Shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall

Since Chatuchak Market didn't quite satisfy the shopaholics in us, we headed out to Platinum Mall in the afternoon after dropping our loot back at the hotel. I think we all made a very good traveling team of buddies as all of us love shopping! According to Eiling, her sources told her that Chatuchak Market got their goods from Platinum Mall. Well I guess it's not surprising since Chatuchak banks on tourists business so even if the goods are abit pricey some of them won't mind paying for it.

But not us!



Platinum Mall is really one VERY LARGE mall with about 5 floors, each packed with stalls. There's a segregation of specialities on each floor- accessories, bags, clothes, shoes etc. It is every girl and woman's fantasy land here. The walkways are long and there is just so much to see and buy!



Bags galore in every imaginable shape and size, color and shade.



This is one of my favourite shops selling funny and colorful Tee-Shirts. Would be very awesome to have all these colors in my wardrobe. Wake up, open wardrobe and feel so happy!


Do you want a W.I.F.E.?


Oi! No photos please!

The t-shirts are mostly picking fun at drunkards or aspiring alcohol lovers. Eiling and I bought the same t-shirt in different colors that says, "Drink Triple, See Double, Act Single".

:D


No beer? No problem! Have Beer Goggles will get drunk!

I know I look damn nerd! But there's this shop which sells costumes and these funky glasses it's so cute!

Here are some pretty funky necklaces we bought and is available at Lings & Blings.


Birdcage


Umbrella Ella Ella Eh Eh Eh


Rock DJ!


Cycle into my heart


Hang that RayBan!

The tip to getting the maximum out of the minimum money you have is to slash the prices by at least 50% on the first bargain! Sadly, the art of haggling is not easy...... just remember to slash as much as possible!


Platinum Fashion Mall
542/21-22, Petchaburi Road,
Ratchathewi, Bangkok.
Directions: Exit BTS Chit Lom, walk straight to Zen. Go down to Level 1, walk straight along the building. Turn left at the junction and you'll see Platinum Mall.
www.platinumfashionmall.com

Himawari Japanese Restaurant

This takes us a few weeks back, I'll continue with the Bangkok posts after this. So a few weeks ago, one of those TGIF nights, my colleagues and I decided to grab dinner and some drinks to celebrate the end of another week. They mentioned something about going to "Japan Club" and I thought it was those clubbing joints with loadsa Japanese? Like Thai Club or something... that was until I found out it's a place in KL where all the Japs in Msia gather for activities.



Japan Club is located in Taman Seputeh, next to the Federal Highway and nearby Mid Valley. The premise houses all things Japanese, from salons to Japanese language classes, a Japanese restaurant and martial arts class. You need to be a Japanese to be granted admission in the premise though one can also apply for a supplementary membership if there's an endorsement from a member.

Our friend, Kon Soon is half Chinese- half Jap, he's a member of the club.



We started off with a complimentary appetizer which includes some pickles, lotus and braised radish.


Poteto Salada- RM7

I have always been a fan of all things potato so this poteto salada (potato salad) is quite a hit with me :)


Katsu Curry- RM18

Ronald had his favourite Katsu Curry and he was all thumbs up for it. Japanese curry has never been my regular Japanese dish, but I might give it a try next time...




Shake Don SP- RM29


Chirashi Sushi- RM30

We had 2 sets of sashimies to share and they were expectedly good. Fresh thick colorful cuts. The chawanmushi that came with the sets were also amazingly yummy.


Futo Maki Special- RM30

The Futo Maki Special was generous in size and has an assorted of raw fish in it- somewhat like having the Chirashi Sushi set in a maki. Everyone gave their thumbs up for this.



It was definitely a wholesome Japanese dinner and a great way to end the working week.



Say hi guys! You've made it to Live to Eat or Eat to Live!

:)


Himawari Japanese Restaurant
No.2, Jalan 1/86, Off Jalan Taman Seputeh,
58000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-22742791
Business hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10pm (Monday-Friday)
11.30am-10pm (Saturday-Sunday)

[disclaimer: the opinions expressed here are based on my personal views, tastebuds and preference and may vary for others. please dont sue me, i dont have money. kthxbye.]

The Most Expensive Fried Crickets- RM100!!

Remember this bugger's face

Eating fried bugs was one of the item in my list of things to do in Bangkok. It's considered the Thai snack, much like the balut for Phillipinos (this I wouldn't eat). While I hate and fear bugs in general, eating them feels kinda exciting. Hehe I know, sucha sadist right.



I ultimately chose the fried crickets because it looked less disgusting. The crabby thingy is just too common, eating that won't bring any weight to boasting "I HAVE EATEN FRIED BUGS IN BANGKOK!!" to other people hehe. Maggots are just ewww. And those fried mini frogs are just plain plain disgusting yucks! Then there's roaches.... urrgh think I'll pass thank you!

