THE HOSTEL EXPERIENCE: Lub d Bangkok - Siam Square

สวัสดีค่ะ! I just want to share a quick post about the fun, quirky, yet still very cozy hostel my friend Nadine & I stayed in two weeks ago…Lub d Bangkok-Siam Square.

At first, I was iffy about staying in a hostel. But since I wanted to travel "independently" (spending my hard earned money), a fancy hotel was out of the question. Haha! I'm really glad Nadine suggested Lub d Bangkok-Siam Square. Upon checking their website, I was already impressed by the hostel's concept. It absolutely did not look like the other hostels I've seen online.

Though it's pricier compared with the other hostels in Bangkok, what makes this place so perfect is it's location. The National Stadium BTS is literally in front of the hostel which provides easy access to anywhere in the city. 

The view from outside our room
National Stadium BTS in front of the hostel! How convenient is that?
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Even coming to and fro the airport was a breeze & very easy on the pocket. (Airport Link City Line to Phaya Thai BTS - 45 THB, Phaya Thai to Siam to National Stadium - 20 THB) 

Detailed directions going to Lub d Bangkok-Siam Square (from Suvarnabhumi International Airport):

My once in a blue moon OC-ness being evident. Haha!

It'll be hard not to notice the famous MBK Center just right across!
Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery & Siam Center are just walking distance from the hostel as well. :)

Photos photos photos...

Lub d Bangkok - Siam Square's facade
Photo from Nadine Postigo

The "Green" Balcony

The "Green" Balcony

Common/Reception Area
The "sleeping traveler" made this photo more interesting, yes? Haha

A tuktuk in the lobby! 

Popcorn Machine
I never really figured if this works or not cos I tried some & it tasted like store bought kettle corn. Hahaha

More photos...

We stayed on the 4th, Econo Twin

Nadine's side of room
Photo by Nadine Postigo

My side of the room
If I may just say, the bed was really comfy! I slept like a baby! Haha
Towels were also provided for in our room category.
For those who are staying in the dormitories, you'll have to pay a minimal amount for it. :)

Isn't this the cutest? ^^

An alarm clock, a personal reading light and universal sockets by the bed!
No need to worry about charging up your gadgets! :)

The blanket was really comfy & warm. :)

I love how they pay attention to detail!
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Dual purpose mural on the bedroom wall
I think this a map to a famous Thai chicken & rice place.

Phone, personal mirror & an iPod dock/alarm clock. Yay!

Me & my nasty looking hair getting all settled in
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Lub d Bangkok-Siam Square's friendly staff

Clean, modern & colorful

Heading on to the theater now
Photo by Nadine Postigo

We got the theater all to ourselves! 

Instructions instructions

Looking at some DVDs
Photo by Nadine Postigo

DVDs

Freaky but still adorbs!
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Aaaah so comfy!

I think this was a Korean MV

Just chillin. Hahaha!

Rooms were nicely furnished & sleek looking, staff were always nice & helpful, they have free wifi and computers at the common area for guest use. They also host fun activities throughout the week. (Free snacks on Thurdays, Pub Crawl on Fridays, City Stroll on Sundays, and special activities during holidays)

Lub d's activity board
Thailand was about to celebrate Loy Krathong when we got there, so we got to join the hostel's festivities. ^^ (Will be making a separate post on that.)

In my opinion, Lub d's near perfect. I only wish they had a lift. It was such a struggle for a small girl like me to carry my luggage four floors up, and it was even more difficult bringing it down considering the amount of shopping loot we got during our stay in Bangkok. But even so, I still highly recommend this hostel especially to friends who are up to do some serious shopping! Lub d Bangkok-Siam Square's the place for you! :) I'm definitely going back! 

FANGIRLING: THE BIG BANG EXPERIENCE

The BIG BANG ALIVE GALAXY TOUR 2012 in Manila was my first KPOP concert experience and it was every bit of FANTASTIC, BABY!! Lol Seriously though, words aren't enough to describe how UHH-MAZING it was! It exceeded every expectation I had in mind!! I remember just sitting there, doe-eyed and smiling in awe while watching them perform a stripped down version of "Haru Haru". *tears up* Hahaha! A fangirl's dream come true indeed.

Now that I'm well aware of how amazingly awesome they are live, I am so "investing" more on  their next tour! Hello, "money diet"! (a Pausy term)

Despite the rain, VIPs excitedly waited in line. That's what you call, "tiis Big Bang"! *kroo kroo* Haha

Besides the fans, scalpers were all over the concert grounds as well. But the thing is, they weren't selling tickets, they were buying them! Now that's a first! So I'm guessing that the boys really had a sold-out show. :)

An annoying encounter with a scalper:

Scalper: *looks at my ticket* Miss, itago mo na yan. Baka liparin ng hangin.

Me: How dare you threaten my ticket!!! (But of course I that said when he already turned his back. I didn't want to risk my ticket's safety. Haha! How annoying!!)

The stage was massive! (Low quality phone cam photo)

Funny story: I actually thought that this was it. I was wondering why the stage was so simple considering that is was a Big Bang concert. Little did I know that the giant white cloth was just a cover up for an even bigger stage. T_T Silly me. Haha! 

If you'll notice, there were barely any people when we got in. Apparently, concertgoers were supposed to line up altogether regardless of their seating section. But see, at first we didn't know that. So my friend & I completely unaware of the where (our seating section) should line up and shiz, approached a security guard to ask. But to our surprise, he just directed us to an open entrance! In short, we didn't even have to line up or anything. We even had to wait for about an hour for the concert to begin. Big Bang luck, yes? Hahaha! I really felt bad tough when I found out that some VIPs who lined up since earlier that day were able to enter halfway through the first song already. Lines were really disorganized. I hope it doesn't happen again next time. 

