Day 2, Thursday 16th March - Surat Thani
Committed.......Yesterday we committed to a journey south of around 450 kilometres. Booking ahead are the way things are these days in Thailand. It's clear that since Covid demand is outstripping supply, and we can't just rely on turning up anymore. At the very least we need to call ahead the night before. With this loss of flexibility there is always a chance that what we book may not turn out to be suitable or there may be other options which we've overlooked. Well, we'll just have to wait and see tonight as we depart Hua Hin at around 10:30am.
Khao Kolok.......Things are quite relaxed as we head south but to break up this long trip, I afford the luxury of visiting a location that's one of my favourites. It does need a bit of a detour, but it shouldn't delay us too much. The location in question is in Pranburi district about 30 minutes south of Hua Hin.
Khao Kolok or ‘Skull Mountain’ it is an isolated hill right on the shoreline but with sandy beaches stretching on either side. Khao Kolok Beach to the north falls within the Khao Ko Sa Forest Park. It is therefore kept clean and tidy and free from rubbish by park staff. Although this is a lovely little beach it's a little too far from a major town so is therefore quiet except perhaps for weekends. I've given myself the luxury of coming here and finding that the tide is out which increases the options to explore. However, 30 minutes is all that we can spare today as we must return back to the Petchkasem Hwy and continue south. Passing Wat Khao Kolok we emerge on the southern side of the mountain whereby contrast there is commercial activity with a large collection of fishing boats in the bay. Unfortunately, this goes hand in hand with neglect in keeping the beach clear of rubbish. Nevertheless, the coastal road continues as the majestic hills of Khao Sam Roi Yot come into view then soon disappear as we head inland again.
Making Inroads.......We rejoin the highway north of Prachuap Khiri Khan, but we've hardly made inroads into that 450-kilometre journey. However, as boring as it is at times, we make good progress even allowing for lunch and comfort breaks. Consistently the estimated time to our destination registers as no later than 5pm. This will give us plenty of time to settle in before dark.
Cool Air at the Water's Edge.......I should mention that the choice and booking of tonight's accommodation is not mine and I am slightly surprised that my companion has accepted bungalow style accommodation rather than the usual hotels or serviced apartments but right on queue we arrive at our destination which as expected is a bit off the beaten track.
Rim Nam Lomyen translates as 'cool air by the water's edge' and that gives a clue to this accommodation's location as it sits nicely beside a klong (canal) in a cool lush, forested area. The accommodation itself is a bit small but I would just call it homely. By way of catering the only thing provided is a hot water bouser for coffee or tea and a microwave so we will need to go out of, course, to find something for dinner as well as bring back anything that we now might need overnight. One consolation is that at this resort we are relatively close to Surat Thani city which can be reached within 15 minutes. Fortunately, there is enough daylight to go out and explore our new surroundings.
Koh Lamphu Public Park.......Heading towards the city, searches reward us with a gorgeous view of the Ta Pi River at sunset. Here also lies the Koh Lamphu Public Park, a curious park located actually in the Ta Pi River, a magnet for those who just want some fresh air and exercise. After an interesting grill-type meal at Organic Cafe, we make our way back to Rim Nam Lomyen before dark.
Next Page.
Committed.......Yesterday we committed to a journey south of around 450 kilometres. Booking ahead are the way things are these days in Thailand. It's clear that since Covid demand is outstripping supply, and we can't just rely on turning up anymore. At the very least we need to call ahead the night before. With this loss of flexibility there is always a chance that what we book may not turn out to be suitable or there may be other options which we've overlooked. Well, we'll just have to wait and see tonight as we depart Hua Hin at around 10:30am.
Khao Kolok.......Things are quite relaxed as we head south but to break up this long trip, I afford the luxury of visiting a location that's one of my favourites. It does need a bit of a detour, but it shouldn't delay us too much. The location in question is in Pranburi district about 30 minutes south of Hua Hin.
Khao Kolok or ‘Skull Mountain’ it is an isolated hill right on the shoreline but with sandy beaches stretching on either side. Khao Kolok Beach to the north falls within the Khao Ko Sa Forest Park. It is therefore kept clean and tidy and free from rubbish by park staff. Although this is a lovely little beach it's a little too far from a major town so is therefore quiet except perhaps for weekends. I've given myself the luxury of coming here and finding that the tide is out which increases the options to explore. However, 30 minutes is all that we can spare today as we must return back to the Petchkasem Hwy and continue south. Passing Wat Khao Kolok we emerge on the southern side of the mountain whereby contrast there is commercial activity with a large collection of fishing boats in the bay. Unfortunately, this goes hand in hand with neglect in keeping the beach clear of rubbish. Nevertheless, the coastal road continues as the majestic hills of Khao Sam Roi Yot come into view then soon disappear as we head inland again.
Making Inroads.......We rejoin the highway north of Prachuap Khiri Khan, but we've hardly made inroads into that 450-kilometre journey. However, as boring as it is at times, we make good progress even allowing for lunch and comfort breaks. Consistently the estimated time to our destination registers as no later than 5pm. This will give us plenty of time to settle in before dark.
Cool Air at the Water's Edge.......I should mention that the choice and booking of tonight's accommodation is not mine and I am slightly surprised that my companion has accepted bungalow style accommodation rather than the usual hotels or serviced apartments but right on queue we arrive at our destination which as expected is a bit off the beaten track.
Rim Nam Lomyen translates as 'cool air by the water's edge' and that gives a clue to this accommodation's location as it sits nicely beside a klong (canal) in a cool lush, forested area. The accommodation itself is a bit small but I would just call it homely. By way of catering the only thing provided is a hot water bouser for coffee or tea and a microwave so we will need to go out of, course, to find something for dinner as well as bring back anything that we now might need overnight. One consolation is that at this resort we are relatively close to Surat Thani city which can be reached within 15 minutes. Fortunately, there is enough daylight to go out and explore our new surroundings.
Koh Lamphu Public Park.......Heading towards the city, searches reward us with a gorgeous view of the Ta Pi River at sunset. Here also lies the Koh Lamphu Public Park, a curious park located actually in the Ta Pi River, a magnet for those who just want some fresh air and exercise. After an interesting grill-type meal at Organic Cafe, we make our way back to Rim Nam Lomyen before dark.
Next Page.
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
Khao Kolok Beach, Pak Nam Pran,
Pranburi District
Fishing Village, Khao Kolok, Pak Nam Pran,
Pranburi District
Surat Thani
Organic Cafe near Ko Lamphu Public Park, Mueang Surat Thani
Views from Ko Lamphu Public Park,
Mueang Surat Thani