The guy told me it's 20 Bahts or about RM2. Quite a cheap deal I thought, passing him a 1000 Bahts note as I do not have any change and thought I'll just break it for a change. Stupid Bugger (well, he sells bugs after all doesn't he) disappeared for awhile, I thought he went to get change. And while waiting, we all got too excited with the bugs. Us girls at least cos the boys were so chicken they pulled all sorts of disgusted faces while the girls were chomping down the fried crickets.



It really isn't that bad actually. Taste something like soft shell crab but with rather thorny legs which could get stuck between your teeth and/or cause some sting while you're chewing them. The crickets were seasoned with some salt and pepper so there's actually flavour :)



We proceeded to take loads of photos showing us eating the bugs as proof of purchase fear factor act we've accomplished in Bangkok.... until I forgot that I've still not gotten my change!! And then we walked off and went into the bars lalalalalalala until Eiling asked me how much bugs Bahts I have left and I was searching frantically for my Bahts but I only found bugs.


Look at his stupid face!!

We immediately dashed out to find the stall and demanded for money back. That son of a bugger argued that I only paid him 100 Bahts and not 1000 Bahts. WHAT THE F...BUG!!! We tried to reiterate that I paid him 1000 Bahts and he was clearly all out to con this poor Malaysian tourist who was so excited with her fried crickets :(

980 Bahts!! I could have bought so much more things with that $$. I'd rather buy 20 bottles of orange juice and drink until drunk also I don't want him to get my money. Grrrrrrrrr.......

Moral of the story is, always bring small change when dealing with these streetside stalls. And don't get too excited over some fried bugs.

Bangkok Red Light District

You know whenever people mention Bangkok, the first thing that usually comes into mind for guys and girls is different?

"Bangkok" in a girl's mind- SHOPPINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!
"Bangkok" in a guy's mind- GO GO BARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (AH GUAS!!!!!!!!!!!! :p)



And they don't call it a Red Light District ("RLD") for nothing- look at the red neon lights decorating the street!! Anyway I'm not too sure if there is only one RLD in Bangkok but we were brought to Soi Cowboy nearby our hotel at the Sukhumvit area for a little fun.



Where there was a passing Thai Elephant. Of cos must take picture right, hmmm I actually can't be sure if I have seen an elephant live in front of me! Sighs, because always only see from internet mah.


Your place, My place or Our place?


Long gun waiting to meet his Lucky Star


Feels like you're in Las Vegas casino or something right

There are probably more than 100 girls dancing on bar tops ala Cayote Ugly at all times in all clubs at night but the problem is choosing which joint to go to. How do you decide? We naturally left it to the boys to make the decision. Good thing about the Go Go Bars here is that you can just hop in and hop out to have a look at what's inside before settling on which one you want to stay on for a drink.


Doesn't she looks like a he? I hope her name's not Suzie Wong :p

Perhaps these 'ladies' with cardboards can attract you into their bars :) I still find the words on the cardboards really funny... I mean why would people want to admit they have ugly and fat ones??



After we went to the first club, had a beer and nearly wanted to come out puking- not from the alcohol but the girls! They should change their cardboards to Definitely 50 Ugly Ones and No Gorgeous Ones! Got fat ones, got ugly ones, got girls with stretch marks, got aunties, got really nerd ones who looks like your teacher... aiyoyo. And all these girls are dancing right on top our table for the hamsap guys to peek under their skirts! They were not wearing any panties of course but actually not that easy to peek anything also lah! And there was no action at all!!!!

Potong stim.

For the first time ever, we girls found the football screening more interesting.



We hopped over the opposite bar and was a little relieved and delighted to see more action this time. About a handful of girls went up the centre bar top and started dancing and stripping until they were fully naked... Then another batch of girls appear when the song changes... and so on. If you ask me, seeing one girl stripping naked may be fun and stimulating, but after seeing like 20 girls do it song after song, the routine gets pretty bleh. At some points, you may start to wonder why are the songs so freaking long??!!! Faster can or not!!! The only consolation is some pole dancing but it's all very amateurish.

80% of the customers there are Ang Mohs and we even managed to see some who are so touchy, I don't know if they realize whether they're touching a guy in a girl's body :p

Chatuchak Market (Food)

Many apologies for the spell of silence and keeping you guys in suspense over the Chatuchak Food post. Never in my life have I stayed in the office till 12am trying to understand and do the necessary for a problem. Yesterday I broke that record... while I am in no position to complain, considering that those in audit firms must have it worst, I must say life has been really quite taxing recently. No wonder they kept telling me to enjoy the 'packing up at 6pm sharp' days while I still can in the first month... it's week 6 for me now, so I guess the priviledge is stripped off already :/

Oh anyway have you guys did you tax submission? I had been dreading about it but finally decided to settle it once and for all yesterday. I went to the Kelana Jaya LHDN office with my colleagues and surprisingly it was a pretty quick and hassle-free affair, especially with e-Filing. We have come to a mutual conclusion that the 2 Best things that have ever happened to government related procedures here is e-Filing and chip embedded passport that enables us to go through immigration using the electronic kiosk. Hehe can laugh at those poor folks who still lines up :p

Ok shall we go back to said Chatuchak food?



