Swasdee Pattaya
It had been a year since me and my family couldn't get away from the workaday and frenetic life of ours. We really wanted to go abroad.
With the desire to explore a few tropical regions, we booked the tickets of and prepared a fascinating itinerary for a trip to Pattaya, Thailand. This exotic Asian country is a sheer pleasure to visit and a shopper's haven as well.
Before I start, mind you, tourists can enjoy themselves in Thailand even more, if they have the support of tour packages. People well-off shouldn't have problems, but for the others, tour packages become a must if they do not wish to have their pennies pinched.
Also, pack all your crop tops, shorts and anything that makes you feel comfortable and airy in summers because Thailand is just a few hundred miles from the equator and is like a warm pan all the time.
We landed at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok and were welcomed by a warm and jacket-removing climate. We were linked with Bell Tours and Travels. The ride in the airport liner was remarkably peaceful and the green setting outside was picturesque. The road was nice and broad. Green fields were spread out on our right with coconut trees. We also spotted mini-trucks. Now, this is like a goods-carrier truck shrunken in size, but, here's the great part: people sit inside it, and it does not have a roof! These beauties were dominating the roads.
In three hours, we reached the clean and green city of Pattaya. It seemed as though we were in the city of Mumbai. But there was still something in the air which gave us the feel of a sultry climate. We reached our hotel, Sandalaya. The ride in the narrow and genial streets with each shop and complex or area having a meagre, but quiet reverent set-up with a Buddha statue standing inside with a countenance that cools the eyes. Every mall or commercial centre has this set-up, clearly demonstrating the down-to-earth and God-fearing personality of the people of Thailand.
Before stepping into the touristic world of Pattaya, we had a brief about the area around our stopover from our tourist guide. I always find it much easier to travel and explore any foreign country only after being familiar with the surroundings; which include the streets, bus stops, restaurants and grocery stores. After having a "simply Indian" lunch, without catching a proper breath even after flying, we immediately looked up for the route to reach the world's most amazing and eye-popping art gallery- Art in Paradise.
Art in Paradise - a dull name huh? But I give you a 200% guarantee, your mouth would be left hanging open when you come across paintings that come to life right in front of your eyes. Here are the craziest paintings on earth diffused on the walls and floors of the place. One might call the paintings and the painters fanatical at the first sight. But, just try changing your perspective, and that is when you see a life-size and exceedingly realistic scene spring out of the walls. You can take photographs of yourself getting poked by a giant's pencil from behind or you getting trapped in a glass jar or you getting strangled by an octopus and other ridiculous scenes that are bewildering at times. I was scurrying around the place with the camera taking pics, as though Art in Paradise would be closing down any minute!
There was a sea world section, a jungle section, an Egyptian section and an amazing fantasy world section. It was such an astounding experience. This place is rightly named as Art in Paradise, as it is one of its kind and its uniqueness is what gives its name.
After having a break to sit down and admire the streets, we took a tuk-tuk to the most lively and happening destination in the city, the Walking Street.
With the desire to explore a few tropical regions, we booked the tickets of and prepared a fascinating itinerary for a trip to Pattaya, Thailand. This exotic Asian country is a sheer pleasure to visit and a shopper's haven as well.
Before I start, mind you, tourists can enjoy themselves in Thailand even more, if they have the support of tour packages. People well-off shouldn't have problems, but for the others, tour packages become a must if they do not wish to have their pennies pinched.
Also, pack all your crop tops, shorts and anything that makes you feel comfortable and airy in summers because Thailand is just a few hundred miles from the equator and is like a warm pan all the time.
We landed at the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok and were welcomed by a warm and jacket-removing climate. We were linked with Bell Tours and Travels. The ride in the airport liner was remarkably peaceful and the green setting outside was picturesque. The road was nice and broad. Green fields were spread out on our right with coconut trees. We also spotted mini-trucks. Now, this is like a goods-carrier truck shrunken in size, but, here's the great part: people sit inside it, and it does not have a roof! These beauties were dominating the roads.
