Beauty

Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
~ Confucius

Monchrome Weekend

Be courageous! Have faith! Go Forward! 

Thomas A. Edison

Monochrome Weekend

"My Story In Photos : Place I love"

I am still young, so I have not been to that many places. I was born in Phuket, but Bangkok is now my home; the only other place I have visited so far is Singapore, where my family comes from. I had enjoy getaways with my family to a few other cities in Thailand, but all were too brief to really register in my mind. My choices for "places I love" are therefore rather limited...

Daddy works for Laguna Resorts and Hotels. His office is in Thai Wah Tower I, just in front of Banyan Tree Bangkok. It happens to be almost next door to Alliance Francaise Bangkok, where Janelle goes for her weekly piano lessons.

As such, we usually have a meal at one of the Banyan Tree restaurants every Saturday, before Janelle's lesson. There are various cuisines on offer: Chinese, Japanese, Thai, International, Seafood, ...

But 4 out of 5 family members would rate Romsai as our favorite. Besides the huge variety of delicious food, there are plenty to occupy me, including a play area for toddlers like me, an outdoor space and even live entertainment on Sundays.

To Andre, any buffet will do just fine, but one with great pasta and barbecue, it is almost heaven. Janelle cannot make up her mind: she does not eat much, and there is usually no Korean dishes, so half the time she would rather be elsewhere than watch us consume piles of food. Mommy votes with Romsai for practical reasons: it is the most casual and child friendly place. Daddy is happy as long as everyone is happy.

I especially enjoy the outdoor garden and koi pond. It is truly an oasis in an otherwise urban environment, and feeding the fish and terrapins is always the highlight of my day. Someday I will grow out of this. There are many more places I will visit, and others with which I will fall in love, but for now, this will do, folks, this will do.

Dizzying Heights

Last Saturday was our second visit to Taihei, a sophisticated gourmet haven at Banyan Tree Bangkok, featuring chic mini stations for sushi, yakitori and teppanyaki preparation. We played host to Daddy's friends from Singapore, so the restaurant gave us a whole section to ourselves.

The weather has been clear the past few days, so I can see the people and cars below. Look like my toys...

From Taihei, we can see Latitude Lounge & Bar. I can only imagine what it would be like to chill and enjoy a few drinks there, since it will be many years before I can actually do so myself.

Faced with Southeast Asia's largest collection of sake, you may find yourself in for a dizzying experience.

We stuck to the food and green tea, since the views from that height alone were making our heads spin a little.

We dropped by Daddy's workplace for a short while after lunch. It was a lot more fun this time, now that they put up Christmas decorations with the festive music and carols they play over the sound system.

I wonder if anyone would notice if I exchanged this dirty ball for that shiny ornament hanging there...

In the Clouds

For our first 2 weekends in Bangkok, we were invited to dinners. So last Saturday, we played host instead. Janelle and Andre's godfather, King Yu, was in town with his Dad for M&M (makan and massage). Uncle Zhirong's family was available as well. So Daddy invited everyone to dim sum lunch at the Bai Yun Restaurant (白云) in Banyan Tree Bangkok.

Maybe I was too excited; I had a little diaper accident just as we were about to leave home. Because of the "costume" change, we ended up last to arrive. I was very happy to see these familiar faces, especially King Yu's Dad and Uncle Zhirong. Matured men make me feel more secured? But my laughter soon turned to tears, when the elevator started to zoom up. Nobody remembered what the rapid change in pressure would do to my ear drums till I screamed in pain. The crying actually helped eased the pressure, and before my tears dried, we were on the 59th floor. The maitre d' suggested we transfer to the other elevator to go up to the 60th where the restaurant is located, but we decided to walk in case I started to cry again.

It was a small tastefully decorated restaurant. The view was definitely worth the climb up this high. Everything in the streets looked so tiny: trees, cars, BTS trains... people looked like ants walking upright. Whenever I got restless waiting for the food, someone would carry me around for yet another view of the Bangkok panorama. Maybe it was the thin air, but I sure giggled a lot up there. Daddy said the view was even better at night one floor up at the rooftop restaurant, Vertigo, but I would not be allowed in till I was much older.

The food was nice, although missing some traditional dim sum fare like porridge (艇仔粥), pork ribs and "phoenix claws" (凤爪). We ordered the buffet, so after the initial delay, there was a parade of round bamboo trays bringing yummy food to our table. Daddy's favorite was also mine: steamed rice paper rolls (肠粉), although Mommy only let me eat the roll without the stuffings.

Janelle had her first piano lesson at 2pm at the Alliance Française de Bangkok next door, so she had to leave early. Daddy walked her over and came back just in time for last order. He was panting so hard, we thought he tried to practise for the upcoming Vertical Marathon and ran up the stairs. Actually, he talked too much during lunch, Daddy did not eat much, so we waited for him to finish his last order.

We were all stuffed, and I was feeling drowsy, when we began our descent from "the clouds". To work off the calories we put on and reduce the effects of the air pressure change, we stopped at all the restaurants on the way down. I liked the sea water aquarium at Pier 59 best, so it gets my vote for next month's makan venue.

Good Morning, Bangkok!

We celebrated our first full week in Bangkok with Sunday Brunch at Romsai Restaurant in Banyan Tree Bangkok. The restaurant was very child-friendly: there was a special corner just for toddlers like me, with soft cushions and toys, and there were entertainment items just for us as well.

When the magician came around to our table to perform these funny tricks,

I literally shrieked from delight.

Everyone took turns to play with me, while the others enjoyed the scrumptious buffet spread.
The magician's buddies made balloon sculptures into different shapes and animals. We brought home three, but my favourite was a bird on a stand. I was so happy that I stuffed it immediately into my mouth. Mommy had a fright when she saw my mouth covered in blue marker ink! Luckily, a few wipes later, I was as good as new. There was a little nature haven for those who prefer dining outdoors. Daddy brought me out to see the terrapins and fishes. The crumbs from my hand sure brought out the "beast" in some of these fishes, especially the big fat koi...