BKK Reviewed

Flights
All went smoothly. SQ is my favourite airline and always provide topnotch service. Business class on the way back was pretty awesome. Premium lane is one of the many highlights. Gives u a bit of the special treatment once they opened the door to a secret passage to priority immigration check. Meal was really good. It was spicy but i really love it. I had Solitaire Dreams which is the best cocktail i have had. They offered champagne as expected. Twas a 2 hour flight so the service is rushed but i totally appreciate attention they give u when u request something.

Hotels
Pullman is modern style while Dusit is classic elegance.

It is hard to find out who is the clear winner but judging from service quality i give Dusit an upperhand. Though their room facilities are old and some defective. They were able to remedy it quite quick. Location is the best. The food is not good though. It was bland and not fit for five star quality. Room is pretty small and i hear people talking at the other room which is annoying. Either they speak so loud or the hotel has super thin walls.

Pullman has the best in food quality. From brekkie buffet to wine selection. They also have the best cocktail and superb burger that is open 24/7. The room was humongous and i slept really good. The location is not too good. Walking more than 20 mins to reach BTS or maybe i took wrong route. It was hard cos when it rains it pours and i was literally drench soaking wet. When its hot it was terrible too. Good thing massage places are all over this area to revive my tired feet.

Wellness
The best ever. Thai massage is affordable in comparison to Sydney which is overpriced. Sauna is not too bad. I consider Japan to be the leader. I recommend Prime Massage Centre. They are really trained. And you get value for what you pay for.

Shopping
I was suprised to see lots of brands i like here. Siam Paragon has the high-end brands. Also extend walking further down and you can get bargain clothing apparel. Thai are pretty flexible so be ready to bargain reasonably.

Food
I havent eaten in any fine dining restaurant so i am limited  to street food. I like barbeque dipped in spicy sauce, sticky rice mango with coconut milk and of course pad thai. All of which at an insanely reasonable prices.

Having said that i did enjoy Bangkok less the humidity and thunderstorms.

The quick escape

Perhaps this is the quickest international flight i've been. But for some reason i find it too long. Maybe im not into high humidity. Perhaps because i sweat a lot. the irony of them all is it was relaxing but more of temporary thing. Exhaustion took its course after.

Bangkok is not the same as before. It was more fun then. Maybe because i flew alone. Maybe its more fun travelling with friends and sharing experiences together. It might be because i've been to bangkok before that it doesnt add a new spice to this travel.

Singapore for me lost its charm. I used to love Orchard with all those shops lined up beside each other. Again my theory is because i flew solo. And it was eroded by "Central" elements.

But come to think of it. I did achieve what i wanted on this trip. Just a quick  escape from work. Also i was trying to redeem my kf points. Try my newly issued priority pass is another reason. And above all i was also doing A3 miles run. Yes  that is the truth. My goal and sole purpose is to achieve Star Alliance Gold by January 2015. TV is travel culminated my Blue Status in Aegean's Miles & Bonus.

As expected, I did blow up my budget which means tighter measure for the month ahead.  But it was all worth it. Good fun but in a different way.

I can go back and continue spreading joy to the world :)...

Escape. Hibernate. Revive.

All I want is to achieve serene get away. No external forces to erode my being. Away from noise and complexity that has started to build up. I am longing for comfort beyond anyone's reach. My own time to discover a deeper meaning to my purpose... and now I am off to a distant place to hibernate. Wake me up when I am ready to face hurdles of another tornado.

Accepting Defeat

Over the past couple of days I was finding ways on how this will work. There are so many ways you can accept defeat but consciously facing it is the hardest one.

Today I do have to face it. And it came as a swift punch in the my pride and self-worth.

However, the pain of rejection makes you stronger. It may be bitter but it makes you yearn even more. And that is when your spirit becomes stronger. At the end of the day it is how you accept defeat that makes you a bigger person.

32nd ...

Its like I entered a warp zone this year. And everything was celebrated in a quiet toned-down mode. I appreciate it more actually.

