Usha made sure to apps me everyday to update on Teddy. Looked like he had everyone fawning over him.
By the time I went to fetch him home, I think he didn't sleep very well. He was nodding off in the car!
So cute right?
Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Teddy's staycation
We went Bangkok over Christmas and I had to leave Teddy with a friend for 5 days... It's his first time staying with someone else for extended period of time.
Usha made sure to apps me everyday to update on Teddy. Looked like he had everyone fawning over him.
By the time I went to fetch him home, I think he didn't sleep very well. He was nodding off in the car!
Usha made sure to apps me everyday to update on Teddy. Looked like he had everyone fawning over him.
By the time I went to fetch him home, I think he didn't sleep very well. He was nodding off in the car!
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Chen Loong's Boat Noodles in Hatyai
I woke up this morning dreaming of Hatyai's boat noodles... Maybe next weekend I will try to re-create this much loved Thai dish! I'm going to try the recipe from here: https://www.saveur.com/article/recipes/thai-boat-noodle-soup
Sunday, 31 December 2017
Maeklong Railway Market
There has been alot of covereage on Maeklong Railway Market. From being just a town's people daily market site, the place is now thronging with tourists from all over the world. Honestly, if I am a townsman, I would be so irritated with all the tourist clogging up the tracks, taking pictures but almost never buying anything.
But as always, the Thais are ever so tolerant with outsiders, non-chalantly fanning themselves in the heat, trying to keep the flies away from their produce.
If you do want to capture the train chugging into the last station at Maeklong, be there early to get a good spot. Timing is roughly as follows, but don't blame me if you missed the train!
8.30am to 9am
11am to 11.30am
2.30pm to 3pm
5pm to 5.30pm
But as always, the Thais are ever so tolerant with outsiders, non-chalantly fanning themselves in the heat, trying to keep the flies away from their produce.
If you do want to capture the train chugging into the last station at Maeklong, be there early to get a good spot. Timing is roughly as follows, but don't blame me if you missed the train!
8.30am to 9am
11am to 11.30am
2.30pm to 3pm
5pm to 5.30pm
Saturday, 30 December 2017
Wat Rai Khing
Wat Rai Khing is approximately 1 hour's drive from Bangkok, in the district of Nakhon Pathom.
This temple has a special meaning to me as I had previously "invited" a small statue all the way home to Singapore. We were on a roadtrip to collect some statues that a friend wanted to enshrine in his office. Coincidentally, the temple was offering several limited edition Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing statues with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's royal monogram. Her Royal Highness was a patron the temple and to commemorate her 60th birthday, the temple created limited pieces of statues for worshippers.
Knowing Mother's possible negative reactions towards me bringing home religious artifacts, I was in a super dilemma. I felt a connection to LP Wat Rai Khing and the kiasu side of me wanted the special edition. In the end, I decided to take a risk and got a 7" base one. I will deal with Mother when I get back.
That was in 2015.
It has been two years since and I was looking forward to visiting the temple again.
It was said that the Buddha statue of Wat Rai Khing was thrown into the river during one of the war and after the war was over, the villagers found the statue floating in the rivr, fished it out and enshrined it at Wat Sala Poon. Later on, Wat Rai Khing was said to be built during Rama IV period and the statue was brought over to be the centrepiece. As the statue had no name of its own, it became known as Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing (Buddha of Rai Khing Temple). The statue is unique with the figure in the Chiang Saen era style, the hands in the Sukhothai style and the face in the Rattanakosin style.
The temple is next to the Tha Chin river and many devotees would buy bread to feed the catfish that inhabits the river.
This temple has a special meaning to me as I had previously "invited" a small statue all the way home to Singapore. We were on a roadtrip to collect some statues that a friend wanted to enshrine in his office. Coincidentally, the temple was offering several limited edition Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing statues with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's royal monogram. Her Royal Highness was a patron the temple and to commemorate her 60th birthday, the temple created limited pieces of statues for worshippers.
Knowing Mother's possible negative reactions towards me bringing home religious artifacts, I was in a super dilemma. I felt a connection to LP Wat Rai Khing and the kiasu side of me wanted the special edition. In the end, I decided to take a risk and got a 7" base one. I will deal with Mother when I get back.
That was in 2015.
It has been two years since and I was looking forward to visiting the temple again.
It was said that the Buddha statue of Wat Rai Khing was thrown into the river during one of the war and after the war was over, the villagers found the statue floating in the rivr, fished it out and enshrined it at Wat Sala Poon. Later on, Wat Rai Khing was said to be built during Rama IV period and the statue was brought over to be the centrepiece. As the statue had no name of its own, it became known as Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing (Buddha of Rai Khing Temple). The statue is unique with the figure in the Chiang Saen era style, the hands in the Sukhothai style and the face in the Rattanakosin style.
The temple is next to the Tha Chin river and many devotees would buy bread to feed the catfish that inhabits the river.
