apart'hotel review

Citadines Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
by the Ascott & Somerset Group
The 134 serviced residences offer the choice of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts. Each residence has a separate bedroom, living and kitchen area. The kitchen is fully equipped and the home entertainment system includes a sleek cable TV that slides from the living area to the bedroom. Every apartment is designed to allow you to relax, live, work and entertain in comfort. Broadband internet service is available in each room along with direct dial telephone and IDD service. WiFi wireless internet is available in all common areas as well as in the business corner. You can even relax in the rooftop outdoor pool and a good workout in the fitness corner.

*Promotion till 31 March 2009
- daily housekeeping (usual is once a week)
- free internet access

We were quite happy with the studio apartment coz it's well-equipped. It looks modern too. Only problem is the bathtub which is not very safe esp for young children. Coz there's a "thickness" (a tile) from the bathtub to the edge...so when you "climb out" from the bathtub, it's extremely dangerous. Even for adults, we have to be very careful.

The housekeeping is good (they will even wash your dirty plates/cups in the sink) but they always forget to replace some items every day - bath towels, bath mat, kitchen towels... They DO NOT provide tissue paper, bedroom slippers, toiletries (cotton bud/pad, shaver, toothpaste, toothbrush). There's soap, bath gel & shampoo. Ample space in the room if you want to do your own laundry (a rack in the toilet and lots of hangers).

There's lots of storage space in the room - huge wardrobe with safe deposit box, cupboards & drawers. Ironing board, iron, umbrella, hair dryer also available! There's also a shoe rack if you're like Elvis who brings at least a few pairs of shoes on holidays! Keke... ;p

It's convenient too. The BTS station Nana is about 5-8mins walk. (Nana is 3 stops away from Siam station where most of the shopping is.) There's a 24hr Villa Supermarket and 7-Eleven on the same street/Soi. Lots of street hawkers, restaurants, pubs, massage salons too. Soi 11 is a very busy touristy street.
(The Room Service menu doesnt look good. Indian, Asian, Western selection from 150-386THB. All drinks at 90THB. All excluding 10% service charge + 7% VAT)

The swimming pool & gym was not available during our stay. Undergoing last phase of renovation works. Quite disappointed coz we even brought Joel's swim suit! :(

The taxis waiting in the Soi only want to take tourists...and they dont go by meter. So, if you really want to take a taxi, need to walk out to the main road (where the BTS station is).

bangkok holiday

We're pretty happy with this Citadines apartment on Soi 11. It's quite well-equipped (though some basic "hotel items" are lacking) and i get to cook Joel's porridge every morning when he wakes up for his milk. There's pots & pans available (brand new) but since i brought my Shuttle Chef along, i used it to cook the porridge. When we're done with all the other "chores" - bathing Joel, preparing ourselves, packing the 101 items & Elvis check office emails - the porridge is cooked and we head out for our lunch! There's a 24hr supermarket nearby where we can buy pork & brocolli for the porridge...and his diapers too! There's also two 7-Elevens on the same street. ;)
26 Dec
- Shopping at Gaysorn, Central World, JWT office, dinner with Pick's family.
On the BTS... "Mommy, look he's also a fat baby!"

We went to Chit Lom to change our RMB to THB, then went shopping at Gaysorn (the hi-so mall) and Central World. Shop, shop, shop! Then Elvis & Pick went to their ex-office JWT Bangkok...and there was a party going on. So fun! Lots of food, booze, music/live band and a flea market too! These people really work & play hard! ;)

Best of all, i managed to buy an authentic 2nd-hand Coach coin purse which i later realized it's totally BRAND NEW too! The insides of the kiss-lock frame was without a single scratch! Haha...

Then it's dinner with Pick's father & sister. Southern Thai food where they're from - beautiful Phuket. Very yummy. 2-3 bowls of rice each.


