Summer break is still months away but it’s never too soon to start planning. And actually most experienced family travelers probably map out their next summer vacation and start booking their reservation. This year I hope to go back and visit Thailand with kids again. With over a thousand dollar price tag per person on airfare, I always try to maximize our trip to Thailand by planning a trip within our Thailand trip to nearby family friendly destinations and Singapore holidays seem like one of a great option.

Singapore is a popular destination in Southeast Asia. This clean and modern cosmopolitan country has a lot of fun activities for families. With Western style education, visiting Singapore couldn’t be easier. There are plenty of English signs and speakers making communication a breeze. The melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indians, Singapore, offers the unique blend of Asian cultures. The small island is tiny in size but there are plenty of fun things to do and explore in Singapore. Here are our picks for top things to do with kids in Singapore.

Singapore Zoo & Night Safari

Locate next to each other, plan your day for a full fun day of animals. Enjoy Singapore Zoo in the morning at this “Open Concept” zoo where kids will have a chance to experience the zoo in a less cage-like environment. Also don’t forget to pack extra set of clothes or swimming outfit because I’m sure kids won’t let you skip the Singapore Zoo’s Rainforest Kidzworld.

Then at night check out one of the best Night Safari in the world at the Night Safari where you can choose to explore the park on foot via three walking trails, or by tram.

Marina Bay Sands Waterfront

The Marina Bay Sands Resort by itself is a sight to see. Three separated tall buildings connected by a long skypark looks like a scene from Star Wars. Stop by in the evening for a stroll along the Marina Bay Sands waterfront and grab a seat for the front row of Wonder Full – Light (Laser) and Water Spectacular. Best of all it’s FREE. The show time of Wonder Full  (subject to weather): Sunday to Thursday: 8pm, and 9.30pm AND Friday and Saturday: 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm

ArtScience Museum

Uniquely designed as a symbolic gesture of welcome to guests from across the globe, the ArtScience Museum, is a new top attraction in Singapore. We also love to visit museums in various cities and we definitely can’t pass up on this Lotus-inspired shape museum that hosts marquee international exhibits as well as permanent exhibits on three floors of gallery space across over 50,000 square feet.

Singapore Flyer

The world largest Giant Observation Wheel, Singapore Flyer, is the Asian version of London Eye. Out with the old day of Ferris wheel, the new generation of giant observation wheel gives tourists a better way to enjoy the bird eyes view of the city. As the wheel turns, you’ll be treated to a visual 360° feast of iconic and historical landmarks and views from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang.

Jurong Bird Park

Another park from Wildlife Preserve Singapore boasts one of the world largest bird park. The Jurong Bird Park offers a 20.2-hectare hillside haven for 5,000 birds representing 380 species. Check out birds from various part of the world and catch one of the shows. And if your kids are too tired (or whiny) to walk, you can hop on Bird Park’s Panorail, the one-of-its-kind air-conditioned monorail available fir ferrying visitors to view the awesome Park without hassle.

Sentosa

Sentosa is the popular island resort in Singapore. With various attractions and beaches  within the resort, it makes a great family destination for visitors or locals. One of a fun way to get to Sentosa from the mainland is to take the Jewel Box cable car from Mt Faber. Once arriving to Sentosa island, there are a wide range of fun things to do from Underwater World, Sentosa Luge & Skyride , Tiger Sky Tower or just simply hang out by the beaches.

With the newly open Resort World Sentosa, the integrated resort with Casino, Universal Studio Theme park, shopping and soon-to-be-open Marine Life Park, Sentosa is sure to maintain the most popular family destination in Singapore.

Singapore River Bumboat Tour

With water surrounding Singapore, one of the best way to explore the cit is to take one of the Singapore River Bumboat Tour. The bumboat is the small boat that used as water taxi or ferry in Singapore. It might look a bit run down but I think it will be fun to cruise along the Singapore river especially at night.

Shopping on Orchard Road

I still remember the bustling of pedestrians along the Orchard Road at the end of the day. This famous road lined with department stores and shops is the epicenter for shoppers. I’m a firm believer that you have to check out the shopping mall to get the feel of the local and it’s a fun way to enjoy a relaxing day in any city. Ok… ok.. I just love to shop, ok?

Singapore Botanic Gardens

A great green space in the middle of the city, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, is a favorite spot for families. With free admission, it’s also budget friendly to anyone. Bring lunch to have a picnic in this lush escape from the bustling of the city even for a short while.

Day Trip to Pulau Ubin

To experience a completely different world from Singapore city, take a bumboat for a day trip to Pulau Ubin. Once there rent a bike to explore this Northeastern coast of Singapore’s village and local living.

Have you been to Singapore with Kids? Do you have any family friendly attractions to recommend?

Photo Credit: Xoai, Ericc1, williamcho, eustaquio, cawood, kelvin_luffs, nlann, mystical-mii, anhgemus-photography, linkway88

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Top Family Friendly Things to Do with Kids in Singapore is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

With the gloomy sky and low temperature we are experiencing in Atlanta, I am yearning for the warm breeze and salty smell of the ocean we had many years ago in Phuket.

It had been over 5 years since we visited Phuket with Miss J when she was just a toddle. Mr. Z has yet to visit Phuket. So our next Summer trip we might try to plan a quick trip to Phuket with him. With many Phuket Flights from Bangkok, visiting Phuket from Bangkok is easy and convenient. No wonder, Phuket is one of top family destination in Thailand.

Even though with many things that had happened since we last visited, Phuket remains in our heart as one of our first family trip to Thailand. Here are our family favorite moments in Phuket.

Lunch at Floating Village

On our way to visit Khao Ta Pu (or more famously known for James Bond Island), we stopped by the Floating Village for lunch. We had a great meal and had some little free time to walk around the village. It amazed me to see restaurants, shops and even school operated solely afloat the Andaman Sea.

Boat Ride to James Bond Island

We bought a boat tour package to visit Khao Ta Pu or more famously known as James Bond Island. I won’t lie but we had more fun on the boat ride than on the island itself. The small boat didn’t seem save to be on the open ocean but in reality we were not worried.

Beach-side Thai Restaurant

One day during lunch after a tour to Phuket’s popular spot at Promthem cape, we stopped at a non descriptive restaurant on the beach. The decoration was simple but the view was priceless. It’s not surprising to see our family favorite moments will have a current theme of food-related. :) It’s part of the culture and upbringing here in Thailand. We love our food!

Fun Night at Phuket FantaSea

A popular attraction in Phuket for family is Phuket FantaSea. Even though Miss J was still too young to remember anything. We could still remember her laugh and giggle as she watched the show at Phuket FantaSea.

Beach Time

Last but not least family favorite moment was the beach time we could enjoy as a family. The long stretch of sand beach, the wind that blow fine hair and the peace we felt as we walk along the beach was some of the moment we couldn’t wait to go back there again.

And Happy Birthday Miss J!! It has been a blast having you in our life.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Phuket With Kids: 5 Family Favorite Moments in Phuket is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

From the picture above, you might think that we just went to Tuscany. But in reality, it was a picture we took from our trip last year to Thailand.

To be more specific it was at Palio – Khao Yai, an outdoor shopping plaza where tourists flock to pose as a model in front of many Tuscany inspired building. We made a quick stop to check out cute shops, cafe and restaurants after our visit to Khao Yai National Park.

Check out other travelers Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand With Kids: Little Tuscany in Palio Khao Yai is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Ah, I know we are in the midst of fall and yet I still have many great memories I want to share from our family trip to Thailand. We had a great time riding BTS in Bangkok, relaxing in Saraburi, and enjoying family time in Koh Samed. But we had another family trip that I have yet to tell you about.

The Road Trip to Chiang Mai

One of the family trip we did in Thailand was a road trip to Chiang Mai. Typically, if you are visiting Thailand and plan a trip to Chiang Mai, it’s recommended to fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It’s fast and affordable.

But when you travel with your whole family and extended family, it’s more fun and cheaper to rent a van. You can rent a van with a drive for about $60-100 per day (plus gas). It’s another great alternative for traveling in Thailand with children.

My brother-in-law has been to Chiang Mai numerous times so we were in a good hand. He was our driver and personal guide for the whole trip. And no, he is not for hire. :)

The route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was pretty straight forward and easy to do. The roads are all highway but the condition of the road was much to be desired. Let just say that if you don’t want to rearrange your internal organ, try to sit in the front!

We left really early in the morning to beat the traffic. Along the way, there were many roadside stalls that I can guarantee that you wouldn’t find it here in America.

Odd Things We Saw on Our Road Trip to Chiang Mai

It’s very typical to see several man-made stalls along the way to provinces in Thailand. You will see people sell everything from fruits to hand-made products.

Barbecue Anyone?

On this trip, one of the shop we saw made us stop on our track.

From a far, we saw several bags hung from the pole. As we got closer we notice that those bags held something that moved. I don’t know exactly what they are but my guess would be that they were the cousin sor distant relatives of gecko.

And on the ground, we saw a few bucket filled with toads (or were they frogs?).

So if you are hungry, you can pick up the barbecue toads Thai style here.

No, we didn’t try any of these. We are the Q Family Adventures but we are NOT that adventurous.

More Odd Thing Along the Way

As we got closer to Chiang Mai, I couldn’t help but snap this picture of probably one of the largest mile marker I have ever seen. I’m sure my friend at Go Big or Go Home would be thrilled to check it out.

There are many more interesting stops along the way but with the pressing in time we could only drive by with no stop.

So what are interesting things you have seen during your road trip?

