The race
is on and it is “hold on” till the finish line.
About 70 representatives of the Pattaya City Expat Club
(PCEC) enjoyed the Chonburi Buffalo Races as guests of the Tourism Authority
of Thailand’s Pattaya Office. The trip began on the morning of Tuesday,
October 11, when the group boarded the two buses provided by TAT to take
them to Chonburi where they were provided VIP seating adjacent to the
Chonburi Governor’s reserved space. Although it was a gray day when the trip
started, it cleared off by the time the races began. The governor and
several of his entourage began the event by riding down the racecourse on
water buffalos, smiling and waving to the crowd.
Unlike previous years, this year the race course was hard
packed and the viewing area was not muddy. The PCEC group took advantage of
the now sunny day and their unblocked viewing area to take some clear and
dramatic photos of the buffalos and riders.
After the races, the TAT representatives took the PCEC
group to the Kruakungwan Seafood Restaurant in Bang Saen for an excellent
lunch where they enjoyed several dishes such as crab, deep fried fish, soup,
green papaya salad, and more. All agreed the food and service was great
adding to the enjoyment of the trip.
But, that was not all that TAT had planned. After the
luncheon, they boarded the buses to visit the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. However,
they were able to enjoy only about 45 minutes feeding the animals and riding
the trams through the zoo before a cloud burst put a halt to the tour; not
to be unexpected as it is the rainy season after all. Every one took it in
stride and it appears the PCEC may be planning for a makeup trip to the zoo
in the near future.
Members Hans Stroosnyder with
family, Janet and Richard Smith, Pat Koester and others enjoy an excellent
lunch at the Kruakungwan Seafood Restaurant in Bang Saen.
PCEC group enjoying feeding
the giraffes at the Khao Kheow Zoo.
PCEC group at the Khao Kheow
Zoo entry pavilion after making a mad rush to get there when the rain
started; but it didn’t dampen their spirit.
Counting the members, guests,
TAT personnel, and the bus drivers with their children, the 82 individuals
making up the PCEC group are getting situated as they prepare to watch the
buffalo races.
The governor and his
entourage begin their opening ride down the race course before the races get
underway.