27 Dec
- Shopping at Siam Paragon & Siam Center (only), dinner at Yauwarat/Chinatown.
* Joel "misbehaved" this afternoon. He cried very loudly for about an hour when we were having our lunch at a restaurant in Paragon. Everyone - diners & passerbys - was looking!!! We were quite stressed out coz we didnt know what's wrong with him. It was supposed to be his nap time (would be perfect when we have our lunch too)...but he cried all the way till after his lunch time...and even refused to eat when he calmed down a bit. It was only after about 2 hours that he gave a "pathetic look" and ate his porridge. :(

We told Pick we're in Siam and he managed to locate us without calling! Haha! He said he just went to the shops which he thinks Elvis will go. (Siam is a VERY BIG area - Siam Square, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Paragon...) ;p

So far, we havent done any of the "cheap & crazy shopping". We also cannot bring Baby Joel to Chatuchat today & tomorrow (so disappointed). The last time i was in Bangkok, i also didnt get to go to Chatuchat. Hope i can do some cheaper shopping in Siam Square tomorrow since today we didnt have time to shop there. But i know Siam Square is not as cheap as before (already). :(

Dinner at Yauwarat. The 1st row (1st & 2nd picture) is where most tourists go and eat (mostly Sporeans). But we always walk into the small lane and a few shops after that, turn right and there's another Thai-Chinese seafood shop. There's a grandma sitting there. The food here is very yummy esp their black pepper crab! ;p

This is the shop and the inside (3 bottom pix).


28 Dec
- Shopping at Discovery Centre & Siam Square, dinner at Suk Soi 39
Eat & shop. Club21 SALE.
At the first shop only and we ran out of cash! So the plan is for Elvis to go cut his hair while Joel & i went go back to the apartment to "unload" and take more THB. I carry Joel in the baby carrier while Elvis take the stroller. Meet at the salon in about an hour! Great plan! Keke... Really terrible parents! I also did Joel's grocery shopping on my way back. Haha!
(Audrey, there's a huge Naraya shop at Soi 39, just beside Emporium)

This is Thong Lee at Sukhumvit Soi 20, 64/3 - one of Elvis' favourite Thai-Chinese eating places in BKK.


Walking around Siam area the whole day...

Softest cupcakes only 60THB for 4 at Siam Square. Lemongrass restaurant at Sukhumvit soi 24 ( Emporium Soi).


29 Dec
- Late afternoon shopping at Siam Square, Suan Lum Night Bazzar
Elvis had to work from here, so we left the apartment for late lunch. Then i went to the dentist while Elvis, Pick & Joel went for coffee. After that, we just walked a while in Siam Square (Elvis met his Thai friend) followed by dinner. Then we went Suan Lum Night Bazaar since it was still quite early. Suan Lum really not good lah. Next time dont need to go there again.



30 Dec
- Central World area again to change THB, lunch in Gaysorn & then walked to Platinum Fashion Mall (a wholesale mall), dinner with Elvis' friends
I dont wanna shop anymore (if possible). Keke... Spent too much $ already. But i havent seen the cheap-cheap things...so we went to Platinum Fashion Mall recommended by Spore friends. Walking distance from Chit Lom station (near the money changer we went which has the best RMB-THB rates).

Most of the clothes in Platinum Fashion Mall are very cheap like 100/199/299THB...but the material is not good and not very nice. Some of the shops are already super cheap (nett price) and some will sell at Wholesale Price if you buy 2-3pcs (can mix). After going through 2 levels, we ended up only buying some accessories for Elvis' colleagues (not very cheap also coz average about 200-300THB)...then i saw a dress from next door (by the same owner). It's quite cheap at 380THB - they gave me their wholesale price coz we bought the accessories. When we decided to leave (coz quite sick of it already), i saw a 100THB *stars* tshirt and bought it! Keke...only about S$4! I think it's not bad (although Elvis says not nice).

Overall, Platinum Fashion Mall not very fashion lah. But can still go to take a look lor. They have 5 levels of fashion for ladies, mens, kids, bags, food etc... It's many many small lanes on each level (a bit like Chatuchat, but with aircon). Lots of tourists - even with babies & strollers. Beware of pickpockets & fake notes.

Then we went to MBK where we're meeting Pick before dinner. We met their Thai friends, Nuch (who's in town too) & Pick's ex-boss for Korean buffet dinner at Pathumwan Princess Hotel (next to MBK). I'm surprised the hotel is so beautiful now! Renovated! Wow!

31 Dec
- Siam Ocean World & Thong Lor J-Avenue for dinner
Elvis has a conference call at 3pm...so we decided to dabao lunch (since Joel is napping as i type)...and have his Shanghai office call our hotel instead.