In three hours, we reached the clean and green city of Pattaya. It seemed as though we were in the city of Mumbai. But there was still something in the air which gave us the feel of a sultry climate. We reached our hotel, Sandalaya. The ride in the narrow and genial streets with each shop and complex or area having a meagre, but quiet reverent set-up with a Buddha statue standing inside with a countenance that cools the eyes. Every mall or commercial centre has this set-up, clearly demonstrating the down-to-earth and God-fearing personality of the people of Thailand.
Before stepping into the touristic world of Pattaya, we had a brief about the area around our stopover from our tourist guide. I always find it much easier to travel and explore any foreign country only after being familiar with the surroundings; which include the streets, bus stops, restaurants and grocery stores. After having a "simply Indian" lunch, without catching a proper breath even after flying, we immediately looked up for the route to reach the world's most amazing and eye-popping art gallery- Art in Paradise.
Art in Paradise - a dull name huh? But I give you a 200% guarantee, your mouth would be left hanging open when you come across paintings that come to life right in front of your eyes. Here are the craziest paintings on earth diffused on the walls and floors of the place. One might call the paintings and the painters fanatical at the first sight. But, just try changing your perspective, and that is when you see a life-size and exceedingly realistic scene spring out of the walls. You can take photographs of yourself getting poked by a giant's pencil from behind or you getting trapped in a glass jar or you getting strangled by an octopus and other ridiculous scenes that are bewildering at times. I was scurrying around the place with the camera taking pics, as though Art in Paradise would be closing down any minute!
There was a sea world section, a jungle section, an Egyptian section and an amazing fantasy world section. It was such an astounding experience. This place is rightly named as Art in Paradise, as it is one of its kind and its uniqueness is what gives its name.
After having a break to sit down and admire the streets, we took a tuk-tuk to the most lively and happening destination in the city, the Walking Street.
The Walking Street
This street gets the timidest people to take a walk in the stupefying streets and enter the music pubs and dance and cheer. We were at the Walking Street at night, which meant that the street was full of life and crowd. The lights on the hoardings were brighter than ever. The pubs were doubtlessly mind-blowing. Such feet-tapping music was floating in the air that we spotted people walking, the ones who did not forget to show off their moves. I bet, this place could light up even the darkest moods. The souvenir shops had entrances which were wide enough for a single person, but, as we slowly advanced inside, we could see rack overcrowded with souvenirs which were threatening to fall any minute. The best souvenir to take back from Thailand is a statue, a hanging, or anything based on Lord Buddha. This street might only be a ride-by, but is something which you will doubtlessly remark about at the end of the trip and whenever you coloured about Thailand.
The next morning, after having an English breakfast, we were picked up by a tuk-tuk, according to our tour package. The best part- we were teamed up with Indian! No language problem anymore! We then drove to the sunny Pattaya beach. The beach was so clean and the waves rippled gently. The sea was sapphire-blue, just the way children colour their sceneries. The first word that escaped from my mouth was "Wow!" along with a long sigh. The coastline stretched out, on looking at the right, disappearing in the distance with blue and green blended together beautifully. The golden-yellow sand glistened in the brilliance of the sun. The waves that were lapping peacefully at our feet and the air carrying a distinct odour of sea salt made us forget everything around. It is such a charming memory. We then boarded break away speed boat. Let me tell you, sitting right in the front seat of a speed boat is a killing experience. It so gee-whiz with the boat bobbing lightly up and down, not slowing down anyways and the light spray of salty water gave me a complete "bindaas" feeling.
This street gets the timidest people to take a walk in the stupefying streets and enter the music pubs and dance and cheer. We were at the Walking Street at night, which meant that the street was full of life and crowd. The lights on the hoardings were brighter than ever. The pubs were doubtlessly mind-blowing. Such feet-tapping music was floating in the air that we spotted people walking, the ones who did not forget to show off their moves. I bet, this place could light up even the darkest moods. The souvenir shops had entrances which were wide enough for a single person, but, as we slowly advanced inside, we could see rack overcrowded with souvenirs which were threatening to fall any minute. The best souvenir to take back from Thailand is a statue, a hanging, or anything based on Lord Buddha. This street might only be a ride-by, but is something which you will doubtlessly remark about at the end of the trip and whenever you coloured about Thailand.
