Day 7, Monday 18 February
Takua Thung Escape.…….. Arriving in Takua Thung district of Phang Nga province yesterday seemed like it was providing an escape route out of Phuket such was the relative calm that came over this tour. However, with Katoon I just know she has been scheming and planning to ensure this is more than an overnight stop. Noting that she has a cough coming on, it would seem that this is the perfect time to slow things down a bit after a hectic week. I too need more time to catch up with my notes after yesterday’s whistle stop tour but by late morning Katoon has second wind and frustration kicks in over my lethargy. Leaving it as late as possible to check out at Natai House we finally make a move.
Natai and Khao Pilai Beaches…….. Natai and Khao Pilai beaches form the western edge of Takua Thung district. They are largely deserted with little infrastructure around for tourists. Having said that, what there is in the way of resorts is high class. It’s a case of all or nothing here. With little to keep us in Khok Kloi, we head up the western side of Phang Nga Bay and that means some spectacular scenery.
Benyaran Museum…….. Our next port of call is the Benyaran Museum which for any museum is a curious place to have one in the middle of nowhere. Not for the first time on my tours I have discovered a museum created by the passion of an individual intent on preserving vintage items. Yet as I find out more about this museum, I realise it goes far beyond that. Arriving at the ticket office I get a concession of paying the local price of 80 baht (normally 150 baht) presumably due to my association with Katoon. Now why doesn't that happen elsewhere? Clearly those with this association spend a lot more than normal in Thailand source. The information above describes the function of the museum but I’d just like to add that Mr Benyaran must have had multiple interests as the fossil collection is remarkable. I’d like to comment those involved for the amazing catalogue of dinosaur species. Unfortunately though, the information is only in Thai. While Mr Benyaran had a passion for collecting anything interesting, he did aquire a large volume of military pieces too.
Ban Hin Romi Pier…….. Moving further up the coast, I get my first view of Phang Nga Bay. A Signboard pointing to James Bond Island leads us to Ban Hin Romi Pier at the mouth of Khlong Khian where a long-tailed boat will take you to the island for 1,500 baht but there are many other options available. At the pier there is a board listing the rate but the post seems to be unstaffed. Maybe it’s too late now to take the trip. While this pier appears to be the closest to the islands, it’s also quite remote so less popular. With a car, however, its not a problem but as I’ve visited the islands before, the pier presents simply a photo opportunity.
Samet Nangshe.…….. Even as we were still in Phuket, Katoon was scheming to visit Samet Nangshe but all I knew was that it was a popular viewpoint. Quite how much of thrill it would be, I'm about to find out. The first thing I realise is that this is a product of local enterprise to cut a steep track up into the mountains to maximise the experience of viewing one of Thailand’s premier attractions. Arriving at the parking lot, there is a ticket counter, a small refreshment kiosk and toilets and that’s about it. The fee for using the 4WD vehicles is 40 baht but if arriving with your own vehicle, it’s an extra 90 baht source. Prior to this trip up to the viewpoint there had been a thunderstorm. That provides even more entertainment as the truck slips and slides in the mud. You definitely need driver skills here! I have to admit that having found such enterprise in other parts of Thailand, this is the most rewarding. I make one further suggestion that this is a much cheaper option to view the islands especially if you have your own transport but to get up close and friendly you need a boat.
Tree Cup Coffee Shop.…….. Now late in the afternoon it's time to look for accommodation in this rather sparcely populated province and that means heading for the provincial capital. There is, however, one more visitor attraction we could try on the way. Tree Cups is an 'Original Phang-Nga Coffee and Coffee Shop' in The Giant Tree near Phang-Nga with glorious views across Phang Nga Bay. However, while the reviews are just amazing, it's not to be for us as the coffee shop is closed for reasons unknown.
Phang Nga City.…….. It’s not the first time we’ve needed to stay in Phang Nga City but on a previous occasion we found better standard accommodation hard to come by. Nevertheless, it’s the only option to head for the city now, some 30 minutes away.
Rachawadee House.…….. Our first selection of accommodation using Google Map is Rachawadee House. Being practically in the town itself is where we normally find lesser standard accommodation; the more modern accommodation being out of town. If this one works it will be a bonus with all conveniences around. The rooms here are link bungalow type and have no particular appeal from the outside. Nevertheless, the interior is spacious having basic but quite adequate facilities including a sink where we can get some washing done. At 600 baht it will ease the budget which is well in the red after Phuket. It’s a ticked box. A further advantage is soon apparent as we can park right outside the door. We usually travel heavy although we don’t need the kitchen sink at the moment. Setting up complete, we can now walk a short distance to a night market for some street food to take back to the room. With Katoon still suffering at the moment, it’s an early night for a change.
Transition.…….. Worth recording after today’s events is the fact that I make more extensive use of my mobile phone camera. I had already realised that the picture quality on my Samsung S7 was quite good and had even experimented with video. When I see the results today, I decide to do this more consistently. I may well abandon my bridge camera which it clearly old tech. now but I cannot access OneDrive or transfer files using the SD card at the moment. The day also ends with me setting up OneDrive for photos on the S7. That now means I can access them on any compatible device.
