A Perfect Sunday in Bangkok November 8, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Friends, Health & Sport, Leisure, Thailand , add a comment
We currently get so little free time these days that I’ve begun planning our only day of leisure to make sure we are still getting some fresh air, some exercise , doing something new and meeting friends.
Carey has returned to stay with us this week and after an early morning swim we headed to Chatuchak weekend market to explore the artwork and puppies there.
A Day Round Khao Sarn Road August 16, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure, Thailand , add a commentIt’s been a very long time since Tik and I took a trip to Khao sarn road area which is recognized worldwide for its cheap amenities for backpackers.
Most people we known prefer now to stay in the road behind Khao Sarn which is called ‘Thannon Rambutree’. Rambutree has similar amenities for backpackers such as guesthouses, cheap cafes, travel agents and bookstores but it’s a lot quieter than Khao sarn and we much prefer it.
We had no real aim for the day but I really do love eating at ‘Oh My Cod’ restaurant as their large cooked breakfast is a real treat.
Kanchanaburi Safari Park July 6, 2009
Posted by Martin in : CouchSurfing, Friends, Leisure, Thailand, travel , add a commentThe following morning we visited the safari park.
I’d seen videos of this park online and looked forward to how close we could get to the giraffes. The park itself was great value; 300 baht for westerners, 130 for Thais.
Outside the park we had the opportunity to play with an excitable lion cub and have a group photo with a pretty lethargic tiger.
The park itself was as I’d imagined it, animals so used to tourists that they stuck their heads right into the car.
I found the zebras a little aggressive. They constantly snarled and jumped at the giraffes in a bid to get into our windows. (more…)
Weekend in Kanchanaburi July 5, 2009
Posted by Martin in : CouchSurfing, Leisure, Thailand , add a commentOur Couchsurfing friends David and Sharon were only meant to stay with us one night. Even before meeting them I felt bad that we’d not get more time with them as they were an extremely interesting couple with a positive and proactive attitude and a lot to share. Thankfully we managed to convince them to join us for a weekend in Kanchanaburi as I was keen to visit the safari park there.
We chose a bank holiday weekend so a few guesthouses were booked up but we were lucky enough to find Sams Rafthouse which is along the river Kwai and not far from the infamous (and infamously dull) railway.
Although we were planning on only modest accommodation Tik was excited to be offered the VIP rafthouse with fully fitted bathroom. At 800 baht for the night this was very reasonable and the room was clean and well-maintained. We were looking forward to sitting outside on the floating patio and getting to know our new friends.
We sat outside on the porch, discussing life until late.
Gomorra June 21, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure , add a comment
Tik and I went to see Gomorra at RCA’s House Cinema.
I’ve been craving a good Italian mafia movie since reading ‘The Godfather’ a few weeks ago.
I found Gomorra quite a hard movie to sit through. Cinematically it was great but it’s didn’t hold my interest as much as I thought it would have done and my attention wandered towards the end.
Eddie Teaches Us To Juggle June 19, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Friends, Leisure , add a commentOur Couchsurfing friend Eddie taught us to all to juggle today.
We are currently hosting Eddie, a lecturer from California and Teague from England. We were also joined by Patrick and Simone.
I’m a few hours away from being able to juggle but even after an hour with Eddie I’ve made a lot of progress. Tomorrow I’ll go out and buy my own balls to practice with.
Bang Naampeung ‘Floating’ Market May 24, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure, Thailand , add a commentWe go frequently to Bang Naampeung ‘Floating’ Market as it’s close to my favorite park when I want to go jogging. Tik’s a fan because of all the unusual foods available there.
The market is about 30 minutes away from our apartment, across the suspension bridge which goes outside of Bangkok. The market has quadrupled in size in the last year but luckily it’s still off the tourist map.
I am reluctant to call this a floating market because it’s really a market by a canal. Only a few vendors actually use boats.
Here’s a selection of photos taken during our two most recent visits.