The next morning, after having an English breakfast, we were picked up by a tuk-tuk, according to our tour package. The best part- we were teamed up with Indian! No language problem anymore! We then drove to the sunny Pattaya beach. The beach was so clean and the waves rippled gently. The sea was sapphire-blue, just the way children colour their sceneries. The first word that escaped from my mouth was "Wow!" along with a long sigh. The coastline stretched out, on looking at the right, disappearing in the distance with blue and green blended together beautifully. The golden-yellow sand glistened in the brilliance of the sun. The waves that were lapping peacefully at our feet and the air carrying a distinct odour of sea salt made us forget everything around. It is such a charming memory. We then boarded break away speed boat. Let me tell you, sitting right in the front seat of a speed boat is a killing experience. It so gee-whiz with the boat bobbing lightly up and down, not slowing down anyways and the light spray of salty water gave me a complete "bindaas" feeling.
We then reached the spectacular Coral Island. As we were reaching near, the water had become so harsh and it felt as though we were driving on rocks. The beauty and splendour of the Coral Island were ineffable. The Coral Island is called 'Koh Lan' in Thai. The artificial coral reef was stretched at the length of the coast. It was such an alluring destination. Everyone cheered as the anchor dropped. But the speed boat was brought to a halt at a small distance from the shore. We were supposed to wade in the water with our sandals in our hands in order to reach the shore; this was a wonderful way to take in the complete feel of the beach. It was so intriguing in stepping on the wet, soft sand below and the light water currents issued by the colossal Indian Ocean. One can spot a few people scared out of their wits they think they will sink (in the waters near a sea coast!) once we reached the shore, all the over-excited tourists were set free for an hour. At the first sight at the scene before me, a ukulele suddenly started playing in my mind in the awesome backdrop. You know, there were a vast sea of shack seats and umbrellas in front of me, warm sand below my feet, and a brilliant blue shaded sea with people playing happily in the waves, not forgetting the others, who were parasailing and riding banana boats and the ones left out, joyfully basking in the sun, to my left and right. Sigh! That was just the perfect beach holiday.
Around the beach, there were shops of food (seafood, of course), awesome and cool clothes, souvenirs of the Coral Island and a lot of articles made from adorable sea shells. Sea shells were used to make necklaces and mirrors that were surrounded by shells of all size and shapes. The surroundings were full of the joy of spring. As I write, the nostalgia created within me makes me grin from ear to ear.
The next day, we were all set for witnessing another spectacular tourist attraction of Pattaya. This was the Alcazar show. A monotonous name, huh? Well, I give you a 200% guarantee that this is something you will cling to throughout your lifetime.
The Alcazar show was the best part of our trip to Pattaya. The opening itself was so grand. The show will open your senses and is simply breathtaking. What makes this show unique are the performers. Let me tell you, all the dancers and acrobats are actually men. But here's the kicker, the people you see performing are men as well as women! We could hardly believe our eyes when we looked at the women's (sorry, men's) perfect structures and beauty. The men had actually undergone several, protracted surgeries in order to change their physical structure into that of a woman. There were dances from all over the world. I liked the Indian dance the best. It was like watching a movie on a bigger screen with more realistic people. The lights, the sound, the everything; it was like a hurricane inside me which took quite many days to calm down. That's it; I can't express anymore in words. You should experience this yourself.
Around the beach, there were shops of food (seafood, of course), awesome and cool clothes, souvenirs of the Coral Island and a lot of articles made from adorable sea shells. Sea shells were used to make necklaces and mirrors that were surrounded by shells of all size and shapes. The surroundings were full of the joy of spring. As I write, the nostalgia created within me makes me grin from ear to ear.
