2018 - Pattaya

This year, we returned to Pattaya with the kids. As always, we enjoyed the beaches along the coast, but what made the trip extra fun was visiting the quirky Upside Down Pattaya — a house built completely upside down, from the roof to the furniture. The kids loved running through the rooms, laughing, and posing for playful photos in this topsy-turvy world.

Sadly, the attraction has since closed down in 2022, so it now lives only in our memories and photos. But that’s what makes the experience even more special — we were lucky to enjoy it while it was still around.

The next day, before leaving the area, we took the kids to the Pattaya Sheep Farm. It turned out to be a wonderful family-friendly stop — a mix of a small animal farm and an amusement park. The children loved feeding the sheep, watching the ponies, and playing in the colorful themed zones.

After Pattaya, we continued our journey just 20 minutes away to Ban Chang, Rayong. Unlike Pattaya’s lively atmosphere, Ban Chang offered a much quieter seaside escape. We stayed at a small local resort right on the beach — and amazingly, we were the only guests that night.

The resort itself was simple and affordable, but the experience was priceless. Having the whole stretch of beach to ourselves, with nothing but the sound of waves, felt like a million-dollar stay. It was one of those hidden gems that remind us that true luxury isn’t always about the price tag, but about the feeling of peace and exclusivity.