Cicada Market, Hua Hin

Cicada Market

83/159 Soi Hua 21 (Suan Si)

Tambon Nong Kae, Hua Hin

Hours

Friday & Saturday : 1600 - 2300

Sunday : 1600 - 2200

If I need to name my favourite markets in all the places I've been to, Cicada Market would be on top of that list. This open air evening market is beautiful as it is located in a park and the goods on sale are equally beautiful. It isn't a surprise because Cicada Market is an art market where artists and creative souls gathered.

  You can buy gorgeous arts and other souvenirs, enjoy live performance and art exhibition, join workshop, and after a long day, hangout and have dinner here.

  Barang-barang yang dijual di Cicada Market cantik-cantik dan unik semuanya. Ada t-shirt comel, pakaian, aksessori, barangan hiasan rumah dan macam-macam lagi. I sendiri beli jam tangan yang saaaaaangat comel padahal I tak suka pakai jam tangan pun. Orang Thai memang kreatif!

  If you're throwing a party, Cicada Market will have all the decorations and door gifts you need.

  Di tengah-tengah Cicada Market ada bangunan putih. Kalau nak tengok pameran seni, singgahlah ke situ. 

  Sekeliling kawasan pameran tu pula ada meja dan kerusi untuk pengunjung menikmati makanan yang dibeli dari gerai makanan di Cicada Cuisine. Masa I pergi, nak beli makanan pakai sistem kupon. Jangan risau kalau ada kupon yang tak habis sebab boleh pergi ke kaunter untuk redeem cash semula. Tapi kami habiskan je kupon malam tu. Banyak makanan dan minuman sedap nak dibeli :)

Kupon bernilai 100B

  Kalau nak cari tanda halal mungkin susah nak jumpa. Padahal banyak je makanan yang Muslim-friendly macam seafood, vegetarian cuisine dan roti (like the famous rotee Yaminlah in Krabi). Harga pun berpatutan.

Egg fried rice & sugar palm juice (bamboo container cannot be taken back home)

Style kat sini suka curah chocolate sauce & gula padahal roti tu intinya telur dan keju. Silakan bagitahu penjual tak mau chocolate sauce dan gula ising kalau tak mau kembang tekak.

Waffle 65B (up to 3 fillings + whipped cream + 2 toppings)

  Fans of performing arts should head to amphitheater within the market and catch the performance of the night there. The show is changed regularly and ticket price (if any) isn't expensive. If you're on a budget, the exhibition in the white building at the centre of the market is usually free.

  You can find the market easily using Google Map or Waze. It is right by the main road (Nong Kae- Takiap) between Hua Hin and Takiab Beach, about 10 minutes drive. I am not sure about the public transportation in Hua Hin because we hired a private van from Bangkok. 

  I'd suggest taking a public transport or hire car with driver because parking might be a bit of a problem here. I remember traffic was slow at night because vehicles were parked by the roadside. Don't know if they have fixed that problem. Expect to spend almost a whole evening here.

Keraton Yogyakarta

Keraton of Yogyakarta

The palace is a must-see in Yogyakarta. Check what time is the cultural performance for the day and go slightly earlier to get a good seat.

Operating Hours : 0800 - 1230 (except Friday & Saturday, 1100)

Other than the cultural performance, there was nothing much to see and since the palace is still in use, some areas are forbidden to visitors. Therefore I strongly recommend not missing the cultural performance.

I was lucky that I got to enjoy 4 dances during my visit. It was on a Sunday so you can schedule your visit on that day as well. However, there was so many visitors, I couldn't find the entrance to ticket counters. Turned out, the small lane got blocked by a bunch of makciks!

Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan

I went to Jogja in mid-November and attended the indoor theater show so I did not get to see the spectacular Prambanan as the backdrop of this beautiful show. However, since it is in a smaller venue, I get to see the show (kinda) up-close.

  If you'd like to go:

1) Check the show date here

2) Book your tickets. Call or email the contact person(s) in the link above. 

I booked via email at borobudursunrise.net@gmail.com (Eko Wahju Widjojanto) - fast response even if a bit pushy =P

3) Collect and pay for your tickets at the venue. Give them your seat number.

Note: The seat number was almost useless. I received my tickets with the correct seat numbers but someone else was sitting in my seats. I was directed to another seat and during intermission, a staff came to ask for my tickets as a family just arrived. I showed my tickets and the family was given different seats and I didn't have to move but it spoilt the experience a bit.

The show itself was good. Gorgeous costume and graceful dancing.

Scene explanation in English and Indo

Flyers explaining the show

Siam Niramit, Phuket

Siam Niramit is more than a stage show. It is comparable to Phuket Fantasea in the way that it is like a mini theme park without the roller coasters. While Phuket Fantasea is more OTT, out of this world theme, Siam Niramit is more of a cultural extravaganza. 

  Come early to roam around, take photos with the 'characters', play a couple funfair games, explore the cultural village, watch a boxing match and some dance and elephant show. Be sure to bring small change as tips for the staff (if you want to take pictures with them in costume).

 You can get the tickets from any of the tour agents in Phuket at various prices depending on your preference. I got mine for only 1350 THB without meal, including return transfer from hotel. A van picked me up at around 6.15 pm and off we went!

  After the driver dropped me and the others at the lobby, he gave us a piece of paper with van's number and direction on which carpark to meet later. After a few minutes, a lady came over with my ticket and stuck a sticker on my shirt.

These are live karabau guys! Complete with the smell.

No recording is allowed in the theater but I know the guys in my van took some videos and you can find some on YouTube. The show is a mix of historical play and creative interpretation of heaven and hell and such. Probably not as grand as Phuket Fantasea but Siam Niramit sure is entertaining, impressive and charming in its own way.