Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens

Frankly, when planned for the places to visit, this did not turn up in the list. And so we were not having an expectation about this place. But the moment we saw the way they have maintained the entrance area, we knew at that point - it is going to be a fantastic place. And really it is!

And I was telling Ani that we need to cover the whole place in few hours. That plan got teared apart when the guide told us that the village has 600 acres of sprawling landscape to walk around. We did not lose our hope.

And it was interesting to know that the garden belonged to an individual, unlike the government operated ones in India. 

Pisit and Nongnooch Tansacha purchased the 600-acre (2.4 km2) plot of land in 1954 with the intentions of developing the land as a fruit plantation. However, the owners instead decided to plant tropical flowers and plants as a wildlife conservation project. The garden opened to the public in 1980, and management was transferred to Pisit and Nongnooch's son Kampon Tansacha in 2001.

The guide took us for the cultural show area inside the village first. My mind was full of the gardens around that I did not like the cultural dance show. And that too, after Alcazar show, nothing of that kind will impress you. I wanted to go out. I was poking Ani to walk out, like many of the tourist did. But she wanted to watch.

Waited for an hour to get the show to get over and I took her hand and dragged to the garden. I was running around out of excitement. It was 20 times of Lal Bagh.

Well maintained and so colorful, that you will not allow even a grass to escape from your lens. I clicked around like a thirsty photographer.

The garden is divided into several areas. You can feel that transition clearly as you move on.

French Garden

European Garden

Stonehenge Garden

Cactus & Suculent Garden

Variegated Plants

Ant Tower

Butterfly Hill

Orchid & Bromeliad Display Garden

Flower valley

As I mentioned earlier: In addition to examining the wildlife, tourists experience religious ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, massages, and elephant shows. There are also two restaurants, a small zoo and a hotel with a swimming pool and Thai style rental houses on the grounds.

Martial Art demonstration was like a comedy show for me. It has some real kicks and stunt styles which I enjoyed. As the stunt was staged, even when those two people were fighting and kicking each other; they had all smiles on their face (I am laughing inside now while writing this). They are used to it, that's the reason.

But it also reminded me about - Tony Jaa - who hails from Thailand. I have enjoy his martial arts and these people seemed to be his disciples.

All together, A Fantastic Journey...