Day 2 - Wednesday 22 November

Good morning Pongpob........I’m still intrigued by the name of this resort but as I’ve now spent the night here, the description I gave it yesterday was rather brief so I’m making amends. While it fronts on to a major highway the plot itself is quite deep so at the rear which they recommended there’s hardly any traffic noise. The accommodation itself is a chalet type with a lovely covered veranda overlooking a pond and built of natural carved hardwood. Inside the furniture is equally decorative in natural wood while all mod cons are provided. Satellite TV is included on a large flat screen TV, There is a fridge and kettle with complementary coffee. The bathroom has an electric shower and there is a good wifi signal. I can therefore rate Pongpob resort excellent. If I have to be picky it would be nice to have a shelf in the bathroom and softer pillows.

Grey area........With my blog complete my attention now turns to the new day’s events but much of the planning for that I have left to Katoon. Chaiyaphum has a wealth of natural features and its fair share of ancient monuments dating from the days of the Khmer empire. We have agreed the initial objective for the day but it’s otherwise open-ended with no stopover decided as yet. Clearly it’s important to do justice to this interesting province. Just passing through won’t do!
Gone with the wind........Google Map We’re packed and ready to depart at around 9.30am. Naturally we check what else there is of interest in the area before we move on. Interestingly, though it’s hardly an attraction in the UK now, these forested ranges support in number of wind turbines, one of which can be seen quite close from the back of Pongjob Resort......more. It provides an interesting photo opportunity but we’re soon on our way with Katoon presently taken the lead. It’s all the more surprising then where we head next.

On track........Google Map Katoon heads back alone highway 205 looking for something and for once she doesn’t know the English translation or me the Thai. It takes a while before I gather what she’s searching for and I’m surprised she’s searching along the railway line. Finally I direct her to the station at Chong Samran where I’m surprised to find another picturesque station nestled in a valley in the forest.......more.

I’m grateful for another fantastic photo opportunity but it’s still not what Katoon is looking for but her enquiries lead us further down the line until we reach a point where there’s no more road or even footpath; just the railway line. What happens next would get me prosecuted in the UK. While is seems madness it’s not a problem in Thailand where trespassing on the railway is quite normal. I should at least explain that this line, the same as the one that crosses the Pa Sak reservoir is used infrequently and is not electrified. It’s something I hardly expected, to be taking a 2 kilometre round trip walking the line. The experience has lead to me to learning a new word in Thai: eumphong means tunnel and here is a 250 metre tunnel Google Map the only one on this line and one of only a few in Thailand. I think the photos I’ve added say it all.

Sai Thong National Park........Google Map In practical terms it means we still haven’t left the area and there is further delay on the way back as we take a closer look at those wind turbines. Finally we head north along the 2354. Now the full effects of Chaiyaphum’s natural resources kick in. A number of national parks occupy the area and we soon find ourselves heading for Sai Thong National Park. Initially we find a park entrance but soon realise there is little point in exploring the park from here since the main attraction, the curiously named ‘cliff testicle shrinkage’, is inaccessible except by 4 x 4 wheel drive vehicles and presently there’s no demand for them. It is out of season for the beautiful wild tulips (dok gra chio) of which more will be said later. There is however a view point in the park accessible from highway 225. We head there to take a look but not before we’ve had lunch nearby. I have to admit the views are stunning but all the same it’s taken a couple of hours to make it here......more.

Pa Hin Ngam National Park........Google Map Now moving into afternoon we realise that we cannot leave Chaiyaphum’s western regions without a visit to another park. Normally I’m pretty careful with my research but I’ve taken too much of a relaxed view on this occasion and failed to realise that we’ve already past the turning to this park on the 2354. It’s wasted more time as Katoon makes enquiries and I study the map. We need to head back towards Thep Sathit and then engage on a 50 kilometre round trip from there. By the time we reach the park it’s 3pm and when I discover there is the usual inflated entry fee for foreigners it doesn’t leave much time in the park to compensate.
The park itself consists of a number of trails that enable the visitor to appreciate the natural treasures the park offers. First we visit the Lan Hin Ngam, a strange shaped stone area of over 10 rais resulting from rock and soil erosion. The eroded rock forms strange stacks, with forms that attract some amusing names. Climbing over these rocks takes more time; more than the 30 minutes suggested......more.

We really need a grand finale and quick. Further into the park we find a number of trails that are part of the dok gra chio fields. Unfortunately these wild tulips only bloom at the start of the rainy season, June-August but while they are not in view today, at least I can boast having seen them but many years ago.
Thankfully the grand finale duly arrives described as ‘cliff top land’. There is yet another trail here but by far the most impressive feature is the outstanding views east across the forested ridges and valleys of the Petchabun range. Unfortunately there so little time left to really appreciate this natural wonder. At 4.30pm we’re nowhere near our suggested stopover this evening but at least Katoon seems quite relaxed about it but I’m not impressed that not for the first time we’ll be looking for accommodation in the dark.

Chaiyaphum........We head back down to the 2354 and continue north for a final time. Picking up the signs for Chaiyaphum, I predict it will be at least 6pm before we arrive there. As well as finding accommodation I really would like to get my blog completed for today. Fortunately in the city, things fall into place quite effortlessly for a change. We need just one enquiry that leads us to a new build, Paradise Residence. It looks fine but as it’s on three stories I wouldn’t appreciate it if I have to climb stairs with luggage. I needn’t worry. We manage to get a room on the ground floor. It’s modern with all the usual conveniences and for just 500 baht, amazing value. Located a kilometer or so west of the town centre there are few shops but an all important restaurant is just across the main road. It’s a simple menu here but that should leave me with enough time to get most of my blog finished tonight.......more.
To conclude this interesting day’s activity, I have appreciated the cooler climate. From a modest 19C the afternoon temperature has barely climbed above 30C. On the subject of photography, that has been somewhat compromised today. The Nikon still works but with intermittent problems leading me to rely more on my mobile phone’s camera. That in turn has put a strain on the battery on a day like this but for the first time I connected that to a power bank. Somehow I’ve still managed a good production of photos. Next Page