Day 5, 9 November - Bangkok
Chaotic....... I wake this morning and attempt some self-catering. It's utter chaos as our belongings are strewn over the floor. The only other space available is on top of the fridge or on the table outside where you will be attacked by mosquitos. As we make the best of the situation, I'm at a low point and realise at last, Thailand is not that cheap anymore and that is likely to affect the way I go travelling in the future.
Arriving in Chanthaburi yesterday is not where I thought I would be but having given up the idea of returning to Koh Chang and with good coverage of attractions in Trat province, where else could I go apart from back to Bangkok? The problem is I'm a victim of my own success due to the fact that so much of these eastern provinces have been covered already. With uncertainty hanging over our schedule for today I first a locate an attraction which is a bit of a long shot.
Crab Fossil Museum....... The Crab Fossil Museum is located in Krachae, Na Yai Am District. It consists of a small hall where mainly crab fossils are kept in show cases and in a pit in the middle of the hall. There is very little information here and the museum is rather neglected. It's really not worth the detour but hey! No stone unturned right? With nothing more to add, we enter Klang District of Rayong Province where we were in the middle of October. What more is there to see here either? Well, one attraction has slipped through the net but first let's have an early lunch.
Rayong Botanical Garden....... Rayong Botanical Garden is located in Klang District and is a wetland habitat. The Centre promotes and supports ecotourism in Rayong province. It also collects plants and trees that cannot be grown in other regions, as well as conducting plant genetic research and conservation on public land spreading over an area of around 830 rai (328 acres). There are various species of plants; such as, Phruat (downy rose myrtle), Samet Khao (milk wood), Kok (sedge plant), Krachut (reed), etc.
One species dominates the park. Melaleuca cajuputi, commonly known as cajuput or white samet is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is widespread in Australia, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and the Torres Strait islands. It is a medium to tall tree with papery bark, silvery new growth and white or greenish flower spikes. It has important uses as a source of cajuput oil.
This attraction is free. You can walk through the park visiting the three islands that are connected by pedestrian bridges. This attraction could use up a couple of hours. You can also hire a bike or take a kayak. The rate for the kayak is 100 baht/hour but if you want a guide, you will pay more. For groups there are boats for 600 baht.
For my part I would enjoy taking the kayak, but my body is so full of aches and pains, I just couldn't sit comfortably in one. The bike could have been an option, but we decide to walk and that proves a delightful experience indeed with so many photo opportunities.
It's now mid-afternoon and we look at each other wondering what to do next. The fact is that we've covered the region between here and Bangkok quite well. Without crisscrossing the provinces crossing t's and dotting i's the only remaining option is to head back to base. This at least opens up an opportunity to do something different at the weekend.
The final action of the day apart from shopping is to call again at Chachoengsao Railway Junction Station. I wait for a service from Bangkok to Kabinburi then head back fighting the evening traffic around Bangkok. Next Page.
Chaotic....... I wake this morning and attempt some self-catering. It's utter chaos as our belongings are strewn over the floor. The only other space available is on top of the fridge or on the table outside where you will be attacked by mosquitos. As we make the best of the situation, I'm at a low point and realise at last, Thailand is not that cheap anymore and that is likely to affect the way I go travelling in the future.
Arriving in Chanthaburi yesterday is not where I thought I would be but having given up the idea of returning to Koh Chang and with good coverage of attractions in Trat province, where else could I go apart from back to Bangkok? The problem is I'm a victim of my own success due to the fact that so much of these eastern provinces have been covered already. With uncertainty hanging over our schedule for today I first a locate an attraction which is a bit of a long shot.
Crab Fossil Museum....... The Crab Fossil Museum is located in Krachae, Na Yai Am District. It consists of a small hall where mainly crab fossils are kept in show cases and in a pit in the middle of the hall. There is very little information here and the museum is rather neglected. It's really not worth the detour but hey! No stone unturned right? With nothing more to add, we enter Klang District of Rayong Province where we were in the middle of October. What more is there to see here either? Well, one attraction has slipped through the net but first let's have an early lunch.
Rayong Botanical Garden....... Rayong Botanical Garden is located in Klang District and is a wetland habitat. The Centre promotes and supports ecotourism in Rayong province. It also collects plants and trees that cannot be grown in other regions, as well as conducting plant genetic research and conservation on public land spreading over an area of around 830 rai (328 acres). There are various species of plants; such as, Phruat (downy rose myrtle), Samet Khao (milk wood), Kok (sedge plant), Krachut (reed), etc.
One species dominates the park. Melaleuca cajuputi, commonly known as cajuput or white samet is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is widespread in Australia, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and the Torres Strait islands. It is a medium to tall tree with papery bark, silvery new growth and white or greenish flower spikes. It has important uses as a source of cajuput oil.
This attraction is free. You can walk through the park visiting the three islands that are connected by pedestrian bridges. This attraction could use up a couple of hours. You can also hire a bike or take a kayak. The rate for the kayak is 100 baht/hour but if you want a guide, you will pay more. For groups there are boats for 600 baht.
For my part I would enjoy taking the kayak, but my body is so full of aches and pains, I just couldn't sit comfortably in one. The bike could have been an option, but we decide to walk and that proves a delightful experience indeed with so many photo opportunities.
It's now mid-afternoon and we look at each other wondering what to do next. The fact is that we've covered the region between here and Bangkok quite well. Without crisscrossing the provinces crossing t's and dotting i's the only remaining option is to head back to base. This at least opens up an opportunity to do something different at the weekend.
The final action of the day apart from shopping is to call again at Chachoengsao Railway Junction Station. I wait for a service from Bangkok to Kabinburi then head back fighting the evening traffic around Bangkok. Next Page.
Chanthaburi Province
Crab Fossil Museum, Krachae,
Na Yai Am District
Rayong Province
Rayong Botanical Garden, Chakphong, Klaeng District