Mommy Yiau
Our flight is at 3.15pm and we have planned to leave for airport when we check out by 12noon.
So after breakfast at 9am, we walked down the road to Pratunam wholesale market for a quick last round of shopping. The place was already crowded by shoppers and I bought some kids clothing and some for myself. Ended up spending another 900baht and that’s it, my wallet is finally emptied, 
We packed all our stuff, and of course I packed mine into hubby’s luggage bag as well since he only bought 2 jerseys & 2 T-shirts, there’s still ample space to put my things in, hehehe
We reached Suvarnabhumi airport around 1pm and we checked in early. Both of our luggage bags weigh only 14kg in total, well at least I know that next time I could actually buy more & not worrying that the baggage will exceeds the weight limit, hahaha LOL
2 luggage bags full, with my backpack and a hand carry plastic bag.
We hang around in this new airport & had our lunch. The food here are very expensive. We thought of going McD to eat the Pork burger but there wasn’t one in the airport, so we headed to Burger King, which we then found that it’s closed for renovation… We ended up having Pizza for lunch, not bad at all.
Our flight took off on time and we reached LCCT around 6.15pm, and I just can’t wait to rush home to see Dillon & Kaith….
I have really enjoyed this trip, but it’d be better if I have had the right companion who would enjoy shopping as much as I do, hahaha, too bad hubby only enjoyed the food while the other couple friends, I’m not sure if they enjoyed the trip though. To be frank, I haven’t had enough shopping this time (will it ever be enough?) so I’m definitely going back to Bangkok again, with my mummy friends.
The highlight of the day is no other than Chatuchak Market, which only opens on weekends. Some said a trip to Bangkok isn’t complete without visiting the Chatuchak market, which I have to agree.
We woke up early as it’ll be very hot & stuffy to visit the market in the afternoon. We took the BTS Skytrain from Ratchatewi to Mo Chit station, which cost only 30baht per person and we reached the Chatuchak market around 9am, just nice to start doing our shopping.
The market is so huge and it’s divided into 26 sections that sell basically everything that you can name eg. clothing, handicraft, antiques, plants, ceramic, and even live animals/pets. There are maps available there for reference. Since we were there early, it’s not that hot and crowded yet so my shopping was quite enjoyable.
I bought some clothes & shoes for myself, and some decorative items & souvenirs too, of course I never forget to bargain and I’m quite satisfied with it. I have spent about 2300baht in just less than 4 hours, and we have to leave as it’s started getting hot and crowded and hubby also feel very bored already (man will never enjoy shopping huh?)
We went back to hotel and we decided to take a short nap to recharge our energy. In the late afternoon, we went out again to the MBK Mall for shopping and dinner. We had steamboat dinner at MK Restaurant, it was fine but nothing special anyway, I still think our homemade steamboat is the best, haha LOL.
The seafood + vegetables set serves 4 pax and cost 860baht (not cheap also huh?)
Surprisingly the mall started closing around 9pm, kind of early to me as I planned to shop till 10pm at least. Anyway, we still hang out at the concourse where they have this sports wear fair, and I managed to buy one Adidas jersey at 490baht, whereas hubby also bought 2 pieces of Adidas jersey that cost only 260baht each, it’s really a steal!
We headed back to hotel and I started to pack the luggage. Our flight on tomorrow is at 3.15pm so I could still go for the last round of shopping if there is still space in my luggage bags, hahaha LOL.
We woke up early at 7am as we’ll be visiting the Grand Palace today and we try to be there early so that it won’t be too hot.
Set breakfast is included in our room booking and there are 6 different sets to choose from, namely the American breakfast, Continental breakfast, Pancakes set, Noodle Soup, Fried Rice & Fried Noodles, all comes with juice & coffee/tea. It’s nothing to brag about but I prefer this than the boring buffet breakfast though, at least we get to choose different things to eat every morning and it’s served hot!
Noodle Soup & the American Breakfast set
There are 4 of us and so since we were lazy to get a cab outside the hotel, we decided to take the hotel’s limousine to Grand Palace, which cost 200baht (roughly RM5/person). We reached at 9.00am and the crowd were already there. It’s not a very lucky day for us as it started to rain when we were about to go in. Anyway we still continue our sightseeing since the rain wasn’t heavy.
For those who plan to visit Grand Palace, make sure your shoulders and legs are covered all you will be renting happy pants (Cost 100 baht and you’ll get it back when you return the clothes), toes should be covered as well (though I still see some people allowed to go in wearing sandals). The entrance ticket cost 250baht, which includes entry to the Vimanmek Mansion.
