5 Quick Travel Tips: Krabi

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Sha

Doing up this post because I’ve had several people asking me on what to do in Krabi. So here’s my take on a to-do list, based on my 5 days there. To keep it short and sweet, keeping it to 5 really quick points:

1) Night Market

If you’re in Krabi over the weekend, you’re in luck. Head down to Krabi Town, where there’s a night market. From Ao Nang (assuming you’re staying there), it’ll take quite a while to get there even with a tuk tuk. But hey, the wonderful street food you’ll find at the night market will make that journey well worth it.

squid rice

The night market is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and you can start heading there early in the evening.

p/s: Here’s the distinctive traffic lights you’ll see in Krabi Town!

krabi town traffic lights

2) Island Hopping

There’s really nothing much to do in Krabi (which makes it a good place to just chill and unwind), so island hopping is a must. Two recommended tours are the Four Island Tour – which we went for and Hong Island Tour. The Four Island tour was so much fun, and took about half a day, while the Hong Island one is said to take the full day.

You can make your tour bookings at any of the local tour kiosks which are quite rampant along the sidewalks.

beach instax

3) Emerald Pool

The Emerald Pool is really worth a go, as long as it’s not during the peak seasons (think school holidays/national holidays) because then it’d be really crowded. We went in early January, so there wasn’t really a crowd. Really nice to dip into clear waters

emerald pool pano

4) Avoid waterfalls/hot springs

Why avoid? Because it’s quite a disappointment of both counts.

This was supposedly the waterfall fueling the hot springs. Perhaps it was a matter of expectations, but I wanted to see a HUGE waterfall.

krabi waterfall

It was really not much of a hot spring. Too small, and with a lot of people going there, it just wasn’t convenient. I didn’t even step in. We were there just because it was part of a day tour we were part of.

5) Tiger Caves

My tip for the Tiger Cave is that only go for it if you’re really fit and ready to climb hundreds of steps UP. Most of the flights of steps are VERY steep which made it really tiring. FP and I gave up halfway (seriously).

Check out the steps:

steep steps

steps up tiger cave

Here’s a view from the highest point we got to (before giving up and making our way down). It would have been such a pretty sight at the very, very top but we just couldn’t go on.

view from the middle

So those are my 5 points on what to do in Krabi.

Here’s a bonus tip: when waiting for your flight home at the airport, make sure you’re equipped with books/games/an ipad/whatever because it’s a really small airport and departure area with only a coffee shop, a snack shop and a random jewellery shop. So yes, be prepared to self-entertain! But there’s always something good in everything, and for the Krabi airport, it’s this wonderful view of a mountain – seen from the departure terminal:

mountain view

Turquoise and Purple Wedding Bouquet

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Sha

It’s funny how certain colours that you might not even think of grouping together can turn out pretty well and make up such a vibrant combination.

Check out this bouquet: a mix of turquoise and purple roses with sprinkles of pink rosebuds:

blue purple roses

Of course a lovely bouquet like this has to be accompanied by boutonnieres for the groomsmen:

bluepurplepins

.. and pretty corsages for bridesmaids:

t-p-corsages

I really love this set as it’s unconventional and s bright and cheery!

Have you liked Twirl’d on Facebook yet? You can also email me directly at twirldbysha@gmail.com for enquiries!

Staying at Novotel Bangkok Platinum

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Sha

For my recent trip to Bangkok, we decided to shack up at Novotel Bangkok Platinum because we’ve heard good things about it from friends. Also, because it is just above Platinum Mall, it is really so convenient when your sole agenda is to shop.

Getting there
If you’re not into taking cabs from the airport, you could be adventurous and take the train from the airport and stop at Ratchaprarop station. However, unlike Baiyoke Sky, you’d need to walk a fair 15 minutes to the hotel (which involves going up an overhead bridge and crossing roads) but it isn’t all that bad!

Novotel Platinum

One tip: when checking-in, try to request for a non-corner room. I’ll show you why. We’ve had the pleasure of staying in both a corner and non-corner room, and it makes all the difference in the world!

