City Sightseeing in Coron

I have been to El Nido way back in  2009 and this has always been my benchmark when it comes to serene beaches. Many people have been saying that Coron is as beautiful as El Nido and this intrigued me. El Nido, at that time, was the most beautiful and peaceful beach I have been to. 

Staying in Coron, Palawan from Aug 14-17 last year, I was shocked from a realization - Coron is much greater then El Nido. For me, Coron had surpassed all my expectations. I must say, this place should be in everyone's bucket list.

We flew to Coron via Airphil Express and they did not disappoint. Whew! Buti nalang kasi I was so tired of having delayed flights. Arriving at the Coron Airport, our sundo was already waiting for us. Isa pang buti nalang kasi we arrived mga hapon na and we were already hungry and pagod na din.

Bargain Shopping in Bangkok :)

Who doesn't love shopping, right? With lots of  unique and good finds, it is really nice to shop in Bangkok! It's just sad that we did not catch the Chatuchak Weekend Market as we arrived on a Monday morning. 

We discovered the Pratunam Market after we had dinner in Baiyoke Sky Resto. After walking out the resto, there it was, a long stretch of the night bazaar. Pratunam Market is known for selling clothes, shoes, and fashion accessories at wholesale prices (read: cheap!). Just beware though, this can be a clothes maze especially when you enter the small alleys and jam-packed small streets. This market is located at the intersection of Ratchaprop and Petchburi roads extending all the way to Baiyoke Towers I and II on Ratchaprarop Soi 3. And what's best is that this is a 24-hour market. You don't have to make madali just to buy everything single thing (wink wink). 

We were just canvassing the whole area when I saw a shop selling travelling bags. For only THB 850 (around Php 1,275), I got myself a small hard case trolley bag! Even when I am just writing this, I can see myself smiling from ear to ear again :) Since it was getting late that time, we went home and we rented a tuktuk, Bangkok's version of our tricycle and can also be used as a taxi. We rode the tuktuk just for the experience and that experience took us Php 60 (THB 40). Remember to bargain the price to the driver first and tell them to go straight and no stops. Just like the taxi scammers in Bangkok, tuktuk drivers are also known to take you to a shop, usually a jewelry store, and would insist for you to buy something on that store (which are usually quite expensive) as they have a cut for every customer they bring.

Platinum Fashion Mall

The next day and also the last day of our stay in Bangkok, we did shopping the whole morning. Our destination - Platinum Fashion Mall. We were supposed to go to  MBK Shopping Centre but the locals advised us to visit the former instead. They said that Platinum Fashion Mall is much nearer to our hotel and way much cheaper. This time, we rode a bus in front of our hotel (our hotel is one of the bus stops) and got off on Petchburi station. You may take the bus  2, 11, 23, 60, 93, 140, 505 or 511 as well. Sorry, I did not have my camera when we did our shopping but I got some pics in the internet for you to have an idea what the mall looks like. 

I must say, this mall is like a version of our 168 Mall in Divisoria. Unlike the Pratunam Market, and since this is a mall, it is airconditioned. So, in short, convenient shopping! Got myself a top, accessories, pashmina and a lot of things! Since I was really occupied doing my shopping, I forgot that I was with my boyfriend. So to make it up to him, we have gone to the IT mall near Platinum Fashion Mall. I believe some gadget shopping might do the trick :)

Pantip Plaza IT Mall

So we went to the Pantip Plaza IT Mall, it is actually beside the Platinum Mall. I am actually tired at that moment but since boyfriend have behaved and did not complained about my endless shopping, I did not complain either. The Pantip Plaza IT Mall is a six-floor haven for computer gear, electronics, gadgets and DVDs.

Boyfie did not really bought anything. We just window-shopped and canvassed gadget prices and thought that baka mas mura sa Pinas. But not really. It is really much cheaper. Kuripot lang siya. Haha. 

After having lunch in this mall, we went straight to Siam Paragon to do pasalubong shopping naman. We no longer have much money at this point so we thought of going to the mall's grocery store to see if there's anything we can get as pasalubong. We bought some tamarinds, other chicha that I cannot remember the name and boyfie even saw some tom yum noodle soup packed like a Pancit Canton. After paying, we went to the food court and bought some Tom Yum. I had it with glass noodles and boyfie got it really spicy. We also tried their version of squid ball (I think?) with very pricey red colored mango shake. The food in Bangkok are one of the best but at that point, I just missed eating at Jollibee.

With all the things we need already been bought, we head back to the hotel to get our things and headed to the airport. Our trip to Bangkok was over but it was indeed memorable. There are a lot of places to see in Bangkok that we wanted to visit and if there's a chance that we can go back there, I will surely plan an iterinary tour next time.

Strolling Around Bangkok City

We woke up around 7am to take advantage of our free breakfast. A buffet table was set-up loaded with lots of food! Some are familiar and most of it are not but I am brave enough to eat it. Having the bahala-na-kung-sumakit-ang-tyan attitude, go lang ako!

Fried rice with lots of ulam!

