Thailand Bangkok 4th-8th Nov 2015 - Day 1

It had been quite awhile since my last family tour, finally settled to go Bangkok (BKK) as I never been there before. Quite a shocked as many had been there countless times but seriously visiting BKK never appeared as quite appealing to me.

I always thought as BKK as another typical Asian country, warm weather with typical shopping mall and just eating and shopping with a strong currency that's all.

Booked SIA at a discounted price of $212 per pax, but timing not the best:

Fly there on 4th at 4pm, reaching around 5:30pm.

Fly back on 8th at 12:15pm, reaching around 2:45pm.

After hunting around with friend's advice and tripadvisor, finally booked Holiday Inn Express Siam. Take note that the display best offer I gotten at $86 excluding tax, could be further discounted by being IHG member - www.ihg.com

Finally damage is $82, with taxes around $100, that was after I registered as IHG member, free registration.

Day 1- 4th Nov 2015

Finally the day had came, we made our way to the airport earlier as my wife wanted to visit the Sunflower Garden in Changi Airport T2 departure hall.

Cab fare to the airport was around $28, hmmmm, was the price always so expensive, seems to be getting higher and higher.

Reached around 2:15pm, checked in, luggage in and off to the garden.

Truth to be told, the garden was actually not bad, could see bees and butterflies flying around.

After all the fun photo taking, it was time to explore the beauties of Changi Airport.

I would say there were quite a few beautiful spots in the departure area.

After which we are on our way to BKK, reached around 5:30pm local time, BKK is 1 hour slower than SG.

The queue for immigration was damn long, by the time we reached luggage claim area, it was around 6:30pm. Went out, off to Gate 7, and gotten a local AIS SIM card for 7 days data at $299 baht. Originally my friend advised to get it at Changi Airport, but it was sold out, hence no choice, SG cost $13, almost the same cost, why not right?

Was thinking should I take the airport rail or taxi, knowing the drivers here don't like to on their meters when you are tourist. Finally decided to take the taxi, asked the driver how much, he quoted $500 baht, after haggling abit, he said $450 baht, ok la, what to do.

The trip to the hotel was jammed after the toll into the city expressway, total spent 1 hour plus and lucky the driver went by the side road else by meter I think we would still be stuck in the jammed.

By the time we reached the hotel, it was around 8pm....

Lucky for member, our room was upgraded to corner location, think bigger abit, and at level 14. It sure looked good and spacious, everything looks quite new, happy !

By the time all settled, around 8+, quickly we went to explore the surroundings. There is a Mac Cafe just at the ground floor of the hotel, funny thing is the food menu for the hotel is MacDonald !

Went to MBK, just a crossed the roads, most shops already closing, hence just took a strolled along a few levels, never went to the top. Overall, quite a messy mall with a lot of stuffs.

Road conditions as seen, is just jams all the way in the city.

Finally settled our first dinner in MacDonald, oh, they served rice set here.......