Next Page.
Takua Thung Escape.…….. Arriving in Takua Thung district of Phang Nga province yesterday seemed like it was providing an escape route out of Phuket such was the relative calm that came over this tour. However, with Katoon I just know she has been scheming and planning to ensure this is more than an overnight stop. Noting that she has a cough coming on, it would seem that this is the perfect time to slow things down a bit after a hectic week. I too need more time to catch up with my notes after yesterday’s whistle stop tour but by late morning Katoon has second wind and frustration kicks in over my lethargy. Leaving it as late as possible to check out at Natai House we finally make a move.
Natai and Khao Pilai Beaches…….. Natai and Khao Pilai beaches form the western edge of Takua Thung district. They are largely deserted with little infrastructure around for tourists. Having said that, what there is in the way of resorts is high class. It’s a case of all or nothing here. With little to keep us in Khok Kloi, we head up the western side of Phang Nga Bay and that means some spectacular scenery.
Benyaran Museum…….. Our next port of call is the Benyaran Museum which for any museum is a curious place to have one in the middle of nowhere. Not for the first time on my tours I have discovered a museum created by the passion of an individual intent on preserving vintage items. Yet as I find out more about this museum, I realise it goes far beyond that. Arriving at the ticket office I get a concession of paying the local price of 80 baht (normally 150 baht) presumably due to my association with Katoon. Now why doesn't that happen elsewhere? Clearly those with this association spend a lot more than normal in Thailand source. The information above describes the function of the museum but I’d just like to add that Mr Benyaran must have had multiple interests as the fossil collection is remarkable. I’d like to comment those involved for the amazing catalogue of dinosaur species. Unfortunately though, the information is only in Thai. While Mr Benyaran had a passion for collecting anything interesting, he did aquire a large volume of military pieces too.
Ban Hin Romi Pier…….. Moving further up the coast, I get my first view of Phang Nga Bay. A Signboard pointing to James Bond Island leads us to Ban Hin Romi Pier at the mouth of Khlong Khian where a long-tailed boat will take you to the island for 1,500 baht but there are many other options available. At the pier there is a board listing the rate but the post seems to be unstaffed. Maybe it’s too late now to take the trip. While this pier appears to be the closest to the islands, it’s also quite remote so less popular. With a car, however, its not a problem but as I’ve visited the islands before, the pier presents simply a photo opportunity.
Samet Nangshe.…….. Even as we were still in Phuket, Katoon was scheming to visit Samet Nangshe but all I knew was that it was a popular viewpoint. Quite how much of thrill it would be, I'm about to find out. The first thing I realise is that this is a product of local enterprise to cut a steep track up into the mountains to maximise the experience of viewing one of Thailand’s premier attractions. Arriving at the parking lot, there is a ticket counter, a small refreshment kiosk and toilets and that’s about it. The fee for using the 4WD vehicles is 40 baht but if arriving with your own vehicle, it’s an extra 90 baht source. Prior to this trip up to the viewpoint there had been a thunderstorm. That provides even more entertainment as the truck slips and slides in the mud. You definitely need driver skills here! I have to admit that having found such enterprise in other parts of Thailand, this is the most rewarding. I make one further suggestion that this is a much cheaper option to view the islands especially if you have your own transport but to get up close and friendly you need a boat.
Tree Cup Coffee Shop.…….. Now late in the afternoon it's time to look for accommodation in this rather sparcely populated province and that means heading for the provincial capital. There is, however, one more visitor attraction we could try on the way. Tree Cups is an 'Original Phang-Nga Coffee and Coffee Shop' in The Giant Tree near Phang-Nga with glorious views across Phang Nga Bay. However, while the reviews are just amazing, it's not to be for us as the coffee shop is closed for reasons unknown.
Phang Nga City.…….. It’s not the first time we’ve needed to stay in Phang Nga City but on a previous occasion we found better standard accommodation hard to come by. Nevertheless, it’s the only option to head for the city now, some 30 minutes away.
Rachawadee House.…….. Our first selection of accommodation using Google Map is Rachawadee House. Being practically in the town itself is where we normally find lesser standard accommodation; the more modern accommodation being out of town. If this one works it will be a bonus with all conveniences around. The rooms here are link bungalow type and have no particular appeal from the outside. Nevertheless, the interior is spacious having basic but quite adequate facilities including a sink where we can get some washing done. At 600 baht it will ease the budget which is well in the red after Phuket. It’s a ticked box. A further advantage is soon apparent as we can park right outside the door. We usually travel heavy although we don’t need the kitchen sink at the moment. Setting up complete, we can now walk a short distance to a night market for some street food to take back to the room. With Katoon still suffering at the moment, it’s an early night for a change.
Transition.…….. Worth recording after today’s events is the fact that I make more extensive use of my mobile phone camera. I had already realised that the picture quality on my Samsung S7 was quite good and had even experimented with video. When I see the results today, I decide to do this more consistently. I may well abandon my bridge camera which it clearly old tech. now but I cannot access OneDrive or transfer files using the SD card at the moment. The day also ends with me setting up OneDrive for photos on the S7. That now means I can access them on any compatible device.
Next Page.