After that, we went to Siam Ocean World with Joel. He was about to take his 2nd nap of the day...but we went ahead as planned. When he got inside and saw the fishes, he was so excited and totally awake for the next 1 hour! It was quite spectacular and we enjoyed ourselves too. We felt the entrance fee was a little expensive though - 850THB for basic ticket, 990THB with glass-bottom boat ride & 4D X-Venture show. For the very brave, you can also choose 'Walk with the Sharks' or 'Dive with the Sharks' packages. It's conveniently located within the basement of Siam Paragon. ;)

We went to Thong Lor for dinner - to look for Playground. But realised the building "changed" to 'Thong Lor Midtown' when we got there. So we walked down to J-Avenue (on the same street) and found the Sonie's restaurant we wanted to go (which was previously at Suk Soi 39 & Playground)!!! So happy! Sonie's is fusion Japanese/Italian food...and their speciality 'Sonie's sushi pizza' is very very special. It's more like a sushi than a pizza. Have to try it if you're there! Then we went back earlier to rest today.

As i type, Ann just arrived in Bangkok and she's coming to a club next to our apart'hotel - Bed Supper Club. It's a very special round building/club which Elvis used to go often when he was living here. (Ann will be staying with a Sporean friend living in BKK) So maybe Elvis will be tempted to join them later! Haha! I know him too well to be cooped up here in the room for countdown to 2009. (Trust me, he'll definitely go even though he just said NO coz Joel is here...not convenient blah blah blah...) ;p

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!
I'm so right! Ann & that girl came up to our room to see us...and Joel happen to wake up too...then Elvis sent them down...and he called to say he'll just have A DRINK downstairs...and then it was a New 2009 Year for Joel & me looking at the fireworks through the window. Only the 2 of us. NO Daddy. NO Bed Supper Club, and NO Happy New Year either. I just know that it will always be the 2 of us year after year after year... Elvis came up with a silly cone hat and said "Happy New Year"...but too late...the moment is so OVER ten minutes ago as we watched the last of the fireworks disappear into the skies. He said the fireworks was "early"...he had rushed up when they started the countdown. (???!!!) What kind of reason is that! He could zoom up to the room at the count of ten???!!! He's Superman taking a lift! HAHA!

1 Jan 2009
- Eat & Shop with Ann... at Siam Center, Siam Square (most shops closed), On-Nut market (super boring), Emporium, Suan Lum Night Bazaar (go with Ann).

Ann & Lolita came to our apartment and we went to the very traditional Thong Lee for lunch. (Lolita is Sporean and has been working in BKK for the past 7 months. She worked in SHA previously and is their Bates colleague) We went to Siam but most of the local designer shops in Siam Square are closed for NY (till 2/3 Jan). So we shopped at Siam Center (went to Diesel shop again and i bought another dress...Elvis & Ann also shop at Greyhound until all of us no more money, so Elvis went back to "unload" and take more THB. Then we went took the BTS to the last stop - On Nut. There was supposed to be a market (Lolita read from a mag)...but some of the shops were closed, the others are super bad...so we left within 5 mins!!! We went to Emporium and shopped around till we met Lolita's friend (Lili also Sporean) for seafood dinner. After that, we went to Suan Lum Night Bazaar (again)...and even Ann is bored! She doesnt like BKK stuffs coz Shanghai has better things! REALLY. I think so too.

2 Jan
- Eat & Shop with Ann... at J-Avenue, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery Center, Erawan, dinner at Lemongrass, drinks at Anna Garden.
We meet in J-Avenue to lunch at Sonie's. They liked it very much too! After that we went to Siam Paragon & Erawan since most of the small shops are still closed. So xian... Then we had Thai dinner at Lemongrass and drinks at Anna Garden in Thong Lor. And this marks our last night in Bangkok. Leaving tomorrow morning back to freezing Shanghai. Ann is staying till 5 Jan. She will experience Chatuchat tomorrow... I hope she finds something "thai" she likes. ;)

This is J-Avenue by day...and Sonie's (again)...

This is Aye's latest thai book about London. (4 boxes on the top right) It's one of the best sellers in Kinokuniya! And the price of his book has almost doubled! By the way, this is the 3rd print-run already.

Our dinner at Lemongrass (again) and drinks at Anna Garden (back in Thong Lor area).