We first got a corner room but due to a fault with the air-conditioning, we got shifted to a non-corner room at a higher floor! All amenities are the same so I’ll get to that later, but I’m just gonna show the rooms first!

Corner Room

This was our first room. Despite the comfy king-sized bed, it was rather small. The bathroom was hidden in behind a door.

corner bedroom

Also, there’s this arm chair, which was also cozy – but you’d prefer the one in the non-corner room.

arm chair

Non-corner Room

By the time we got a new room, it was already night time, so no more natural light when snapping these photos (boo!) But check out how much more space a non-corner room has!

non-corner bedroom

And a glass-wndowed bathroom! Those of you who have read my previous hotel reviews would know I’m deeply in love with glass windowed / open concept bathrooms so this was a real PLUS. So much love for this room.

One more thing to love: these lights at each side of the bed are so convenient for a late night reader like me

lights

Also, check this out. What was only an arm chair in the previous room, is now a sofa in this room:

hotel sofa

(Mini desk can be rotated to be a coffee table. How versatile!)

Other side of the room:

tv and desk

View when I wake up on our third morning there:

room view

Bathroom

There wasn’t a tub, but with the glass windows, it was enough to make me happy. There was a rain shower and a normal shower:

shower heads

And a sink + mirror:

vanity dresser

Toiletries (love the packaging!):

shower gel shampoo

And towels that can be replaced daily if you’d like it that way:

novotel towels

And if you require anything else related to personal care, you can always call the Housekeeping for it:

card room amenity

Where’s the toilet you ask? Well, it’s tastefully hidden behind a close door in the bathroom!

Room Amenities

Amenities in the room were pretty satisfactory. Bottled water is replenished daily and there are also other chargeable drinks/snacks in the pantry area.

room beverages

Beer anyone?

mini fridge

Condoms sitting comfortably with packets of food, heh.

snacks

There are also “practical” amenities such as the safe:

hotel safe

Slippers, iron and ironing board:

ironing board

p/s: the bathrobes are so comfy and are a must when the AC gets too cold!

bathrobes

Room Service Menu
It’s a rare occasion where we didn’t have the need to order room service in the middle of the night (because in Bangkok you don’t really go hungry) but here’s the full room service menu for your reference:

novotel room service menu

room service menu novotel platinum

Breakfast Area

Here’s where we had our breakfast during our stay: at The Square

the square novotel

Here’s our table and the decor at our side of the restaurant:

table setting

square restaurant

So sorry but we didn’t take any food photos, but rest assured the breakfast buffet is more than satisfactory. Worth waking up early for

novotel lift lobby

In conclusion
What draws me most about staying at Novotel is the hotel staff. I haven’t seen hotel staff so friendly and genuinely kind and oh-so-smiley since our stay at Metadee Resort in Phuket. And I think the staff at Novotel took the phrase “service with a smile” to another level. They are always making small talk with us whenever we get back to the hotel. It felt like coming home

Novotel Platinum isn’t perfect, but the genuinely friendly staff makes up for it.

With that, I give it..

4 rainbows

10 Years and Counting

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Sha

Today FP and I celebrated our 10th year together. 10 years, who would have thought?

10 years ago, at this time, I’d just gotten my A level results, still unsure of what to do with my life. I was sorely disappointed into not getting into “the coveted University” and was wondering if I should pursue Law as I’ve always planned.

And now, my career has finally stabilized with quite a solid resume (if I should say so myself) and couldn’t be any further than my love of Law – which I truly wanted to take on since my schooling days. To say that my career is relevant to my degree won’t be quite accurate too. I mean how does someone who took up Mass Communication end up doing techy stuff like SEO, Pay-Per-Click and develop a strong interest in digital media?

Somehow things have worked itself out rather strangely, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. And throughout my progression from a lost A Level Cert Holder to Uni Student to Struggling Fresh-grad (who couldnt get a job for the life of her) to landing my first proper job to my down-est moment in my career and finally to an Experience and Established Career Girl – the boyfriend has been there all along. To hold my hand, to guide me through, to give me the extra “push” when I needed it.

