Noodle cart

Transaction complete....we are now the proud owners of a street food cart and she is a beauty.  It is so much better then we imagined.  I just love the blue trimmings!  She will be ready in a few days for shipping and then hopefully she will be in Melbourne in a month.....Andy is so excited!!!!  (ignore the cart in the middle on top of our bench - it was just there from the display).

Andy also came up with this great idea that we wear the jackets that the motorcycle drivers wear as our uniform (motorsai - taxi motorcycle guys).  He asked one of the motorsai guys where to get them and he happily offered to take him there.  I was very nervous about him getting on the motorcycle and driving through the streets of Bangkok but he made it home safe so all is well.  The jackets look great - even Charlie has one!

For dinner we went to this pretty stuffy looking restaurant with lace table cloths and really bad decor.  Why you ask?  Well Andy had read that the food was good and it was air-conditioned so we thought we would give it a try.  Food was excellent (the winged bean salad being a major highlight) and it was quite a funny experience being in such a stuffy environment - such a change from what we are used to in Bangkok.  There was a classic band playing old American tunes from the 50's and 60's and the waiters all had to wear these terribly suffocating Navy uniforms (see pic below).  Bangkok is such a funny place.....

We were walking home after dinner and came across a bunch of Thai boys playing a ball game.  They use a small cane ball and either kick or head butt it over the net.  These guys were turning themselves inside out to get that ball over the net.  My photos are disappointing - it is really my first go at action shots (something I think you need to practice).  I tried numerous settings and none seemed to work.  These are the best ones....

Dahla

Sadly Dahla passed away last night.  She was a very old dog and died peacefully in her sleep.  We are very sad to see her go and upset that we were not there for her final moments.  

Thanks to our wonderful friend Dana who looked after her for us.

Market, cooking and the Zoo

Chatuchuk market.....I remember the first time Andy and I went here (about 3 years ago) we were so excited by these markets.  We were amazed by the amount of vintage items for sale and went a bit berzerk buying up second hand boots, jackets and trinkets.  This time we didn't find it as good but still enjoyed ourselves none the less.  At the time I was a bit unwell with a stomach bug I had picked up so the photos are not great, but they give you and idea.  The most exciting part of our visit was meeting with the guy that Andy has organised to ship the boat noodle cart over for us.  Now all we need to do is buy the cart.  A job we have planned for Wednesday......  

A few pics of Charlie below in her new dress purchased from Chatuchuk.....oh and new caterpillar thongs that I bought from a vendor in China Town.  Doesn't everyone need caterpillar shoes.......Charlie thinks so.

We also went back to the Train Market (Talad Rot Fai Market).  We went to this market last time and just loved it.  This market specializes in vintage goods and it is where all the young and very hip Thai hang out.  

Charlie wanted this baby in a pram and was doing a wiggly (please buy this for me) dance.  She put on a very brave face when we had to leave it behind.  

We did our cooking class on the Monday and learnt all the recipes and info needed to cook Doreaki.  We had such a great time doing this and cannot wait to try to make it back in Melbourne.  Photos of this should be on krapow.  One of the things we were a bit concerned about was how Charlie was going to cope for the 3 hours we needed her to sit still while I cooked and Andy video taped the whole process.  She was an absolute super star and was very patient with us.  Even our teacher could not believe how good she was.  We had to buy her a few presents to say thank you and of course the big pressy was a trip to the Zoo.

The main attraction here is how close you can get to the Elephants.  You can touch and feed them and we could not wait to see how Charlie would go with it this time (we went to the Zoo last time we were in Bangkok and Charlie was very frightened of the big Elephants).  Of course she is much older now (9 months) so we thought she would be fine.  I mean look at this small boy - he is riding one!

Not sure if you can make out her panicked expression but she is still very scared of them......she was very funny and squealed and screamed the whole time.  Luckily Andy was very brave and fed them instead...

