ZH’s first solo vacation in Thailand: Day 9 of 12

It was one of those rare days that yiyi (aunt) woke up before ZH. Since today is an ‘easy’ day, I let her sleep in, so that she can make up for yesterday’s late night. 

“Let her sleep for when she wakes she will move mountains.” Napoléon Bonaparte

She finally woke up at 7.30am in a cheerful mood, and was singing along to The Sound of Music’s soundtrack. She was ecstatically happy with the local snack bought by Uncle Vich. What a happy girl!

She did a bit of her 8th year old’s birthday planning after reminders from her family.

Day Nine: Sampeng Lane market and Hello Kitty Cafe surprise

We had a late start. By the time we head out to Sampeng Lane market, it was already past 10am. I expected a crowd due to Visaka Bucha public holiday, and also the sweltering heat would be a double whammy.

We rode the MRT all the way to Hualamphong, and then a tuk-tuk to the market. The tuk-tuk fare was negotiated from 80 baht, to 70 baht.

ZH was crazily happy with her tuk-tuk ride. What is this thing about tuk-tuk? Abuden (ahhh … but then), I used to feel the same many moons back too. She smartly knew not to speak (in English) until I’ve reached an agreement on the fare. 

GrabTaxi, How about GrabTuktuk for Thailand?

We were dropped off at the east section; wrong end of the market. My fault: should have checked and informed the tuk-tuk driver  that we needed to get to the west section of the market for fabric. 

I couldn’t find the fabric section, which is also a blessing in disguise. As ZH was struggling a bit with the market due to the narrow lane and crowd, plus the oppresive heat, we decided on a lunch break and stumbled into a local porridge stall.

A kindness I very much appreciated. The stall’s owner asked ZH to try the dishes before ordering, knowing that it’s not easy with kids. Bless him, and I actually performed a ‘wai‘ (Thai way of showing respect: a slight bow with my palms pressed) on him. Haha. His helper also pre-empted me to get ZH to move her bag to inside of the table. Sorry ZH, yiyi didn’t realize that.

After lunch, ZH recovered with a smile. She was sweating so much that I was ready to call it it a day. It was very difficult to navigate, especially when yiyi is a bad navigator.

I told ZH that it is okay if she can’t take the sweltering heat anymore, but she endured it, all for ZE’s ballet-print fabric. 

 

 

  

We left the market via tuk-tuk again at 70 baht.

I had included Hello Kitty House as a surprise treat for ZH, and decided there and then to bring her there. Another happy day for ZH!

 

 

  

 
 

This place is a mad house. People are here for photos. Some are more considerate than others. Some cut in before you’re done.

I wasn’t in a super good mood as was caught with two last-minute emergencies. A lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitutes an emergency on mine, you know? Sigh. But I did solved the two problems until late at night.

I apologized to ZH as I wasn’t my usual patient self with her.

We planned to make ‘bunny pan mee’ again, and stopped at a supermarket to buy some ingredients. Then it was BTS and MRT ride home. When we were walking our from MRT, she suddenly cried … because she found that she’s pressed for time to cook, video call, bath in the next two hours. So yiyi to the rescue, and she managed to calm down.

So it was another ‘bunny pan mee‘ night, and this time round the noodles were all in bunny-shape, except for one small round piece from leftover dough. She had the most, until her tummy was stuffed.

 

Continuing from Day Eight, I reflect on the day and take time to marvel at the wonders of ZH:

• She instinctly knew when NOT to speak in order not to divulge that we are non-Thai
• She braved the heat, and soldiered on for her sister’s needs
• She knew her elder sis’s taste so well
• She tried local porridge, despite claiming that she’s not adventurous in food
• She patiently waited for her turn to take photo at Hello Kitty House
• She chose a dessert based on what she likes
• She resisted the Hello Kitty shopping temptation. “100 baht for a plastic folder? But I might not use it, and it’s cheaper back home.”
• She figured out the trains already, which platform to go to for our intended destination
• She prioritized her ‘bath tub’ time with other tasks: she didn’t wait for the water to fill up, but just fill it enough for her to soak in

Day 10 is upcoming …..