A Day Trip to Ayutthaya | River Sun Cruise

Phra Thinang Aisawan Thiphya-art (Ayutthaya)

During our recent trip to Bangkok, we booked a trip to Ayutthaya through hotels2thailand.com. Initially we wanted to visit Hua Hin, but it was too rush for us to make a trip there. Instead, I found this special day trip to Ayuthaya that is just about 1 hour from Bangkok. We paid around 1580 baht per person.

There were a few websites that offer the same trip, however we picked hotel2thailand.com due to good comments on their website and the price is much more lower than others(after included tax). I was quite sceptical at first due to the outlook of the website (didn't give a good impression) but I'm glad I chose them as the operator is nice to answer all our questions, the driver called us one day before the trip to confirm and our tour guide-Donna is so friendly and nice. All of them can speak English, so no worry when communicating with them.

Here is how the voucher looks like once you confirm your booking. I actually called them on the phone number below (highlighted) one day before the trip to confirm my booking. There is a column on special request where you can request them to call before they arrive. I actually included the address as well as I am not staying in a hotel (just in case they can't find the place). REMEMBER  to Print Out the Voucher, you will need to pass it to the van driver for verification.

Here is the itinerary:

6.30am-Pick up from Hotel to River City Shopping Complex
7.30am-Depart Bangkok by air-conditioned coach to Ayutthaya from the River City Shopping Complex
9am     -Visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
            -Visit Wat Maha That
            -Visit Wat Lokayasutharam
12.30pm- Buffet Lunch in Sun River Cruise, taking the cruise back to Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River
3.30pm- Arrive at Bangkok, transfer back to Hotel

* Remember do not wear sandals, short skirts, shorts, no-sleeves T-shirts or sexy dresses. You will need to visit the temples which require proper dressing.

1. Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

"Bang Pa-In Palace was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the Palace was destroyed with the fall of Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date from the reign of King Rama V, who regularly spent his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways." adapted from Oriental Escape.

Bang Pa-In Summer Palace Entrance

Today the palace is used occasionally by their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit as a residence and for holding receptions and banquets.

HO Withun Thasana

The observatory was built by King Chulalongkorn in 1881 as a lookout tower for viewing the surrounding countryside.

Phra Thinang Uthayan Phumisathian (Garden of the secured land)

Our tour guide- Donna explaining about the place. She is very friendly and professional tour guide. She is also very good in taking photos too! Help us took some photos in the whole trip.

Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun

This is a Chinese style two storey mansion, built by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and presented to King Chulalongkorn in 1889. All material used are imported from China like hand painted floor tiles, porcelain, hand crafted door frames and many more.

Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun

Roundabout in Ayutthaya

2. Wat Maha That

"The temple is believed to be one of Ayutthaya's oldest temples, possibly built by King Boromaraja I (1370-88). Its central prang, of which only the base remains, once rose to a height of 165 feet. Traces of the original stucco decorations can still be seen on some of the surrounding chedis." -Adapted from Oriental Escape.

Wat Maha That

Wat Maha That

This temple is very similar to the Cambodia's Angkor Wat except that the place is built by brick instead of stone. Due to some major flood and burning, the place was destroyed and rebuilt again, however it is still not fully restore.

This is the Buddha head that was cut off by a thief, but before the thief could manage to get away, he was caught. The Buddha head was then abandoned on the floor. Due to long period of time, the trees grow from the ground and believe to leave up the Buddha head which make it where it is now.

Most of the Buddha heads were cut off and stolen.

The tallest Buddha remained in the area.

3. Wat Lokayasutharam (Reclining Buddha)

"Wat Lokayasutharam an abandoned temple with no absolute evidence of which reign it was built in. None of the historical records or any chronicles have mentioned the period of construction. It is assumed that this temple was built in the Ayutthaya period. Perhaps it was abandoned after the fall of Ayutthaya to the invading Burmese in 2310 B.E. This temple houses a large Reclining Buddha Image 37 metres in length, built of bricks and plaster." Adapted from Oriental Escape.