After the delightful breakfast, we now started our tour. See, back in 2010, I don't even know that travel agencies exist. I mean I do, but I still don't get their importance to convenient travelling. Hence, I did what other travelers do - Shotgun iterinary! We just went to tourist spots nearest to our hotel and/or easier to go to.

Erawan Shrine

We took the BTS Skytrain, Bangkok's version of MRT then get-off at Chidlom Station. Our first stop is Erawan Shrine located in Front of Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, corner of Ploenchit and Ratchadamri Road. This shrine is said to be built to honour of the four-faced Brahma God, Than Tao Mahaprom.

Back then, I was not about the history nor the culture, I just pose and shoot and did not really understand much of what's the story behind the shrine. How would I know that I will just wake up one day and I like to write these travel experiences?! It is lesson hard learned, I guess. So here I am, trying to remember every detail of this trip, asking you to bear with me.

Thai dancers in front of Erawan Shrine

While taking pictures of the shrine, some Thai dancers are dancing and most of the people knelt down to pray. Honestly, I am not sure of what to do that moment, so I took a few snaps then wait for them to finish. Up to this moment, I am not sure if what happened is a ceremony. Whatever it is, it is quite a sight as the dancers danced gracefully even having something on their heads.

Our next stop is Ganesha Shrine. I remember walking from Erawan Shrine to this shrine. Located at 999/9 Rajdamri Road, it is actually in front of the Central World Mall. 

Ganesha Shrine

According to a legend, Ganesha maddened his father, who then accidentally cut off his head. To make amends, the father told his soldiers to bring the head of the first animal they encountered, which happened to be an elephant with one tusk and replaced Ganesha's head. I say, thanks Dad! :)

Just be careful taking pictures of this shrine. Some of the locals have scolded us as they consider Ganesha Shrine one of their sacred prayer venues.We apologized however I no longer wanted to stay there as the people are already looking at us. Don't wanna make the Thais angry!  I took one last picture then walked to our next destination. 


Sadly, I cannot remember the name of our next destination. It seems like a shrine but it has like a palace inside. At that time, it is under construction so we just took pictures outside. I tried looking it up, but to no avail. To whom it may concern, kindly help me identify this place.

What I remember is walking from Central World to this location, can't remember the road we took but we just walked under the hot streets of Bangkok. The irritating part is, I threw all the said printed maps when I did a house general cleaning once! Aaargh. Bummer.


After perspiring so much and walking a lot, we decided to go to Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, para naman makatikim ng aircon and to eat lunch na din.

Busog and we thought it is still early to go home, we roamed around the mall to which surprised me that I cannot buy anything as things are expensive! I'm a practical person and I am not into expensive things talaga. So roam-roam kame then we got into the basement floor and saw the Siam Ocean World Bangkok.

What's interesting with this is, Siam Ocean World is an Ocean Park inside a mall!  I was really fascinated of this fact and I felt like I was a child again. Entrance Fee is THB 900 around Php 1,350 and this includes access to all  zones, back of the house tour, glass bottom boat, 4D  cinema, the open ocean just like the Ocean Park's and my fave, the 10-minute fish spa.

Fish Spa

I have heard of this Fish Spa way before I have it in Bangkok, but I never thought it will be fun! At first, it was like being tickled but with that 10 minutes you'll probably get the hang of it. There are saying that this fish eat the dead skin you have on your feet (in short, kalyo-eating fishes), better that foot spa, I think. I am hoping I can do this again.

After a very long day of walking and sight-seeing, we were beat and our feet hurts. We have complimentary massage coupons at the nearby massage place from our hotel and we immediately used it :). The massage therapists advised us to have the massage first before eating dinner. Having a massage when you are full, makes you vomit, so they say. But that makes sense, actually.

We both had a Thai massage and I must say, having an authentic Thai massage was superb! The strokes were swabe and being stretched like that take your soreness away. They also offered hot tea after the massage. I was very sleepy after. But then we remembered, we had to eat first.

For dinner, we just walked around the hotel and searched for a place to eat. We saw a garage  turned into restaurant and we were intrigued (and also we are tired of walking at this point), we decided to eat there. 

Quite a Watermelon Shake

Tom Yum Seafood

Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of this resto. We ordered a Tom Yum Seafood and a watermelon fruit shake. The Tom Yum tasted really good but for the watermelon shake, let's say, I had quite a reaction.

Doing all these stuffs in one whole day was exhausting. Being tired and with stomachs full, we decided to go to bed. Tomorrow's another day!

The Wat Arun & Baiyoke Sky Resto Experience

After having a shotgun iterinary the previous day, we decided to  have a plan for today's tour. We again took our breakfast then prepared for Temple Hopping tour.The locals said that the easiest way to get there is to take a cab.

As you know, Bangkok is quite known for having taxi scammers. I have read it somewhere and I don't intend to be a victim. So, I asked the hotel receptionist to get us a taxi.

Our first stop of the day is Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. It is a 70-meter high temple situated along west of the famous Chao Phraya River. Wat Arun is also said to be  decorated by small pieces of coloured glass and Chinese porcelain in intricate patterns. Quite amazing, really.

