Love or Hate That Pretty Little Camera: Bonzart Lit

Before I start, it takes awhile before a come up with a post about a toy camera. To be more 'objective',  I start typing away only after shooting at least 2-3 rolls for film cameras and a couple of a hundred photos or so, for toidejis.

My expectations for this lo-fi camera was set pretty high, with all the good press that it has online. It was pretty, tiny and took 'artsy' pictures.

Digital Polaroid? Carbon One Mini Digital Camera

Back when I felt that going analog was 'expensive', I kept on searching for digital alternatives for my film cravings. Stumbling upon this little camera online, I thought it was the perfect 'digital polaroid'.

Carbon One Mini
Click the link for more product photos

Early GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome): How I Started to Believe in Film

Text-y post first of 2 parts...

I was intrigued with Lomography since 2011 and was drawn to the "kawaii-ness" of those toy cameras. I loved the whole "shooting from the hip thing", probably because I was a bit irritated by the cockiness of DSLR totting acquaintances. (I have nothing against DSLRs and people who love DSLRs in general - having a DSLR doesn't mean you are a skilled photographer, it just means you have the moolah to buy it). I love how discreet shooting with film cameras can be. I love that it makes me feel unique in a sea of point of shoots and smart phones.  I loved everything about it - until I did the math. 

A Little Bit of Everything BKK: Asiatique The Riverfront

Assuming you have a very short lay over, you'd probably want to go to a place that will let you experience a little bit of everything a city has to offer. Asiatique, The Riverfront is just that. To sum it up it's  Thai Food x Chao Phraya River x Night Market x City Scape (via ferris wheel) x Entertainment = Shutter Bug Heaven. (picture here, picture there, picture everywhere!)

for more photos checkout my tumblr photo dump!

Aside from indulging your inner photog you can...

Get a meal at Baan Khanitha - Good thai food with a very nice ambiance. It's by the river and is over looking the river. (pricey but worth it). 

Tip: Go alfresco but if you can’t stand the heat, eat indoors (aircon) and get a table on the second floor. 

The place gets pretty crowded, it’s best to come early (6pm-ish). Better yet call to reserve a table. http://www.baan-khanitha.com/venues.php?branch=asiatique There are other restos you can dine in but if you want good food and ambiance, you can’t go wrong with Baan Khanitha.


Shop till you drop. Best things to buy here are souvenirs although there are tons of other stuff such as clothes, bags, shoes, houseware/decor, home accesories etc (you get the picture). 

There’s word that vendors of the closed Suan Lum Night Bazaar have relocated here. If you have been Suan Lum before - think chic/hipper suan lum by the river. 

Ride the Asiatique Sky - the highest ferris wheel in Bangkok. 

Watch a cabaret show at Calypso (warehouse 4). (That's not me)

Asiatique is open from 6pm till midnight. It is accessible by BTS till SaphanTaksin station, then take Asiatique’s service boat. 

Modern Art x Retail Space: Siam Center

Before Siam Center was renovated and relaunched as "The Ideapolis", it was already a "Legend". This mall, sandwiched in between Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon was where the young, hip, stylish and trendsetting Bangkokian would shop. When I came to Bangkok a few years ago, it was hard for me to believe that this was the "it-crowd's" shopping haven. Yes, it had famous foreign brand name stores which weren't found in Paragon or Central Words but it's interiors were bleh.

On its "rebirth" in early 2013, it really was - wait for it... legendary! It easily became my new favorite mall. If a modern art museum and a mall would have a child, this would be it. It's a feast for the eyes but also a feast for the senses. Everything is artsy fartsy, in a good way. From the entrance... 

Take a Break from Shopping: Bangkok Art and Culture Center

I'm a mall rat! That's why I love Bangkok! There is an abundance of malls here. The best thing is that malls are just a few minutes from each other. Either a couple of steps away or one or two train stations away. The thing is, if you want a dose of art and culture you have to go near the river where museums, palaces and temples abound. 

A quick fix would be to go to Siam Center - the ideapolis and just ogle at all the art installations on the floor, on ceiling, on wall (you get my drift). But if you really want to be rid of all the "trappings" of consumerism and get some exercise (more on that later) just walk over to the BACC or the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. 

Coming from BTS National Stadium, it's hard to miss this landmark. Walk past the entrance leading to MBK and you will see this...

City Hopping at Terminal 21: Rome and Tokyo

(Previous post: City Hopping at Terminal 21: Caribbean and TaoKaeNoi Land)

When in Rome do as the Romans do and in this "little Rome" they take pictures with this lady. I think it's supposed to be Aphrodite. I'm not sure though. She's the fountain's center piece. 

City Hopping at Terminal 21: TaoKaeNoi Land and the Carribean

I'll be honest. I used to go to Terminal 21 only to food trip. I think they have one of the best food courts in Bangkok, in terms of choice, taste and price. Based on my food court "expeditions" the prices at Pier 21 (that's how they call their food court) is the same as prices of the food stalls on the streets. When I got into digital toy cameras, I started to realize that Terminal 21 is a photo-enthusiast's quick fix for a photo walk.

This mall has 9 floors and has a different city as a motiff per floor, except for the 4th and 5th floor which both has San Francisco for its theme. It isn't surprising that Terminal 21 looks like an airport. It has one really long escalator that skips other floors and takes you directly to one of the upper floors.

Discover Siam Discovery

I discovered Siam Discovery due to boredom... (wait don't leave this page just yet) I was looking for a new hangout place in the BTS Siam Area. So while I was walking from Paragon or Digital Gateway then to Siam Center then through Siam Center's Food court...

I 

I saw this uber chic tunnel...

That structure on BTS Chong Nonsi

I wonder if it has an official name. I always see it on TV but I don't what it's called or if it has an official name. I just I'll just call it "That Iconic Structure on BTS Chong Nonsi. I always see people taking pictures under here...