Wat Lokayasutharam

4. River Sun Cruise

Before the end of Ayutthaya trip, we were sent to one of the pier to take the cruise boat where buffet lunch will be served in there. We enjoyed our lunch in the boat on the Chao Phraya River where you will pass by the majestic Grand Palace and Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) on the way back to Bangkok.

The food in the cruise taste not bad, a variety of food for you to choose from, Thai food, Western food and some Japanese sushi. What you get is what you pay for, so don't expect too much!

If you have extra one day in Bangkok, I would recommend you to take this day trip to Ayutthaya where you can learn the history of this heritage place, at the same time relax and enjoy the whole day.

I hope you enjoy the post! Feel free to comment and share the post.

Step by Step Guide to install Domain Name in Blogger/Blogspot?

If you have read my previous post on why you should have your own domain name, I have mentioned that I will write a post basically explaining step by step how to install your new domain name in Blogger/Blogspot. 

As you know I bought my domain name from Exabytes.com.my, here I am going to walk you through step by step how I actually purchased it with 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Go to www.exabytes.com.my. Check your domain name and choose the package you would like to purchase and click Add to Cart.

Step 2: Select Add Ons for DNS Management (you need this if you are using blogger/blogspot platform) and ID Protection (recommended to get this to shield your private information and avoid getting spam emails). You can ignore the Nameservers for now and click Update Cart.

Step 3: Check Out and make payment

Once you have purchase your domain name, here is what you should do:

Step 4: Go to Blogger >  Settings > Basic > Publishing > click + Setup a 3rd party URL for your blog. Type in your new domain name into the domain setting (need to include www in the front) and click "Save". There will be an error shown, the highlighted box is the two CNAMEs that we going to use later. Leave as it is now.

Step 5: Log into Exabytes Billing System (https://billing.exabytes.com.my/mypanel/clientarea.php). Go to Domains > My Domains, then click on Manage Domain > Manage Nameserves (as shown on below) 

Step 6: Select "Use custom nameservers (enter below)", and change the Nameserver into the DNS link below (as shown in the photo)

• ns1.systemdns.com
• ns2.systemdns.com
• ns3.systemdns.com

Step 7:  Go to Management Tools & Manage DNS

Step 8: Refer back to the two CNAMEs from blogger/blogspot that we have generated in Step 4. Plug in the two CNAMEs into DNS Management. Create another CNAME record with Host Name "*" and point it to "ghs.google.com". After added the CNAMEs, you can also enter A-records, which links your domain (without “www”) to an actual site (www.example.com). If you skip this step, visitors who leave off the “www” will see an error page. Then "Save Changes". (If you notice you have only one record, click save changes and it will appear another record, continue the same action until you have enough records that you need.)

After setting the DNS record, kindly allow about an hour for your DNS settings to propagate.

Step 9: Go to Blogger and update your blogger setting. Enter the URL for your custom domain name in the text provided, and click Save. Once completed. Your Blogspot address will soon redirect your own custom domain. Please note that it might be take up to 24 hours for the propagation. I took around 2 hours for the propagation.

Optional: If you have Nuffnang ads in your blog, update your new blog URL in Nuffnang. You will see error in ads when you refresh your blog if you do not change the URL.

There you are, your new domain name is up!

I hope you find my post helpful! If you have any questions or you would like to share your experience too, drop me a comment below. I love hearing from you all!

Why you should have Your Own Domain Name in Blogger/Blogspot?

Today, I am going to share with you why you should have your own domain name in blogger/blogspot. If you have noticed, I have just change my blog to www.sufentan.com without any blogspot.com at the back of my website link now. I understand that many experienced bloggers always have these questions in their head:

"Do I really need a domain name for my blog?"

"I already have a FREE blog address, why should I pay for a domain name?"

I have been writing posts since 2005 and I recently decided to have my own domain name. What took me so long to have a domain name? All this while, my passion is to write and share information to readers and I never thought of owning a domain name can be that important until recently, when I read some articles on blogging.

