Part 1 - Muak Lek, Supanburi & Kanchanaburi

To read Part II, Part 111, Part IV,Part V

We joined the Tang family (and Ken family - Siew Har's younger brother) to this holiday partly for the sake of my Mother who has arrived in Bangkok recently and partly because we were keen to go away with them. Ivan planned to join us but unfortunately work commitments had been overwhelming. So, my Mother, Joel, Ethaniel and I were the only ones loaded into the Mazda Tribute onward to Muak Lek. Our first destination.

Day 1 - 6 Dec 2007, Thursday (Muak Lek & Supan Buri)

We started our journey at 9.30am in the morning. Took a 110km per hour drive via the Outer Ring Road and arrived in Muak Lek uneventful other than that I drove over a plastic carton that laid waste in the middle of the fast lane :-/ Almost panicked that I crushed the bottom part of my husband's most beloved car , we started to pray HARD. So, it turned out that everything was alright. The children was quietly praying at the back seat... That event sure quieten any squabbles they had earlier!

Along Highway 2, there is a Junior ATV which Ethaniel loves to visit. We promised him but could not deliver, the last time. So, he reminded me this time.

Just see the priceless smile!

Ethaniel, showing off!

Joel's favorite sport, no way he's going to leave without a chance on the ATV

Move aside all you Harley Davidson riders, here comes Grandma Chia Chia!

We quickly finished our ATV sessions because the Tang family was waiting to meet up. Life is full of distractions, that's for sure! Along the way, we were greeted with a sea of sunflowers! The famous SUNFLOWERS. Indeed, it was absolutely beautiful. Have you seen anything like this? God's creation is just marvelous to behold!

After meeting up with Tang & Ken family, we proceeded to lunch at our favorite Muak Lek restaurant by a stream. We were first introduced to this restaurant when we came with our Travelling Buddies in Dec 06. Since then, I have been fantasizing of the delicious food here.

View overlooking the restaurant

Stir fried mushroom

Four edge bean salad

Tom Yum Koong

With a "sirih" leave, wrap all the ingredients inclusive of the fried fish below. My all time favorite! Sorry, don't know the name of the dish but a must eat!

Along the road in Muak Lek, you will find many roadside stalls selling roasted piglet and chicken. It cost B500 each (RM50). We had some for lunch.



After lunch, we left towards Supan Buri which should take about 1.5 hours but since we took the" scenic route", it was almost 3 hours later when we checked into our hotel. Everyone was tired. Some decided to rest in the room. My children was hungry so we decided to go to the supermarket for both food and shopping.

We saw a restaurant on the way, so we decided to try the food and indeed it was not disappointing. Joel & Mom had Pad Thai, Ethaniel had fried rice and I had Naem Muang (I think) - a Vietnamese dish. I love this dish... It has a translucent wrapper which you use to wrap some raw vegetables (mint, salad, basil, etc) with pork ball, raw garlic, raw shallots, raw ginger, raw chili padi and a sauce. Yummy!

Day 2 - 7 Dec 2008, Friday (Supan Buri & Kanchanaburi)

We had an early start towards Bung Chawak Zoo in Supan Buri. Entrance fee of B20 (RM2) adult, B5 (RM0.50) for children. Real value for money!

A family picture

Playful bears

This orang utan is so cool and friendly!

Sleepy tiger cubs

Feeding the cubs

Ethaniel the Tarzan, yes, its the tiger cub's tail

Joel & Ethaniel playing at the playground. This equipment is similar to The Pirate ship.

The children has a great time at the Bung Chawak Zoo - both looking at the animals and the playground.

I will continue the rest of the trip later... Lookout for Part 2!

Check out my online album for this trip.

Bitter Sweet Day

I have just arrived home at 4.00pm today from a 5 days 4 nights holiday to Muak Lek, Supan Buri and Kanchanaburi - all in Thailand. It has been a good trip. I will blog it later. Many beautiful photos and stories to blog. Phew! Was I glad to be back to my own bed... my own smelly pillow and bolster! Ha ha. Nothing like home.

I received news a very sad news. I am very sad to hear such unexpected turn of events at that end. Its difficult to describe the emotions. Just very very sad.

"Hotpot" All You Can Eat Buffet

Hotpot is a hot spot for the local Thais. Steamboat. Its popular.

It has many varieties e.g. salad, sushi, dim sum, deserts, drinks and steamboat stuffs. For B199 (RM20) per pax, you can eat for 1 hour 45 mins. Children are 50% discount. Its value for money. All of us enjoy it, every now and then.


Since today is Father's Day in Thailand, we had a family dinner out. Burp! That was good.

The Small Little Things That Makes Motherhood Wonderful

We were going for dinner tonight and as I was about to walk towards the car, Ethaniel said, "Wait, wait" and proceeded to walk infront of me. He leaned forward and opened the car door for me. He gave me sufficient time to enter the car, I said a "Thank you" and he closed the door behind me. I was dumbfounded *eye brows raised*. I smiled, turn to Ivan and said, "That's MY son, the gentleman".

