Tips on Driving to Thailand - Part 3

To read Part 1 and Part 2

I am glad you are still following on the third part of Tips on Driving to Thailand.

Here's more...

At the Border
===========

It took about 5+ hours to reach the border at Kota Bahru from Selangor. With very little stops in between. Upon reaching the border, park your car on the reserved parking lots on the left.Don't simply stop anywhere. We learnt our lesson....


Each and every passenger is required to disembark and queue up at the Immigration Counters.Cars and Buses are different. Make sure you queue correctly.After getting a chop on the passport, the Driver can proceed to go to the counter to get his approval to Enter Thailand. Make sure you bring the documentations for your car along.Only the person stated on the Car Card can register the car.


Once that is completed, you can board your car. After passing the Immigration and upon entering Thailand, there is a small counter on your left whereby you are required to purchase Insurance. Just tell them how many days you need and they will process accordingly. I am not sure if this is a mandatory procedure but we have done this each time we enter Thailand.


Welcome to Thailand!!!


Map
===

Its good and almost a must to have a map with you. You can either purchase one from bookstore eg MPH. Alternatively, you can buy one in Thailand. 

We have a very simple map of the whole of Thailand with routes of highway. The map was purchased at one of the 7-11 outlet many years ago.

To get detailed map of each town, its a good idea to visit the Thailand tourism office at each town. They are very helpful and have heaps of  brochure for local destinations. We have taken most of ours  from them.  Be warned that most staff can speak English or at least broken ones but not all. 

You might be able to get from hotels too. If you find a large hotel, they sometimes provide.

Language
========

Language is a huge barrier at small towns. I scraped  through with my little Thai.  So there were almost no incident.

If  you don't know the language there are few ways to go  about

1. Bring a dictionary. Worst case scenario, point to the word in your bilingual dictionary.

2. Find out someone who speaks English reasonably well in the hotel you are staying and keep his number with you. Explain to him that you might need translation help in case of emergency. Quite often they are more than willing to assist. After all, Thailand is well known for being the Land of Smiles.

3. If you have a local friend, keep his number with you. Make sure you buy a local pre paid number.  It is very cheap but useful.  We always do that. In fact, we even bought two numbers, the last time.

Food
====

One of the best things about driving adventures in Thailand, is trying out local food. Needless to say, the Thai enjoys eating as much as we do, if not more.

I discovered while residing in Bangkok, that they are an eating- out-culture. Many houses does not even have kitchens.  There are heaps of small peddlers selling  food which provides for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts. Every corner.

Food are packed in small plastics which provides for a one person meal. Rice too.

Experience tells me to enter a crowded restaurant, if I am not familiar with the area. I know its a little wait. The Thais, like Malaysian, stick with the value-for-money mantra.

With this in mind, we discovered a restaurant along the way from Phatthalung to Nakhon Si Thammarat. It was absolutely delicious and the queue was horrendous, the service good, the food even better and value for money!  Till today, I still think about it.

Another way of finding good eateries is to ask the hotel staff.  Don't be shy.  They are not offended if you don't eat there.  Even if they are, they will not show it. Its the Land of Smiles.  I learnt that from local Thai friends. They seemed to do it at each hotel rather than scouting around.

Ordering Food
============

This can be tricky. I have a hard time remembering names of food. Very often we order by pointing at photos of food.  Of course there were costly mistakes.

Once at Phatthalung, last year, we ordered a cray fish with Thai salad. It was totally disgusting that we abandoned it after one bite. Other times we took recommendations from the waiter and ended up eating a whole platter of raw vegetables with a "sambal belacan" type of dip. Who wants to eat raw eggplants?

There is part 4 to come!

posted from Bloggeroid

posted from Bloggeroid

Tips on Driving to Thailand - Part 2

Read Tips on Driving to Thailand - Part 1


So, you are thinking about it, huh?  Its OK to think about it.


Here are some tips on preparations before embarking on your Adventurous Journey of a Lifetime to Thailand!


When Do You Want To Go?

You might want to check out the public holidays and seasons before deciding the timing of your trip.  What are the monsoon seasons and rainy seasons.  Or maybe winter.


