Amata City: Come into the garden

Come into the garden

There's an oasis of calm and beauty in Chon Buri that's well worth a visit

Published: 6/06/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Brunch

Nong Nooch Tropical and Botanical Garden and Resort has metamorphosed into a one-stop destination since it first opened its doors to the public in 1980. On offer are cultural shows, elephant performances and rides, shopping, comfortable accommodation and above all, eye-popping views of the venue's sprawling gardens to help you unwind from the pressures of city life.

Only a short distance from Bangkok in Chon Buri, it has become a popular destination for visitors from around the world. For first time visitors especially, the recreational park holds a certain mystery that makes one want to explore every nook and cranny. The day we visited, there were a large number of guests from Vietnam, India and South Korea busily taking in the sights and sounds of the lush area, whose fascinating plant and pottery displays are interspersed with coffee shops, restaurants and a huge theatre.

During the tour of the 2.4 square kilometre gardens we were told that the owners - Pisit Tansacha and his wife, Nongnooch - purchased the land in 1954, with the intention of converting it to a fruit plantation. This plan was shelved when Mrs Nongnooch, inspired by her visits to beautifully landscaped gardens around the world, decided the property would serve a better purpose if it were developed into a gigantic tropical garden.

A late morning downpour had made the weather pleasant for our leisurely jaunt around the park. Rain clouds threatened another round of showers, but luckily during the course of the day the clouds dispersed, allowing visitors the opportunity to take some memorable photos of the beautiful gardens, the bliss of unspoiled nature plus the splendor of plant displays and man-made objects along the way. One that took our attention was a pottery display in the shape of a huge heart, a cup and basket, and so on.

Apart from its size, the first thing people notice about the gardens are their tremendous biodiversity, with flora and fauna imported from around the world. An all-time favourite is the orchid house, which boasts some of the most exotic plants that are changed weekly to offer return guests something new each time they visit. There are also plenty of photo-taking opportunities that shouldn't be missed, especially at the European-style gardens, which are dotted with sculptures of angels, fair maidens and landscaped areas.

Visitors can easily lose track of time as they make their way from one garden to the next. From the topiary trees to the French-styled gardens - which were designed in 1998 by Kampon Tansacha, director and current owner of Suan Nong Nooch Garden - and inspired by the garden in France's Versailles Palace, are a few examples to wet the appetite of enthusiasts, who can't seem to get enough of the visual beauty around them.

An overnight stay is highly recommended if you plan to cover the entire park.

Apart from the myriad of plant life and the aerial view of the sprawling gardens, also not to be missed are the Thai cultural performances, which are a spectacle of colourful dances from various parts of the country. There is also a display of muay Thai boxing, together with a well choreographed performance by a talented group of elephants depicting an historic period in Thai history.

You leave the show with a better understanding of Thai dances, with their uniquely different yet special music and costumes, that originate from various regions in the country.

Half an hour later, spectators move to a field where an elephant show is in progress. Visitors are awestruck by their skill and talent in playing sports such as darts, football and bowling. Their painting skills, together with their passion for dancing, is also showcased here to the delight of an appreciative audience.

As we left that evening, I felt a little sad because I wasn't able to complete the entire tour of the park. If somebody was to ask me what impressed me most about Nong Nooch Garden - without hesitation I would have to say its breathtaking landscapes and plant life that are cared for with dedication and love.