Thailand, A Photo Diary 1/4

The Journey

Eyecandy and I have long been dreaming of  a trip outside Saudi Arabia that we can enjoy together. Since 2009, we've been planning to go to Egypt. 2010 to Europe, 2011 to Morocco, and 2012 to Maldives. Needless to say, our planning didn't go anywhere further than Dammam and Al-Khobar. This 2013, we're trying to schedule a trip to Maldives again during the Eid holiday in August. But as fate would have it, our godfather already handed us a gift that we couldn't say no to... THAILAND.

You might be wondering why we should go all the way to Thailand from Saudi Arabia when we could've easily done it coming from the Philippines. Well, if it's FREE, who are we to say 'NO'?! ;) And so off we go to the land of smiles.

Packing for a week

How do you pack for a one-week trip? Packing for a trip is one of the nightmares of traveling but for Eyecandy and I we have our plan down pat. *cough, stress, cough* We pictured our pictures in this trip and decided we have to match and complement each other's clothes. Hehe. And me, being obsessive over itineraries, I have already pictured in my mind what I would wear on the places we'll go to. Apart from the clothes, I always bring a scarf/shawl, a pair of sandals, a pair of pocket shoes (for the temples, which I will explain further in the future entries, lotion, and sunscreen (which I had to leave behind after deciding that I will not check this luggage in). How do you pack for a trip?

Pardon me for this selfie.

I'm quite used to the King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh. I know for a fact that it's fine not to wear an abaya for a traveler once inside but I felt eyes staring at me when I entered. I forgot I was wearing such a bright ensemble. PINK. Haha. It was a bit weird wearing something so colorful and bright in a sea of black, but this ensemble is what's comfy for me. What do you wear for a flight?

The first class lounge at KKIA

See you later, Riyadh!

I love window seats! It's what I always choose because I get to see the places from above. I remember during my first landing in Riyadh, the first descriptive phrase that came to me when I saw Riyadh from above was "the city of grid lights" because look at it, so well-lit and and so straight. E is more of an aisle person because it's easier to go to the restroom. :P Are you a window or aisle person?

Anyway, Eyecandy went ahead first and I followed a few days after (ito kasing trabaho, sagabal sa mga lakad, hehe!). I flew via Srilankan Airways and had a stop-over in Colombo. Even if the journey was long (took around 14 hours for me including layovers), I can't help but enjoy it thanks to the business class amenities of my ticket.

The main dinner: chicken curry and drinks

Tea time.

You can't fly Srilankan and not have a cup of their tea. Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of tea in the world. The Ceylon black tea (Ceylon is the former name of Sri Lanka) is one of the most popular kind of teas in the world. I love the aroma of my tea; the taste a bit strong but turns gentle when combined with milk.

The business class lounge in Colombo

Colombo has a small airport but it's quite busy. I decided to stay in the lounge for my 4-hour layover and relish the free drinks and sandwiches. They also have a free massage that I enjoyed. Relaxing!

I swear I didn't notice the 'no photography' sign in the wall.

It took another four hours in the plane to reach Bangkok, Thailand.

An hour to Bangkok.

The Chao Phraya River! (Bangkok, Thailand)

Thailand, formerly known as Siam, is a country located at the center of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia. The good thing about it being in Southeast Asia is we, Filipinos, don't need to get a visa prior to visiting the country. (Thank you, ASEAN!) 

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok was huge and well-designed. I can't help but feel we need something like this for the Philippines. Like now na. Anyway, immigration was a breeze and I ended up in the arrival area gazing at the streams of tourists and their sundo. There were a lot of restaurants to go to and kiosks for sim cards, taxis, and hotels. While waiting for Eyecandy, I can't help but order Thailand's greatest dish (at least for me)... the pad thai.

Pad Thai of Tate Cafe

I'm a bit surprised by this Pad Thai because it's quite sticky and sweeter than I'm used to. (For those who haven't tried pad thai, you can order a simple but tasty pad thai in Villa Restaurant and a more expensive but tastier version in Noodle House.) I still like it though, especially the robust shrimps.

We had a few errands to do in Bangkok before going to our main hub in Thailand... Pattaya. Pattaya is a city 165 km southeast of Bangkok (an hour and a half drive away). It's known as the "beach resort" of Thailand because of its proximity to the Gulf of Thailand. Many tourists and expatriates visit this place all-year long.

The Asia Pattaya Beach Hotel

This is our home for a week. The Asia Pattaya Beach Hotel is one of the oldest in the area which has a 'retro' vibe going on. (Even their website is retro!) E and I were listening to love songs of the 60s-80s for a week! What we like about this hotel though is its beach area... and a pool with a bar in the middle. So cool! Also, their staff are friendly and helpful (except when they forgot our call time on the last day... story on a latter entry.)

