Deep ka Blog

Sorry guys, missed out to post about Day 2 in a separate post, so I am gonna club Day 2 and 3 together here..

As mentioned in my Day 1 post, Day 2 started with visit to Coral Island.. actually, we went for the parasailing first followed by underwater walking. Paid 350 baht per person for the parasailing.. it was worth trying out.. I personally loved it.. and enjoyed it fully.

Underwater walking sounded pretty interesting in the first, paid 1200 bath per person for it and 600 baht for the underwater photos and video shoot.. frankly speaking, this one was a big let down for me.. I had high expectations for this underwater walk.. but it turned out to be pretty dull.. they just made us walk around a small area.. we posed for some photos.. checked out some different types of fishes etc.. I would never pay for it again.. so moral of the story here, try it just once.. and also I would suggest, don’t bother paying 600 bath extra for the photo shoot… not worth the amount..

After that point, we moved to Coral Island.. amazing place I must say.. but sadly, we got only 1 hour to spend there.. this place had water sports like, speed water bike & banana boat. I couldn’t go for it as we were already tired.. but I would strongly recommend trying out these 2. The beach was very very clean.. the water was blue and clear.. I would suggest, plan accordingly so that you can spend more time here..

We left the place at around 12.30 – 12.45 PM, had lunch (Indian food) at some funny place.. (Lunch was included in the package), we then moved to this placed called Gems Gallery, this one was a marketing attempt by some jewelry company, but it was informative but more than that, their showroom had awesome jewelry.. so, for all those husbands, if you wife loves jewelry, don’t go to this place.. she will fall in love with it and it will leave a big hole in your pocket.. haha But seriously, if you have some cash in hand and don’t mind spending.. buy the stuff from there.. your wife will be the happiest person on the earth..

Apart from jewelry, they had some more items like, show pieces, painting and other Thailand based products for sale.. we bought some show pieces from there.. but while leaving, we found out that, the group we had come with had already left.. (I have no idea how they managed to leave without us..) but the showroom staff was very very friendly and cooperating, they did not let us go and arranged the vehicle for us to drop at the hotel.. (heads up for that…)

And we finally landed at the hotel.. dead tired with no mood to get out of the room.. we ended up ordering some funny pizza.. managed to eat half of it.. we went for a short walk after that.. got back to the room at around 7.30 – 8 PM and went to sleep.. woke up directly in the morning..

It was a nice much needed sleep..

So.. the Day 3..

Had lovely breakfast at the hotel.. followed by a super quick nap and the lunch.. we left for this place called Noong Nooch Village at 1.30 PM (We had paid USD 36 for this to the tour operator – I will list out all the expenses at the end of the trip, so it helps others in planning – ),  the place had very beautiful garden, where we did not get much time to explore.. we then rushed to the shows… 2 shows back to back.. 1st was traditional Thailand culture show – which I did not like much and felt was kind of boring – 2nd one was elephant show, it was far more entertaining.. fantastic show by elephants.. they dance on the songs, they play football, volleyball, ride cycle, give massage to people, paint and what not.. crazy stuff and a must watch.. actually, kids might like the thai traditional show too.. and yeah, make sure you reach before time and get the seats in the front.. if you fail to do that, you might have to run around to get the seats.. (it’s very difficult to get the seats there)

Also, there, you can get yourself clicked by sitting on the elephant or getting wrapped around in his trunk and all.. they charge around 50 – 100 baht for the same.. (this depends upon what you chose). Both the shows are of around 1 hour total..

So, after the show, we returned to the hotel and relaxed.. had dinner at another Indian restaurant called Shahi.. pathetic food.. very oily.. we will try another restaurant tomorrow to see if it’s good or not..

I guess that’s it for the day.. tomorrow will be mostly relaxing day with Alcazar show in the evening..

Oh yes, keep in mind that, when you travel here… the tour operator will definitely push you for the striptease shows or sex shows like Coconut shows etc.. so, go only if you want to.. don’t get into their talks and pay just for the sake of it..

And lastly… if you happen to visit Pattaya with your kids.. make sure you don’t roam around much with them on the streets in the night.. you will find lot of prostitutes around.. and I don’t think you would want your kids to see them..

Oh yes, I headed to Bangkok – Pattaya for my week long holiday.. as mentioned in the previous post.. feels good to be away and almost disconnected from the world..

So, let me start with the diary of this holiday with the Day 1..

Got boarded on the flight from Mumbai at 5.15 AM.. Cathey Pacific… pathetic service, great food, best rates.. so you got what I meant right? If you want to save money, get on to Cathey Pacific..