The Emerald Buddha is especially amazing and it’s a fair bit walk around, it’s definitely a place worth visiting when you are in Bangkok, but we are not allowed to take any photos of the statue. Below are some photos of the surrounding areas:
After the Grand Palace, we went to this small shop located on the opposite side to have a drink and something to eat. The soup noodle taste is not bad, although the shop looks a bit run down.
Next we walked to the next block, Wat Pho – Reclining Buddha . This is an amazing temple and a must see. The Reclining Buddha is larger than you think. The admission fee to Wat Pho is 50 baht per person.
Although we were a bit tired after visiting 2 places but we still wanted to see more, and thus we took a cab (after bargaining with a few drivers) to Vimanmek Mansion – the world’s largest golden teak wood mansion. We are not allowed to bring in our phones & cameras to take photos so I don’t have any photos to share with you. It’s worth a visit if you like to see antiques & collectibles.
After the sightseeing trips in the morning, we proceed to have lunch at Bobae Tower food center. The Thai food here is nice & cheap.
(Clockwise from top left) Stewed Duck Rice – 45baht, Fried Rice with Shrimps – 35baht, Seafood Tom Yum Soup – 60baht, Fish Ball Noodles – 40baht
Bobae Tower is a wholesale center where you’ll find a lot (I mean A LOT!) of clothing here, I especially like the kids clothing, the designs and material are so nice & since it’s made in Thailand, the price are cheap compare to the similar one we get in KL. I bought a whole lot of kids clothing (mainly for Kaith) & also a few mini tee for myself at wholesale price, total spending was about 1300baht.
Everybody was so exhausted after many hours of walking & shopping and hence we returned to the hotel to freshen up.
In the evening we went out again to Pratunam area, thinking to do some shopping in Platinum Mall but only to find that most of the shops in the mall were closing?? I was wondering why because I learnt from the travel website that the mall opens from 10am – 10pm but when I was there only I realised they actually opens from 8.30am – 8pm. But even we were there around 7.00pm plus, there were not many people and some shops have already closed or starting to close, sigh…. makes me no mood to continue shopping.
For hubby’s sake, we then proceed to the Pantip IT Mall next door, the place is huge but frankly speaking, it’s nothing close to Low Yat Plaza we have in KL, so hubby wasn’t keen to shop there also and as we decided to head for dinner, it started to rain heavily, what a bad day for us!
After the rain stopped, we walk to Ratchatewi Seafood restaurant to have our dinner, which is located on the way back to our hotel. The food is ok, and hubby & I took the Chang beer as it was so cheap, a big bottle at only 55baht.
Fried Squid – 100baht, Broccoli with Shrimps – 80baht
Later that night we went for massage next to the hotel. The place is small but neat, not the hanky panky one but the proper Thai massage. I went for the Foot massage for an hour at 200baht while hubby went for the Full body Thai massage for 2 hours at 400baht only. The massage is so nice & relaxing and I’ve planned to come again tomorrow for pedicure because it’s 150baht only!
Our flight is on Thursday morning, we took the coach at KL Sentral at 6.00am to LCCT and we arrived LCCT at 7.00am. There was only a few people at the AirAsia counter and it only took us 10 minutes to check in. The flight took off at 8.25am sharp and we arrived safely in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport around 9.30am local time.
We walked straight out to the airport, leaving behind the people who keep approaching us for cab service. There is a small counter (not even a proper booth) out there where you see all taxi drivers lining up (so funny it was the driver & not the passengers who line up, haha), tell to the lady at counter of the hotel you wish to go, they charge 50baht service fee (pay to driver) and the driver will charge the meter fare. We ended up paying around 300baht (incl toll fare) for the ride.
We were staying at Samran Place Hotel, located along the Petchburi road, it’s a very small hotel but the rooms are clean and cosy. The nearest BTS (Skytrain) station – Ratchatewi is just 5 minutes walking distance and the shopping heaven Pratunam area is also just within 10 minutes walk. I booked the room via Agoda.com at only RM90 per night inclusive of 2 set breakfast, well nothing to brag about the breakfast but at least there are 6 sets to choose from and you can have different set served hot to you every morning, I personally prefer this than the boring buffet breakfast.
The room comes with Queen bed, good enough for 2 persons & the toilet is clean. Anyway we didn’t spend much time in the room.
