Alone in Bangkok: a 3D3N affair

I've always wanted to travel alone. No particular reason, I just want to experience it. I want to know how it feels to be alone in a foreign place, not knowing anyone or anything.

So I did it. As a 21st birthday gift for myself, I brought myself to Bangkok.

Bangkok was great. It was hot as hell but the people are nice and friendly enough. Everything is cheap, and public transportation is convenient and easy to use. They are also very accessible!

Everyone around me was worried about me. I am after all a "petite female solo traveler". But let me assure you, Thailand (well, at least Bangkok) is pretty safe and suitable for a solo backpack traveler. I'm back unscratched and in love with the City- so don't worry!

Anyways, so I've posted my itinerary and travel tips on Facebook but here is a copy of it:

So a challenge I set for myself is to spend less than RM100 each day, and see if I can still be comfortable.

The answer is Yes. Excluding plane tickets.

With just a 2kg backpack on my back, I set off to The Land of Smiles, City of Angels.
Here’s my experience:

Day 1: Union Mall ➡️ Khao San Road ➡️ Soi Rambuttri
✈️ 12PM Landed in DMK
🚕Taxi to Union Mall. This is to cut traveling cost from DMK to KSR. There is no train from DMK into the city, so you can either wait for the bus or take the taxi. From Union Mall, I took the MRT right outside to 🚇Chatuchak, transferred to BTS and headed towards 🚝Saphon Taksin.

From Saphon Taksin (Water Taxi Central), I took their 🛥Express Boat (Orange Flag) and headed towards Phra Athit (N13). And from the pier, I walked to KSR. It’s located 5 mins walk away.

I stayed in Ploen Bangkok Hostel KSR, which is right outside of KSR and next to Soi Rambuttri, so it’s pretty safe from the craziness in KSR. Since I reached KSR at around 5-6pm, it was just nice to walk around and explore KSR before sundown. KSR is alright. Lots of young tourists on their Summer Break. Cheap food, Cheap stay, Cheap Beer🍻

There’s a shortcut from KSR to Soi Rambuttri. It’s at the entrance of “Susie Wong”; you won’t miss it- there’ll be people walking in and out through that.

Soi Rambuttri has a more chill vibe than KSR. It feels more laid back and vintage-ish. Had dinner here coz I wasn’t feeling street food yet.

Day 2: The Old City ➡️ Pratunam
8:30AM Woke up later than planned. Had my free breakfast at the Hostel (always eat your free food!), checked-out and headed to The Grand Palace. It was a ~30 minutes walk.
The entrance fee was 500B but I was mistaken for one of the Chinese tourists in a tour group and so I didn’t pay for my entry hahaha.

After that I continued walking to Wat Pho to see the largest reclining Golden Buddha and to experience Traditional Thai Massage from the place of origin! It was fantastic! I highly recommend it! My backpack felt 4kg lighter and I 10 years younger.

After Wat Pho, I walked some distance to 🌻Pat Klong (the 24/7 Flower Market). For some reason, it was a kinda down day so not many stalls were open, hence less flowers 😞 it’s pretty wet too, just in case you planned to wear sweeping pants/skirt like I did.

From there, I took 🛥Express Boat again (the jetty is right behind the market) to Si Phraya (N3), and took 🚕GrabCar to Neilson Hayes Library.

After an hour plus in Neilson Hayes, I just walked around and walked for ~30mins all the way to 🚝Siam BTS Station. Took the train to 🚝Ratchatewi, which is where Pratunam is at. Walked for around 20 minutes to reach to my hostel.

Cocoon Hostel is located in a "courtyard", so it's relatively quieter, making it a pleasant place to stay in.

The rest of my day were spent shopping and just walking around the crowded Platinum Mall. I didn't really like it coz 1. too many tourists, and 2. not much options to choose from. I realized then how much I like Union Mall and local areas like where Neilson Hayes is at.

Retired around 9PM+ and just chill in my hostel.

Day 3: Siam ➡️ Union Mall ➡️ DMK
The third day was a super chill one. Woke up a bit later, checked out, and walked to The Siam Paragon (20+ mins) to exchange money as I thought they offer the best rate. I'm not too sure if the exchange rate hiked, but I personally think SuperRich 1965 offers better rate than SuperRich.