Do Your Research

• Do some homework by researching on the internet. Decide a route. Be flexible though.

• With a rough guide on destination, then research the tourist attraction places.  You can collate a few places of interest.  Accumulate the information first and finalise it later. 

• Look up a few hotels/chalets.  If you do not want to book them, just get their numbers and address down, just in case you might need it when you get there.  

 Route

• There are 2 options on route from Malaysia into Thailand.  One of them is from Alor Setar and the other from Kota Bahru.  I have gone on both. 
• If you have a long holiday, then, you can go further up, towards Bangkok. But we didn't because we wanted to relax more rather than spending too much time on the road. Daily, a maximum of 3-4 hours of driving. And by 3pm, you should already be looking or have confirmed accommodation. If you don't already have bookings made. If its your first time driving to Thailand, you don't want to be over stressed thinking about where to stay.

Accommodation

• There are various accommodations ranging from THB1,000 (RM110) to THB10,000 (RM1,100) per night.  Depending on high season or low season... or normal chalets or luxurious self pampering 5 star resort and spa.  

• We try to stay a few days on normal accommodations and then pamper ourselves silly on a few nights in a nicer place.  But for your sanity, try to stay in a non luxurious place first and then upgrade to a nicer hotel and not the other way round.  If not, you might have some whiny and complaining kids. Or you might even feel the difference....

• My personal experience on accommodation... so far, I have not slept in the car.  No matter how busy - even on the 1st of Jan, I have always managed to get a place to stay.  But, it might not be the ideal location or luxury but it was good enough.  On both 1st of Jan in 2009 and 2010, we were in Hatyai en route home.  It was the probably the busiest time of the year but we still managed to get a room in the middle of town.

My 2010 trip was from Selangor - Kota Baharu - Sadao - Hatyai  (1 night) - Phattalung (1 night) - Nakhon Si Thammarat (1 night) - Khanom Beach (3 nights) - Nakhon Si Thammarat (1 night) - Hatyai (1 night) - Home

Car

• Ensure you serviced your car.  All your spare tires, tools and general condition of the car is good.
• Must bring along your Car Registration card and documentations regards to the car.  Ensure you are the owner of the car.  I am not sure if its OK to bring a borough car into Thailand.

More coming up....

Tips on Driving to Thailand - Part 1

Amazingly delicious Thai salad.  Fried anchovies, dried shrimp, cashew nuts, lemon grass, roasted squid, lemon and wrapped with that green leaf.  Mouth drooling....

Driving holidays to Thailand can be fun to those who are adventurous and enjoy the flexibility.

Its not just a holiday. Its life experiences.

Venturing to small little towns, restaurants, shops and chalets. Even discovering 'treasures' which money cannot buy. How do we put a price tag on life experiences that enriches our soul and makes us feel, "been there, done that" sense of achievement.

My family and I have driven to Thailand from Selangor, Malaysia twice for 2 consecutive years - 2009 and 2010. It has been an enjoyable experience. To say the least.

When I tell people about the driving holidays to Thailand, they will usually give a bewildered look. Something along the lines ....

"Are you crazy?"

or

"Who do you usually hang out with? Well, whoever it is, you gotta stop!"

or maybe

"Its been some years now that the aeroplane has been invented. You know?"

and occassionally

"How awesome is that?! Not."

I would have reacted the same way if I had not experienced 3 years of numerous inter-state holidays in our faithful Mazda Tribute SUV... From Bangkok to Phuket. Even to Chiang Rai.

But.

Driving from Malaysia was a whole different experience.

I will try to compile some information which I think will be useful.

Till the next post.....

Day 6 - 8: Khanom Beach to Hatyai & Home

Our last night in Khanom beach, we went to Hid Lad waterfall about 10 minutes from our accommodation. Its a small waterfall, not impressive in any way. Just fun for the kids to play. They had heaps of fun and... me too.

Cold... cold.... cold....

Brotherhood at its best!
To carry each other, literally :-)

The next day, just before we left for Nakhon Si Thammarat town, we met a good friend from Bangkok days, Taka, Nus and Jin. Its our first time meeting their cute little toddler, Jin. He is so cute!

