Hmm okay, let me start this with the last day at Pattaya.. i.e. Day 4…

The Day 4 was mostly the day to rest but we had Alcazar show at 6 PM.. we went for the show.. nothing great.. not sure why people get so much excited about it.. some of the dances were very good no doubt.. but nothing impressive..

We left for Bangkok on Day 5, I was having high expectations for the hotel but sadly, the hotel was pretty bad, I am not sure why I did not bother researching about the hotel, I simply booked it, thinking if Amari Orchid pattaya is good then Amari Boulevard should be good too.. So, moral of the story… do a proper research before booking the hotels..

The only good part of the hotel was, the area.. 2-3 Indian restaurants at just 2 minutes of walk, BTS Skytrain station just 2 minutes away.. Oh yes.. the public transport.. very important thing about Bangkok.. Bangkok is mostly jammed during the peak hours.. so, get a city map from the hotel or from the airport (Don’t spend money on it, you get it for free) and hunt for the nearest BTS stations.. frankly speaking, firstly, I was very hesitant to use the public transport as I have not had any good experience with the public transport in Mumbai.. but this BTS changed my thinking totally.. it was very convenient and cheap too.. (Tip: If you are planning to travel more than once in a day, you can get daily pass for 120 baht), I think I should stop praising BTS and move on to the other things..

My Day 5, went into relaxing and then going to MBK Center in the evening.. very good place to shop, specially, footwear, leather goods (bags, belts etc..) & clothes.. dirt cheap stuff.. but at the same time very decent quality too.. At the end of the day, we found a very good Indian restaurant called Bukhara near our hotel.. (Just outside BTS station, Naana – E3), great food, very decent pricing.. what more we could have asked..

Day 6, this one was a good one.. we left at 8.30 AM for Safari world.. I was not so keen to go there but the place was totally opposite of what I had in my mind.. I thought, the place will be good only for the kids and adults will get bored.. but no, I was wrong.. we thoroughly enjoyed there.. fantastic, Orangutan boxing, sea lion and dolphin shows.. we also got ourself clicked with the tiger curb.. so overall, it was fun there..

We left from there at around 3 PM and directly moved to this place called Indra Square, this one is a wholesale market for clothes, accessories, electronics and lot more.. cheap stuff mainly.. the place is full of Indians.. (I did not find many thai people there), I went there just for the sake of it.. the things were very very cheap out there.. t-shirts as low as 40 baht per t-shirt etc.. but it did not impress me at all, I found it more like some Indian wholesale market.. we did not spend much time there..  (Tip: Do no expect anything to be original at these cheaply priced goods)

The next day, Day 7.. this was the last day at the Bangkok.. we checked out from our room at 1.30 PM, kept the luggage at the hotel and moved to MBK Center again, as we had to spend time somewhere and we did not want to visit museums and all, bought some stuff from there.. and by 6 PM, left for the airport.. (Our flight was at 1 AM but the travel guy had pickup at 6 PM).. checked in at the airport at 11 PM.. sadly, we had company of Indian crowd with us.. the ones who were travelling by flight for the first time in their life and are used to train travelling.. so they were behaving as if they are in some Indian train with no queue system and cleanliness.. (This require a separate blog post.. will try to post something soon)

So finally, we reached Mumbai at 5 AM in the morning.. as we touched Mumbai airport.. we started getting a different feeling.. the comfort zone was gone.. we started missing Thailand.. the time we spent there.. the polite people.. I will never forget the experience I had there.. this holiday is going to be always special for me…

And this brings an end to the travel diaries of Bangkok and Pattaya.. I hope my experience helps someone in someway.. if you have any kind of questions about these places.. do let me know, I will try my best to help you out..

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..

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.. 

So, finally I decided to give myself a break.. though I wanted to go out for 10 days but like always, I could not.. so we (my wife and me) planned out a short trip to Matheran. 3 day trip… will be almost disconnected from the world.. no cell phone network.. no phone calls.. no messages.. and this is the time when I thank these mobile network guys for such a bad network.. it’s kind of fun.. this is what I wanted..