Just like how I’ve been there for his Polytechnic graduation, Army Days, 1001 different hobbies that he got bored off as quickly as he got passionate into them, through his career with the government – which consisted of 3 different “chapters” so to say, his decision to take up a part time degree. What I’m trying to say is that we’ve grown up together in the past decade. Today we met after work – him in proper office wear, and me in a dress with a cardigan and flats – and it made me think back of just how much we’ve grown up – individually and together as a couple.

Where were those two kids who had little money, unsure of their future, who wore casual clothes (I wear casual to work almost everyday now, but today I didn’t and it seems especially poignant), who were happy just eating cup noodles and people watch? We could only dream of taking frequent vacations, or even getting nice gadgets/things/clothes. And yet, we were happy.

We’ve somehow become these “adults” with financial stability, who can decide their next holiday destination in a split second, who own nice gadgets bought with our hard-earned money – and most importantly stay happy together throughout it all.

We still hold hands when we walk, and tell each other “I love you” ever so often. We laugh and joke everyday, often laughing at ourselves (and at each other). We make up silly and utterly nonsensical nicknames for each other on an almost daily basis. Strangely, everything still feels so new. Sometimes, even though we speak in English, other people just can’t “get” what we’re on about simply because for a lot of words, there’s a double, even triple meaning to us. It’s as if we made up a new language within the English language. Language-ception, heh.

When we first started, I couldn’t imagine we’d come this far. Not surprising considering my past relationships didn’t even go beyond a year. But we took the leap and without us realizing, 10 years has passed. I know that realistically, we ought to already been married and have a couple of kids by now, but it still hasn’t happened – but I’m happy now. He makes me happy and I’m truly blessed to have been paired with someone who is the polar opposite of me in so many ways, and yet puts me on a pedestal and adores me. Some people are married with kids but are not happy. We can’t predict happiness.

Of course with true love comes a whole load of challenges. And that has been very true for us. But we braved through each and every one of those challenges, holding to each other tightly and came out stronger than before.

I wouldn’t trade the past ten years for anything in the world. And I’m glad I’ve given the best years of my life to you. Thank you for always taking care of me, and loving me that much. Here’s to many more decades ahead. I love you

Bangkok Trip 2013: 5 Bite-Sized Snippets

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Sha

Just came back from my third Bangkok trip (in two years) and would just like to share snippets of the trip. This is something new for me as I typically blog about a specific topic at any one time, so here goes!

1) Red Head Alert

For the first time ever, I ‘got my hair did’ while travelling. I get nervous each time I do something to my hair even with my usual stylist, so you can imagine what I must have been feeling getting my hair done in Bangkok. To make it worse, I was extremely busy that week before leaving for my trip, so I didn’t really have time to decide what I wanted to do. So colouring it a shade of red is something completely impromptu.

I got it done at Moga Hair Salon at Siam Paragon (they also have a branches at Terminal 21 and Central World) and am pretty happy with the result!

sha red hair

p/s: Do ask for this stylist named J. He did my hair and I’m pleased with it!

2) Foot Massage

Another first in Bangkok: a foot massage! This was done on our final evening there, and it was such a sweet, sweet relief after days of hardcore walking. 90% of whatever discomfort there was previously were gone! Well-worth the 200 Baht for the hour

thai foot massage

An embarrassing incident happened towards the end of the session. I was told by my masseuse to turn around and sit on the foot stool so she can massage my neck and shoulders. Somehow over the hour that I was seated, the back of my dress had somehow folded up and rode itself up. So when I stood, I was exposed to at least 6 people, to which I said a loud “whoops!” to and quickly sat my butt down on the foot stool. So that was.. embarrassing huh?

(Aside from this massage, we also went for a Spa session on our second day. Let me decide if I’m gonna do a separate blog post on that)

3) Failed Ombre Nails
I’ve known exactly what nail design to have way, way before this Bangkok trip. But alas, I was too ambitious (and hopeful). It should have been a sign when there were whispers on how to do it after I showed them this photo:

ombre pastel nails

It should also have been a deterrent for me to change my mind and switch to another design when they didnt have the pastel blue I wanted. But I gave the girls a benefit of my doubt. And that, my friends, is how I ended up with these nails:

failed nails