Plants, plants and more plants...

Located at Sukhumvit Highway, between Pattaya and Sattahip is the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and Resort. A very large area to cover in a day indeed. It was the morning of Boxing Day 2010 but tourists had started pouring into the Garden. Since it was already time for the cultural and elephant shows to begin, the staff directed us to park our car nearest to the show area (after we paid the entrance fee that is!) What greeted us first was of course the elephants that were to perform shortly.

The Thai cultural show showcased dances from most of the Thai provinces (above picture depicts the Southern region dance which uses the bamboo), short sketches in which the elephants were brought in, and also muay thai (Thai boxing). The five of us sat in a theater-like area.

Lots of elephant antics here. Ball game, bowling, dancing, tricycle ride and painting. The paintings by the elephants were offered for sale. Bananas were also sold here for tourists to feed the elephants. On our way out, after the show, a tiger cub was spotted on one of the rocks held by its keeper/trainer. Some took the opportunity to take pictures with it.

And yes, after this, it was a long walk... However, the plants and flowers kept me going though I do admit it was tiring. So, garden lovers, this is one attraction you should not miss when in the area of Pattaya-Sattahip. Based on the leaflet, the garden covers 652 acres! Variety of plants here which include the bromeliads, palms, cycads and other tropical trees and flowers. The garden is segmented to a few areas such as the French garden and the bromeliads. Water spouts coming from big, colourful vases further enhanced the serene and beauty of the areas. Walkways were also built to make it easier for visitors to walk and enjoy the garden.

Vertical planting was used extensively in certain areas (as in the above pic - background).

The French Garden. For more pictures, click here.

There was also elephant rides but we already had one in Damnoen Saduak before. Replicas of flamingos adorned an area. Other animal replicas include colourful birds and frogs. Oh yes, there was also an area where fish were kept. Arapaimas were also in one of the large ponds and smaller fish in the aquariums.

After that long and tiring walk, we headed back to the car park. Next, we ventured to Sattahip town.

Pattaya, Here We Come....

On Wednesday evening, 22 Dec, 2010, we ventured a little bit further to Thailand's South-East, namely Pattaya. Went via Motorway 9, and after Tapchang Toll Gate and Suvarnabhumi Airport we took a left turn into Highway 7 to Chon Buri / Lat Krabang. Paid Baht30 at Lat Krabang Toll Gate, bypassed Lat Krabang and then made a 'pit-stop' at the Service Area (R&R). The area looks more like a small town when compared to Malaysia's R&R. With 4 lanes on both sides of the highway, the drive was smooth save for some bumpy ones when the road went over the small canals (I guess)

There was KFC, which daughter just had to content with looking at it only, 7 Eleven and few other local shops. A pick-up truck (yes, so many pick-up trucks here) with sea coconuts.... The landscape changed from what we used to in Pathum Thani, when it changed to a little bit hilly once we reached Sri Racha area. Coconut trees, tapioca and pineapples.... Once nearing Pattaya, we were greeted with a big signboard, welcoming us to Eastern Seaboard, Detroit of the East. Reached Pattaya after about 2hr 15mins drive from Khlong Nueng.
We put up at Valida Residence, off Pattaya South Rd. A residence run by a young Muslim couple. Breakfast was included but for other meals, we had to find them for ourselves.

We brought along our Ta-Pau food using my Tupperware Festive Tiffin (what a help... ;-)

Hubby had to attend to work the next day, so we ventured out to Big C to replenish our food stock. Walked all the way, to and fro. No songthaew for us.

The Pattaya South Rd (Pattaya Tai). This road will take one to Pattaya Beach and also Jomtien Beach.

Another Trip....

Half of the school holiday has gone, and it was time to head to Khlong Nueng. Only 3 daughters followed, while another has lectures to attend. Took a taxi to the airport and had trouble loading the bags inside the boot due to the NGV tank!! Or should we have known better? Cost us RM45 fr home to KLIA. We took MH788 that afternoon (tickets' fare courtesy of hubby's Enrich points...). Nabihah insisted on us to take picture here with the planes models. Then the announcement came, the flight will be 20 mins late.

Nabihah as usual sat at the window seat, and this is her work!! Taken over Thailand's land.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand. Nay, we can't read the writings. Poot Thai mai-dai.... (= We can't speak Thai...)

