Central Chidlom Department Store

Bangkok - Whilst waiting for our channel partner to turn up; Central Chidlom had a beautiful flower arrangement display through their departmental store.

Central Chidlom is a seven-storey department store with a modern, friendly ambience. Well-stocked, each floor has a straightforward layout dedicated to urban lifestyles, including beauty products, shoes, handbags, lady’s fashion, men’s fashion, home décor, travel, toys, electronic gadgets, books and more.

Central Department Store has several branches in Bangkok, but the flagship store in Chidlom is highly popular among affluent Thais, expats and regular visitors. It undergoes constant renovation to keep abreast with modern fashion and lifestyle trends, plus the location at the doorstep of the Chidlom BTS Skytrain ensures easy access from anywhere downtown.   It is about 10 minutes walking distance from our Hotel.

Lebua at State Tower Bangkok

Bangkok - I wanted to know what the whole fuss about this 'popular' hotel that was feature in Hangover II.

That was the scene at the top of the hotel.  So together with Lesley we took a taxi to this hotel.  It was not as impressive as many of the hotels in Bangkok as the Lobby is small and thus not grand.   Took the lift to Sirocco lounge and it's impressive bar with lots of people drinking and hanging around.

That's the stairs the 3 actors where sitting on taken from the Sirocco lounge.   The security do not even allow you to take a photo at the top of the dome explaining some stupid reason.  On the whole, it was a let down and too much hype but a good view from the top. Visit once and that's it.

Asiatique The Waterfront

Bangkok - In the evening we went to Bangkok newest happening establishment for dinner - Asiatique The Waterfront.  

We walked to the BTS that is behind our hotel to BTS Thaksin station and from there a free river shuttle from the ferry to Asiatique.   There were lots of people queuing to board the ferry and it surprises me that the boat operator allows passengers to stand as it was really crowded.

Asiatique Ferry on Chao Praya River

The sunset reflection on the Chao Praya River gives a idyllic feeling with the boat humming along.

Finally we reach the pier of the Asiatique....

Old warehouses were converted into boutique dinning establishments and shopping areas dotted with eye catching art displays.

Water tank art display

Entrance using container doors

After walking around, we went and found this Thai restaurant - Baan Khanitha.  When we approached the reception, one of the 'guest' approach me and directed me to the table.  I thought it was very strange and later found out from him that he is the GM and sitting with the owner of this restaurant.

Baan Khantika Restaurant



Complimentary appetitizer



Aspargagus dish

This Asparagus dish is stir-fried with grey prawns, carrots and slices of garlic.

Tom Yam Seafood

I had Tom Yam Seafood cause we will be having a Tiger Prawn dish.   This dish is not so spicy and filled with assortment of seafood - squid, fish, prawns and tasted delicious.

Green Curry Chicken

BBQ Tiger Prawns topped with fried basil leaves

Coconut ice-cream

After dinner we walked further and found more interesting art displays....

Town square clock

Thai Food court

Bangkok -   Recommended by our hotel staff, the best exchange rate in Bangkok offered by Super Rich exchange.  The exchange rate is really good - much better than in Singapore.  

Superrich Money Changer
67-69 Rachadamri Road, Lumpini
Patumwan, Bangkok
www.superrich.co.th

A short distance we walk to have our lunch at the food court. 



Instant noodle with Pig's innards

 This is a simple dish - mine was clear soup but Lesley's was spicy.  The only innard I don't eat is blood. 

Orange Squash in glass bottle

Durian Sticky rice

This is a different style of Durian sticky rice dipped in a sweet soup base.  It taste very sweet.

The Mango Tree Restaurant

Bangkok - In the evening we walked to this famous landmark - The Hotel Muse along Langusuan and had a drink up on their sky bar.  From the top of the Hotel it was a lovely view of the city and the Langsuan street.  I can understand why the rave reviews of this hotel.

Lobby of Hotel Muse



Near the Elevator landing



View from Hotel Muse Speakeasy Bar

We then took the advice of the Hotel Muse reception and proceed to The Mango Tree Restaurant for dinner.  