A piece of advice for women, wear a top with sleeves and anything that is below the knee bottoms. I believe anything that is sacred to them, all must comply with the dress code.

 We tried climbing up the temple, it is quite high actually and it'll leave you breathless. Me not being a fan of exercising, have my knees nearly gave up. We also don't have water with us so..., but hey, nobody warned us!

View from the top

Wat Arun's Peak

This is the view from the top of Wat Arun. I am not sure what are the names of those below it but it is indeed an amazing sight! You can't really climb up to the top as there are no stairs to climb much higher. We just have to be satisfied looking up and take Wat Arun's peak.



They also have a message board that is made in cloth and you can write anything that you want. It is more like "I was here" kind of board.


We took more pictures and roamed around the place, just to check out what if there are other things we can do (or buy). There is something that caught my eye. I saw a stall wherein you can rent Thai costumes and take your picture wearing it. 


My boyfriend saw me looking and offered to pay for the costume rental. Of course, I agreed! They then helped me wear the costume, which I have no idea which goes with what. And voila, I am wearing a headpiece! I remember being so excited to have my picture taken! The locals even taught me how to pose. I am so pleased! How often can you be a in a Thai costume, right?

After these, we roamed more in what seems to be a park around the temple. There's also a nearby temple (I'm sorry, cant remember the name). Took more pics then head on to the river pier. We are headed to the Grand Palace.

Boarding the boat, we are seated beside some young monks. Being ignorante and against my boyfriend's wishes, I tried to snap a photo.

Sailing along Chao Praya River, I am not sure if it just rained turning the water to brown or the water's just dirty? I am not really sure so no judgment here. Besides, we have our own Pasig River.


We have arrived to the Grand Palace and roamed a little bit. We don't have pictures of this place and I am also not sure why. What I remember is that, it is already past lunch time, we still haven't eaten and walking around the busy and hot streets of Bangkok, I must say, we were really tired. I believe my boyfriend just wanted to go home. So, we went home.

We woke up around 8pm, then I remembered my tita advising us to eat at this famous Baiyoke Sky Restaurant (pronounced Bai-yoke). We took advantage that this resto is just walking distance from our hotel so no pamasahe needed. It was just a 15-minute walk and no reservation needed. We arrived around 8:30 pm and surprisingly, the buffet dinner price by that time was been cut in half! We paid THB 400 each (around Php 600) instead of THB 800. It was like a Valentine promo, so just our luck.

See, Baiyoke Sky Hotel is the tallest building in Bangkok. It has 88 floors and the international buffet resto are on the 76th and 78th floors. But aside from the restaurant, there is a photo-op floor before going into the resto. So we took advantage and do funny shots before we have our dinner.

Being very tired because of the tour we had in the morning, kumain kame ng bonggang-bonga! This is a buffet resto and having the price cut in half, this is quite a deal! I remember having 3 rounds of balik sa buffet table that filled up the whole floor. Imagine having that so much food. Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American, name it, they serve it! Amazing, I know!

Apologies if my plates looks disgusting. Kung anu-ano nlng kasi kinuha ko! But trust me, masarap lahat! As I've said, 3 rounds of food tripping - from appetizer then main course to dessert. Ok fine, 2 rounds of main course. I forgot my diet and just indulged myself to eat.

The fact that Thai cuisine is one of my favorite, I really enjoyed eating in Bangkok. Of course, I ate Tom Yum! Did I say that we are eating this for 3 days straight?! I'll never get tired  of eating Tom Yum, especially a spicy one. So sad that nothing comes close to cooking authentic Thai cuisine here in Manila.

Oh Tom Yum! I miss you so much!

Few more picture-takings, then we got out of the Baiyoke Resto and to our surprise, a night market is being set-up outside the hotel. Oh yeah, it's time for me to do some shopping!

My First Travel Abroad - Bangkok Arrival

Everyone has their story about their firsts. Travelling to Bangkok has always been one of my most memorable trips as this is my first travel destination abroad. It is also the reason why I have to get a passport.  Also, we went to Bangkok on Valentine's Day of 2010, so the ambiance is kinda romantic back then. 

I have an OC attitude so researching and planning the whole Bangkok escapade became an obsession for me. Maps, tourist spots, popular restaurants, you name it and I have it printed!

Availing Cebu Pacific's Seat Sale and at the night of Feb 14, off we go to Bangkok.  Arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I feel warm. I just then realize that Bangkok is much hotter than Manila. And oh, there's an hour time difference between Manila and Bangkok. Wala lang, it's just something that fascinates me and makes me feel I am really away from home. 

Then, we hailed a taxi and travelled around 30 minutes before we get to All Seasons Hotel along Ratchaprarop Road. If I remember it right, we paid the cab driver THB 180 and that's around Php 260. Getting off the cab, I looked around and I see a familiar place. It seems that I am still in Manila. I see Recto in Bangkok. A warmer Recto, actually. Oh, do you know what sets the 7-11 stores in Bangkok from the stores here in Manila? Their stores have automatic doors! Haha.