Pattaya Floating Market

Pattaya, Thailand  

As I had not had much time to explore Pattaya, I was excited to have some Thai lady friends offer to take me on a day trip.  Leaving on Saturday morning from Ban Chang we stopped for gas and coffee at one of the many 7-11's. The adventure began when we arrived at one of the few vineyards in Thailand and sipped frosty grape slushies as we walked through the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Motoring onward to the floating market, but pausing first to feed the 115 year old elephant who gave me inspiration and new hope for living beyond 100! He had a few wrinkles but wore them magnificently. The look of peace that comes from age glowed in his dark eyes.We spoke to the current owner who is the third generation caretaker of BoBo, as his father and grandfather had taken care of this amazing creature all their lives. BoBo happily devoured whole bunches of ripe bananas from us and would have willingly given me a hug with his enormous trunk, but I declined.

Pattaya is about a half an hour by car (1 hour by bus) from Ban Chang where I teach, and two hours south of Bangkok. It was once a small fishing village on the bay, but during the Vietnam War boatloads of American GI’s flocked to the then quiet beaches and bars for R&R and many called it the “red light city.”  The city and beaches of Pattaya now have a diversity of attractions, shopping, many good restaurants and beautiful resorts, including its famous "Walking Street" and infamous nightlife.                             At the market a variety of handicrafts from all over Thailand mixed with colorful "T"- shirts, Thai music, dancing, boat rides, and souvenirs for the tourists made for shopping heaven. The always and ever present Buddha was there in many forms.

On the way home we stopped at an Outlet Mall as one gal was looking for a swimsuit.

Many stores were just like ones we would find in our American malls … a small world.

As the sun was dropping in the azure blue sky we had to stop the car for me to take another photo. On the hill along the roadway was a gigantic Buddha outlined in gold. 

 

May Buddha blessings and golden light fill your life, Rose