After checking in to our room, we proceed to MBK Mall for lunch & shopping. We took about 15 minutes to walk there, and we think that we should have taken a cab there as it was so hot!
We went to the food center on 6th floor and were delighted by the great variety of food there, you can see many stalls selling food with pork, definitely not something you will see in here. We spent 160baht for our lunch on the following:
After lunch, the shopping trip get started. I only bought 1 piece of clothe and a handbag as I wanted to save my money for shopping in other areas, haha. Most of the things sold in MBK Mall started from 199baht, you can try to bargain but normally they won’t give any discount unless you are buying more, but 199baht for a handbag or a pair of shoes are fairly reasonable to me already… 
Mummy busy checking out the handbags the kids clothing of course
We went back to hotel to freshen up after that and continue our evening by visiting the famous Erawan Shrine, located just in front of Central World Plaza (get down at BTS – Chidlom station).
After that we walked to the Central World Plaza to have our dinner at the food court:
(Clockwise from top left) Seafood Noodle with Thick Gravy – 65baht, Fish Ball KuayTeow Tom Yum – 50baht, Fried Oyster – 60baht, Pork Noodles – 50baht
We checked out from the hotel at 12.00pm and my dad came to fetch us for lunch. My dad has been working in Kota Kinabalu for many years and it’s good that he could be my tour guide this time, hahaha.
On our way to lunch, we passed by this children’s clinic, which I think looks cute:
Kids won’t feel scare to see the doctor I’d assume? hehe
My dad brought us to this place called Hilltop to savor the Fish Head Meehoon, Fish Paste Foochok and the special 3-tier Milk Tea. As I don’t fancy eating fish head, I ordered the Fish Paste Meehoon, the soup taste real good and the fish meat is really fresh, super delicious and priced at RM 7.00 per serving, quite reasonable.
After that we went to Sutera Harbour to visit this really nice resort and took some pictures by the beach side.
Before sending us off to the airport, dad brought us to Tanjung Aru to eat again, haha. This time we ordered the Lamb Satay, Grilled “Pari Ayam” & Coconut drink.
We reached airport about 4.15pm and it started to rain heavily, flight was delayed by 25 minutes and we touched down in LCCT around 8.20pm. The trip is short but sweet, my whole body muscle is aching now but everything is worthwhile, climbing Mt. Kinabalu and standing at the peak is really a lifetime experience for me.
Our flight on Sunday is at 5.10pm so I have planned to take this short period of time to tour around KK and of course savor some nice food.
We stay in King Park Hotel, nice mid-class hotel with clean rooms, good customer service and strategic location. (near to Gaya Sunday Market)
We woke up around 7.30am and after a light breakfast in the hotel, we walked to the Gaya Sunday market (which opens on every Sunday) just across our hotel. Although our legs are sore but when it comes to shopping, nothing can stop us, hahaha LOL. The market is already packed when we reached at 8.30am. There are stalls selling mainly the local snacks, souvenirs, vegetables, clothing, plants and even pets.
A wide spread of local snacks…. yummy!
Any 5 pieces for RM10, so many designs & it’s hard to pick.
Special Garlic Chili Sauce & Mango Belacan Sambal, ooooo my biggest favourite!!
Anybody want to get a cane? all sizes available here… LOL
And this one selling….bat meat!!!ewww….yiaks! anyone dare to try?
Journey begins at 2.00am
I don’t know if I really sleep between 7.30pm to 12.30am, but surprisingly I wake up feeling fresh and no pain on my legs, well I was thinking this maybe the clue for me to ascend to the peak. My mental state stays very positive and I told myself that I won’t give up easily.
After light breakfast, we start to hike up at 2.00am, the temperature at Laban Rata is only around 8.0 degree celcius and I know the remaining 2.5km trail up to Low’s Peak is going to be tougher than I could imagine.
The staircases are surrounded very closely by thick scrub and they can seem quite claustrophobic by torchlight. There are a few people who actually experience nausea, vomit and dizziness due to the altitude change as we ascend. Thank god I don’t have those sickness and it’s strange that I feel more energetic this morning. But anyway I’m walking in very slow & steady pace with my mountain guide.
The real challenge – open rock face
When we reach the open rock face, this is actually where the real challenge begins, the previous miles that we have walked is nothing compare to this.
There is a white rope that accompanies all climbers to Low’s Peak begins here with a very steep climb up some potentially treacherous rock faces. I am literally pulling myself up of the rock face and it’s quite a exhilarating experience.
