After a difficult three days on the road, affected by my medical problem, we have a bit of breathing space. The day dawns with the promise of cloudless skies in an area of stunning beauty. At Ban Saeng Chan we overlook a small area of the Cheow Lan lake with views of jagged karst peaks in the distance. Thankfully, I slept OK despite my medical problem. The EGAT estate is vast, concentrating on the Ratchaprapha Dam, with the company offering quality accommodation as a sideline.
For breakfast, we have a coupon to present, but soon realise that it's good for only 100 baht. If you require more, such as the American breakfast, then you will pay extra. The restaurant is in a separate building from us and lies a kilometre away. From its elevated position, there are fantastic views of the lake and mountains beyond. Suitably refreshed, it's time to go travelling again.
We return to Ban Ta Khun, but our start this morning is so lethargic that it's not far off midday when we reach it. The priority now is to arrange for a third injection at a third hospital. At Ban Ta Khun Hospital, the morning patients have dispersed, but we get into the queue for the afternoon session. However, there is over an hour to wait now, and we decide to take an early lunch. That doesn't work well, as we arrive back well after 1:00 AM. We are supposed to be in a queue, but it appears the registration isn't complete, causing us to miss our slot. Why couldn't this be done before midday? It's now 1:30 PM, and quite a queue has developed, so here we go again, waiting for the doctor, but this time it's necessary to establish where we go from here. In my own mind, I feel there is little improvement after 24 hours. When I eventually get an examination, it's no surprise that he orders the continuation of intravenous injection. That has implications. Tomorrow we're on the move again. Yet again the afternoon has flown by, and by the time they remove the drip, it's gone 4.00 PM.
With no convenience food at our accommodation, we need to plan for an evening meal and decide to head for the Lotus's store in the town. At last, we have some free time, and I manage to set the stage for some consolation on my wife's birthday. First, I find a birthday cake and then go super romantic and order a KFC, lol. At least that will put a wry smile back on Katoon's face after what she's been through with me over the last few days. We head back to our room, but then opportunity knocks as we turn right towards the Ratchaprapha Dam. Here at the lakeside, there is plenty to see. First, we reach the main pier, where long-tailed boats ferry passengers around the lake: it's the only form of transport to reach lakeside raft-houses that are so popular. They also do day trips, and I recall the experience of that on a previous visit. It really is the only way to appreciate this massive man-made lake.
It's now approaching sunset, and I have to get out of the car after requesting Katoon to park while I take a video of the sunset over distant mountains, which is just magical. On the other side of the dam is a viewpoint. Despite the late hour, we decide to pause here with gorgeous views of the lake, taking out our camping chairs and consuming that KFC meal. There is now limited time before the facility closes, but this simple excursion means so much after a trying day.
We return to Ban Saeng Chan with some relief and find ourselves the only residents, so it seems. You really get a sense of isolation here. There is still one issue to be decided by tomorrow. Now we are supplied with another four days of antibiotics; it's a case of where to get the next injection done. That could be here at Ban Ta Khun or at our next destination, where I will need to register again at a new hospital.
As the day ends, there is mixed emotion. On the positive side, I've been able to keep to the tour plan, although that is driven by the accommodation being pre-booked. On the other hand, how unlucky have I been with the timing of this medical issue? There are two thoughts to end the day with. One is the consolation that we've not missed too much, having been here before, and the other is as a reminder that I should be slowing things down at my age anyway.

Source: Visit