Food was the highlight of my recent trip to Bangkok. We literally spent every waking moment hunting down cafes, restaurants and local eateries in the Land of Smiles. If you follow me on my instagram and snapchat accounts (@reginachow_sg), you would know that aside from my personal style posts, they were filled with pictures of food!

For once, shopping took a backseat, something that I didn’t think was possible in the past. I probably already gave you a flavour (pun intended) of what and where to eat in Bangkok on your next trip but I wanted to share more details in this post so you’ll know what to expect and more importantly, how you can get to these locations as well.

  Audrey Cafe is one of the prettiest cafes in Bangkok that also offers an extensive range of authentic Thai and Thai-fusion fare. Popular items on the menu include Tom Yum Pizza and Thai Milk Tea Crepe Cake (very soft and delicious!). I would also highly recommend the fluffy omelette with Thai sweet chilli sauce as the perfect accompaniment.

There are many branches in Bangkok, but do visit its first flagship stand-alone cafe in Thong Lor to truly bask in the beauty of its French country-inspired interior.

Thai Milk Tea Crepe Cake

Address: 
136/3 Soi Thonglo 11, Vaddhana, Sukhumvit 55, Bangkok
(Take BTS to Thong Lo, followed by a short walk)


Opening Hours: 
11am – 10pm 

Directions to get to Audrey Cafe

 

Other than Thong Lor, the Ekkamai area is home to several quaint cafes. One Ounce for Onion is an example of a lovely hole-in-the-wall café that serves coffee and light meals in Ekkamai.

Popsicle waffles is definitely the highlight of this café. The flavours blend together seamlessly and leave you wanting more with every bite.

Popsicle Waffles at One Ounce for Onion

 To get here, you can take the BTS to Ekkamai and catch a cab. If you enjoy walking in the heat, you can do so as well, but do note that the walk takes at least 15-20 minutes on average.

If you’re an early bird, you would also be happy to know that One Ounce for Onion opens at 9am, unlike most cafes which only open from 11am onwards.

Karmakamet Diner needs no introduction as you probably would have seen its Instagram-worthy signature dessert, Strawberry In the Clouds, circulating on the internet by now. How does it taste? I am happy to report that the strawberry cheese cake in the cup beneath the massive rainbow coloured candy floss is pretty satisfying.

But what struck me most when I stepped into this restaurant is how it instantly transports you to a land of magic and mystery. This is one of the most beautiful restaurants in all of Bangkok and is the perfect location to spend a leisurely afternoon or for romantic dinner dates.

To get to Karmakamet Diner, take the BTS to Phrom Phong and head towards Emporium Suites hotel. You will see this signage right after the multi-storey carpark.

Look out for this signage after the multi-storey carpark

Address:
30/1 Sukhumvit Soi 24 Bangkok (take BTS to Phrom Phong station)

10am – 1130pm 

Honey Shibuya Toast

After You is another popular café in Bangkok with several branches in major malls including Siam Paragon and Central World. Their Honey Shibuya Toast is the bomb. Crispy on the outside yet fluffy on the inside, it is an absolute delight to sink your teeth into this delicious dessert.

If Shibuya Toast is not your cup of tea, try the Kakigori Strawberry Cheesecake. Essentially flavoured ice (think bingsu) with chunks of strawberry cheesecake hidden within, this is my preferred choice of dessert for beating the heat.

If you are staying in the Siam area, as with most Singaporeans, head to the Ground Floor of Siam Paragon Shopping Centre or the Ground Floor of Siam Square One (nearest BTS: Siam). There is also another branch at the 7th floor of Central World (nearest BTS: Chit Lom).

5. Chu Chocolate Bar & Cafe

Carbonara pasta stole the show at Chu

Located at the Exchange Tower that is directly linked from Asoke BTS and diagonally across from Terminal 21 shopping mall, Chu Chocolate Bar & Cafe is one of the more accessible cafes in Bangkok.