The taxi took us to the street and pointed us to walk down the street.  We walked and found no such restaurant so we ask one of the guards, who told us to walk further down.  Still cannot find - Lesley entered a hair salon and a Lady told us that it is across the street in the opposite direction.   So we walked in that direction, still cannot find we approached another restaurant guard standing outside and he told us it is in the next street (Soi) turn left - then we found it. 

The ambiance is casual with a traditional troupe Thai music outside.  The restaurant has outdoor and indoor dinning - we chose in door because we were persipiring from the walking, trying to locate this place. 




Kailan vegetable stir fried with mushroom



Creamy Coconut seafood soup

Plad Thai Seafood

Signature Dish - Chilli Crab

Singapore Chilli Crab is still the best as the crabs used in Singapore restaurants are Sri Lanka - much bigger and meatier.  

Tub Tim Krob

Tub Tim Grob, is a coconut milk based dessert that is my favourite. The small reddish/pinkish jewels are water chestnut covered with tapioca flour, served with sweeten coconut milk and shaved ice. Shredded jackfruit are added to this dessert to make it extra special.

My Home Restaurant

Bangkok - I always like the food of My Home restaurant and so Lesley and I walk down the street to have our lunch.

Stir fried spicy Mimosa leave and buds

This is one of Thailand's popular dish which it is difficult to find in Singapore.  Apparently, mimosa leave and bud is eatible.

The waitress delivered this dish to our table and immediately told her that we did not ordered this - it's free she said.  It's some homemade dumpling. 



Thai Pineapple Seafood rice





Spicy Steamed Sea Bass fish



This is a very delicious fish dish and it's slight spicy.   The Sea Bass was very fresh and the meat is so tender.  The total bill was Baht 608 (S$ 24.32) very reasonably priced.

After our apointment, whilst I was waiting for our customer to send us to the BTS station.  A kitten sneak up to me....

Big Nose Restaurant

Kuala Lumpur - The silkair flight into KL landed late and when I reach the immigration counter, there was a long queue of passengers.  Many of them were Arabs coming to KL to avoid their hot summer and having a long vacation.  On clock work, I took the luggauge cleared customs and took the KLIA to Sentral station.  

Le Meridien Hotel is undergoing massive renovation at the reception area and therefore I had to check-in at B3 instead of Level 1.   I was told the renovation would be completed by end of October 2012.

For dinner, we went to Big Nose Restaurant off Jalan Kuchai Lama.  

We chose the Kerai Fish which is a local fish.



Kerai Fish - the big fish on the left

Infamous Tahu Otah dish

The Otah is snugged between 2 slices of Tahu cooked with slices of petai (bitter beans).

You can see the Otah between slices of Tahu

Mantis Prawn fried with salted egg

The Mantis Prawn fried with salted egg was crispy on the outside, salty due to the salted egg and on the inside succulent and fresh.   This is a very delicious dish.

Not sure what's the name of this vegetable but it's my first time tasting it and it's good.  Stir fried with whole pieces of garlic.

Pork trotters tendons

This dish is new to me and it's Pork Trotters tendons cooked with Chinese wine and chilli.  The aroma is rich in wine and the tasted spicy due to the chilli.  More bones than meat, if you can call tendons 'meat'.  This is close to chicken feet cooked Cantonese style at Tim Sum (Yam Char) restaurant.

Steamed Kerai Fish Cantonese style

The Kerai Fish was served with their scales still on - of course it cannot be eaten so I wonder why the restaurant does not just remove them before serving.  The Cantonese style involves just good quality light Soya Sauce topped with garnishing of spring onions and Chinese coriander.   This is also my first time eating Kerai Fish and it's definitely fresh but there are lots of bones.   Caution when eating this fish with it's many bones and I will definitely not order this fish again.

As our stomachs still have room for one more dish - I ordered the steamed chicken garnished with lots of chopped spring onions and garlic.

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