With more and more new websites and blogs coming up every minutes and seconds, let me just give you 3 reasons (just to cut it short) why it is important to have your own domain name:

1. Secure your blog name before someone grabs it

Maybe you are thinking that you are not so famous now, why do I care to own one. Yes, you maybe right for now but what if in 3 years down the road, your traffic increases and you have more followers that you can ever imagine. One day, someone from another part of the world register your domain name and put up lots of marketing ads in the website. Your blog may no longer be visible or easily accessible to new/old readers because it is covered up by someone else who bought the domain name. Do you want to wait till that day happens?

2. Your brand to your blog

How do those Marketing people market their new products today? Is by branding. Your own domain name is like a branding to you, it is like a stamp on your forehead telling people who you are in the web. Why hide behind those curtains when you can actually shine on the stage?

3. Easy for readers to find you

The shorter the web address, the easier it is for people to find you. I used to tell people to google my full name when they need to find my blog. But nowadays, I can't do that because lots of people have the same name as mine(a survey in Taiwan ranked my name as the most common name a few years ago). Although, my blog still pops up on the top page on a google search, I am still worried that some day someone might just grab it and I will have to hide under my blanket and cry. No, I will not let it happen!

I hope the 3 reasons above have already shaken you to get your domain name right away. Hold your horses though, you still need to know where to get it, the Do's and Don'ts for a Domain Name.

Let me show you where you can get a domain name. It is not FREE but it doesn't cost you a lot (a month of your salary, definitely NOT!)

There are a few companies that you can buy domain names from, google it and you will get like:

• GoDaddy.com
• Exabytes.com.my
• Namecheap.com
• EasyDNS

I personally use Exabytes.com.my because it is widely known and used in Malaysia. Before you purchase a domain name, always always remember and think carefully what is the name you want for your blog. It is a brand that you will carry it and use it for years. You don't want to change it yearly and waste money buying different domain names every year.

Step 1: Check the availability of Your Domain Name

I used Exabytes to check. You can use any company to check .com, .net, .org or any other widely known website extensions, except if you are looking for a specific country extension like .my or .com.my, then you will have to check from Exabytes(Malaysia) or other Country Domain Name companies based on the country extension you are looking for.

Step 2: Check the price and the period (years) of Your Domain Name you would like to purchase

Here is the screenshot I took on the price at Exabytes. I recommend to get at least 3 years and above, so that you can manage it easily instead of renewing yearly (your page might get the famous ERROR 404 if you forgot to renew).

I will write another post on Step by Step Guide on how I purchase from Exabytes and install my new domain name into Blogger/Blogspot. There are some steps that you need to follow in order for blogger/blogspot to reflect your new domain name. I found that blogger's instructions were helpful and Exabytes' FAQ did not cover it with clear enough instructions. There were some trial and errors in the process.

Do's and Don'ts

DO google the domain name you would like to purchase, just to ensure no one is using similar names or have any legal troubles if the name is too similar to some company's trademark.

DO carefully choose the domain name extension. I personally prefer .com instead of other extensions because it is more commonly used.

DON'T use dashes, abbreviations or numbers in your domain name. It is hard for your readers to type your link and find you. You need to get a name that easy to remember and easy to type out, short and simple. I actually remove the number 88 from my domain name (previously is www.sufentan88.blogspot.com, you can still see from my photos' watermark)

DON'T forget to renew your Domain Name registration. Someone might be in some place queuing to get your domain name. Don't give them that chance! Even if the first scenario doesn't happen, you will find the Error 404 page pop up when trying to access into your blog/website. You don't want readers to log out from your site if they find that happen.

I hope you find my post helpful! If you have any questions or if you are also a user of Exabytes and would like to share your experience too, drop me a comment below. I love hearing from you all.

