DAY 20 - RAYONG

Abe and Pon took us out for the day again today.  They have been incredibly generous towards us all - lending us all cell phones and helping us get sim cards for the phones and our i-pads, taking us shopping and touring to places we never would have seen on our own and providing all kinds of insight and information on Thailand - as well as a lot of very entertaining stories and generally being great company!  

Since we arrived, Abe has been telling us that he wanted to take us to what is referred to as "the toilet restaurant" - so called because the restrooms are like nothing you've ever seen before.  The actual name of the place is Tamnanpar Resort and Restaurant and it's about an hour's drive south of Jomtien in Rayong.  The scenery in this area is really nice - everything seemed less hectic, very green and lush. 

The restaurant/resort really lived up to Abe's billing.  Not only that, but the food was excellent as well :)  I've posted a few photos but not sure they do the place justice.  The detail they went to and the imagination required in creating this place is just incredible (again, many Cambodian workers).  The gardens and all of the intricate stone and woodwork are just beautiful.

One of the banquet halls - it was massive!
Ceiling was decorated with colourful strips of cloth.
Other areas of the ceiling were decorated with globs of
concrete made to look like the inside of a cave.
Very unique

Next stop was a nearby beach, the name of which I can't recall nor pronounce  (no English signs in the area).  We rented our chairs and umbrellas and sat enjoyed a cold drink while enjoying the cooling breeze coming off the ocean.  The sand was like powder and felt wonderful on the feet.

Beach chairs & umbrellas
as far as the eye can see

Last stop was a small village where Pon knew some of the vendors (she owns a store in Karat and gets some of her  inventory here).  Linda found some souvenirs for the grandkids, we just window-shopped.  

When we got back in the SUV, Pon gave us each a bag full of  different Thai treats (the kinds she knows Farangs might like, not the kinds that Thais consider a treat) - we've learned we definitely have different tastes/preferences .  I was really touched by her kindness; we really need to figure out the best way to thank her and Abe for everything.