Day 7, Thursday 13 October

Pak Meng Pier.......This morning we are prepared to take breakfast in the room. Yesterday I did no work on my blog but as there was not a great deal to record, just an hour is needed to complete it this morning. I also find the time to compile a list of attractions while we concentrate of the western districts of Trang Province. Feeling that I'm better prepared today we head out at a reasonable hour.
The first site location today on my wish list is just minutes away from Siathong Resort in Pak Beng. Pak Beng pier is a new pier constructed 30 years ago. The pier itself lies within view of some amazing limestone rock stacks found all along the Andaman coast. From this pier tour boats depart covering many nearby islands but in addition there are service boats reaching out as far Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket. It's worth it just to stay here a while for the views alone.
Rajamangala Beach.......Our next location is about 10 kilometres north from Pak Meng. At a roundabout on Rajamangala Beach is a lighthouse structure presumably just for show. We turn left to a beach called Haad Ratchamongkhon. However, this area is isolated, remote and unattended resulting in accumulation of debris on the shoreline making it unattractive to visit. In the limestone cliffs to the left is a sea cave.
Trang Aquarium.......Returning to the roundabout we go straight over and head along the beach road, the only building of any significance being on the right-hand side. This is the building housing Trang aquarium. We arrive here just in time for the start of the seal show. Here seals are trained to perform acrobatics to please a crowd. Unfortunately, Trang aquarium is poorly attended right now and there may be just a dozen people attending the show. One of the reasons for poor attendance we found is that Trang aquarium is been renovated so right now; only the seal show and information centre are open. Accordingly, they are just charging 30 baht for entrance. Marine life is currently held in holding tanks pending the completion of renovations. From what I can see of the work being carried out this will be an impressive building in the future. As well as fish this aquarium contains turtles from the Indo-Pacific region. These include green, leatherback and hawksbills.
Finally, I need a quick look around on the beach which involves a walk to take photos through the coastal strip of sea pine trees. It's worthy of note that shorelines that lend themselves to swimming and sunbathing are relatively few and far between. There is sand here but unsuitable for beach babes but what these beaches do have are gorgeous views of the islands in the distance.
Hua Hin Beach.......I head next further around the jagged coastline populated with estuaries and tributaries. 15 minutes more takes us to Hua Hin Beach. Well, the Hua Hin Beach I'm most familiar with is in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and while I'm not expecting anything like that popular beach, I wasn't expecting nothing at all. Not even a food seller. It's just another photo opportunity and we quickly move on.
Khao Chet Yot Cave.......I can't stray too far north along the coast so I head inland instead and the first location I come across is a cave at Khao Chet Yot, 'chet yot', meaning 7 peaks. It's also known as the Hermit's Cave. Arriving there is no surprise to find the cave is also a place of worship. However, the reference to hermit is quite appropriate since this location appears to support just a single monk, the footfall being too small to warrant temple status to attract funding for development which of course doesn't then attract visitors but, in any case, the cave is unspectacular. The next attraction is 15 minutes further north.
Amazing Khao Mai Kaew.......Amazing Khao Mai Kaew is amazing for the right people. It's an all-in-one theme park for children. As I don't think they would allow me on the slide, I'd better give this a miss.
Wangpamek Adventure Dinosaur Park.......The next destination is much harder to reach from the direction we're coming from. Effectively there are two attractions at the same location and I'm initially confused as I can't find the attraction I am looking for. Instead, I've arrived at the Adventure Dinosaur Park which is completely artificial. Huge dinosaur models dominate the valley in a wonderfully landscaped green park. There's even an artificial waterfall here. However, dinosaurs are not what I came looking for.
Skywalk.......The attraction for me is the Skywalk but if it is a skywalk modelled on the one in the Grand Canyon or indeed those, I know about in Nong Khai or Loei then surely, I would have heard about it. At the car park gazing out at those dinosaurs I learn what the Skywalk here means. Surrounded by hills and views the car park is right next to a rocky hill rising to around 660 metres. There is a trail to the summit. It's hard to tell from a distance because the hill is completely tree-lined but 660 sounds a lot to me. Nevertheless, I take a look, finding the staircase leading to the top. I shouldn't even think about but I'm somehow attracted to giving it a go even though I know it's impossible. I reach the first of the three levels but the stairs are relentless and on top of that, a section of the staircase has been washed away needing a rope secured to trees to aid the scramble over mud and tree roots. It's a nice try but I've started off with the wrong footwear: I was never prepared for such a challenge. It's time to head back.
I reflect on the fact that that this is one of few attractions apart from temples that is satisfied with donations as opposed to punitive entrance fees. Setting the navigation for Trang City, we call it a day, well nearly. The route takes us near another attraction but I fear there will be an entrance fee. I needn't have worried. It's a wildfowel park themed with models relating to human activity.
Water Park Season 2.......Water Park Season 2 is located on an island beautifully landscaped surrounded by a lake. Between January to May every year, flocks of teal migrating from Siberia fly here, build a nests and rear chicks in this swamp area. This water park is a tourist attraction in the district. Therefore, there has been a major improvement. In particular, the construction of roads around the pond to be used for walking, jogging, exercise, sightseeing, nature photography, and an annual race track whether it is a motorcycle or a vintage car contest. There is also a learning centre for history, tradition, and culture in Trang and other provinces on the Andaman coast. The model groups in the centre of the island are part of this.
No room at the Inn.......All I need to do now is guide Katoon out of the park and on to Trang City to find accommodation. Then for the first time on this trip while driving at least there is heavy rain. We seem to drive though the worst of it but as we reach the city there is heavy cloud. At this point I am searching for accommodation but the back-up plan is to locate Hop Inn which is part of a national chain. But heaven forbid, it’s full. Really? There now begins a more urgent need to find a room and the story is the same. Everywhere seems to be full which mirrors the situation as it was in Pak Meng. It soon becomes clear why. Today five years ago today. King Rama IX died so this is a public holiday. Being a Thursday, many people have tuned this into a long weekend. Right now, just turning up doesn't work.
Je t'aime Residence.......We continue to phone around until Katoon gets directed to Je t'aime Residence in the City. As we head for it I'm surprised that Trang is as large a city as it is. The road system is really confusing with no logical city plan but we find the hotel with verbal instructions from the residence itself. On arrival there is just one room left. Thankfully, it's reasonably priced and the building modern. It's rare for me to be in accommodation this close to the centre of a city and accordingly we drop everything and head out for dinner. There are many options within walking distance. Katoon seems to want to check everywhere out but we finally settle for something completely new to me.
Dim Sum is a style of dining where you choose small dishes which are put in a steamer then brought to your table. Together with other sides that don't require warming you can accumulate a good number of bamboo pots on your table. This is Chinese style and most popular in Thailand's southern provinces such as here in Trang, in Hat Yai and Songkhla.
Long Day.......Today has been a long day again as I've tried to cover the west of Trang province the best I can but even so there are sites that I've missed out and others that I should have left out but that's the whole point of me being here. It's to keep track of what each province has to offer. Tomorrow, as fortunately we are on the right side of the city, I intend to explore Kantang district to the south.
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