What can you do and see in Pak Chong (Nakorn Ratchasima)?

Where is Pak Chong? 
Well, Pak Chong is in Khao Yai, Nakorn Ratchasima. It is roughly 160 kms. (2 hours drive) from Bangkok.

Where to stay?
Most resorts are located close to Khao Yai National Park. 

What to do?
Aside from being the place to relax by nature and enjoy the cool mountain breeze, Pak Chong is also well known for its numerous orchards, ranches, wineries, resorts and outdoor activities ranging from mountain biking and trekking to fun games. Here is the places and things that you can do:

PB Valley Khao Yai Winery
Located on 2500 rais in the heart of Khao Yai. The winery provides guided tours of vineyards and other fruit orchards. The tour includes wine tasting, meals and plant visit to observe wine production. Try its famous PB Khao Yai Reserve and Prom Khao Yai Reserve (the Khao Yai Reserve Shiraz 2000 was chosen to serve at the gala dinner for heads of the governments during the APEC Conference in 2003). Great place for wine lovers! There is a restaurant that serves speciality dishes and a great view of the beautiful mountain scenery!

Thong Somboon Club
If you are traveling with the kids, this will be an interesting choice. It sits on a rollling hill behind which is an amusement park. They can glide down a cable and come back by cable car. They can ride downhill in a car or ride logs or boats in the lake. For adults, there is ATV (all-terrain-vehicle) which they can ride up and down the steppes to explore the mountainside. If they go downhill, they will arrive at a town that is cowboy mountry. They will see cowboys and cowgirls roaming around freely.

Chokchai Farm
If you want a taste of live on the ranch, go to Chockchai Farm which sits on a sprawling 20,000 rais. It is open to visitors who are mostly drawn to its cowboy lifestyle. Scheduled tours are available. You will be shown cowboys at work, cattle feeding, milking cows and the role of sheepdogs. There is even a small zoo. You can also choose to spend the night here, there’s a 200 rai private jungle plot operated by Boutique Camp offering air-conditioned tents, 24-hours security, Food & Beverage services as well as WI-FI internet!

Have fun!

Add comment July 27th, 2006

Cholon at night time, Ho Chi Minh City

Am sure many of you who have been to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) must have visited its famous China town in Cholon during the day time. What about at night time? Has anyone tried that before? It is obviously quite fun to walk along the street at night time as the area can be as busy as ever!

Where is Cholon?? Cholon is in district 5 of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Say - if you are staying at any hotel in District 1 (most of the good hotels are located in this area), it should take you about 10-15 minutes by car or by the local cyclo to Cholon.

For many years, people in Ho Chi Minh City have had a saying about what they regard as living in style: “Dining on Chinese dishes and living in western houses” or “Dining in District 5 and Living in District 3″. Cholon has a host of hotels and restuarants which are popular among the Saigonese as ideal places to hold wedding parties. There are also many kinds of food and  beverages which are made in sophisticated fashion at these restaurants. On the pavements, small stalls selling beer, wine and some simple fast food. These can be found in the residential areas of Xom Cui and Cau Tre or near the small houses along the Ham Tu Quay. There you can also see porters work through the night to load goods transported from Mekhong Delta or Cambodia.

If you have time for the “taste of local Saigon”, try its noodles, “Mi go” for only VND 2,000-3,000 for a bowl. Its delicious!

Its a good fun and much cooler to wander around Cholon at night time!

Add comment July 27th, 2006

Vietnam Visa Exemption on its way for ASEAN countries!

The agreement is likely to be signed end of July during the annual meeting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). When the agreement takes force, citizens of 10 member countries of ASEAN can travel within the region of Vietnam for a period of 2 weeks without visa. ASEAN countries include:

Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand
Indonesia
Philippines
Brunei
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
Myanmar

This is a VERY good news for all ASEAN fellow travelers to Vietnam as obtaining Vietnam visa prior to entry the country has been quite a hassle for all of us. It is indeed a good news travel freely at any time we wish without having to go through all the visa formalities any more!

Add comment July 27th, 2006