One Night In Bangkok - Part One

Ah, the Land Of A Thousand Smiles beckoned. Before that the Chivas Brothers introduced a new whiskey which has more single malt in the blend. The picture you see here is not of the Chivas Brothers.

Within a couple of hours, you start hearing Sawasdee. A country of great contrast and yet such warmth. Murray Head entertained us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD0Z0CwRDJw 

(highlight link, right click and go to).

The same hotel I have been staying still so good, spacious and in close proximity. Welcome to the Montien. It was actually for more than a night of course.

Just would not be having enough time to sleep. Too bad. Not many of you have the opportunity to see Patpong for what it is not, during the day as an empty and normal street. In the late afternoon at 3 plus, the forklift and workers start preparing by unpacking their metal cases and filled the street in no time. Amazing.

We were quite happy that the big protests at several points in Bangkok fizzled out on Saturday night. So on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we simply headed to MBK and when we needed some food this was where we went for a great roast duck. Just so lovely!

Trust me I am not the only who agree this roast duck is great. My friend who lives here for many years agreed and so too those who have tried. Even better after the dip!!

The steamboat was good too with great value for money. More than we had bargained for. We don't really need it but heck at that price why not?

All we needed was the smallest order as we have to be headed for dinner rather soon for me to meet an old friend.

You can go to Mah Boon Krong (MBK) many times but you will never finished the entire walk around the shopping centre. We had the above superb roast duck and steam boat at MK in MBK. One of the important principles of highly effectively people was to do first things first. Does it matter if you walk later? This cold tea tasted like the artificial bird's nest drink our local hawkers served in the old days.

Sometimes, this little unique desserts or snacks can be quite irresistible. Coconut/raisin pancake.

So yummy. Should really have two. Regrets only.

Since my nephew recommended the Black Canyon Coffee, I have been having it ever since without fail. Like a holy pilgrimage. There are so many such stalls now. A must have!

Awesome! Truly great! 

We knew Bangkok well and can travel by train easily but on a day with sweltering heat the comfort of taxi can be a blessing. As we were a little behind on schedule so as not to be late meeting my old friend for dinner, we reckoned walking is a bit too far but it was hard to get a taxi during a certain hour. Well, they wanted a lot more $$$. So we hopped onto a tuk tuk for somewhat less though still overpriced and rekindled the adventure of James Bond who once rode in one even when you got ripped.

We barely rested and then it was time to move again. My old friend was there waiting. We hopped into his chauffeur driven vehicle and disappeared into the night. Some streets were still congested as you can see.

We were headed for Chinatown. There were popular restaurants there and there are two where their staff would be dressed in red and another in green. Of course there is the famous Scala Shark Fins' Restaurant but my old friend recommended a good one which was more down to earth with their prices and yet did not sacrifice in taste or value.

It was a neat and interesting restaurant. I was quite impressed.

Look at the seriousness and professionalism on the look of the chef's face and the fins hanging all over there. 

The menu and price list were clearly spelt.

Mushrooms, crab meat, bean sprout and yes shark fins' in clay-pot.

This pot that fed three of us adults was at 1,000 Baht. When I took this shot, my hands were not shaking. It was the relentless steam escaping from the clay-pot that blurred the picture.

You get real solid chunky fins. My mind was racing between principals of not eating shark fins and then thinking that if I do not eat them, this shark might have died for nothing. So it was a win-win situation. We devoured every bit of it!

This is Thailand and Thai sharks fins. You must do it with this green chilli sauce. Different and yet excellent. Best!

A large plate of hor fun was enough. A generous dollop of vegetables and meat that came in tasty gravy. There was "wok hei" - the heat or the breath of the wok. Only thing is that I would prefer the hor fun (kway teow) to be less soft.

Here is my good old buddy, Aloysius who was first Big In Japan and now Big In Thailand. An inspiration to other Singaporeans who work abroad, our ambassador in distant shores.

It seems that the crabs in Thailand are stronger. They were all well secured. It reminds me of my company's policy on cargo safety especially out of gauge cargoes.

Finally, oops! Oops! This is not Gangnam style. This is O$P$! But cannot complain. 1,400 Baht = S$56! Inclusive of beer. I wanna live in Thailand.

To be continued.....