Pattaya Floating Market

When I see a photo of a floating market – Thailand will always comes first to my mind. They’re like synonyms to me. Though, I’m more interested experiencing it in Bangkok, in the famous Damneouk floating market –, I think Pattaya’s version didn’t disappoint me either. Despite the expensive entrance fee of 200 baht.

We didn’t eat our lunch in in Nong Nooch Botanical Garden as the food didn’t look delectable that day. We were starving when we arrive in the floating market, so we instantly bargain for good food. There were a lot of choices. Others were sold on the boats, while some in the stalls and food carts.

 

Too bad, boat ride costs 600 baht (very expensive!), so we decided to explore the market on foot, which isn’t bad at all. You get to see interesting food being sold and bargain souvenirs in different shops. Though prices are higher compared to Bangkok, but it all boils down how expert you haggle.

Matching up to what I’ve read about damneoouk floating market, I think Pattaya’s less crowded, more organized and a little dirt free. The lake may seem dark and filthy, but it looked unpolluted to me.

 ****

On our way back to Sukhawadee Palace for our van pick up, Mr Toh, our driver for the day, brought us to a winery – Silverlake. It’s a vineyard slash restaurant. It’s just disappointing they don’t offer free wine tasting. Haha. But the scenery is great. You can get close to the plantation and the garden, for a fee of course. We didn’t bother. We just bought some grape-flavored cookies and pies.

Just few meters away from Silverlake is the very unusual Buddha Mountain. When most Buddha sits in a temple, this one is being carved into a mountain. They say this was a gift made for the King’s birthday. It’s also called as the Laser Buddha, because it was whittled by a laser and the spaces were loaded with gold. I wonder how it looked like in the evening. My companions didn’t make an effort getting an up close view with the Buddha, you can see from afar anyway. But I did – for maybe less than 15 minutes. 

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden: Pattaya’s Royal Pride

This day trip to Pattaya is actually not part of my final itinerary. Simply because I know it’s far from Bangkok and I don’t think my companions will enjoy the long journey. So, I scratched it out from the plan.

But then a friend of ours who works in Bangkok convinced me to visit the town as it has a lot more to offer – of course she mentioned this beautiful botanical garden which I’m very familiar with, thanks to Google. She also helped us facilitate our transportation in Pattaya so we can visit the floating market, one famous palace, and two more extra sites. And the next thing we knew, we were inside the van, traversing the one of the expressways of Thailand. It was a grueling 3 hour ride. And yes, my companions complained about the long and winding journey. I was worried about the expenses for that day because it wasn’t part of my budget. But I think it was all worth it.

Entrance fee (foreigners – 500, locals - 200)

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is a 500 hectare garden centre and tourist attractin in Pattaya. Its also a major scientific center dedicated to cycads, with its own Ccyad Gene Bank. They once won the Chelsea Flower Show organized by the Royal Horticultural Society in London. - wiki

You cannot leave the premises of Nong Nooch without being overwhelmed with the scenic beauty of different flora and fauna. I know my mom, how she loves flowers and plants, and I know this place is like another heaven for her. It was indeed a treat, according to her. But it was just disappointing that I can no longer afford to let her ride an elephant as it was very expensive, 400 baht. The elephant will tour you around the garden which will only take less than an hour. They had another option though. That is to take a shuttle car for 100 baht each, for 35 minutes I guess. It has two stops, to give visitors chance to take pictures. I did not join them. I wanted to feel the amazing garden myself, be one with nature for a moment…

It’s easy to roam around the botanical garden as it is has covered walkways that makes it easy to get to one place to the other. Although, at some point, I had to walk in an open area, where, my skin and the sun kissed again. But with this view, who cares if I get tanned. *tan talaga!* (I still have tan lines on my feet from my flip flops..haha!) If it wasn’t too hot, I would love to walk all day in every corner of the garden to maximize my 500 baht entrance fee. I am not really a plant enthusiast, but seeing different plants and flower meticulously arranged into great, stunning landscape, it will surely take your breath away.

stonehenge!

Nong Nooch Botanical Graden isn’t just about flower and plants. They also have cultural show to educate visitors of the historic background of Thai traditions. Refer to their website for the schedule. After our garden tour, we went to their theater to witness the cultural show. It has Thai and English narration which is good, though you can hardly understand the English version of it. The show depicts the beginning of the rich culture of Thailand. From different forms traditional dance to sword fighting to drum beating to the origins of Muay Thai, kingdom battles and a lot more.

