Rosie and Ian's Southeast Asia Adventure: Bangkok Days 12-14: Wrapping Up B'Kok & Nanta Cooking Show

Tired of getting up early to do things, days 12-14 were spent enjoying food and arranging travel plans. We frequented Porn, who tried to give us a discount on coconuts (the ultimate sign of friendship), but we insisted on paying the full 60 cents. He has a kid in his second year at university after all.

The woman at the front desk at the Atlanta, Pen, told us she noticed we bought coconuts everyday. She had one of the workers cut down two coconuts for us so we could enjoy them fresh off the tree. That is customer service!

We made sure to double-down on snacks, too. Bangkok is one of the best foodie cities in the world, so take advantage of it we did!

We went back to Siam Square, an area that connects a bunch of the mega-malls and where "hi-so" teens hang out. It is considered to be the center of Bangkok. When we walked through it last week we saw a line around the corner for some type of pastry. Ian is to pastries, what the Cookie Monster is to cookies. We had to have. The place was called Croissant Taiyaki and they had plain, custard or red-bean fish-imprinted pastries. Ian chose custard. The line was about 20 people long but moved fast and was absolutely worth the wait. See this face?

Sugar first, dentist next-- I got my teeth cleaned! I’m 26 and only have cheap-o insurance in California. I last had my teeth cleaned about a year ago, so it was time. Three years ago I broke a tooth at breakfast and got it fixed at this clinic, where they even took my insurance (when I had it). The dentist had his Degree in Dentistry from UCLA- I’m not sure any of the dentists I’ve ever been to in the states even had their degree from UCLA. All in all, without insurance this time, my cleaning cost $36. Smile (*Sparkle*). (http://www.bangkoksmiledental.com)

Along with pastries, Ian has a special affinity for pork soup dumplings, and over our time here we’ve hit up a few places looking to be blown away. We went to three places looking for these tasty little balls of heaven, and only one didn’t disappoint:

The View from our Table

DTF From Outside Patio

Introducing Din Tai Fung (DTF), the only Michelin-star rated restaurant I’ve ever been to where the whole bill was less than $25. It is also the only Michelin-star rated restaurant we will ever be allowed into wearing tank tops and flip-flops. DTF is on the 5th floor of Central Embassy Mall, one of the nicest malls in Bangkok and a ten minute walk from our hotel. Chanel, Hermes & Dumplings = all class. Also- these toilets:

For our last night, Ian found out about the Nanta Show from googling around. It’s dubbed the “Silent Cooking Show” and we didn’t look too far into it so that we could enjoy the surprise. Apparently this show has been running for 19 years and even had a short stay Off-Broadway in 2004/2005.

You have to request to reserve tickets ahead of time, and if the seats you chose are available they send you a link to purchase them. I chose the “Standard Seats" and the link comes with payment information on the "VIP Royal Seats". We try again to reserve the Standard Seats. Royal Seats it is! They are great at making the process difficult. We pony up the extra $12 per ticket, making each ticket $27- pretty steep for Thai prices. We figure it is our last night in the city so we can splurge. Tickets say no one will be admitted 10 minutes after showtime.

There is no word for the word “no” in Thai. It takes a while to understand this. You will say “Do you know how to get to the Nanta Theater?” And the cabbie will reply “(stares at middle of your forehead then feigned eureka moment) ...Yes, okay!” Then you will be in the cab for fifteen minutes before he asks you for directions.

Oh Google Maps, my friend and foe. You tell me 20 minutes, it takes us an hour. I keep watching the estimated time go up as we sit in traffic. But wait! Google suggests a shortcut! I tell the cabbie to take a left and… I just added 20 more minutes to the travel time. Ian tries not to get mad at me, but lets me know that we will never make it. We sit at a 13-MINUTE LONG light.

The cabbie tells us our best bet is to be dropped off where we were so we could run the rest of the way. Thank goodness I put on deodorant! OH WAIT, I was 20 feet outside our hotel and said “Whoops I forgot to put on deodorant; No running for me tonight!” Ironic.

We run. We run over a mile. I’m in a dress with bright pink lipstick on. This is our fancy date night at the the-ah-tahh and Ian’s pit sweat is starting to show. While running I google the zodiac signs. I will tell them it is my birthday, so maybe they’ll let us in, I’m thinking. We’ll already be wet and pathetic. Here goes nothing!

Google Maps tells us to run around the building instead of directing us to the main entrance. I’m outpacing Ian because his cursing slows him down. We reach the lobby. “Do you have a reservation? Oh, Miss Pelka, right this way.” And just like that, although 25 minutes late, we are ushered to the very front row, in the very center. We are, of course, the only white people. I really try to be a vigilant traveller and give us foreigners a good name, but "GOOOOOGLEEEEE!!" (Said like Superintendent Chalmers' "SKINNNNERRRR!!!")

The tragic entrance aside, the show was absolutely phenomenal. It was mix between Stomp and the Blue Man Group. There were five actors in all, portraying four cooks and their boss. There was drumming, chopping, acrobatics and martial arts. The front row was showered with bits of food and I was hit in the head with a few playpen balls thrown in the audience. It was so silly and well choreographed I give it three thumbs up.

After the show we got an autographed picture with the cast for $3. They asked "Where are you from?" We reply "Canada," saving American-face in case they saw our untimely arrival.