Anyway, tired and hungry from the flight and our trip from Bangkok to Pattaya, we decided to scout for a restaurant near the hotel. E, who has been in Thailand for 4 days before I arrived, suggested the restaurant of a hotel resort nearby. It's called Cabbages and Condoms. Yes, you read that right. Cabbages and CONDOMS. (What is condoms doing in a restaurant's name?)

In Cabbages and Condoms, you will be greeted by these:

Nice outfit you have! :P

Hmn, you too! 

You might be laughing on our choice of restaurant but seriously, this is a good restaurant and it has a cause. The restaurant uses fun visuals such as the mannequins in clothes made of condom to create awareness on sex, family planning, and HIV/AIDS. Thailand had a crisis on AIDS and Mechai Viravaidya, owner of the restaurant (and Birds and Bees Resort where the restaurant is) and Thailand's Mr. Condom, has saved millions of lives by raising awareness of HIV/AIDS. I think that this head-on (no pun intended), almost in-your-face, campaign to battle this disease in Thailand is commendable, especially when its effectivity has been already proven. Even before coming to Thailand, I first heard Mr. Condom speak in a TED video and I was smitten by his passion and care for his fellow Thais. Watch his "How Mr. Condom Made Thailand a Better Place" video here. It's funny and frank.

Going back to the restaurant, we really enjoyed the ambiance.

Serene and romantic ambiance 

My first dinner in Thailand.

And the food! This is where we found the best , as in BEST, tom yum goong we've ever had...

I badly want you in my stomach now. LOL.

Pad Thai, yes, again.

The restaurant even has a beautiful bathroom that I thought was a resort in itself. Hehe.

I wish all restrooms are like you.

I know I haven't toured you around Thailand in this entry yet but get ready for my next entry. Eyecandy and I will show you around Pattaya! Hopefully, it will be enough to encourage you to leave the sands for a while and enjoy the tourist spots of the land of smiles. (The Thais really do smile a LOT!)  SAWADEE KAH! ~ Sundrenched

The Next Top 5 Malls in Riyadh

Our entry on the Top 5 Malls in Riyadh has been the consistent most favorite and most visited entry in the blog. We're not surprised actually, considering that shopping, or as we always like to term it "retail therapy", has always been the number one past time of ladies in the Kingdom. Not to mention the men who's also into shopping whether for themselves or for their loved ones.

The malls in Saudi Arabia featured in our top 5 entry has long since improved. Kingdom Mall has seen the openings of more popular brands in their floors like H&M, GAP, and American Eagle while Hayat Mall and Sahara Mall are regaining their accessibility after the completed works in King Abdullah Road. They just have to finish the King Abdulaziz Road and they'll be on their way to the top spot. However, even if these malls have added new stores and fixed roads surrounding them, there are malls that are fast inching their way to the consciousness of consumers. We shine the spotlight on these shopping centers on this second entry on Riyadh's top malls.

1. Panorama Mall

Who hasn't been to Panorama Mall? C'mon, it's one of the most popular malls in Riyadh already and I bet you've visited it once or twice (or more than ten times)! Panorama Mall along Takhasussi Street is gaining quite a popularity these days. I must admit it should be in the Top 5 Malls entry because just by looking how this mall came to be, it could've easily edged out Faisaliah Mall. Anyway, it's here now. What I love about Panorama Mall is their stores are organized into clusters. There's an area for luxury brands and for high-street brands (upper middle class retailers). The food court and amusement park also have clear boundaries. (It's unfortunate that there was an accident in Metropolis a few months back though... if you remember in a past entry, we've tried some of the rides in Metropolis.) There's a center for ladies and there's a huge toy store for kids. The men would have to settle themselves in Jarir Bookstore.

Photo from Khalid Al Ghe... Panoramio

Pros

City center

Modern, unique design that is different from other malls

Wide, brightly-lit

Luxury brands (Erfe, Aura, Longchamp, Michael Kors, Furla, Swarovski, etc.)

Popular brands (Zara, Massimo Dutti, Desigual, Pull&Bear, New Yorker, etc.)

Panorama For Women (Curves Gym, Snips Salon, Apollo, etc.)

Food Kiosks (Laduree macarons, Pappa Roti, Martha's Cakes, Pain D'Or, etc.)

Specialty restaurants outside (Trader Vic's, Lamborghini Cafe, Cacao Sampaka, etc.)

