AirAsia ASEAN Traveler - Beach Specialist trip

I was over the moon when I received a text message to tell me that I was the blogger winner for the AirAsia ASEAN Traveler for the Beach Specialist category. It was so amazing being chosen from amongst what must seem like a lot of other amazing bloggers as well...

I could barely contain my excitement but I was slightly confused when told where I was heading to errmm.. Pattaya is understandable but Singapore??!!.... Apparently, they were sending me along with the public category winner to Pattaya and then to Singapore before coming back to KL.... 

The BIG day came and I found myself  rushing helter skelter to KLIA2 with my luggage and passport.. and finally caught up with the three other ladies... Mariam, being AirAsia's representative and tour leader,  Tong, the public category winner of the Beach Specialist Category, and Adilla, Tong's friend....We then got our luggage checked into the flight and wandered around for a little bit in the airport before boarding our flight to Pattaya...

Upon arrival at the airport, we cleared immigration, got our Thai SIM card so we could stay in touch. Buying a SIM card there wasn't that expensive. It was just 290 Bahts, for 5 days of internet and calls and were greeted by some lovely Thai models who gave us a lotus shaped bread. We quickly learned that it was actually Loy Krathong day and Mariam made a note to bring us to check it out. 

We then pick up our luggage and headed out. The trip to the hotel from the airport via a shuttle van cost 250 Bahts per person and the shuttle van drops us off right in front of our hotel.

And so we were here at the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort, our home for two nights while we were in Pattaya... It was a lovely place and we were thrilled to get our bungalows.... we took the time to then unwind, unpack, freshen up before Mariam announced that her Thai friend would be picking us up there. We met Jojo, a lovely girl who was just so bubbly and friendly despite coming from a very affluent Thai family.

Our first stop was at Jojo's restaurant, known as the Opal House restaurant. Opal House serves both Thai and Western food and Jojo ordered all of us a most sumptuous Thai seafood dinner.

We had a great meal and after our meal, we headed up to Pattaya Hill to drink in the gorgeous night scene of the bustling Pattaya city and Pattaya bay below....The view was nothing short of amazing....

We then headed back to Jomtien Beach and took a stroll down the beach watching hundreds of Thais setting off their krathongs and khomlois into the dark night via the sky or the sea...in conjunction of Loy Krathong... it was fascinating to say the least as we watch the lanterns and krathongs become tiny pinpricks of flickering light , on with the stars....

It did not stop us joining in the fun as well.. we got one khomloi /paper sky lantern for 100 Bahts and set the waxed lantern on fire and let it fly...

There were hundreds and maybe even thousands on the Jomtien Beach and many of them were also curious tourist like us who wanted to know more and also join in this festivity....

When we were done setting our khomloi off successfully, we headed over to the Walking Street...

I initially thought the Walking Street was like Petaling Street or even the stretch of Batu Ferringhi Beach.. but  well, the Walking Street is a red light district...just like Patpong and so on... It is about 500 metres long from the start (Beach Road) to the end (Bali Hai Pier).

You can find plenty of bars, Go-Go bars, massage parlours and discos along this neon light-drenched strip . It is shut off to traffic during the evening, with raunchy shows, bar games, competing stereos and lots of booze 'all combining forces to make one huge party zone. There are plenty of girls and lady boys/ tranvestites who are just trying to lure the men in for a night of sin. And OME...oh my eyes....tiger shows that defy your imagination and mind....  If only for the 'I've-seen-it' experience rather than 'I've done it' enjoyment, it was to be experienced at least once, and we have done it!!

When we were done walking up and down the whole strip, we headed back to our hotel, sated from all the good food, and exhausted from our visit to the Walking Street...

Early next morning had me waking up early and rushing to the stretch of beach at the hotel to be mesmerized by the moon and it's pretty reflection in the water... I was disappointed though as the sunrise was apparently on the other end of the hotel, not the beach side....but the beach was so serene and gorgeous at dawn with only the sounds of waves crashing to lull my senses...However I heard that sunrise here at this spot is to be admired as well... unfortunately we did not have that much time...

After we had eaten our breakfast at the hotel, Jojo came by and picked us up to send us to the Bali Hai Pier so that we can take the ferry to Koh Larn . You can have the option of taking the speedboat, a faster choice (15 - 25 minutes), but it cost more at 400 Bahts per person...We took the ferry for just about 150 Bahts per person...

The ferry takes about 30 - 45 minutes to go cross the Gulf of Thailand from Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn...As you can see, the ferry that ferried us from Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn is crowded with tourists all looking for some time soaking in the sun, sand, sea  and surf...