This post is a part of the latest blog carnival by Lonely Planet BlogSherpa around unique customs, which will be hosted by La Tortuga Viajera and going live on November 17th

See other Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Chiang Mai with Kids: The Road Trip to Chiang Mai & Odd Things You Will See is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

On our visit to Saraburi, we visited Khoa Yai National Park as a day trip.

After we entered the national park entrance, we passed many wild animals including families of monkeys who claim the street as their own. As we ascended up the mountain peak, it is clear why Khoa Yai National Park is one of the most visited park in Thailand. The dense forest and green plants blanket both side of the road.

One of our stops was Haew Suwat Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park.

This waterfall is best known as the shooting location for the movie featuring Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Beach“. It was in the scene where he and his friends followed the map to the waterfall and in order to find this hidden place they would have to jump!

The waterfall didn’t look that impressive in this picture because we visited during the dry season. The water level was dramatically lower than usual. But during the rainy season, the park is packed with visitors and campers who can enjoy the waterfall at its best.

There is a walking trail to the bottom of the fall. The trail was easy to walk even with young children. But it still requires you to be careful on your steps. We marched along the trail with big trees protect us from the Sun.

Kids enjoyed climbing on the big rocks and twisted roots. Then we were rewarded with the view of the waterfall. Kids could wade in the water during this time due to low current. But during the rainy season, it is advised to be careful.

It was a quick stop on our long day at Khao Yai National Park. If you plan to visit, I would recommend to go during the rainy season. Yes, you will see more people. But with the park this size, being the only group here seems a bit too scary for me.

Family Tips:

• Hiking shoes are recommended for walking down this trail
• Bring extra outfit if kids plan to dip in the water
• You might want to learn how to use squat toilet if planning to travel in the provinces. It will come in handy. Or try to look for handicapped restroom

Check out other travelers Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand With Kids: Haew Suwat Waterfall AKA “The Beach” Waterfall is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

With just a short drive from Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park is a popular escape for many Thais as a great family weekend destination from the bustling city. The second largest park in Thailand with area of 2,168 square kilometers that expands to more than four provinces incorporates one of the largest monsoon forests along with plants, birds and wild animals.

We visited there during the hot season so there weren’t many visitors. It felt like we were the only group in the whole park.

Well, except the local residents of the park, a large family of monkeys, wandered along the main road as we approached their territory. The sign warned visitors not to feed them as they could become aggressive toward you. It was surreal for us and the kids to just see them walking around.

Even the new mom came to check us out with her baby!

As we drove up the mountain toward the visitor center, we passed the Elephant Crossing. Fortunately (or unfortunately depends on how you like to view it), there was no elephant crossing the road at that time.

There are two primary entrance to Khao Yai National Park. The North entrance is through Nakhon Ratchasima province and the South entrance is through Prachinburi province. We stayed in Saraburi so we entered via the North entrance.

There are many camp sites available inside the park if you want to have more adventures than driving around. If you look for privacy then camp during low season. But be careful of all the wildlife that will roam around the park!

Family Tips:

• Hire a car or a van to take you for a day out in the park.
• There are many view points to help break down the winding road up the mountain.
• Bring the gum (for bigger kids) or lollipop (for younger kids) as you will ascend up the high attitude.
• Stop by the Visitor Center for the map and bathroom break.

Check out other travelers Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand With Kids: Back to Nature @ Khao Yai National Park is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

During our last week in Thailand, after a weekend fun with family in the laid-back island of Ko Samet, many adventures in Bangkok and a road trip to Chiang Mai, we decided to squeeze in another last hooray before we boarded 24 hours trek back to the US.

With less than 2 hours drive from Bangkok, Saraburi was a perfect destination for our family. The destination itself might not be top on the list of family destination in Thailand if it wasn’t for the gem we had discovered during our visit to Thai Tourism event where a unique and inspired boutique hotel had a booth with deep discount for their accommodation, Ndol Thai Villas.

Experiencing True Thai Villas Stay

Ndol Thai Villas is a unique boutique resort hidden in the rolling countryside of Muak Lek district in Saraburi province. With merely an hour and a half from Bangkok, it seems that it is actually a whole world away from the bustling capital city of Thailand.

The resort area is comprised of 3 distinct accommodation types: Siam Wing – a traditional Thai Teak House style, Oriental Wing – the Pan Asian inspired rooms and the Villas – a private set of villas alongside the waterfall stream.

Hideaway Location with Truly Enchanted Surrounding

The location of the resort is well-hidden into the tropical garden with big trees and well manicured garden that has been meticulously designed with added Asian inspired details. Everywhere we turn, we couldn’t help but be reminded of the old Thai lifestyle. The waterfall steam is on the property line provided kids with fun way to explore.

With our family and extended families, we chose to stay at the Siam Wing, the traditional Thai teak house units set around the resort pool that is a perfect fit for family with kids.

Traditional Thai Style with Modern Convenience

Each suite in the Siam Wing is individually decorated with antiques and artifacts. The room layout and size is varied so there is no two rooms are alike. But each with ample space for everyone.

As soon as we walked into the room, we felt like we had stepped into the old Thai house with teakwood floor, wood panel, and antique table.

Yet, there is the modern technology that makes the stay more enjoyable like the small fridge stocking with complimentary drinks and snacks, en-suite bathroom that almost as big as a hotel room in New York City, the marble built-in tub that can fit a couple who surely will enjoy a relaxing bath under the moonlight.

Thai Hospitality at Its Best

And when it comes to service, it was EXCELLENT. As soon as we arrived, each guest was served with chilled fresh fruit drink and cold washcloth for refreshment.

After check-in, we were asked to choose from their selections of Ndol’s signature aromatic scents for toiletries that will be ready for us in our room. How is that for personalize service?

During our stay, the staff is knowledgeable and attentive but not in your face. Most of the time, we felt like we were the only people there. (It probably was because we were there before the grand opening)

Within the driving distance, there are various activities that a family can enjoy. Jed Sao Noi Waterfalls is popular among Thais for a fun day with family. Farm Chokchai is a big hit for kids to get the taste of the cowboys in Thailand. Khao Yai National Park is a great destination for nature explorers.

So if you plan a trip to Thailand and look for a quick weekend getaway from Bangkok, you might want to put Ndol Villas on your short list.

Family Tips:

• Driving in Thailand can be a challenge, I would recommend to arrange a transportation with the hotel. They will be able to help you arrange the transportation from Bangkok with the private van.
• Depend on the season that you travel, the stream can change from gently stream in summer to ranging red clay color in rainy season.
• As typical in countryside, mosquitos and insects are common. The Thai house style will have many holes and gaps for them to sneak in so be prepared.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand With Kids: Perfect Family Escape @ Ndol Thai Villas in Saraburi is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

One of Mr. Rojo’s favorite Thai dish that he recently discovered right before we headed to Thailand for our summer trip is Khao Mun Gai (Hainanese Chicken Rice).

This Chinese origin dish is one of the main staple of Thai people. The chicken is boiled in the salted water and the rice is cooked from that chicken stock along with ginger and garlic. Then it will be served up with cucumber and green onion garnish with salted-bean sauce.

With it’s simplicity yet savory taste, no wonder you can find this dish in almost every corner in Thailand.

For the very popular restaurant, this dish might be the only dish they sell and yet there might not be any available seats in the restaurant during the rush lunch hour.

The Scene Behind a Great Dish

Be warned though that most of the time, THIS will be what you will see as well.

The row of cooked chicken hanging by the neck as the cook works efficiently to cut up the chicken. For most, it might seem too gruesome for a lunch scene but for many it’s an easy way to spot your favorite dish.

I don’t know if Mr. Rojo had seen this, would he still try Khao Mun Gai in the first place. But for now, his love for this dish is unwavering.

Check out other food from around the world at Wander Food Wednesday.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Food in Bangkok: Khao Mun Gai (Hainanese Chicken Rice) is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Finding family friendly food to eat in Bangkok is relatively easy as there are many choices ranging from upscale Thai restaurant, familiar Western fast food chains to street stalls. Thailand is known as the land of smiles. But we are also known for an array of food choices that accessible 24/7.

However, when we first arrived in Thailand, it’s very advisable to be cautious at where you eat. As much as I want to chow down on the first street food I ran into, we had to ease ourselves slowly to the food scene in Bangkok.

Street food is definitely my favorite place to satisfy my Thai food craving BUT my family especially Miss J and Mr. Z were not quite ready for that type of adventure yet.

Safe and Great Food Options in Bangkok: Mall Food Court

The next best option is the shopping mall food court.

Well, before you scoff at the food court option because you think it’s the typical fast food chains similar to the United States then you might want to hold that thought.

The food court in most major shopping malls in Bangkok is huge and abundant with different types of food from Thai noodle dishes, rice dishes, fruit smoothies drinks, snacks and fresh fruits. Typically it will be either on the ground floor or the top floor of the mall. This is where you can get relatively cheap food without sacrifice the quality.

Our Family Pick: Siam Paragon Food Court

Our family favorite food court in Bangkok so far is the basement floor of Siam Paragon. With the convenient location at the center stop of Bangkok BTS and the home of Siam Ocean World, the Siam Paragon had become our regular stop for lunch and dinner.

The table top aquariums scattering all around the food court area are a great option for family with children. While I took my time deciding what to eat, Mr. Rojo and the kids could wait and enjoy spotting different fish in the tank.

The Training of Food Adventurer

For kids who grew up in America with mac & cheese and spaghetti meatballs, eating in Thailand can be intimidating. But with a little bit of encouraging and compromising, they could have a great experience trying new food.

