Ahjumma..... Fighting!: Bangkok Trip 2018 -Day 2

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Ban Khun Mae
Mermaid Cafe
Somboon Seafood Restaurant
Big C Supermarket

Despite an uneventful day yesterday, we slept relatively well and woke up feeling refreshed.

As it was a Sunday, our plan was to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market. However, I had some reservations about bringing the princess to this market where it's famous for the heat. She was still having a low-grade fever yesterday and it was a little risky to expose her to such climate.
The princess, on the other hand, appeared very cheerful and lively. She seemed to have forgotten her fever ordeal. So we decided to monitor her temperature for a little longer and headed for breakfast.

For breakfast, we had a choice of dining at the Premier Lounge (which was exclusive access for Executive Rooms and above guests) or at the hotel breakfast venue.
We decided to head to the lounge to see what it had to offer as we foresee we won't get a chance to enter the lounge in the future (unless we chanced upon another good deal again).

The kids corner at the hotel lobby

The Premier Lounge had a rather cosy setting with different type of seats (couch, high chairs etc) to cater to different groups.
The lounge had a semi-buffet setting - some items were displayed on the counter where guests can help themselves and there was also a table service menu where guests can order hot dishes. Though the food variety was not comprehensive, it was surprisingly adequate and delicious.
Meanwhile, the princess was just delighted with the free flow of apple juice.

Buffet setup

The fried rice was yummy!

Bakery section

Cheese and cold cuts

Sushi, yoghurt and fruits

Free flow of juices and drinks

Coffee machine

Tea making station

Cereal selection

Table service available

The princess loved the noodle soup!

Chilli jam?!?!

When we were there at about 9am, the atmosphere was still pretty relaxed but it got really crowded by 10am. So that was our cue to leave as well.
Before leaving the lounge, the attentive staff told us that the request for a room change had been arranged (Read my post on Day 1). They reminded us to bring our luggage down to the lounge so that once the room is ready, they will arrange to have our luggage sent up to the new room.

Thumbs up for this banana pancake

Lazing around after breakfast

By the time we deposited our luggage, the princess was showing no signs of illness (temperature check was ok) and so we decided to head to Chatuchak Weekend Market albeit for a short while.
It was my first time visiting this huge market after so many foiled attempts. A little excited and a little worried (for the princess).

Let's go brave the heat!

The BTS station (Siam) was just a 2 minutes walk from the hotel. After purchasing the "rabbit" card, we took the BTS Sukhumvit Line from Siam station to Mo Chit station.
As it was a Sunday, the train was relatively packed and the moment we exited from the train station, the princess complained of hunger. Huh?? I thought we just had breakfast not too long ago. But we saw it as a positive sign - having a good appetite probably meant she have recovered.
Thankfully, we found a stall just outside the train station selling waffles. So the delighted princess was kept busy eating while we navigated our way to the market.

BTS Siam Station

The rabbit card which is like our EzLink card

Happy to find a seat on a crowded train

We have arrived!

You can't go wrong with this big signboard

Stall outside BTS Mo Chit Station exit selling
mini waffles

Nom Nom Nom Nom

Now, Chatuchak Weekend Market is huge! It has over 15,000 stall over 26 sections and it has everything. You name it, they have it. It's nearly impossible to cover the complete grounds of the market in a day (well, at least in my opinion). I would consider myself lucky enough if I didn't lose my way in the endless rows of stalls.
We were there at about 11am and left at 12.30pm as it was simply too hot! I think we only covered like 1/10 of the whole market. Frankly speaking, after walking for 30 minutes or so, we realised that most of the stalls were selling more or less the same stuff. I was just contended to enjoy the famous coconut ice cream.

She came well prepared with her mini-fan

Checking out wallets

My survivor guide to battle the heat

Freshly squeezed orange juice

I found the famous coconut ice cream stall

A stall selling beautiful rubber bands

As we were unable to locate the famous chicken noodles soup at Chatuchak, we decided to head back to the hotel to deposit our shopping bags.
Upon arrival at the hotel, we headed to the lounge and was told that our new room was ready. We went up to our room, freshen up and headed out for lunch.

Waiting at the lounge for our new card key

Doesn't this look better now?

No bathtub? Phew ~~~~~

Lunch at Ban Khun Mae was probably one of the highlight of this trip.
This restaurant serving authentic Thai dishes was one of the highly rated establishment of tripadvisor and it was a bonus it was located just across the street from the hotel.
The interior of the restaurant was in a traditional Thai setting, complete with artifacts and murals. The décor was simple yet cosy. But food was on the top of our list and it certainly did not disappoint.
As we were super hungry, we wasted no time in ordering our lunch. The server who took our orders had a "don't mess with me" face but he was kind enough to remind us that we may have ordered too much. Hahaha! Hungry mah ~~~~~~~
The service was prompt and the food was simply delicious! All the dishes were so yummy. Even the princess was polishing every single grain of rice on her plate with a thumbs up.
So folks, if you are in the Siam area, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Approaching target!

The modest and traditional setting

Artifacts in the restaurant

Hungry faces

Simple table setting

Stir fried mixed vegetables

Deep Fried Chicken wrapped in Pandan Leaves

Fried Prawn Cake

Tom Yam Goong
How can anyone not have this famous Thai soup?

