EAST AND WEST IN PATTAYA SIDE BY SIDE

We took a drive out of Pattaya and saw a signboard which pointed us to Silverlake Vineyard. Out of curiosity, we followed the sign. After just a few kilometres, we came across a hill which had a huge image of Buddha done on its face. The view of majestic. The place is called Buddha Mountain and the temple where the hill is located is called Wat Yansangwararam. The image is inlaid with gold leaf and it is 130 metres tall and 70 metres wide. Awesome.


Just next door is the Silverlake Vineyeard. It is a 1,000 rai estate belonging to a veteran actress (as told by the workers). Although we did not see the winery, we manage to take a tour of the estate in a large tuk tuk. The tour which last around 20 minutes cost Baht 300.

The owner must have loved Europe very much as the place had a windmill, giant clogs, European type flowers and gardens. With the nice weather (not too hot) it felt like a beautiful summer day.













It was a pleasant hour spent there. Nothing spectacular but interesting in a place like this. There were also a few tour buses with tourist from China there. Can't expect the Europeans to want to come here, right?

Around the corner, there was also elephant ride or trek. There is dual pricing for locals or foreigners. For locals, we paid Baht 400 for 2 elephants for a 20 minute trek.

It was an experience for the kids. The two boys did a ride once a number of years ago in Ayuthaya but they can't remember much of it.

This trek was more fun as it went around the village area and bushes.

Trying to get on the elephant.

A view from on top of the elephant.

Feeding the elephant with bananas. They were famished. Pity them.

View of their village. Very simple and spartan huts.

Until the next time, cheers.