Phew, it was quite a wait at the Immigration. Long queues at all the counters. Must be booming here in this Kingdom. Lined up with tourists from India, judging from their passports that is. Then we had a hard time finding our sole contact here (hehe....). Coming out of Gate C, searching for him... Anyway, managed to find hubby and off we went to the parking lot. Btw, this airport looks more like a shopping complex... With so many people patronising the shops, restaurants.....

Yes, finally, we were on Motorway 9, heading towards Khlong Nueng. Weather? Oh, it was hot...

Bye Bangkok (Holiday Revisited -- June 2010)

A signboard as we approached Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.

Nabihah posed with a hat bought at Ayutthaya.

Yeap, traveling can be tiring.

Inside the departure hall.

After a week in Thailand, it was time to say good bye (but with a heavy heart)....

Future Park, Rangsit (Holiday Revisited -- June 2010)

Future Park, a vast shopping complex situated in Rangsit, a mere 10 mins drive from Khlong Nueng. Robinson, Office Depot, Big C are among the big names that occupy the complex. However, didn't find any Muslim halal restaurants there or may be we didn't really look hard for it.

Floating Market @ Damnoen Saduak, Patchaburi, Thailand (June 2010 Holiday Revisited)

From the Elephant Village, instead of going by road, we traveled by boat. The 'boatman' was a woman!! Or should I call her boatwoman?? Marvelled at her skill in maneuvering the boat when at tight bends of the narrow khlongs (canal). The 7 of us sat nicely in the long boat. Our boat has roof over our head. Yes, the sun was hot as it was nearing the afternoon...





The route taken along the canal before reaching the floating market. We passed through villages on both sides of the khlongs.
















The boat nearing the floating market. Many tourists can be seen there including other Malaysians. Women vendors plying their wares from their boats as seen in the picture. Fruits (eg: guava), local foods (eg: noodles) and other Thai craft were in abundance.


Besides plying their wares from the boats, there were also stalls on the banks of the canal selling bags, bangles, shirts, watches etc.



Though it was hot, the market was alive with tourists bargain hunters!


Daughters bought bags and T-shirts for themselves there.

Elephant Village @ Damnoen Saduak, Patchaburi (June 2010 Holiday Revisited)

Welcome to the Elephant Village said the signage. It was after about 1.45hrs ride in the van, from Khlong Nueng (in Pathum Thani), that we reached Damnoen Saduak. Bought tickets for the ride. (2 teenagers + 1 kid = Baht 1500). If you'd like to feed the elephants, bananas were also sold.











The weather was good, sunny. Much like our own in Malaysia. So, the ride was fine.

The elephant was rather hungry I guess...well, we didn't buy any bananas for them!













The kids without their mahout guiding the elephant...(he jumped down to take the pic.). On the RHS of the pic, is a canal that we traveled in later on to the floating market.

Our elephant decided to rummage for something to eat.




Leisurely ride by both of us .... on land and in the canal.... Err...actually, I was a bit terrified.







Getting ready to disembark the elephant!!! A landing was built at approximately the height of the elephant to make it easier for us to get onto and off it.





At the end of the ride (about 30 mins), each of us was given a cup of mineral water. Thanks...

It's Long Overdue.... (June 2010 Holiday Revisited)

This is the morning when we were about to visit Damnoen Saduak (about 80km from Bangkok), in the Province of Patchaburi, Aby smiled and waved her peace sign. And not forgetting her pink backpack. What were the things you had inside, Adik???

Notice the man in the background? Ah...dear hubby, leading the way to the waiting van on the main road.

And now some shots from the van, of Bangkok city as seen from an amateur's lense ....

.... along the road in Bangkok. And yes, we did past the Don Muang Airport...

..... the Menam Chao Phraya (????)


Outside of Bangkok, we noticed some ponds on the left side of the road. According to the guide, they were the salt ponds. Small roadside stalls selling salt were plenty with one or two bigger stores (see picture) in between.

In the distance, we saw a windmill-like structure. In any case, this should not be far away from the sea.

We also went past a town (Mae Klong, if I'm not mistaken) with a railway crossing smacked right in the middle of it. Waited for the train to pass before we proceeded.