I ordered Thai noodle soup with fishballs (Kuay Tiew Nam) without much of the veggie or garnish per Miss J’s instruction and it had become her new favorite dish.

My favorite dish? Too many to list but that day I settled for boat noodle soup (Kuay Tiew Ruea) and followed by seafood in red bean curd soup without noodle (Khao Lao Yen Ta Pho Talay).

Does this make you hungry for more food? Then check out other food post from around the world at Wander Food Wednesday.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok With Kids: Cheap and Family Friendly Eat in Bangkok is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

During our summer trip to Thailand, we have visited many places in the span of 3 weeks. However, one afternoon with no plan to do, no place to go just a float and family was what remains etched in the kids’ mind and reminds them how perfect their vacation in Thailand was.

We took a short trip outside Bangkok to Saraburi to stay at a newly opened boutique hotel which was once a Thai house that has been remodeled for a perfect getaway for a family.

I will write more about our visit to this lovely and unique stay soon.

To check out other travelers Photo Friday, head out to Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Perfect Kid Vacation in Saraburi, Thailand is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Riding the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) is one of the activity that we did in Bangkok that Mr. Z is still talking about and asking about till now. I think we could do that all month long and he would think that it was the best day of his life.

Purchase A Day Pass

The cost to ride the BTS for adult and kids (taller than 100 cm) can range from 15 Baht to 40 Baht. We decided to purchase a day pass for 120 Baht (it costs around $3.75) and made it a BTS day. A day pass allows us to be able to hop on and hop off in any stop or ride the BTS as many times as we want in one day. It’s a perfect choice for us.

Here are family friendly things to do near BTS stops in Bangkok.

The Sukhumvit Line

Ekkamai Station (E7)

The planetarium and Science Museum: It’s only a few steps away from the Ekkamai station. The Science Museum has various hand-on and interactive exhibits for kids in this multi-levels building. Unfortunately, when we visited, they worked on updating several exhibits. I hope our next visit, there would be more exhibits that work!

Another worthy note here is that a lot of displays are in Thai so it might be more difficult to read and understand. But our kids were bouncing between exhibits they hardly paid attention to the words or descriptions.

Phrom Pong Station (E5)

The Emporium Jamboree Land: The Emporium shopping mall is one of the high end shopping mall in Bangkok. If you plan to travel on the budget then don’t even bother shop in there. You won’t find anything worth purchasing.

However, it’s a great stop to escape the heat with a little break for kids. The Jamboree land is very small comparing to other kid indoor play area in other malls but there are enough rides and activities for kids to last a couple hours. We enjoyed making craft and played in the bounce house.

You can stay at nearby family friendly hotels*:

• Emporium Suites Bangkok – Near BTS Phrom Pong Station
• The Davis Bangkok – Near BTS Phrom Pong Station
• Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok – Near BTS Asok Station
• Rembrandt Hotel & Towers Bangkok – Near BTS Asok Station
• The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok – Near Asok Station

Siam Center Station (CEN)

Siam Ocean World: The Paragon – Siam Ocean world is one of the top destination for family in Bangkok. This underground aquarium is surprisingly fun and has a lot to offer as a day trip in Bangkok. The price is not cheap by Thai standard but comparable to other tourist attractions around the world. We have visited the Siam Ocean World in the past and I have to say I was surprised that I still enjoyed it as much.

You can stay at nearby family friendly hotels*:

• Novotel on Siam Square – Near BTS Siam Station
• Pratumwan Princess Hotel – Near BTS Siam Station
• Centara Grand at Central World – Near BTS Siam Station
• Grande Centre Point Hotel & Residence Ratchadamri – Between BTS Chit Lom Station & BTS Siam Station
• InterContinental Bangkok – Near BTS Chit Lom Station
• Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok – Near BTS Chit Lom Station

Mo Chit Station (N8)

Bangkok Butterfly and Insectarium: Located next to the famous Chatuchak Weekend market, this insects’ natural habitat provide a sanctuary for over 500 butterflies.

Silom Line

National Stadium Station (W1)

Bangkok Art and Cultural Center: As we have reveals the little hideaway on the basement level of BACC, this place is a great stop for a nice quiet break in the crazy day. The Kids library has a great selection of books with both English and Thai.

Sala Daeng Station (S2)

Lumphini park: A popular green space in the middle of the city. Lumphini park has many things to offer for families. You can enjoy a leisure walk in the morning and observe the locals work on their Tai Chi or enjoy a peddle boat in the lake.

You can stay at nearby family friendly hotels*:

• The Dusit Thani Bangkok – Near BTS Sala Daeng Station
• Montien Hotel – Near BTS Sala Daeng Station

*Note on hotel recommendation: I have never had to stay in the hotels so the list is based on the rating I found and the location that I think it’s convenient to the BTS station.

Have you done BTS day during your visit to Bangkok? Is there any fun stops I missed?

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok With Kids: Family Friendly Stops along BTS Skytrain is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

There was no doubt in my mind that our trip to Thailand would be hot. It’s just inevitable.

During our day trip to Wat Pho was no different. The best thing we could do just prepare ourselves physically (hat – checked, fan – checked, breathable clothes – checked) and mentally.

Get Ready to Explore Wat Pho

So we marched into Wat Pho late morning with a game plan to beat the Bangkok heat. First we would replenish ourselves with cold water and yummy popsicles as often as we could. Forget about checking out the site and walking the whole temple. We would just have to pick and stick only to the main area.

The Reclining Budha (Phra Buddhasaiyas)

Our first stop after an ice cream break was to visit the Reclining Budha. With the measurement of 46 meters long and 15 meters high, the Golden Reclining Budha is one of the most visit sacred destination in Thailand.

Built during Rama III’s restoration of Wat Pho, the Reclining Budha is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother-of-pearl decoration, and the feet also show the 108 auspicious characteristics of the true Buddha.

Calm, Cool and Coins

As we walked around to the other side of the Budha, the 108 bronze prayer bowls are lined along the wall as visitors put a coin to each one as they give merit and wish for good luck.

Don’t worry if you don’t have 108 coins handy in your pocket, there is a donation table that already setup a bowl of coins for you.

As we dropped one coin at a time to the bowl, I could feel the stillness and calm inside the building.

Thai Massage at the Original Thai Massage School

Along with being one of the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, Wat Pho is also known for Thai traditional massage school. And that was my game plan number two. As much as I would love to walk around the grounds, I knew that my family was melting rather quickly. So we played a game of “Get in the Shade” as we made our way to the back of the temple for the Thai Traditional Massage area.

To my surprise, the upgrade from fan to A/C definitely provided us with much comfort and relief we looked for. The Wat Pho massage that I have seen in the past was done in the open area where fan was the only source of air flow. Now that they had upgraded to A/C, we couldn’t sign up fast enough for massage sessions for the whole family.

Yes, I mean the whole family as in Miss J and Mr. Z as well. I guess we could say their first Thai massage experience were truly from the origin.

Family Tips:

• Dress in appropriate clothes as a temple is a place of worship.
• To avoid the heat, the morning hours will provide some relief from hot Sun in mid-day.
• To cover the grounds with kids might be too much in the heat. So plan to break it up to small area.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok With Kids: Escape the Heat in Wat Pho (The Temple of The Reclining Budha) is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Bangkok is a city of crowd street and chaos and there is no way to sugar it up. Where ever you go, you will surely see a sea of people on the buses, in the mega malls or along the sidewalks.

So where could you find a quiet place to escape those craziness for a few hours?

Hidden on the ground floor of the fairly new Bangkok Art and Cultural Center right in the middle of the city is the Art Library with special children room – Kid’s Corner.

Central Location

The Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (BACC) is located just off the last station (National Stadium) on BTS Silom line across from both MBK and Siam Discovery Center, the famous shopping area in the heart of Bangkok.

The Bangkok Art and Cultural Center was opened in 2008 as the city center contemporary art center to connect artists and create new cultural resources for both public and private sectors.

When we first walked in, we were greeted by two giant astronaut-looking model with the height at at least 2 stories tall. Definitely a fun way to start our tour of this center with kids.

The center seemed to be very much ignored by most of the people in Bangkok because even on the busy day where we could see thousand of people walked by, the area was largely quiet and empty!

The Hidden Gem on the Lower Ground Floor

Walking around in the BACC didn’t take long if kids were young and didn’t fully appreciate the different types of art. BUT, heading down to the lower ground floor and kids will enjoy the Kid’s Corners in the Art Library.

Visitors could use the library free of charge. They just asked that you sign in at the guest book.

The Kid’s Corner was clean and spacious with bright color suitable for little ones. There are books lining along all 4 walls with several simple toys for the little ones.

The book selections are surprisingly good. I found several bilingual books with both Thai and English languages.

So if you are in the Siam Center shopping area and look for a place for a downtime, check out BACC library. Best of all, it’s free!

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok With Kids: A Quiet Escape In the Midst of Chaos is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Visiting Bangkok with kids for many families mostly involve a stop at one of the mega mall in Siam Square like the Paragon, MBK or Siam Discovery and a tour of the temples and palace. But for us, we started our visit in Bangkok with shopping and then more shopping.

So after a few days it was about time my kids started to ask about temples, more specifically the Golden Temple (as they called). They had seen the Golden Mount (which is part of Wat Saket) from the distance when we went shopping at Bo Bae Plaza a few days earlier and it had been on their mind since.

The Golden Mount at Wat Saket Rajavaramahavihara

The Golden Mount was built in the 19th century during King Rama III and finished in the reign of King Rama IV. In Thailand, we called ‘The Golden Mountain’ but the Golden Mount is not a real hill but the result of soft ground that needed support structure.

