Wonderland

We were at Emporium yesterday and we saw their Christmas decor. We couldn't resist taking pictures.
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I think no other holiday makes us giddy with excitement like Christmas. Aly loves it; no doubt about that, but it also seems to bring out the kid in Richard and me.
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I can't wait to go home. Christmas is best enjoyed in the company of family and friends.

Our First Year

Before we proceed with my summer vacation kwento, let's backtrack a little so I can tell you all about our Bangkok anniversary. I know, this is a late post, natabunan kasi ng excitement and preps for our vacation so I didn't have time to put this up earlier. Anyway, here it is.

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28 March 2009 marked our first year here in Bangkok. For our first anniversary issue (naks! akala mo magazine!), I interviewed Richard and Aly on their Bangkok favorites. Syempre, kasama rin ako. Heehee! Here it goes:

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FAVORITE THAI FOOD

Alyannah (A): Khao Phad Goong (Fried rice with shrimp)

Richard (R): Phad Thai (stir fried noodles)

Krisan (K): Tom Yum Goong (hot and sour soup with shrimp)

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FAVORITE THAI DRINK (or any drink that we discovered here in Thailand)

A: Tipco Apple Juice

R: Singha beer

K: Chrysanthemum tea (Yes, the flower. The taste reminds me of our local gulaman with pandan)

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FAVORITE RESTAURANT

A: Pizza Company

R: Bai Mai La Leung (Thai restaurant)

K: Toh Plue (Thai restaurant in Chatuchak)

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FAVORITE TOURIST ATTRACTION

A: Crocodile Farm + Safari World

R: Crocodile Farm + Pattaya

K: Wat Pho + Chao Phraya River

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FAVORITE MALL/SHOPPING PLACE

A: Central World + Siam Paragon

R: Emporium + Pantip Plaza

K: Pratunam, Sampeng Lane, Chatuchak + Siam Paragon

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FAVORITE STORE

A: Kinokuniya Bookstore + Zara

R: Kinokuniya

K: Kinokuniya + Zara

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FAVORITE DESSERT

A: Royce chocolates

R: Mango with sticky rice + frozen yoghurt

K: Pancake roti, mango with sticky rice + frozen yoghurt.

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What else have we learned so far? We still can't speak Thai, but I am proud to say that we at least know how to count in Thai! It comes in handy when you buy from the markets. We also know how to say how much (Thao rai). Halata bang lahat ng natutunan namin are either related to eating or shopping? Haha!

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More than anything, we learned the true value of being a family. We were able to survive living in a new country that speaks a different language, with no relatives and friends, by sticking together. That way, new discoveries and adventures were made with the people that matter the most.

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Our Bangkok stint will definitely provide a lot of wonderful memories and learning experiences for me and my family, but I am still looking forward to the day when we will go back home and live happily ever after in our dream house in Tagaytay. I may have learned to love my life here in the City of Angels, but I left my heart in the Philippines :)

Christmas in Bangkok

Before we proceed with my kwento about our vacation, let's talk about Christmas in Bangkok first. Christmas is not really a Thai holiday, but they still decorate the malls and buildings for the sake of the foreigners. I must say, they really go all out with the decor. Bongga sya in fairness. That's why I want to share these photos with you.

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Emporium. These were taken using my dad's new Sony camera (naks!) last November.

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Ang laki ng snowman! Teka, parang may kulang yata...

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...that's more like it! Para mas realistic yung kuha.

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The gingerbread house.

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Central World Mall. These were taken a day before our flight to Manila.

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A for Alyannah.

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Ang laki ng christmas tree!!

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Next stop: Siam Paragon.

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Ang laki ng christmas balls!!

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And our last stop: Oakwood.
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The Grand Palace

Yesterday was a holiday here in BKK (Buddha day) so Richard did not have work. Our itinerary: the Grand Palace. They say that if you only have time to visit one place here in Bangkok, it should be the Grand Palace. If I were to describe this place in two words, it would be: majestic and spectacular. Let the pictures do the talking.

On way to the entrance.

Admission fee to the Grand Palace is THB250 per person. Kids can get in for free. They also follow a strict dress code -- no shorts, skirts, sleeveless and tights. It would be better if you can get someone to explain to you the things that you see around. I think they have tour guides at the main gate, but I don't know how much they charge. We didn't get a tour guide, but we enjoyed looking around on our own. The Grand Palace is really nice. There's gold everywhere! Bling all around! Oh, don't forget to bring a cap or an umbrella too because it was very hot when we visited.

After the Grand Palace, we headed to Chinatown for lunch. Then, we went to the Emporium for another round of shopping. We had ice cream at Swensen's and dad got my mom a mother's day gift.

Mom cooked dinner at home -- pork sinigang. Super sarap! My mom's cooking is the best talaga! Dinner with family and mom's cooking was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

P.S Tita Lori, if you're reading this, thank you for the Coach bag that you sent me! Ginamit ko na agad (you can see it in the pictures). Love you! Mwah!