Thailand ,Hua Hin, a trip report.
Oct 3rd, 2008, 11:14 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thailand ,Hua Hin, a trip report.
part one
Our flight left Brisbane International airport at 1 minute to midnight. We flew Thai Airways business class ( (called Silk Class) direct to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The flight was uneventful as we both had a few Champagnes in the lounge in Brisbane ( they share a lounge with Air New Zealand.) . The business seats are the shell style that lie nearly flat, reasonably comfortable and certainly long enough for me to get a few hours of sleep ( I am a six footer plus.). Breakfast was your usual fairly tasteless omelet, but the coffee was damn fine !!. Arrival was at 6am. The business class passengers have a dedicated immigration lane so that was very expeditious. We had a private car transfer from the airport to Hua Hin and then onto the Evason, driving time was just under 3 hours . The trip skirted the main part of Bangkok.
We arrived at the Evason Hua Hin feeling fairly relaxed, check in was friendly and easy and our room was ready for us despite it being before noon. We had a pool villa which entailed a large bed (with mosquito netting suspended above it. Television, dvd player and stereo ( there is a large selection of dvd’s available to borrow !) Outside is a very private courtyard which holds a private pool, sunbeds, a huge bath in the middle of a very pretty lotus pond, a small covered area with a comfortable day bed. There is also an outdoor shower set up with dual showerheads ( as per usual in most asian countries…don’t drink the water coming out of the shower !!) The toilet and handbasin are just inside. The room is air conditioned or if you prefer there is a ceiling fan. I can’t stress enough just how private the pool villas are, there is a slide system just outside the entry door and if you push it across for privacy…that what you get. We got some great sun and the bonus in September….virtually no insects !!
Lunch was at the Beach restaurant on the property, essentially trying to have a Mediterranean feel , menu reflecting that with pizza and pasta. They didn’t quite get it right. The position is great though, comfortable chairs overlooking the sea.
Our flight left Brisbane International airport at 1 minute to midnight. We flew Thai Airways business class ( (called Silk Class) direct to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The flight was uneventful as we both had a few Champagnes in the lounge in Brisbane ( they share a lounge with Air New Zealand.) . The business seats are the shell style that lie nearly flat, reasonably comfortable and certainly long enough for me to get a few hours of sleep ( I am a six footer plus.). Breakfast was your usual fairly tasteless omelet, but the coffee was damn fine !!. Arrival was at 6am. The business class passengers have a dedicated immigration lane so that was very expeditious. We had a private car transfer from the airport to Hua Hin and then onto the Evason, driving time was just under 3 hours . The trip skirted the main part of Bangkok.
We arrived at the Evason Hua Hin feeling fairly relaxed, check in was friendly and easy and our room was ready for us despite it being before noon. We had a pool villa which entailed a large bed (with mosquito netting suspended above it. Television, dvd player and stereo ( there is a large selection of dvd’s available to borrow !) Outside is a very private courtyard which holds a private pool, sunbeds, a huge bath in the middle of a very pretty lotus pond, a small covered area with a comfortable day bed. There is also an outdoor shower set up with dual showerheads ( as per usual in most asian countries…don’t drink the water coming out of the shower !!) The toilet and handbasin are just inside. The room is air conditioned or if you prefer there is a ceiling fan. I can’t stress enough just how private the pool villas are, there is a slide system just outside the entry door and if you push it across for privacy…that what you get. We got some great sun and the bonus in September….virtually no insects !!
Lunch was at the Beach restaurant on the property, essentially trying to have a Mediterranean feel , menu reflecting that with pizza and pasta. They didn’t quite get it right. The position is great though, comfortable chairs overlooking the sea.
Oct 4th, 2008, 03:08 AM
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
part 2
The rest of the day was spent laying around our own pool. Late in the afternoon Lisa and I wandered just down the road from the resort and she had a massage done by the local ladies next to the beach, which became a pedicure as well. 700 baht well spent. They plied me with chilled local pineapple while I waited….sweet and juicy is an understatement.
After that we had another swim and at about 4pm we hired a couple of the resorts bicycles and did one of the recommended loops…about 15 kilometers….but all very flat. We cycled through a couple of small fishing villages and past a part of the national park with a local temple in it. Its an activity I can recommend.
Dinner was at the resorts signature restaurant. A Thai menu, a couple of so so entrees followed by a fantastic stuffed squid dish and a plate full of huge prawns in a spicy sauce…….all washed down with icy cold Singhas. We ate outside and it was a very relaxing evening. So far so good !