The Unusual Place for Graveyard

What unusual about the Golden Mount is not only the history but also the graveyard that is part of the structure. Around the base of the Golden Mount along with trees and vines, there are various shines ranging in size from small with a picture to elaborate one with Budha statue. It was creepy and peaceful at the same time to walk up the 318 steps and looked at the resting place of many departed soul.

Based on the history, Wat Saket was used as a burial and cremation site which was not permitted inside the city wall during the 18th century. During the plague in the reign of King Rama II over 30,000 bodies were brought here.

The Journey to the Top

As much as I wanted to claim an expert badge in traveling, sometimes I went on and did some foolish thing that will disqualify me from such claim. One of those things was visiting and climbing the Golden Mount during mid-day in one of the hottest month in Thailand. That’s NOT advisable.

But sometimes, kids’ enthusiastic blinds your reasons. We took a Tuk Tuk from Wat Pho to Wat Saket. A ride that my kids will forever talk about. Arriving at the quiet temple in the afternoon, we found our way to the base of the stairway.

Without any hesitation, Miss J and Mr. Z climbed up the steps one by one as we ascend to the top of the Chedi. Luckily for me and Mr. Rojo, there are a few break in between for us to catch our breath. Even better, when there are a few distractions to slow Mr. Z down from running all the way to the top while we slowly making our way up. Ringing the bells along the wall of the Golden Mount was one of such distraction.

I would love the say the walk up is easy BUT it was hot and we were tired. So I would say prepare yourself for quite a work out as you walked those steps. The cool thing was that as we went up higher in elevation the view of Bangkok revealed. The steps are wrapped around the Golden Mount so we had a complete 360 degree view.

Once we were at the top, we rewarded ourselves with ice-cold popsicle. There is nothing better than an ice pop on top of the Golden Mount. By this time, Mr. Rojo almost passed out with heat exhaustion and questioned ourselves why did we let the kids talk us into going up in the first place. Well, all things considered it was a really great experience for them.

Family Tips:

• Try to plan your visit in the evening or early morning to avoid the heat
• There is a small shop at the top that sell drinks and ice pops. But the best thing to buy is chilled facial wipe. It will help cool you down and sure will help you beat the heat in Bangkok.
• Wear comfortable shoes.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok with Kids: Climbing the Golden Mount at Wat Saket is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Whenever we go back to Thailand for a visit, we plan a vacation trip (within our vacation trip) with the whole families. These include all my siblings and their children and my cousins. We don’t have a large extended family so it was not anything in the size of a family reunion in America. Basically, it was a size of about 15 adults and 7 kids.

Choosing a place to go depends on where we want to go. Last visit, we all went to Hong Kong and Macau. It might seem like a big deal but when you booked everything through the travel agency, it made it all possible. As much as I cringed for using a guided tour, I was thankful for that trip. With the age ranges from 60 years old to 6 months old, we could use some luxury like our own bus to take us everywhere.

The Photo Story: 5 Things We Love About Ko Samet

This time around we chose a quick weekend getaway from Bangkok to Ko Samet. Check out why we loved our time on Ko Samet!

1. Great Destination for a Quick Trip from Bangkok

This trip was a bit easier because Ko Samet is a great weekend destination from Bangkok. With less than 3 hours drive from Bangkok and another 45 minutes boat ride, we were transported to our homeaway from home for the weekend.

Ko Samet might not be as well-known as Phuket or Phi Phi island but it’s a very popular destination for Thais due to the affordable cost and short distance.

2. Family-Friendly Accommodation

We stayed at Sai Kaew Beach Resort on Sai Kaew beach, the most developed beach on the island. It was a PERFECT place for family.

Our room was literally stone thrown away from the pool and that was where we spent most of our time there. You can see the room from this picture right behind Miss J.

The resort is beautifully decorated with all the detail that incorporate nature to the design.

3. Pool Time is the Best with Family

Even though, our resort is just a quick walk to the beach, we ended up spending most of our time in the pool.

Due to the rainy season, the water wasn’t nearly as nice. Also the rain on the next day didn’t help with our plan to spend the day soaking up the Sun on the beach either. But it was no big deal for kids because the pool was as good or even better than the beach in their mind.

4. Relax Yet Many Options for Fun and Food

Koh Samet is small for a relaxing getaway for the whole family yet still has enough fun activities and great food for us to keep us entertained and fed.

One of the great way to enjoy a good meal is right on the ocean at Ploy Samed Restaurant where you will have to take a free boat ride to their restaurant. The atmosphere was relaxing yet a bit nerve racking for family with small children. I will be writing in more detail about our fun experience here.

5. Time to Reconnect and Relax with Families

This might have been true no matter where we decided to vacation. But Ko Samet provided a perfect location and accommodation for kids to enjoy spending time with each other. At the beginning of the trip, each of them (mostly Miss J and Mr. Z) just met their cousins. But at the end of the trip, they can’t wait to have a sleepover and spend more time together. It made all the plan, the many connecting flights and the cost worth it!

Also, for many of you who are still afraid to come to Thailand, I have been to Thailand for over 2 weeks right after the curfew and the protest, I have never seen any problems. I feel safe here! So please come! Thai people need your help in getting back on their feet. Plus you will be getting a deep discount on everything where ever you go!

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand With Kids: 5 Things We Love About Ko Samet is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

In case you haven’t noticed, we have been enjoying our vacation in Thailand for the past 2 weeks. I should have warned you about this in advance so you will like us on Facebook at TheQFamilyAdventures as that’s where I updated most of our fun things we did in Thailand so far.

I have realized that family vacation and blogging is HARD! I can’t update my blog as regularly as I want to. And it’s not because of the reason you might think.

Oh! I have internet connection to pretty much where ever we went. But at the end of the day, I was just so dog tired that I can’t even form a regular conversation with Mr. Rojo let along writing a good post about our day.

So for now, become our fan (or what they are now call ‘like’) on Facebook.

Kob-Khun-Ka (Thank you!)

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Family Vacation and Blogging is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

There is no doubt that one of the favorite past time for families in Bangkok is going to the mega mall. There are more malls than I could care to remember. One of our mall tour during our Thailand trip was at the Fashion Island shopping center at outskirt of Bangkok in Kan Na Yao district on Ramindra road.

The top floor of Fashion Island is the Kid’s Island where kids could play to their hearts content.

The most unique play area has to be the Jellyfish where kids can step into a huge bubble and float above the water.

Just think of a bubble boy on the water! It was very simple but provided great fun for a whole 3 minutes. It might seem like 3 minutes was a really short time but I could tell that toward the end they were exhausted.

Kids would wait in line to step in the bubble ball while the attendant inflated the ball.

After the balls were fully inflated, they were gently loaded in the water. And off they go trying to run, jump or simple pretend they were walking on the water.

OH.. If only they have an adult version for us to try!

Check out other travelers Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok With Kids: Bubble Madness is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

As much as I love my kids and love to take them with me to experience every where we go during our vacation, there is a place and time that it’s not feasible to bring them with us. One of the places in Bangkok is Sam Peng.

Sam Peng is the wholesale market where  retailers go shop for their products that eventually you will see them sell in the mall or shops around town. It’s a place that takes certain type of skills and endurance to experience it.

We woke up at 4 AM and headed out there with my sister. She has been going there for years to shop for different products like toys, clothes and children products for her shop.

The first test was the parking. I don’t care how good of a driver you can be, I’m sure my sister is one of the best. We had to park in a parking spot with less than 1 foot clearance from either side of her car with a column on the side nonetheless. I was holding my breath and praying that she won’t scrape her car. Alas, she parked without any incident.

Next stop, we had our early breakfast because this would be a really long day and we would need all the energy we had. The breakfast was typical Thai food. Kao Mun Gai (Chicken and Rice) was Mr. Rojo’s favorite and luckily there was a food cart nearby. Yup, we didn’t have cereal or bacon & eggs but rice with chicken. For $4, all 3 of us were fed and ready for a day of shopping.

Based on my sister, the market has 2 sections. The early section which opens from 5AM-8AM and the day section which opens later in the day from 8AM-5PM. So we started off at the early section.

Shopping here is not for a faint of heart. The street is small and narrow and filled with people, bikes and even trucks. The shop sells in bulk so be prepared to buy a minimum of 6 to get the bargain.

After 8 hours of shopping, we were done and ready to head home. It was a really long and hard day.

If you want to check out this area, here is a few tips:

• For a real bargain, go shop with someone who can speak Thai. Otherwise, you will surely pay for foreigner’s price. These shops mainly sell to retailers so they know you are not gonna buy their products in bulk to sell.
• Get there early so you can enjoy the shop without the heat during mid day in Bangkok.
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
• Leave your personal space at home. There will be none in this packed market.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok Without Kids: Early Day in Sam Peng Wholesale Market (Chinatown) is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Our fun time at a family- friendly restaurant in Bangkok, Reun Panya. As we waited for our food, kids could enjoy playing in a fenced in playgroud.

I wonder what the people of Disney will think to see this imitation Mickey is hard at work entertain kids down the slide.

This post is updated via iPhone.

See other Travelers Photos from Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Fun with Mickey in Bangkok Restaurant is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

By now, I am sure you already heard about the situation in Bangkok and caught up on what is going on. I don’t like writing about politic on my blog because I think I am not qualify to even venture out an opinion in this matter. I don’t live in Thailand. Plus I think politic is something that is a personal choice.

