Apr 28, 2013

In a Concrete Jungle...


Bangkok is big. And this concrete jungle of a city keeps growing every day. Even since my visit last April, I feel like more condos and shopping malls have cropped up or are under construction. It's impressive and clear evidence of the upward trend of economic strength and stability of Thailand's capital. It's a little bewildering to think about what this city might look like in five or ten years' time.

Since my parents moved into my grandparents' home in the middle of Bangkok's shopping district over five years ago, they have transformed their garden into an oasis within the city. The week we were there, waxy pink ginger flowers, bright red birds of paradise, vibrant purple plumeria blossoms, mango trees, white-flowered calamansi, various types of herbs and a dozen (or more!) different kinds of bananas were growing in the garden. Even these mid-April mornings were too hot to enjoy breakfast on the patio, but one morning I set out to capture as much of the garden's beauty as I could. Cultivated green spaces like this are really unique in Bangkok and they are becoming more rare by the minute.

 

Apr 21, 2013

The Bangkok Beat



It's been awhile, friends. Work has been terribly busy but I'm hoping that I can soon restore some balance in my life and get back to blogging. 

Pem and I were in Bangkok two weeks ago. The weather was scorching, but boy did it feel good to be back. There is nothing like being home. 

Towards the beginning of the week, we were poked, prodded and finally pronounced healthy by some of Bangkok's finest medical and dental establishments. That restored our confidence enough to throw healthy habits out the window and properly celebrate my mum's birthday on Thursday at the Mandarin Oriental's La Normandie

Friday night we went out with friends to Soi 11 for (veggie) burgers and beers before heading to Bed (Bed Supperclub, that is). We ended the night at a curbside bar enjoying drinks from the back of a bus (yes, really). On Saturday morning, Pem and I ran some errands and returned to the house thoroughly soaked with Songkraan (Thai New Year) "good wishes". Despite not being able to deliver any new years wishes via SuperSoaker ourselves, we were happy to be a part of it and even more thankful for Ziploc bags for our phones! Our visit ended with a wonderful evening enjoying karaoke and good company. 

Definitely looking forward to our next visit. Hopefully Pem and I will have a duet to share at the next karaoke! Until then, some scenes of the Bangkok beat below...




(photo credit: first four photos taken by Pem, which I slightly edited.)