It serves up a wide range of brunch options including perennial favourites such as eggs benedict and french toast, but in my humble opinion, the carbonara pasta stole all the limelight. Topped with a perfectly poached egg, the pasta was cooked to al dante perfection in a light creamy sauce that was tasty yet not overwhelming on the palate. Two thumbs up!


Address:
2nd floor, Exchange Tower (Asoke Intersection) – linked to Asoke BTS


Opening Hours:
Mon- Fri: 730am – 930pm
Sat-Sun: 9am – 9pm

 

6. Roast

Strawberry Honey Iced Tea & Cafe Latte

Roast is another popular brunch spot that is equally known for their coffee (try their iced coffee!) and Strawberry Honey Iced Tea.

Iced Coffee from Roast

Its main location at The Commons is currently under renovation, but you can still visit its branch at Emquartier, a luxury mall linked to Phrom Phong BTS station, which is even more accessible to the masses. You can expect snaking queues at this joint throughout the day.

Address:
First floor, The Helix, Emquartier (take BTS to Phrom Pheng)

Opening Hours:
10am – 10pm daily

 

Brace yourself for the long queue at the famous Sabx2 Wanton Mee stall. Located across Platinum Mall at Soi Petchburi 19, this simple yet addictive bowl of wanton mee is a must-eat for most Singaporeans (including myself) in Bangkok. In fact, downing two bowls per person seems to be the norm here. In my opinion, the secret ingredient lies in the generous serving of crispy pork lard which makes this dish out of this world.

If you prefer true-blue local food frequented largely by the Thais, Rod Dee Det is a good bet. This long-standing institution is known for their beef and pork ball noodles drenched in a peppery, flavourful broth that is bound to set your heart aflutter. Servings are small, so you can either have it as a snack or order two portions to make it a meal. Since it opens bright and early at 7.30am, you can even have a light breakfast here.

The shop is located directly across from TMB Bank. One thing to note about this shop is that its signage is entirely in Thai. To make it easier for you to locate the shop, here’s what it looks like:

Rod Dee Det

 

Address:
420 Siam Square Soi 7, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Take BTS to Siam)


Opening Hours:
7.30am – 8pm

9. Inter

Affordably priced authentic Thai food

Inter is an affordable option for authentic Thai food. It is very popular among locals and is usually packed during meal times. Typical Thai dishes such as Morning Glory with Sambal, Basil Chicken, Garlic Pork and the likes will not disappoint, but if you were to ask me to pick my favourites, the Tom Yum Soup and Pad Thai would make the list as they are breathtakingly good.

Address:
432/1-2 Siam Square 9, Bangkok (Take BTS to Siam)


Opening Hours:
11am – 930pm

10. Number One Thai Iced Milk Tea

Me & my daily dose of Number One Thai Iced Milk Tea

If you are a huge fan of Thai Iced Milk Tea, Number One Brand’s version is a must-try. It is suitably thick and has just the right hint of sweetness to give you that extra kick. There are several kiosks and stalls around Bangkok, usually accompanied by long queues. You can find the kiosks at several BTS stations and at the food courts of major malls. For your easy reference, I have also included a link with a full listing of its stalls below.

Address:
For the full list of stores, refer to the link below:
http://chathai.herokuapp.com/stores

*****
 
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I peered out of the window where a vast expanse of mountainous landscape stretched out to the horizon. The view from the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (the world’s highest railway) alternates between snow-capped mountains and meandering lakes against the backdrop of the blazing sun and azure blue skies; a feast for the eyes if you are a nature lover. My eyes were glued to the breathtaking scenery and despite being at an altitude of 15,000 feet, all my worries about possible altitude sickness were cast into oblivion. There was just something extraordinary about this harsh and hostile environment that I found remarkably attractive.

The sun rays began streaming in in the most unforgivable manner at close to 9 a.m. Even in winter, at temperatures way below freezing point, the sun in Tibet is scorching. I remember forcing my eyes open as I wanted to soak in the beauty of what laid before me. At one point, there was an announcement that we were about to pass by Namtso Lake, the second largest salt lake in China and the highest salt lake in the world. I sat up in excitement, armed with my camera, and gasped in amazement when I set my eyes on the sparkling turquoise blue waters that seemed to span across eternity.

