Pattaya diaries!

If you like beaches and clubs then Pattaya, Thailand, is the place to be. Pattaya, which is about a hundred kilometres from Bangkok, is known for its tranquil beaches and party clubs. At the beach, it is time to soak up some sun and the surroundings and engage in the various activities it has to offer. Just put your feet in the pristine waters and forget the everyday hullabaloo.

The huge buildings on the other side of the beach make the skyline of the sea a view to die for. Pattaya Beach is famous for its watersports. One can let the adrenaline rush flow through your veins and enjoy boat ride, snorkeling in nearby islands, parasailing, sailing and if you love to flow with the wind then head to the nearby Jomtien Beach, which undoubtedly is Thailand’s best spot to windsurf. This is where you should let your hair down and be adventurous.

The Beach Road along the Pattaya Beach is a tourist attraction on its own. Start exploring the beautiful road and it is certain that you will not go short on ideas to keep yourself busy. Restaurants offering global cuisine, spas and more. The four-kilometre stretch is the epicentre of shopping in Pattaya, be it international, street stalls or local boutiques. There is something for every pocket.

And when you truly think that you are done with the “beach” experience, its time to head to some activities in the main city; go-karting, waterparks, golf amongst others. The place has plenty of panoramic viewpoints, museums, orchid farms and elephant villages, where you can feed, bathe and even play with the gentle giants. The whole experience is soul satisfying.

After a hectic day, you deserve to get pampered, head to any massage centre, which are mushroomed all over the city, and get yourself a proper Thai massage, which not only relaxes your body but also rejuvenates your soul. The aromas of the oil used in the message transcend one to a heavenly sojourn. The party scene is incredible in Pattaya.

After relaxing your aching muscles from the day’s activities, head to the Walking Street, which is the entertainment district of Pattaya. Enter the street and a large neon signage invites you to spoil yourself in its umpteen clubs that are spread in the area. Walking Street draws people, foreigners and Thai nationals equally, for its nightlife.

It has live music venues, beer bars, sports bars, seafood restaurants, discothèques, nightclubs and hotels. You will find nationals from every country making the district a multicultural space to hang out. And of course, you will find many bars and clubs owned by Indians as well. Head to any of these clubs and a sonic wave of Punjabi songs welcome you; Raas, Kama, Mauja are ideal to embrace your party mood and groove to some desi music. One can even hear some Gujarati songs, where you see Thai nationals too doing garba-like dance moves on the fast-paced music.

It is probably the number of Indians settled there and the many Indian tourists that frequent to these clubs that inspire the music, which is without any doubt imbibed by the locals. The Walking Street is closed to car traffic during the sunset and one can just chill on the streets as both sides of the street are dotted with shops selling everything under the sky; and the exploratory among you can try the famous strip clubs, which are however extremely pricey, and unless you know where you are going, you can end up shelling out Bahts for mediocre stuff.

This is also the place to enjoy street food and the many restaurants serving international cuisine. In fact, Pattaya is the right place to explore the adventurous foodie in you. For the non-adventurous there are always the many Indian restaurants.