Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)

I went back Bangkok 3 days later after i came back from Phuket.

As usual, me, Stephane and Louis left on the same flight. Isabel was forced to take the earlier flight alone.For safety reason, you don't usually put all the eggs in the same tray. Duh!

Anyway, i'm extremely excited about this conference because we're staying at State Tower!! The last time i was here, it was Meritus Suites State Tower. Now? It's Lebua State Tower.

Lebua State Tower, located at end of Silom Road before Shangri-La Hotel. It's a 5 star, not the top grade but good enough. Our Sydney hotel was a 4 star ok?!

After 3 years and a change of management, their Lobby changed too. But there's no change in the room, it still had the same decor.

After we checked in, we went Paragon for dinner, Japanese. And our post dinner exercise?Marketing! It's sort of our must-have culture, guess it's a Chai Chee habit we've developed. Anyway, we also dropped by Suan Lum Night Bazaar for some designer shopping.

20 Feb 2008, 1st day of Conference. There were alot of familiar faces and new faces. Everyone was perky and happily chatting away. It was a good start.

Me, Stephane, Isabel, Helen and Elitea. It was good catching up with them.

Like Sydney, our schedule in Bangkok are packed! After a whole day of conference, we had to rush back to wash up for our cocktail party at Millennium Hilton Bangkok which is across the river. After 2 pure hours of drinking, party did not end there... We were being sent back to Sky Bar (State Tower famous bar right at the top on 64th floor) for more drinks, compliments from Roshan (Grant's my boss, he is Grant's boss).

Alot of people likes here to come here for a drink and boy, it wasn't cheap! Isabel came before and she paid 1500baht for a glass of champagne! Me? Boss's treat.. :)

21 Feb 2008, 2nd day of Conference. Night ended late last night. Due we were behind schedule, we had to start early today. As usual, everyone was tired. I can see most of us yawning. Agenda after agenda, discussion after discussion. We're still behind schedule! Damn! Everyone's tired but we have something to give our energy a boost. Massage!

Yes, we have 3 masseurs exclusively for us. Relaxation was very much needed here.

Half way through the conference, i had to sneaked out to meet Suz to pass her my room card. Our day did not end after conference, dinner was in the schedule. A few of us had to rush dinner because we had our massage booked at Healthland. I didn't enjoy the massage, it was painful.. I guess it could be because its nearing closing time, my Thai masseur rushed through the whole massage! Gosh..

22 Feb 2008, last day of Conference. Yes, we're going on a tour. Why do we always do an excursion on the last day of conference?? Why? It's so freaking tiring after the excursion..

Anyway, we were ordered to meet at 6.55am in the Lobby. Then we were led by the Thais to see Temple of Dawn, Chao Praya River and Flower Market. And we were given a task, to buy materials to build Loy Krathong (floating lantern).

Grant giving a talk in the tour bus. Never seen him so casual before. I guess everyone never seen each other so casual before.

View of Chao Praya River at 7.30am. The river is getting busy with all the ferries shuttling here and there carrying boatloads of people.

Chao Praya River was scary.. With so many boats ferrying here and there, swells were quite huge. I was seated at the window and when our boat took off, i shrunk and moved to aisle. Luckily, i was seated at the right place at the right time. The other side of the boat was showered by the river! Whew..

Temple of Dawn. Never been here although i frequent Bangkok alot. Maybe i've been here before, when i was young.

My team at the steep steps of Temple of Dawn.

Along the way, we were usher to this nearby temple where we can fish feed.

Mekong cat fish feeding frenzy!

After some shopping and bargaining at the Flower Market, we were sent back to State Tower for our task, Loy Krathong building. My team, Pretty Pretty *roll eyes* bought many roses. There were about 200 roses. Yeah, we were crazy. We were literally shopping blindfolded. ;p It's so freaking cheap, 1 bouquet of 50s at 50baht! We were shown how to build one and the rest is up to our creativity. And being Team Pretty Pretty, our theme of course is.. Romantic. *roll eyes*

This is the collection of all 5 teams. My team was so good that we had time and spares to make a 2nd krathong.

And all 6 krathongs floated! None sank..

And this is my krathong with help from Lauren, Esther, Helen, Atsushi and Alice. It looks more like a table top flower arrangement than a krathong.

Sadly after lunch, we had to continue our conference. 1 hour into the conference, i was fighting very hard to keep myself awake. Lucky we had a break out session with Brian Kim from USA. And the next thing i knew, it was 6pm.

I ran back to my room, grabbed Suz and left for MBK. We had to go through a jungle of smog before we reached the BTS station. If we have taken taxi, i don't think we will be there in 20mins time. And with more time to spare, Suz happily went bra shopping. After many set of bras, we went pedicure!

Suz's and mine. Mine is the french manicure with flowers. Hers is the hawaiian blue flowers.

Hungry and tired, we went Chinatown for seafood.

23 Feb 2008, Home Sweet Home Day. We went Chatuchak to buy my pants.

I bought my pants! :)

I bought my 1140baht pants! :(

I bought my freaking miserable 10 baht discount pants! :<