Can't get enough of Bangkok!

I was in Bangkok for yet another weekend holiday in November 2013. I arrived on a late Thursday night and left Sunday. The last time I was in Bangkok was more than 4 years ago, when the airport railway link wasn't open yet. So I was very excited to get to try it.

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LOOK WHO'S BACK???!!!!

Wow I just realized it's been a year since my last real post. I've been busy with just work and life in general (and with the advent of Facebook) that I totally neglected this blog. I also noticed Blogger has so many new features/functions It's like learning how to blog all over again (arghh).

The other day I was looking through my posts and felt a bit of nostalgia with all the memories, photos and rant/raves that I've managed to pile up in this blog of mine. AND all the food I've eaten!!!

You're probably wondering why the sudden comeback. Well, I quit my job - which explains the free time to blog. But really, I also realized I've put so much effort in this blog that it would be such a shame to not go back to blogging. About the job, I don't really want to dwell too much on the topic but let's just say I feel it's time to move on. My company has really given me the experience I need to beef up my resume so let's just keep it at that.

Annnyyywaaayyyy, Let me just run through the things, events, and milestones that have transpired during my absence (If you'd like to see pictures from the destinations below, add me in Facebook and let me know you read my blog hehe. Search for "Christian Abellaneda"):


July 2009 - Aileen & Bill's Wedding in Tagaytay, Philippines
- such a memorable and fabulous wedding with the fireworks and all! Also a family reunion of sorts since our relatives from all over the world flew over (including us from Singapore! haha)


Aug 2009 - Moving in to our new place
- Since Aileen and Bill got married, we had to move in to a new place so they can commence their married life with me!! hahaha


Sept 2009 - Trip to Boracay, Philippines
- Needed a break (As always haha) so went to Boracay with Yo & Mike


early-Oct 2009 - Birthday with Mom and Yo
- Since I wasn't able to go home for Xmas back in 2009, my ever sweet Mom and twin brother visited for my/our birthday


end-Oct 2009 - Trip to Bangkok
- short 3 day trip to Bangkok for a weekend getaway


Dec 2009 - Christmas Holidays with Yo
- Aileen, Bill and I weren't able to go home for Christmas so I asked, or shall I say forced, my twin bro to fly to Singapore to celebrate the holidays with us :)


Feb 2010 - Trip to Cebu, Philippines
- Spent the Chinese New Year holidays in my Dad's hometown Cebu in the Philippines. It's been a while since we travelled as a family


April 2010 - UNFORGETTABLE Trip to Turkey
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE TURKEY!!! Oh did I say I love Turkey?!


early-May 2010 - Trip to Vietnam
- First time to travel with Aileen and Bill overseas


mid-May 2010 - Visit by my BFFs
- My BFFs Cathy, Krizia, Karen and Ivy came over to visit

end-May - I quit my Job!!!


June 2010 - Visit by cousins / Trip to Bintan, Indonesia
- The Salamat cousins came over to visit so off we went to Bintan, amongst other things

I never realized so many things happened this past year and I'm very grateful to God for all the wonderful blessings and all the time spent with loved ones. I do hope I finally get this blog up and running again on a regular basis. And I do hope to find a job soon! Work sucks but beggars cant be choosers!! I need the damn money to keep up with my life haha.

WELCOME BACK TO MYSELF!!! :)

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Pola Pola Cafe, Bangkok, Thailand

On our 3rd night, we had dinner at this Italian Resto that we chanced upon while walking around the area near our hotel. It's not that we were tired of thai food, we just wanted to sample how Italian cuisine is in Bangkok.

Margarita to kickstart your appetite =)

Long Island Iced Tea

(Free!) Freshly baked rolls for Appetizer with creamed garlic butter

Scrumptuous!!! Seafood Squid-Ink Fettucine with Cream Sauce. Look at the abundance of scallops and seafood!

4-Cheese Pizza

Lobster & Shrimp Fettucine.

Dinner was around THB 1,331 (around S$60). Not bad considering we had cocktails, pizza and pasta.

We so enjoyed our dinner the previous night that we decided to go back for lunch the next day, our last day.

Pola Pola's Special Salmon Pizza

A bit salty and lacking in tomato sauce but still quite nice.

Squid-Ink Angel Hair Pasta with Mushrooms in cream sauce.

Lunch was around THB600+ (around S$30).

So that caps off our 4-day Bangkok getaway. We were a bit anxious to get home as by that time the riots were really getting crazy. In fact, singapore residents who were in Thailand were already encouraged by the government to enlist their names online just in case anything happens.

