sugary water drink with a light grape flavor. The cost is a bit steep though -- 20 Baht ($0.60).

Do you know what else is expensive here? Chocolate bars. I was shocked to see the price: 30 Baht (almost $1!) Wow. In Thai, you can eat a bowl of noodles for 30 Baht, or enjoy some steamed chicken and rice. That's why I don't buy the foreign chocolates (Mars, Twix, etc). Instead, I pick up the cheaper, Thai sweets. See tomorrow's post for more on that.

Central Chitlom Department Store

From late October until early November, the department store across from Chitlom BTS station holds an annual "Flower Fiesta" to celebrate the anniversary of the shop's opening.

Every nook and cranny inside is filled with flowers; even outside, branches and exotic flowers can be found adorning the building itself. It's an unbelievable sight and completely free.



I took a peek after my Thai class and snapped a few pics. As soon as you walk through the doors, you are hit with the smell of fresh flowers. Every display is created using 100% real flowers -- the majority being roses!



This year's theme seemed to be about trees. Huge trees were set up throughout the store with hanging baskets suspended from their branches. I saw many Thai people snapping pictures using their cell phones and cameras. Some were posing under the tree branches for a special shot.



It's really incredible.