Another happy family fun day! After a long while and not be able to finish my japan trip's blog... I just felt like writing up another blog to actually be a long last memory. Today's trip was just so worth the effort and time.
Starting the day with 2 hours driving by our lovely dad to Nakornratchasrima (Korat) with the first destination at ChokChai Steak House. We arrived at the farm and restaurant around noon so there were "TONS" of people. Ploy counted 12 humungous tour buses, plus around 100 or so passenger cars. The line for seating in the restaurant was ridiculous. This just turned us down completely. We gave up the steakhouse right away, headed back to our car, with one pineapple pie for Ploy as she started to get hungry.
With help and suggestions from our everything-guide friend, Noi, we headed towards Khao Yai with new destination of the restaurant within the winery called: The Grand Monte. We finally found it. The restaurant situated among the winery and next to a lotus pond. Yes, this was worth the drive and the wait. It's the real serenity (for me) and great food for everyone. The T-Bone and Cognac sauce was good, and so was the soft shell crab salad and the fusili salmon with fresh cream sauce. Fresh grape juice was so nice and refreshing.
After lunch, we didn't leave the winery right away. We decided to check out the serene surrounding and wasn't disappointed. We found a perfect spot -- very nice and peaceful "sala" right next to the extended lotus pond (ศาลาริมน้ำ) Daddy was the first to lie down and doze off. Ploy was walking around picking up flowers from the ground. I was sitting in the sala, couldn't move as my lovely hubby was napping on my lap. But that's OK. I was happy just like that. It's all I needed. (Well, it'd be better if I have a book to read.)
The peaceful sala
After being interrupted by a noisy family, we took off. Heading back to Primo Posto, a newly hip cafe and restaurant with a Tuscany atmosphere. It would have been really nice if there weren't a lot of people, which kinda destroyed the whole Tuscany feel. The place was so beautiful. We called it a complete architectural success! because it is the architecture that sets the whole Tuscany mood & tone among the winery in the back and the valley surrounding it. I liked it a lot. I had plan to go there during the weekdays sometimes, so there won't be too many people.
Ploy was having so much fun with everything, actually. She enjoyed taking photos and posting for mom and dad to take photos of her. It was very nice.
We left the restaurant around 3pm. We drove back on a different route, which was much nicer. It actually reminded me of Route 10 in Connecticut, U.S.A. I told my husband that when Ploy grows up, gets her own job and her own family, we should retire here. And by "here" I mean that route we were on, literally! It'd have been really nice.
Ploy felt asleep almost as soon as we left the restaurant. She was tired, but I did believe that she had a lot of fun. It confirmed my decision on going out of town. I wanted her to learn the world outside of Bangkok and all those fancy department stores. I myself wanted (so badly) to spend time, quality time, with my husband and Ploy, and also going to see the greens upcountry. Well, I achieved my objective today. Thanks to my lovely husband for driving.
Final word, I had a very good time and I am very very happy. Thanks to my husband and Ploy for being a part of my happiness today. Without you, this wouldn't happen or complete as I had hoped.
I love you.
