Day 2 - Thursday 26 November 2015

New tour beginning........Having reached Takua Pa it’s only a short hop to the Andaman Sea. I’ve no need to bother reception as I’m accustomed now to bringing in snacks in the evening if I feel it’s going to be a bother in the morning. But I’m away late because I failed to do any work last night on my blog. Nevertheless there’s nothing demanding at present as I feel my way around this province. To start with I don’t want to wander far as there are already a few sites to cover here so let’s get started.
The Little Amazon Takua Pa.......The Takua Pa River flows through Takua Pa District and empties into the Andaman Sea creating along its banks a mangrove forest habitat. Curious about some photographs I’ve seen I head off to investigate. Just a couple of kilometres from the main road I come across ‘Little Amazon’. At a pier on a klong (canal) there are motor boats for hire and rubber dinghies. I wasn’t quite expecting another boat ride quite so soon but if I’m careful I won’t overshoot my budget by much if I take the dinghy into the ‘Amazon’. The deal done we set off and if it sounds like the Amazon it feels like the Amazon, a waterway through dense and tangled vegetation. Oh by the way, apart from a feel there is realism too: Snakes, lots of snakes curled up in the overhang of branches. These wait for nightfall to go hunting for crabs and small mammals. The choice of a canoe is good because of the silence except for the swish of a paddle. It’s the natural option. The trip lasts an hour and at 500 baht is not too expensive. I wasn’t expecting this. It’s a good start to the day. Next I stop near the main junction in Takua Pa where there is a memorial park to the victims of the Tsunami of December 2004.

Saphan Lek Khok Khanoon (Old tin mine and bridge)........The old tin mine and bridge are located on the left hand side of the road to the old town of Bang Sai Takua Pa. The iron bridge was used to bring tin ore to the road for transport to the port. Extraction of tin in the area is still an important source of income.

Old Portuguese Settlement........The Old Portuguese Town at Bang Sai Takua Pa lies near the Takua Pa River about 10 kms south of Takua Pa. This was the administrative centre of the district until it was relocated in 1901. The old town is dominated by Portuguese settlement buildings, most in decay but offer good photo opportunities. There are a couple of interesting sites in the town. It appears to have a long history going back at least 2,000 years when it was a trading post on the silk route. Chinese gangs occupied the area competing for the extraction of tin. Also of note are the remains of the 19th century governor’s residence which was fortified. It seems he wasn’t that popular but some form of military base was here long before his time.

Wat Senanuchrangson........ Wat Senanuchrangson is located on a rise above the old town. Its ubosot is plain but old. In the temple grounds they have build Wat Senanuchrangson Takua Pa Community Museum but its yet to open.

Tsunami Memorial at Ban Nam Khem........The Tsunami Memorial is located 2 kilometres from the main highway 4, Takua Pa to Phang Nga just fifteen minutes from town. This is a peaceful place on a headland overlooking the Takua Pa Estuary and the island of Kho Khao. The prominent feature of this park is the memorial wall inscribed with some of the names of those who perished. Many were foreigners. Looking out at a calm sea it’s so very hard to believe that a surge of water came in here up to 5 metres deep. Takua Pa has no reef to protect it and was one of the most vulnerable places on Thailand’s Andaman coastline.

Ban Nam Khem Ferry Port........The ferry port, near the mouth of the Takua Pa River serves the island of Kho Khao just a few kilometres away. There is a small community on the island and a number of resorts. There is a vehicle ferry to the island for 150 baht. Foot passengers can take the car ferry or a small boat for 20 baht. The island is quite important historically as it was in use before city states developed in the South due to its importance on the silk route dating back over 2,000 years. Some valuable items including beads have been recovered but much of the island’s wealth has been looted over time. This period warrants further study. Although it’s not that late, I need to move on down the coast and take in other locations that has been inserted into this tour.

Khao Lak........Khao Lak is is a series of villages, now tourist-oriented, mainly in the Takua Pa District and partly in the Thai Mueang District of Phang Nga Province. Tourists come here eager to find an alternative to Krabi or Phuket. Ideally I don’t want to stay in Khao Lak as I’m told it’s quite busy now so I start looking around for suitable accommodation as I head down the coast. After I couple of enquiries I turn towards the beach in Khuekkhak Sub District. Here there are a number of resort options and I am expecting to pay more for accommodation.
Pakarang Villa........When I check at Pakarang Villa I’m quite impressed with the natural setting among coconut palm trees and with the swimming pool. If the rooms are ok then I’ll pay the extra. One thing is obviously missing which is why I like extra time before dark when searching for accommodation. It’s too far from shops and other conveniences to walk. At least I know what’s available on the main road where I just came from but what’s along the road further on? As I reach the beach just a kilometre away I see the tide is out with the waves lapping in the distance. Unfortunately the beach here is stony but sandy beaches are not far away photo. I’m tempted to take dinner here in idyllic surroundings but less than idyllic is the price. It’s cheaper on Koh Tao! Unbelievable. I can’t bring myself to pay 2-3 times more to eat here. I’ll head up to the main road to the convenience store. Suitably provisioned I can sit out on the veranda or even by the pool. What could spoil anything now this late in the day. Well the resort has failed to do what all others resorts on these autumn tours have managed to do with ease: That’s provide me with a reliable wifi signal in the room and working socket to charge the battery on my PC. OK I can unplug the fridge but it’s not acceptable and tomorrow they will know about it when I check out. I can at least do some work offline but it’s another early night. Next Page.