Cheese!

We used to travel together with this couple and some other Thai friends. Nus used to plan everything and we just hop along. It was great fun! I will always cherish those fun moments. Taka and my kids used to play like crazy! It was a great reunion.

This is the "Perfect Peace" photo shot...
"A Son sleeping on the shoulders of his Daddy"

After catching up over lunch, we drove towards Nakhon city for a night and then drove towards home with a sleeping-stop at Hatyai.


To sum the trip, it was relaxing. The trip was neither too short nor too long. The food was fantastic! Absolutely undeniably incredibly great!!!! The food sealed the trip. Talking about love of food...


I managed to practice some Thai words for a week, the people of Thailand never failed to make my heart warm (except those in Hatyai).


Welcome was always on their faces, adorned with a smile.

Anyone for a road trip to Thailand?

(The 2010 Thailand Trip was taken from 25 Dec to 2 Jan 2011)

2009 Driving Adventure to South Thailand

Well, what do you know, I had this post in draft mode since forever .... Posting it now.


While staying in Bangkok, Thailand for 3 years, we did not manage to go to the most Southern part of Thailand due to its distance from Bangkok. But now that we have returned to Malaysia, its not that far away. So, we have decided to drive up.


There are many benefits of driving e.g. it gives us a lot of flexibility and possibility of adventure into small little towns, waterfalls and places which are not "touristic". Enjoying some of the local small towns. Cheap accommodation.


We didn't really draw up the whole route but we tried to be flexible.


Following were the route taken:

• Day 1 - Selangor to Alor Star, Kedah
  
• Day 2 - Alor Star to Thailand via Wang Kelian. Overnight in Pak Bara, La-ngu, Satun
• Day 3 - Pakbara to Had Samran, Trang
• Day 4 - Had Samran, Trang to Pak Meng Beach, Trang
• Day 5 - At Pak Meng Beach, Trang
• Day 6 - Pak Meng Beach, Trang to Khanom Beach, Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Day 7 - At Khanom Beach, Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Day 8 - Khanom Beach, Nakhon Si Thammarat To Town of Nakhon Si Thammarat
• Day 9 - Town of Nakhon Si Thammarat to Hat Yai
• Day 10 - In Hat Yai
• Day 11 - Hat Yai to Home Sweet Home

The above trip was taken from 23 Dec 2009 to 2 Jan 2010.

Scuba Diving for Joel

Scuba diving is one of the sport which Joel wanted to pick up, so, we took him to Koh Tao for a scuba diving course. We signed up for this course since May 08 but has not managed to go there. Now that we are leaving, we have no choice but to quickly make a trip and we did.


We took a scuba diving course with Easy Divers which we purchased at Queen Sirikit. The special price was THB12,200 for PADI certification inclusive of food, accommodation, transport, ferry ride, manual and equipments. Its much cheaper than Malaysia.


I must admit that it has been an adventurous trip.. coming here, that is.


Firstly, when we took the bus, it was overbooked so we were transported via van to the main bus terminal instead of going with the Seatran bus. It was a little confusing but we got a better bus at the main terminal. Very comfortable too.


We arrived in the middle of nowhere at 4.30am in Chumpon. All of us was blur and eventually after making calls to the diving Company, they pulled a few strings and we had a song taew picking us up at about 5.45am to the Seatran jetty. It was stressful and adventurous all at the same time.


The Seatran boat was large and comfortable. The children loved it! Joel, Ethaniel and Josh. So excited!!!


Josh joined us for this trip because he had school holidays. I know it was brave of me to invite him along but since we are leaving Bangkok, I thought it would be nice for Ethaniel and Josh to play together. I was just thinking to myself.... If anything were to happen to him, his Daddy will hunt me down!


Its really enjoyable seeing both of them playing sand, water, swimming and some more sand and water. They actually go to the beach at least 3 times a day. I know, because I have to rinse their swimming trunks that many times a day!


While these two little boys are enjoying themselves at the beach, Joel is having an awesome time scuba diving.