Baked prawns with glass noodles

Thai Fried Rice

Pineapple Fried Rice

Thai Iced Tea
This was a little too strong for me

After lunch, we split our ways to different locations. I had promised to bring the princess to the mermaid café and Daddy was resistant to doing girlish stuff with us. So Daddy headed off to his shopping time at MBK while we headed to the mermaid café.
Relying on GPS, it was not difficult to locate the mermaid café. which was near Siam Square.
Now, the princess has been asking about this café for the longest time and you can imagine her excitement when she spotted the pinkish looking exterior of the store. A mad dash to the front door and ready to pose for photos! Haha.

Walking around Siam Square

We found The Mermaid Café!

As you entered, you will be greeted by bright hues of pink, blue and purple.
The first two floors were stocked with every possible merchandise related to mermaids while the 3rd and 4th floors were seating area for the café.
The princess was so geared up to see the café upstairs, so we headed up to the 3rd Floor directly.

Even the stairways looked like a fantasy!

On the 3rd Floor, the tables and chairs were neatly arranged. The counter to order your food/beverage was stationed at the far end and you need to pay for your orders at the counter first.
You are welcomed to come to this floor to take photos even if you are not dining at the café. There was a photo wall and some props for your photo opportunity.

The café on the 3rd Floor

Cupcakes with mermaid tails?

However, when we tried to head up to the 4th Floor, we were told that there is a minimum purchase amount from the menu before gaining entry.
Not wanting to disappoint the princess, I paid for the signature set which consisted of 2 cupcakes, 2 shell-looking cookies, a pot of hot cocoa/hot tea and a choice of waffles or cakes. As we were still feeling full from lunch, I managed to change the waffle/cake to some strawberry frappe drink.
We then proceeded to the 4th Floor and the princess' face lit up with glee and delight.
The entire floor was decked out like a beach with a beach chair in one corner. There were only low tables which were neatly arranged on this floor. So, guests will have to sit on the floor to enjoy your food. To be honest, the floor cleanliness standard needed some improvements.
There were plenty of Instagram worthy corners for that perfect mermaid shot and there were even mermaid tail costumes where you can don on (no rental fee required) to pose for your photos. Mermaid-related props were also available.
The princess grabbed one of the mermaid tail costume and we began our girlish fun of posing with our OOTDs. We had the entire floor to ourselves and it was kind of fun to be sharing such moments with my princess. When do you get such chance to be a little girl once more to relive your childhood?

The area on 4th Floor

Trying to swim like a mermaid

Such a dreamy shot

We were pretending to be on a beach

And having fun!

The signature set that we ordered came at the right time when we felt exhausted from all the fun.
The set were served in a bird cage and the hot cocoa in Mrs Potts and Chip tea set. I thought it was a bit weird to see characters from "Beauty and The Beast" in a mermaid café. Where's the link ah?
The only verdict I had for the food and beverages was "sinfully and overly sweet". Major sugar overdose!

The signature tea set
One look and you know it tasted overly sweet

Cupcakes with the inedible tails

The seashell lookalike cookies filled with cream and candies

The super sinful drink

The set came with a pot of tea or hot cocoa

My sling bag matched with the tea set!

We stayed on the top floor for about an hour and went down to do some shopping. Surprisingly, we couldn't find anything suitable. So we left empty handed. Unbelievable right? Haha.

The big and small mermaids

It was late afternoon when we left the café. Daddy has finished his shopping rounds and came to bring the princess back to the room for a power nap. As for me, I sneaked off to some "ME" time - foot massage!
There were so many foot massage shops in the Siam vicinity and all of them were offering their services at competitive prices. I simply just chose any shop that looked clean to me.

While waiting for Daddy to come bring her back to hotel

After my foot massage, I headed back to the hotel. It was then I realised it was the lounge happy hour. So I went to take a quick look and was surprised to see finger foods that were being served as well. Feeling a little famished after the massage, I helped myself to the food and a glass of beer. Life is good indeed.

Finger food selection at the lounge during happy hour

Bliss ~~~~~~~

We woke the princess up for another highlight of the trip - dinner at Somboon Seafood.
My first encounter with Somboon Seafood was ages ago and the one and only dish that left the deepest impression has got to be the crab curry. I have been craving to taste this signature dish once again. And truly, it did not disappoint. It was probably one the best meal we had in Bangkok.

Somboon Seafood

Waiting patiently for our turn

YES!!! Finally here to satisfy my
long-awaited craving

The super cute children cutlery set

Somboon signature dish - crab curry (deshelled)

Cabbage soup with squid

Fried Prawn Balls

Stir Fried Morning Glory

Prawn with glass noodles

After our sumptuous dinner, we shopped around Siam area and somehow made our way to Big C Supermarket. It seemed that we could not deviate our habit of visiting a supermart after dinner. Haha.
We went to the Big C Supermarket opposite Central World. The place was huge! We got really excited when we saw people loading their trolleys with stuff and packing in big carton boxes.
However, to our dismay, there was nothing much to buy as most of the shelves were emptied by the time we got there. So, we just bought some water and snacks and walked back to our hotel.