Southeast Asia Day 10: Hua Hin

From the Chomview Hotel in Hua Hin …

We check out of the Heritage Hotel Bangkok at 8a and board our bus bound for Hua Hin.

There’s lots of traffic on the way to the beaches in the south of Thailand. The rest stops are crowded with people getting in a quick weekend getaway. On the way we see salt farms, fields that are flooded with saltwater, then harvested after evaporation leaves salt behind. The geography changes as we move south, from the flatlands surrounding Bangkok to more mountainous areas along the Gulf of Thailand.

In a lot of ways this feels similar to a drive to the Outer Banks … the anticipation building as we get closer to the ocean. The new high rise condo buildings popping up along the shoreline remind me of Ocean City, Maryland.

After 3 hours on the road we stop to visit Khao Luang Cave to see the five golden Buddhas among the stalagmites and stalactites. Incense burns in the cave and creates a shaft of light that pours down from the cave entrance.

A community of monkeys live near the cave. Warning signs let us know to protect any items we have from being pilfered by curious monkeys. After we leave the cave there is an opportunity to stop and feed the monkeys. They are pretty cute and pretty well behaved.

We stop at a local mall for lunch around 12:30p. Mickey, Donna, and I opt for sushi and sake at Fuji Japanese Restaurant. An excellent choice! A fellow diner helped the three Americans with the correct way eat the noodles by pointing out the hidden sauce container with in the serving dish.

A hour later we check in at the Chomview Hotel in Hua Hin and start enjoying our weekend at the beach!

I walk a couple of miles down the beach to photograph some kiteboarders, then head back to the hotel for a swim.

Tonight’s dinner is at the hotel. Afterwards we’re visiting a night market in Hua Hin.