Overnight Train to Chiang Mai!

On Friday we took the Overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai!

I've never been on a sleeper train before, so had no idea what to expect!!! 
I had visions of loads of smelly travellers crammed onto thin plank-like beds with chickens and goats walking around the carriages. I had psyched myself up for 13hrs of hell, but was pleasantly surprised - luxury (well...for a sleeper train that is) awaited us!

When we arrived at the platform we noticed loads of TV crews and photographers...our train was making its maiden voyage! Our train was brand spanking new!
We were shown to our seats and I was super impressed with the set-out, the seat was super comfy, I had loads of room...everything was brand new and shinny and the air-con was fabulous...and not a smelly traveller in sight! (maybe they were in the next carriage?!) When the train departed the photographers clicked away and the crowds cheered us on (kid you not - this was major Friday night entertainment for some!) the train officer then came round each carriage welcoming us and presented us with a gift (branded water bottle) and an Inauguration Certificate for the Special Express 'Uttravidhi' (Way to the North)!


When we were out of Bangkok and the buzz of the press running up and down the train taking pics and interviewing people has settled, we went for a little wonder to the 'dining room'. Food is served throughout the night, a good selection of Thai food and sandwiches, soft drinks and coffees on offer and there is a cute little area to sit and watch Thailand go by. When we got back to our seats the 'bed make-up man' (not sure what to call him) was in action and making up the beds in our carriage... in a few flips and clicks our 2 seater area was transformed into a top and bunker bed! And I was even more chuffed knowing that the mattress, pillow and blankey were all new! 

I drew the 'top bunk straw' and it was super comfy...had a little night light and phone charger and curtains to block out the rest of the carriage. Only thing I could moan about was a little design error of having a florescent light right above you...kinda kept me awake on and off throughout the night even with my (borrowed from Turkish Airlines) 'Do not disturb' eye mask.  Kev had it lucky with the bottom bunker - slightly more room and once curtains are closed - it was dark-ish! He also had the window view and watched the sunrise in the morning!

Before we knew it the guards were waking us up ''Next stop - Chiang Mai'', we had some time to change, brush teeth and freshen up before pulling into the station - where yet more camera crews awaited us! The 13hrs flew by and I would definitely recommend the sleeper train experience as a fun and different way to travel! It cost 791 baht for the top bunk (£17.90) and 881 baht (£19.94) for the lower bunk - not a bad price for a moving hotel!

'Hotel Uttravidhi'

Unicorn Café Bangkok!

Yesterday we visited the Unicorn Café!

We have friends visiting and they were dying to take the kiddies there...so off we set for some Unicorn action! The UC is located near Silom...about a 20 min Sky Train ride away from our Condo. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere really...no shops or restaurants around, then you turn the corner and see the cotton candy pink paint and Unicorn in the window...voila! It's not as big as I was expecting it to be... the pics on Facebook and Instagram make it look massive...and also make it look much nicer than it actually is! The decor is a bit faded and tired.. the Unicorn toys all look like they are in need of an industrial wash and anti-bac spray! But I can see where they were going with it once-upon-a time-ago...just needs a bit of a re-fresh and some Unicorn sparkle!

The food menu was defo created by someone on a sugar high! And if you going - share - cause everything is super sweet! The menu boasts options from Unicorn Burgers, Rainbow Carbonara to Multicoloured waffles...all topped off with a chocolate Unicorn - oh and you can even order Unicorn Blood - a red coloured sugar ice drink! The presentation is amazing...but the food looks much better than it tastes...our mate had the burger and he said the Unicorn topping was the best part! I had the waffles and ice-cream - for me the banana garnish was the best part! We then shared a slice of their famous 'Unicorn Rainbow Cake'...definitely not famous for the taste...just the look!

Unicorn Delights!

Overall...it was Okay...the kids had fun so that was the most important part and I'll admit I had fun dressing up in a Unicorn Onesie... although a little too small (and also in serious need of a wash!),..it was fun for the photo-op. Most people visiting the UN popped in, ordered a drink, dressed up as a Unicorn, had a photo-shoot and left! (They obs had inside info not to order the food!)

Unicorn Hayley!

https://www.facebook.com/Unicornbrand/

1 Year in BKK!

Today marks 1 Year that we have been living in Bangkok!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary BKK!