Hamley's Toy Store

Jarir Bookstore

Danube Hypermarket

Good view of the street from the food court

Cons

Located in a busy intersection

Quite a walk to go to stores on opposite sides

Metropolis Time Factory (needs to be thoroughly checked)

Food outlets in food court are lacking; not extensive

2. Al Qasr Mall

The newest and one of the biggest malls in Riyadh has opened. I recently visited Al Qasr Mall, located in Suweidi District and I was amazed! The mall was big and popular brands are also present. Their food court needs more food kiosks but their entertainment area has good rides and games and is open to both children and adults. Believe me, my brother had to remind me that I'm 28 years old when he saw me staring at the well-lit, colorful carousel. Dare I say it? Riyadh Gallery will soon have a counterpart (a worthy rival) in the other end of King Fahd Road when all the stores open in Al-Qasr Mall.

Photo from Skyscrapercity

Pros

Still new; wide and huge (250,000 sqm, 4-storey high) 

Well-lit and bright

Department Stores (Centrepoint, Iconic, Citymax)

Carrefour and SACO

Popular Brands (H&M, New Look, etc.)

Huge amusement center for kids and adults

Ice Wonderland Park (+ skating rink)

Huge parking area

Cons

A bit far from the city center

Traffic in King Fahd Road 

Being new, most stores and food outlets are not yet open

3. Al Othaim Mall - Rabwa

There are two Othaim Malls in Riyadh. One is in Khurais Road while one is in Rabwa. I like the latter better (thus, it's the one in my list). It's been quite a long time since I've visited Othaim Mall in Rabwa but I remember how surprised I was to find it stocked with popular high-street brands like H&M, New Look, Suite Blanco (just Blanco before), and MNG even if it's located in Exit 14(?). (My mind immediately registers anything located in "EXIT..." as FAR. Far from the city center, that is). I enjoyed strolling in the third floor where the Saffori Land is. Their food court dine-in areas also has a good view of the street below thanks to its glass walls.

Photo via Flickr

Pros

Huge (+ structure shaped like a boat's bow)

Department stores (Centrepoint, Citymax, Red Tag)

Popular brands (MNG, New Look, H&M, etc.)

Specialty shops (ex. Daiso)

Othaim Hypermarket

Saffori Land

Ice World

Events in the mall's activity area

Huge parking lot

Cons

A bit far from the city center

Traffic in the parking lots/entrance

Crowded

Shops are not evenly spaced; some looks too small and gets crowded

Food court where food kiosks are needs better light and more space

4. Salaam Mall

I haven't been to Salaam Mall and I'm already putting it in this list. Must be a good mall right? Considering that it's the only major retail center in the southwest district of Riyadh, I think Salaam Mall deserves an automatic entry in this list. Plus, it's not lacking in popular brands too. We heard there's a gold and silver souq in the premises? If you have any comments about Salaam Mall (especially if you frequent this mall), The Pink Tarha would appreciate your feedback. ;)

Photo from Fare Construction

Pros

Less crowded

Adequate parking lots

Popular brands (Zara, Stradivarius, New Look, Bershka, etc.)

Hyperpanda

Gold and silver souq

Sparky's Amusement Center

Cons

A bit far from the city center

*more feedback once we get the chance to visit the mall ourselves*

5. Localizer Mall

This mall is in this list because of the clients it mostly caters to - men. If The Pink Tarha ladies would go out, we wouldn't pick Localizer Mall to go to because it only has a few (almost none) stores that offer clothing and accessories for women. But since it has stores for men and it houses one of our favorite steak houses in the city (Outback Steakhouse), we couldn't just ignore Localizer. So for men who's fond of shopping, here you go.

Photo from joelmdiego (Flickr)

Pros

Easy to find; located in Tahlia Street

Less crowded

Brands for men (Zara, Celio, Giordano, etc.)

Good restaurants (Outback Steakhouse, Diamond Restaurant, Vapiano [near], Second Cup)

Fitness First

In Motion (gym for kids)

Cons

Busy location

Few choices in food court

Small mall (only 1 floor for stores)

So there you have it... more malls to visit! Let us know which one is your favorite. More mall details below. ~ Sundrenched

Panorama Mall

Takhasussi Street

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-1-2057401

F: +966-1-2057333

E: info@panorama-mall.com

***

Al Qasr Mall

Suwaidi District (location map)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

T: +966-1-4515600

F: +966-1-4515505

M: +966-563331153

E: info@alqasermall.com

***

Othaim Mall - Rabwa

Eastern Ring Road, Al Rabwa

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-1-4456665

FB: www.facebook.com/Othaim.Malls

Twitter: @OthaimMalls

E: malls@othaim.com

***

Salaam Mall

Western Ring Road, Exit 27, Nimar District

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (location map)

T: +966-1-2472222

F: +966-1-2471999

E: salaammall@arabiancentres.com

***

Localizer Mall

Tahlia Street cor. Al Hamdan Street 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (location map)

T: +966-1-5165344

E: info@localizermall.com

The Saudi Expat Podcast x The Pink Tarha

We just looove how much social media is starting to uplift the image of Saudi Arabia over the last year, and recently, a new duo has come around the information block, slowly establishing themselves as one of the (if not the only) pioneer podcasts that talks about expats in Riyadh and life in the city in general. Everyone, say hello to Grant and Amanda Wilson -- the brains and voices behind the Saudi Expat Podcast. 

