Thailand has a special place in my heart and people close to me would know why. Needless to say, I love Thai food and always appreciate a chance to savor authentic dishes made by Thai chefs. So when I found out that Conrad Manila's all-day dining restaurant, Brasserie on 3, will be serving Thai dishes for a limited time, I jumped at the chance to visit the restaurant for lunch yesterday.

Experience some of the much-loved Southeast Asian culinary gems known for their vibrant hues, aromas, and spices that make for rich and flavorful offerings. Flavors of Thailand is a celebration of authentic Thai cuisine specially prepared by guest chefs Apichat Sea-Jiang and Chanyut Kaewkra, from Conrad Manila's sister hotel Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa.

"Together with our Executive Chef, Thomas Jakobi, we are able to curate a special menu of Thai favorites which will be incorporated in our daily buffet for all to enjoy," shared Harald Feurstein, Conrad's General Manager. "We are proud to present authentic Thai cuisine, which are in line with Brasserie on 3's commitment in providing and making use of sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients."

Being a big hot and sour soup fan, I personally recommended diners to not miss having the Tom Yum Talay, which is spicy soup made with seafood and Thai aromatic herbs. I loved how it was served using young coconuts as bowls because the sweetness of the soft coconut meat complemented the soup's taste!

For appetizers, we had Tod Man Pla, which are delicious deep fried Thai fish cakes; Moo Satay made of pork with peanut sauce and cucumber relish; Yam Som O or spicy pomelo with prawn salad; and Nam Prik Kapi, a spicy shrimp paste dip with Thai vegetables. The vibrant colors and bursting flavors will definitely whet up your appetite for the main courses.

As to the main courses, have a taste of Gaeng Massaman Nuea, a dish of Massaman curry beef, potatoes, and peanuts; Phad Pak Ruam Mit or wok-fried vegetables (I ate a lot of the kailan leaves!) with oyster sauce; Goong Tod Kratiem Prik Thai made of deep fried tiger prawns with garlic and pepper; Poo Phad Pong Karee or wok fried curried crab with celery and spring onions (the crab meat is lip-smacking good!); and Gai Yang, which is Thai-style barbecued chicken.

Our dessert was Mango Rice served with ice cream and desiccated coconut. I couldn't eat more after that even if there were other delectable sweets and treats in the buffet's dessert area. I'd have to come back and try them another time.

Bottomline? If you haven't tried eating Thai food yet or are craving for authentic Thai dishes, this is a great time to work out your taste buds! Brasserie on 3's Flavors of Thailand food festival is available for buffet lunch and dinner at P1,600 nett per person from July 27 to August 2, 2017. For inquiries and reservations, please call +63.2.8339999 or email conradmanila@conradhotels.com.

One particular place that every tourist must not miss when visiting Bangkok, Thailand is Chatuchak Weekend Market. It is THE place for bargain shopping.

It is very easy to get there via Bangkok's easy to navigate train system. Just ride the BTS (Sky Train) or MRT (Subway Train) and get off at Mo Chit station. Make sure to get a copy of the free map of the train systems that are available in most stations, save a picture file on your mobile device, or print out a copy from the internet before you leave for Thailand.

I went to Chatuchak on a Saturday by myself. I took the airport link train from the Ramkhamhaeng station, which is just across Nasa Vegas, my hotel, got off at Makkasan (fare: THB 15) and walked to the MRT's Pratcha Buri station. I rode that one going to Mo Chit (fare: THB 31).

Walking towards the main market is easy because I just followed the flow of the people in front of me. Just turn right after getting off the MRT stairs, go straight, and you'll eventually see the entrance to Chatuchak on your right.

From there, just start exploring anywhere. You will find bargains at every turn. I very much regret not being able to have more time there, though. I arrived around 3PM and didn't get to buy as many souvenirs as I wanted because the stalls close at 6PM.

Someday, I would like go back there because I saw a lot of things I should have bought the first time I passed their areas. As it was, due to the huge land space, I found it hard to find certain stalls again afterwards.

Some tips:

1.  Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing. It can get really hot. Bring a bottle of water with you although there are food stalls also where you can buy snacks and drinks. I ate a papaya salad to replenish my energy.

2. Always try to get the lowest price possible. Learn to haggle with the shop owners. I happily was able to get some good discounts.

3. Exchange rate here is higher. Don't swap all your spending money while at the airport. I learned that too late.

4. Bring a big foldable bag that you can put your all purchases in to avoid holding lots of small plastic bags. My mistake.

5. Take pictures. The place is so colorful, you'll have a great time taking lots of nice shots.

6. Go there early to be able to shop more. Operating hours: 6PM-12MN on Fridays, 9AM-6PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

I find it serendipitous that a month prior to my solo trip to Bangkok, Thailand, I had an opportunity to visit Vientiane, Laos in early October and teach a weeklong academic writing course to graduate students there. 

I appreciated the chance to familiarize myself a little bit with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport before I took another flight to Laos and back to the Philippines 10 days later.

