If you haven't read the bangkok report right here in this section it will help you understand the trip if you read it first. So, take a minute to read it now. :-) After 3 nights in Bangkok, we were all happy to head down to Pattaya. Because there was 6 of us we rented a van. It was a brand new Toyota Hiace van and it was NICE. 1800Baht and driver paid all the tolls. Roads wide open, traffic was no issue and in 2 hours we arrived in Pattaya. All of us were commenting on how nice the roads were and the drivers all polite. Not one single beep of any horn at all and nobody constantly stabbing the brakes. It was refreshing and we all kept commenting on it. I guess it really has more impact when you've been in Philippines like we all have and then you really notice when driving is a pleasure and it's civil. We checked into The Butchers Arms hotel on Soi Bukhow. VERY nice room at 850Baht/$30. But, had to go throught a smoke filled pub to get to the rooms. I probably wouldn't stay there again. We had very little time in Pattaya and because I had lived there before moving to the Philippines I was excited to seee my old stomping grounds. Immediatley rented a motorbike 180Baht/$6 a day and off we went. The rest of the group joined and we went around beach road and 2nd road and then eventually to Pratumnak Hill area where I used to live. Both the guys kept asking about why i would have moved from there to Philippines and they really couldn't believe how nice the area was and peaceful. A few photos
as I sit here writing this the Princess says that the area there is so beautiful and nice and when i asked if we could do a similar ride here in Philippines she's says "there's just no comparison". :-( We met up with my mate Nick on Pratamnak Hill and he's a buddy I've known for nearly 8-10 years. Great guy and it was good to sit and chat and catch up with him a bit. We all ended up on Jomptien Beach for iced coffee and sunset. The next morning we were up early and fueling up the bikes and I took the group on a little tour south of pattaya on a ride I always loved doing. There's a temple, taoist temple, Buddha Mountain and then Nong Nuch Botanical gardens. Princess really thought this to be a highlight day of her trip. She says it's an "unforgettable place in Thailand". Here's the photos from that days touring
Safety tip, travel in packs as the area can be violent! Then it was time to head off to Nong Nuch Tropical Gardens just another 15 minutes bike ride away
After a long days touring around in the heat and sun it was time to head back into Pattaya and freshen up for some dinner. We went and had the Friday night seafood buffet in the VERY nice Montien Hotel on 2nd road. Was a favorite of mine for dinner and we all had one incredible seafood buffet of lobster, shrimp, oysters, fish filets and just about everything you can imagine. It was unreal and something we can't duplicate here at home. 990 Baht/$33 per person. The princess and I took a well needed long walk down beach road after that and then had a foot massage. the next morning we were up, back into the van and headed to the airport for our AirAsia flight into Phnom Penh, Cambodia..... Cheers, Mark
Wow what great pics, been there and saw the gold statue but did not see the gardens you amazed me. Loved the food and great place. Thanks
Thanks for the pictures and memories. (wish u would have included some of the buffet) but u were probably to busy eating.
Hi. enjoyed your pictures. we read you have lived in Pattaya and moved to PH. we live in Indonesia for abt 14 years now and we are considering retirement and have 2/3 options left being Dumaguete/Cebu (which we will visit 2nd half august) and Pattaya. You as the expert having lived in both, what are the pro's and con's of each and what made you move from Pattaya to PH ?. we would appreciate your info as making the decision is not that easy. cheers Indah & Kees