An early start, we went for a walk along the beach to the north and watched some local families throw cast nets for their breakfast. By the time we turned around and headed back for a swim and shower it was quite warm. We had included in our rate a buffet breakfast each morning, and it was great !! The lovely ladies in the egg station fashioned an omelete to my specification every morning. The coffee is great !! Never had a bad coffee anywhere in Thailand.
The rest of the day was spent doing absolutely nothing !! Lunch at the bar from the tapas menu. The tapas menu features quite a few tasty thai inspired tidbits..very nice.
About 5pm we took the hotel shuttle into Hua Hin to have a look around. It takes about 30 minutes to get into town and the drive itself was visually interesting.
Hua Hin is a busy small city on the coast, we saw lots of tourist folks wandering around. We managed to get past a dozen or so tailors without being dragged in for a fitting…they do get insistent at times and I love the “tailoring” of the accent to suit where they think you come from !
The night markets are your average market, some junk, some good stuff, lots of great looking local food and best of all tons of interesting people !!
We ended up sitting down to have a couple of cold beers and it turned into two more and then ended up being dinner….great food and SO cheap. Six large beers, 6 dishes and rice and a grand total of 660 baht. By the time we got back to the Evason all we could manage was a quick shower and a good nights sleep.
The rest of the day was spent laying around our own pool. Late in the afternoon Lisa and I wandered just down the road from the resort and she had a massage done by the local ladies next to the beach, which became a pedicure as well. 700 baht well spent. They plied me with chilled local pineapple while I waited….sweet and juicy is an understatement.
After that we had another swim and at about 4pm we hired a couple of the resorts bicycles and did one of the recommended loops…about 15 kilometers….but all very flat. We cycled through a couple of small fishing villages and past a part of the national park with a local temple in it. Its an activity I can recommend.
Dinner was at the resorts signature restaurant. A Thai menu, a couple of so so entrees followed by a fantastic stuffed squid dish and a plate full of huge prawns in a spicy sauce…….all washed down with icy cold Singhas. We ate outside and it was a very relaxing evening. So far so good !
An early start, we went for a walk along the beach to the north and watched some local families throw cast nets for their breakfast. By the time we turned around and headed back for a swim and shower it was quite warm. We had included in our rate a buffet breakfast each morning, and it was great !! The lovely ladies in the egg station fashioned an omelete to my specification every morning. The coffee is great !! Never had a bad coffee anywhere in Thailand.
The rest of the day was spent doing absolutely nothing !! Lunch at the bar from the tapas menu. The tapas menu features quite a few tasty thai inspired tidbits..very nice.
About 5pm we took the hotel shuttle into Hua Hin to have a look around. It takes about 30 minutes to get into town and the drive itself was visually interesting.
Hua Hin is a busy small city on the coast, we saw lots of tourist folks wandering around. We managed to get past a dozen or so tailors without being dragged in for a fitting…they do get insistent at times and I love the “tailoring” of the accent to suit where they think you come from !
The night markets are your average market, some junk, some good stuff, lots of great looking local food and best of all tons of interesting people !!
We ended up sitting down to have a couple of cold beers and it turned into two more and then ended up being dinner….great food and SO cheap. Six large beers, 6 dishes and rice and a grand total of 660 baht. By the time we got back to the Evason all we could manage was a quick shower and a good nights sleep.
Oct 4th, 2008, 07:37 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great reading. Post more please.
And, how is the beach by the Evason? The beaches generally? We are wondering if maybe Hua Hin is an easy great beach to get to from BKK. Or, with the three hour drive it might make sense to fly down the coast a bit. Thanks. Tengo
And, how is the beach by the Evason? The beaches generally? We are wondering if maybe Hua Hin is an easy great beach to get to from BKK. Or, with the three hour drive it might make sense to fly down the coast a bit. Thanks. Tengo
Trending Topics
Oct 5th, 2008, 08:25 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great, lookiing forward to more. Pranburi is one of the main pineapple growing areas so you don't get fresher than from down the road, we always stop and buy from the roadside, excellent.
I guess you probably ate at the restaurant just past Evason, that is where we stop to eat in that area.
I think you summed up the area when you mentioned about taking the bike ride, in my opinion it's not a Krabi style but it is 'relaxing' and along that coast there are those fishing villages and local rural areas which are well away from the throngs that you get in many areas.