For the uninitiated, podcasts are downloadable digital media usually composed of audio/video which is broadcast on a periodical basis. They actually took the world by storm when the early iPods came out and has now been a steady refuge for those with a passion for the good ol' days of radio broadcasting and even, audio learning. Nowadays, podcasts can also be downloaded and listened to in Android phones. 

Now, the inventive idea of this American husband-and-wife couple was to tie up their love of talk with their new life together here and helping others learn about Saudi Arabia as well through the power of a podcast. As they wanted to broaden the scope of their episodes, they later on chanced upon The Pink Tarha blog and asked us if we can do a podcast with them.

Leave it to Sundrenched to be the shy type and Shoegarfreeruby to be the dutiful wife, Sampaguita Pride and I, being the Toastmasters from the group, were sent for the assignment of meeting Grant and Amanda for the podcast recording. We then arrived to their far-flung compound to find a fancy set-up of their "studio" right in the middle of their dining area. It looked fairly professional with all the gadgets and electronics involved so we knew from there that these two were serious about engineering a podcast. 

Before starting, we got to know Grant and Amanda a little better. Grant is a photography enthusiast and an auto drifting aficionado (he's modified a couple of powerful cars himself and a regular judge for the Saudi Drift Racing Championship) while Amanda, who is actually half-Filipina, is currently new in Saudi Arabia and has taken on a liking to home-baking (much to Grant's benefit, hehe). 

An hour later, armed with pizza, cupcakes and a list of guide questions, our "interview" with the Saudi Expat Podcast turned into a fun, hearty and sometimes-diverted-but-gets-back-on-track conversation. And when I mentioned earlier that this couple loves to talk, that was no understatement. And, mind you, pair that up with a set of equally talkative girls (points to me and SP), then what you get is a three-hour podcast. Yes, you read that right, we talked on and on for almost THREE HOURS! Time sure flies when you're having fun. Thus, Grant had to cut them out into three episodes. :P We managed to talk about the early beginnings of The Pink Tarha, a little about ourselves and the other Pink Tarha Ladies, various issues in and about Saudi Arabia, and plans for the blog's future activities. 

The podcast episodes came up one by one on the iTunes site and we were all excited to hear what we were like on air. If you want to hear all three episodes while you're doodling on your computer or playing Candy Crush Saga on your iPad, visit these links below: 

The Pink Tarha on Saudi Expat Podcast - Part 1

The Pink Tarha on Saudi Expat Podcast - Part 2

The Pink Tarha on Saudi Expat Podcast - Part 3

Please subscribe to their podcast via iTunes  and they also have a website that they regularly update with the recent episodes and more. Visit them at: www.saudiexpatpodcast.com. They're also looking for more contributions from you, guys! They're looking for people, businesses, restaurants, and services that can benefit the expat community to be in their podcast. So if you feel you can contribute or know of anything/anyone who would like to contribute their ideas, experiences, thoughts, and events on a podcast episode, contact Grant at saudiexpatpodcast@gmail.com. 

Again, it's just really great that another avenue is being expounded to help expats have a better idea of what Saudi Arabia is like. Thank you Grant and Amanda and we wish more power to the Saudi Expat Podcast! 

Cheers! 

Such Sweet Cakery

One of the secrets of The Pink Tarha ladies is having keen eyes. While passing through roads and streets in Riyadh, we need to be able to see unusual sights like new stores and restaurants that weren't there before. Or signs that suddenly sprouted out of nowhere... or uhmn, came from somewhere but took us by surprise. Such a sign is Cakery Shop in Dabab Street. I thought I was already observant but apparently, I still need more practice in this craft as it's one of our friends who noticed it first. "Hey, there's something new in Dabab! Have you seen it?" (Lucky us, our friends tell us first of their discoveries. We have informers all around! Chos. Kidding.)

Cake beckoning!

Unique displays

Welcome to Cakery!

