We are now advanced diver certified! We went to ADEX fair in April 2024 with an open eyes, not knowing where to pursue the course but we knew we had to it the following month. After roaming around the fair, we decided to go with Phuket as it is convenient and it fits our timeline. The course cost $700 per person. However, the water visibility was not so great while we were there. Nonetheless, we are glad that we managed to clear the course! As of now, I have no plans to take on another diving certification but I plan to have more leisure dives to better myself as a diver. I am excited to pursue free diving next.
It has always been my dream to experience Yi Peng once in a lifetime. Witnessing thousands of lanterns being lit up in the sky as if we were in a tangled movie, obviously it’s a girls dream. We had low expectations due to many bad reviews we have came across, such as the stage were lit up in fire etc. Obviously it is not a safe activity, and people can be careless. To add on the fact that there are more than 3000 seats, it is not easy to monitor and control the situation but of course the organizer should be well prepared. We bought standard ticket which cost us $180. At first we thought that it was way overpriced, it kinda is but honestly after going through the experience, it felt worth it. We were taken by a surprise when there were fireworks as we released the lantern, it was a fascinating sight that I would love to see again.
1. Yi Peng Festival
๐ Pick up at Maya shopping mall
$180 for standard ticket, including transportation and dinner
2. Coconut Market
๐ 94 Soi Ban Tong 2 Mu 3, Fa Ham, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
3. The Giant Chiangmai Thailand
๐ 9, เธซเธกเธนเนเธเนเธฒเธ เธเนเธฒเธเธเนเธญเธ, Huai Kaeo, Mae On District, Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
4. White Market
๐ 1/4-1/5,1/7-1 10 Nimmanahaeminda Road, เนเธกเธทเธญเธ Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
5. Jing Jai Market
๐ 46 Atsadathon Rd, Pa Tan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
6. Tha Phae Walking Street
๐ Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Bangkok, it was nice seeing you again! The first time I went here was the first time I attempted at ‘vlogging’ and looking back, damn I was and am still cringey! Not to worry, those videos are now set to private. Good times though! This time, it was less of a sight-seeing trip but more to shopping and eating. We stayed in Hotel Tranz which is located at Phaya Thai BTS Station. What I loved about the hotel was the location – it is very accessible from BKK airport. It is just 1 train ride away hence super convenient when travelling with luggages around.
I think Bangkok is one of the places where by you walk till you can’t anymore, literally. I walked as much as 25k steps daily while in Bangkok. My legs were dying. Thank goodness for the amazing thai massage at Relax Spa appointment that was booked for my last day. It was amazing! They even served mango sticky rice after my session. It is SO THAI! Here is a list of what I did in Bangkok, in just 4 days!
1. Hotel Tranz
๐ 53 Phaya Thai Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Cost: About $150 per night Website: http://www.hoteltranz.com/
๐ 5th เธกเธฒเธเธธเธเธเธฃเธญเธ 4 54 Lat Phrao Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand Opening Hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily
8. Talad Rod Fai Train Night Market
๐ 1 4 เธเธเธ เธจเธฃเธตเธเธเธฃเธดเธเธเธฃเน Nong Bon, Prawet, Bangkok 10250, Thailand Opening Hours: 5 pm – 1 am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only Website: yanarestaurant.com
9. Chibi Chibi
๐ Rang Nam Alley, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Opening Hours: 10 am – 8 pm, Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday Website: https://www.facebook.com/chibichibicafe/
10. Mister Lobster @ Siam Square One
๐ Unit #OS 2008, 388 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Opening Hours: 10 am – 9 pm daily Website: https://www.facebook.com/Misterlobsterusa
My friend and I have agreed on flying to Krabi for our University Graduation Trip before committing to a full time job. All of our activities booking were made at Krabi airport itself. They have tour package including transport provided to and from airport. We had booked a 2 days tour for Island Hopping and ATV. We stayed in Marina Express Hotel and I actually think that it is a perfect location for Muslims guest. The mosque was just beside the hotel and there were many halal food vendors along the streets. I loved the hotel as it was so cozy!
๐ Marina Express, Fisherman Hotel in Ao Nang About $50 per night including breakfast
Day 1 – Island hopping
We went for the Phi Phi Island tour package which includes Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Lohsamah Bay (for snorkelling), Pileh Bay, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don. I heard Phi Phi Island has the prettiest beach but unfortunately I did not see any due to the limited time given to explore the Island. Based on my experience, I felt that Bamboo Island was the prettiest. It was my first time snorkelling and honestly I was terrified that I had to stick next to my friend all the time. If you ask me, I did not exactly enjoy my first snorkeling experience (but all is different now – I love snorkeling!)