3 Jan
- Morning 10:30 flight back
BKK-SHA in 5 hours

1st row, mine (clothes, accessories, jacket).
2nd row, Elvis' (clothes, toys & accessories for his team, jackets)
3rd row (1st box only), Joel's (cardigan, scarf/hat set, English books)...We HEART Joel tshirts & silly cute stuffs.

And
1. Naraya stuffs for Elvis' family & dress for the niece,
2. Naraya stuffs & bras for Sandra & Audrey and...
3. Sandra's BeiBei, JingJing, HuanHuan, YingYing & NiNi from the airport (which i saw on my departure...so we had to go up to the hall to buy it coz it's no longer available at most places). Sandra, you must be very happy? They're each about the size of my palm. Now only this size - with & w/o lights/sounds. Yours is w/o! Cheaper! Keke... But the lights quite silly, really. ;)

24 Dec 2008

On Joel's FIRST birthday, we left the house really late. Not intentionally...but the birthday boy decided to take a looong nap just before noon (which is kinda his usual schedule)...and woke up for his lunch at about 3+pm (usually he wakes up at about 1+pm for lunch). So by the time we left the house, it was almost 5pm! We had only ordered delivery breakfast...so we were really STARVING! And we had no birthday cake to fill our tummies first. (Some of you will know that when Elvis is really starving, he will feel like he wanna vomit!) Haha! ;p

On the cab to XuJiaHui, we changed our minds from having Sporean lunch at Prima to Sushi Tei! We think that it should be our lunch+dinner...and we can order delivery supper. The minute we sat inside Sushi Tei at about 5.45pm, Daddy was busy snatching the plates from the conveyor belt! Haha! He was eating very quickly and non-stop! He made me very nervous ("gan jiong") with his actions! Like i also must speed up! Actually, i havent even settled Joel properly...so i was very busy catching up with Elvis and entertaining Joel with his toys, biscuits, water, pacifier. (Joel was being a little fussy) Elvis also asked me to look at the menu and order some other food...so my eyes were literally everywhere!!! :/

After that, we walked around the malls in XuJiaHui area (mostly at GangHui mall) and i needed to collect my dailies contact lens. There's a "Kids Wing" and we went there wanting to let him play. But when we saw the crowd, we changed our minds. We also saw some of those hylem balloons and bought 2 (¥60 each). Joel's was a dog (walking on the floor) & Elvis' was a parrot in a cage. It was pretty cute! The lady said that there's even "lifetime warranty"! Haha! You can refill the gas/hylem with them for as long as the balloon lasts. Not bad! ;)

When we wanted to go home at around 9pm, we couldnt find any birthday cake for Joel. A lot of the cakes were sold out and some of the size were just too big (for the 2 of us to finish by tomorrow). We walked to another mall's basement and finally got a smaller cake which someone else had reserved! So lucky! They decided to release it to us since the customer didnt appear. And a tiramisu which we both like (coz Elvis is the strawberry kind, and i'm the chocolate kind).


We got home to Skype with my family in Spore, cut Joel's 1st birthday cake (which turns out to be our supper), take some photos, open his baby basketball and played a little while before Joel went to bed. Phew... What a day! We're actually quite happy that Joel is ONE! ;)

Now, i really need to go pack our luggage for tomorrow's trip... Bye! Will post pictures when i get the time in Bangkok. Elvis still has to work/check emails...so we will have internet access! Yeah!

That's all for today! Good night.

happy first birthday

To our dearest Baby Joel,

This day a year ago on 24 Dec 2007, we were excited and scared as we prepared to meet you. So many thoughts went through our minds as Mommy was pushed into the operating theater. Mommy's heart was beating so quickly and i kept shivering. I was thinking, "This is it! 39 weeks of waiting." There was no looking back.

I wondered the night before how you would look. I had prayed to God so many times for you to have beautiful eyes, beautiful nose and a beautiful mouth. Seconds after they pulled you out from my tummy, i heard Faye (the assisting nurse) say, "He's very cute! Jo, he's very cute!". When they placed you on my chest, wrapped in a towel, all i could see was how small you were and you were beautiful! I turned to look at Daddy and he was crying too. You were just beautiful!
(When reality sets in, i saw my small eyes, daddy's big nose and thick lips! Keke!)

