Tenth on the 5th of March here in Thailand

Oh my god, it's been ten, the tenth!....10th! A decade ago we first flew here in Bangkok with two other friends. We had a great time though.... oh well, I snoozed the whole trip which made me missed the bottomless drink on Thai Airways. Believe me, I didn't even have a glass of water I was so tired I didn't sleep the night before as a result, I had my nap at full length. Not ranting but hmm...time flies, that was ten years ago.

And of course, I thought of celebrating it yesterday, the 5th though I was pretty on my own here in Bangkok. I had a dessert and because I felt it was too much and full of guilt, I had a meal after. Hmm..talking about proper order, dessert then meal! :D

Anyway, 'After You Dessert Cafe' is special. The cafe offers a variety of beautiful ..yes, beau-ti-ful sweets which of course attract a massive crowd. I think, in today's world, the presentation matters and yes, those desserts aren't done easily at home plus yes, they are really mouth watering which everyone would really love to try. As for me, the first bites are heavenly but then who wants a huge dessert? None. We all want a small portion of sweets specially those who are in weight control and the cafe isn't for the kind. It is best to get a serve and have at least two people share it to enjoy the experience otherwise the rest will be in waste. Much as the both the desserts and drinks aren't cheap.

And considering the guilt taking in more sweets than I usually do, I decided to go to my favourite Japanese Restaurant,  KOBUNE. I love the restaurant apart from the massive space and nice interior, I also love the quality of the food. And yes, the price. The restaurant despite the luxurious look is very economical and has a  complimentary green tea jelly as well. I love green tea and so jellies! :)

Well that's the tenth. Sometimes I get to ask why we do EAT when we celebrate. Or if not eating,  drinking. Why?  We probably do for a feast and have it shared with the rest, but as I get older I think it is still festive to celebrate any special event alone as long as one is in the crowd. I just did and still got the same fun. The most important thing is there is an occasion which one recognizes as significant and paying attention to it and I mean not letting it pass through is vital. For a celebration is rejoicing and the fruit of REJOICE is JOY whatever and wherever it is. After all, it's  one of those once in a lifetime moments we shouldn't miss.

:D

Oh Stop!

Before any reaction, it's a day more and January is over. Gosh, time really flies fast and this time, I'm kinda not liking it. Not that I'm getting older maybe it's because I am just unsure of what this year brings hahaha. I was pretty certain with things and I'm very accurate in implemeting time frames, but for now, I can't have anything to implement as there's no list to do hahaha.

Anyway, months from now will mark my decade here in Th. That is indeed looonnnggggg! I must have enjoyed my stay here or was detoured due to some circumstances.  2015, please be good to me, I don't know what you have ahead but I just trust you. :D

Two weeks ago, I had my first trip of the year. It took long for me to visit Angkor in Cambodia as it was stuck in my head that it was unsafe to visit the place. So, I never had it in my travel plans until I came across some documentaries on Angkor Wat.  And there, I decided to finally take the trip on my list months ago.

I love Angkor, I mean, not just Angkor Wat but all the temples of Angkor. I never expected it would be that huge! I knew the place was big but didn't realize how big it was until I got there. Loved the feeling as well being in Angkor. It was like time travel that I was on a journey hundreds of years ago, most specially of standing and walking in areas where used to be exclusive to the royals. Not that I desire to be one, it's just that it is beyond belief that an ancient megastucture is still present and reachable in this modern time.  

All in all, my travel was great, loved the silk farm visit of Angkor Artisan and I can guarantee that tuktuk drivers are great and yes, Cambodians speak English well..and yes, better than the Thais.

I just didn't like that Nattakan Bus I took. Going there from Bangkok was okay despite the whole day travel but taking the same bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok was a total nightmare!  Yes, bus that turned out to be a van as we were told the bus was under repair. It was a hassle changing from a van to the other plus that annoying stop we had at a dirty toilet which after use I was asked to pay about  2,000 Riel! I was irritated of course as it was the dirtiest I had and I wasn't told about it. It's one of the things that I really hate, when I am not told of things I am supposed to know! I felt so being tricked! The amount is not the issue, it is the act which is never acceptable.

Another instance, we were told to pull out our bags at the border and leave the things as they would take care of our things for us which we would see again right after the immigration. I had two shopping bags, but I opted to bring the other one with me despite the weight (imagine the hassle!). So to speak, the other bag I left which had my shopping of souvenirs such as coffees, crackers and more were GONE - LOST! I asked the person in charge for it and he just didn't know..I was really, really annoyed. To make the matter worst, we spent two hours and a half at the immigration so we finished the  stamps at half past two and we didn't even have any lunch! And to think, that supposedly bus trip that turned to van was more expensive. That ended my trip just the worst ever. Not of the destination but the means of going back. So if ever one has plans to visit Siem Reap from Thailand, better take the plane. Bus? NO, never..... just stop thinking about it.

Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo in Bangkok 2014

Misa de Gallo is always a part of Catholics and being away from home, it is best to at least be informed on some things that we can do to fully celebrate and experience the true meaning of Christmas, specially here in Bangkok.

There are Catholic churches here that do the novena masses and for this year, I concetrate in  Mary Help of Christian Church in Krungthep Kreetha. See below the schedule of masses including the Chirstmas Eve celebration. If you can notice, masses are in alternate Thai and English language. No worries though as the homily is shared in two languages, as if it's an English mass, the Homily is in both Thai and English. For those who aren't Thai, an English missalette is provided in Thai mass schedules.  

The masses  start at 7pm, and last until 8 including the evening novenas. There are also singing presentations from various groups towards the end, the picture taking of all  and of course, a simple dinner gathering.  

In case you want to  to attend mass at Mary Help of Christians Church, you can take bus 145 along Lat Phrao Road and say you get off at Krungthep Kreeta, the bus stop is just right past Four Wings Condo then just walk left after getting off. 

If you're from Ramkhamheng, you can take bus 93 and get off right in front of the church as it makes a left turn from Four Wings condo. Or a Saengthaew 93. You can't miss Four Wings, it is of at least three huge buildings. It's kinda three stops from Lamsalee. Or you can check 'Misang Tagalog' on Facebook for more info.

 Finally, I'm sharing some fotos of the past evening masses. I love it there, it is of genuine fellowship.