Anyways.

From there I just walked around window shopping, till I reached Siam Square. Visited Eve & Boy and bought quite some beauty products ❤️

After lunch, I headed once again to Union Mall (🚝Siam-🚝MoChit-🚇Chatuchak-🚇Phahon Yothin) so I can shop and move to DMK.

Walked around the alley outside Union Mall. I enjoyed exploring a more local area. I actually felt safer in local area than touristy places. People are friendlier and no one is blatantly trying to scam me.

Around 6PM, I flagged a taxi (make sure its meter is running! It's actually cheaper than Grab. And faster coz 6PM is their rush hour so Grab might take some time if it’s not in your area) and went to DMK. Flew back and reached KLIA2 at 1:45AM, stayed overnight, and my adventure ended there.

💸Cost Breakdown💸
Day 1
Taxi to Union Mall 280B
MRT to Chatuchak 16B
BTS to Saphon Taksin 44B
Express Boat to Phra Athit 15B
Sticky Rice Mango 50B
Pork skewer 15B
Pad Thai 140B
Hostel RM29.25
Total: 560B + RM29.95

Day 2
Wat Pho Entrance fee 200B
Express boat to Si Phraya 15B
Grab to NSL 180B
Neilson Hayes library 100B
BTS Siam to Ratchatewi
Pork skewer 15B
Street Pad Thai 40B
Thai milk tea 25B
Hostel RM49.89
Total: 629B + RM49.89

Day 3
Lunch: pork skewer 15B
Pastry 40B
BTS to Mo Chit 44B
MRT Chatuchak to Phanon Yothin 16B
Coconut drink 45B
Taxi to DMK (including toll) 180B
Dinner at DMK (chocolate roll) 60B
Sleep in KLIA2 Free
Total: 400B

Grand Total: <RM280.84 in 3 Days 3 Nights 🎉

I don't feel like I suffered or anything. I was comfortable and well. I think it's possible to go lower, perhaps I'll try that next time 😉

Fun Tips:
1️⃣Book your hostel via Agoda. It's the cheapest out of other hostel sites. They also have "lowest price guarantee".
2️⃣When using Agoda, use it via Shopback link so you can get 6% cashback. You can sign up here and get RM5 right off: https://www.shopback.my/?raf=JZN23V
3️⃣Bring a selfie stick and/or a tripod so you can take pics of yourself.

What's the cheapest trip you have taken? To where? Let me know! I’d love to challenge myself to more budget backpack travels!

Before 21

I've always been a person of big dreams and plenty of goals. When I was younger, I dream really big- going to Oxbridge or Ivy League on scholarship; traveling the world anytime I want; working for big, important companies; owning a resort etc etc.

Then as I grew up, I slowly realized some things are harder to achieve given my circumstances
(Chinese in Malaysia with higher competition among non-bumiputras for scholarships, from a rural area far from the major cities, middle-income family, no connections to people who are able to pull strings). I suppose the main obstacle is finance, as my parents have just enough to fend for me and my 3 siblings. So gradually, I realized that I have to adjust my dreams and goals to fit my reality. I don't cancel most of them- I just adjust or extend the timeline.

But here I am now, almost 21, with not much going on in life, so I thought (back in January 2018) that perhaps this year, I will really take action and do the things I want to do. Whatever obstacles there is or would be, I will just take the best route to overcome it. So, this time, I wrote down some goals to be achieved before I turn 21 on 30 June 2018.

I write plenty of goals everytime, but this one I intend to take action to fulfill.

Here's the list:

• Travel Thailand solo.
• Save up RM200 every month.
• Have allergy under control.
• Have minimal acne and bacne.
• Be fit.
• CGPA of 3.70 and above.

So far, I've been doing a pretty good progress. I've already booked my return flights to Bangkok; my allergy is pretty okay; my acne and bacne are reducing and my skin appearing better and better (thanks to certain products which I will talk more about in another blog post); I've been working out regularly, not as often as I used to during High School, but still a good progress; and I have, at the moment, a 3.70 CGPA, which I hope will increase from this sem.

It's going pretty well so I hope it will continue to grow and develop better and better.