1st Experience with Airbnb in Bangkok | Ideo Verve Ratchaprarop Condo

I always wanted to try out Airbnb accommodation but it just didn't fit to the location I would like to stay when I travel. So my recent trip to Bangkok for pre-wedding photo shoot, I booked my accommodation through Airbnb.com as I needed bigger space for the make up artist and photographer to gather.

I booked a studio condominium which have a living room, kitchen, balcony and a bedroom and attached toilet. The space is just nice for both of us and it is located at Airport link Ratchaprarop Station. It is very convenient once we reached the Suvarnabhumi Airport, we just need to take the Airport City link to Ratchaprarop station which took around 30 mins journey. The condominium is located exactly beside the train station. Another reason I choose this area because it is just 10 mins walk from the Amari Watergate Hotel that he tailor made his suit (easy for us to collect).

I booked for 5 days 4 night which is around RM 200 a night. It is quite reasonable price where you get to enjoy the whole unit with fully furnished and Free Wifi. Plus you could actually cook inside!

Living room

Balcony (also the dining area)

TV, DVD player (comes with tons of DVDs) and free WIFI 

Kitchen area

Bedroom

Arm chair 

Dressing area and wardrobe

Ironing board, laundry basket and umbrella

Clean towels, safety box, iron, hair dryer and toilet papers

Toilet

Shower area

Map to the place

Overall we love the place in terms of the location, space and convenience. The owner name Sutisa, we managed to meet up with her in person, lovely lady! Once you have booked, she will emailed you the instruction to get to her place, all well communicated. There is also a 24 hours supermarket -MaxValu below the condominium, you can get anything from there (beverage, snacks, raw ingredients and etc..). The only concern is the noise for the train even though we were advised to close all the window with their thick curtains. The noise is actually not from the train itself but the alarm sound that came from the train station that indicate the train is coming. 

Find out more on the place here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/706527

Click the link here and I will give you RM 92 Airbnb credit to use instantly when you book your accommodation from Airbnb. Yes, this is an affiliate link, which means I earn Airbnb credits too if you signup using this link. However, it costs you nothing. In fact, it SAVES you money!

The Good Batch | Damasara Utama

I guess you will be laughing at me now for posting this place-The Good Batch. I know it is so near to my office and I need to say it is my first time here. Yeah! I get a lot of comments and some recommendation on this place, so I'm not too sure what kind of expectation I should put when I visit the place. Just shorten my story telling, let's check it out!

The Good Batch is located at the corner shop, there is a big and clear black signboard to get notice instantly. Now is the trend of industrial vibe where most of the cafes now are using wooden tables with metal chairs. concrete floor/counter top and hanging light bulbs, so does for Good Batch. 

Forks and Spoons are place in a metal cup which reminds me of my grandma, she used to make milo in this kind of cup.

The menu, not in very good shape. You can view full menu here.

Let see what I have ordered.

Fresh Orange Juice- RM 11

Cute little bottle filled with orange juice and place inside the ice bucket.

Pink Guave RM 8

Yummy chilled pink guava juice that always in my list, taste wise similar to any pink guava I had, guess they all get from the same supplier.

Garlic Butter Mushroom Dip- RM 15

A bowl of fresh button mushroom sautéed with fine chopped garlic into a creamy dip, served with  lightly toasted bread. I love this dish with the crispy toasted bread and the delicious taste alike "creamy mushroom soup" dip served with lots of fresh mushroom that you can't get enough of it. Must try!

Parisian-RM 22

Three deck of French toast stuffed with cuts of turkey ham, homemade Bechamel sauce mixed with Gruyere and Parmesan and topped with two sunny side-up. When we asked the waitress about the portion, we were told it is big because of the three deck of French toast, but it came out to be just normal portion. It doesn't look so big portion to us because it only consist mainly the three deck bread and two sunny side-up. Taste wise is ok, but nothing special.

