Thailand 2012 Budget

This is my final expenses for Thailand tour 2012, including the round trip ticket via CebuPac, the terminal fee, travel tax, transportation from Day 1 to Day 3, food, entrances, Ayutthaya tour, accommodation and the shopping/pasalubong!

 

Exchange rate varies, though in my case I've exchanged my PHP to Baht, which is a good choice because the rate here is much better compare to Thailand. The rate here is 1.37php per 1 Baht thru Czarina Forex Exchange, in Bangkok the rate is .65Baht per PHP. 

For me, visiting Thailand is one of my cheapest trip, but of course you need to score a promo airline tickets! I wanna go back in Bangkok, probably next year! 

Thailand Day 1 - Mall Hopping

June 18,2012

What's good with our itinerary is we can swap it from Day 1 to Day 2 or vice versa, so for our Day 1 it should be Ayutthaya and for Day 2 it should be Mall Hopping and Dreamworld, but we wanted to rest a bit so we decided to go Mall Hopping instead!

Mall Hopping

Shopping is love!

From Sunflower Place we head to Saladaeng Station and hop off to Siam Station, there are lots of shopping malls here in Bangkok!

Too early to shop ^^ we had some photo ops first!

These malls opens at 10am, so we head first to Pratunam Market. It was a long walk from Siam Station to reach the market, well there's nothing special in there, it was almost 10am so we go to Platinum Fashion Mall.

My eyes widen upon seeing a lot of clothings! This is gonna be fun fun fun! ^_^

We had our lunch at Mc Donald's Platinum Fashion Mall

Sawatdee Kaa

After some shopping, we go back to Sunflower Place, following the itinerary our next destination should be Dream World, but it was already 3pm and open checking the opening hours, the theme park will close at 5pm. So we opted not to go instead we take some rest and go back to Siam Paragon.

Madame Tussauds in Bangkok (Siam Paragon)

Siam Ocean World

We spend most of our time shopping! Platinum Mall closes early like most of the shop were already closed around 7pm, so I suggest you go on shopping in the morning.

A very exhausted day 1, I don't have enough sleep yesterday. Tomorrow is Ayutthaya day tour, we are planning to do this early in the morning, leaving Bangkok around 6am! ^_^

Thailand 2012

My second trip for this year  to The Land of Smiles.... Thailand!

I really wanted to go here because of shopping thingy, been hearing a lot about the cheap clothings that can be bought here. So yes, I'm excited to go shopping!!! ^^

Now preparing for this trip!

TICKET
Thanks again to Cebu Pacific promo, we got a round trip ticket of 2899php each (no check in baggage) Manila to Bangkok. We booked last January for this June travel.

ACCOMMODATION
I made a reservation at Sunflower Hostel thru Hostelworld, made a 10% downpayment online, a Twin Private Ensuite for two nights. One of the cheapest hostel I've seen, the reviews are good in Tripadvisor so I decided to booked here.

ITINERARY
We will be staying a total of 3 whole days in Bangkok, arriving almost midnight of June 17 and leaving late night of June 21. After doing some research on where to go, what to do and what to buy in Thailand, I've come up with a not so~so good itinerary! ^_^

June 18
Ayutthaya
Platinum Mall or Pratanum
Patpong Night Market

June 19
Siam Square
MBK Center
Platinum Mall
Pratanum
Dream World
Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

June 20
Temple Tour (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun)
Shopping

So this is gonna be a shopping tour neh! ^^

MONEY MATTERS
For the nth time, here we go again to my favorite money exchange "CZARINA FOREZ"! Of course you need to call them for reservations. The buying rate is 1.37php per 1 Baht.

I've read in some blogs and forums that it's much better to exchange your PHP to BAHT, read that rate is much better here.

LUGGAGE
We only have check-in baggage going back here in Manila for 15 kilos. As they say Thailand is just like Philippines, a tropical country so we will only pack light clothings, like shorts and tops. I really want to shop and some of my friends ought me to buy them clothes there, so we really need a check-in baggage. I'm hoping for no excess baggage, I've read that they are strict in this stuff.



Am I ready? Well I'm excited to shop! ^^

June 17 - NAIA 3

The weather is not that good, there's a typhoon in Philippines! Arriving at NAIA 3 I go straight to Travel Tax window and paid 1620php, then proceed to Cebu Pacific window for the ticket and check-in baggage, then paid 550php for the Terminal Fee. Now at the immigration, well this is something new, she only asked where I work and that's it.

It's been 4 months since the last time I've been to NAIA 3 and I was surprised that they have free wifi already! Love it! ^^

It was announced that our flight would be delayed for 15 minutes, well I understand with that kind of weather.

