I wake this morning and start work on my blog, noting that I have to use a mobile phone's hotspot, the wifi signal not being strong enough for my laptop. There is also the inconvenience of not enough countertop space and the odd placement of plug sockets as noted yesterday. These are modern units. It's these small details that make a difference and involve little extra cost.
It's time to check what 'breakfast included' means. In the dining area, I see what I expected: toast, jam, and coffee, to which they've added some pastries, fruit, and dessert. It's quite basic, but for an extra payment I can order a cooked breakfast. We don't need that, but when I add everything up, I conclude that this accommodation is a bit overpriced. I intend to try somewhere else on our return north.
Now, just after 10:00 AM, we can continue our journey south, but it still niggles me that we have to miss some attractions in Thung Tako. I quickly adjust the timetable and head towards the coast.
First on my list is Tham Pla (Fish Cave). We eventually find it beside a small lake, but the effort is hardly worth it. There is a platform where you can feed the fish, but the lake is deserted, and it seems that the fish have to stay hungry. We now reach the coast amidst palm and rubber tree plantations. Almost everywhere along this part of the Chumphon coastline it's deserted. All I can do is look for photo opportunities. With nothing else to see except sand and sea, we head south, where progress is blocked by the Tako River. Here there is, though, a morning market and a few shops.
With little time used so far, we walk past Wat Chonlateepruksaram and notice a sign advertising a '100-year-old mangrove forest.' Here, beside the temple, they have built a walkway with a viewing tower. It's not exactly breathtaking, but it's great to wander around the site, chat with local people, and ultimately decide to take lunch here as well. Now, it's past midday, and we really need to make some progress.
We can't lose track of the fact that I need a second injection for my cellulitis. With everything we need supplied for us, we can choose which hospital to go to, and there is one on the way, sort of, and one we've used before, which should cut out some of the admin. Phunphin is a district to the west of Surat Thani, which is also the location of the provincial railway station on the State Railway's Southern Line. We check in, finding it unusually busy at the hospital for a Sunday. However, to have the option to just walk in is still amazing.
I busy myself writing these notes, by which time it's nearly 4:00 PM and I'm getting concerned. We understood that we could just walk in and I could get the injection, but it's becoming clear that they want a new consultation, and there's no indication that the only doctor on duty is available any time soon. Then things go from bad to worse when we are informed of an emergency as a result of a traffic accident due soon. We have a decision to make. There is no point in waiting here. Fortunately there is another option. We can head for another hospital 10 minutes away. However, the process of registration at Tha Rong Chang Hospital has to start all over again, and I'm in another queue for consultation. It's going to be a mad evening at a time that was supposed to be special for us.
At 5.00 PM there is a new doctor taking over, but there is already a queue formed. It takes another hour to see the doctor, who just rubber-stamps what has already been arranged. I'm now directed to casualty, the only facility open, to perform the injection. Finally around 7.00 PM the process is over, but there's still the best part of an hour to our booked accommodation, and we haven't had dinner yet. This is taken care of at Ban Ta Khun, still 30 minutes short of our destination. The final leg of our journey takes us into a restricted area under the control of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and we follow the instructions to collect keys at Baan Darlah.
The area around us is stunningly beautiful, although not tonight, as it is near 9.00 PM. Also stunning is the price of rooms here. I pay 1,500 baht/night, easily becoming the most expensive accommodation I've ever used in Thailand, except for being a hospital inpatient. Hmmmm! For the price I pay, there is excellent service, though. Baan Saeng Chan is a couple of kilometres further on beside what we've come for, the massive Cheow Lan Lake in the area of the Ratchaprapha Dam. This time of night, staff are available to escort us through this massive complex and locate our accommodation. My first impression of the room is that it's spacious and was built to a high standard at the time, but the brown furniture gives away its age. Other than that, I'm trying to figure out how to use the internet connection, which is supplied through EGAT.
My only other challenge tonight is to manage sleep with a drip line connection still in the back of my hand. Yes, I have another injection of antibiotics to 'enjoy' tomorrow, bringing the number of hospitals visited up to four, as we've been in transit for three days. The timing is awful, but accommodation had already been booked.
Finally, on a general note, I can't ever complain about the cost of medical treatment in Thailand's government hospitals, which I generally use. So far I've paid no more than I would have for food and sundries per day.

Source: Visit