We named you 'Joel' which has the first 2 alphabets in our names - Josephine & Elvis. Joel also meant God is Willing. God is willing to bless you with the fatness of the earth. (This is what Aunty Yen Yen always say)

The few months that followed wasnt easy for the both of us. I had to adjust to your fiery temper, and you to mine. You do take after me after all! Haha! I kept feeling that i was so alone in everything - having to go through almost the whole pregnancy alone, having to prepare for you alone, having to look after you alone. When i couldnt take any more stress (from anyone), my temper was really bad. I'm sorry i beat your buttocks when you're so innocent and so small. You were just crying becoz you were uncomfortable somewhere i didnt know. You've done no wrong. I'm so sorry. I couldnt wait for you to grow bigger so we can join Daddy in our home in Shanghai. In my mind, i pictured that would be a new life for us. A happy life.

Indeed, we tried to do fun things with you every week for the past 8 months. Maybe it was more fun for us than it was for you. But most importantly, we were together. As a family.

Everywhere we went, people say you were an obedient baby. As i'm typing this, you're busy licking and biting the zip on your sweater, and i kept saying to you, "Baby Joel, NO! Mommy say NO!" But you're still cute and beautiful. You must be sick of me telling you this by now. Haha!

Soon you wont be a 'baby' anymore. You'll become a little monster. A cute monster in our lives which we still absolutely adore and cant live without.

We loved you from the day we met you. Happy First Birthday, Baby Joel!

Lots of love, hugs & kisses,
Mommy Jo & Daddy Elvis

Joel at birth: 2.655kg, 49cm
Joel at 1 year: 10.5kg, 73cm

bangkok

We're going to Bangkok!

Elvis is clearing some of his annual leave. Actually, Beijing was one of the option but the weather is just too crazily low at more than minus 10˚c. I dont think Joel & i can survive that! Pick is going to Bangkok to see his dad, so we decided to go too! I like, i like!

We've found a studio apartment in Sukhumvit Soi 11 (near where Elvis used to live) coz we might need a kitchen to cook Joel's porridge...and the place is not expensive too. It's new (just opened in Nov 2008)! Will go check it out (and review). Keke... ;p

We might also go to some nearby islands eg. Hua Hin where we went to long ago. Such a beautiful place! We stayed in the same room/penthouse as David & Victoria Beckham! Cool huh! Keke... ;p

Meanwhile, we still have not thought of what to do for tomorrow - Joel's FIRST birthday. No celebration. We thought of going to the zoo but friends say that it's boring in winter coz all the animals are asleep! HAHA! Hmm...there's a safari too... We havent had any backup plans yet...

So...we'll be off to Bangkok from Xmas day till 3 Jan 2009! Long break! Yippie!

P.S. Ann is keen to join us too! So she will apply for her Visa tomorrow (coz she's Chinese). She'll have to meet us there coz it takes about 3 days to approve. She's a lot of fun to be with...and i'm so excited! Yeah!

freezing

It was extremely cold over the weekends...and it'll continue through the week (nothing higher than 10˚c). Tomorrow, it'll be super cold too with a high of 2˚c, low of -3˚c. (It was actually pretty cold for about a week sometime in Nov but the temperature went up again)

Everyone says that this is a "warm winter". I was very surprised too coz i wasnt wearing my super thick jackets yet! People always comment that i wear too little...and even wear only a tshirt under my jacket! I remembered this time in 2006, i was already freezing like mad! And 2007 was the crazy low temperature that it even snowed!

Now, the real feel is MINUS 4˚c! No wonder i'm freezing at home! My heater is turned on to 32˚c...but my room temperature is still at 18˚c.

from indonesia

I just received my swap package from Anne from Indonesia! She's a fellow blogger and has been reading my blog (i dont know from who-who). Anyway, this swap is "unofficial" too just like the USA swap coz they're not GYS swappers. Anne wanted to do a swap with me coz both our babies are turning ONE! (Hers turned ONE 3weeks ago)

Here's what she sent:
Indomie instant noodles (sure very yummy), prawn keropok (needs to be fried), Chupa-Chups, Van Houten chocolate-orange bars (i like!), mini bears choco-chip cookies, gummy "animals", magnets, hooks. She also added a panty and a tee for me! Thanks, Anne!