Suvarnabhumi Airport
Arriving around 12 midnight already, we did not book our accommodation that night so we planned to stay at the airport. The airport was so huge!

Sunflower Place
We left at the airport around 6am, then head to the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai and ride the BTS going to Saladaeng. The hostel is easy to find, just follow the very detailed directions on their website and you'll surely find their place. Arriving at Sunflower Place we paid the remaining balance and additional 200 Baht for key card deposit. The check-in time is 2pm, but we arrived early and just planned to leave our things but the staff was so kind that they allow us for early check-in without additional charge! I love this hostel, the room is so nice and clean! I highly recommend this hostel for budget travelers like me. The twin bed room ensuite, has a refrigerator, a television, AC and they provide 2 bottled water (everyday), they clean the room everyday (changed the bedsheets and towels), the bathroom/toilet is also very clean, they also provide a small bath soap & shampoo ^^, wifi is also available in the room. At the reception area; there's a 2 computers, hot & cold water dispenser, free coffee/tea/milo/milk. There is also a small common room that has a microwave and dining area, with a small living area with television and comfort room. The place is also near to BTS Saladaeng and Patpong Night Market. There are lots of ATM, 7-11, Spa Massage house and food restos neaby. So again, I highly recommend this hostel.

Let's start the adventure! SAWATDEE KAA! 

SONG JOONG KI in Thailand

Another fan girling in Thailand ^_^

This is the same day when I saw Mario Maurer, looks like it was really my lucky day! Again I am unaware that Song Joong Ki will visit Bangkok! We were just looking for ATM in Central World (mall), when I saw a bunch of girls in kinda event area, it was a TONY MOLY launching! Hmmmm a lot of girls are in there, I asked the Thai girl, who will be the guest on that event? Then she says "SONG JOONG KI" , I replied "REALLY???" (with a big smile), OMO OMO OMO! I can't really believe, I just recently finish his drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal, I love his acting, his dorkiness, and his cuteness! My friend don't know her, I should please her to wait for this guy, well it's also time for some rest ^_^

We waited like an hour, when he arrived I really don't know what to do! He is skinny, tall, milky white skin but so handsome! Then he smiles *dies*

I love Tony Moly's Appletox, my HG mask! HAEppiness overload here in Thailand, seeing Song Joong Ki is L-O-V-E!

Joong Ki wants me! ^^

How I wish he also visits Philippines ^_^

MAURIO MAURER in Thailand

I feel so LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY! ^_^

Another fan girling and HAEppiness for me!

I can't believe that I would see MARIO MAURER in Thailand, he already visited Philippines twice and I didn't get a chance to see him, he's not the reason why I go to Thailand, it just happened that they were also in Ayutthaya that day! It was really amazing, cathing two birds in one stone!

The story behind the close encounter with Mario Maurer! For our Day 2 in Thailand we planned to go at Ayutthaya, this place is famous for it's ruins temples. On our first temple I was surprise to see some cameras, crews, lightning, etc., it looks like there's a shooting or something. I jokingly says to my friend "Bakit di mo naman sinabi na may shooting ka pala dito", and then they asked us to move 'coz they will start filming, at first it was in Thai language, then I say "English only", then maybe the girl overheard us talking in Tagalog, then she says "Mga ate alis muna tayo, mag shoshoot lang, salamat". Woah they were Filipinos too, ~hahahaha~  Then I saw this guy, hmmmmm he looks familiar, hmmmm I told to myself "Mario Maurer??", yesssss it's MARIO MAURER indeed! I immediately confirmed it with some Filipino crews there if it's Mario Maurer, and yes he really is! They were filming the movie of Mario and Erich "Suddenly It's Magic"

He is so handsome in personal, really different from photos, he is like so innocent! His long time girlfriend is so lucky to have this gorgeous guy!

After some take, we also chit-chat with the crews, I asked them if we could take picture with Mario, and they say "yes" after the shooting. I convince my friend that we will stay there until he's done filming ^_^ I couldn't let this chance pass, I must have a picture with him!

Not too long waiting, they were done and the crews called us, I hurriedly go there and pass my camera to my friend and SHOOT! hahahah there you go a very nice pic with MARIO MAURER! I posted this on my FB account and my friends were so jealous of me! :)

Never thought that my fan girling will also happened in Thailand ^_^

Thursdate - MIB 3 and Krocodile Grill at Shang

Another ThursDate with my sister Tina, it seems like every week is a Thursday Date!

Today's date is movietime, now showing "Men In Black 3", I'm not really a big fan of this movie, just so lucky to get a special passes from my colleague, it's not free anyways better grab it for a price of 50php each tix ^_^ Happy to saved for almost 300 bucks!

I enjoyed the movie, there are lots of funny parts and the effects were good too. Of course Will Smith acting is definitely great!