Day 12 - Mae Fah Luang

To read Day 1 - Onward to Tak, Thailand,
Day 2 - On The Road Again .... Chiang Mai
Day 3: Palong Village
Day 4: Still in Palong Village
Day 5 - To the Next Village... Lahu at Phrao
Day 6: At Lahu Village, Phrao
Day 7: Gift Exchange, Turkey & Sweaters

Day 8 - Doi Inthanon

Day 9 - Sunrise at Doi Inthanon
Day 10 - On the way to Mae Sai



Mae Fah Luang in Doi Tung, North Thailand is the King's Mother's Project. Her palace is also there... Because she was in Switzerland for many years, she probably loved the swiss cottages so much that she built one for herself.


We took many photos there...

We went there around late morning and paid a fee of THB130 which allowed us go into the main flower cultivation and the King Mother’s Palace.

The beautiful flowers was so amazingly magnificent. The creativity of the gardeners was so amazing in mixing the various different colors of flowers in a decoration of garden…. I felt that I was in the garden of Eden! I was amazed!

I could have just needed a cup of drink, a book and a lazy chair for me to sit there the whole day basking in the beauty of the creation of God.How could have evolution created such delicate, creative and colourful petals such as these? Indeed, God does love beautiful things. That is why He created me too.

There are all kinds of flowers of so many species. There are so many things to see that half a day was a hurry.


We stayed overnight in Mae Sai and during the night, we visited the Mae Sai night market. Its not as good as the day market. During the day, there were so many more stalls and the goods here are considerably cheaper than Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.


After Mae Sai, we journeyed towards Phayao and then Phitsanulok and then Nakhon Nayok and then to home. The reason we went to those places were to break the journey. It was at least 13 hours if we go through to Bangkok. So, we broke the journey into 2-3 days.


Phew! At last I managed to finish the blog on this trip! Woohoo!


P.S. I will be posting more photos of Mae Fah Luang.

Day 11 - Golden Triangle

To read Day 1 - Onward to Tak, Thailand,
Day 2 - On The Road Again .... Chiang Mai
Day 3: Palong Village
Day 4: Still in Palong Village
Day 5 - To the Next Village... Lahu at Phrao
Day 6: At Lahu Village, Phrao
Day 7: Gift Exchange, Turkey & Sweaters

Day 8 - Doi Inthanon

Day 9 - Sunrise at Doi Inthanon
Day 10 - On the way to Mae Sai


We left early towards Golden Triangle and arrived there around lunch time.

Map showing the Golden Triangle

Many boats ferrying tourist

The children really enjoyed the boat ride... It was fast and exciting for these boys

Even the adults are enjoying themselves

The Golden Triangle is the meeting of 3 rivers, Laos, Burma and Thailand. It was interesting. We took a speed boat which fits 4 persons for about THB400. According to my Thai friend, we have been cheated. For that price we could have had a two hour ride to Laos. Instead we had a 15 mins towards one side of the river near to the Casino and then to the side of Laos for 1 hour of shopping. The shopping was lousy! It was a waste of time. The products was similar to Thai and nothing really interesting.

We prayed along the river, so that God will bless all these 3 countries.

Onwards to Tak, Thailand

15 December 2008, Monday


We started our journey this morning at 9.20am. Our two weeks of travelling cum Mission Trip has officially started today.


After 200 "pee stops", snacks and lunch, we arrived at destination for the night. Its almost 9 hours if we drive all the way to Chiang Mai, North Thailand but we have decided to stop half way.


We were here last year and have decided that its going to be fun to come back again. Of course, this time round, we have Mary with us. So much more fun!


We are at a National Park in Tak. As expected, the weather is cool, breezy, fresh and absolutely wonderful!!!!


When we arrived at about 4pm, we quickly changed and headed towards the waterfall. Its was freezing! I mean freezing!!! Joel and I was at it again, pushing each other into the water. It all started when I splashed him with some cold water. Bad idea. He came back with a revenge and both of us were in the water!!! Aaaaarrrrggghhh!!! Cold! Cold!


Later, we decided to do a crazy thing. Each one of us jump into the water.... Joel first, followed by me and then Ethaniel.