We landed at Bangkok airport at around 11 AM (Thailand Time 1.30 hours ahead of Indian Time), got immigration and all cleared and landed up in a coach for the Pattaya.. this experience was not very pleasing.. nothing bad at all but from next time, I would prefer to by the car next time.. We landed at the hotel, Amari Orchid (Ocean Wing) at around 12.30 – 1.00 PM (frankly speaking, we didn’t even look at the watch as we were dead tired)..  we were welcomed by super awesome traditional thai welcome drink.. we got into the room within 15 minutes and trust me..  it was heaven.. it was exactly liked what I wanted.. super cozy bed.. a big bathtub, balcony with splendid ocean view.. what more could anyone want.. I strongly recommend this hotel to everyone.. the rates are not that high at all.. (compared to what we pay in India for the five star hotels)..

So.. now what? Food.. food.. food.. Since we both are purely vegetarian, so we were in kind of dilemma about what to order for the food as their menu had mainly non vegetarian items and we were not at all in mood to get out of the room and grab the food at nearby Indian restaurant.. BUT Margherita pizza (Yea, that’s how they spell it) and nachos saved us.. awesome food..  So.. now it’s sleeping time.. we slept like crazy… and woke up directly at 7.30 PM.. headed out of the hotel to roam around.. bought some slippers and shorts for tomorrow’s Corel Island visit (As we will get totally wet there), had food at an Indian restaurant called Deli Haat (Delhi Haat), decent food..

Pattaya looked beautiful in the night.. I can see lot more people in the night than in the day..

Got back to the room.. enjoyed the beautiful weather.. now, watching Music ka Maha Mukabala on Star Plus (Sadly, that’s the only Hindi channel is being aired here).. So the day 1 comes to an end.. so far, very good experience.. really loving it.. bought an hourly net connection pack from the hotel.. so gonna, use it to post this and check the mails.. Tomorrow, have to get up at 6.30 AM and leave for Corel Island by 8.30 AM.. tomorrow is going to be the exciting day.. water sports, a walk in the underwater and much more.. really looking forward to it..

So, I am signing off now.. hopefully there will be one more post tomorrow.. 

Finally.. I am going on a full fledged holiday after 2 years.. Yeah, I had some small trips in between but this one is, just Megha & Me. So it’s gonna be a special one..

Frankly speaking, I needed a break.. for last almost a year.. the work has taken toll on my life.. and now I need sometime off for myself..

Last year, during this time, I had planned to surprise Megha by taking her to Goa.. I booked flight tickets, hotel etc.. but had to cancel at the end time due to some issues..

So this year, I have made sure that, everything is properly planned..

I am kinda bad guy in giving surprises.. but I think I have managed this one quite well.. No one at my place knows where I am going (Including Megha)…

Currently, I have mixed feelings running around in my mind.. I am not sure what are the reasons.. But at the same time, I am equally excited about seeing reactions of Megha..  (When she gets to know about the actual thing..)

I wanted this holiday totally without phone calls & internet but I guess that might just not be possible.. though, I would love to disconnect from the whole world..  let’s see how I succeed in it..

Okay, I am gonna shut my mouth now.. have to leave in next 3 hours..  will post more details about which place I am going etc.. later..

And touch wood.. hope things turn out well this time..

So it’s a new year again.. 2010, 2009 + 1.. the days are passing by at a lightening speed.. this +1 thingy is coming in between way too quick..  as the new year starts, we start adding the new resolutions in the list.. I have been there and done that.. but sadly, so far, never managed to reach the goal.. so this year onwards, I have decided.. I will stop making resolutions..

So, the big question is, how was 2009 for me?

Well, frankly speaking, it was the worst year for me.. lots of ups and down.. I mean, in all fronts.. but learnt lot of lessons.. got to know new things.. slowly climbing the ladder so I don’t fall again..

Yeah, there were good things too.. moved to new office.. now, I have 15 people in the team.. started working on new SaaS based project, I am really counting on it actually.. I just hope this one works as expected..

But despite of many good things, I am still not satisfied with the way year turned out.. may be this year will be much better than 2009.. I am sure it will be.. I ain’t losing hope so easily..

I guess that’s it..

Love & Peace
Deep

Thanks Megha, for being with me all the time.. in my ups and downs.. Thanks for being always supportive, Thanks for being always ready to accept each and every situation.. I just don’t have enough words..

This one goes for you…

Kaise mujhe tum mil gayi,
Kismat pe aaye naa yaakeen,
Utar aayi jheel mein jaise chand utarta hai kabhi,
Haule haule dheere se,
Gunguni dhoop ki tarah se taranum mein tum,
Choo ke mujhe guzari hu yu,
Dekhu tumhe ya mein sunu,
Tum ho sukoon, tum ho junoon,
Kyu pehle naa aayi tum?
Kaise mujhe tum mil gayi..
Kismat pe aaye naa yaakeen..

Thanks for being part of my life..

Lots of Love,
Deep