For our late lunch, we dine at Krocodile Grill! We ordered Lengua Ala Krocs and our favorite Krocs Baked Tahong.

This is our first time to try Lengua Ala Krocs, the taste is good but kinda spicy!

Can't wait for our next ThursDate! ^^

Lunch out at Krocodile Grill Glorietta

It's been two years! It was 2010 when I gain another set of friends! Could this be our last lunch out together? maybe! #dramamuch

Loving Krocodile Grill's "Sinigang na Baboy", it tastes so good! *sour* Definitely one of their best dish, if they would only add more pork it is almost perfect!

Their Pork Sisig changes from time to time, I don't know why!  The first time we ate sisig here was so good, it was crunchy and really different from other sisig. This time it's different again, hmmm the taste is okay, not really bad!

Another dish we tried is Calamares, taste good to me.

Well there you go, it is good to dine here at Krocodile Grill, the food is good and affordable!

Loser's Lunch at Bon Chon Chicken - Greenbelt

People knows me for loving something about Korea like my favorite Kpop bands (Super Junior), my addiction to Korean Dramas, etc. Even I did visit South Korea last February , I did not attempt to try Korean dishes though I tried DUKBOKKI (spicy!!!), I'm not really into hot spicy foods! So it looks like Koreans invading Manila or lemme says Philippines, as you can see them everywhere ^^ Bon Chon Chicken is a Korean foodie that is now available in our country, well let me share my experience!

We decided to have lunch here ordered chicken drumstick with soy garlic sauce and spicy!

Calamari

KO-YO (Korean Yogurt)


I only tasted the Blueberry Torte, hmm I'm loving it ! 

Banoffee

My verdict for the chicken with soy garlic, it tastes so good and it was cooked well with the glace of the sauce that really added a good taste! For the chicken with hot spicy sauce, it was really spicy!!! My tolerance for spicy food was really low,  but my friend Toyei enjoyed it! Can you imagine him eating 2 pcs of spicy chicken and 1 soy garlic chicken and 3 cups of rice! ~yay~

LOSERS

Will surely be back here at Bon Chon Chicken!

"Blast From The Past" PALAWAN '09

This would be my last Blast From The Past entry, to another beautiful place in the Philippines ... Puerto Princesa, Palawan! To the famous "Underground River" that is included to 7 Wonders of Nature! So happy that I was able to see this place with my friends!

We booked our tickets early February of 2009, travel date is August 18 - 20 via Cebu Pacific, airfare around 1k+ round trip. We were 7 in a group, of course that includes my BFF Gladz, Lhuz & Cherry (from Cebu-Bohol trip) and with my new Hunda Babes Nice, Ming & Noemi.

at NAIA 3

As you can see I'm the mastermind of this trip, of course planning the whole trip, making itineraries, booking the accommodations and the very important factor "budgeting" the expenses! We booked our accommodation at Ysabelle Mansion, this was recommended by some girltalkers (FN forums). We got a room with 3 double bed and 1 single bed, with free breakfast and land airport transfer.

Ysabelle Mansion welcomes us ^^

We already rent a van with a package for three days, that includes Island Hopping, Underground River(Sabang) and City Tour.

First Day - Hunda Bay Island Hopping

KINABUCHS Grill and Bar for dinner, tried the TAMILOK! ^^

Enjoyed our first day so much! Even it rained hard during our snorkeling at Pambato Reef. Loving Palawan so far, enjoyed the food too! Breaded Tamilok still tastes like wood, one of exotic food here in Palawan!

Day 2 - The Underground River

Lunch at Sabang Beach

Dinner at KA LUI 

Hunda Babes goes to Ka Lui ^^

"Sinigang sa Buko"

Ka Lui's Menu

Again, this is another gratifying day! The Underground River is 2 hours travel time from the city, definitely a must see cave, nature's best! Of course we also enjoyed swimming at Sabang Beach ^^ and the food is superb here in Palawan! I super love KaLui, we ordered the KaLui Special of The Day, Sinigang sa Buko and fruit shakes, so happy to get the free fruit desserts! 

Day 3 - Puerto Princesa City Tour

Crocodile Farm

Iwahig Prison & Penal Farm

Mitra

Baker's Hill

A great experience of close encounter with a baby crocodile. The place is like a mini zoo too, with some animals like snakes, ostrich, etc. I just can't imagine how they feed those big crocodiles! For the Iwahig Prison, that we are able to meet some prisoners here, a prison with no bars/no jails! They do some recreational activities and do farming as well, and they have their own small houses too, it's like they were living a normal life. 

Puerto Princesa is definitely one of the beautiful places here in the Philippines, I would highly recommend to visit the place, specially The Underground River.