My "Big Day"

Hi friends,

You are invited to witness the special moment of my life. My wife Ms Lee Foong Ling and I will have our wedding day on 16 December. There will be some Chinese wedding customs activity in the morning and also wedding banquet at night.

Note : My pre-wedding photos can be viewed here. (http://picasaweb.google.com/kokwee/BridalPhotos)

The programs are follows:

9:00 am	Gather at Perhentian Juru before entering Juru Toll.
10:45 am	Reach bride’s house at Sungai Siput.
12:30 pm	Leaving bride’s house for Sungai Petani.
2:15 pm	Reach Sungai Petani.
7:30 pm	Wedding Banquet at Kuantan Xianren Restaurant, Sungai Petani.

Direction to Bride's hometown (Sungai Siput, Perak):

From Ipoh to Sungai Siput

Direction to Wedding Banquet Venue:

Date:	16 December, 2007
Time:	7:30 pm
Venue:	Kuantan Xianren Restaurant B-74, Solok Intan, Taman Intan, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah.
Direction map:

Ching Mai Trip (11 Nov - 14 Nov)

Day 4 (11 Nov, Sunday)
It was really backpacking marathon. After staying in Bangkok for 3 days, we were on our way to Chiang Mai, towards northern region of Thailand. Again, to try something new, we choose to board on train and sleep on train, instead of flying to Chiang Mai. It was fun, but it took us 14 hours to reach the destination. Can visit the following website to check the time table and train fares for train.

We took the train on 7:35pm from Hua Lumphong Station to Chiang Mai for 573Baht per person for 2nd Class Sleeper for lower deck.

Note: At Hua Lamphong Station, there are a lot of helpful and English speaking tourist helper who claimed themselves as official tour guide from Thailand Tourism Agency. If you have any problem you may approach them at your own risk.


The initial state of train seats.


After transform into double decker bed. How awesome.


Everyone is sleeping with curtain closed.

There are 2 kind of common transportation in Chiang Mai. First is the Tuk tuk, second is the Red Bus.

Just like the Tuk Tuk in Bangkok, you pay the fare and they will get you to the destination directly. Red Bus is kind of different. Its actually a mini truck in red color with shades. It's either a bus or Tuk Tuk but it has the both characteristics. It is actually like some kind of public mini bus which do not have routine routes to follow. The driver will pickup any passenger that along the way and send you to the destination in the matter of time. As a tourist, I enjoyed very much as I had free sight seeing following the driver wondering on the street to find customer. The fare is rather cheap which is about 15-20Baht per person.





We stayed at Parami Guest House where we found it online at 350Bath per day for double bed room. After we checked in the guest house we were on own way to the MUST see temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The temple was founded 600 years ago and is one of the most revered among all Thais. It is situated at Suthep Mountain and one should claim 309 steps of naga staircase to reach the temple. Luckily there are a funicular cable car for the elder to rely on.


Off the Red Bus whom the driver asked us for 150Baht for 2 person. (Normally 50Baht or less).



The 309 steps of naga staircases.


Reached the temple gate finally!


The white elephant shrine.


Buddhist temple.



The golden pagoda, the symbolic landmark in Chiang Mai.

We headed back to Chiang Mai when the day getting late and decided to do some Sunday night market shopping.

Wat Chendi Luang in Chiang Mai city.


Shop shop shop...


Fried silk worm and grasshopper for you to taste.

Day 5 (12 Nov, Monday)
We signed up 1 Day tour for elephant show, elephant riding and river rafting package from our hotel at 1000Baht per person. Apart of that, lunch buffet also provided.For those who never ride an elephant its highly recommended.


At elephant camp.


Treats for the elephant.


Hairy elephant.




Bamboo rafting at river.

Day 6 (13 Nov, Tuesday) - Golden Triangle Trip

We signed up another 1 Day tour to Golden Triangle for 800 Bath per person including lunch buffet. The Golden Triangle is the world-famous point where the three countries of Loas, Burma and Thailand meet at the Mekong River. It was famous for its opium producing history. In truth, nothing much you can see over there but just some sign post to snap pictures. Besides its a long and tiring trip.

There are also some enroute options or sightseeing which is not included in the package which I not recommend to take.
1. Golden Triangle Boat trip at Mekong river - 300 Baht
2. Burma visit at Mae Sai - 500 Baht
3. Long Neck Tribe - 300 Baht


Passing by a hot spring attraction where villagers sell eggs to tourists to boil in the hot spring.


Passing by a wat

After about 3 hours of traveling in mini tour van, finally we came to the Golden Triangle. By paying 350Bath will allow you to ride on speed both to visit Loas. However, its not highly recommended to do so as there are nothing much attraction over Loas.

Golden Triangle sign post.