I reached the Sayat-Sayat check point at 7km around 3.50am and I’m now very determined that I want to go up there to see the sunrise.
The final 1.5km
The gradient can become incredibly steep in parts at this point, my heart is racing and I almost feel like giving up as I’m so extremely tired, breathless and I can feel the uncomfortable pressure over my head, I think that I’m risking my life. But then my mountain guide helps me a lot, he tells me when to walk, when to rest and the best way to approach the tricky steps. The climate is really cold and I can feel my toes, my face and my hands are freezing.
The first sunlight
It’s almost 6am and the sun begins to rise and the sky lightens, as much as I wanted to be at the peak but I just resists as I don’t want to wear myself out. I just stay on to my slow & steady pace and finally I reached Low’s Peak around 6.30am.
I’ve made it!!
On top of South East Asia’s tallest mountain (4,095 m)
The sunrise, the views out over the clouds and the valleys below are simply breathtaking, making all the effort worthwhile. I will really regret if I didn’t push myself up to here and miss this spectacular view. The peak is crowded with climbers waiting to take photos and some are taking rest to regain their breath. We took a lot of pictures and although we are all cold and exhausted, everybody seems proud and happy.
The sunrise, my first time seeing this….
The mountains view
The clouds is just within reach….
Descending to Laban Rata & Timpohan Gate
Descending is actually more challenging & dangerous at this point as our legs are so sore and especially climbing down the open rock face.
It took me about 3 hours to reach back Laban Rata as I descend very slowly. I rest for a short while and have a quick bite, then I packed my stuff and begin to descend to Timpohan Gate at 11.00am, which means another 6km trail to walk down!
I walk cautiously at a very slow pace as I do not want to hurt my knee, which a lot of people would as it’s often harder to walk downhill for long periods than it is to climb uphill. I keep feeling that I wanted to collapse due to a combination of severe fatigue, dehydration and depleted energy from the exertions of the morning. I stayed closed to my guide and listen to his advice, the walking stick which I’ve bought at the foot of the mountain also helps me a lot in giving the support I need.
Me and my dedicated mountain guide
The end…..
Finally I reached the foot of the mountain at 3.30pm, although my muscle are sore but I’m very happy and proud that I’ve conquered the Mt. Kinabalu, despite of the severe cramps that I have suffered. And I really appreciate the great support from all the volunteers and my dedicated mountain guide cum porter, they are a great bunch of people. I’m not fit but my will power is definitely stronger than my physical strength in this case. Climbing Mt. Kinabalu is really not just physical but more on mental challenge I think.
Will I attempt to climb Mt. Kinabalu again? The answer is Yes, I would want to do it with my husband and kids when they are older. So I must make sure that I’ll be physically fit enough to take the challenge again then.
See more photos in my gallery.
Flag off at Timpohan Gate
Wake up call at 5am and everybody has a hearty breakfast and seems prepared for the climb. I’m very excited but at the same time I’m also worry about my physical strength as I hardly do any exercise and no training prior to this climb as well, in other words I’m going to have a tougher climb compare to the others.
We had about 42 athletes and 42 escorts climbing Mt K, followed by doctors and a lot more volunteers. We were the only VIPs (sponsors rep)climbing together with a police chief from KL. We had athletes from all over, namely, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Selangor, Chinese Taipei and a delegate from Special Olympics Australia.
Everybody gathered at the Timpohan Gate (the foot of the mountain) around 8am, after a short speech by the Minister, we flaged off at 8.15am sharp.
Severe cramps at the beginning
I must admit that it is really embarrassing that during the 1st 0.5km walk on some stairs and uphill slopes, I already feel exhausted and have to stay aside to rest (this is how unfit I am as I told y’all). I was panting hard, heartbeat was so fast and I feel very dizzy too, I became so scared that my heart couldn’t take this extreme exercise but thanks to my colleague who handed me a sweet, after taking it I don’t feel dizzy anymore and could continue the journey.
However, when I almost reach the 1km check point, I experienced muscle cramp on my right calf and doctor had to give me the spray to relief. Not long after that, I had another cramp on my left calf and need doctor’s treatment again. This bad muscle cramps just go on & off every now and then and even the doctor don’t think I can or I should continue, but I never thought of giving up, I keep telling myself that I’m going to overcome the physical challenge.