Spotted this mobile stall selling grilled skewered meat at the entrance of Chatuchak. There are various selection of meat- chicken wings, pork satay, chicken satay and if not mistaken pork liver (the darker brown ones).


Satay babi is the new satay ayam

Forget all the other meat because satay babi is for the win (ftw)! Anyway why would you wanna eat satay ayam when there's loads back home right??? Erm Muslim folks, sorry bout this. I am not sure about the other meat but the pork satay sells at 3 Baht each stick or 30 cents. I had 4 in total. Would have had more but the heat was such a pain! The meat are all pre-cooked but as and when you want it, they will re-grill it so that you're not eating cold meat (quite impossible since the sun is so damn hot).



Ahah! Spotted another grilled meat stall. Let's go grab some food!



Barbeque pits like this are quite popular especially if the stall sells grilled street snacks. While some will caution themselves over street food like this (guess if they ever clean the bbq pits??), I would say 'eat first, think later!' How can anyone go all the way to Bangkok and not try the street food???!


Spicy Beef Balls

I picked the beef balls, it was re-grilled and slushed with chilli sauce. Man does it burn! The chilli and not the heat. Too spicy for my liking!



Since it was sweltering hot, I spotted these strawberries-in-cup and proceeded to buy a cup. Although I hate all strawberry flavoured food, I can never resist fresh strawberries :) For 50 Bahts, you get a cupful of sliced strawberries, but unfortunately the Thais have a weird way to consuming fresh fruits like this- with salt! It was really not what I expected, but oh well, when in Thailand, eat like the Thais do ;)



Some chilled drinks to cool you down? Not too sure if they're vege drinks though :S



The Teh Tarik guy. He looks quite Malaysian right :p Maybe he got seconded there by the Malaysia Teh Tarik Association to help pull attention (pun intended) to this gem of a drink which is our national pride.

:)

Read related post:
The Most Awesomest 100% Orange Juice

Chatuchak Market (Sights & Things)

Chatuchak Market was the main reason we made a trip to Bangkok. Chatuchak is known as a very super big flea market (about 5,000 stalls according to Wikipedia) selling anything and everything.

To get to Chatuchak, you can either get a taxi or by train. Chatuchak market is adjacent to the Kamphaengphet station of the MRT Bangkok Metro Blue Line, or about a 5 minute walk from the Mo Chit station of the BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line and another MRT station of Suan Chatuchak (Chatuchak Park).



The market is so huge, you'll probably have a problem of where to start and how to get back to where you came from. Even before embarking on the trip, we've heard so much about the gigantic-ness of this flea market and some valuable advices about "don't even think of walking around to survey the price as if there's a good bargain at the first stall, you'll never be able to find the same stall back!"

In other words, See! Bargain! Buy!



Shoes and sneakers. They probably have all the fake Nike models here :p



One whole stall dedicated to white shirts, for those with white shirt fetish :p



Colorful accessories for the ladies, very cheap too!



Those colorful lights made from recycled paper!



Home deco items. If you like Buddha statues and carvings, you'll be spoilt for choice here too. Problem is, how to carry it back home??



Bags galore! A friend of ours had so much shopping bags that he got fed up and bought a backpackers bag to stuff all the shopping loot. Haha, real shopaholics I tell you.



Everything at 59 Bahts, about RM5.90? Mostly silver accessories, but nah we'll give that a pass.



Smileys in all colours and nationalities! Oooh I spot a Bob Marley color too.



And then there's this really awesome stall which sells paper flowers, in all species, shapes and sizes! They are all made of recycled paper and it's just so overwhelming. Perfect place to go if you like doing papercrafts, it's a craft haven :)


A mini chinese dulcimer


Street performers

We also managed to spot the Yang Qin (Chinese Dulcimer)! Well for those who know me, I play the Yang Qin so I was quite surprised to see it in Bangkok.

The other stalls worth mentioning would be one that sells laptop bags that comes in different fabrics, colors and graphics at 350 Bahts each. Then there's also the many stalls that sells t-shirts, jeans, hats, souvenirs, deco items, cooking utensils...

While it is exciting that Chatuchak is so big, it is quite disappointing in the sense that most stalls are repetitive, some things are not really that cheap, and it can be real stuffy and hot when you're walking in there. The good side though is you can get some really good bargains and out of the ordinary things here, so I would say it's a good experience.

Chatuchak food pictures up next!