Arrived at Luang Prabang, Loas territory via speed boat.




Some liquor product that is selling at Loas. Dare to try?

Another 1 hour ride from Golden Triangle will bring you to Mae Sai, another tourist attraction. Mae Sai is the northern most part of Thailand. Crossing this Ruak River Bridge to Burma will cost you 500Baht for immigration.

Burma border.



A must snap sign post in Mae Sai.



After hanging around in Mae Sai for 1 hour, we headed our way back to Chiang Mai passing by some hill tribe village.



Day 7 (14 Nov, Wednesday)
Checked out hotel and heading to the airport by Taxi (100Baht).


Summary for Chiang Mai
Day 1:
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
Wat Chendi Luang
Sunday Night Market
Day 2:
Elephant Safari
Day 3:
Hot Spa
Chiang Ean City
Golden Triangle
Mae Sai (Burma Border)
Yao & Akha hill tribe village

More photos

My Wife's Banquet

Direction to Bride's hometown from Ipoh to Sungai Siput

Bangkok Trip 8-10 Nov

DAY 1 (8 Nov, Thursday)
Thursday morning, we woke up around 6am to start our backpack trip to Thailand. Although its 4 hours earlier to the departure time for our flight at LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal), its never being too early as this time we decided to minimize our expenses by talking public transport if we could. Thus, more time consuming.

So, here we goes, we took the airport shuttle from KL Central station (RM8 per person) instead of taking a taxi (Usually cost RM50). Usually, it takes about 40mins to 1 hours for the trip. Knowing that Air Asia is a budget airline and will not provide us meals on board, we had our breakfast at LCC Terminal.

My wife to be boarding the plane.

At around 12 noon we arrived at Suvarnabhumi air port in Bangkok. To avoid the heavy traffic in Bangkok in the middle of the day, we took the Airport Express (AE4) from the airport to bring us to downtown at Hua Lamphong Station (Bangkok Main Train station and subway station).



As aspected we were caught in the traffic jam for 1 hour and reached the destination around 3pm.


We had a short walk for 10 mins to find our way to Cozy Hotel which we had reserved online from Hua Langphong Station.







Recommended by friends, we watched Calypso Show which is not far from MBK Mall. Believe it or not, the ladies were HE. I wonder if I should admire them for the courage or pitty them for the sacrifice they made. Nevertheless, the show was superb, perfessional and worth the price. It cost us 600 Bath per person for the seat and a cocktail drink. PS: The show is "G" rated (General Audiences).




Day 2 (9 Nov, Friday)
Sunny day... and hot. Basically we are still in Bangkok. Today we covered most of the places of interest in the city. Starting from ChinaTown (Wat Traimit, Chinatown Gate) by foot, took taxi to Wat Pho (The temple of declining
Buddha) and finally the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (The temples of Emerald Buddha)

We were exhausted after long day of sightseeing and decided to experience the Thai Massage for 150baht per hour.


Refresh after recharged overnight.


Local Thai student praying.


Buddha statue inside Wat Tramit.


Some Wat at Chinatown.


Street at Chinatown where we took taxi at 50baht to Wat Pho.


The declining buddha which is 46 meter long and covered with gold leaf at Wat Pho - The largest temple in Bangkok.


The decoration at 3 meter long Buddha's feet.


Foong Ling posing...


A tourist throwing coins into the offering bowl inside the temple.


Another view of the goldern Buddha.


Triple elephant monument near the Grand Palace.


We at the Temples of the Emerald Buddha at Grand Palace.


Golden guardian statue at the bottom of golden chendi.


The Grand Palace. One of the building is currently the museum.


Guard stationing at Grand Palace.


Back to Chinatown by local bus, usually 15 Baht for each ride.


Day 3 (10 Nov, Saturday)
Last day in Bangkok. There are still many places of interest we are not covering. Thus, we decided to just visit Wat Arun, the temple of dawn and visit Chatuchak market to kill the lust of shopping.

At late evening we went back to Hua Lamphong station via the Underground train to collect our luggage at Cozy Hotel and ready to board on train to Chiang Mai at 7pm.



On local bus again.. cheapest way to get around and experience the local lifestyle.


Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn stands on the west bank of Chao Phraya River. The most common way to get there is to get an express boat from Tha Tien Express boat Pier.




Very steep stairs to climb up


Rewarded... a view for Chao Phraya River.

Summary for Bangkok Trip:
Day 1:
MBK Mall for shopping
Calypso Show
Day 2:
ChinaTown
Wat Traimit
Chinatown Gate
Wat Pho (The temple of declining Buddha)
Grand Palace
Wat Phra Kaew (The temples of Emerald Buddha)
Day 3:
Wat Arun (The temple of dawn)
Chatuchak market



More photos