Namtso Lake, the highest salt lake in the world

Time came to a standstill before majestic mountain ranges came back into focus, and in the blink of an eye, three long but fruitful hours had passed. All this while, my husband was sound asleep as he was experiencing mild symptoms of altitude sickness.

It is possible to suffer from altitude sickness on the train, since it reaches a highest point of over 16,000 feet above sea level. Barring that possibility and the 15-hour total travel time from Xining to Tibet (or even longer from other cities), I could still completely understand why the Qinghai-Tibet Railway remains highly popular among travelers to Tibet. Mother Nature definitely spent a little more time on the roof of the world, and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway gives you unrivaled access to its raw, untainted beauty.

Northern Tibet

The train ride itself is also pretty comfortable if you are in the first class soft sleeper berth, which is frequently sold out in the peak season. The staff and fellow passengers are genuinely friendly and surprisingly polite especially if you speak Mandarin. Truth be told, I never felt more relieved to have a relatively decent command of the language. I had a long chat with a college girl traveling alone from Changsha all the way back to her hometown, Golmud, for the Chinese New Year festivities. She gave me a tip or two on places to visit in Tibet as we munched on some snacks before calling it a night. I don’t usually warm up to strangers quickly but in this situation, talking to her felt very comforting and was a much welcomed distraction from the fears of falling prey to altitude sickness.

Me in my soft sleeper berth

I have heard horror stories about the toilets on board but personally, I found the condition of the toilets rather acceptable. Although the train offers meals and the food selection isn’t too shabby, most passengers bring their own food and so did we. We stocked up on Japanese cup noodles (we were overjoyed that they came with slices of meat!), snacks and drinks for the journey. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the train ride and would highly recommend it over taking a plane.

You can take the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from many cities, including Xining (where we boarded), Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Lanzhou. It is necessary to hire a guide for your adventures in Tibet and you can easily book the tickets through your appointed guide.

*****

For more information on battling altitude sickness in Tibet, read my previous post here:

Why is Tibet worth visiting? Read my latest post about Tibet below:Why Tibet is Worth Visiting

 Happy New Year! 

Being
away from home always makes me appreciate what I have back in Singapore. It makes me treasure family ties and friendship even more. Although I
am very much an introvert and am perfectly happy being alone (yes,
believe it or not, I can entertain myself without feeling bored most of
the time), it is comforting to return to warm hugs from friends and
family, as well as engage in free-flowing, no-holds-barred conversations
with these very same people whom I have known for decades. 

They
say familiarity breeds contempt, but if you delve deeper, the beauty of
familiarity lies in how it gives rise to close, intimate relationships
that are unfaltering and able to stand the test of time. I love how I
can be completely honest with close friends and family without having to
worry if anything I said has crossed the line, simply because there
aren’t any lines to begin with.

Needless to say, it gives me boundless joy to be able to bask in the company of my family and friends as we enjoy the new year festivities. It is also a relief to finally be able to head outdoors without all that extra weight on my shoulders (literally), having been bundled up in layers for many months in Nanjing thanks to winter. This lovely cut-out number hails from Forever New’s Kendall x Kylie Kardashian collection which was
released some months ago and is now completely sold out.I have been a fan of Australian label Forever New for many years now and would highly recommend them for work wear and evening wear. Their quality material, flawless workmanship and timeless designs never fail to impress. I was tempted
by more than just one design in this collection and I wish I had
followed my heart then

What about you?  What did you wear for Chinese New Year and what are some of your favourite labels? 

 Hope
you enjoyed the long new year weekend and here’s wishing everyone good
health, happiness and success in the year of the monkey! I am in the midst of packing for my next trip out of Singapore as you are reading this. I’m taking a short trip this time to the land of smiles and as it is, thinking about it is already making me smile from ear to ear.

