seasia

Back to the food.

Cafe De Mar on Jomtien has the best pizza I have tried here. Perfection. And this is from someone who is not the greatest fan of Pizza's but I have been back for seconds in a week.

La Meranda opposite Rhompho market is my favourite restaurant. Small, friendly and good music. I can't talk for all the food as I have the same every time I go, the waitress doesn't even bother with the menu now. Spaghetti Aglio Olio it is superb. Italian chef who always comes out to say hello.

Thanks for that.

re. La Meranda has it an outdoor eating area ?

I`m not overly familiar with Jomtien, can get to Rhompo market no problem, so this restaurant plus Da Vinci mentioned by JT would be very close to each other yes ?

Cheers

Moving on and away from pork blood cakes ...

Has anyone tried the new sort of frou frou restaurant DA VINCI on 2nd road, accross from Rompho Market, Jomtien?

I had a look at the menu, it seemed to largely be about Italian pasta dishes.

However, it had more the feel of a trendy cocktail lounge than a conventional restaurant.

I wasn't personally inspired to try it myself as I like more funky places usually and the menu looked more conventional than I expected by appearance, so curious if the food might actually be good. The prices were also lower than you would expect for the look of the place.

...............

re. Da Vinci, not tried it, hadn`t even heard of it but would be tempted to at least take a look when next in Jomtien.

Curious as much as anything.

My list of places to look at/try seems to be growing larger than my appetite.

Hi

Not quite what you`re asking for but if you do stay at HCMC, alongside Pham Ngu Lao Street which is a very busy main road in District 1 there is a large pleasant park, also includes a seperate kid`s play area.

Might be worth an hour or so, I stayed very near there and had a stroll through it everyday.

From HCMC I took a side trip to Vang Tau, a beach side town, found it pleasant and quiet, it`s maybe about 2 hours by bus, all the travel agents in HCMC would sell you tickets.( I stayed there a couple of nights )

Vung Tau overall only seems to get mediocre reviews but I quite liked it.

Jesus Mountain very nice, although a lot of steps to reach the top plus this place seems popular :

http://www.vungtau-city.com/?p=892

I prefer your second option but maybe just merely " Mobi D`Ark" ( without "The")

So many bars have the word " bar " in them which obviously makes sense as that is what they are but to me personally makes it sound like just another bar with the owner`s name in it.

Or :

Mobi`s Place, not overly original either though.

D`Ark Place ?

GL whatever you name it.

Great post

Wish you all the Best

I`ve a simlar plan, not quite ready yet.

Have fun.

I`ve never tried it but after reading here and watching the video, I will do, think it is probably something I would like.

Mr Worldwide

I`ve never been to Jakarta, have/am considering it.

That`s an excellent useful post you made for a 1st time visior., read similar on the net when researching.

To the OP, Hope you have a good time.

Hi Maik

I`ll ask on here so as to keep what I think is an excellent idea going but what time( of day ) do you leave Pattaya ?

My visa expires 15th April and was going to go on the 12th, same reason as you, just before/at Songkran.

A little earlier would also be OK, 5th would be fine.

If you are not settting off very early in the morning, I`d most likely be interested.

I was going to book a taxi, which I have done before, but would rather share a ride, no interest in driving myself.

Thanks and Well Done for persevering, good idea.

The Lebanese Palace restaurant on 3rd road mentioned by 2 or 3 posters on this thread :

I tried it very recently, not a food type I am familiar with but had a mixed grill, lamb & mushrooms, and lamb`s liver and some bread.( 2 of us, not just me ! )

Happy with the food, happy with the service and thought it was in a decent setting.

Busy at the time of my visit, 40 + cstomers.

I`d go back.

I noticed it a couple of nights ago, will give it a try within the next few days.

In the absense of any better alternatives which there might well be, and your very tight time scale, I would be phoning some Pattaya taxi firms for a quote to take you to the border tomorrow , wait and bring you back.