(photos will be added later)

Some Places To Visit During Winter

In my last 2.7 years in Thailand.


I have spent 2 winters in Thailand.


I have totally and fully enjoyed spending winter here.


I would like to recommend some of the nice places I have been during winter time.

• Muaklek, Saraburi: To see the suflowers, taste local wine produced in Thailand, some adventure at Muaklek ATV, go-chart, etc. Its about 2 hours from Bangkok city.
  

• Khao Yai National Park: The cool season makes it really nice to camp or enjoy a 3 days 2 night stay at any of their resorts. Its about 2.5 hours from Bangkok city.
  

• Pasak Hillside Resort, Lopburi: Its a self contained resort. You can do a lot of activities within the resort. Does not even have to leave the place at all! The cost of the accommodation is very reasonable.
  

• Kanchanaburi: A very historical place. The scenery along the road in Kanchanaburi is very interesting because it has an autumn look.
  

• Mae Sot, Pai, Chiang Mai
  

To have more information other than the ones given in my blog post, just google. There are heaps of information on bookings of accommodation or tour options.

Phuket Photos

I have just loaded photos into my blog post titled More on Phuket.


To read it click here.

More on Phuket

Our accommodation (click on the photo to enlarge)

View from our balcony

Phuket is a popular holiday destination for people all over the world. This is my first time visiting. I cannot see any difference between Pattaya and Phuket especially at Patong beach. The similarity is amazing. Heaps and heaps of “farang” a.k.a. Caucasians.


We were really glad that we were not staying around that area.


There are many activities to do in Phuket, but we just wanted to hang around and relax. There are activities enough to keep the children occupied for days.

This is the life....

Our first night at Phuket was spent on a short boat ride to explore the facilities of the area. The location of our accommodation is located together with 7 other hotels/resorts. It’s interesting.




Morning of the second day was spent at the swimming pool and afternoon at the beach. The Phuket sea creates a huge wave and it was really fun trying to jump over the waves. It was huge! It was so fun doing that with Joel and then later with Ethaniel. With Ethaniel, I had to hold him initially. It could be scary but eventually he was brave enough to stand by himself. We stood in a row with our back facing the waves.


I have not done that for a long time. I felt like a child again...


We seldom see such huge waves either at Rayong, Koh Chang, Pattaya or Koh Samet. Reminds me of the tsunami. Must have been really really huge. Anyway.

Playing with the children was one of the hi-light of the trip. As you can see, the photo on the right, we were at it again... My son and I throwing each other into the pool...

On the third day, Hubby and Joel went around cycling in the morning and during the afternoon, we went to Phuket town. On the way back, we stopped by Patong beach. A very busy area.

Along Patong Beach (click on photo to enlarge)

We visited the neighbor hotel, which had 6 connected swimming pools. It has great facilities which we enjoyed the whole day. My Sons was so excited that there was free iced tea at the pool area. How so little things can make them so happy.




We visited a hotel which enabled us to use their facilities with a fee of THB350 per child inclusive of lunch and drinks and facilities for a day e.g. water park, archery, kayaking, sailing, wind surfing, tennis, badminton and golf range. It was a good day, full of activities again.


By the time we wanted to go sailing, it was already closing time, so, the children did kayaking instead.

Joel enjoyed squirting in the swimming pool

All in all, we had a relaxing time in Phuket. Most of the activities revolved around the children.


The standard of living in Phuket is slightly higher than Bangkok, admitted by a local vendor. Hawker food can cost THB40 in Phuket whilst in Bangkok, that would be supermarket foodcourt price. The go-cart cost THB550 for 10 mins whilst we pay THB250 in Muaklek. I guess its a tourist location, being the main reason. I wonder how the locals cope with this.


November is usually a high season but its about 30% occupancy for some hotels which usually have 100% around this time.


I spoke to a local vendor, he is hoping that December will be better. Well, for his sake, I hope so.

Saraburi: Camping Trip (Part 2)

To read Saraburi: Camping Trip (Part 1) click here.


We arrived at our camping site at about almost 3pm. Everyone got their tents out and started putting it up. It was interesting to see every family working together to put up the tents.

