Day 2 - Sunday 29 January 2017

Tour or holiday........Throughout my travels in S. E. Asia over the last six years I have always referred to my travels as tours not holidays as that is what they are. However I do acknowledge that often there’s correlation between the two. I regard tours as travelling independently from place to place recording information that I can use later while holidays are packages that tour operators provide. Of course these operators provide tours too and on my independent tours I can take a holiday but it's all about emphasis. While I’m sure to many I seem to be on permanent holiday I can assure them that rarely am I lazing around on a beach? Well not until now!
Ao Manao........Google Map. As explained yesterday, I find myself surrounded by resorts and beaches and as my previous tours this winter have covered a lot of ground this current tour is hopefully much more about sea and sand. So that being the case why am I planning a move today? At the very least I need to visit Ao Manao but as I’m packed and ready by 10am then changing rooms is also on the agenda but indecision is also, as we head back to Manao Bay. Ao Manao is an important attraction for Prachuap Kiri Khan yet has been missed off all my previous visits here. As I noted yesterday the important thing to know about this bay, is that it's controlled by the military; The Royal Thai Air force (RTAF) 5 Wing to be precise. What they have here is really special; one of the most beautiful bays in Thailand. Accordingly the RTAF is happy to welcome visitors providing security isn’t compromised. As I get my first glimpse of the bay I truly understand that if it wasn’t for the military this bay would be ruined by now. There are no high rise buildings but instead there are restaurants and some accommodation that feeds the hoards of day trippers who congregate on deckchairs along the half mile strip of sea pine trees. Those daytrippers include many foreigners who presumably are staying in the town of Prachuap Kiri Khan but or overnight stays you need to make a reservation in advance at the 53rd Squadron Contact: Tel: 032611017, 032 611031 ext.2146.

Lom Muak........Google Map. I feel like joining them but it’s still early. Katoon wants to carry on around the bay as she’s spotted something interesting. At the north end of the bay is a headland, a substantial rocky outcrop. It divides this bay from Prachuap Bay to the north. It’s from this point, heading inland, the military airstrip runs. If you wish to enter this area you can, by giving up your passport or ID card. The headland known as Lom Muak (circular hat) is more the shape of a hammerhead. The shaft is a causeway just a few hundred metres wide with spectacular views of both bays. There is no official commercial activity allowed here so what is the attraction? The signboard reads, ‘historic park’, but is it anything I’m familiar with? Well yes......more.

Japanese landings........At precisely the same time as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the Japanese came ashore all down the east coast of the Malay Peninsula on 7th December 1941. In Thailand there were six locations. I already knew about one in Chumphon but was not sure where the landings were in Prachuap. Now I know it was here and why wouldn’t it be where 5 Wing was located then, as it is today? The historic park is the location where a small defense force confronted a superior Japanese force during 7/8th December before ordered to lay down arms. At this point I discover there is a museum here. It consists of a collection of wooden buildings and is dedicated to those who lost their lives here in 1941. Over time the memorial has been expanded and now contains the relics of those who died near to the place where they fell. Understandably they are all national heroes but in the grand scheme of things, this would be historically insignificant but for one thing. It was the start of events that would lead to capitulation for the British in Malaya and Singapore......more.
RTAF Museum........Google Map. For foreigners there is a fee of 80 baht for the museum and as there is so little in the way of exhibits and narrative in English, I cannot recommend it unless you are with an English speaking guide. However the staff is really keen to introduce you to the story of the heroics of 5 Wing and you may consider it a good cause but as it is of historic importance to Thailand, where are the Thai people? On one of the busiest holiday periods of the year, you will find them sitting on the beach eating and drinking or praying at the temple. Here it’s quiet. They opened the buildings especially for us......more.

Langurs........There is one more attraction on the causeway that would appeal to a few more people and it's at the base of the hill, Lom Muak. The signboards read ‘beware of the langurs’ and sure enough there is a troop of them here and to cater for their needs and keep them interested someone is selling snacks. Well let’s see if this works out! Having established the fact that primates do bite, I’m initially quite cautious but these seem friendly enough, if a little boisterous and I just love the way their little fingers pick up the nuts so precisely from my hand but it’s now time to feed myself as we head back to Ao Manao. Here today’s tour ends and a holiday begins.

Sea, sand and food........We eat seafood on the beach sitting on deckchairs and at least I can say Thai curries in the south are the best in Thailand. For just lazing around and swimming in the bay, Ao Manao is just about right, not too remote as on Tioman for example but certainly not a Pattaya, Phuket or Cha-Am. But a number of activities are allowed including, banana boats, tubing and ATVs. There is also a mini zoo Google Map. Now approaching 4pm it’s clear we’re not going to venture very far today and return to Klong Wan where there are many choices for accommodation.

All quiet on the Western Front........We check out a number of resorts but the price everywhere is 800 baht as its high season. When we do find a better room, its spacious, right on the small beach here but oh dear! We’re now well over walking distance from the shops and I cannot get an internet signal. There won’t be another night in Klong Wan after this. Needing the car we then get some street food and beer, more or less a repeat of yesterday evening except that weekenders have returned home and all is quiet now on this front. Next Page.