I'm back,Suvarnabhumi Airport! I arrived in the afternoon and it was HOT---hotter than in Manila.
It was quite unexpected that I have planned to go back in Thailand after 10 years
. Yes, I have been there in 2008 and honestly me and my family did not enjoy for the reason that several mishaps had occurred during our stay (let alone, my mom's wallet got stolen in a 5-star hotel). Eversince then, we all have a mindset of not going back there until suddenly,a couple of things made me change my view about it. Thai culture has become popular nowadays based on travel blogs that I read and most of all, I became a big supporter of their former beauty queen, Maria Poonlertlarp. I have mentioned her in some of my previous posts from this year and by that time,I started to plan of visiting Bangkok again with the hope of meeting her someday. Yet, it was hard persuading my parents to let me travel there until miraculously, they have allowed me to do so. Y'all might wonder how but lets just say that I've chosen this trip over a multi-city tour to somewhere. That could have been my first but since the cost was so extreme (and I believe that I will be settling near there soon), I decided to push through with my Asian travels (and goals!Haha) instead.
And so,touchdown Bangkok for the second time! In this part, I will be talking about my activities apart from the tour that I've joined and how I met Maria P.❤️
I had my flight last Tuesday (July24) via Thai Airways and I didn't expect that our plane would have a built-in entertainment system even for just a short 3-hr ride! It was awesome plus the food (served with snacks and a set meal) was good.Nonetheless, I didn't feel how long our plane ride went.
Then here's the hotel where I've stayed along Pratunam area,Amari Watergate Hotel.The place is very convenient for it is situated in front of Platinum Fashion Mall and the other street markets. And service-wise,it definitely deserve more than a 5-star rating; I actually enjoyed the breakfast buffet the most. ;D
I usually don't post the room that I stay during my travels but let me do it this time!Ahahah. This was a twin deluxe room since my aunt was with me though we had our own separate agendas on this whole trip.Check out Agoda for the room rates!
And here's just some of the food I ate during our breakfast buffet. It has various selections coming from different types of cuisine so it was absolutely a feast over there.
Basically, there are 2 things that people often do when in BKK: temple-hopping and shopping. I'll be telling about the temples on my next blog entry so for now,lets talk about the shops. Pratunam is like the Quiapo or Divisoria district in Manila. It is bound with a lot of street markets selling souvenirs, food,clothes and other miscellaneous goods at an affordable price. They sell in retail or in bulk orders that is why this would be a perfect place to buy if you're a merchant as well.Taking a stroll in every shop is certainly alluring as they really sell several great stuff (their clothing styles are chic!). Clothes made in cotton and denim are their specialty, I should say ;) I recommend walking throughout the whole stretch of the market first to find good quality items with cheap prices.But as you enjoy the perks of shopping, do keep an eye on your belongings!It is always crowded in the said area and indeed, the 'so-called scams in Bangkok' are true; Sometimes they may double the price when you're clueless of how much it cost. So be careful! :)
Aside to that, the food around the street markets are worth trying!They are so authentic in which its taste cannot be replicated in my home country. Their main dishes often come spicy while the desserts and fruit juices are made fresh ❤️
The Thai specialties that I've eaten: Spicy Chicken Tom Yun Goong, Khao Man Gai (my personal favorite!),fresh coconut juice,mango sticky rice(my fav Thai dessert),Thai milktea/iced tea (which I will forever be proud of its price here lol like damnnn 25Baht or Php40 only?!Plus the taste was so unique that I think it's all because of the Carnation milk that they mix in.yum!) and Pad Thai. So to sum it up,Thai cuisine is heavenly gooood!
So now lets talk about the event that I attended last July 25th at Central Plaza Ladprao.
*fangirl alert*
*fangirl alert*
Watsons had its 22nd Anniversary where a couple of Thai celebrities were gathered to perform and exhibit a fashion show. This is the first mall tour that I went overseas and it was wild! I've never seen such a lively fan base per artist as they were so prepared having foot stools and LED banners for support! Plus,it was so safe that they don't have any bouncers to shield with whenever someone wanted to have a photo with the celeb. I'm impressed ;D And mind you,these celebrities are good-looking too;Feels like I wanna return to watch Thai series again,Haha.
This was posted on my Instagram Story when I first spotted her at the venue.This is it....THIS IS IIIIT!! 😵
Anyway, I was able to witness Maria all throughout the show with the help of her Thai-based fan team.Eversince I became her avid fan since Miss Universe'17,I communicated with her team in TH and there were other events in the past that they've invited me but regretfully,I didn't go ;( However, I tried to keep in touch with them until this event arrived.We took photos and videos of Maria during her presscon interviews after the show wherein she talked about the recent Miss Universe Thailand 2018.Then after that, her manager took us to the mall's 12th floor so we could have a private meet and greet with her!
These were my own shots and and a short clip that I took will be posted on my Facebook; I only took these using my phone.
I was so stunned and at the back of my mind I'm like,"OMGGG I'm finally meeting her!"❤️ I introduced myself as a fan from the PH and I gave her a gift(dried mangoes and an artwork).
Yep,I made this!Inspired from her recent performance at The Mask Singer Thailand.She was disguised as a buffalo while singing "Where is The Love".
Maria and I with some members from her fanbase,"Team Boong"! The group name mainly came from the title of her past debut single,"Boong".More pics and videos posted in my Facebook and Instagram (@juliacoleen)!
We waited outside the mall as she changed outfits and there,we got to talk to her further.She asked me about my plans and if I understand their language thus I answered then I invited her to visit the PH soon(She said she'd loved to go so lets see about that.Haha!). She's very fluent in English that I got lost with what I have to say despite that I'm too starstrucked! as iiiin nosebleed!! But it all takes guts! It's either you do it or you'll regret not doing it at the end ;)
Sooo there ya have it! I'm very greatful to meet new friends in this country and the opportunity to finally meet one of my inspirations was such an honor❤️ I hope this won't be the last and it seems that being in Bangkok ain't so bad at all!And I'm frankly not saying this 'cause I was in cloud 9 all throughout the trip but generally,I wished I'd stayed longer but I guess I'll make my way here again next time!
'til then na ka! ;p