There was a small amusement park at the Zoo and they had a fairly tame looking roller coaster ride.  We have been joking about the fact that Charlie is going to be a thrill seeker when she gets older after the way she carries on in Tuk Tuks so we thought we go for a ride.  Yep, she was fine and loved every minute of it.  The only person who was screaming was me....

There was heaps of other things for her to do at the amusement park which we have taken a few pics of below......I think she had a great time.

There was a small fish/shark hut that we went into (after convincing Charlie that she wasn't going to get eaten by a shark). I guess it is a bit confronting when the hut is covered with pictures of large sharks.  Andy pointed out this natural habitat created for this rather large frog.  Love the fake parrot and tiara..

I love this hippo....amazing animal.

Catch up.....

Looks like I have been having too much fun holidaying......oh well this is a quick re-cap of the last few days.

We travelled to Silom to go and see Doreaki lady (a lady in the Silom market that makes very yummy sweet treats).  We had these sweet treats last time we were here in Bangkok and always thought they were a version of Kanom Tokyo - one of our favorite Thai desserts (pancake with different fillings like custard and Pandan).  We found out after visiting this lady that they are actually Doreaki - a Thai version of a Japanese treat (or so we think).  Even though it is not actually Thai it is going to be part of our Boat noodle cart (my part) so we asked her where we could buy the machine.  She happily told us where to get it in China Town and so the next day we were off to China Town to buy it.

Here is our Doreaki machine below.........They are testing the gas lines and yes nearly all the staff had to be involved!  They like to do things in groups here....in this small shop there were at least 10 staff who all at some point took part in our transaction.

After buying the machine we agreed we would have to go back and see Doreaki lady (who's name is Lucky) and ask her if we could pay her to teach us the recipe.  She has agreed and so on Monday morning we are getting a personal cooking lesson from her.  We are to arrive at 7.30am for prep which will take a few hours and then she wants us to work with her at the market for a few hours to learn how to cook them.  It should be interesting and we are both very excited.

Below are just a few shots of Bangkok at night - we haven't spent much time out at night but got the opportunity on Thursday as Charlie had a big sleep.  I do love Bangkok at night......

Democracy monument above......for those photography buffs (Tony and Dad) I have discovered shutter speed as you can see above.  A bit obsessed now.....

We had a really lovely dinner that night and then visited a popular dessert place (which I am sure Andy will document on Krapow).  The dessert is essentially thick white bread with chocolate or custard topping - Charlie seemed to enjoy it.

Sadly we lost Charlie's hat.......I am very bummed about it as I made it for her (the patchwork one).  This is the new hat...very cute but not the same.

Much to Charlie's pleasure we have been riding in a few Tuk Tuks.  She just loves them and screams and carries on like she on a roller coaster.  Very funny....

I love the way they get around here.....can you squeeze any more people in that ute?

We went to the Royal (Grand) palace today......we normally don't do a lot of touristy stuff like this but it was on our way so we thought why not.

I was wearing a singlet which was deemed inappropriate so they made me wear this lovely pink shirt.  They also made me pay 200 baht for it which is a deposit in case you steal it.  Andy wanted me to keep it but I decided I would give it back....maybe with a few accessories it could work??

We have done a bit of shopping and in this shopping centre Charlie found a stage and went for it......she   danced and did handstands like a true pop star.  So proud!

A few cute Charlie snaps.....eating sandies is her regular pastime although she does loved fried chicken and sausages (hence the name of the blog)....

Nothing is impossible here - this is how you sell Tank fish in Thailand.....

Andy and Charlie in front of the Giant swing.  Andy really likes this swing and so we had to have a photo in front of it.  Apparently they used to swing people from it many many years ago - I think for the King (not sure on the precise details).  Many people have died trying over the years so they banned it.  Probably a good idea...

China Town is full of amazing things.  There are many stores dedicated to selling religious statues and ornaments.  I was amazed at the life like Monks.

I also found these girls very interesting.  I believe they are University students, but I am yet to find out their true identity.  The boys all had shaven heads and the girls all had these amazing hairdo's.  Looks like they have rollers in their hair....obviously a fashion look I have missed.