Out of Norm Travels

Just a short 1.5 hour ride out of Bangkok, you will get into Pattaya which is frequented by Thais and foreigners alike.  We made a trip down there back in 2011 and dropped by the Silverlake Winery, the only vineyard located in Pattaya. If you are too lazy for that stroll, they offer train rides around the vast estate and you can end your visit at their lovely restaurant and enjoy your wine/ nourishment overlooking the vineyard. Pattaya also has a quaint little floating market that has the usual wares and food delights. Be sure to take some time to gallivant around the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden aka Rose Garden as well. A nice wooden structure called Sanctuary of the Truth (Prasat Sut Ja-Tum) that is built according to ancient Thai traditions will be a nice ending point of your journey.  This little excursion is well worth the time and you can easily be transported to another world away from the citylife of nearby Bangkok.  till the next time, onto

Flying out from Beijing to Luoyang ( simplified Chinese :  洛阳 ;  traditional Chinese :  洛陽 ;  pinyin :  Luòyáng)  is certainly not high on the travel itineraries of many - quite a few not having even heard or visited this place, not even those hailing from China.  It is thus with much anticipation that I took an internal flight to this city  located in the Henan p rovince  which was once 1 out of the 4 Great Ancient Capitals of China (other 3 are Beijing, Nanjing and Changan (Xian)) to spend the night. My main aim was the visit to Luoyang Grottoes, which was listed by UNESCO in 2000 as a World Heritage Site.  Luoyang Grottoes simplified Chinese 龙门石窟 traditional Chinese 龍門石窟 pinyin Dragon's Gate Grottoes - I can only say " MAGNIFICENT".....I have never seen so many thousands of Buddhist statues carved into limestone caves.   One advice to  travelers  is to start early in the morning and spend more time at the biggest statue at the end of the gate as it makes all the

Ko Kret or Koh Kred aka Pak Kret is essentially an Island in the middle of Bangkok City, Thailand along the Chao Praya River. Interesting to see the Mon tribe residing at this  island which was created back in 18th century when a canal was constructed  and eventually due to widening, created an island. The tribe retained a distinct identity in their version of Buddhism and, particularly at Ko Kret, their pottery. Did a round boat trip with a drop-off at the pottery, local temple and the biggest Buddha by the river.  Although it is within Bangkok Koh Kret is  another world compared to Bangkok as much of the island is what you would imagine rustic Bangkok with wooden planks at your feet and a certain village air where everyone knows everyone stays in the same area come out to greet each other for the day before going about their business. Much of your day there can be spent just walking around - during the weekends, there is a bustling market but during the week days, it&