I am a big fan of that coast as others know, bordwatching wetlands, coastal beaches, rivers, mountains, plantations, local small temples, a very different area, goo that places like Evason, Aleenta etc set up there and managed to retain the style.
I guess you probably ate at the restaurant just past Evason, that is where we stop to eat in that area.
I think you summed up the area when you mentioned about taking the bike ride, in my opinion it's not a Krabi style but it is 'relaxing' and along that coast there are those fishing villages and local rural areas which are well away from the throngs that you get in many areas.
I am a big fan of that coast as others know, bordwatching wetlands, coastal beaches, rivers, mountains, plantations, local small temples, a very different area, goo that places like Evason, Aleenta etc set up there and managed to retain the style.
Oct 5th, 2008, 08:28 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tengo, a point often not though about is that although it is a 2.5 (HH ) or 3 hours drive ( Pranburi area ) that is 'direct'.
So once you arrive at BKK airport ( or get into a taxi/limo from a bangkok hotel ) there is no waiting for a flight or checking in, it is straight to you car or limo and that takes you right to your resort or hotel, so 3 hours in 'total' is not bad at all.
Even with budget flights it is still cheap for transport to get to these places.
So once you arrive at BKK airport ( or get into a taxi/limo from a bangkok hotel ) there is no waiting for a flight or checking in, it is straight to you car or limo and that takes you right to your resort or hotel, so 3 hours in 'total' is not bad at all.
Even with budget flights it is still cheap for transport to get to these places.
Oct 6th, 2008, 01:56 AM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Marko, We stayed at the Evason about 4 years ago shortly after it opened as the Evason - also in a pool villa - it was one of the nicest stays we have ever had. I confess we hardly left the villa - just so nice - we had one with an extra big garden, pool, jaccuzi and the open bath - lucky draw for us - really nice to just veg out. At the time the resident manager was an aussie (as was the GM) he said that often they didn't see the clients from start to finish of the holiday as they holed up in their villas. Having been to Hua Hin many times we didn't even bother leaving the resort for 10 or so days!
Looking forward to the rest of your report.
Looking forward to the rest of your report.
Oct 6th, 2008, 03:48 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The area seems very interesting. Small towns on the ocean are a real draw. And certainly easy to get to. I see there looks to be a new Alilla hotel, near Cha Am. It is a SEAsian chain, with one in Ubud. Anyway, I don't think Cha Am is in Hua Hin, but might be within 30 minutes or so. Did you happen to pass by there? Beaches are similar in Cha Am as in Hua Hin? Thanks.
Oct 6th, 2008, 04:23 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cha Am and Hua Hin are next to eachother, one flows into the other, because Cha Am is not so well known as Hua Hin some of the resorts along that area call themselves 'Hua Hin' when in fact it's Cha Am, also like the Dusit and the new Courtyard by Marriott which is technically in Cha Am but they are now promoting as in Hua Hin.
Most of the main resorts are on sections of beach that runs from Cha Am through to Hua Hin. So many are in fact 'closer' to HH than CA.
Alila have only glanced at ( curiosity ) it is expensive and I guess it is called 'minimalist', for the price there are ni cer like Asara Villas and Suites and the smaller Haven resort.
The beach around Dusit and Courtyard by Marruiot is ok down to around Sheraton, but then not so great past Anantara and then you loose it once in the fishing pier area, then good from Sofitel south.
Beach is not so tropical style but the plus side is that these places are 'right on the beach' as there are no beach roads.
Hotels are pricey compared with say pattaya / Jomtien but they get full as it is still the place 'so many' Bangkok residents head to at the w/end.
Most of the main resorts are on sections of beach that runs from Cha Am through to Hua Hin. So many are in fact 'closer' to HH than CA.
Alila have only glanced at ( curiosity ) it is expensive and I guess it is called 'minimalist', for the price there are ni cer like Asara Villas and Suites and the smaller Haven resort.
The beach around Dusit and Courtyard by Marruiot is ok down to around Sheraton, but then not so great past Anantara and then you loose it once in the fishing pier area, then good from Sofitel south.
Beach is not so tropical style but the plus side is that these places are 'right on the beach' as there are no beach roads.
Hotels are pricey compared with say pattaya / Jomtien but they get full as it is still the place 'so many' Bangkok residents head to at the w/end.