However, I also cannot NOT write about what is happening now in Bangkok because my heart is broken for all the people in Thailand. It doesn’t matter what color or side they are the impact from this event will have a lasting impression for a really long time.

I have a very emotional roller coaster in the past several days as I monitored the situation in Bangkok and Thailand. This post has been in the draft mode for several days before I can pull myself together to be able to finish it.

It’s heart breaking to see my beloved city and country engulfed in flame and my fellow Thais turned against each other.

My Reason to Visit Bangkok Now: My Family

We are still moving forward with our plan to visit Thailand this summer even with strong suggestions and warning from the State department to avoid traveling to Thailand.

Now, I can’t speak for everyone out there because it’s very much personal choice for me and my family. I have family in Thailand and especially in Bangkok so I have the big advantage in traveling there. I feel the pull to go back even more now than ever. I want to be with my families. I want to see it with my own eyes of what has become of Thailand.

My family is safe and they assure me that life has slowly gone back to normal. Thais are resilient and hardworking. I have absolute faith in my country that we will be able to find a way to bring back the Land of Smiles soon.

If you plan to visit, I would strongly suggest you to monitor the situation and read up various resources (not just news website but local bloggers on the ground) to understand the fast changing situation in Bangkok.

Three days ago, it was as if Bangkok was under the civil war. But now, Thai people has come together and work hard to bring back the peace we have. Many of Thais will be out on the street not protesting but cleaning up the city. They have organized it themselves without any influences from any political groups. I hope this will help heal the wound and bring everyone together!

Websites, Blogs to Follow for Bangkok Situation

Here are a few sites that have a great coverage on what is going on in Thailand:

• Michael Yon’s Facebook page: He is American author, independent writer, columnist and photographer whose photo is used on the first image.
• Reuters Live Blogging: A live blogging with update information from Reuters.com
• My Thailand Blogs by Richard Barrow: A great resource for Thailand traveling, food and photography.
• WomenLearnThai has a great post about Staying Safe in Thailand.
• Follow my Thailand-News twitter list. Twitter has become a great way to follow the situation on the real time. I have learned about many updates way before my family in Thailand from Twitter. But Twitter also has a tendency to spread unconfirmed news or rumor faster than the wild fire. So you have to filter the information and take it with the grain of salt before jumping into any conclusion.

Stay tune for my update from our trip to Thailand!! And I promise to be back to my old self and talk about travel tips and fun stuff soon.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) My Heart is Broken for Bangkok is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Three years ago when we went back to Thailand for a family vacation, we met up with my brother’s family for a fun family-friendly day at Siam Ocean World.

Siam Ocean World is one of the main attraction for family with children in Bangkok. It is one of the biggest aquarium in Bangkok and South East Asia. Plus it is located at the heart of Bangkok in Siam Paragon.

However, with the unsettling situation in Bangkok near Ratchaprasong business area, we will probably skip our return visit if the situation is not resolved by then. I do sincerely hope that it will be resolved though.

We went there during the weekend so that my brother’s family could meet us. It was a great family outing even though it was a bit crowd. But that’s something you just have to learn to deal with when visiting Bangkok. We have a lot of people live there.

I was pleasantly surprised to see how well kept the exhibits were. We also purchased the tickets to Glass Bottom Boat. The tour was fun. It was quite nerve racking at the same time when we had 4 kids all under the age of 5 in the group. I think if we go back now my kids will enjoy it even more because they will be able to feed the fish.

There were also many other interactive activities for children and family to enjoy throughout the aquarium. We witnessed the diver feeding at the huge wall-to-wall glass tank. We enjoyed seeing the sense of humor they put in from car fish tank or refrigerator fish tank. Basically, virtually anything can become a fish tank!

It wasn’t long before all the kids were restless. So we headed out and played with Thai mermaids. I guess you can see from Mr. Z’s face how exhausted he was by then.

The benefit of having the Aquarium right underneath the shopping mall was it was easy for dinner or lunch. Bangkok is famous for food. And Siam Paragon food court wasn’t disappointed. If you are a tourist, I think it’s a safe bet to eat at the food court. You will be able to try out different types of food and the price is very affordable as well.

Check out other travelers’ Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok With Kids: Thinking of Siam Ocean World is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

As we are looking forward to our Summer trip to Thailand, I couldn’t help but look back at our old album from our last visit 2 years ago.

Both Miss J and Mr. Z were still so young. I didn’t know anything about blogging yet.

Still… I  remember those little moments like a peaceful dinner by the beach in Pattaya with my family. It all started out like what you would imagine seeing from the magazine. Then the reality set in. Mosquito came by and we moved inside to the comfort of air conditioning.

I remember Mr. Z ran wild in the replica building of the Sanphet Prasat Palace in the Ancient City. Even with all the heat, they could careless about that. They were just so happy to be able to run and enjoy the space.

Those were little moments that I still cherish and couldn’t wait to make many more little moments with my kids in Thailand. Summer couldn’t be here fast enough.

See other travel blogger’s Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Z2K5DXD7MHCJ

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand with Kids: The Little Moments is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

As we plan our Summer trip to Thailand and check out the ticket price, I am SO not prepare to spend more than $1,000 per ticket to get there but I digress..

Traveling to Asia might seem like an out of reach for many families due to high cost in ticket. But don’t let that prevent you and your family from enjoying and learning about the East culture. A trip to any Asian grocery store will give you a glimpse and will provide you with a fun day of exploring.

We are very fortunate to have lived in Atlanta where there is a big population of Asians and countless opportunities for us to enjoy Asian cultures without living town.

Every once in a while I take my kids to the Asia/International Supermarket like Super H Mart or Assi Supermarket in town. This mega supermarket sells all things international but mainly focuses on Asian.

Our first stop has always been the food court within the market itself. This is a great place for you to try out different food without breaking the bank. I have been craving Korean food – Kimchi Fried Rice for a while. So I was so pleased to taste it in the hot stone bowl.

I ordered Ramyeon – Korean Instant Noodle soup for Miss J. Yeah.. It’s something we can probably make it at home but where else can I serve it up in this cool hot pot for her.

Environment sure does help encourage kids to try new thing. Even though, my kids are 100% Asian (Thai and Filipino). They still don’t know how to use chopsticks nor do we use it on a regular basis. I was so proud to see her eating her noodle with chopsticks and she seemed to have a lot of fun with it.

After the meal, it’s the fun part. The walk around the store is my favorite part and my most dangerous part. I tend to grab everything I can find. Japanese rice cake in multi-color looks too good to pass up. The mochi ice cream (which I finished it before I could take any pictures) is a different take on ice cream. Thinking of it as rice cake with ice cream filling.. Yum!!!

If Mr. Rojo wasn’t there with us and encouraged (nagged) us to go home, I probably would spend hours and hours there and filled up my grocery cart to the brim.

This is one of the best way for us to introduce our kids to Asian cultures before the big trip. It might not give them the real perspective but it sure will open their eyes to the new things.

Super H Mart and Assi Plaza (Lotte Plaza) has several stores in various states.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Cheapest Way to Visit Asia with Kids is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

I haven’t participated in Mondays are for Dreaming at Mara’s Mother of All Trips for a while. But it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been dreaming of places I want to visit with my kids.

My current obsession with K-dram (aka Korean Drama) has sprung a new destination for my Dreaming of Series – Seoul, South Korea.

Seoul is probably one of the destination that is not on the top list of many travelers. If you look at most of itineraries to Asia, you probably see Japan, China, Thailand, and India in most of those list. However, South Korea seems to be at the bottom of the list. I’m guilty of that as well. Until now..

After watching many series of K-Drama and starting to know more about Korean’s culture. I’m dreaming of a visit to check out many sights I have seen from my shows.

N Seoul Tower and Namsan Cable Car

It seems to be a very popular destination. A trip on the Namsan Cable car will take you up to N Seoul Tower where on a good day you will  enjoy a view of Seoul’s skyline. Kids will love the ride up the cable car for sure. But they will also enjoy a hike and play at the surrounding park.

COEX Mall and Aquarium

COEX Mall is an underground mall in Seoul and is one of the largest shopping center in Seoul and one of the largest underground mall in Asia. This mega shopping center reminds me of Siam Discovery in Bangkok. It consists of hundreds of shops, COEX aquarium, Mega movie theatre and Kimchi Field Museum. Talking about all-in-on stop for the whole family.

The Palaces (Goong)

The Joseon dynasty built ‘Five Grand Palaces’ in Seoul. The main palace – Changdeokgung – will be one of my top destination to visit. Kids will probably enjoy the changing of the guard ceremony at the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The other 4 palaces are Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung.

Shopping Markets

Shopping and Asian culture is like a pair of chopsticks. It goes together and can’t live without one another. Seoul is no different than other major cities in Asia like Bangkok, Tokyo or Beijing. Shopping is a big part of the city. There are several notable markets that I will definitely have to check them out.

Dongdaemun Market is probably one of my favorite to check out. What with opening from 10:30 am to 5:00 am.. This non-stop shopping area will be my best friend on a sleepless night.

And if you are looking for more high priced retail with brand name attached then Myeongdong will suit your need. It’s located at the financial district and is popular among young people so you can expect a great fun nightlife.

Insadong market will be perfect if you look for more arts and antique products. This market is where traditional and modern Korean artworks are sold. It’s also a great place to sightseeing and enjoy a leisure walk

Banpo Bridge

This might not be on many of Must-See list from major travel sites. But this one is purely for my own indulgence. Any fan of the popular K-Drama, F4 will remember this scene very well. I am determined to check them out when I visit Seoul. Plus I think my kids will get a kick out of a fabulous Rainbow Bridge fountain show as well.