And here is what i sent her.

eat and shop and eat again

Saturday, we decided to lunch at the PartyWorld HK "cha chan ting" again coz sooo yummy! (We're so boring huh) FuXing Garden is one of Shanghai most beautiful parks where people gather to fly kites, aunties & uncles dance together or just to sit around and watch...

This bread which we tried last time was very yummy (served with condensed milk) so we had to order it again! They dig out the inside of the bread, cut it into cubes, put it back in after lightly toasting it and dribble some condensed milk on it. Slurp! (I wonder if Singapore has this too)

O, and this char-siew is sooo yummy! (I can hardly find nice char-siew here in Shanghai)


After lunch, we went to HuaiHai Road to shop for a little while (H&M having Sale) ...then we had to rush to Joel's FIRST Gymboree class. We rushed there as quickly as we could! Maybe coz Joel didnt really warm up to the place, he was a bit clingy during the class. ;p

After that, we walked from HuaiHai Road to Elvis' fav street ChangLe Road...and finally to JingXian Road which is an up-and-coming street with interesting shops. Elvis shopping again lah... (Shake head)


I liked how old antique and curio shops are lined next to the modern & hip shops.

Here is a cute Xmas display inside b+ab store (from HK).

Dinner, we had Singapore food at Crossroads inside Parkson Dept Store at HuaiHai Road. Here's chicken curry, sambal kang-kong, chai-po egg and ngo-hiang... SHIOK!


This is our much-anticipated World's Greatest Buffet brunch at Westin Shanghai on Sunday! (See video in the post below. And they really kept serving the champagne. Free-flow! They even have caviar if you see the video.) There's all sorts of performance throughout the meal - Chinese & "non-Chinese" kinds (but you'll have to make reservations to request to sit near "The Stage"). There were also people folding animals & insects for kids using leaves right before their eyes! I was very amused...but they didnt come over to fold for Joel leh. ;(

There were A LOT of people!!! This expensive buffet brunch is really popular! They also have a lucky draw at 2pm and the waiters go around to ask for business cards. Since i dont have any, we could submit 2 of Elvis'.

I zoomed in to the food i LOVE - sashimi (lots of it), prawns, lobsters... Desserts and cakes are also one of my fav!

And guess what??? At 2pm they did a live lucky draw...and announced a couple of names...and Elvis won! Not bad for his 2 chances! The prize is a complimentary brunch (not valid this time lah). So we'll be back! ;)

We walked to the nearby Plaza 353 (a new mall) but it was quite disappointing. Only some better-known labels like Zara & Mango on Levels 1 & 2. The other shops on the higher levels are super boring. They also have a Toys R Us (a very small outlet), so we looked for some stuffs for Joel - a baby basketball and a drum set. We kinda had a hard time deciding on what to get...coz we didnt know what was good. The basketball set is his birthday cum Xmas gift! The drum set is very nice & cheap about S$30+ only. We will keep for later though (coz it's for 3yrs+). Both were pretty cheap coz got promo. Keke... It was raining and freezing when we left...so we went home to unload the stuffs and rest a while.

Dinner, we went back to PartyWorld "cha chan ting"! Haha... Really boring folks! ;p

We also dabao supper for Elvis' team who's still OT-ing in the office this entire weekend. Maybe Daddy feels bad that he has to work the past 2 weekends so he's spending more time with us this week. And i had a good time eating lobsters! Keke... ;)

greatest brunch

I saw this buffet brunch shown on TV Friday night. Super yummy!!! It's at Westin Shanghai. But at the end of it, they showed the price...and i was like "O mann...so expensive!". ¥468 plus 15% taxes. They even serve good champagne - GH Mumm Cordon Rouge! (Usually dining in Shanghai, dont need to pay any taxes or even tip) We woke up just in time to watch the repeat on Saturday, and Elvis was so ONZ he called to make reservations!

It's only on Sundays 11am - 2.30pm. It's known as the 'World's Greatest Brunch' (at their website, as named by The Wine.)

So, we were looking forward to our Sunday brunch*! ;)
* There's a surprise on our actual brunch.

P.S. I recorded this video on the repeat...but my camera ran out of memory space.

goon-do

Oops... i just cut Joel's fringe - straight - and it looks a little like "goon-do" (ah gong, blur blur)...