Operation Grand Diamond Debrief : Day 1

* Warning, blog post will be heavy on bandwidth due to pictures.
But in this age of broadband, should be ok I think...*

Good afternoon gentlemen, hope you had a good nights rest and we will now carry out the debrief for Operation Grand Diamond.

At 0810 Hours, 021022007, Operation Grand Diamond commenced from Changi Airport Terminal one. Area of operation is Bangkok, build up point in Hotel Grand Diamond. Objective of this operation is to obtain recon data about the shopping in this place.

Ok ok, enough of the military thingy. Couldn't help it as this is my fourth time back to the country of Thailand. Only this time its for a short holiday and not like the rest. The feeling was abit werid as for the last 3 times when I went to Thailand, it was during my liability as a Singaporean male. Yet this time I am going there for a holiday. From Terminal One to the taking Thai Airways, the familiarity was there.

Anyway this time, the place that we were staying(Parents, Sister, Junyuan & Me) is a 4 star hotel called Grand Diamond. Not really in the heart of the shopping area but still within walkable range. After all, if you are going to be shopping the whole day, what is abit more walking right?


Care for Egg and Sausage Sir?


Arriving at the new airport...

First up after putting down the bags and changing into berms was to explore the shopping center next to the hotel. Its called Platinum Shopping Center or something. With 1500 over shops, kinda owns our very own Far East at orchard road. Most of the shops were targeted at ladies as they are the ones who enjoy shopping more than the guys. Did managed to scout a few shops selling guys stuff as I was thinking of getting a new shirt or two.

Lunch was at the food court upstairs. Unfortunately due to my hectic schedule last week(refer to previous blog entries), I was found lacking in sleep and was abit moody during lunch time.


The hotel bed is so nice and comfortable... what am I doing out here...

After lunch, we took a walk to the next shopping center with a good and cheap Japanese restaurant which my family ate at the last time they were here(I was somewhere else in Thailand ensuring trainees report on time). The shopping center was call "Big C". Its main store a hypermarket like Giant or Carrefour with other small shops here and there, a cinema on the top and one floor for eateries.


Nothing like good ice cream to give you the extra energy...

We spent quite a while moving around and looking at the shops there. Even found a weighing machine and had fun checking out our weight. The only reason being is that it cost just 1 batt to weigh yourself. Convert that to Singapore currency and it will cost less than 5 cents.


5 cents to check your weight...


Ok so without my shoes and other stuff, my bmi would be around 74kg / 1.80m / 1.80m = 22.84. Phew still under 23 :P

Than it was off to the Japanese Restaurant for dinner. Maybe it is because we were eating at Singapore time, which is one hour ahead of Bangkok time, the place was rather empty. The food is rather cheap and we kept ordering stuff. As I did not have lunch, I was feeling rather hungry and helped to clear up all the food. While I have tasted better, considering the price for each dish, it is not bad overall.


I think I better not weigh myself later... :P

After a nice full dinner, we walked to the new Central World to take a look. It is more of a up market shopping center with shops of well know brands. Much like going to suntec or taka. But of cos, it always doesn't hurt to just take a walk inside and enjoy the aircon.


The new Central World shopping center


Why does this brand look so familar?

After that, our legs decided for us that its time to head back to the hotel to get some rest. It is going to be another long day tomorrow.