A sea of crown sticks! What a pretty sight!
From my Instagram: yzamontealegreelee Follow me!! :)

BIG BANG!!!!!!
Concept: The boys were deployed to earth (in these capsules) for a mission
Photo by Nadine Postigo

And this is where I started to scream my lungs out. I just couldn't believe it. I was watching Big Bang, IN THE FLESH!! BIG BANG. I actually got teary eyed first time I saw them. So overwhelming!! GOOSEBUMPS!

           

Enough of my blabbing. Here are more photos from the concert...

Photo by Nadine Postigo

Big Bang's unbelievably handsome rapper, TOP *_*
Photo by Nadine Postigo

GD and Seungri
Photo by Nadine Postigo

TAEYANG WAS BORN TO BE ON STAGE. NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
Photo by Nadine Postigo 

TOP TOP TOP
Photo by Nadine Postigo

TOP and the adorable Daesung
Photo by Nadine Postigo

My thoughts on the boys after watching the concert?

G-Dragon - EPITOME OF SWAG. SUPER talented singer-songwriter.  I'm left speechless.

T.O.P. - I say this without exaggeration...he's seriously god-like. *_* Extremely handsome. I mean EXTREMELY. I never knew someone can be so good-looking. And his sexy low (rapping) voice and awkward dancing are to die for!! 

Daesung - A RAY OF SUNSHINE! I didn't expect him to be so adorable!! ^^ Gaaah so cute! And his vocals are off the roof! I personally think he's the best vocalist in the group. 

Taeyang - He's every inch a performer! Flawless dance moves, his voice, and his ability to sweep any girl off her feet. *sigh* He's BORN TO BE ON STAGE. No doubt about that. 

And the one who stole my heart...again...

SEUNGRI MY BABY!!!
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Seungri - a.k.a. "BIAS DESTROYER"...No one expected him to be so handsome & charming in person, but HE IS. HE IS!!! *_* I'm sure a lot of girls were caught off guard by this maknae's classic boyish good looks & charm! I had an on & off crush on him after seeing him on Strong Heart, but after seeing him in concert, I am wavering no more. I'm under his spell!! <3 Hahaha

Photo by Nadine Postigo

Each member brings a different flavor to the group. They're all so different from each other, and I think it's exactly the reason why they've become so big. I'm certain that only bigger & better things are ahead of them!

It's been almost a week since the concert, but I still get all giddy over it. Gaaaaaaah!!! Most definitely something I won't ever forget! :) No, I don't want to cure this beautiful hangover!! Hahaha

FAMILY: Little Sis Turns 18 & My 22nd Birthday

Just got back to work from a very tiring yet fun & memorable weekend. My sister, Bia was officially "launched to society" during her debut last October 13, while I celebrated my 22nd (errr) birthday the day after. Hahaha!

Some outtakes & random photos from the event...

The amazing Raymond Isais doing my make up
Photo by Nadine Postigo

"The debutante & "the almost birthday girl" - Nadine P.

My 2ne1-ish dress. Hahaha! I'm really glad I found this! Perfect balance of girly & edgy. (I think)
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Bia and her awesome make up artist, Raymond
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Make up all done by Raymond Isais. Yay!  :)
Photo by Nadine Postigo

With Nadine & Raymond! I'm so glad they were there! :) I really love my make up here!
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Fortune Hall, Elements at Eton Centris
The venue styling turned out even better than what I expected. :)
Photo by Nadine Postigo

A fashion show theme party won't be complete without models, of course!
These are some of Bia's good friends from church & school.
Photo by Nadine Postigo

The male "models" with Bia
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Hooray for having talented people in the family! Haha Here's Bia with our cousin, Kevin who was the host for the evening. Programme was flawless! Kev really did an awesome job!
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Dad, Mom & B
Photo by Nadine Postigo

My not so little siblings
Photo by Nadine Postigo

Bia & Dad
Photo by Nadine Postigo

The "after party" = dancing & strutting down the runway
Bia seems very happy. I wonder why...LOL

With some of our friends from church

Oh hi, sissy!

I was very much involved from planning to coordination to event execution. (Event Management's one of the things I do for a living.) Though there were lots of arguments and bickering that sometimes brought out the monster in me, I was really glad to see my sister (and her friends) happy! :) So for those who are about to get married or have their debut, contact me!! Hahaha

And for my birthday...

I'm 2ne1 no more! Haha

Thought about making a separate post for my birthday, but since we really didn't do much cos we were still so tried from the night before, I'm just going squeeze it in here.

Stuffed, tired & sleepy!
With ze family! :)

I've been wanting to take my family to Vikings ever since I first ate there during my best friend's graduation dinner. But since it was faaar from our place, we never did...until last Sunday!! Finally! :) Haha They (my parents, siblings & cousin)  were all nice and patient enough to wait out cos we weren't able to make reservations. Haha We waited for almost an hour and a half but it was worth it! I love Vikings! This year's birthday memory would be me, eating to my heart's content. Gaaaah I'm so happy they're opening a branch near our place!!

"Happy happy happy birthday you're the VEST!" with matching macho dance. Good (& embarassing) times. Hahaha!

So there goes my very busy weekend.

I'm really looking forward to see what's in store for me this year! :)