In Vientiane, one of my students gave me tips about traveling to Thailand, including where to find convenient and affordable accommodations. Olive told me she often stays at Nasa Vegas Hotel which is right across a station of the airport link train. 

Once back home, I logged on to Agoda.com and searched for Bangkok hotels. I was pleased to see that a junior room at Nasa Vegas only costs around US$12.00+ (breakfast not included so I have nothing to write about this hotel's food). I booked a room for two nights and my credit card was charged a total of US$28.52 including taxes, which was equivalent to PhP1261.70. 

I checked in at Nasa Vegas on the afternoon of November 9 right after arriving from Pattaya. I got off the bus at the airport and took the train straight to Ramkhamhaeng, the fourth station from the airport. I just had to cross the street under the station and walked over to the hotel. 

Although the check in time was indicated at 3PM, I was allowed to check in immediately at 1:30PM after being asked for a THB1000 deposit, my passport, and the email print out of my reservation. 

My room was comfortable although far in appearance from the nicer photos posted at the Agoda site. It is located at the corner of the 18th floor and overlooks the railway. I was not at all bothered by the sound of the trains passing by, even at night. It actually fascinated me. 

Aside from the TV, there was a small refrigerator where I got to cool water and juices I bought from the Family Mart store outside. I did not get anything from the mini bar to lessen my expenses. 

The bathroom is okay. I was not expecting a bathtub but there was one, along with hot water. There were towels, soap, and shampoo but guests would have to bring their own oral care kits because toothbrushes and toothpaste are for sale along with some snacks on the minibar.

I think the hotel have seen better days though because when you get off the elevator on the 18th floor, you’ll be greeted with the hall carpet’s musty scent. It’s a good thing the inside of my room doesn’t have any unpleasant smell and the air conditioning unit was working fine.

I guess the top (first world :p) problem I encountered was the lack of outlets for my two phones, iPad, laptop, and camera batteries' charger. There was only one electrical outlet below the bedside table mirror so I had to unplug the TV at night to be able to charge at least two gadgets at the same time. 

Overall though, I am quite satisfied with my stay. After all, I didn’t spend a lot of time inside the hotel, having been busy seeing sights around Bangkok during the day. If I were to go back, I’d probably stay there again because of the price and the proximity to the train and airport. 

Please take note, however, that train fares are expensive and malls and restaurants are quite far from Nasa Vegas. The only commercial establishments I saw that’s near it is the Family Mart and a massage place (that I didn't get to try, argh!) beside it. So don’t stay there if you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife. 

But if you’re like me who’s afraid of not making it to an early morning flight, book at Nasa Vegas. My return trip to the Philippines was around 8AM on November 11 and I was able to easily check out of the hotel around 6AM. Travel time to Suvarnabhumi took less than 15 minutes thanks, too, to Bangkok’s efficient train system.

*To see more photos taken around Bangkok and find links to my other blog posts about Thailand, please visit this Facebook album

If you ever find yourself staying in Pattaya, Thailand for a day or two, make sure you never, and I mean NEVER, miss going to Hopf Brew House! This is a great place where they serve delicious food, good house-brewed beer (I was told), and a great live band!

happy after eating delicious food!

Biases-aside (because my Uncle Bert plays the keyboard), the band is one of the best I've heard in a long time. They have a wide repertoire of music that range from bossa nova to Beatles' songs to opera to pop. Everyone in the band can sing and it's fascinating to hear different kinds of music in one night.

pretty stained glass door

It was also a pleasure and a privilege to meet the talented members. To my delight, one of them is Filipino! So I got to joke around in Tagalog with Kuya Emman while Nicky made me laugh because he kept telling me "Mabuhay!" the only Tagalog word he knows :)

Nicky, Kuya Emman, Me, and Uncle Bert

I so regret not being able to take a video (management doesn't allow it) of the guys so I can't share a clip with you.  Thank goodness picture-taking is okay. I asked my uncle what is the band's name is and he said they actually don't have one. But since all of them often get sick every now and then, some people jokingly call them Virus hahaha.

The food selection here is great. I had mushroom soup, steak, and tangerine juice on my first night and enjoyed every bite. Before we left, Enzo, one of the owners who is also a member of the band, had us try the Tiramisu, which he made himself. That was a perfect nightcap for me!

Before the band started playing, I was pleasantly surprised to see a video clip of my top favorite music group, The Corrs, singing with Luciano Pavarotti on the TV screens scattered around Hopf. I felt that, in a way, it was a good welcome sign that I was in the right place at the right time.  

On my second and last night in Pattaya, I told my uncle I'd like to hear the band again. They play four sets a night, from Mondays to Saturdays. A lot of tourists come back to hear them too. I've also seen families with small kids enjoy Hopf's food and ambiance.

For dinner that night, I ordered the smoked salmon salad, fried rice with crab, tom yum soup, and lime juice. I wasn't disappointed. Again, everything tasted really great.

I love the tom yum because the chef honored my "not spicy" request so I didn't have to take a sip of water every time I eat a spoonful of soup. Also, there are lots of shrimp and mushroom instead of just a few pieces swimming in a large bowl of soup, very unlike some of the tom yum I've had in other places in the past.