After taking some 100 plus and bananas (rich in potassium and it’s good for cramps!), I got better and from the 3km point right up I don’t have anymore cramps. The climb however became tougher when rain falls at about 1pm, the rocks are slippery and the trails is so muddy. Thanks to my guide who lead me all the way up and I finally reached Laban Rata at 11,000 feet at 3.30pm, which means I took almost 7 hours to complete the 6km trail, it’s indeed very slow, but safe, hahahah LOL.
The Laban Rate Resthouse
Sunset view at Laban Rata
After dinner and a short briefing by the OBS guys (outward bound Sabah), everyone goes to bed around 7.30pm and must get up by 12.30am later & prepared to ascend to the summit!! The doctors actually advised me against climbing to the peak due to the bad cramps I have and they really doubt I would have the stamina. My confidence was a bit at shake as I was really suffering for the 6km I climbed today and I don’t know if I should risk myself to ascend to the summit.
In the end I decided not to think so much and just go to sleep, I’ll just listen to my body and & follow my instinct when I get up later at 12.30am
See more photos in my gallery.
On Thursday afternoon when we arrived in Kota Kinabalu airport, the volunteers brought us for lunch at Tarampuli and we had the special fried mee. After that we were transfered to Bundu Tuhan Hostel at Kundasang, it was about 2-hours drive and we also stopped by half way to get some bananas and have a drink at the cute little hut.
Half way to Kundasang 
We have our drinks at this hut
The Bundu Tuhan hostel where we will be spending the night is a missionary hostel and hence it’s very basic, but rooms are clean though.
Bundu Tuhan Hostel at Kundasang
The weather is cooling due to the mountains surroudning and it’s relaxing. Dinner is served at the big dining hall, the homecooked dishes are nothing fancy but it taste great, guess all of us would need a good meal to prepare for the climb next day.
Cooling weather & nice mountain scenery
On this coming Thursday, I will be flying off to Kota Kinabalu to participate in the 4th Special Olympics – Mount Kinabalu Challenge. My company is one of the corporate sponsors for this event and there are 19 people who have put in names in this but only 3 persons will be selected to represent the company, and I’m one of the lucky persons. Yay!
All ground arrangement (incl transfer, hotel & meals) will be sponsored and we just need to bear the return airfare, which is roughly RM 380 by AirAsia. I really think this is a great experience that money can’t buy, as I’ll be climbing the mountain with these special athletes.
The trip is taking place from April 17 – April 20, 2008. I have not been away from Dillon & Kaith for so many days before and I’m sure I will be missing them like crazy…..:(
Actually I have been to Mt. Kinabalu when I was 16!!(I’m still very young now in case you start wondering… hehehe 
) Anyway, it was a shame on me that I only managed to reach Laban Rata as I was too tired and couldn’t wake up the next morning (1.00am) to ascend to the summit. (paiseh….). So this is a great chance for me to complete my unfinished journey (fingers crossed!) and I’m sure it will be a great memory for myself.
It’s definitely a great physical and mental challenge for one to make it up to the summit but I’ll try my very best. Wish me luck and stay tuned for my story and the nice photos.
Ingredients:
Black mushroom, oyster mushroom, minced chicken, crabstick.
Sauce:
Tomatoes, ketchup, butter, garlic, shallots & dried chili flakes
Method:
1. Melt butter in the pan, add in chopped garlic & shallots, fry until fragrant.
2. Add minced chicken, followed by the mushrooms.
3. Stir fry for a minute, add in crabstick, chopped tomatoes & ketchup, with half cup of water.
4. Cook until the gravy thickens, add in dried chili flakes according to the level of spiciness preferred.
5. Serve with pastas or even rice.
Well, not only that he will imitate what the adults do, apparently he likes to imitate his younger sister too.
Kaith sucks on the particular 2 fingers (as seen) on her left hand only; and Dillon obviously imitate to the fullest.
Ingredients:
Minced chicken, mushroom, carrots, cauliflower, choy sum, egg, garlic & shallots.
Method:
1. Fry garlic & shallots until fragrant.
2. Add in minced chicken & stir fry for a while.
3. Add in mushroom, carrots, cauliflower, choy sum, and half cup of water.
4. Cover the pan and let all ingredients cooked.
5. Beat an egg (or two) and stir in to thicken the gravy, add salt & pepper to taste.
6. Serve with rice or noodles, yee mee or kuay teow.
This is one of my favourite dish because it is delicious and healthy (with more vegetables than meat), plus it is easiest to make. When I do not have much time to prepare for dinner or just simply lazy to cook many dishes (which is often the case, hehe), I will prepare this for dinner.
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