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Published: November 3rd 2012
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Visit 19 to Thailand started with my usual three day stay in Bangkok near Silom. I like to take a cruise on the Chao Phraya express boat to the Grand Palace and walk around that area for one afternoon. The streets are always busy with tourists and there are some nice parks to view before catching the boat for the return journey. Lumphini Park is also a favourite place for walking and exercise near Silom and a quiet oasis away from all the traffic. Rides on the BTS Skytrain to the many shopping malls are a good way to spend some time in Bangkok, always something to see and do.
I rent a serviced apartment in Pattaya for most of my stay, mainly because I have some friends there and also because it is close to many beaches and a good place for travel through Thailand and not too far from the airport. Pattaya has all the shopping and good food that I need and plenty of entertainment options. I enjoy long walks every day and there are many routes that I can take for exercise, my favourite being a walk past Bali Hai Pier up to the Pattaya sign
on top of the hill overlooking the city. There are great views and on a warm day a good way to control my weight.
I have a Thai friend who lived and worked in Australia so I caught a taxi to Chonburi which is about forty-five minute drive from Pattaya towards Bangkok and spent a day at his wedding and special occasion uniform shop. He was very busy so most of the afternoon was spent wandering the local shopping mall and we had a great seafood dinner at the beach.
Pattaya is a good base for my frequent trips to the Isaan region and to Korat city. I went with an Australian friend and we spent two days in Korat visiting the Thai family that I have stayed with since I first visited Thailand. We stopped at the Sarika Waterfall on the way back to Pattaya and spent the whole day there. After you climb to the top of the waterfall you can take a swim in the large pond and lie in the rocks and enjoy a spa bath of water gushing past your body, Very relaxing and there are also many small fish nibbling at your
feet. I can see why many people flock to Sarika for a weekend getaway from Bangkok.
Anthea
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Fun as always.
Nice story Leon and great photos as always. We look forward to sharing some of these sights with you one day.