I`m not sure of the closing times but I do sometimes take a taxi there from Pattaya, leaving Pattaya 11.30 AM, arriving there about 3.00 PM, not had an issue so far.

GL

Take time to visit Vietnam...you may be pleasantly surprised...as I was...

I visited earlier this year, got the same impression, really liked it.

I don`t know about long term stay visa requiremensts etc but it would rank strongly as an alternative to Thailand for me.

Hi

Has anyone any idea whether traffic from naklua to Pong Nam Ron ( Cambodia border) on either the 13th/14th April would be signicifanctly heavier than usual ?

I hear of generally increased traffic/accidents during Songkran but generally avoid travelling during it so have no idea.

If so I`ll adjust plans.

Thanks.

No, I do not, am aware of them though.

Much of the information they give out is available free on line, just takes some digging out.

Bear in mind that some of the people giving supposed tips have a vested interest.

GL

I`m considering going to Cambodia during Thai Songkran time.

Is there water throwing there as well ?

I`m reading conflicting reports, would appreciate knowing from someone who has been there at that time, I`d likely choose PP or Sihanoukville.

"Chaul Chnam Thmey – Monday to Wednesday, 14 to 16 April 2014 "

http://thaholiday.co...-schedule-2014/

I do usually just stock up and mostly stay in but considering a change.

Thanks

I can`t really help you but went in January to HCMC for first time, stayed in District 1 ( the backpacker area) and really enjoyed it.

I was advised to only use either Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis, used the former mostly, always used the meter, no issue.

Certainly are some " copycats " that look and sound similar

I stayed at Liberty 3 hotel but it was nearer $ 40 than $ 20, nice place, but with some noisy building work nearby.

I liked the general area, plenty of restaurants and bars all within walking distance.

I encountered no problems at all on my visit, just took normal precautions.

Great fun, nice people, good mix of visitors.

HCMC gets a high rating from me

Is this the official 2014 "I hate Songkran" thread?

If so, can I be the first to say what a total PITA it is?

Agreed.

The choice is do I go to Cambodia or do I stay here and walk around everywhere for 10 days with no phone wearing a plastic cape with hood ?

I`m considering going to Cambodia during Thai Songkran time.

Is there water throwing there as well ?

I`m reading conflicting reports, would appreciate knowing from someone who has been there at that time, I`d likely choose PP or Sihanoukville.

"Chaul Chnam Thmey – Monday to Wednesday, 14 to 16 April 2014 "

http://thaholiday.com/cambodia-public-holidays-schedule-2014/

Thanks

Excellent and accurate.

Hi essexman

Thanks for the update, good to hear you`re doing well, thought you would somehow.

All the Best

For me I guess it would be Italy for the summer months and then split time elsewhere, mix Cambodia, Vietnam and perhaps Philippines .

A friend of mine who I`ve lost contact with used to go regularly to Croatia, that was his choice as ultimate retirement destination, seemed to really like it there, I`ve never been.

Ecuador sounds interesting but have never been there either.

Interesting thread

Hi

Tesco Lotus on Pattaya Nua( just up from the Dolphin roundabout) used to give them away on request if they had them at time of asking, unsure if that is still the case.

If not out of your way, might be worth asking at customer services, guess an offer of a little bit of money might help, maybe 5 baht or so each, similar to another poster has mentioned re.Foodmart Jomtien.

Best Supermarket at the Dolphin roundabout did have it but that was some time ago, sorry no idea if they currently have it, not been there for a while.

Mario, ubonjoe & llttf.

Thanks for answers/comments very useful.

Hi

I have a related question, a couple of others have already been answered on this thread without even asking so Thks to the posters who replied to OP

I have a single entry tourist visa, expires March 16.

I want to extend it by 30 days, at Jomtien.

Question is : will I be asked to show proof of exit( flight booking ) from Thailand after the 30 days is up?

I will be heading back to the UK on or about April 12-14, probably via another neighbouring country but would prefer to leave booking travel plans until just a few days before end of that 30 day extension period.

Many Thanks