October 20, 2026
I went on a 24 hour adventure with these fun shipmates into Pattaya, Thailand to explore Nong Nooch Wonder World. Noted on the web as one of the top 10 Botanical Gardens in the World, it is certainly the largest in S. Asia at over 500 to 600 acres. Since the place is so massive; open from 8am to 6pm; the heat is so oppressive and we are at a tender port, we decided to spend the night, so we could be there at the opening, the next day and make a fun night before too!
After finally finding the right Hotel in the complex, there are 5 of them, we headed out for dinner at a Russian, Polish, Thai Restaurant Whitney searched out, called the White Corner. (There are a large number of Russian's currently living in Thailand since the war with Ukraine) and Terri is Polish and who doesn't love Perogies!
The meal started with complimentary pickles & cabbage appetiser and a very strong shot of vodka, for us each! We were hungry, ordered quite an assortment, forgot photos, but below, from their website, paints the picture. Afterwards we all had fantastic massages, two doors down the street and then back to Resort (show below), just before the sky's let loose with a big thunder and lighting storm!
The World / Resort is kind of Disney like in that is that there are themes all around. Trams big and little, kid camps, museums, cafes, a cat cafe, multiple themed restaurants, massage shop, souvenirs, snack stands, Elephant rides and Thailand cultural shows and elephant performances - all in addition to over 18,000 plants and it seems that many more animal statues, planters, sculptures and pebble art mosaics. Again they keep a ton of people employed here, creating and maintaining the place like the Sanctuary of Truth, so it is good for the economy, with over 5,000 visitors a day.