Oct 7th, 2008, 03:56 AM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
p3
Another early start for a walk along the beach before breakfast ( and before it got too hot). The beaches are very very clean, but of course coming from Australia they are not really beaches without rolling surf ! LOL. There are plenty of small signs warning about jelly fish but we did not see one !! Not in the water and not washed up. After breakfast….did I mention the egg ladies !!!...we had an excursion booked to Phraya Nakon cave, home of King Rama V’s throne.
We took the speedboat option and despite its ageing appearance it got us down the coast quickly. The first stop is Monkey Island to feed the local tribe of ?White? monkeys, the little ones are allowed to climb onto the boat and the guide supplies mini bananas to feed the cute but greedy little buggers. The skipper keeps a stick handy to keep the big ones away…apparantly they can get a bit excited and bite!!.
Another ten minutes and we arrive at the beach front of the cave climb, there is a restaurant and clean toilets there, as well as some friendly dogs. The dogs seem to decide who will accompany you on the climb. The climb is steep and I can say that Workplace health and safety rules don’t apply to the walkway. The guide allows for a few stops and plenty of water is drunk . The cave is pretty damn big and is basically a collapsed cave, allowing sunlight in. The throne sits in a raised section in the middle and the light seems to lance down upon it highlighting the gilt and detail. An impressive sight and worth the 35 minutes climb. The walk back is slightly easier but does highlight how steep some parts are. Back in the speedboat for a five minute run to Brassiere Beach, the two pert islands just off shore will let you know why its called Brassiere beach.
The restaurant there is stunning, very Greek inspired architecture and a lovely pool. We are met by cocktails from our own personal “ladyboy” who looked after us for the entire meal with typical Thai grace and humour. Lunch was lovely, fresh and very Thai. Probably our best meal of the trip and we enjoyed a post prandial snooze under a shady tree.
A quick swim to wake up and a flying trip back to the Evason. We swam and read for the rest of the day before a series of cocktails ( including Fiona’s Mai Tai) , and dinner was just a few small plates from the Tapas menu. A very enjoyable day.
Another early start for a walk along the beach before breakfast ( and before it got too hot). The beaches are very very clean, but of course coming from Australia they are not really beaches without rolling surf ! LOL. There are plenty of small signs warning about jelly fish but we did not see one !! Not in the water and not washed up. After breakfast….did I mention the egg ladies !!!...we had an excursion booked to Phraya Nakon cave, home of King Rama V’s throne.
We took the speedboat option and despite its ageing appearance it got us down the coast quickly. The first stop is Monkey Island to feed the local tribe of ?White? monkeys, the little ones are allowed to climb onto the boat and the guide supplies mini bananas to feed the cute but greedy little buggers. The skipper keeps a stick handy to keep the big ones away…apparantly they can get a bit excited and bite!!.
Another ten minutes and we arrive at the beach front of the cave climb, there is a restaurant and clean toilets there, as well as some friendly dogs. The dogs seem to decide who will accompany you on the climb. The climb is steep and I can say that Workplace health and safety rules don’t apply to the walkway. The guide allows for a few stops and plenty of water is drunk . The cave is pretty damn big and is basically a collapsed cave, allowing sunlight in. The throne sits in a raised section in the middle and the light seems to lance down upon it highlighting the gilt and detail. An impressive sight and worth the 35 minutes climb. The walk back is slightly easier but does highlight how steep some parts are. Back in the speedboat for a five minute run to Brassiere Beach, the two pert islands just off shore will let you know why its called Brassiere beach.
The restaurant there is stunning, very Greek inspired architecture and a lovely pool. We are met by cocktails from our own personal “ladyboy” who looked after us for the entire meal with typical Thai grace and humour. Lunch was lovely, fresh and very Thai. Probably our best meal of the trip and we enjoyed a post prandial snooze under a shady tree.
A quick swim to wake up and a flying trip back to the Evason. We swam and read for the rest of the day before a series of cocktails ( including Fiona’s Mai Tai) , and dinner was just a few small plates from the Tapas menu. A very enjoyable day.
Oct 7th, 2008, 06:57 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow you walked up those stairs to the "cave"! It took me forever to climb that in the humidity and I needed a 2 hours spa session afterward.
How was the golf at Black Mountain?
Since you've been back the trouble has started again with more protest. I think you came at just the right time!!
How was the golf at Black Mountain?
Since you've been back the trouble has started again with more protest. I think you came at just the right time!!
