Together with colleagues, we found a corner to settle in with a cocktail in our hands. Tichuca's drink menu is solid, featuring both classics and creative signatures and thankfully, everything is priced reasonably - especially considering the premium location. There are also light nibbles available, perfect for keeping things casual without committing to a full meal. 

What stood out to me most wasn't just the aesthetic or the drinks, but the energy. It's a place where you blend in with locals and travelers alike. It's where the essence of modern Bangkok comes alive - fast, vibrant, unapologetically loud and yet, deeply soulful. After several visits to Bangkok, finally getting to experience one of its famous rooftop bars felt like crossing off a rite of passage. Tichuca wasn't just a night out - it was a celebration of the city's spirit, elevated high above its chaotic streets. 

Tips if you're planning to visit:

Tuktuk and BTS are your best mode of transportations to hop from one shopping area to another. Just make sure that you take care of your belongings (as in literally hold on to them tight) when riding a tuktuk as "snatching" is quite rampant.  

If you're averse with the inconvenience of open air shopping, big shopping malls are the places for you. Some of the most popular ones are MBK, CENTRAL WORLD, SIAM PARAGON, PLATINUM and the newly opened TERMINAL 21. Except for MBK, most of our shopping sprees were done on these shopping centres. As I mentioned in my previous post, Central World and Siam Paragon are just a walking distance away from our Hotel.

Close to the SIAM station is a popular night market, Siam Square. It's located just under the bridge. Ladies will feast in this area.  

The shopping centre that is designed like an airport hence, the name Terminal 21. Each level is designed with a theme of some of the world's famous cities. The merchandise and brands that you will find are mostly from that cities too - Paris, London, Japan, Istanbul and San Francisco. There are a lot of interesting novelty items and undoubtedly it's another shopping paradise in the heart of Bangkok.

Visiting a theme park is not your best agenda in Bangkok. However, since we're travelling with kids their interest was put on priority. We visited two of the most popular family attractions - Dream World and SIAM Ocean World while on vacation there. Dream World is located in Thanyaburi District, about an hour and a half ride from Bangkok. Considering Bangkok's weather, it was very hot when we went. Hence, we only spent three hours there since the heat is already killing us. We only tried a few rides as most didn't look interesting enough. Generally, the theme park was not a hit to my kids. If you've been to Disneyland or Universal Studios, this is nowhere near these two exciting places. But since there's really limited things to do for kids in Bangkok, this is one of the few options to consider if you're looking for one.

 

Siam Ocean World on the other hand, was a different story compared to Dream World. This is a must visit place for family. It's relatively small compared to other Ocean Worlds or Under Water Worlds in Asia, but the overall concept was well executed. I don't know why, but there's something in this place that I really liked. It feels so homey. I even liked it more than Hong Kong's version.

 

Glass bottom boat ride to see the marine species up close. 

A big aquarium showcasing real big sea creatures

I love this soup! Whenever I visit Bangkok, I always made sure that I have a taste of this satisfying broth. The combination of all the components in the dish blend perfectly well - ground pork, soft tofu, vegetables and fresh herbs. You couldn't ask for anything more!  

The vegetable dishes in Thailand are also worth to be had. I like it that it's always served saucy type.

 Seafood steamboat. So fresh and clean in taste! Definitely a good starter of a meal.

 Fried Fish Cakes with a number of dipping sauce to choose from. So addictive!



 Soft Shell Crab in a salad. So tasty!

 Fried Prawn Cake - another must have! It's a very good starter or side dish.

Thai Green Curry - another signature Thai dish worth remembering. The melange of flavours from coconut milk and fresh herbs lingers through your palate.

 

But it was the indoor pool that my kids enjoyed the most. It has a very relaxing ambiance specially since it's located at a high level, you're treated with a good view too.

So, I'm starting this year with a post on our recent stay at Sheraton Pattaya Resort. Pattaya is a popular beach resort situated in the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It's roughly 2 hours or more away from Bangkok. We went there last December 2012, just a few days prior to Christmas. The weather was sunny and it's just perfect to roam around. We arrived in the afternoon and we were welcomed by a very beautiful sunset. Unlike Thailand's other popular beaches, Pattaya has very limited choices in terms of good accommodation. Among the few secluded ones, we opted for Sheraton. If there's one thing that the place boasts off, it's definitely its serene ambiance and the relaxing view. Unfortunately, even the scenic beauty of the resort cannot hide it's already run down facilities. It's sad, but the Sheraton Pattaya evidently needs a facelift and renovation. They need to replace some old stuffs inside the resort.
 

Having said that though, the staff's service are truly commendable. We experienced Thai hospitality at its best.