bangkok

They say the ad industry in Thailand is very fun. Judging by the video clips of some ads, I must agree. Everything ad-related in Bangkok impressed me. And this leads us to a mini-walkthrough of my Bangkok trip with the ex a month ago.

I really like how they advertise all over shopping malls. I wanted to take more pictures but there were security guards on every floor of every major shopping complex that patrol and shoot anyone who takes pictures.

Cannot imagine any of our local language schools doing this.

Thais were celebrating Mother's Day when we were there. I was initially baffled, because, Mother's Day is supposed to be somewhere in May all over the world, right? Then a cabbie told us it's the birthday of their Queen Mother. Everyone wore a yellow t-shirt with an emblem (no idea what it said) for the occassion. Wow. I don't even know the name of our Queen Mother.

Fireworks display at night for the Queen Mother. And because the area we stayed at is very near to the Grand Palace, we didn't need to watch it from the telly. What can I say. Khao San and Rambuttri Road rock.

The only drawback of staying in Khao San area is the transportation. There're no BTS or MRT station, and I have no clue where the bus stop is. BUT there's a very cheap, fast and convenient (fairly) alternative - boats. They're punctual, never get stuck in traffic jams, and the view is really nice if you don't focus on the colour of the water.

I admit, waiting 20 minutes for the boat was quite boring. Okay, VERY boring. But one can always read a little, or stare at the murky water and look out for floating dead dogs. Or space out like me and think about what to have for dinner.

But the view (and occassional faceful of Chao Phraya water) from the boat is worth it.

Really. Travel during sunset (think the last boat to Khao San is around 7) and see all the 1200baht-dinner-cruise-package highlights for free!

I love Rambuttri Road. We stayed at Lamphu House, and once you leave the guest house you see rows of eateries like this. Food's not too shabby. GREAT crowd and ambience. Backpackers from all over the world, chilling and chatting, watching telly, reading... I felt very... belonged.

Even Jack Sparrow loves to hang around Khao San area.

Likewise for Grasshopper, Maggot and all kinda insects. Maggots taste milky!

Talking about food, there are several one musn't miss or prepare to be humiliated and ridiculed upon relaying Bangkok tales to friends and family. First is the vibrantly different versions of Thai salad. You can have it with squid...

... or salty crab (thanks a lot, Feef, for telling me the crabs are there for taste and not to be eaten after I damn near broke my teeth trying to chew through the innocently-looking-very-similar-to-but-not softshell crabs)...

... or real crabs with glass noodles.

Another must-try is the mango with sticky rice. Sinfully sweet fresh mango slices coupled with sticky rice damp and slightly salty from thick rich coconut milk... so nice can die. And I'm addicted to sticky rice. No wonder Thais eat sticky rice more than steamed rice. Totally wrecked havoc to my digestive system but don't care.

I enjoyed the fried egg with oysters too. Not as sticky compared to Taiwan-made ones. But what's with the beansprouts man. Almost every dish of Thai food overflows with beansprouts. Under food. On top of food. Beside food.

I don't like beansprouts-lah.