Oct 7th, 2008, 04:46 PM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, it does sound terrific. How far is the boat ride to Monkey Island, and is the beach there very pretty?
James: I looked at Asara Villas and Haven Resort online. Both look really nice. Are both in town, more or less? They seem to have very nice rooms in a smaller setting. Likewise, the Hyatt seems very nice and, I think, not too big - which is what we would prefer.
On the political front - yes things don't look good. It is sad for the Thai people and Thai democracy, and tourism.
Tengo
James: I looked at Asara Villas and Haven Resort online. Both look really nice. Are both in town, more or less? They seem to have very nice rooms in a smaller setting. Likewise, the Hyatt seems very nice and, I think, not too big - which is what we would prefer.
On the political front - yes things don't look good. It is sad for the Thai people and Thai democracy, and tourism.
Tengo
Oct 7th, 2008, 08:23 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did that climb more than 10 years back, when we have gone since stayed having a drink on the nearby beach.
Asara, Haven etc and many of the new places are north of town past the aiport which is then in fact Cha Am but still nearer to HH. You donb't get Hyatt / Sofitel style facilities.
If you don't need private pool or anything but you want a suite or villa and want to be walking distance of town center the Baan Laksasubha is ' a gem', they are suites and villas just past Sofitel, right on the beach, pool is not large but the accommodation has been done seemingly with 'no expense spared' and they are the 1920's style, aka Sofitel / Wors Bura. Not cheap but the benefit of being on the beach, in town, beautiful style and design.
http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/huahin/laksasubha/
Owner and family take 'personal' pride in the place, and it shows.
Hyatt is popular, for something smaller and again 'Sofitel style' the Wora Bura is nice, large gardens and good size pool, on the beach.http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/huahin/worabura/
The Sofitel has some pool villas but can be overlooked by the towering Hilton.
Prices for hotels and resorts are zoooming up, quiet time we vcan get good deals but busy time ( and almost every weekend ) have to go for smaller places, we try now to plan outisde of weekends but not easy.
I'll update later as off that way after lunch.
But if you want a private pool then that is very different and many honestly do not have the 'location', quite a few in fact several km inland, so you get a small little pool but you don't get the beach!
Asara, Haven etc and many of the new places are north of town past the aiport which is then in fact Cha Am but still nearer to HH. You donb't get Hyatt / Sofitel style facilities.
If you don't need private pool or anything but you want a suite or villa and want to be walking distance of town center the Baan Laksasubha is ' a gem', they are suites and villas just past Sofitel, right on the beach, pool is not large but the accommodation has been done seemingly with 'no expense spared' and they are the 1920's style, aka Sofitel / Wors Bura. Not cheap but the benefit of being on the beach, in town, beautiful style and design.
http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/huahin/laksasubha/
Owner and family take 'personal' pride in the place, and it shows.
Hyatt is popular, for something smaller and again 'Sofitel style' the Wora Bura is nice, large gardens and good size pool, on the beach.http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/huahin/worabura/
The Sofitel has some pool villas but can be overlooked by the towering Hilton.
Prices for hotels and resorts are zoooming up, quiet time we vcan get good deals but busy time ( and almost every weekend ) have to go for smaller places, we try now to plan outisde of weekends but not easy.
I'll update later as off that way after lunch.
But if you want a private pool then that is very different and many honestly do not have the 'location', quite a few in fact several km inland, so you get a small little pool but you don't get the beach!
Oct 8th, 2008, 04:32 AM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From what I can see on the internet two of the nicest, as far as what we are looking for, might be the Asara Villas and the smaller Haven resort. Are those two north, or south, of town? Both are on the beach? Both are kept up to date?
The Hyatt seems impressive but I think it may be a bit "too much" for us as far as "resort" etc. Though the Sheraton looks spanking new and very pretty. Ditto the Anantara.
Is it the case that there are lots of good restaurants and such in HH? Thanks.
The Hyatt seems impressive but I think it may be a bit "too much" for us as far as "resort" etc. Though the Sheraton looks spanking new and very pretty. Ditto the Anantara.
Is it the case that there are lots of good restaurants and such in HH? Thanks.
Oct 9th, 2008, 06:34 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
p4
A much less strenuous start to the day, the climb yesterday was hard !! Breakfast was superb again.