Accommodations Around MMU Melaka

Since my post on Studying Law in MMU, I've been receiving many emails asking, among other things, where to stay around MMU Melaka. So, I've decided to write this blog post addressing it.

*Note: 1. Distance refers to Walking Distance; 2. I am not a property agent. I can answer basic inquiries, but for more specific info please do contact relevant parties.

1. Ixora Apartment

Distance to MMU: from Ixora main gate: 2 mins via MMU side entrance.

Monthly Rental: ~RM300~RM660

Options: Single (~RM400 onwards) or Twin Sharing (~RM300) // with Attached Bathroom or without
No air conditioner provided (except for certain limited units)

This is the nearest management-based accommodation nearby MMU. Pricier, but it has 24-hours security guard, a swimming pool, lift, and Block D is pretty new and comfortable.

I would recommend Ixora or ER (below) if you're new to Melaka, mainly coz of its convenience in renting while you're not in Melaka.

Official Website: www.ixora2u.com

2. Emerald Residence

Distance to MMU: 3 mins via Main entrance.

Monthly Rental: ~RM300

Options: Twin Sharing, without attached bathroom

No air conditioner

I've been in one of the units- it's spacious, comfortable and with more modern furnishings compared to Ixora. Although this is without en-suite, each room has its own bathroom just outside their bedroom door, so shower/toilet will not be too much of a problem.

BUT- this apartment is only open for females, so it's somewhat safer. Security is strict too; as far as I know, the safety here is better than in Ixora. 

Official Website: www.emeraldpark.com.my

3. Emerald Park Apartment

Distance to MMU: 2 mins via Main Entrance.
Monthly Rental: ~RM250
Options: Single or Sharing
No air conditioner

I have never entered EP before, but according to my friends who've stayed there, it is a very humble place. Modest furniture and the like. Also, note that this is shophouse style, so you may sometimes smell food cooking downstairs etc.

Other than that, this place is cheap and very near to MMU.

Official Website: here

4. Bukit Beruang Permai (BBP)

Distance to MMU: 10-15mins via back gate.
Monthly Rental: ~RM200
BBP is located right next to Ixora Apartment. This is a private unit apartment, so arrangements need to be made directly with the owners. Pretty decent size place, and reasonably priced as most of it comes with aircond.
Fully fenced and gated area with 24-hours security; not as strict as Ixora or EP.

There isn't any official website, but you can look at iBilik or Mudah.my or MMU Melaka House Rent Facebook Group.

5. University Green Apartment (UG)

Distance to MMU: 15-20mins via back gate.
Monthly Rental: ~RM220
UG is another Private unit apartment, located right next to BBP (if you look closely at the BBP pic, you'll see UG at the right side of the pic). Gated and with 24-hours security.
Slightly more expensive than BBP but UG is more modern and the layout and design are posher. There're also a few penthouse units. Like BBP, the monthly rental can get you airconditioned room too.

6. The Heights

Next to UG, this is a new real estate, so I'm not sure about the specifications. But you can look through the FB Group or other house rental sites for it. All I know is it looks very clean and modern and quite classy.

7. Housing Area

Since all these properties are privately owned, you'll need to Google or look through the FB page. Or if you're in Melaka, you can drive around and look out for the Rental Signs.

Taman Dahlia

Right behind MMU, nearest entry is MMU back gate. Dahlia is a double-storied terrace house residential area. Typically 3 Beds 2 Baths. Rental for a whole unit range from ~RM800-1500.

Taman Bunga Raya

Next to MMU, nearest entry from MMU Tennis Court. Not too sure about the rooms and rental, but I've heard its cheaper than Dahlia.

Taman Kerjasama

Across the main road from MMU. Relatively cheaper and there're some pretty sweet houses/rooms for rent here.

That is all I can think of! Should you have any basic inquiries, do leave a comment or e-mail me! Please do not e-mail me specific and technical stuffs which you can get by merely contacting the relevant management or via Google.

x,

Audrey

I'm Back!

So I just (unofficially) finished my Second Year Second Trimester of my Degree!

Prior to and during the final examination season, I've been thinking a lot about what I want out of my life- what I want to do, what makes me happy, what are my fundamental principles, my core life goals etc. I've also been thinking about what I'm doing with my life now- am I happy like this?