After the colorful cultural show, we transferred to yet another show – the famous elephant show. Personally, I had no interest watching it. I mean, I have seen them on TV, several times, in different shows, different channels. But since it’s a free show, might as well take advantage of it. Besides, my mom was so eager to witness it.

It's like these elephants are trained to extort money from the audience. They can smell money from your hands. Once you give it to them, they’ll hand it over to the one manning them. Bananas are being sold in the arena for 40baht – and in less than a second it’s already inside the elephants belly. Walang nguya nguya!  Mom had a chance to feed one of the elephant with 20 baht – and she was so excited and thrilled about it. Haha

It was fun watching the gigantic creatures doing amazing tricks like basketball, holahoops, bowling and painting. Yes, they paint – on t-shirts – and they’re selling it for 500 baht. They have a lot of elephant painted shirts displayed in an area (sa araw araw ba naming nagpi paint ang elepante sa show) but I think it’s just too expensive. And as their finale, they danced the phenomenal Gangnam style, that gave much delight to the audience. It was really cute.

Should you get hungry from touring around the garden and watching the shows, there are a lot of restaurants and food stalls inside the park to satisfy your stomachs… and more souvenir shops to empty your pockets. Haha.

We didn’t stay much long in Nong Nooch as we had to visit one more site in the town – the Pattaya Floating Market.

Bangok City Temple Tour

After checking in Bangkok City Hotel, we wasted no time and we headed to our first tour of the day – the temple tour, do-it-ourselves way.

Most travel agencies offer half day temple tours – but you can actually do it on your own, cheaper and it’s more fun.

From our hotel, we took the BTS from Ratchathewi to Saphan Taksin, where we need to hop into a ferry boat to transport us to the port near the Grand Palace entrance.

We purchased the rabbit card (similar to octopus card of Hong Kong MTR) and topped it up with 300baht to avoid hassle in buying tickets for the BTS.

From Saphan Taksin station, we took Exit number 2 proceeding to the pier. I know that the regular fare from the main pier to N9 Tha Chang – where the Grand Palace is near to - is 12 baht only. Apparently, when I asked the first ticket booth I saw, we were charged of 40baht. I was caught off guard – and handed them the money. It was then when I had the glimpse of the ferry that I realized it was the tourist ferry – and not the public ferry. Grhh..! (When in the same situation, try not to buy their ticket first and look for the public ferry just few steps away from the booth.)

It started to drizzle while we were still in the ferry. The next thing we knew, the rain dispensed all its wealth upon us. What a way to start our day?

That famous scam they have in the Grand Palace, where most tuk tuk drivers will tell you that the palace is closed? Yes, they still do that. I wonder, don't they know that their swindling style is all over the world wide web? Haha. We were just asking for directions at some point, when that old man interrupted and told us about the ‘closed’ thing. And my mom and two aunts reacted right away – haha. I told them it’s just a scam. I think, it would be better if you avoid asking the tuk tuk drivers around the area. We asked the vendors, and more safely, ask the man in uniform.

The rain didn’t bother considering that we were all dressed up (with closed shoes and long skirts for me and my mom) for the Grand Palace tour, and still heavily poured all the remaining water there is to spill out. While waiting for it to subside, we decided to just change our dollars to baht in a money changer near the entrance of the temple and entered into one of the restaurants.

my first pad Thai experience

We stayed a little longer inside the restaurants. It was already 3pm – and the rain showed no sign of stopping. Did I mention, only one of us has an umbrella? So there, we were forced to buy one more.

*****

A friend of mine told me once that there’s nothing much to see in Bangkok. She may be right. But if you have a half day to spare, a visit to the famous and grandest palace temple won’t be bad idea.

The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Entrance fee: 400baht (Free for locals. Pretend to be on at your own risk!)

Closing time: 330pm

Proper dress code is strictly implemented. (In our case, since it was raining pretty hard, we were allowed to wear our flip flops inside the area.)

  

It cannot be called the Grand Palace for nothing. My mom and my aunt eyes feasted with all the golden architecture and intricate structure in every part of the temple. The rain continued to spoil our afternoon, but that did not stop us from snapping photos left and right – amid the busy crowd.

the shining emerald Buddha

Just behind the very impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you will see the one of the largest temples in Thailand –

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha).

