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[Personal] Bangkok trip 27 May – 29 May 2011
Posted on May 31, 2011 by aphrael77
This is going to be a long-winded account that’s going to sound like my thank-you list (which, in fact, it is). Without the help and advice of many friends, my trip wouldn’t be as enjoyable and successful as it was. Erm, if I thank someone and use the wrong name, please blame it on my age and poor memory … So here it is, in no order of merit (lol):
First to Veron, thanks for saying that you’re going to Bangkok, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone. Thanks for your lively company, and for sharing everything with us, and for the spa contact too.
To Ferlyn, thanks for joining me on the trip (ok, I admit I was egging her on, but the more, the merrier!). I cannot remember which of us came up with the idea of staying at Four Seasons because we heard that JKS was staying there, so we booked a room there, and I had to “abandon” my original non-refundable hotel room booking at Centre Point Petchburi. Then later we heard that JKS was not staying at Four Seasons after all, because HS Media was unhappy with 411 Entertainment for posting JKS’ hotel on their website. Was disappointed, but what’s done was done. It was only on Fri 27 May afternoon that we heard news of JKS appearing for his press conference and interview at Four Seasons, but that did not necessarily mean he was staying there.
Then on Sat 28 May when we returned to the hotel at 2 pm plus and saw a crowd of fans waiting at the lobby, only then were we sure that JKS was staying there. I had entertained the thought of going back to Centre Point because of the free WIFI there, and so I was packing my luggage on Saturday when Ferlyn went back down to the lobby to catch a glimpse of JKS, and she did see him come down the main central staircase to go out to the Cri Show venue. When Ferlyn returned to the room, I had changed my mind and decided to continue my stay at Four Seasons. I thought that I could wait for JKS at the lobby for him to return from his Cri Show and private party, but in the end, was too tired to do that and anyway, I’ll be seeing him again in KL. So I didn’t manage to see JKS at the hotel at all.
And, I must say, Four Seasons Bangkok is really good. It was my first time staying at a 5-star hotel. The check-in was smooth, we got early check-in at around 11 am plus and were upgraded from Superior to Deluxe room. I was impressed, not just with the rooms but also with the friendliness, helpfulness and efficiency of the staff. We had several requests and needed the hotel to make arrangements for us, which they did.
Oh yeah, and Ferlyn is really good at taking the initiative to plan our programme details, so I didn’t have to worry too much and could leave it in her good hands. I sent her an initial schedule along the lines of “oh in the morning, we do this, this and this”. Then she sent me the updated schedule in Excel, with specific time and itinerary, along with the address and website address for info etc. Amazing … in the end, with all the things we had to do such as ticket collection, attending the fan-sign on 27 May, massage and shopping, our schedule looked even more packed than JKS’ schedule! Haha~
Next, thanks much to wap for providing the driver’s contact. He’s friendly, reliable, knows enough English for communication purposes and most of all, does not over-charge. For those of you going to Bangkok, you can contact him at +66 086 976 5943 or sms at +668 6976 5943. Ok, my brain is losing memory power, so I cannot recall who else to thank…. Also to those who offered invaluable tips like not wearing red and yellow in Bangkok, to move around in a group, thanks! …. Did I miss out anyone else?
Oh ya, one person that I’d like to specially thank here is Siqi. She lives in Bangkok and wants to meet up, so we arranged to meet at the Cri Show venue. Well, it is the first time I’ve met up with an overseas friend online, and I’ve not talked to her before, so I didn’t know what to expect or even what to say. Upon reaching there, Siqi said she had something to give me, and I was really surprised at the gifts she showered upon me – a “I love JKS” t-shirt that I have been thinking of getting, a poster, a mouse-pad, 2 pens with JKS on it! Siqi, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind thoughts and gestures!
Poster & t-shirt (sorry, the other gifts are still buried somewhere in my luggage). The fake Tiffany bracelet is my purchase from BKK.
Now, even if she did not give me anything, I would have been equally glad to meet her too (am I the kind of person who only likes gifts?! XD ), because she’s warm and friendly, and kept thanking me for the blog and saying that she appreciated my efforts. I feel a bit shy to be thanked so profusely, but it’s nice to be appreciated
Our pic below – which may be removed if Siqi objects since I’ve posted this first without waiting for her consent. Erm, I’m the one who looks more like a panda with my late nights ….. and rest assured it’ll be the only pic of me that I’ll ever be posting, since I hate to appear in photos…Can I trust you ladies not to put this pic anywhere else? Thanks!
Just want to take the chance to say, I appreciate all of you for visiting my blog too. JKS not only has Korean, Japanese and Chinese fans, he has fans from many other countries too, and if my article translations and such help more people get to know and love JKS, then I feel that my efforts have not been wasted. From the time I started this blog in Jan 2011 with only 10 or 20 daily visitors, to monthly unique visitors at 10,000 and now 27,000 unique visitors for May 2011, thank you! It is a source of motivation for me to continue (though a bit stressful too), knowing that people are waiting to hear more JKS news to go with their breakfast (haha!) or at the end of their work day.
Bangkok has this knack for making people return with double the amount of luggage, and the above new suitcase I bought is evidence of that ^^ When I realised I needed one more suitcase, the thought of getting a leopard-print one came unbidden to my mind, and you all know who I blame for that! And while I was checking in at the Bangkok airport, the lady officer at the airline counter commented a couple of times that it was a beautiful suitcase!
Finally, on a note unrelated to the Bangkok trip, I have to say a BIG “thank-you” to Carol70 … I don’t know what to do without her! Usually our correspondence runs like this (LOL):
“Do you want this JKS merchandise?”
“Yes!”
“Do you want this JKS merchandise?”
“Yes!”
“Do you want this JKS merchandise?”
“Yes!”
So even before I step into Malaysia for the KL Cri Show, I have chalked up a debt of RM 219 already (that was after much restraint on my part) … just joking! I’m very thankful to her for going out of her way to buy or find JKS stuff for me, checking out many things for me, and sharing many JKS-related stuff with me too. Carol, I owe you dinner!
Oh ya, I nearly forgot to add this last part about my “cute” family. At Bangkok airport, I called my sister to convey a message to my dad to pick me up at Changi airport, and gave her my flight details. Upon arrival back in Singapore, I found out it was my brother who came. That’s fine. He brought his wife and little boy Kivan, which is fine too. What is not fine is that he brought my sis’ boy Ethan, whom I nickname the “terrorist” – believe me, he is one. I have lost track of all the terrible things he did. So the 2 little boys ran around the airport, with my bro and his wife taking turns to chase after them. Here’s a video of them – we asked them questions about who is smarter, who is taller, who is naughtier etc (p.s. The terrorist is the one on the right).
Finally, just a note to say that I will not be taking any pic or video at Kuala Lumpur Cri Show, because
- Hopefully, the Bangkok Show’s Lounge H videos are sufficient for you already
- Most of the content will be similar
- I better stop posting so many illegal videos before I get caught
- I would like to just enjoy the Show without being distracted by my camera and how to hide it
Will let you all know how things turn out generally in KL
cre: http://jangkeunsukforever.com/?p=4813
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