Most of all, I’m dreaming of many great meals there. The Korean food has become my new obsession so I can’t wait to try them all out in Seoul.

Check out other travelers’ dream at Mother of All Trips.

Photo Credits: yeowatzup, hyku, ysjjhfox, jaytong

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Dreaming of: Seoul, South Korea With Kids is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Suvarnabhumi Airport is Thailand main hub in Bangkok that opened a few years ago. I’m pretty sure anyone visiting Thailand will have to go through this airport. I found that it was very interesting to walk around this airport and see the contrast between maintaining the thousand years old culture and keeping up with the new Western world style like GUCCI. It seems like the old world and the new world has collided peacefully here in this airport.

I love the new design, the clean look and minimal deco but I have heard a lot of criticisms from my families and friends that a lot of people feel that it’s too harsh. It doesn’t give the warm and fuzzy feeling that Thai tends to show. I don’t know how much have changed since but I will know soon enough. Put the design aside, one thing that I can always count on with Thai airport is the Duty Free Shopping section. Mr. Rojo had the best time browsing around shops after shops in the duty free. Unfortunately, it was the end of our trip so we pretty much ran out of fund.

Check out other travelers’ Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Old World and New World Collide is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

It has been raining a lot in our area. I have no complains because we had been under the drought condition for the past few years and the rain is a welcome sight indeed. But with those rains, lighting and thunderstorms on the regular basis, I just start to yearn for the Sunshine on the beach with kids trying to catch the wave and building sand castles nearby.

Ah.. So here is my Monday Are For Dreamings post. I’m dreaming to get transported to any beach.. any beach at all but the one I long for is this one.

I’m dreaming about our first trip back to Thailand with Miss J when she was just under 2 years old. I didn’t know how we did it but we did survive 3 connection flights and 24 hours in total travel time from Florida to Bangkok. There is no question whether we should take a long trip with our kids back to Thailand but it’s just a matter of when and how often. Our trip there, I introduced Mr. Rojo and Miss J to Phuket. My sister did all the booking for the tour for us as we also traveled with Mr. Rojo’s parents as well. The trip went by so fast that if I didn’t have proof on pictures I wouldn’t believe that we were there. I’m dreaming of going back especially after the Tsunami. And this time, we would have to stick around a bit longer and take in a slower pace so we will have time to breath and relax a bit more.

A trip to Thailand will not be completed if I didn’t get to eat like there is no tomorrow. And that trip was no difference even though I was with my in-laws. They probably just realized how much I could eat from that trip. The food was great but the atmosphere was even better. Who could complain when you had this view when you eat!

We did a few activities.. as much as a first time parents of a toddler could handle. We did a long boat to the floating village. We visited the Kho Ta Poo (or more widely known as James Bond Island). We went to Kho Pi Pi. But the most memorable activity I found was the simple thing. During one of the boat tour, the boat stopped and we got to jump off from the boat into the cool, clear water. I never jumped off the boat before. So it took every single ounce of my gut to make that leap. Oh!! I was glad I did make that leap. I think in the sense, it almost likes whenever we decide to plan a trip and the rush feeling comes through me when I click that confirm button to purchase our tickets or make that hotel reservation. Life is full of surprises and we just have to make the leap to fully embrace it.

Thank you for dreaming along with me.. Check out other travelers’ dreams at Mother of All Trips.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Dreaming of: Sand, Sun and Surf is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Thailand is a land of smiles but it’s HOT. Seriously, I came from Thailand so I knew. We were joking that there are 3 seasons in Thailand – HOT, HOTTER and HOTTEST. How did we survive such climate? It’s all about knowing what to do in such situation.

1. Arm yourself with umbrella or hat to give you shade

You will see a lot of people in Thailand walk around with umbrella or something to cover the Sun. Because we know that it’s hot and we don’t want to get burn.

2. Keep it cool from the inside out

There is nothing beat the heat better than a good ice-cold popsicle. Forget about sugar. You and your kids will need to cool down from the inside. One of the best thing Mr. Rojo loves is Watermelon Slushy. It’s refreshing!

3. Use that fan

You know.. that fan that you see they sell it all over the sidewalk. Pick one up. It won’t cost you an arm or a leg but it will save you from the heat exhaustion. It’s all about the circulation.

4. Seek out shelter throughout the day

No matter where you go in Bangkok, there will be plenty of shade or indoor place for you to escape from the heat. Being, it’s a coffee shop, a restaurant, a bookstore or even a Sala. Take a break and give yourself a rest before heading out again. Here was Mr. Z and Miss J during our quick break. A little handheld game came in handy.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Bangkok with Kids: Tips to Beat Bangkok Heat is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This was the picture we took on our pre-kid visit to Beijing in 1999. It was such a trip for us. We went there on business trip. We spent a month in Tian-Jin working ourselves off and only got a chance to go to Beijing one of the weekend. It was a totally different experience between Tian-Jin which is a manufacturing town and Beijing – the capital city of China.

We took a train from Tian-Jin to Beijing. I would never forget the smell.. oh.. the smell at the restroom in the train station. Whatever my body wanted to do, it would have to wait. I came from Thailand so squat toilet wasn’t new to me. But half wall? Why half wall? How can one proceed to do their most private business with people walking by? I just don’t get it and I didn’t wait to find out.

Once we arrived to Beijing, it was better. :) We got to practice our bargaining skill at the silk street. Sometimes I thought to myself.. why did I bother with this 50 cents discount. But I think they enjoyed the process as much as we did. We came back with lot of stuffs. Mr. Rojo still has his jacket we got there.  The backpack we got didn’t make it home after the trip.

We enjoyed the comfort food like Starbucks and Popeye’s Chicken. We had the best time partying at Hard Rock Cafe. Our idea of conservative Chinese was thrown out the window in this bustling city. Ah.. I can’t wait to go back. I wonder how much progress it will be after 10 years.

Check out other travelers’ Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) East Meets West is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

For a quick day trip from Bangkok, Chon Buri is a great quick escape. Our last trip to Thailand, my sister chartered a van for our whole gang. It’s probably the best way to get around Thailand if you travel with a group of people. Our 3 families took a van on the early morning and headed to Ancient City. After lunch, we made our way East to Chon Buri for our next stop at Sri Racha Tiger Zoo.

It’s one of many attractions in Chon Buri area. We stopped by to have a quick lunch at the un-descriptive restaurant. They don’t even have a name. Just a roof with a couple tables. But as typical Thai restaurant, the food was great.

My sister went to get the tickets for all of us. We arrived late in the afternoon so the weather wasn’t that bad. The park was shaded all throughout with trees but don’t be fooled it could get hot quickly so don’t forget hats and fans.

After a quick review on what on schedule, we headed to the Crocodile show. We sat behind the glass wall because we arrived late. If you go, get to the show a few minutes before show time for a great seat without smudge glass door to block your view. Even so, the kids enjoyed the live show and entertainment.

Next, we headed to the Tiger show. The show involved several tigers and fire ring. I didn’t know what to think about this. Since I knew, the living condition for these animals won’t be ideal. The kids were rather busy climbing up and down the stairs than paying much attention to the show. I guess it might be the low lighting that made it hard for them to see. But once they lit up the fire, it did hold their attention for a while.

Our next stop was the Elephant show. The highlight of the whole show had to be the chance to feed bananas to the elephant. They really enjoyed the interactive up close and personal.

We skipped on the Pig race and slowly made our way through the park. Our last stop in the park was the nursery area where my brother-in-law and my sister took the picture holding the cub and fed them milk in the bottle. They also show how the pigs were raised together with the tiger cub.

It’s definitely one of the different experience you will get here. It’s not the same as western zoo and I will leave it up to your own decision whether you want to visit this place. For me, one time is enough. For Mr. Rojo, his memory was ‘It was really stinky like a giant kitty litter box that has never been cleaned’. For my kids, they just remembered feeding the elephants and they truly enjoyed them. So that’s our views.

I would like to put it here that my goal of this blog is to give honest opinion on my travel GOOD and BAD so that other parents will have information to make their own decision.

Check out other travelers’ Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Day Trip from Bangkok – Sri Racha Tiger Zoo is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Our trip to Thailand a couple years back was the first trip with both kids. My sister knew that going around town with both kids were a lot of hassle in Bangkok so she arranged to hire a mini-van driver to drive us around. One of our stop was The Ancient City (Muang Boran in Thai). This park is in Samut Prakan which is in the outskirt of Bangkok.

This park was created by one of the Thai millionaire to recreate Thai architecture from all around the country. Some are the replica of the country historical structures, some are the replica of the no longer exist structures, some are the genuine building that has been purchased and moved to this site. Each has been built with intricate detail and accuracy.

So if you want to get a preview of Thailand architectures and history around different parts of the country, then this will be a good bet. The site is over 200 acres and each site is not close to each other. It’s highly recommended that you have your own car or hire a car to tour the site. You will be able to drive around and stop at each site. Another way to tour it is by bike. Since our kids at that time were too young, car was a better option.

We stopped by the floating market (replica as well) to have lunch. Kids got to enjoy feeding turtles and fish in the pond. We didn’t cover half of what the over 100 structures are available at this park. I will go back there again when we visit Bangkok on our family trip. It’s a trip well worth a visit!! Plan as a day trip from Bangkok to get away from all the busy life and enjoy the cultural visit in a day.