Todays excursion starts at 9:00 am and
sees us taking a mini bus close to the Myanmar border, in the
jungle west of Hua Hin. On the way you get the Pineapple information tour, which involves stopping the bus on the side of the road and standing on the edge of a pineapple field while the guide tells you about pineapples... I could live without it ! onto the bus again for the drive to the national park (through some interesting border gates !??!), this area leads
to Pala-U, a 15 –tier waterfall, legendary for its
clouds of butterflies. We saw quite a few butterflies but they are very small. The walk through the national park to reach the first level of the waterfall and then
continue to climb up to the third stage. Its a fairly easy walk with a couple of slippery spots...good shoes are essential ! You can then swim in the natural pools but it was a bit cool for us. The fish ( a variety of Carp) in the pools are quite amazing, there are hundreds of them, make sure you buy some fish food at the ticket place they go absolutely ape when you toss the food in the water. The fun trick is to put your feet in the water and pour a handfull of food on your feet, you receive the legendary Pala-U piscatorial pedicure !! LOL Some of the fish mistake your toes for food and you end up with fish sucking your toes...a most unusual feeling !! The walk back was uneventfull except for an exquisite green tree snake that I spotted just above the guides head as we walked back....she freaked !!
The drive back saw us stop at a pretty dodgy roadside restaurant for lunch, the food was OK, the plastic chairs and blareing TV in the background wasn't .
The next stop was a contentious one, Lisa didn't want to stop at the Elephant park as she absolutely hates caged animals. Me, I was curious to see them up close. The experience isn't one I hold fondly, it was tacky and the "opportunity" to donate more cash was offered to us way too many times. The little show that they put on after the obligatory ride on the elephant was a dreadful way to see these magnificent animal. Lisa was right !! I can't recommend this tour at all.
Back to the Evason mid afternoon, shower, swim ,read, relax.
The GM's welcome drinks at 5pm was lots of fun, lots of free drinks ( including a very respectable french red wine !), lots of nibbles, free massages and samples of local products. we had some woderfull conversation with other guests, mainly german, french and english and one aussie couple on their honeymoon. if you are invited make sure you go...its not a hard sell its a social event !! By the time we finished the chin wagging and drinking we finished off with more tapas and an early night !
A much less strenuous start to the day, the climb yesterday was hard !! Breakfast was superb again.
Todays excursion starts at 9:00 am and
sees us taking a mini bus close to the Myanmar border, in the
jungle west of Hua Hin. On the way you get the Pineapple information tour, which involves stopping the bus on the side of the road and standing on the edge of a pineapple field while the guide tells you about pineapples... I could live without it ! onto the bus again for the drive to the national park (through some interesting border gates !??!), this area leads
to Pala-U, a 15 –tier waterfall, legendary for its
clouds of butterflies. We saw quite a few butterflies but they are very small. The walk through the national park to reach the first level of the waterfall and then
continue to climb up to the third stage. Its a fairly easy walk with a couple of slippery spots...good shoes are essential ! You can then swim in the natural pools but it was a bit cool for us. The fish ( a variety of Carp) in the pools are quite amazing, there are hundreds of them, make sure you buy some fish food at the ticket place they go absolutely ape when you toss the food in the water. The fun trick is to put your feet in the water and pour a handfull of food on your feet, you receive the legendary Pala-U piscatorial pedicure !! LOL Some of the fish mistake your toes for food and you end up with fish sucking your toes...a most unusual feeling !! The walk back was uneventfull except for an exquisite green tree snake that I spotted just above the guides head as we walked back....she freaked !!
The drive back saw us stop at a pretty dodgy roadside restaurant for lunch, the food was OK, the plastic chairs and blareing TV in the background wasn't .
The next stop was a contentious one, Lisa didn't want to stop at the Elephant park as she absolutely hates caged animals. Me, I was curious to see them up close. The experience isn't one I hold fondly, it was tacky and the "opportunity" to donate more cash was offered to us way too many times. The little show that they put on after the obligatory ride on the elephant was a dreadful way to see these magnificent animal. Lisa was right !! I can't recommend this tour at all.
Back to the Evason mid afternoon, shower, swim ,read, relax.
The GM's welcome drinks at 5pm was lots of fun, lots of free drinks ( including a very respectable french red wine !), lots of nibbles, free massages and samples of local products. we had some woderfull conversation with other guests, mainly german, french and english and one aussie couple on their honeymoon. if you are invited make sure you go...its not a hard sell its a social event !! By the time we finished the chin wagging and drinking we finished off with more tapas and an early night !