The next day, we were all set for witnessing another spectacular tourist attraction of Pattaya. This was the Alcazar show. A monotonous name, huh? Well, I give you a 200% guarantee that this is something you will cling to throughout your lifetime.
The Alcazar show was the best part of our trip to Pattaya. The opening itself was so grand. The show will open your senses and is simply breathtaking. What makes this show unique are the performers. Let me tell you, all the dancers and acrobats are actually men. But here's the kicker, the people you see performing are men as well as women! We could hardly believe our eyes when we looked at the women's (sorry, men's) perfect structures and beauty. The men had actually undergone several, protracted surgeries in order to change their physical structure into that of a woman. There were dances from all over the world. I liked the Indian dance the best. It was like watching a movie on a bigger screen with more realistic people. The lights, the sound, the everything; it was like a hurricane inside me which took quite many days to calm down. That's it; I can't express anymore in words. You should experience this yourself.
Water sports is at the top of everyone's bucket list if visiting a city neighbouring the kingdom of Poseidon. And what place could be better than Pattaya to play with the waves and get intrepid, if in Thailand, with the ever-supporting tropical weather. With the environment so sunny and so breezy, I found the day perfect for parasailing.
I had butterflies in my stomach as we were on a speedboat going at full speed to a floating dock where the activity of parasailing was in motion. As we reached the dock, the butterflies morphed into ostriches in my stomach forcing me to take deep breaths every now and then. When I was getting strapped with straps and was being yelled at by the instructor for instructions, memories flooded back when my mom and dad had gone for paragliding in Switzerland. I had been standing in a big dandelion field, gazing at my mum and dad soaring high with tears in my eyes along with a desire to fly. Well, it was my turn now.
First, I considerable the ropes. I only had to run and the rest would be taken care by the winds. So I ran; ran like a bird let out of a cage; ran like the moment would never return, and WHOOSH! I went higher and higher until I saw the most picturesque scene I have ever seen before. The vantage point gave me a panoramic view of the complete city including the word 'PATTAYA' on the hills and parasailers with brightly colored balloons wherein the people hanging looked like stick men. Oh, it was a sight worth watching. What a priceless memory I have taken back, haven't I?
With a happy and contented feeling, we completed our holiday in Pattaya. Pattaya- when the name of this city is mentioned, it reminds one of a tranquilizing Thai massage, awesome seafood and needless to say, a break away from everything.
Mother Earth truly has a considerable bestowal to many tranquillizing places on this planet. For instance, Aurora and the Blue Caves are unbelievable nature marvels. But humans, with their intelligence and creativity, have a great impact on the tourism industry as well. This fact is well projected in Pattaya.
I had butterflies in my stomach as we were on a speedboat going at full speed to a floating dock where the activity of parasailing was in motion. As we reached the dock, the butterflies morphed into ostriches in my stomach forcing me to take deep breaths every now and then. When I was getting strapped with straps and was being yelled at by the instructor for instructions, memories flooded back when my mom and dad had gone for paragliding in Switzerland. I had been standing in a big dandelion field, gazing at my mum and dad soaring high with tears in my eyes along with a desire to fly. Well, it was my turn now.
First, I considerable the ropes. I only had to run and the rest would be taken care by the winds. So I ran; ran like a bird let out of a cage; ran like the moment would never return, and WHOOSH! I went higher and higher until I saw the most picturesque scene I have ever seen before. The vantage point gave me a panoramic view of the complete city including the word 'PATTAYA' on the hills and parasailers with brightly colored balloons wherein the people hanging looked like stick men. Oh, it was a sight worth watching. What a priceless memory I have taken back, haven't I?
With a happy and contented feeling, we completed our holiday in Pattaya. Pattaya- when the name of this city is mentioned, it reminds one of a tranquilizing Thai massage, awesome seafood and needless to say, a break away from everything.
Mother Earth truly has a considerable bestowal to many tranquillizing places on this planet. For instance, Aurora and the Blue Caves are unbelievable nature marvels. But humans, with their intelligence and creativity, have a great impact on the tourism industry as well. This fact is well projected in Pattaya.
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