Gone were the times you have to celebrate with everyone present. Overflowing with gifts, cake and booze. Now is just an intimate drinks, dinner and toast. The gifts are simple yet the best one that I can ask for - my close friends here in AU.

My only wish is stability, maturity and good health.

Triumphant I am

I did train but only after one week of knowing I would be joining City2Surf - which is the most prestigious and well-known run in Sydney that promotes charitable institutions. I had to train but due to immense pressure and fatigue - I had an injury when I fell at Bicentennial park a day before the competition.

The sense of triumph after finishing 14km run with time of 98 minutes indeed is a victory for me.
1. I was running with an injured knee
2. I gained a lot of pounds because its winter - yeah, i blame it on the season
3. Only one week to train - that is not ideal
4. Because its cold - i always needed to pee. and that stretched my time and my concentration
5. I did not train for the uphill battle. Always on flat

But still I made it. Next year I will break the record. I mean my personal record. And will strive to be the best I can be. Sounds like me. 

My Japan Story continued...

Japan is known for icons like Mt Fuji, Tokyo Tower and Sky Tree. I have surpassed the latter two just to accommodate seeing the Fujisan (yes that's how locals call it). With two attempts Fujisan was shy. The first attempt is on Lake Kawaguchiko. It totally hid in a huge fog both days we stayed in Yamanshi, Fujisan never appeared. Not even a glimpse of its majestic slope. The second attempt I went to Hakone. It was in the ropeway that I saw it but the snow cap was partially covered by thick clouds even if it was all sunny. Who would have known that I will see Fujisan in all its glory. And this is on the flight to Singapore. Today was a great day since I've seen Tokyo Tower and Sky Tree up close.

Relaxation at its best. I also tried their Rumor massage which is known as Shiatsu, where they apply pressure points. Relaxing and can take all the sore on a traveller's tired legs. And of course nothing beats a night dip on a public bath or as they call it, an Onsen. Be reminded about their etiquette though. It's one thing I totally enjoy and savour. I love rotunburi because you get closer to nature. And for Japanese people going to bath is like a ritual.

In terms of accommodation, I chose some variety. Of course I did try the famous capsule hotel in Shinjuku. I totally loved it. Plus the public bath. I stayed around Shibuya and Akasaka. This is the best spot to get a hotel by the way. Shibuya is like Time Square (city never sleeps) so it's always lovely. Shinjuku has the best nightlife. Akasaka has the best restaurants and close to Roppongi if you want an upscale bars.

The food is something to savour in Japan, including their very own matcha green tea - which I totally love. My fave so far is our Kaiseki at Seikoro Ryokan in Kyoto. I also like Okonomiyaki in Osaka. Takoyaki in Dotonburi. Ramen/Soba in Shibuya. Sushi in Tsukiji. Izakaya/Yakitori in Akasaka. Wash it all with a hot green tea and you're good to go.

Finally what set this trip apart is the timing. It was just before the golden week (which can be daunting. Imagine all 127 million Japanese would go to the city or the tourist spots) and it was before early April , which can be really cold. Third week of April I reckon is the best time. It started to be a lot warmer and also the best part is you can still catch the Sakura festival if you go up north. I went to Hirosaki, Aomori and they have a Sakura festival. I was able to see endless cherry blossom trees. Wiki says it's about 5,000 trees. Words and pictures can't describe how beautiful they are. 

Some unfortunate events did happen. Firstly my new Saint Laurent sunglasses fell on a Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto. I lost my Oakley sunnies in Golden Pavillion in Kyoto. Lastly my bags went missing after I opened the coin locker in Osaka. I was able to retrieve all of them except my Oakley. My suspicion is that it fell whilst walking. As for the recovery of my personal effects, I am happy and full of gratitude to JR staff. Even if they can't speak English they still were very very helpful and dedicated to be of assistance. I love JP Rail, Suica and most of all Shinkansen travel. JP rail pass green card is a good value for money.

I have to put Japan among the best places I've been. And if I will be given a chance I would have stayed at least a month and learn their language, even the basic ones.