Check out other travelers’ Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Thailand in A Day at The Ancient City is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

I have lived in Thailand for over half my life but I haven’t visited my neighboring country Cambodia yet. And now I live half way around the world and I’m dreaming of visiting Angkor Wat lately. My brother and my mom were there a couple years ago. They took advantage of the low airfare and went there on a whim. The trip was probably one of many spontaneous my wanderlust brothers have done over the year. The pictures are breathtaking. I can help but envy their experience.

I plan to visit Angkor Wat on our next Thailand trip. I don’t know where to start yet but my brother can probably give me a good idea and contact to start. We will probably spend a few days there. Learning the history of this ancient city that has been reclaimed by the nature over hundred of years. Bracing the hot sun of South East Asia summer. Hopefully, it will be tolerable for my kids.

And the food.. Ah.. Food and Asian people goes together like chopsticks. We live to eat. We love to eat and we travel to eat.

Now if anyone has any great accommodation, please feel free to share.

This post is part of Monday are for Dreaming at The Mother of All Trips.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Dreaming of: Angkor Wat is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This is one of the reason why we travel near and far.. Miss J just met her cousin for the first and they instantly connected. They held hand together walking through the airport in Hong Kong. They hop on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car together. They were mesmerized by the view over the Tung Chung Bay. They were excited as we approached the Tian Tan Buddha Statue high atop the Ngong Ping Plateau. They walked hand-in-hand in the Ngong Ping village. They shared their excitement and many secrets for the first time.

This is why we travel near and far.

Check out other travelers’ Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Photo Friday: Cable Ride on Ngong Ping 360 is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

On our trip back to Thailand several years ago.. way before we had Mr. Z, we went to Phuket and Phang-Nga for a short visit. It was before the tradegy of Tsunami hit Thailand. I haven’t been back since but I have heard that everything is now back to normal. The trip was my first trip to visit Phuket myself.. I know.. Shame on me even though I lived in Thailand for over half my life but I have yet to fully experience what my birth country has to offer.

The trip started at Phuket resort and we hired a tour guide (since we also traveled with Mr. Rojo’s parents) to take us to James Bond Island. It was named James Bond Island because one of the Bonds movie was shoot here.. I’m not the die-hard 007 fan so I couldn’t really tell which one. I don’t know if Miss J will remember any of the trip but it was one of the fun trip. We rode on the small engine boat. It was just a bit bigger than a canoe with seats for probably 10 people. We also made a quick stop at the Floating Fishing Village for lunch. I wish we could have stayed longer. I couldn’t wait to bring Mr. Z back there one day.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Photo Friday: James Bond Island is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This photo could have been taken in anywhere in Europe. But the truth is this ruin is in Macau – The Asia Sin City. It’s amazing how history has different trace of how small our world is. This is part of the old ruin of St. Paul church in Macau. We visited here during our trip to Hong Kong and Macau in 2007. It was one of the fun and crazy trip for us. With 6 children and probably 15 adults, I felt like we just flew by this amazing city.

Macau has a lot of Portugal influence as we can see it throughout the city. The food, the architechture, the culture.. A small city but very big personality. It’s called ‘Las Vegas of Asia’ for a good reason. They have several big casinos throughout the city. One big difference I would say is the smoking. This is not by any mean a family-friendly city. The casinos are full of smokers. The restaurants mostly have no separate rooms for non-smoking. You pretty much have to walk pass the smoke-filled room to the corner of the restaurant.

However, the other aspect of the city is amazing. It’s a great city to walk around and learn about Macau history. So I will think a family with older kids would really appreciate learning how East culture meet West culture and co-exist nicely.

Check out other Photo Friday participants around the world at Delicious Baby.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Photo Friday: Ruinas De Sao Paulo is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

The sign at the ferry station in Hong Kong on our way back from Macau.

During our visit to Hong Kong and Macau, we took a ferry to and from Hong Kong to Macau. The trip wasn’t bad. I took some seasick medicine and pretty much slept the whole way. At the ferry station after a long ferry ride (about an hour) the first thing we looked for was the rest room. Well, we didn’t have any problem finding it. They make sure that tourists won’t make any mess looking for restrooms. I mean if you can’t find the restroom then I don’t know how else they can help you. :)

Check out other Travel Photo and story at Delicious Baby for Photo Friday roundup.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Photo Friday: Just for tourists like us in Hong Kong is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This is the floating muslim village in Krabi. This village is built entirely in the ocean. It’s one of the tourist attraction (stop) for people visiting Phi Phi Island and Krabi area.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Wordless Wednesday: Koh Pan-Yi (Floating Muslim Village) is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

With the Beijing 2008 Olympic fever that we have in our house right now, I want to post the picture we took almost 10 years ago. Starbucks have been in Beijing way before the Olympic. I’m very in awe with the opening ceremony but I’m not surprised. I know that the Chinese can do it and they have the determination and committment to make it big.

Check out other WW participants here.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) WW – Starbucks in Beijing is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Budha is Thai most sacred buddhist temple. It’s located within the grounds of the Grand Palace and one of the most visited tourist attraction in Thailand. We went there on our recent trip to Thailand. It was HOT!!!

Check out other WW participant here.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) WW – Wat Phra Kaew is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

The view of Phromthep Cape in Phuket. It’s the most photographed location in Phuket. We took this picture during our trip to Thailand over 4 years ago. I can’t wait to go back there again.

Check out other WW participants here.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) WW – Phromthep Cape, Phuket, Thailand is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) 50 Places of a Lifetime By Intelligent Travel is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

The Sin City of Asia – Macau. This is the famous Casino Lisboa. I was told that half of the casinos here own by only one man!

Check out other WW participants here.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) WW – Night Life in Macau is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This was the view from the restaurant that we had lunch in Phuket. We went there a few years ago before the Tsunami hit. It was such a nice relaxing time. I can’t wait to go back again with the whole family.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) WW – Lunch by the Beach in Phuket is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This week Thursday Thirteen is all about the countries that I have visited. I don’t list it in any particular order. Enjoy!

2) Hong Kong – We went there a couple years ago during our family trip back to Thailand. It was like a family reunion trip with my mom, my sister, my brother and my cousin. We had so much fun there. What a lively city and the food was incredible and exotic.

3) Mexico – Our recent cruise had a stop in Cozumel. We only spent a day there. So I know that I will have to go back there to experience and explore more of this beautiful country.

4) Cayman Islands – Love it, love it, love it!!! Another port of call on our recent cruise trip. Oh what a beautiful beach! I think I can just stay there by the beach all day long.

5) Jamaica – Colorful and interesting country. We didn’t get to explore much this trip. But I know that we will find another opportunity to go back and be more adventurous next time.

6) England – I went there about 10 years ago with my mom and my brother. Big Ben, London Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Harrod’s.. Too little time, too many things to do. I need to go back there before my friend moves away.

Picture by fraise

7) Switzerland – On the same trip to London, we also went to Switzerland. Checked out watches and stayed in a beautiful B&B. What a beautiful country!!

8) Germany – I couldn’t believe it has been 10 years already from that trip. We stopped by Heidelberg. Checked out the castle and enjoyed lunch at the town square.

Picture by mattwyn

9) Italy – Rome.. what can I say.. No need to explain. We have to go back. One trip is not enough for this country full of history and great architectures.

Picture by RZen

10) Scotland – A business trip took me to this lovely country. We got to check out the Edinburg castle and visited Glasglow in Ireland. Very peaceful place. I would love to go back there with Mr. Rojo.

Picture by sZelee

11) France - Shopper heaven.. Not so much for me at that time. As a poor student, I didn’t get to enjoy all the brand name stores. But who can forget your experience in Paris. There is no other city like it.

Picture by idreamofdaylight

12) Bahamas – The Carribean paradise. Our first visit was for our honeymoon and followed by our first cruise. We had a great memory there for blue ocean and great snorkel.

13) Singapore – Another great oppotunity from my ex-company. We got to live there for over a month. What an experience!

Picture by travellingzenwolf

Since a handful of the countries I visited were from way before the digital camera era, I didn’t have the digital copies of those pictures. Thanks to the internet I am able to find great pictures from other flickr users.

Check out other TT participants here.

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) 13 Countries I Have Visited is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Sometimes vacation is all about our imagination. It will be nice to get to go on a real destination on your dream vacation.

As I have so much time on my hand (apart from working, cooking, taking care of our home, cleaning, etc..), I have come up with 13 destinations that I would like to go on my vacations. These are not the finite list as I refuse to limit my own dream. I want to go places.. different places, different cultures.. Only time will tell.

For now, enjoy my Thursday Thirteen.

1) Hawaii – This is my top destination. It’s just something about the beach that always attract me.

2) Italy – I want to go back there and be able to take my time and get to travel the whole country especially Venice, Rome and Florence

3) Greece – Again something about the ocean.. It’s that blue sky with the crisp clear ocean. Plus Greek food is one of my favorite.

4) Australia – This might happen sooner if I can manage the budget. When we go back to Thailand next trip, I want to try to have a side-trip to Australia. After all, it will cut the flight time by half.

5) Ireland – This one is for Mr. Rojo. He thinks he has an Irish blood.

6) Switzerland – I don’t know how to ski but I would love to go ski there. Does that make me sound a bit insane?

7) Japan – Technically, I have been there countless times except I only set foot on their airport. I don’t think that count.

8) China – Especially Shanghai, it’s the Western city of China.

9) Mexico – It won’t be right not to visit and get to your our neighbor, heh?

10) California – I have been there 10 years ago. But I think my one trip doesn’t do justice to that State. I would love to go back to San Diego, San Francisco and LA (this one mainly for Thai food)

11) Las Vegas/Grand Canyon – Whatever happen in Vegas, stay in Vegas. :)

12) Fiji – We can always dream, right?