So, if you're traveling to Pattaya any time soon, go to Hopf! Although the place can be packed during high tourist season and you may have to wait for a table, have patience because it will be worth it :)

* To see more photos, you can view this Facebook album

I've been planning to go to Thailand since July because I was given a round trip ticket to any international Cebu Pacific Air destination courtesy of my Citibank credit card. I chose this country because I wanted to pay a visit to my grandfather's grave and meet his son, my dad's half-brother, for the first time.

Thanks to Facebook, my cousin Karen, who used to live in Bangkok, introduced me to our uncle. I was excited to meet him because he and my dad used to write letters to each other when my father was still alive. I am sure my Tatay would be happy to know that at least one of his family members got to meet Uncle Bert in person.

And so I arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport at around 9AM last Thursday morning. I went down to the first floor and looked for the bus counter to get a ride to Pattaya. I bought a ticket worth THB 134 for the 12NN bus because the earlier time slots were already taken.

To kill time, I went to the food court and looked for something to eat. There, one has to exchange money for coupons to be able to buy anything from the kiosks.

So I traded in 100 Thai Baht (THB) and bought myself a shrimp wanton noodle soup (THB  65), a cup of iced tea (THB 15), and a bottle of water (THB 10). The last THB 10 coupon, I kept as a souvenir.

A few minutes before noon, I went back to the bus counter where we were directed to our bus. The vehicle is very comfortable. It has a wide legroom, soft seats, and a comfort room! (Yay for not having to worry about rest stops!)

I slept for most of the two-hour trip then got off at the last stop, which was just a waiting shed beside some shops. My uncle fetched me there after I gave him a landmark. It turned out he thought I took the other bus, Bell Service (the one he told me to ride), and was on his way to that company's station. I didn't realize that the bus I rode is different from the other one. Thankfully, I still arrived in Pattaya in one piece.

We went straight to Phratamnak Hill (Khao Pattaya), an elevated area overlooking the city where there is a great view of the crescent bay. There, you'll find Wat Khao Phra Bat, the Monument of Kromluang Chomphonkhetudomsak, the founding Father of modern Thai Navy, and the Thai Navy's radio station.  

Next, we visited the nearby Big Buddha at Prayai, Khamtumna Mountain. It has stairs that immediately reminded me of Malaysia's Batu Caves but the steps here at not as steep nor as many.

There are lots of smaller Buddhas around the area. Each have signs that indicate one day of the week; maybe to avoid confusion as to what Buddha to pray to on particular days. I had my photo taken beside the Saturday Buddha because that's the day I was born :)

Next my Uncle brought me to his friend's place in Soi 10 where there are apartments for rent. I like my room because it looked very homey. I slept there for two nights and appreciated the comfortable twin beds and the quiet environment.

Please come back and visit this blog in the coming days. I'll post more write ups about the many adventures I had in Pattaya -- a place I've come to love and would like to visit again someday.

* To see more photos, please visit this album on my blog's Facebook page

Last month, I was handed a free SIM card at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport after my plane from Laos landed. I didn't have the chance to use it as I was flying home to the Philippines a few hours later.

Yesterday, I was once more in Bangkok and was finally able to test the Happy sim (more info at dtac.co.th). From my research online, this one costs THB 49 and has THB 15 free load. As soon as I cleared immigration, I inserted the sim in my extra phone to call my uncle who I was meeting a few hours later. 

Unlike in the Philippines where texting is cheap and voice calls are expensive, local text messages here cost THB 3 each while calls are at THB 0.99-1.50 per minute. Internet costs THB 2 per megabyte. 

After my first call, I tried to activate the English menu by calling 1678 as per the brochure's instruction. All I heard was someone speaking in Thai. The wasted call further deducted THB 3 from my free load. 

I looked for a DTAC booth to buy extra credits so I can connect to the Internet. The lady at the counter suggested I just buy the Happy Tourist sim that provides unlimited 3G access for 7 days and THB 100 load credits. Knowing that I would probably be out sightseeing most of the time in the next five days, I bought the new sim.

I inserted it in a Samsung Galaxy Y phone and used that as my mobile hotspot. When the data packet is on, I can connect my laptop, Windows Phone, and iPad mini to the internet as well. The catch though is that the Samsung phone's battery drains faster when WiFi is on so I made use of a power bank to make sure my hotspot doesn't die on me.

In fairness, the connection is not bad, although I've never seen the signal reach as high as 3G status. I am able to post photos on Instagram, check my emails, and keep updated on Facebook both in Bangkok and in Pattaya. There are just some areas where the signal goes from E to H. When it rained heavily earlier today, I had difficulties posting pictures online.

Still, I am very thankful that for a few extra bahts, I could still communicate with my loved ones back home as well as keep updated with news from the Philippines. 

Aside from DTAC, another mobile service provider here is AIS. Rates and SIM cards cost the same but my uncle says the signal of AIS is believed to be better. If you do get to try it when you're in Thailand, please leave a comment on this post so other readers can also make use of the information :)