The Japanese-RM 29

I personally love Japanese food, so when I saw the name "The Japanese", I just picked it without hesitation. The Japanese come with silken scrambled eggs under a lightly battered soft shelf crab, garnished with shredded seaweed and crab stick mayo, served with a side of green and a lightly toasted garlic bread. The toasted garlic bread is the same bread I had for the garlic butter mushroom dip, crispy and taste better with the garlic on it. To place soft shelf crab in this dish is a creative move, but the size of the soft shelf crab is a bit too small. We saw another table is ordering the same dish but their portion is double of ours. Anyway, I still love the soft shelf crab and overall taste was nice.

The Banana Nutella-RM 17

It is the banana nutella puffs served with a scoop of Vanilla Ice-cream. The portion of the puffs were giant, larger than my palm. Don't get scare of the portion, it is actually thin layers of puff after you cut it. However I didn't tasted any banana except a light taste of Nutella in the middle, not much of filling inside.

I personally think it is a nice place to hangout with your friends. Overall food was not bad, they serve mainly on bread & egg, more suitable for breakfast or brunch. However, the price is a bit steep compare to other similar cafes in Uptown.

The Good Batch

53, SS21/1A, Damansara Uptown, 

47400 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Tel.: +60377332303

Business Hour: Tue - Fri 11:00 am - 12:00 am

                          Sat:  9:00 am - 12:00 am

                          Sun: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodbatchmy

Instagram: http://instagram.com/thegoodbatchmy

Panchos Mexican Taqueria | Midvalley

Have you heard of the famous Chipotle Mexican Grill in US? If you have, you definitely will be like my man crazy on it. He missed Chipotle so much since he left US few years ago and always looking for the similar taste of Mexican food he can in Malaysia. The nearest that we can find is from Chilli, which still not satisfy his taste bud.

So recently, we came across this shop named Panchos which serves the Mexican food like Burrito, Burito bowl, Tacos and Quesadillas, everything that is so similar to Chipotle. He was crazy to try out while I'm a bit sceptical on the other side (thinking what if it disappointed him). In the end, we give it a try.

The place is located near the end corner of Black Bull, near to GSC area. It is a small restaurants with simple minimalize design for their layout.

There are 6 main items in their menu which are the Burritos, Burrito bowl, Soft & Hard Tacos, Nachos and Quesadillas. Each meal can be top up to combo value meal with just an additional of RM 5.50, you can have a corn ships & any soft drink.

Here is the steps to order your meal. First step is to start with the choice of meal you want, then you will need to choose a type of meat to go with. Lastly, get the Panchos hot sauce or pickled Jalapenos to spice up your meal.

Since we planning to have a light snack before our dinner, we ordered only one to try out the taste. We decided to order the Burrito bowl instead of the Burrito, because he think that a good Burrito must have the right ingredients and taste before it is wrap with Tortilla. Next important ingredient is the Guacamole and unfortunately, you have to pay extra for Guacamole. I guess a lot of Malaysian still not use to Guacamole (a dish of mashed avocado mixed with chopped onion, tomatoes, chilli peppers, and some seasoning). 

Burrito bowl- RM 16.9; Guacemole (large)- RM 4.2; set meal -RM 5.50

Total: RM 26.60

How does it taste? We both like the taste of the Burrito bowl (it may taste weird to those who are new to Mexican food), overall it taste quite similar to Chipotle Burrito however the rice that they used wasn't the long grain rice and it doesn't has the cilantro-lime taste too. I guess it is still not the Chipotle Burrito that he is looking for but taste wise, in terms of the sauce and ingredients used are quite similar. However, we are a bit disappointed with their corn chips.

I personally think the price is slightly high for a Mexican street food which also sees as healthy fast-food in Malaysia. I will definitely come back for more especially to try out their Burrito and Quesadillas. Try it out too if you like Mexican food like my man!

Panchos Mexican Taqueria

T-041B, Level 3 Mezzanine, Mid Valley Megamall, 

Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.

03 2201 8457

Email: info@panchos.com.my

FB: https://www.facebook.com/PanchosMY

Website: http://www.panchos.com.my/