It was such a wonderful surprise to have a 6 years old gentleman in this household!!!

Flu bug flying around

Don't you hate it when you are suddenly struck with soar throat, body aches, fever, cough... All in that order?

Well, the change in weather is one to be blamed, they say... I don't know. But.. but... I love winter.

Anyway, I hate it when I have to cancel a holiday because of it. Its going to DIE when I catch hold of that lousy "flu bug". In the meantime, drink water, water, more water... gargle salt water... gargle... gargle.. sleep and rest....

I am determine to "heal" myself by tomorrow so that I can go for my holiday. I know that sounds absurd but according to a group of Atheist I met in Facebook, that's what they say... Miracles are non-existed, its actually the brain telling the body to "heal" itself. I will try this technique and see if it works. If it works, there will not be anymore diseases in this world. Except to those who doesn't own a brain. Ah, now that makes sense...

Photos from Ethaniel's party - 1 Dec 2007

Please check out Ethaniel's birthday party photos.

Please also go to to view video clips of his birthday.

Parents had a wonderful time playing Taboo.

First Visit to a Malaysian Restaurant in Bangkok (and the last?)

Sunday after church, we went out for lunch. A group of us, Malaysians decided to try the Malaysian restaurant which newly opened. I personally have not visited any Malaysian restaurants in Bangkok. So, let's give it a try.

The location of the restaurant is near Silom-Narathiwas Rd. It took us 40 mins to get there from Ekkamai. You know, the infamous Bangkok traffic. It was almost 1.30pm when we arrived and everyone was STARVING; the hand shaking, cold sweat type.

There were many varieties of food on the menu but apparently, it was only available IN the menu. The chef returned to Malaysia because his "cousin kahwin". As a result, most of the dishes we wanted were unavailable. We sat and enjoyed the delicious looking photos, instead :-/

"Nasi Lemak dah habis lah" the girl exclaimed as she walked towards our table. There goes the 15 mins of ordering... It was the last straw for the hungry Malaysians.... Ivan took the first stroll and followed by Sean after a few minutes. Okay, okay, not stroll.... stormed out! Happy? They went to nearby foodstall and had some Thai food. They might have gotten the better end of the deal.

The rest of the tolerant Malaysian, patiently re-ordered our food and patiently waited for it.

Sorry for the photos of half-eaten food. You know the Malaysians, they were sooooo hungry, before I could flip out my camera, the food was gone!

Mom and I had Nasi Paprik (B80 / RM8.20)

Joel had Mee Hoon Goreng (B70 / RM7.20)

Ethaniel had Nasi Goreng (B80 / RM8.20)

Jason had roti canai (B40 / RM4.20)

Siew Har had the only Nasi Lemak available (B60 /RM6.20) *envy*

Everybody shared the rojak

Everybody shared the 10 stick of satay (B100 / RM10.50)

Tang had Asam Laksa (B70 / RM7.20)

Menu and prices of food:

Fahmi, the owner of Chili Padi - Malaysian Consular Visa Section's son (I can hear whispers, "Why am I not surprise?" Hey, hey, please, politics aside. I am now writing about food - Malaysian's No. 1 favorite topic not politics, which is the Malaysian's 2nd favorite topic)

Yes, the exorbitant amount was charged to us - B950 (RM100) for simple Malaysian food we take for granted everyday. A 70% increase! Oh well, this is Thailand, not Malaysia.

So, to sum it up, the experience was tormenting for the hungry Malaysians, disappointing culinary experience, ill planned back-up plan for "when-the-chef-balik-kampung" and exorbitant bill to complete it.

See, not only we get Malaysian food in a Malaysian restaurant, we also get Malaysian style treatment. Malaysia boleh!

Preparation for Ethaniel's birthday

I woke up 7am this morning. The part-time Filipino maid was already waiting at the gate. Oops! Still giddy with sleep, I unlocked the gate for her.

At about 7.35am I left for the market ("Talad" in Thai) with Mom to purchase all the foodstuff for cooking and only returned home at 9.30am. It took me the whole day to finish cooking everything in the menu:

Mee Rebus

1. Mee Rebus
   
2. Spaghetti Bolognoise
3. Baked chicken
4. Stir-fried black pepper beef
5. Black jelly drink

The thing which took the most effort and time was the Mee Rebus. Phew! That was tedious. Thank God for the help of my Mom and the part time Filipino maid.

Joel did a good job on the games. He made it simple and very easy for the young children. All of them had a great time! Even the adults had a great time playing Taboo. Ethaniel had a great time eating his birthday cake, singing his birthday song and opening up his presents!

Presently I am typing this blog (11pm), Ethaniel came downstairs and said "Thank you for doing all the cooking tonight, Mom. And I am hungry!" I had to reheat the pasta for him. Well, that's all in a days work for the Mom.

Check out the pictures . I am pooped! Its been a long day.