13) Brazil – I would love to visit the Amazon and take in the vibrant culture.

That’s it folks. My list. So where are your dream destination?

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) 13 Destinations for my Vacation is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

One long weekend, we got a chance to take a train to visit Beijing. We had to take a train from TianJin to Beijing. Too bad I didn’t take any digital pictures back then. So I didn’t think of taking the pictures of the bathroom at the train station. However, my sense of smell still vividly remembers this strong smell. Let’s just say I held my breath the whole time I walked in there and I couldn’t even do my business. I just couldn’t. The door was only half tall so when you squat down, you would be seeing the next door neighbor. Ok.. I know.. Too much information. Let’s move on.

We took a bus to the Great Wall. I think this might be the only time I will get to visit China. But you never know. I still want to go back to see Shiang Hai and other parts of this interesting country. We took the cable car up to the Great Wall and walked along the wall. I’m glad we did this when I was 8 years younger. Not sure if I can climb it now.

Next day, we got a chance to see Tianmin Square and the Forbidden City. Growing with a lot of Chinese movies in my household, it was amazing to get to see the Forbidden City. I am still amazed now thinking about how people 1,000 years ago was able to accomplish such a large scale of contruction with details and beauty.

The fun memory I had is not only about places but people. It was fun shopping in China. Bargaining is a given. The price they gave you will be about 200% more than you will end up paying. But that’s how it works. We also surprised at how Americanized the teens could be in Beijing and this was 8 years ago. I’m sure you can see even more Western influence there nowaday. We went to Hard Rock Cafe in Beijing and it was one of the fun night in my life. Being young and no worried.. Oh! how I long for those days again.

And just to prove the point that we can get Starbucks anywhere. We got this picture from that trip. China is not just another exotic country anymore. I will go back in a heart beat if my budget allows!

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Blast from the past – China is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

Well, not literally just a day in Bangkok. I couldn’t just go back to Thailand and only spend a day in Bangkok. Most of you might ask why it took me so long to blog about Thailand. Truth be told, there are so many great places in Thailand that I’m at the lost and don’t even know where to start.

Last year, we went back to Thailand to visit my family. This is something I try to do every two years. I would love to be able to do it every year. But tickets for 4 can run around $4000 so unless I win any lotto anytime soon this will have to be bi-annual trip. Each time when we go back I try to plan several small trips to visit many parts of Thailand.

Thailand is an amazing place to visit. We have different flavors to please various taste. There are beaches in the South, mountains in the North, city in Bangkok, old ruins in the Center. I can go on and on.. Plus you can’t go to Thailand and not be overwhelmed by the varieties of food you can get. We are Thais and we love to eat. I’m not food expert I will leave that up to my friend on her blog (kelly-licious).

This trip is no different. I have a long list of things to do and buy, places to visit and food to eat. Of course, families to visit is on my list as well but that’s a given. :)

As soon as we landed (right around midnight) and by the time we left the airport which was around 2AM, we headed to my family favorite chinese restaurant, Nguan Lee. It’s one of this place that has no fancy deco just plain tables and chairs. Gotta put food on the first priority to have energy to do anything else. :)

I had planned a few places to go in Bangkok this trip. My husband has been there 3-4 times but it will take more than that to experience Thailand to the fullest.

We headed to Royal Thai Palace and Wat Pra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Budha). Being Thai and living in Bangkok for over 20 years, the last time I was there I was 10 years old. So a lots have changed. This was our second attempt to go there. Last time, we didn’t know that he had to wear long pants. You can’t wear short, flip flop, or sandal. And I believe for female you should dress properly to show respect to the place.

It was a typical weather in Thailand.. HOT.. So I knew that we won’t be spending too much time in there. We picked up a headset for self-guided. I’m not a history buff so I will take any help I can get. The visit was long enough to wear everyone out. One thing to keep in mind when going to Thailand. Whatever you plan to do, plan to accomplish maybe even less as heat will get to you sooner than you think.

The next stop on our list is ‘Muang Boran – Ancient City’. It’s located just outside Bangkok. You probably couldn’t tell where Bangkok ends and where another province begins. It’s all blended in together these days with all the people moves to our capital city. To get there, the best advice I could get is to hire a taxi or mini van. There is no easy public transportation.

Plus when you are in there the place is so huge, you can’t really walk from one to another. You can rent a bike. It will be a nice exercise giving it isn’t a hot day (which is highly unlikely for that to happen here). My sister arranged the van to pick us up and we headed there. It was nice to learn about different histories in different parts of my country. This is like an overview of what we have to offer in Thailand regarding our historical locations, architectures and many more. The owner does put a lot of thought into building this place.

They also created an environment that takes you back to the traditional Thai lifestyle. It’s a quick way to learn more about Thai culture in one trip. We had lunch at the shop that sits by the canal. One of my favorite dish – Boat noodle (Kuay-Taew-Ruer).

There are several other places that we didn’t have time to visit this trip. Plus I don’t want to temple out my husband by visiting all the temples in one trip. I think to really enjoy and appreciate what we have to offer, we need to take our time and not just rush through the place just to get it done. That being said, it’s easier said than done when you had 2 young children with you that kicking and screaming for the A/C. :)

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) A day in Bangkok… is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

We stayed in Hong Kong for 2 nights. The hotel is in a very convenient location by the subway. It’s not on the Hong Kong Island but instead on the Kowloon side which made it more affordable. I think we stayed in the Mong Kok area but need to confirm that. Will update later on the hotel name and all. :)

We didn’t waste anytime. After a full day in Macau, we arrived in Hong Kong for dinner then headed to the hotel to check in. After a quick fresh up, I left my hubby in the hotel as he was in no shape to walk anymore and went out to explore with my mom and my sister and her hubby in the Ladies Market. If you don’t like crowd space, then don’t bother coming to Hong Kong. Growing up in Bangkok, I’m used to crowd but I have to say I have never seen that many people in one location and it was almost 11PM at that time.

Street food vendors were everywhere. And the food was good. It was perfect to keep us going late into the night.

The next morning after the quick breakfast we headed to Lantau Island for 2 attractions on the itenerary.

We ended today with a trip to the fisherman village for the fresh and incredible dinner. This is not your typical restaurant. You had to walk through the real market to go to the restaurant. Food was just beyond word. Especially, for me coming from the US where seafood is more of the luxury item than the norm. So I just ate like there will be no tomorrow.

Some fish I don’t even know that it exists. I think if I show those pictures I might get marked as adult site so let your imagination runs wild on this one. For now, just see the end result from those fish. Doesn’t it make your mouth watering right now?

Our last day was a free for all day. My sister went to IKEA to check out their home product. My cousins and her daughter went to Disney Land. Well, I have both of those in the US so no need to see it again. So we decided to explore the Hong Kong island. We took the MTR to the Ocean Terminal station and we actually got off a bit earlier so that we could walk by the Harbour and check out the Pennisula Hotel. Well, can’t stay there so at least I figured we could take a picture. :P

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Hong Kong – Here we come!! is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog

This year we will not be going back to Thailand since we just went there last year (Feb 2007). But it seems like a lifetime ago that I went back. With a family of 4, it’s very difficult (financially mostly) to make a trip every year. I would love for my kids to be able to go back every year to see my mom, my sister, my brothers and their cousins (2 so far and 1 on the way). All my family members are in Thailand so that’s why I make it my goal that we will be going back at least once every two years.

Last year trip was a blast. We made a plan to have a small trip within that trip to also visit Hong Kong and Macau. My sister and my brother took care of all the arrangement with the tour company from Thailand. It was probably the good idea for us since it was like a family reunion trip with all ages range from 60 something to about 6 months old. So having a tour guide that provides transportation, accomodation and food made the trip more manageable.

We spent our first night in Macau. With the jet lag and small kids, we didn’t go explore too much. I think it’s one of the place for more adults than kids. Also one thing that hinder my fun is smoker!! They are everywhere… In the restaurant, public place… So needless to say, I don’t plan to go back to Macau again anytime soon.

Don’t get me wrong. There are other stuffs to see around Macua as well. There are several nice architechtures from the old day during Portugal influence.

Ruinas de Sao Paulo is the old ruin of St. Paul church. It has some history behind it but when you traveled with 2 young kids with less than 5 hours sleep then the history went out the window. So just search online to get more info for any history bluffs who want to know more.

Then there was also Largo do Senado (in which we visited at night). It was at the square with a lot of historic building. We went there during Chinese New Year so we got the good advantage of the decoration. The Chinese New Year is probably one of the most celebrated for Chinese people.

And you can’t talk about Macau without mentioning Casino. Macau is considered the Vegas of Asia. The casino here is as fancy and as big as in Vegas. But I think the people who come here are different. Vegas has both true gamblers and tourists. But in Macau it seems to be serious business here. We didn’t get into the casino because I can’t tolerate the smoke. But we did walk along the street to take in all the lights and unique structures. Everything in Macau is built based on the belief of Feng Shui. There are stories about how each building is designed in order to utilize the belief to bring in the most money.

By the way, traveling with tour guide has one downside. We tend to not paying attention on where you stay and where you eat or even where you go. After some digging, I just remember the name of the hotel that we stayed in Macau. It’s the Golden Dragon Casino. It’s right in front of the Fisherman Wharf. Very nice area…

Thanks for reading my feed. Please stop by to say hi or leave a comment! :) Our Trip to Macua and Hong Kong is a post from: The Q Family Adventures Travel Blog