On the way back out to the highway, do take time to have a meal at Somnuek Kai-Yang. Their thai grilled chicken is definitely a treat.
Wat Bang Kung
Engulfed by the roots and branches of large banyan tree, Wat Bang Kung reminds me of Ta Prohm in Ang Kor, Siem Reap.
The temple dates back to Ayutthaya period and besides the large golden Buddha statue, the temple itself is pretty simple.
The site also pays homage to Princess Montrathip, born in the late years of Ayutthaya period. She trained and led her troops to victory in the Battle of Bangkoong against the Burmese. She later passed on due to natural causes but people believed that her soul stayed on to bless who needed help.
The temple dates back to Ayutthaya period and besides the large golden Buddha statue, the temple itself is pretty simple.
The site also pays homage to Princess Montrathip, born in the late years of Ayutthaya period. She trained and led her troops to victory in the Battle of Bangkoong against the Burmese. She later passed on due to natural causes but people believed that her soul stayed on to bless who needed help.
Sunday, 20 March 2016
Osaka, Kyoto & Nara
I love Japan! I can't say enough about Japan. I love the food! I love certain aspects of its culture. I love the tidiness! I even love the trees! Why do the trees look so romantically poetic?!
I have been to Kyoto before but that was with a tour group when I was still a kid and over the years I have realised that you never really get to feel the real vibe of a place with a tour group. Everything is just rush rush rush. The heart needs to slow down, sync with the tempo of the space around and engage your five senses. Then the experience becomes integrated with your being and memory.
Mum's getting old and having difficulty in her joints. It will be good to get her out and about before mobility becomes an issue.
We will be heading to Osaka first before taking the train to Kyoto and Nara. Planning the train routes and timing gave me such a headache. We will have to rush a little bit when we arrive at Osaka's airport, just in case we aren't able to catch the train. I like my buffers. Definitely do not want to be forced to take their taxis. The fares can be quite crazy!
I also had to consider that Mum doesn't have the strength and stamina she used to so I booked the hotel just next to the train station for convenience sake. It's a bit more expensive but I think it's well worth the reduced hassle.
The room is pretty small as usual but i'm with my mum so it's ok. Bed's is a bit squeaky at night and I dunno why but most of Japan's room as SOOOooooooo quiet that each squeak get's amplified. Service at the hotel is attentive and polite. There's are lots of shops in basement floors so you don't have to worry about food and other necessities. If on a budget, the supermarket nearby does 20-50% discounts on the bentos and takeaways come 8pm. Mum was so happy and wanted to buy almost everything in sight. All her life she has been thrifty so it feels like paradise to her when she sees all the discount signs!
First day full day in Osaka! Damn... I do not like the weather. It's going to make my pictures come out all dull and dreary.
If you are in Osaka for more than a day I suggest getting the Osaka Amazing Pass. With it you can go to lots of attractions for free and also unlimited train rides. Check it out here: http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
Going to Osaka Castle... One of the facilities free with Osaka Amazing Pass.
Still updating my post....
Mum's getting old and having difficulty in her joints. It will be good to get her out and about before mobility becomes an issue.
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| Warm boots - checked! |
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| Afternoon flight, landing in Osaka around 9pm. |
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| Baked salmon with potatoes and vegetables |
We will be heading to Osaka first before taking the train to Kyoto and Nara. Planning the train routes and timing gave me such a headache. We will have to rush a little bit when we arrive at Osaka's airport, just in case we aren't able to catch the train. I like my buffers. Definitely do not want to be forced to take their taxis. The fares can be quite crazy!
I also had to consider that Mum doesn't have the strength and stamina she used to so I booked the hotel just next to the train station for convenience sake. It's a bit more expensive but I think it's well worth the reduced hassle.
The room is pretty small as usual but i'm with my mum so it's ok. Bed's is a bit squeaky at night and I dunno why but most of Japan's room as SOOOooooooo quiet that each squeak get's amplified. Service at the hotel is attentive and polite. There's are lots of shops in basement floors so you don't have to worry about food and other necessities. If on a budget, the supermarket nearby does 20-50% discounts on the bentos and takeaways come 8pm. Mum was so happy and wanted to buy almost everything in sight. All her life she has been thrifty so it feels like paradise to her when she sees all the discount signs!
First day full day in Osaka! Damn... I do not like the weather. It's going to make my pictures come out all dull and dreary.
If you are in Osaka for more than a day I suggest getting the Osaka Amazing Pass. With it you can go to lots of attractions for free and also unlimited train rides. Check it out here: http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
Going to Osaka Castle... One of the facilities free with Osaka Amazing Pass.
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| Massive size sushi roll we bought at the supermarket for brunch. |
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| Look at all the fillings! |
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| Food stalls just outside of the castle walls |
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| View from the top of the castle |
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| Lots of information about the era when the castle was built |
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| Sushi keychains anyone? |
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