Entrance fee: 100 baht  (free bottled water)

Closing time: 6pm

Apart from the floating market, I think one of the most famous landmarks of Bangkok is the Temple Reclining Buddha. It’s like when you see it, you would right away think of Bangkok. Well, it’s a huge marker not to be noticed. Wat Pho is measured 46 meters long and is fully covered with gold. His feet are 3 meter- long, decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations. It is said to be the oldest and largest Buddha in Thailand. It's so huge that you I had a hard time putting it on my camera frame. So I made a 'chop-chop' version of it.

There's more in the temple other than the reclining Buddha. While in the ferry on our way back to the BTS station (this time, we took the public ferry), we had a glimpse of the Wat Arun temple from afar. They say you can climb the temple to see a panoramic view of the city. I wanted to see it for myself, but my companions started to complain about getting tired – and so was my camera.

On The Rail: Laos to Thailand by Train

From Luang Prabang, I met this American backpacker, Kim… she’s heading to Phuket. She’s supposed to ride the sleeper bus to Thailand from Vientiane, but upon realizing that it’s cheaper to take the train, she decided to tag along with me.

After almost 12 hour  bus ride, we arrived the northern bus station in Vientiane. We took the public tuktuk to the central bus station, near Talat Sao Mall. (fare: 20,000kip)

mornings at the central bus station in Vientiane

I made two options for my return journey to Nong Khai station, from Vientiane city centre.

First, I will be doing the reverse of what I did when I first arrive from Bangkok. Hire a tuk tuk back to Thanaleng station… that will cost me 300 baht or more… then ride the border train to cross the bridge over Mekong River. With this option, I needed to arrive Thanaleng station before 5pm, because the last trip schedule of Thanaleng-Nong Khai train is 5pm.We tried bargaining with tuk tuk and van drivers, but they’re just very expensive. I only have few bucks left. This led us to my other option – later I realized was the cheaper and better and more comfortable option.

Second, is to ride the local bus from the central bus station in Vientiane to Nong Khai bus station. Fare is only 15,000 kip. Then from Nong Khai bus station, hire a tuk tuk to Nong Khai railway station – standard tuk tuk rate is 50 baht per person, but Kim and I was able to bargain for 60baht for two persons. Haha. Seriously, you need to master your haggling skills if you’re dealing with tuk tuk drivers.

So we decided to take the bus to Nong Khai station. I was hesitant about the second option because I thought we will be riding an ordinary, non-AC bus. But I was surprised when I saw this one. After all, we will be crossing the border…

In all fairness, it was way more comfortable than riding the tuk tuk. From the central bus station, we dropped off the Lao Immigration for our departure stamp... and the border immigration in Nong Khai for our arrival stamp to Thailand. It was very quick and easy.

REMINDER IF YOU’RE HEADING TO THE TRAIN STATION:

After getting you passports back and finally crossing Nong Khai border immigration, you don’t need to ride the bus again… because the railway station is just a 10-15 minute walk away from the border. Just ask for directions. With this, you can save at least 30baht for the tuk tuk ride from the terminal.

It was too late for us to realize this when we saw the signage directing to the railway station. We wanted to halt the bus driver but we were too shy to do so. So we arrive in the bus station and we were mobbed by the ever present and ever persuasive tuk tuk drivers. Funny, they didn’t actually care about me, as I look very local to them. It was my white complexioned companion, Kim, that they continued to crowd around before she can even get her luggage in the bus compartment.

The one and only driver we asked charged us with whooping 60 baht per person to the railway station. He even showed us their taripa. But we walked away. He followed us to the other side of the terminal until he agreed to our price of 30 baht per person.

We hopped into the tuk tuk and after 10 minutes, we arrive in Nong Khai railway station.

Kim was able to purchase one second class upper deck sleeper bed for 488 baht… just across my assigned bed. I bought my roundtrip tickets in Hualamphong  Railway station the day I travelled to Laos.

Arriving in the station four hours early from your estimated departure time can be very boring… good thing Nong Khai railway station has free wifi, though not very stable, but just enough to check FB messages and update one’s status. Haha.

They also have shower rooms… bigger and cleaner than the ones in Hualamphong railway station. I had no plans taking a bath, but upon feeling the lukewarm waters of the shower, I decided to have one.  

sunset somewhere in Thailand

The train departed the station at exactly 620pm, and was expected to arrive in Bangkok railway station at 625 the next morning. Apparently, it did not happen. We arrive in the station at around eight in the morning.

Now I’m back to Bangkok.

On The Rail: Thailand to Laos by Train

Moving on from my tragic airport story, I went straight to the Hualamphong Railway Station (Bangkok’s main railway station) to officially start my second solo backpacking. 