Koh Larn, was once known as a coral island, as popularized by foreign tourists. Bearing such name is by virtue of its abundance and variety of corals. It consists of minor islands such as Koh Khrok (mortar) and Koh Sak (pestle). It is truly a sought-after island for enthusiasts of coral snorkeling, sheer white sandy beaches and cerulean blue sea - an image of Andaman Sea. The Island, so close to Pattaya, sees more than 5,000 tourists daily

Koh Larn is conveniently located 7.5 km away from Pattaya City, occupying 3,500 rai with an irregular pentagon shape. Its length stretching from North to South is approximately 4.65 km. Whereas the maximal width is 2.15 km. 90% of the area is mountainous, nestled in the forest with a bountiful variety of trees. It offers spectacular variety of places to visit as well as hide-away beaches for tourists to enjoy. (taken from http://www.mypattaya.com/)

Koh Larn has six main beaches. All of the beaches are of powdery white sand and clear azure waters. You will find food, toilets and showers at all beaches as well(some cleaner then the others, of course…).  

Tawaen Beach is one of the most visited beach on Koh Larn. We arrived here and it was crowded!!! I learn that there are well over three thousand daily visitors, coming to this beach. On the weekend that number may double for many people come down from Bangkok and other nearby towns to enjoy a weekend of relaxation on the beach. 

 You can find a huge variety of activities here such as Jet Ski, Banana Boat and more. There are also several resorts here if you would like to spend a night here at Tawaen Beach .

There are accommodations at both Samae and Tawaen beaches.  You can rent some Beach deck chairs from about a 50 Baht to 100 Baht depending on where you are.

Because you are paying for beach chairs you can bring along your own food and drinks if you like and save a little money. Some of the song keaw (a mini truck cum tuk tuk combination) offer to bring you around the beaches.

You can also opt  to rent a motorbike for 300 Baht a day if you know how to handle a motorbike. The roads can be steep and a drop as well… at some parts…

Samae Beach is a white sandy beach with clear blue water and gentle breezes most of the time. This beach is said to be  visited by 800 to 3000 people a day during the high season. 

See the water... don't you just love the blue, blue azure water.....it is such a breathtaking sight...the sand is also powdery fine. 

The cost of each beach chair is from 50 to 100 Bahts for all day.  There will be people coming around trying to sell souvenirs as well as offer services of foot massage, pedicure or hair braiding if you like...

You can order food or drinks anytime but you can also bring your own food and snacks along if you like. When you want something to eat or drink you can order right from your beach chair and have it brought to you. I highly recommend a refreshing coconut shake on a sweltering hot day like that.... it is just heavenly on your parched throat after a stroll by the beach or if you have been swimming...

Samae beach measures about slightly over 500 meters long, so for those that who like to walk or jog just go from one end to the other and back and you can cover 1 km while enjoying the incredible view and the crisp sea scented breeze....

One more stop we made before we rushed to return the motorbikes and catch the ferry was the Thien beach which is also about 500 meters long towards the west of Koh Larn. This beach has a lot of water sport facilities such as jet skis and banana boats, but definitely more peaceful the than at Ta Waen Beach. Visitors enjoy more of relaxing activities, i.e., swimming, sun bathing and traditional Thai massage...the water is however in my opinion more greenish /turquoise than the water in Samae which looked more blue/azure...

With the clear and beautiful water, there is a profusion of marine life in the deeper end of the beaches. I think I read somewhere that there is also  a glass bottom boat service where you can view the scenic underwater life without getting wet. 

We spent an hour here before hightailing it back to the Naban Pier to return the motorbikes and catch the ferry.... We barely made it in time, panting as we finally boarded the ferry...

 

Our next stop was at the Sky Gallery situated on top the Phratumanak Hill . It is indeed an amazing place to chillax, enjoy the scenery and have a nice drink.

I do highly recommend this place especially if you want to admire the sunset.... Check out more in my blogpost here...

We then went for a sumptuous dinner near our hotel at a restaurant called Prapakan and had a feast fit for royalty... It was so delicious... thanks to Jojo's recommendation, of course....

And that was the end of our second day in Pattaya....

Early next morning, we spent the morning making use of our beautiful hotel's facilities. 

Our hotel the Pinnacle Grand Jomtien Resort has about 4-5 swimming pools, a gorgeous beach and well....

I do have a gorgeous pool just right in front of my room/bungalow.....so I just have to make use of it before I set about packing my things since we were leaving Pattaya later that day....