Everyone putting up their tent

Joel & Hubby did most all the work. Infact, the last time I went to Kanchanaburi for camping, Joel built the tent all by himself and the tent beds too! He did a great job! Don’t ask me to put it up… When he was finished, he helped Angel to put up her tent too. I think this young man, sure can be good Husband and Daddy. Money back guarantee!

Michael playing the game

After everyone has finished setting up their tent, we had games time organized by CY. The game was a traditional game that dates back to 1800s. No.. no. Just kidding. But it was definitely not one played by me during my childhood. It was fun.

The chef at work

We had the most qualified cook in the whole of Bangkok… drum roll… Alvin the singing Chef. He cooked up meals after meals after meals! My goodness! You wouldn’t believe the amount of food we ate. There was pork with black sauce, black noodles (Malaysian style), BBQ chicken, BBQ beef, stir fried basil with mince beef and rice.

Gathering around the food...

He is a great cook. All of us enjoyed the food immensely. Thank God for such an invaluable member of our group. As you might notice, our hearts are touched through our stomach.


Shower time was really exciting because there were no heated water. To keep warm, we had to jump while showering. It was really cute looking at both my Sons taking their shower. Jumping! Jumping! Freezing! They had a lot of fun taking that cold shower. Normally they are lazy at showering. What's with boys? But they were keen to take another shower early the next morning *Twilight zone music in the background*

Managed to snap a photo of them taking a shower... hee hee.. So shy.

Taboo is one of our favorite games. We play it during the night after everyone had a hearty meal, we sat by the campfire. We laughed, screamed, squeezed our brain juices, raised our hands, pointed our fingers, jumped up and down, shouted and totally enjoyed ourselves. While the adults and older children play Taboo, Ethaniel and the younger children sat by the campfire and played around there.

Night time fun...played Taboo, children played by the campfire, 3 guitarist strumming away!

It was a tiring night and we all had a good sleep. It was so cooling and nice….. Great season to be camping.


The next morning, after a good breakfast of baked beans, sausage, etc. We some singing and sharing in lieu of a Sunday morning service in church.

Morning exercise and games for the children

By 12pm we were all packed and ready to go! We looked around with a "I am going to miss this place" look. Eyes were a little droopy... We were already planning to be back for another visit, soon!




The price for the camping:

Rental of tent: THB300 per adult / THB150 per child

BYO tent: THB150 per adult / THB100 per child

Food not included. If you want food to be inclusive, let them know.
(Ask for a discount if you have a large group)

Go to here for photos of our trip.

(For some reason, sometimes my fonts become too small. I am not sure why)

Onward to Phuket!

We left home at about 5.30am and drove towards Phuket. It was going to be a 10 hours ride. We have prepared the children and told them that it was going to be that long to reach.


Our initial plan was to break the journey and stay overnight at Chumphon or Ranong so that it will not be too tedious. Unfortunately, the car air-cond had some problem and it took an additional day to repair. Thank God that it spoilt before we left. Imagine having 10 hours journey in an air-condless car. Indeed, God is merciful!


Incidentally, it also gave me the opportunity to attend the last day of Cindy Jacob’s seminar. I was enjoying her seminar so much that I was sad having to miss it. Well, what do you know… God must have read my mind.. Make no mistake, I didn’t wish for the car to break-down. As a result of the car repair, I was able to attend the 3rd day of her seminar including the evening session. It was amazing!


I was receiving so much that I wasn’t even tired at all throughout the 3 days seminar. I was there from morning 9am to 10pm. Because it was too far to go home, I stayed around with Ong & Laurie. Infact, i was re-charged and received many encouragement, healing and spiritual blessing.


I have been taking notes by typing it onto my laptop the last 3 days. When I get the chance, I will fine tune it and maybe put it up in my blog so that you can read and be encouraged. The problem is that, its too long. So, I am undecided. Anyway.


I am going to enjoy my holiday by just relaxing by the beach… with a book in one hand and ice tea in the other.


Come and join me?

Thank you, Janice!

Janice standing in the middle

I would like to use today’s blog to say…


Thank you to my friend....