Day 2 – ATV tour
ATV tour includes going for an elephant ride, visiting the emerald pool and obviously, an hour of ATV ride. It was actually saddening looking at the condition of the elephants in Krabi as it looks like they were being abused. Our last stop of the day was riding on an ATV however it was pouring so heavily at that point of time. In the end, we get on the ATV in the rain which honestly was so much fun but I am not going to lie though, an hour of riding the ATV hurts my thumb so bad. I am glad we did it because, one bucketlist off the checklist!
Day 3 – Exploring Railay Beach from Ao Nang
We took the boat from Ao Nang to Railay Beach and I just have to warn you, DO NOT sit at the front of the boat or you will get SOAKED. The ride to Railay beach was super bumpy due to the strong current but it was fun for me – not so fun if you have motion sickness. It was nice spending the day chilling at Railay Beach. We ended our day by watching the sunset at Ao Nang beach and I think it was the prettiest beach sunset I have ever seen thus far.
How much did we spent?
Flight – $100 SGD Return trip airport to hotel – 1000 Baht/$50 SGD Island hopping & ATV tour – 1500 Baht + 200 Baht (for national entrance fee)/$60 SGD + $8 SGD (for national entrance fee) Boat to Railay – 800 Baht per boat for 8 pax
My first ever holiday trip with friends (not with school) was to Bangkok in 2015. Shout out to my diploma gang, it was a smooth trip! It was actually our post graduation trip before the dudes had to go National Services while the ladies had to wait for University to commence. We had about 5 full days in Bangkok & here is what we did!
Sightseeing in Bangkok
1. Calypso show at Asiatique
๐ 2194 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Wat Phraya Krai, Khet Bang Kho Laem, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand How to get there: Go to Sathorn Pier to take the free shuttle boat service that operates from 5pm – 11pm Ticket price: THB 900 Website: https://www.calypsocabaret.com/en
Calypso is a ladyboy show where they will perform on stage with unique costumes, skits and dances! If you do not want to see the show, I do recommend dropping by Asiatique. It is an open air mall so you can shop and eat all you want! Not to forget, it’s a picturesque location too!
2. Madame Tussaud’s
๐ เธชเธขเธฒเธกเธเธดเธชเธเธฑเธเนเธงเธญเธฃเธตเน 989 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm Website: https://www.madametussauds.com/bangkok/en/tickets/
It was our first visit ever to the wax museum and it’s great for taking pictures with celebrities that you do not get to meet in real life! L-O-L. There are some interactive corners so it was quite entertaining to be there. We had also bought our package that includes getting our hand waxed as a souvenir to bring home (which had melted after a few months by the way).
3. Ocean World
๐ 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm Website: https://www.sealifebangkok.com/en/
4. Terminal 21
๐ 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Not recommended for shopping as the items can be pricey but great to explore! Every level has a different theme of countries, even the toilets! While being in terminal 21, you can also go to the cinema for a different experience (anywhere in Thailand); they actually play their national anthem before the movie begins.
5. Chinatown
๐ Yaowarat RdKrung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand
Shopping in Bangkok
1. Chatuchak Weekend Market
๐ 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand Opening hours: Time varies, closed on Mon & Tue
Shopping in Chatuchak in summer is unbelievably HOT so be prepared! Great for shopping for souvenirs or summer clothes.
2. Union Mall
๐ 54 เธเธญเธข เธฅเธฒเธเธเธฃเนเธฒเธง 1 Khwaeng Chom Phon, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand Opening hours: 11 am – 10 pm
Recommended if you want to shop for formal clothes! It’s nicer to shop here as compared to Chatuchak as it is air-conditioned.
๐ 444 Phayathai Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm
MBK Mall is one of my faves, because they have the best watermelon juice at the top floor food court. Great for shopping too! Lots of halal food variety for our Muslim travelers!
๐ 39 Rang Nam Alley, Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand Website: http://www.rangnamspa.com/
After all the walking in Bangkok, you definitely deserve a massage. I was not used to getting myself a massage so my friend and I decided to try out foot massage. My first foot massage was uncomfortable due to mixture of pain and ticklish (because I had blisters on my feet). Nonetheless, the aftermath felt GREAT. Our legs finally felt light again. Definitely recommend!
Memories in the making 
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