I still can't believe how lucky we are to live in this AMAZING city! It's been such a fantastic year filled so many exciting adventures! We've embraced the food, the culture, the shopping malls and although we have done so much this year - there is still so much to see and do! I can't wait to carry on exploring...

We've got visitors arriving on Saturday for a few weeks and I'm so excited to show them around my 'hood' and introduce them to our new life here! We've got a few epic shopping trips planned, trip to Old Town and then travelling up North to Chiang Mai for the Lantern Festival! After that Kev and I will visit Kancherburi for Xmas and then hit the beach in Pattaya for New Year! 

I've fallen in love with Thailand! 
The food, the people, the lifestyle, the everything - I can't wait to see what year no.2 has in store for us! 


Stay tuned for more BKK adventures...

xoxo

Dining in the Dark!

Last week Kev and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary! 

We decided to have a little adventure so booked our celebration dinner at Dine in the Dark! 

Dine in the Dark is a culinary experience designed to awaken your senses, you are serviced by visually impaired guides and for a portion of the cheque goes towards the Bangkok Foundation for the Blind. It costs 1,450 baht per person (£33.94) a bit more pricey than our usual 40 baht dinners at our local, but hey...we were celebrating 5 years... so we thought we would treat ourselves a little. You can choose from the Western, Asian or Surprise Menu - we opted for the Surprise!

When we arrived we were seated in the bar area and given stylish DID aprons to wear and briefed on what we were about to experience. We were told that the room would be dark...very dark and we were asked to remove any lumo / reflective bits, switch off our phones and our bags were stored in a locker. We were then introduced to your guide for the evening 'Noy' and told she would always be close by should we need anything.

Noy lead us through a curtained area to the private DID dining area. Hands on her shoulders, we went down a few stairs and she miraculously manoeuvred us around the dark dining room to our table and guided our hands as to what was on the table and where. Kev was seated on my left and although right next to me, he felt so far away! They do not lie - it's dark, you can't see a thing, although your eyes do try to play tricks on you (I convinced myself I could see shadows...) and whilst your eyes continue to try adjust I found it more comfortable to close them.  Noy delivered our cocktails and  appetisers and asked up to feel around the table and find the bread....Dining in the Dark had begun!

For starters we had soup, we had to pour from a jar into a cup...well... that was very tricky! I also misjudged where my mouth was so had soup all down the from of me - super glad I had my DID apron on! After that the delicious smelling main course arrived...by this point I had lost my knife and fork, so went old school 'finger lickin good style' and tucked in! Glad no-one was looking  as I was hunched over the plate so I wouldn't spill, shoving food into my mouth with my hands! (I did wonder if anyone was sitting in the corner with night vision goggles having a chuckle watching us trying to eat!?) 

After that we had a little break enjoying our cocktails and chatting to Noy - who by the way is the most amazing, inspirational person I have ever met! Blind at birth she had travelled around the world and is just amazing! She travelled to London on her own and studied in Plymouth for 3 years getting a degree in Communication. She describes her experiences and her travels around the UK in the most astonishing way and was so interesting to hear how she 'saw' things. Next time I even think about complaining about anything I'm gonna remember Noy and her amazing attitude towards life - she definitely added a special touch to the evening and we were so honoured to have met her!

Dessert was a plate of delights, 4 different mouth-size treats! After that coffee and complimentary Anniversary macaroons! (Aww) Noy then guided us to the light and we were seated at the bar and shown pictures of what we ate on our dining experience (menu below) DID was definitely an amazing experience, especially for someone like me who is a bit 'fussy' with food and I like to see the look of  something before I eat it. 

Dinner!

What we thought we ate:

Appetizers - fried seafood salad

Starter - potato, broccoli or cauliflower soup

Main - roast pork belly with veggies

Dessert - fruit salad, sorbet, chocolate tart, shortbread with sweet jam

What we actually ate:

Appetizers - tempura calamari and scallops on a bed of lettuce

Starter - white asparagus soup

Main - roast duck with mash and veggies

Dessert - fruit salad, sorbet, chocolate tart, shortbread with pear

We dined in the dark!

www.dineinthedarkbangkok.com