Janice


Who has so generously given my family and I a free stay at Phuket.


The offer came at a very timely moment, when all of us needed a break.


What’s more, it’s a great place! Not one of those dingy motel by Patong beach.


When I told my older sister that I will be going to Phuket for a holiday.… She sent me this SMS.


“Hi sis, just wanted to test your very fancy and new mobile phone. Are you sure Hubby’s out of work? Because you are buying and holidaying. Is that a big con? Great way to get freebies. Love, sis”



You know, my Sister has this equally weird sense of humor as me... This must run in the family. But it made me smile when I read it... Sometimes, things like that, only Sisters can cook up. Thanks Sis for making me smile.

BTW, I am blogging from Phuket. I found this cool way of using my mobile as a modem. Cool! I am very hi-tech now. Ahem! Ahem!

Saraburi: Camping Trip (Part 1)

To read Saraburi: Camping Trip (Part 2) click here.


Our Cell Group was seriously planning for a Camping trip since Hubby and I returned from our Koh Samet trip. It became an even more serious planning when we mentioned about Petcharat Resort, the one which we went to with Josh & Danny.


We had a total of 14 adults and 10 children, loaded into 4 cars.


Meeting point was at Alvin's home at about 8.30am. We had a little breakfast and started the journey by 9.30am.


Everyone was excited.

We had all the 4 boys loaded into our car... Joel, Ethaniel, KG & Jason. Oh, I meant 5. Hubby too.

This Camping trip is a first for some of the members. Exciting, eh?


At about 11.30am, we reached Saraburi. We have decided to do some activities at Muaklek before going to our campsite. So, Muaklek ATV here we come!

Top left: Ethaniel & Hubby, Father & Son team
Top right: Jason & SH, Mother & Son team
Bottom left: KG & Gina, Mother & Son team
Bottom right: Joel, all by himself

Some of us who did not want to go on the ATV, there were various other activities to do e.g. rock climbing, repelling, archery, rapids and etc.

Top left: Tang
Top right: Ps Danny
Bottom left: Me.. so so
Bottom right: Sally ... very skillful

All these cute little girls!!! Who obviously does not belong to me :-(

The ATV ride was about 40 mins which was just a perfect short adventure. Not butt cracking! It was really fun for the boys!


After that we headed towards Petcharat Resort, our campsite for the night.

Koh Samet: Awesome Beach, Magnificent Sunrise

Hubby and I

We arrived at Sametville Resort at about 4.30pm. Checked in and hit the beach.


The beach was absolutely beautiful!!! Reminded me of Perhentian Island in Malaysia. Fine white sand and clear water. We were told that there is a particular section of the beach, nearer the rocky part, some beautiful corals can be seen. Unfortunately we did not bring our snorkeling gears.

The beautiful rainbow

After changing into my swim wear, I was on the beach, enjoying the calm sea water... Seldom have I seen a calmer sea.


Guess what? There was a rainbow in the sky! I have been to the beach many many times but have never seen a rainbow, especially without rain.... Hmm... *twilight zone music at the background* Amazing experience.


"The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness and of His pardon and reconciliation to the faithful. The symbol is taken from the story of Noah and the Great Flood, where God placed His rainbow in the sky as a seal of His promise never to destroy the earth again with a flood. The rainbow is sometimes used in art as Christ's throne, where it is symbolic of glory and final judgment." clipped from here.

The rainbow reminds me to look upward...

The view in front of our chalet

Look at the clear sea water. So refreshing!

Magnificient sunrise

Staring at the magical sunrise...

The next morning, we woke up at 6am to catch the sunrise. It was an amazing sunrise. Eventhough there have been probably thousands of sunrise since the day we were born, we never ran out to look for it until this morning. A sunrise is a sunrise. Right??? Wrong. The ones which we see with our own eyes are the most special. The ones we missed doesn't count.

Imagine we were going up and down those hills on the motorcycle... Aaarrgghhh...
The next time we go, it will be on an ATV which is between THB1,000 - THB1,500 per day (depending on if you are a Thai or foreigner)



Our simple meal which took 1 hour to cook.
Reminder to everyone: Order your food 3 hours before dinner time if the resort is fully booked.


