A few more street pictures

Hi

The temperature here still below average and this guy was doing a good trade selling cheap fleece jackets, 100 baht each, about £2 or US$ 3.

Nice person, I chat to him a little bit, works hard, travelling about in his motorbike and side cart.

Some still selling skirts and blouses

Others carrying on with food, in this case, fruit

The Thais are feeling cold

Hi

It is not cold here but even with December being one of the mildest months and the last few days being cooler than usual here some Thais are complaining it is cold.

They are of course more used to the very high temperatures that often occur here.

So a lot of the street talk is of it being cold, some walking around with either a blanket or towel around them as I would guess many don`t bother to own a jacket.

For me being from the UK, it is great, like a British summer !!

Current maximum day time temperature is around 25C.- 27C, night time only a slight drop down to about 18C- 20 C.

The local Thais are more used to it being around 30 C upwards so of course for them it feels " chilly "

Some Jomtien pictures

Hi

Jomtien is slightly to the south of Pattaya central,overall part of the same city ( naklua being to the north)

Jomtien has arguably the best beaches of the 3 areas although none are really anything special.

An interesting sign on an arch as you enter Pattaya from Jomtien

"Pattaya The Extreme City " quite appropriate

From the beach

Promenade, quite pleasant for a walk

Some nice shaded areas

A lot of trees as well as plenty of food and drink vendors

One of the many side streets off the main beach road

An " English " breakfast for fuel after walking, cost approx 150 baht ( £3)

Old picture so prices would be somewhat higher now

Back on the Beach

All for now.

Italian restaurants in Pattaya

Hi

Although it might seem strange to be craving Italian food in Pataya, there are numerous Italian restaurants here, difficult to match Italy but some are OK for some dishes.

First one, Volare on soi bukhao ( a main road in Pattaya and easy to find )

I have eaten there a few times, not always consistent, which seems to be a problem with many Pattaya restaurants.

I went recently with my girlfriend who had a ham and cheese salad as a starter, she enjoyed it albeit it is only fairly cheap processed cheese and ham, nicely presently, price was about 150 baht ( 4 Euros )

I opted for the cold cuts starter, quality was good, salami, ham etc.

This was approximately 340 baht, about 8 Euros

The main course was lasagne, a little disappointing, as the cheese used did not seem to be of the right quality/type.About 280 baht.

Wine was about 300 baht ( 7 Euros) for a 1/2 litre of house red, acceptable, wine is expensive here due to the high import duty imposed.

Pattaya today

Hi

It is very unusual for there to be rain at this time of the year, generally November through to February a good time to visit, not too hot and normally dry.

Just a very short rain shower today, cleared in less than 20 minutes.

High season does not seem to have arrived yet, a slight build up in visitors but not the same as previous years.

Maybe a combination of general world economic conditions plus the bad media press Thailand has received of late.

Some business will be struggling to survive.

Big Buddha Hill Pattaya

Big Buddha Hill is quite a popular tourist attraction located on Pratumnak Hill, about 2.5 kms from  central Pattaya

The views from the top are pleasant, allowing for an overview of much of Pattaya/Jomtien.

From central Pattaya a bahtbus charter would likely cost between 150- 200 baht or a motorbike taxi similar, a little cheaper.

There are steps leading up to the Big Buddha itself but a fairly gentle climb.

The Big Buddha quite impressive close up, also there are smaller images/statues.

Worth allowing an hour or 2 for a visit.

View from the top of Big Buddha Hill