Day 8 Pattaya, Thailand

Yesterday our tour guide Sam reviewed our itinerary for Pattaya and we asked if we could add a couple more things.  I had read about the Sanctuary of Truth that sounded really interesting, and others wanted to visit the Floating Market.  These additions made it a 7AM pick up so we could fit everything in.  So glad we added these now.  Pattaya is only about a 45 minute drive from the port.

The advantage of doing an overnight stay at the port is you can leave early.

Stop lights give vendors a chance to make some sales Donuts anyone.

Sure looks like a tangled mess of wires

Sanctuary of Truth from a viewing point. Used and may still be the largest wooden structure in the world. No nails used.

This was a sticker day, seems like everywhere we went today we needed to wear a sticker to show we had paid our entrance

This baby goat had just been born.  Umbilical cord is still attached.  The caretaker didn't even know it had been born, surprise!

Lots of wood work for the Sanctuary of Truth still being done, not sure it will ever be completed...

Woodwork was amazing, it is entirely made of wood

Where there is work still being done we needed to put on hard hats

Next we went to a lookout of Pattaya

They were selling firecrackers at the lookout, they were set off in this spot.  Lots of noise while we were there

View of Pattaya from lookout

Our next visit was to Pattaya Floating Market.  I was not really interested in going here, but others were, turned out to be lots of fun exploring the market.

Entrance to floating market

Some very interesting food in the floating market

We saw this sign often over sinks, pretty sure I could not even get my feet up to a sink to wash them

Many people preparing food for sale in their boats in the floating market

Lots of bridges connecting the sections of the village.

Bugs, pass  Andre was told no.

Vendor selling stuff to vendors.

Next we are off to Wihan Sian Chinese temple.  This was like a Chinese museum with lots of arts and antiquities from China

Wihan Sian Chinese temple entrance 

Next we are off to Nong Nooch Botanical gardens for lunch and some shows.

Elephant rides available, we passed

Beautiful botanical gardens

Cultural show in Nong Nooch botanical gardens

Following the cultural show there is an Elephant show.  You could hold out money for the elephants to take it.  Many people paid to get picked up by the elephants

Elephants also did painting on t-shirts which you could then buy

Elephants also play basketball 

Upside down house on the drive

Next stop is a visit at Buddha Mountain outside Pattaya.  Carved in 1996 for Golden Jubilee of the King of Thailand. 109 metre tall and 70 metre wide

Prayer flags at Buddha Mountain

Our final stop is at Silverlake Vineyard, which was created by a famous movie start from Thailand.  We were glad there was a gift shop here, a chance to get out of the heat.

Back to the ship after a very long day of touring, we have thoroughly enjoyed visiting this aread.

One other ship docked with us here 

Quiet pool area when we get back on board

Another pretty empty theatre for the show

Drinks and listening to the piano/guitar following the show.