![The unblocked view from the airport](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2040004-587x640.jpg)
![A tiny lake sits outside the pool](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2040013-640x480.jpg)
![Breakfast next to the breezy balcony](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/20160203_214149-417x640.jpg)
The seven day rest was sweet. They were days of eating well. We were in Bangkok, in my wife’s sister’s home. Breakfasts were leisurely and we had homemade chwee kueh and carrot cake besides the great walnut bread and Thai avocado. Lunch was mostly in the shopping malls. We enjoyed the Thai meals at Banana Leaf. And there were many Japanese restaurants but we liked Fuji Japanese restaurant. Dinner was mostly at family run restaurants located at or near the condo.
![At a shopping mall at outskirts of Bangkok](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160206_201612-480x640.jpg)
![Welcome meal at Fuji Japanese restaurant](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160207_091047-640x479.jpg)
The weather was lovely and refreshing, from 18 to 25 degrees centigrade. The cool breeze flowed into the home through the open balcony while we had breakfast. At night the cold air passed through the mosquito mesh and chilled the bedroom. During a day trip to the Bangsean Beach at Chon Buri, we had to wear windbreakers. If these temperatures prevailed through the year Bangkok would be a delightful and inexpensive place to live in.
![Walkway along Bangsean Beach a local haunt about two hours drive from the airport near Chon Buri](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160207_152136-640x360.jpg)
![They serve horseshoe crab eaten mainly for its roe.](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070088-640x480.jpg)
![Seafood in abundance](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160207_152420.jpg)
![You have to pay for the seats in four hours segment](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070072-640x480.jpg)
![Simeon Poh enjoying the coconut juice](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160207_152513-490x640.jpg)
![Leg massage on the spot](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070080-640x480.jpg)
![The beach was tempting but it was 18 degree centigrade](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160207_152722-640x331.jpg)
![Lunch at a local seafood restaurant](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_20160207_153032-640x581.jpg)
![Jack, Michelle, Elaine](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070054-640x480.jpg)
![Chinese restaurant owner's offerings for Lunar Chinese New Year.](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070052-640x480.jpg)
I was tired and it was good to get into a rhythm of sleep and eat and shop. The shopping malls were similar to what we have in Singapore. Some local brands like BreadTalk and Charles and Keith and all the usual international brands were represented. Imported products were not any cheaper than what you had to pay in Singapore. The MacBook Air sold at the same price as in Singapore. However there were some sales going on and we took full advantage of that.
![Reunion dinner at MK branch later in the evening at shopping mall](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/reunion-dinner-497x280.jpg)
![OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050036-460x640.jpg)
![By locals for locals - dried fish with orange roe](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050020-640x480.jpg)
![Shopkeepers of sundry goods and decorative stuff](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050025-640x465.jpg)
![Cute colourful tiffin carriers](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050031-640x463.jpg)
![Fortune teller service](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050028.jpg)
![Taking a breather](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050018-640x516.jpg)
![A coconut themed ice cream dessert](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050019.jpg)
![Elaine taking a good CNY break](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2050032-640x463.jpg)
Chinese New Year is not celebrated in Thailand. There are no public holidays given. In Singapore, we have two public holidays on Monday and Tuesday. Over in Bangkok these were working days for everyone. So it’s a good place to have your “escape” from the stress of Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore. All the shops and restaurants were open. There were no long queues outside popular restaurants. In fact we had steamboat at MK for the reunion dinner. It was like any other day – business as usual.
![Two books for spiritual nourishment](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/20160202_145925-640x446.jpg)
I brought two books along Unfolding His Story by Georgie Lee and Galven Lee and Preaching by Timothy Keller. I finished the former by day three and was three quarters through reading the latter. Both were good books and I hope to share my reflections on them in this blog.
![Jack and Baby](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070070-640x480.jpg)
My wife’s sister Baby showed great and attentive hospitality and we were greatly blessed by the attention to detail and her constant thoughtfulness and patience. She did the bargaining in the 180 year old market and in the shopping malls, and in getting information from Thai vendors. She has lived in Bangkok for over two decades and speaks Thai with ease (which makes her tri-lingual!).
![OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2040014-640x480.jpg)
![Useful macro of Olympus TG Tough compact](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2040008.jpg)
![Another macro shot of cactus on the balcony](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2040009.jpg)
![A local fruit sold at the market](http://www.blogpastor.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/P2070056.jpg)
Near the end it became stressful because our shopping booty was more than the luggage weight we purchased. We had to buy additional weight to bring all our shopping home. Besides this minor glitch, we had a great escape indeed: great rest, food, shopping, reading and unwinding from all the strains of Singapore life. I returned refreshed.