Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Malls Hoppin’ X Strez’ Shoppin’: Siam Weekending

day one, Friday

headed down town, Sukhumvit

where all the major shopping malls

like Central World, Siam Paragon are located

you name it, all the familiar brands are available

Amarin, Bangkok

 

these luxurious shopping malls

are catered mostly to the middle-upper class locals

young ladies queuing up in  Zara

and there ain’t any sales at all

Zara, Siam Paragon

 

1st stop: Naraya

the local bag specialist

well-known for the their

design variety, good quality and affordability

one of the must-buy from Bangkok

Naraya, Central Worldthe basic models of Narayadeity of land

 

there were so many shoppers in there

basketful of loots

conversing in the familiar languages and slangs

mostly Singaporean, Taiwanese and Hongki

all Easterners

 

for them

these bags are crazily cheap

there’s one Naraya store at Vivo City, Singapore

never check out the prices before

but I believe that it would at least cost 50% cheaper

to grab these bags at Bangkok

and these bags make good souvenirs too

affordable and practical

i just realized, that girl looked like my besties

 

but for us

it’s merely okay

not as great as to the point

to grab like four of the same designs

just look at the young lady in the photo

can I grab one of the shopping basket instead

the nautical shopping basket

 

the children collection

and the gingham collection on display

Naraya bagpack & hat

 

after going round and round

waiting for my mates

finally I grabbed two as well

well.. as souvenirs

that’s the trap

if you don’t buy

just leave the shop and wait outside

or out of no reasons

you will ultimately end up buying too

 

walkway shopping

there are vendors everywhere

but it’s up to you to judge the quality of the goods

and whether you have made a good bargain

 

just like this one,

3 for 100 baht tank tops

tank top vendor

 

MBK

hosting hundreds or even up to a thousands of small shops

around the middle price range

P1010647

 

it is a maze of small shops

and it’s not difficult to bump into

two shops or even more

which sell exactly the same clothes

semi-traditional clothings

 

not too sure if you will shop till drop at Bangkok

for me, I didn’t

but for sure

walking in these shopping district

shuttling among the crowd, under the hot sun

is a very good experience indeed

to tone your leg muscle with a tinge of burnt

 

last stop

Khao San Road

not exactly a shopping district

but more of a night market

Western backpackers’ favourite hang-outs

P1020074

 

Havaianas imitation

various designs tee shirts

for 150 baht, or lower perhaps

all up to your negotiation power

Khao San Road night market

 

this is the one thing I hate, negotiation

not a very fair trade, isn’t it

happily walking down the street

you will find another vendor, offering the exact shirt

for lower price, with more fanciful design

or the other way round

you give up something really nice

thinking you would have found it round the corner

but once missed, it’s gone

awwww… how irritating is that

 

during the last day

my mates travelled down to Chatuchak market

I gave up, hanging around at airport instead

it’s not worth it to hunt for petty bargain

ending up all sweaty and dusty

and rushing to go abroad the flight

had a good sleep and breakfast..

heaving a sigh of relief

this is how Sunday morning should always be

at Suvarnabhumi Airport

 

final sum-up

all the loots over the weekend

 

#1 Naraya hand pouch

I am not too sure why am I buying Naraya

just in case as souvenir

if no “in case” then it would be mine

reluctantly, unwillingly be mine

Naraya hand pouch

 

#2 Naraya 3-in-1 detachable multi-purpose cases

Naraya casescan be detached into 3 individual cases

 

#3 tank tops, 100 baht per set

tank tops

 

#4 Polka dot short pants with bow, 99 baht

polka dot pants

 

#5 high-waist denim short pants, 120 baht

love love baby blue denim

high waist denim short pants

 

#6 nautical bikini set, 190 baht

not too sure why am I buying this,

nautical print is just too irresistible

hoping to get cheaper one at Phuket then

nautical bikini set

 

#7 headbands, 100 baht per set

the price is like 1/6 of what Zara is selling

I need the black one desperately for my balding forehead

headbands

 

#8 tank tops, 100 baht each

okay just confess it

I am so vain to buy Lacoste imitations

so I got 6 tank tops in total,

and the one without the fake logo costs 1/3 of these

and the original one in Lacoste store would cost at least USD 30

I hate comparisons…

P1020126

 

plain, ordinary stuffs I got there, huh?

the purpose of the trip

is not for shopping

therefore it comes to no surprises

just as a stepping stone for

further back-packing trips to come

 

and Malaysia and Thailand are just neighbours

running at the similar development stage and pace

therefore things can be relatively cheaper

but definitely can’t make you shop till drop

 

frankly speaking

this is not really my type of shopping

I hate uncertain, all fake-up negotiations