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Lek Seafood, Bangkok, Thailand

Dinner on our first night was at a hole-in-the-wall neighborhood restaurant (this was at a small alley at the back of our hotel). It was actually Patrick, Zach's friend, who introduced us to this place. He ate here before and guaranteed the place served authentic, delicious and (most importantly) cheap thai food.

As they say, a picture says a thousand words so let the pictures do the talking hahaha.

(BURP!!!)

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Erawan Tea Room, Grand Hyatt, Bangkok, Thailand

On our first afternoon, we had high tea at the Erawan Tea Room in Grand Hyatt. I love the interior of the place, homey yet classy ambience.

THB220 per person for the high tea. Quite reasonable given we were in Grand Hyatt, plus the spread was really plenty. It wasn't buffet though but believe me it is very filling.

An interesting mix of international (scones, tart et al) and local delicacies. I love the Banana dumpling in Banana leaf cone.

I never really liked rice cakes or rice desserts as I find it too heavy for snacking but the Mango with Sticky Rice was utterly divine. It looks real plain and simple but the taste is exquisite and unforgettable. Ok I'm exaggerating. But really it was good. Don't ever leave Bangkok without tasting it.

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Bangkok, Thailand

3 days after we got back from Bali, we were headed to Bangkok. It wasn't a good time actually. The previous night I saw in the news that the rallies were escalating. The problem is we already paid for our tickets & hotel months before and unfortunately we didn't get promo rates. So riot or no riot, we had to be in Bangkok by hook or by crook haha.

Zach was actually on vacation leave for a month that's why we jampacked our travels in April. I also needed a break from work anyway. Bangkok is pretty much like any cosmopolitan metropolis. Very modern but the touch of culture and heritage spells the difference. The food was absolutely the highlight of this trip (haha whats new). Seriously, authentic thai food is the bomb!

It was a big bummer that on our 3rd day in Bkk, everyone in Siam Paragon was asked to go home since the rallyists were invading the area. So we pretty much weren't able to go around anymore for fear of our safety. It was ironic though how the rallyists were causing chaos while the others were celebrating the Songkran "Water" Festival.

Enjoy the pics! Click on the link to Kodak Gallery below and make sure to scroll over the headings to view the titles/comments.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=176isvtt.c4io72it&x=0&y=8xa6j2&localeid=en_US
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Updates/Fitness Blog #6

Image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenscakes/666055510/

Today, March 21st, marks my second year of living/working here in Singapore! Wow, how time flies! I guess the days just pass when you're really busy and preoccupied. 2 years, 3 jobs and 10 kg later (Ugh!) has really taught me so much in life. I've been to new places, met many faces and overcame (and still overcoming) different challenges.

Next month, I will be applying for permanent residency and hopefully it gets approved. Aileen, my cousin and flatmate, just got hers approved recently, congratulations cuz!!! Singapore is really an ideal place to live in. I can truly, honestly say this is my second home. Of course, the Philippines will always be the place I return to but I can realistically see myself living here for another 5 or 10 years.

Anyway, now that I mentioned it, I am really determined to get back in shape. I know I've said this many many times since I started this blog but I really hope to keep my word this time. Today, I'll be going to the gym for the 4th time this week. Zach has really pushed me to lose weight not for anything else but really for my own benefit. He's been helping me do weight-training at the gym and he is one tough trainer! I'm also very proud to say I can now run for 13 minutes straight on the treadmill. The last time I mentioned on my blog, I was only able to run 8 minutes. Plus, lately I've been sticking to 1 rice meal a day (lunch) and the rest of the day I would eat fruits, yogurt or a very light meal without the carbs.

Aileen's wedding is just around the corner (July to be exact) and I'd like to look good on that special occassion as it would also be sort of a reunion for our relatives, especially for those who are living abroad.

I saw this Banana Republic Suit (notice how there are 2 pockets on one side, love it! hehe) and I'm planning to have one custom made in Bangkok when I go on April 10. My aunt who recently went there said she had one made for my Uncle for only S$200. That includes the suit, pants and long-sleeved shirt. Now is that cheap or what.?! Though I want mine single breasted with just 1 or 2 buttons. Double-breasted looks kind of fatherly haha.

So wish me luck guys! I do know it takes more than just luck because losing weight and getting fit really takes a lot of determination and hard work.

P.S. By the way, regarding my "Jaded" post, everything is ok now. To my friends, thanks for being there.

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