Discovering Chon Buri

Day 10 of the 3rd Month of 2006

:) Rise and shine Vicky!!! And I waited for Bro. Siam like a bodoh at the Brother's garden. Very peaceful, very green.. :) Very nice. I guess I'll be very patient when I go back home, this trip's a real training!

Went around Assumption College Sri Racha (ACS). It is, of course, HUGE and they have their own bakery, kitchen, 4 boys' dorms, lots of classrooms, a dorm for the football team, a whole building for their school band, a gated kindergarten area (so the kids won't wander and get lost!), a herb garden, lots more buildings and their own Scout's campus with a golfing ground. Oh man.. and they're only kindergarten, primary and secondary education. School fee's RM 250 per month, RM1 k per year. For what they get, I'd say it's horribly cheap.

After a very long and restless drive, Bro. Siam and I reached Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. :) Good thing is he paid for everything except for my shopping!

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has trees and flowers growing everywhere! Gorgeous they were of course. They also have a zoo, butterfly park and many other animals. Was totally impressed by the Thai Cultural Show. Thai people are so gentle but their culture's actually pretty aggressive! Lots of boxing and fighting during the show. The costumes of these dancers put those of SCV's to shame. They also have acting elephants. Cute!!!

The Thai Cultural Show was followed by an elephant show at the back of the theatre. The elephants in Thailand must be really smart or just very well- trained. They hold each others' tail and walk in circles, kick football, paint shirts and canvas, play basketball, and bowling.. and can dance according to the music! There's this particular elephant who head bangs with the music. CUTE!!! :)

After the shows we took the shuttle bus around the grounds and took pictures. Saw huge cactus, a fake stone henge, immense grounds of beautifully trimmed mazes and more European sculptures. I enjoyed taking pictures of flowers.. and everything else. One of the most impresive part was the pots arranged in the shape of an elephant, a butterfly, a 'tuk- tuk' and many more other stuff.

After 4 hours plus at the land of wonderment, we left Pattaya Tai and proceeded to a shopping complex of rejected branded stuff. Did a bit of shopping and lunched by the side of the road. Thai food has just got to be my favourite type of food: sweet cucumbers, spicy sauce, pork.. fried chicken.. walau eh.. heavenly.

Got my Thai number at IT mall. :) The whole Thai language barrier thing can be quite tough but am enjoying so far. After a short rest we went to the beach and to an island, Koh Loy (Floating Island). Happily shopped for souvenirs and watched Thai people enjoy life.

A nice body massage that costs half of what I pay for in KL welcomed many happy thoughts of this holiday and the days after. The 'ah poh' is really good at her job. :) Dinner was a pretty green one. Nevertheless, it was very yummy and happy. :)

I'm glad I'm in touch with home again and my holiday has been going really well. :)

Life's a bliss. :) I love Thailand!!!