 I’m finally back in Singapore and all I can say is, I really miss our little red dot. I appreciate how everything works here and how everywhere is readily accessible by public transport, not to mention the amazing food, cafes and just being in the company of loved ones. Even our warm weather perks me up in a way that I have never quite experienced before. 

So yes, it definitely feels great to be back.

As always, my key objective is to catch up with family and friends this Chinese New Year. Gown-shopping with one of my besties for her upcoming wedding ranks high in my priority too. Nonetheless, no matter how busy my schedule is, I will always make it a point to visit my hairstylist, Michelle, at ToliV Salon.

Michelle is a saviour where my crowning glory is concerned. When I came back to Singapore last November, my hair was in dire straits. Split ends, coarse texture and horrible grown-out roots.You get the drift. 

After a haircut and intensive treatment, Michelle nursed my hair back to life. I could go on waxing lyrical about her skills, but in this situation, pictures speak louder than words and this series of photos is testament to the magic she wields. 

I only had a quick colour touch-up and scalp treatment this time around, but my hair still feels silky smooth and looks incredibly shiny thanks to my last hair treatment. In all honesty, Michelle is a god-send and my heart brims with gratitude.

I’m not sure if you can still secure a slot with Michelle before the Chinese New Year festivities as she is always fully booked, but you can try your luck!

*****

ToliV Hair Salon

Address:

 

5 Purvis Street, #01-01

Singapore 

Tel:

6333 9223 

Website: 

http://www.toliv.com.sg

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/tolivboutique

Having received many queries from friends and readers on my recent trip, I will be sharing 6 tips on overcoming altitude sickness and acclimatizing in Tibet based on my personal experience in today’s post.

My
trip to Tibet was a spontaneous decision made less than a month ago. We
had a few days to spare before Singapore beckoned and winter seemed
like the perfect time to avoid the tourist crowds in the land of snows. At the back of my mind however, I was worried that JW and I would fall prey to altitude sickness at the roof of the world.

What is Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness is common when you travel to altitudes of more than 8000 feet (2500m) due to lower oxygen levels. There are three types of altitude sickness, the mildest being Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which causes headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE) causes breathlessness due to the build up of fluids in your lungs, and may be accompanied by cough, fever and frothy spitum. HAPE can be fatal in a few hours, so do take extra care to descend to a lower altitude if you or your traveling companion experiences this.

High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) is like a more severe case of AMS, except that symptoms such as headache, nausea and the works progressively worsen and cause unsteadiness, confusion, drowsiness and ultimately, coma. Again, it is important to descend immediately as HACE will also kill you in a few hours.

Who is more susceptible to Altitude Sickness?

Unfortunately, no one is able to tell who is more susceptible to altitude sickness, but the good news is, you can take preventive measures to alleviate symptoms as and when they arise:

1. When you go to Tibet makes a difference

Winter may not be the best time to head to Tibet, but it is remarkably beautiful even at this time of the year.

Winter is probably the worst time to head to Tibet as altitude sickness worsens during this time of the year due to the lack of vegetation and thus oxygen. I think we took a risk by going there in winter, but taking medication before the trip definitely helped (read on to find out more).

Spring and summer are apparently ideal seasons for travel in Tibet but do take note that you would also have to deal with the tourist crowds due to peak season.

2.  How you get to Tibet matters

 

Qinghai-Tibet Railway (credit: Wikipedia)

If you fly straight into Tibet, the possibility of getting serious altitude sickness is much higher as a result of the sudden change in altitude.

On the contrary, taking the Qinghai-Tibet Railway would lower the risk or at least lessen the extent of altitude sickness. That said, the train does climb to very high altitudes (up to 15000 feet) between Golmud and Lhasa, which is not ideal for acclimatization. To give you a better comparison, Lhasa is only 11975 feet (3650m).

Based on reviews on TripAdvisor, it appears rather common for travellers to suffer from nausea and vomiting on the train.

