the trip that felt looong...

After Mony Cin commented on my dad's different departure date to BKK, it brought back some memories that are worth remembering for a long time......

The very first has to be departure pattern - dad stays in sg and 3 women proceed on to a 7pm flight. It was quite tormenting for me because it was my first attempt to plan for a F&E trip for the old folks. Then to think I was given ONLY two options by the immigration officer: (1) Forgo the trip or (2) Dad changes the departure date. The only possible and reasonable one is the latter. It sounds really sad but we can't possibly postpone the trip when we were already at the airport. Yes, why allow such a situation to occur in the first place? Because my dad is super reliant. He thought that his tw trip could foretell this bkk will also be a success. The scenes at the airport were quite memorable. I spoke to the Jetstarians twice, tried bluffing through the check-in counter once, and K went through the custom gate to get to the ICAC counter. All the drama and only ended up one result - Dad will leave on Mon night. That was exactly what the Jetstarian said during the first conversation. In mathematical term, we spent 85min pacing around the counters and immigration gate.

Journey through was all thoughts on how our clumsy and toot toot dad would be able to meet us at bkk. It was indeed horrifying and anxiety imagining all the obstacles he could have faced - basically every step he takes, there will be risk imposed. Why? We were all paranoid that he will not be able to find the unconspicuous immigration counter at bkk, he will not be able to get to the public taxi and instead be carrot-head- chopped by limo drivers, he will not be able to meet us at the hotel lobby because his handphone charger was checked in by us 2 days ago, and so many more. Indeed, our father is a baby.

Anyhow, next up is facing the hotel - Samran Place. All of us almost wanted to kill Mr.K for this recommendation when we arrived and after we communicated with the receptionist. There wasn't a proper porch for parking, no bellboy, and we bring out luggages up on our own. Fine. I know for the price and location of this place, I can't expect much. Then, it was getting the room keys. We were given 303 and 701. Of course, 4 storeys apart. I fumed. I told them i requested for adjacent rooms and no way we are live so far apart. They just shrugged. OMG! Later, after my 5min of complaining non-stop, one decided to do something - search rooms availability the next day. Great. She told us more rooms of the same level will be out so there shouldn't be a problem for the swop. So I told them we will look at both rooms first then decide. 303 was out. Too low and stuffy and air-con doesn't work. So we went down to tell her storey 7. Hooray. She said 703 will be vacant but can only get the room after 4pm. Well, it is totally fine by us because we won't be using the second room until my dad reaches. We saw that she made a comment in the system to do a swop with 303. So off we went to discharge our kabang. 2 problems with the room... The phone was not connected, no coil. There was a mysterious bag in the cabinet, looks like filthy clothes left behind from previous. Well, since we can't call, I could only go down to clarify with them. My mum and sis should have seen the recept's face. She was 'sian half'. I told her nicely, I can't call. And before I continue my words, she snapped, "Press 9 and press the call button". !!! Did she think I'm a retard? Like I don't know how to use a phone? So eventually, she dialled the roomkeeper and told me to just go back to my room. She totally ignored me when I mentioned the mysterious bag. Ha. Being absent-minded as usual, I asked her the number to call the recept desk. No one could have expected her reaction - she rolled her eyes at me. OMG. She blew my last straw on the impression of Samran Place.

The first night was spent at little alleys near the hotels. Then we moved to an internet cafe - it was ridiculously cheap! 10baht per hour. The hotel charges 10baht per 5min which I almost agreed on using. We were very constructive. Sent out a super long email to Mr.K in giving my dad directions to getting to us. Every single detail was in. Ha. This cafe saved us about 20bucks if were to describe over the phone.

Another interesting happening to remember - 2nd conflict at recept desk. After a long day out shopping at CTC, we wanted so much to see our second room, 703. I told them (a new guy and a girl from previous night who never spoken at all) keys for room 701 and 703 which is the new room. The male recept without checking any thing, just snapped at me saying "can't change room" because the sale of rooms was decided the day before. I was fuming. I said," Hello I've told your staff and she changed it for me last night. What do you mean now that I don't have rooms of the same level? He just firmly said No, cannot change room at all. I then shouted quite rudely, "It was changed and can you pls check your system? I cannot have rooms of different floor." Reluctantly, he asked if I want to see the system. Of course, it's the chance to say, Yes please check. Well, it was really his fault. And he merely just handed me the keys, expressionlessly. The attitude. -_- Most were copied from the email I sent to complain to Mr.K. And I even swore to complain this matter to Asiaroom. Maybe I should just copy this link as feedback.

However, I mustn't discredit their breakfast every morning. All served ala carte and made vegetarian.

To conclude the weather.... The above is showing how HOT Grand Palace visit was. Lene made a hat out of the brochure!