Celebrate joy!

How would you name 2016? Which is the same way as asking how was 2016 like for you -- just more difficult because you're allowed with less words. Hmm.. So nice to meet you, my 2016 name is: ProviTy, short for  Provision and Opportunity (andami kong alam!) In my previous posts, I shared about my dad and how he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer earlier this year. After almost a month in the hospital & 6 chemo cycles, I learned that (1) hospital food is not so bad #sothoughtprovokingeh (2) God allows certain things to happen to accomplish His glory (in detailed here and here ) (3) and that God provides -- ever so lavishly and abundantly. My dad finished 6 chemo cycles and I am typing this as he irons our clothes behind me -- he didn't get bald, aside from the occasional nausea and numbness of joints -- he is up and about his usual self, being productive around the house and even going out every day at lunchtime to run a few errands in Alimall & SM. First time...

This is the trip wherein everything that Ais and I did, we only decided on doing during the trip. No itinerary or plans whatsoever. We were both so busy weeks before our flight, so in the end, we just resolved to fully embrace spontaneity and see what Bangkok has to offer upon setting foot on its soil. #feelingbrave So 3 days were spent shopping and dining in the city and 1 day to be a full-pledged tourist and visit one of Bangkok's popular destinations. So thank you Lord that there were still 2 slots left for the full-day Ayutthaya tour. Yaaaay! Brace yourselves for the tons of photos to follow! :) Quick background: The Ayutthaya Historical Park is located in northern Bangkok and it has temples, monasteries, palace ruins and Buddhist statues. It stood between 1350 to 1767 until it was destroyed by the Burmese. So now, the park is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site and a famous tourist destination in Bangkok. First Stop: Bangpa-In Palace

Our Day 1 in Bangkok was pretty laid back. We arrived early in the morning so after leaving our bags at the hotel, we ate brunch at this casual joint (aka carinderia) named "Im Chan"   which boasts of "very good and very cheap food". Their words, not mine. IM CHAN True to its tagline, it was a great and affordable meal! We made sure we ordered the signature Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, Shrimp Curry and Fried Oyster Pancakes. Win!

Bangkok is known to many as the shopping haven in Asia, and if you like affordable and stylish clothes, bags and accessories, then this city will bring you so much happiness. I love shopping too and I would have been so excited if only we exchanged our peso to baht in other places other than the airport. I know! Their exchange rate in the airport is extremely high so instead of shopping, I just resolved at the end of the day to be really picky if I'm going to buy something and to prioritize food, because... it's Thai food.:) Thai are a lot like Pinoys -- they also like street food!