For the reasons above, it is generally advisable to acclimatise in a lower highland (about 8000 feet) for 1-2 days before heading to Tibet. You can fly into Xining (7464 feet), capital of Qinghai and tour for 1-2 days before continuing your journey to Lhasa by train.

 

3. Take altitude sickness medication before your trip

Due to time constraints, JW and I couldn’t afford to spend extra time in Xining. We flew to Xining in the day and boarded the train to Lhasa in the evening on the very same day. I think luck was on our side as I only experienced very mild light-headedness while JW had fatigue.

I believe we could have had it worse if not for the medication that we had been taking prior to our trip.

Here are 3 types of altitude sickness medication that you can consider:

i) Hong Jing Tian

 

Hong Jing Tian, 红景天

This popular Tibetan herb helps your body to adapt to high altitudes. Personally, I would highly recommend this herb for its effectiveness and lack of side effects. We took this continuously 2 weeks before the trip and throughout the entire duration of our trip. During the trip, we experienced very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

We bought this in China, but if you are heading over from Singapore, you can purchase this from the Chinese emporium at People’s Park.

 ii) Diamox (Acetazolamide)

Diamox is the most commonly prescribed western medication for altitude sickness. If you are based in Singapore, you can only purchase this from pharmacies located in hospitals (I got mine from Guardian pharmacy at Gleneagles Hospital), but before you head down, be sure to first obtain a prescription from your GP.

What I didn’t like about this medication was the side effects. I took Diamox the day before I flew to Xining and I experienced numbness and tingling sensations on my hands, feet and even face, as well as increased urination. I decided to stop Diamox immediately and reverted to Hong Jing Tian, which served me well.

iii) Dexamethasone 

I didn’t take this medication at all and I am no doctor, but based on my understanding, this should only be taken when you experience severe altitude sickness such as HACE. For such cases, Dexamethasone and Diamox might even be taken together.

 

4. Take it slow in Tibet

Walk slowly and have ample rest throughout your trip. The air is much thinner and you might have difficulties breathing, especially when sleeping.

If you can, try to regulate your breathing by slowing it down with longer inhalations and exhalations. I found this particularly helpful whenever my breathing went out of whack.

 

5. Stay at a better hotel

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa, Tibet

Since the majority of travellers experience altitude sickness, it makes sense to put up at a comfortable accommodation with an in-house clinic and oxygen bar. I’m talking about the Shangri-La Hotel, the only hotel in Lhasa currently that has an oxygen bar.

The hotel has an excellent heating system which is perfect for winter travel, amazing beds and sumptuous western buffet breakfast so you can start your day on the right foot.

6. Eat Carbohydrates, Drink Water & Avoid Alcohol

Resting and eating well are of paramount importance when it comes to battling altitude sickness. As a lot of walking is required and more energy is lost due to breathing difficulties, it is advisable to stick to a diet that is made up of 80% carbohydrates. It is also important to drink more water than usual, and to avoid alcohol which only dehydrates your body further.
I followed this routine strictly while I was in Tibet and found that it worked for me.

Butter Tea – Made of yak butter, black tea, water and salt

According to the Tibetans, butter tea (made using yak butter, black tea, water and salt) gives you energy and helps with acclimatisation too. We tried this courtesy of our guide and it really tastes just like liquid butter.

*****

I wish I could tell you that by doing all of the above, you would be completely unaffected by altitude sickness in Tibet.

The truth is, altitude sickness affects each individual differently, and even the fittest person may not be able to escape unscathed. That said, by taking good care of your health and ensuring that you take the necessary preventive measures for acclimatisation as shared above, I believe you’ll be more likely to wing it and make it through!

I hope you found this post useful. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

For first dibs on my Tibet trip and other upcoming adventures, follow me on my social media platforms below:

Facebook

Instagram 
Have a great week ahead!

*****

Read more about my adventures in Tibet below:

Why Tibet is Worth Visiting

Taking the Qinghai-Tibet Railway to Lhasa