Homeward in one of this ferry... Between THB30 - THB90.
Speed boats are around THB200 to THB300 (I think)

To summarise the whole trip and experience, it was a little more than what we bargained for. We had adventure on a motorcycle, amazing beauty, experienced hunger waiting for dinner, a rainbow, a time alone away from the children, hustle bustle of the city and ate some really yummy BBQ chicken and cuttle fish at Rayong, near the jeti.


The whole trip was mixed with bitter sweet experiences.


If you have not been to Koh Samet, you are missing an amazing place. Quiet and tranquility.... minus the motorcycle, that is.

Koh Samet: Adventure of a Lifetime

It was an impromptu decision. We were still playing with the idea of going away or not ... even on Saturday morning....


Hubby at last made up his mind and we were on our way... to Koh Samet!


Koh Samet is in the province of Rayong. About 2 hours away from Bangkok. The road to Rayong is highway, all the way. So, its an easy drive. Just have to pay toll charges after charges. It takes another 30 mins to 50 mins from Ban Phe jeti at Rayong to Koh Samet island, depending on the distance of your resort.


We were in an adventurous mood. The kids were not around, remember? It was a thin line between crazy, not thinking straight and adventurous. Till now, I am still trying to figure... What was the appropriate category...




Anyway, upon arriving at Koh Samet, we looked around for a Tour Agency to book our stay for the night. The man spoke good English and recommended us Ao Wai... Its about 8km away. Far. To me it was not far. We drove 200km, what is 8km? Thinking about it right now... could be because the island is 10km in length. I think. So, its almost end of the world to Koh Sametians.


We were suggested by SH that riding motorcycle could be a useful mode of transport. So, motorcycle, here we come! An automatic cost THB350 (RM35) per day .. oh cool. Of course, we forgot to note that Hubby has never ridden a motorcyle all his life. But that's just a minor detail which we chose to overlook.


Little did we know that the road was not tar or cement. It was dirt road full of pebbles, uphill and downhill... all the way. This road is probably appropriate for expert motorcyclist but not amateurs, like us.


After riding along for 20 mins or so... all of a sudden, we skidded on some pebbles while trying to go uphill and fell!


Ouch!!!


Ooo....


I was seeing stars.... But.. but... it's day time??!!


My knees.... was bruised and bloody.... So, was Hubby's.

The condition of the road is baaaaad

I calmly washed it with some mineral water.


A passerby helped us up. After that incident, I was hit with the bug of paranoia. At every point of uphill or downhill, I insisted on coming down and walk... The ride was endless... literally. We still have not found our resort. We came to an uphill which was so narrow that it was time to call quits.


You know what?


In the middle of nowhere, there was a Song Taew driver taking his afternoon snooze. We negotiated for a ride and for him to return the motorcyle back to the owner. Without going into the details, we did it. We managed to bargain a deal. We lugged the motorcycle onto the Song Taew and he took off like an F1 driver... on the dirt road? We hung on to dear life....

Look at the relieved smile on Hubby's face... phew!

I was thinking whether I should spare you all the gross details of the battle scars...
Oh well, no, I guess. Left: My bruises. Right: Hubby's bruises

What is the lesson here?


The constant uphill and downhill was endless. I couldn't see us reaching our destination. When I thought that it was almost over, there was another uphill. It was tough, the road was dry, the weather was hot, the excitement running low, the patience wearing thin, the novelty of what I thought was fun, was becoming fear, insecurity and difficult. I even begin to question the judgement and so on...


That reminded me so much of the journey of my life. Many times it has been a constant struggle. Just as I begin to get a breather, there was another hurdle. There were times that I fell badly and it hurts. I grit my teeth and move on. Ignoring the pain, choosing to continue the journey instead.


Many times, God rescues me, just like that Song Taew in the middle of nowhere, waiting. With graciousness and mercy beyond my expectations, He comes and leads me on .... A great example of my life.


Thank you, Lord. I know that no matter where, how and what tomorrow holds. You are there waiting for me. Just like Mr Song Taew.