Bangkok, the journey

For the first time during a Chinese New Year I took off on a short break and flew on a four days three nights with the kids to Bangkok, The city of Angels with seven others .  It was a short trip and we manage to cover a few of the most famous must see places. I haven't been to Bangkok in a very long, long while,  this is the first trip for the kids,

The Bangkok trip is actually one blurry trip to start with,  up till the time of departure , I had no idea of our itinerary except that we are heading to Bangkok. The "planner" , Boy of this trip who was too busy with work that he didn't have time to write down an itinerary,  his parents were literally also in the dark.  Up until the time we boarded the plane, I had no idea which Hotel or it's location until the time we were handed out the disembarkation form on the plane. I was actually prepared for two consequences; either this is going to be a disaster trip or me and the kids will split from the group and be on our own the moment we landed in Bangkok. Can you imagined going on a tour without having any prior discussions about the destination or anything related at all ? 
Our opinion was not taken into account ! 

Twist of event : Upon arrival, I was relieved a vehicle was waiting for us at the airport terminal for us and thus our destination and tour began

Wat Arun, The Temple of Dawn is a stunning temple not only because of its riverside location, but also because the design is very different to the other Thai temples that one is so accustomed to

Photo Credits to Google search as I couldn't capture such stunning photos

The fame Erawan Temple in the City

This is so famous with devotees

After day one, I reckoned that there was a possibility that there was no actual planning, the Boy seem to be very well verse in Thai language  and thus I assumed that he is a regular in Bangkok. So there were no actual planning but rather as when and it deem fit to him kinda thing. Day 2 had us visiting Pattaya, not the beach, the beach was just passing through with no stop over. We made two pit stop along the way which I had no idea where we are heading until we got there.

Wat Phra Yai

The temple on the hill. I wasn't allowed to enter as I was deemed improperly attired.

Can't blame me, seriously, I wore  shorts on that day, caused we were heading to Pattaya and 

Pattaya to me was a beach, LOL

Who was to know that we are NOT going to a beach !

The Siracha Tiger Zoo

Given a choice, I wouldn't  want to visit a zoo

but when you are travelling in a group, you go with the majority; on the other hand

we weren't told of coming here until we were there.

So we just went along as with the rest of us, I supposed. 

A groupie shot minus the Boy

The Sanctuary of Truth

This is the most iconic structure in Pattaya, intricately carved inch by inch entirely from teak wood. The awe-inspiring 105meter tall hall on the headland to the north of Wongamat Beach is one of a kind structure in the whole world. Neither a temple nor a palace despite looking like a hybrid of both. It's been in construction for 20 years and said to take another 15 more years to complete.

 So I supposed this was the actual destination we are supposed to be in Pattaya.  Here I was given a sarong, lucky me or the trip would be wasted on me and a helmet to enter the site. Workers are seen working on some parts of the structures everywhere

DAY 3

The life risking train station, Maeklong Railway Market

 How close can you get when the train arrives? Literally in your face !This was a rare sight, no other train station master will allow you get so close to an on coming train. We were like on the tracks !
After the train or before the train comes choo-choo- by, parasol are put up and business goes on as usual by the tracks.

The world famous Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak 

because we were rushing for time, we did not took the boat ride

oh well, maybe next time

Bangkok is famous for its night markets, one must really see 

Sadly, our visit did not coincide with the weekend Chatuchak market that was so popular

On most night our travel brought us back to the city rather late, our option was the Neon Night Market which was like within walking distance yet not from our hotel.

And so I took their famous tuk-tuk ride

(Imagine a tricyle and truck with a motocycle combination)

Riding on a tut-tut

with winds blowing your hair as if you were on a convertible

The driver drove like a F1 driver

not only it was a bumpy ride

my heart beats went  bumpy too

The Neon Night market, you can guessed why it was so named

Day 4 was free day until time to check out

The kids choose to sleep late after 3 days of early rise

We had a late breakfast at Terminal 21 which was a stone's throw from our hotel.

A Mall designed with World City Airport Terminal and fame for its WASHROOMS

In a Rome theme, this was featured in the Washroom

The Nautical Theme Washroom , these fabric fishes caught my attention

The Istanbul theme

London Terminal 

Japan Theme and a few more others. 

The Washrooms are the most sort after photography site

Overall, the trip was pleasant especially the people despite my initial  doubtful moments.

The beauty of this group is that, we got along very well, no questions asked and there was not a single issues arises, even though we have no idea where we are heading daily; everyday is a guessing game. I am glad that I finally came to terms with myself that I shall just go with an open mind and take one day at a time, afterall it's like waking up everyday and wondering and finding little surprises along the way. That's the sweetest moment. 

I am pretty sure what I missed now I will be back for more, LOL!

Would I have done it differently? yes definitely . I like planning a head and only if we had a round table talk we would have a better planned and omit what is not necessary especially wasted a bit too much time waiting for the train for not knowing it's schedule . If only Boy would share and let some of us take the burden from him and lighten his part of  arranging this tour. I felt that we had spent a way bit too much on our daily transportation where we could have actually may have gotten a better deal rather than negotiating with the  driver on a daily basis . I am not blaming anyone,  I know the Boy has done the best he could catering to us, we are very good tourist too, we made no demands, just follow the leader, LOL

Getting the best of the local food is always a priority to me. I like exploring the best of the local food scene, unfortunately we weren't given much of a choice where food is

The four days was a good break this Chinese New Year. It's a happy ending I would say

So until another time, Bangkok is done for now. 

