Cabbages and Condoms

I randomly got the insider tip from a guying waiting to pick up food with me about a month ago. He said the place was amazing and I should go. He handed me the flyer as I left. I got upstairs and read the name, "Cabbages and Condoms." Suuurrreee, I thought... just another skeezy place in Pattaya that guys like to visit.

Oh yeah... no joke... thats the name!

Teacher Lokki had a friend coming into town and we were planning an evening out. Wouldn't you know - He suggested Cabbages and Condoms. I laughed it off. He couldn't be serious! Then he topped it off with saying that it was a very romantic place!!!

Well, I am here to tell you that you should not let a name fool you in Thailand. Though I can't tell you the exact history of the place (you can look it up online if you are really interested), it mainly comes down to the idea that condoms should be as accessible as cabbages. The actual resort is called Bird and Bees. Nice touch, huh? Cabbages and Condoms is the name of the restaurant at the resort. Alot of the profits go to help PDA (no not public displays of affection - though I wouldn't mind supporting that organization sometimes... especially in Pattaya... anyway it stands for the Population and Community Development Association).

The place is beautiful. It is nicely tucked away in a part of Pattaya that you would never think to visit off hand. They actually have their own garden where they grow alot of their fruits and vegetables. They have an entire lemon section - I thought it a bit random considering the lack of lemons I have seen... but I guess that makes it a good thing :) It feels like you are in a rain forest... you walk over bridges and through pathways covered in mist (they only turn on the mist at night... really adds to the experience). It was nice to be surrounded by so many trees. There aren't alot of public parks that I have found in Pattaya, though I have heard there are about 30+ golf courses somewhere.

Such a good sense of humor at this place! It definitely has personality!!!

Apparently, there were chickens sleeping in the trees, but I couldn't find them. I did see all the bunnies they let roam around. Sooo cute. They have these really cool bikes that power a radio that plays traditional Thai songs like the National Anthem. You can workout, listen to music, and watch the bunnies. Who wouldn't want to do that on Vaca? The actual hotel looks very nice from the outside. The pictures in the brochure sold me :) However, I do think its a bit pricey to be honest... but thats probably because I make Baht and not Dollars anymore. The pool isn't anything spectacular, but the resort is right on the beach.

As you pedal, you energize the radio to play music.

Field of bunnies... they also have fish, chickens, and other animals

Once you enter the restuaruant there are hilarious statues made out of condoms. You can't help but laugh. Anyone who can't laugh at the humor and goodwill behind the place really shouldnt even bother coming to Pattaya. But of course there is a bouquet of free condoms at the entrance way. Bright pink.

I wouldn't expect anything less :)

It took us awhile to sit down. We wanted the perfect table next to the ocean, but we didn't make reservations. Advice: Make reservations :) They acutally have seating in a tree. There are two platforms built up the tree. They call it the tree-house. Very beautiful view and very romantic. I told Brian to take note :) !!!

While we were moseing around the restuarnt looking for a table ( there are many levels to the reaturant section... its a pretty big place), Teacher Lokki suggested we look at the bathrooms. Having a nack for bahtrooms, I made a bee line. I should have taken a picture to fully capture the allure. You enter through a screen of beads and are met with a swing... similar to a swing you would find handing from a tree. Though more for decoration, its very fun to swing on. The actual bathroom stalls have windows at eye level if you are sitting on the toliet and have an amazing view of the ocean. Like I said before, you are literally on the ocean.

After my bathroom fix and Teacher Lokki's Thai conversation with yet another one of his ladies, we were sat at a table on the bottom level of the tree-house next to the water. It was a beautiful night... a bit overcast but no rain and very breezy. There was no sunset to see and no moon or stars, but it didn't spoil the evening.

They have a huge menu. I was so excited to find tofu on the menu. I guess since Thai restaurants in America serve tofu as an option, I figured it would be like rice out here. It's not. I got green curry with tofu - a personal favorite. YAY. We got a couple of different appetizers to try too.

Traditional Thai Appetizer - coconut, shrimp, and sweet sauce in a leaf.

Colorful Wontons

The prices are amazing too. Most dishes are easily under 100B which is saying something in Pattaya. Since alot of the places are tourist driven, the prices are sky high. You would think that such a beautiful place would charge much more, but they dont. Another reason I highly respect Cabbages and Condoms :) Oh, and in case your wondering the food taste amazing. No complaints.

FINALLY TOFU!!! Tofu Green Curry... Yum!!!

Sesame Fried Chicken... Delicious!

I was a bit sad to leave, but I wanted to see the place where Lokki's friend was staying. They kept talking about how big the actual resort was. Like I said before, I love bathrooms and I love seeing hotels. I couln't pass up the oppertunity to peak in!!! The Royal Cliff Resort is a huge place... It is very grand. The convention center is located on the resort grounds too.

The pool is very nice. Since visiting, Emily and I took the liberty to drop back in and lounge at the pool. No need to bring a towel... they put one down for you no questions asked. Oh, and there's an elevator that takes you down to the resorts private beach. We ran out of time, but we will be stopping by the private beach in the future. It's perfectly located in a cove so all you see is the islands in front of you with ocean. You have no sense of the city surrounding you like you would if you were just lying on a regular beach in Pattaya or Jomtien. You can para-sail, rent jet skis, and hire private boats right from their beach. So convenient! And not totally jacked up prices. There is a good selection of food vendors too. I think only part of the beach is privately owned for this reason. I do not think the resort would let really encourage the competition. However, you can only get to the beach from the hotel. But it could be like Ko Olina in Hawaii... even though there's security at the front to make you think you can't come in - you can.

The actual hotel room that Nathan, Lokki's friend, was staying in was around 7,000B a night. INSANE by the way. No need to ever EVER spend that much on a room in Thailand. It was nice. It came with a free fruit basket which I enjoyed. Nathan doesn't like fruit. It was the perfect opportunity to try all the different fruits I've been wanting to eat :)

It was a wonderful evening of eating and exploring. Who knew these great wonders were only a soi (street) away... technically a couple soi's away :) I love that you never know what your going to find in Pattaya... there are so many gems hidden in this bizarre city.

Raining in a part of Pattaya