The first word that came to my mind when Eyecandy and I stepped into Cakery Shop is charming. Every thing is so cute. I love that their store is spacious enough to wish that they incorporate more tables and chairs for ladies to enjoy desserts and chit chat. With chairs as lovely as these, who wouldn't want to wish for more?

Won't you have a tea with me?

Pastel blue and pink accents

I WANT THIS SET!!!

The shop has lovely displays of table settings and jars of candies and marshmallows. (I love marshmallows!) They also have mugs that look so dainty I can easily break one or two by merely touching them. (I didn't touch any, I swear!) 

They have a rack of imported candies which I nearly didn't notice because the cakes  took my full attention. Oh goodness, their cakes! They're not called the "Cakery" for nothing. Their huge cakes on display took my breath away. The details were exquisite and the designs were done in good taste. My respect for cakes went up notches higher. (Admittedly, the cakes are taller than me so I had to look up and, in my mind, salute the creatives who did such stunning creations.)

Roses and pearls and gems... glam!

Gosh those flowers look real!

There's one cake that caught my attention and this I had to say (promise you won't tell), I wanted to steal it from its case just because it's so simple yet so gorgeous. (The truth is, I didn't want to take it... without the cake glass holder and cover. Haha!) The light yellow layers looked like they were fluttering in a soft breeze. It's surreal, almost magical. Don't worry, I still have my values intact and I didn't try to steal it.

I love you!

Now the Rose Cakes were a different story. You know how fairy tales are more untrue now that we're older? Staring at this cake, I was transported to the castle of Snow White and Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The cakes are just the kind that princesses would eat don't you think? (Except for Sleeping Beauty... this is the cake she missed because she slept through most of the tale. :P) The endless petals  and swirling of icing that covers the entire cake is art in itself. I would love to learn how to do this!

<3

Oh-so-pink!

Which one will you choose today?

Can anything be more cuter in cake land?

The other character cakes were fun! Like Psy of the Gangnam Style phenomenon! Cool details. I can imagine you dancing with him. (Because I cannot imagine myself dancing Gangnam Style... no really, really! I can't! Don't force me, please! Haha!)

Psy looks out of place in this daintiness but he's popular! ^.^

Wooow, such skill!

Of course, no matter how wonderful the design of a cake is, it's always what it tastes like that wins us over. I took home a slice of their German Chocolate cake and a slice of Red Velvet with Nutella. The former is chock full of nuts and I'm not a fan of nuts (I must be nuts to order it then, lol... I want something different). Nevertheless, it was okay for me. The cake base was moist and the chocolate was not overpowering. It was the red velvet that got my attention and my family's attention. I only had two bites and reserved the rest for later but when I saw the box, the slice was gone. What happened?! Haha. The Nutella in between the layers of red velvet cake made it interesting. It's not overly sweet. It's indulgent.

Yummy!

Eyecandy and I ordered a few cupcakes. Actually, I ordered just one, the strawberry mint. The combination piqued my interest. Being a lover of anything + mint, I had to try it. (Disclaimer: I mishandled the cupcakes that's why the icing were ruined. We were walking in Dabab going to Burger Fuel and I didn't notice I was swaying the plastic of cupcake boxes like I was walking on sunshine!) 

Dramatizing the cupcakes whose icing I ruined. LOL.

The cupcakes look better in the store, of course.

Haven't seen enough cupcakes?

What would you have for today?

The strawberry mint was my favorite of the bunch because it has a mild strawberry flavor that reminded us of strawberry milkshake. The mint was missing in action though. E, who's not a fan of sour in her pastries, surprisingly liked the lemon flavor. The flavor was mild too. The one with the coconut also lacked the coconut flavor. It just has a few tiny coconut shavings and that's it. All in all, the cake base of these cupcakes is the reason why they're delicious. They're just the right kind of moist and not too sweet. Never mind some of the flavors because honestly, we couldn't find it in there (hello mint, hello coconut!). 

Cakery also offers breads, tarts, cake pops, cookies, and jams.

Layers of sweetness

From cakes to tarts to cake pops.

Cheesecakes, mousse, and cake pops

Every thing looks delectable!

Jam with some jams!

So, looking for the next cake place? If this entry wouldn't encourage you to visit it, I don't know what will. I used all the adjectives I could muster, people! Haha! And all the beautiful photos I took are here! Haha! Seriously, I would pass by Cakery Shop again... even if just to stare and marvel at their many tiered cakes! Have a lovely day! ~ Sundrenched

Cakery Shop

Dabab Street, Suleimania

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-1-4650005

W: http://cakery-shop.com

E: info@cakeryshop.com

FB: www.facebook.com/cakeryshop

Twitter: @cakeryshop