Destination: Laos.

I won’t be more interested travelling to Laos if not for the train connection between Thailand’s last train station (Nong Khai) and Laos’ first station (Thanaleng). You see, only the great Mekong River separates the two countries that can be crossed hassle free through the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. You can also fly to Laos from Thailand, but that’s not really one of my options.

So from Hualamphong Railway station in Bangkok, I secured my second class sleeper train tickets for 488 baht. It’s a non-AC coach with tiny roaches everywhere. Not really advisable for maaarte (fussy) travelers. I read it’s cheaper when you get the upper bed, so I chose one and it’s s little safer from the brown colored crawling insects. Sleeper train number 69 departs Bangkok to Nong Khai at 8pm. (for other reference, click here.)

It was my first time to be in a public railway station as big as Hualamphong station, after all it’s the main Bangkok Railway station. I’ve seen the PNR station in Naga, and I don’t want to compare it with the one in Bangkok. Haha.

After purchasing my tickets, I immediately asked for their shower room. I read somewhere they have one, so I started to roam around. I won’t be checking in into a hotel in two days, so this shower room will be of great comfort to my stinky body.

shower for 20baht

This isn’t a Venetian Hotel shower room not even close to a regular hotel shower room but if you’re not really choosy and you need to washen up your filthy bodies, this can suffice your needs.

The railway station also has left baggage counter. It’s opposite the ticket counter. Here, you can leave your heavy bags for a minimum fee. Small bags for 50 baht, medium bags for 60 baht, large bags for 70 baht… and 80-100 baht for extra large bags.

Just above the left luggage counter, you will find one internet shop. If you badly needed to get in touch online, this can be your only option in the station. They charge differently if you’re using their computer for internet surfing ... or if you want to connect to their wifi using your own device.

There are a lot of food stalls inside the station. They also had food court area, where you can buy coupon in exchange for food. Like other food court restaurants in Bangkok, you will be refunded for the unused coupon.

30baht with water - kasi sa tingin ko ito lang ang kaya kong kainin 

I didn't finish my meal, my taste buds cannot just tolerate the very unfamiliar taste. So I went out the food court and leisurely walked the vicinity of the station. Tried looking for the platform 9 and ¾ but I failed.. (I  realized, it’s not in Bangkok.. haha)

Our train was scheduled to leave Huamlaphong station at 8pm, but it started to move at around 830pm.

 train to Nong Khai at Platform #5

 inside second class, non-AC sleeper coach

 lower beds are convertible chairs joined into one... see photo below

 now, that's the lower and upper beds of a second class sleeper train in Thailand

 my first official overnight accommodation

unofficial overnight yung sa airport..haha

It was a small but modest, I must say I had a pretty good sleep overnight with my upper deck bed… Why wouldn't I, been awake for more than 24 hours… half of it was spend in the airport, fighting starvation, overcoming disgrace and shame, while de-stressing oneself about an unforgivable mistake of having poor memory. Talk about old age. Haha.

Fast forward:

We were supposed to arrive in Nong Khai station at 825am, but it was already 830, yet we’re still few stations away from our destination. Had I known, I shouldn’t have woken up early.

 mornings somewhere in Thailand

anong petsa na, 20 km pa?!

Few more hours from our estimated arrival time, we reached Nong Khai station. From here, I had to ride another train to cross the Thai-Lao friendship bridge, going to Thanaleng station in Ventienne, the capital city of Laos. (fare: 20baht)

 another 15-minute train ride to cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge

 hello Mekong River...my father says hi! 

Arriving Thanaleng station means passing the Lao Immigration…this is hassle free for Asian people…

Thanaleng station is in the middle of nowhere. It’s very far from the city centre and the only option for a ride is to hire a tuk tuk or van which is very visible in the area. Problem is they charge too much. Well, 300 baht for a tuktuk ride is too much for budget traveler like me, whose money is just enough for a five day economical adventure.

So after checking the price of the tuk tuk, I started asking other foreign backpackers where they’re heading. Luckily, I was able to convince four men to share the 300 baht tuk tuk ride to Ventienne. It wasn’t that hard, they were just waiting for me to approach them about the ride. Haha.

my first friends in Laos (two Japanese, one american, one Russian...) forgot their names...haha 

The tuk tuk ride took at least 45 minutes from Thanaleng station to the city centre – the central bus station (near Talat Sao Mall).

Now, I’m officially in Laos.