Face Bar Restaurant & Gazebo Rooftop Bar, Bangkok May 23, 2009
Posted by Martin in : CouchSurfing, Leisure , add a commentWe met up with a lovely couple through Couchsurfing today.
Stefan and Aileen are a similar age to us and we had a lot in common. Sadly, although they have been living in Bangkok for many years, we met them just a week before they relocated to the Philippines.
We were also jonied by their friends Arare and her partner (forgotten his name already, sorry). We began the night at the stylish ‘Face Bar’ in Sukumvit which is styled very much like a spa resort. They offer Japanese, Indian and Thai food.
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Weekend in Ayutthaya April 25, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure, Thailand, travel , add a commentCarey, Tik and I went to Ayutthaya for the weekend.
Ayutthaya is a historic city that once operated as the capital of the country. It hosts a lot of temples and, having not been there for over 5 years I felt it was about time we revisited.
On the way we stopped at a local tourist village and park which had an aviary, aquarium, park and local handicrafts.
Couchsurfing Picnic in the Park March 27, 2009
Posted by Martin in : CouchSurfing, Friends, Leisure , add a commentWe attended an organized Couchsurfing event in Lumphini park.
There were about 50 people there and although we met some great people it wasn’t as friendly as our new years eve party.
I was really delighted to have reunited with May – an old colleague of mine from my teaching days.
Summer Time March 8, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Home, Leisure , add a commentIt only hit me that we’re in the throes of summer when I looked out of the window to see our pool full of kids.
It’s been getting gradually hotter here but today was the first day I actually noticed the heat becoming uncomfortable. Thank god we’ll be in Japan during the hottest part of the season.
Premium Cinema Seating at Central World Plaza February 15, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure , add a commentTo round off this busy weekend, we decided to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the cinema.
When we get the chance we like to go for a bit of extra luxury and book premium seating. This time we didn’t have much choice as the premium theater hosted the next showing anyway.
It’s rare that we are able to take photos in the cinema but we got there early when there we no other people seated.
This is the premium seating at Central World Plaza’s cinema. Seats cost 700 baht each and you get to relax before the movie in their VIP lounge and (has we not completely stuffed ourselves at the buffet) we could have enjoyed complimentary snacks and drinks.
I don’t think this is the best cinema seating in Bangkok. At Siam Paragon I think the premium seats have massagers built into them, however it was nice to have these large, fully-reclining seats (with blankets) to endure probably the most boring over-hyped movie I’ve ever sat through.
Brunch Buffet at Centara Grand (again) February 15, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure , add a comment
We returned to Centara Grand on Sunday morning for their incredible brunch set and met up again with our friends Patrick and Simone.
We were there for 3 hours so, as you might imagine, by 3pm we were both struggling to breath.
This was our second huge buffet this weekend so I’m going to be hitting the running machines pretty hard this week.
Chicago Musical February 14, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure , add a comment
Tik and I are big fans of the movie ‘Chicago’ so were really excited to learn that it was on in Bangkok at the Esplanade Theater.
As a Valentine’s day treat, we booked the best tickets available for the 2pm matinee showing.
We were joined by Patrick and his girlfriend Simone who’s only been in Bangkok a few weeks.
The show itself was fantastic and I remember there were scenes that literally had me in tears of laughter. The music, staging and casting was without fault and I’m sorely tempted to book to see it again before it ends on the 22nd.
We’ve not seen Patrick since December so it was also really great to catch up and we went for dinner and a coffee after the meal to catch up.
To end the perfect day Tik and I booked into the Sofitel hotel nearby as one of her credit-card promotions entitled us to a free night.
Brunch at Crepes & Co. February 14, 2009
Posted by Martin in : Leisure , 2comments
Amelia and Phillipe, our current Couchsurfing guests, treated us to an excellent brunch set at one of my favorite French restaurants – Crepes and Co.
Great company, great food, great atmosphere and the first of many activities we’d planned for Valentine’s weekend.