Okay.. so let’s start.. this post is going to be written in many parts.. it’s more like a diary.. I will be posting the stuff as an when the events occur and publish once I reach Mumbai…

Friday, 3rd April 2009 – We leave from home at around 8 AM for Matheran.. I decide to drive.. but as always.. I forget the road.. we take express highway.. miss the Khopoli turn and reach Lonavala LOL.. we realize we are on the wrong track.. haha, asked few people and somehow managed to reach Matheran (Dasturi) by 12.00 PM.. (we should have reached there by 10 AM).. driving through the ghat section between Neral and Matheran was fun..

Landed in the hotel at around 1.15 PM… enjoyed super cool nimbu pani on the way.. (Must have… don’t miss it.. you get it on the way to Matheran (from Dasturi)…)

Room wasn’t so impressive… (we are paying almost Rs. 4200 a night @ Regal Hotel) Had great gujju food..  the best food in Matheran.. we didn’t bother about the room much then.. for us… food is always the first priority.. right Megha? haha

So at around 2 PM, we crashed on the bed.. woke up at around 5 PM.. met sister and her friends at nearby hotel.. went for a walk with them… had some road side stuff.. Kala Khatta gola.. it was nice..

Reached back hotel at around 8.00 PM.. again.. enjoyed the food..

Now, sitting with Megha on this jhula.. live performance of old songs going on in the background.. enjoying.. the climate is pleasant.. it’s not at all cold but not hot too… better than Mumbai.. feeling relaxed…

More tomorrow.. as the day starts.. have planned out for a morning walk and play badminton.. let’s see when we wake up..

Till then cya..

Saturday, 4th April 2009 – The morning walk didn’t happen LOL.. we ended up getting up at 9.30 AM.. had breakfast.. joined friends in the nearby hotel.. played badminton for around 2 hours.. enjoyed it.. though my hands are still paining.. (coz of not warming up and playing like crazy directly)

Oh yes… my server had gone down last night.. I still remember that day.. 2-3 years back.. I was in Essel World.. server had gone down.. no one to take care of it.. was getting calls all the time.. and my whole day was spoilt.. but this time.. nothing like that happened.. Thanks to Ashish He took care of the things.. some issues with mysql database and exim.. had to trace out the culprit.. so had to keep the mysql server down for almost 2 hours and enable high resource sites to monitor the resource usage.. found the culprit.. taken care of the issue… all cool now..

Okay.. now back to Matheran….

After the lunch, slept in the noon as usual.. the evening period was good.. we spend around 2 hours in the pool.. it was very relaxing.. we went to the market after that.. had bhutta.. (sweet corn) nice stuff.. the next turn was.. chocolate gola it wasn’t that great..

Spend some time with friends in our hotel.. healthy discussion as we call it.. enjoyed it.. then comes the food..

And now.. we are sitting outside.. some aunties took our favorite place.. so we are sitting here in the dark… sister and wife chit chatting.. I am writing this post…

Tomorrow I am not expecting anything different than today.. we might go for horse riding in the morning but not sure.. thinking of staying on Monday too… let’s see.. it’s so refreshing here..

That’s it.. I am done for today..

Sunday, 5th April 2009 – Nothing great today, infact it was kind of boring towards the end, may be because sister and friends left in the late afternoon, so we had no company, the hotel had only 5-6 people left including us.. we ended up watching TV and going to the market to buy some sweets.. The food in the night wasn’t so good.. had to order something in the room… the day ended with repeat telecast of Roadies on MTV…

Monday, 6th April 2009 – The last day at Matheran, we left pretty quickly.. had breakfast and left at around 10 AM. Again, I lost the way haha but managed to get on the right track after asking few people.. enjoyed wada pav at Dutt’s outlet… reached home at around 1.30 PM, left for the office within half an hour.. and since then.. I have been working left and right… haha

Okay.. now back to the present..

Finally got time today to finish this post.. the server had problems in between.. was down for almost 12 hours.. had to get hard disk replaced and all.. now finally, everything is smooth.. though I need to tweak couple of sites.. but all smooth so far..

I have started sleeping early these days.. (today being an exception..haha) get up at around 8.45 AM and reach office around 10 AM… I want to make it to 9.30 AM..

So, that’s it guys.. I am done for today..