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Mithun Divakaran

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Flying over Andaman islands BKK to BLR

Leaving Bangkok, Oman Air Lounge at BKK, and flying over Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Date: January 22, 2023

I woke up earlier than usual because I had to get to the airport by 10AM for my 1PM IndiGo flight back to Bangalore.

Retro39 hotel room view Bangkok
It was time to check out of Retro39
Mochi ring banana flavoured donut Bangkok
I had bought this banana cream doughnut from the Lawson convenience store downstairs

I didn’t eat much of a breakfast as I had plans to eat at an airport lounge before my flight.

Phrom Phong area apartments
I liked the area I stayed at this time. I might come back to this side, near Phrom Phong BTS station.
Inside Toyota Corolla Cross Bangkok
I booked a Grab taxi to take me to Suvarnabhumi airport
Toyota Corolla Cross Bangkok airport
It was a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid — a popular crossover here. I really like its simple design!
Suvarnabhumi airport departures new terminal Bangkok Thailand
My flight was with IndiGo Airlines, whose counters were at the far right end of the terminal
VAT refund counter Suvarnabhumi airport
The VAT refund counter for tourists is here — right opposite the IndiGo counters

Remember, you need to show the filled out VAT refund form from the shop you purchased the goods, show the inspector the purchased goods at the VAT refund counter, and then get the papers stamped from here before you pass through security. The actual cash refund you get in hand is from another counter after immigration and security.

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Mixt Chatuchak mall Bangkok

Thailand: Jatujak Weekend Market and Mixt Chatuchak Mall

Date: January 21, 2023

I spent yesterday roaming through Khao San Road, checked out popular toy plazas, and ended the night at Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Binggrae melon milk drink BTS edition
I bought Binggrae melon-flavoured milk the night before. It’s some BTS edition. The musk melon flavour was actually quite yum!

Everytime I visit Bangkok and it’s a weekend, I try to visit Asia’s largest street market — Chatuchak weekend market.

Mo Chit BTS station Bangkok
I took the BTS to Mo Chit station

I visited Chatuchak market for the first time during my very first visit to Thailand back in 2009. This is probably my fifth or sixth time coming here — it’s like a ritual whenever I am in Bangkok 🙂

Getting to Chatuchak weekend market Bangkok
Why?

Because this place is awesome — it has something for everyone!

Pad Thai JJ weekend market
So many food stalls selling everything from Pad Thai…
Shawarma kebab stall weekend market Bangkok
…to shawarmas. And everything in between!
Second hand book stall Jatujak weekend stall
From second-hand books…
Street musicians weekend market Bangkok
… to street musicians
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Stunning view Coldplay Navi Mumbai stadium concert

My Experience Attending Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Concert in Mumbai

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
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