Elephant Parade & AsiaTique!

Eek - just seen this post that i hadn't published yet....

A few months ago we visited Lumphini Park for the famous Elephant Parade!
Lumphini Park is about 30 min from our apartment and one of the biggest parks in Bangkok. There is always something going on there. So when i heard there was an Elephant Parade - I was super excited and visions of me riding one!

There were however a bit too small to ride... the Elephant Parade is an exhibition of large, painted and decorated Elephants scattered around the park. Each Elly is decorated by a famous artist or celebrity and auctioned off  to raise funds and awareness for the Asian Elephant Foundation! 

I was super keen to purchase the pink Elephant in the tutu (pic below!) - but sadly it had already been bought! My second choice was the disco ball Elly - but Kev wouldn't hand over his card! Grr...

My Favourite Elly and Me!

  

We walked around the park for a few hours - then rested under a shady tree near the lake to try and cool down from the heat! Out the corner of my eye i spotted this 'little fella' coming towards us! Eek! I thought it was a Crocodile - but it's a Lumphini Park Lizards!!! Beware of these dudes! They can't do much harm - but still look at you like you are a juicy piece of meat! 

This not so little chap was hanging out near the lake! Eek!

After the Elephant Parade and killer Lizard sighting... we headed to Asiatique! (A magical shopping land in the heart of Bangers!!) Kev mentioned it was a market - but OMG - i had no idea what a lovely evening was install for me! We got the free Asiatique boat from Taksin Bridge, it takes about 15min, then you arrive in shopping heaven! 

   

Shops galore, Funky restaurants, its very own Ferris wheel and an awesome atmosphere! 

We wondered around for a few hours, had a cheeky Chang, delicious Thai food and made a few little purchases... my favorite being a personalized Passport holder! Cute huh?!? 

Can't wait to go back for the matching luggage tag! Hehe

Songkran Festival 2016!

Well...we survived our first Songkran experience!

Songkran is the Thai New Year! It celebrated on 13th April and lasts for 3 days!
3 days of water fights and the quietest 3 days in Bangers! Songkran originates from a spring cleaning ritual and part of the ritual was the cleaning of Buddha using 'blessed' water. This water was then used to soak people to wash away their bad vibes and bring them good fortune. Nowadays, it's kinda just one big water fight! Even though Thailand is amidst one of the worst droughts it's ever had - no drop is spared for this crazy festival!

We headed to Tescos to get out water pistols - there were hundreds on offer! I selected a medium sized one, and Kev the large! (Next year i'm gonna go for the super-size one!) With our pistols, water tight zip-lock phone bags and enthusiasm we headed out on Day 1 to Silom and Central World.

We had barely go the the train station when we had a bucket of ice-cold water thrown over us! The good fortune wishes had started... 

 

April is the hottest month is Bangers - so it was actually quite pleasant getting drenched with ice-cold water! The not so nice part is looking like you wet your pants and having to ride on the freezing cold air-conned train after! Brr! Anyhow, we got to Silom - and as they say 'shit got real'! It was MANIC!! Manic i tell you! 

Water was coming at you from all angles... you can run, you can't hind... you just squirt back! Glasses are a must for this festival - you defo need to protect your eyes! Not fun getting eye-squirted and blinded - opened you up for more squirting attacks!

The first 5 min or so was fun... but then I'd had enough!!! Enough of those peeps with the 'Super Size water pistol squirters' that hit you so hard you wanna fall over! I was under attack and I didn't like it! Kev had a blast! Maybe cause he had a bigger pistol and had more protection with his funky new blue glasses... 

After a few tears i got over myself - put my Big Girl Panties on and toughened up! I refilled my water pistol and shot the hell of out anyone who so much as looked at me! GI Hayley was on the loose...

On day 2 we headed to the Koh San Road, dressed in my New Fancy Songkran Shirt... another mental day ahead! We didn't take out pistols out so weren't such easy targets and didn't get squired as much! It was pretty crazy there so after a Phad Thai and a cheeky Chang we headed home to the pool where we played water fights with the kiddies and peeps around the pool. In a civilized fashion.

On Day 3 we went to the lobby of our apartment to do the traditional washing of the Buddha,  then spent the day by the pool soaking up the sun!

Wishing you many good fortunes and happiness

xx

Thailand vs. Korea Republic!

Last week we went to watch Thailand vs. Korea Republic!

   

So as you have probably gathered by now - I love Football!!! Hmm!!!
But i was pretty excited to support Thailand in the friendly against Korea Republic, especially as Kev promised to get me a Thai Football top! 

We headed to National Stadium to collect our tickets (tickets cost 200 baht - £4!) and to soak up some pre-match atmosphere! Sadly they were not selling any Football tops my size, so i settled for a head-bow thing with the Thai Flag on and face-paint! After stocking up on pop-corn and a match beverage(cola as beer is not sold anywhere during footie matches!) we headed into the stadium to support our teams.

  

The atmosphere was just crazy! But so awesome to be apart of it all! The stadium was packed with Thai supporters singing and dancing and screaming for the footie players! Every Time one of their players even came near the ball - the crowd went wild! Korea Republic scored 3 min into the first half and held that score till the end! We were so lucky to get tickets for the match - it truly was an awesome experience! I'm looking forward to the next match so  i can get my t-shirt and wear my funky bow-thing again!

Go Team!