Winter in July

Nope, still no stitching or crafting  but that's where I was as June was coming to an end. We had a three days weekend and I took the rest of the week off and flew to Melbourne, down under  for a week to meet up with Diane who is already in Melb as an exchange student.  It's been almost thirty years since  I last set foot in Melbourne. And I planned lots.

The State Library - DOME, a stunning architecture  was where we meet up with Diane who flew back from her trip to Gold Coast on our day of arrival .

We made a pit stop at the Shrine of Remembrance on our way to St Kilda and  these lovely embroidery postcards caught my attention

St Kilda , Home of  Luna Park

We had a mid morning brunch at Sisters of Soul in St Kilda
and some pastry from the bakery next door

Beach front at St Kilda

Just look at the rain threating sky

next stop Port Campbell, 

Shipwreck coast and epic tale of adventure and survival, beautiful coastal scenery

 Like any tourist,  we were brought to so call immerse ourselves with nature . We took the shortest trail walking under the lush huge ferns feeling dwarfed in Otaways Forest . The ancient  trees are not only sky tall but are among the tallest .  I was worried of an encounter with some slithering reptile throughout my walk but I didn't see any,  but that doesn't mean that' it 'didn't see me right ? 'Shivers' plus some fallen trees or curvy branches with a  gloomy skyline looked kinda scary.

Maybe it's because of the rain, it made the day even colder, even my hands felt icy. 

The path way was damp and slippery too. 

The journey on the Great Ocean Road was a wet, wet day but that's not going to deterred us from the magnificent sight of 20 million years of wonder, the 12 apostles, now only 8 remains. The wind was restless and the waves so powerful, and you should have see us and how we were so blown away by the wind in our newly acquired "haute contour" aka waterproof lime green poncho. LOL

And we need to do this too, since Diane had not been here 

A ride on the Australia's most notable steam locomotive,  Puffing Billy and tasting the bush billy tea with lamingtons and vegie mite, yums

A quickie brunch at the quaint village of Sassfras where I had their lamingtons

A delightful day at some wineries

Love the chilly weather

Dominique Portet , Killara Estate & Rochas Estate were the few we went 

The weather was simply beautiful on our visits to the wineries

the estate was so serene and tranquil 

Regrettably I didn't bought any of these specialty nougat.

You know when you thought you'll save it for later after you've seen everything and ended up with short of time because of a crowd at the cashier from a  bus load of people who happened to came by and then thought that maybe you could get it elsewhere but that elsewhere was no where to be seen ?. Sigh!

Pitt stop to the 'little room' ,  ended up for some beers  at  Coldstream, a cosy tarven 

A mid morning brunch tasting local produce at Gateway Estate

 Bunny guarding the kitchen at the Chocolatier and Ice Creamery at Yarra
Thought  these was cute.  Froggy on the lotus leave

Another on my must visit and must do

The bathing box of Brighton Beach, remnant of an asset from a bygone era

I just simply had to come here too for some photos

Queen Victoria Market 

Definitely "can't not go". It's so famous that if you don't, it's like you've never set foot in Melb.

We were lucky that we caught the Wednesday Winter Night Market by chance. 

A perfect shot I must say of everything Australia's , even the flag is perfect !

' Luccello '

The joy of a crafter, Diane posted in her snap : " Mummy's haven !" how true!

Luccello, the fabulous haberdashery of crafty things where crafty friends back home was urging me to visit when I thought I might have to give it a miss.  So glad I didn't and made it. Thank you,  Jess and Margaret for your unfailing insistence. Sweet of  Kim to agreed for a photoshoot of us.

Fabulous and friendly service to boot.

While in the building, I popped into Kimono too and the one next door to Luccello, which had some very interesting yet  unusual stuff,  can't recall the shop name.

I simply had to bring this baby home

(Photo from Luccello fb, I haven't unpack mine, LOL)

It's an antique tiny German sewing machine and the only piece left on the shelf

 Some fabrics and kits from Luccello

I can only show you these as I have some items for a later exchange and can't have my partner take a peek, and I know the girls from WSG crafting group are dying to know what I got from Luccello since I have not posted any of these to the group :D

Scenes that caught my eyes while we journeyed to Philip Island

Serene and lovely sighting of farm animals

These was on the wall at the Wildlife park

One last cuppa, on my last day

Everything good must come to an end

I wished I could stayed on  another week, but work is waiting.

I enjoyed the week long of cool and chilly weather,  no I don't like my hot and humid weather upon return. I began to sweat the moment I walked out of the plane. Haha!

Hope you enjoyed a summary of my week long Winter in Melbourne, Victoria

I've been pretty busy catching up on work on my return and on some weekends entertaining a few July girls' birthdays

 and meeting up the girls from college 

July is soon to end

One more birthday dinner to attend and that will bring a closure of my July month.

Some interesting crafting are on the table and  coming up soon, until then, wishing all  a wonderful month of August.

*edited 28/7/17