Month: <span>January 2025</span>

Date: January 18, 2025

As a fan of Coldplay since A Rush of Blood to the Head, seeing them live has been a bucket-list item for well over 15 years. Heck, back in 2011 I even went to see a tribute band play in UB City. X&Y (my favourite Coldplay album) had the stadium anthem “Fix You” and Viva La Vida and Death and All His Friends had its stadium anthem with “Viva La Vida”. But we’re now in the era where a “Sky Full of Stars” going viral on social media alone has marketed Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres concert series better than ever before, and introduced the 25-year-old British band to a new stadium anthem.

The album Music of the Spheres was released 2 years ago — Coldplay’s first album produced by my all-time favourite music producer — Max Martin. But the popularity of the concert has made Coldplay continue to tour for so long that it is now, officially, the most attended tour of all time and the second highest grossing tour of all time (first is Taylor Swift’s Eras tour)!

I won’t go into the ticketing headache that was the BookMyShow experience, so I will just talk about the Coldplay experience.

I wanted to get inside the venue early so as to avoid last minute rushes.

Tandoor roti paneer thali Navi Mumbai — I had a hearty lunch before leaving for DY Patil Stadium

From my hotel, I then walked to Turbhe railway station.

Turbhe railway station Navi Mumbai — It was 1.5 kms from Hotel New Elite Inn, where I was staying

A ticket to Nerul station was Rs. 5 ($0.05/€0.05) and the train would arrive in 15 minutes.

Inside Navi Mumbai train — I’m constantly astounded at how cheap local trains are in Mumbai

Outside Nerul East exit station Mumbai — I took the Nerul East exit

Nerul East exit Navi Mumbai — I just pulled up Google Maps and followed the path to DY Patil University

Wall mural Navi Mumbai — My ticket’s entry was Gate 8, so I walked in the direction towards the Architecture College at DY Patil University

Navi Mumbai shops street — Navi Mumbai felt breathable compared to super congested Mumbai

Girls Navi Mumbai Coldplay concert — I could tell I was on the right path once I noticed girls dressed to the tee on my way

Continue reading “My Experience Attending Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Concert in Mumbai” »

Date: January 20, 2023

After checking out Ong Ang Canal and Mega Plaza, I walked up Yaowarat Road to the section that is widely showcased as Bangkok’s Chinatown. This being mid-January, Yaowarat Road was decorated to usher in the Chinese New Year vibes.

Yaowarat road historic buildings — Bangkok’s Chinatown area is in the Samphanthawong district

Chinese have been migrating to Thailand for over 200 years. Initially for trade/business, then later waves of refugees fleeing the civil war era of the 1900s, and then the Mao era post 1950s. Mostly from southern China, first by way of border nations like Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia — and then making their way to more prosperous Bangkok.

Chinese store Yaowarat Bangkok — Many businesses traditional Chinese goods

Even to this day, Chinese are trying to migrate to Thailand using various means. Mainland Chinese are the largest group of foreign buyers of real estate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Many come to study in the international schools, and use education visa as a foot through the door to stay long-term.

Chinatown Bangkok at night Thailand — I was getting near

Chinatown Panasonic Mazda Bangkok — The crowds were already thronging road-side stalls

Cheongsam Yaowarat road Bangkok — Cheongsams were available for purchase if you wanted to get the ‘Chinese’ look

Chinatown Bangkok red lanterns Thailand — I checked out some bylanes

Continue reading “Thailand: Yaowarat Road – Bangkok’s Chinatown During Chinese New Year” »