My only regret is that I did not have enough time to go around to other Pattaya attractions... so the possibility of me being back in Pattaya for more is definitely there!!!

I however managed to sneak in a traditional Thai massage as well as one session of "ouch'.... painful foot reflexology .. each which only costed me 200 Bahts each!!!

We then headed to the airport and you know what??? We boarded the INAUGURAL flight from Pattaya to Singapore!!! It was kind of like exciting being on the first AirAsia flight from Pattaya to Singapore.... There will be daily flights now between Pattaya and Singapore, so be sure to check it out!!!!

And so I find myself in Changi Airport, a place I have not set foot in since Sept 2001 on the day the twin towers in NYC fell, when I was just back from LA.... Don't get me wrong, I have been to Singapore countless times, but it is normally by bus or car...It was such an thrilling moment for me setting foot in Changi after all these while...

After arriving at my hotel , Hotel Grand Central off Orchard Road, I practically dump my luggage and rushed out to Orchard Road, never mind the malls and departmental stores were already closed then... I wanted to see the Christmas light ups there.... Singapore used to be very well known to be among the best in the region when it came to Christmas light ups...

The display was pretty, but I guess slightly muted as to what it was some years ago, but it was fun and I had a good exercise walking the whole stretch of Orchard Road from Concorde Singapore to ION Singapore and back....

Then it was back to my hotel and my very pretty and comfy room...Hotel Grand Central was refurbished and even though the reception/ lobby are was nothing much to shout about - in fact, one of  my travel companion said it looked like a seedy hotel from the lobby ... but the room was elegance, comfort and style... (will blog about it soon...so stay tuned!!)

Anyway, we headed to Sentosa island when morning came and headed over to the Tanjong Beach..., one of the three beaches in Singapore where locals, expat and tourist alike visit in the Garden City....

There is ample sandy area to set up a picnic mat and the beach is clean as to be expected of Singapore... It is not a FINE city for nothing... LOL 

You can also indulge in a game of beach volley ball, canoeing and so on...

If you want more out of Tanjong Beach, maybe you can hop over at the Tanjong Beach Club then where there is nice upbeat music, a nice swimming pool, deck chairs, and loungers , and plenty to eat and drink as long as you are willing to pay... 

Then yours truly here hopped over to the Palawan Beach nearby... Oh yeah... I forgot to mention, you can get to the beaches by getting on the Sentosa monorail into Sentosa from Vivocity to Beach Station and then take the tram which passes by every 5 minutes or so.....

Palawan Beach is pretty picturesque and there is even a Palawan Island there, a small man made  island which is accessible via a low suspension bridge....

There is a life guard on duty for the safety of beach goers, like in Baywatch... but sadly. no hot babes in red bikini-lah....If if there are, I have not seen them...

There is pretty much lots to do at Palawan beach and there is even a WiFi area for Internet addicts like me... hahaha... There are so many restaurants and cafes around to whet your hunger or thirst should the need arises...

As you can see it is a really awesome place for selfies, pictures and so on... it is very pretty... and I had quite the time of my life there... 

After my Beach Specialist duties/experience was over, I of course, took the opportunity to squeeze in some time at the Sentosa Merlion statue as well as the Images of Singapore LIVE and also Madame Tussaud's Singapore with a Play 3 Day Fun Pass.... where I just have to pay $44 for all three attractions... this, being since I did not have that much time...

If you have more time,you can also get a full day all 20 attractions pass for as low as $79 (valued at $330)

Or better still a 2 -Day Fun pass  which consist of a 1 day access up to 20 attractions as well as a USS studio pass for just $139!!!

And that was the end of my AirAsia ASEAN Traveler - Beach Specialist trip.... thanks to AirAsia...

AirAsia is the only airline that connects Pattaya, Thailand to Kuala Lumpur directly with 4 weekly flights, Pattaya to Singapore  and Singapore to Kuala Lumpur daily

For more info, please check out : www.airasia.com

For your information, yours truly here is traveling using the AirAsia ASEAN Pass... and you might like to check this out...it is an amazing pass for backpackers and people who love to go for impromptu trips. 

You can travel to so many places and see so much more with this amazing AirAsia ASEAN Pass....

How does it work....

How to use...

Thank you to AirAsia Bloggers Community for selecting me as one of the winners, and to AirAsia and AirAsiaGo for flying me and arranging my hotel accomodations...

And special thanks to Jojo for helping us with transport and recommending the best food Pattaya has to offer.....