Day 2, 26th February - Pak Chong

Uncomfortably Lazy....... It's a lazy morning at Baan Payai Hotel. I actually slept well. Goodness knows how though, the bed is nowhere near the most comfortable. For a number of reasons this ancient hotel will not be appearing on the future visit list but what about today?
Driving Around Pak Chong District....... We agree to meet up with relatives just before lunch and head for a restaurant a little way out of town. This proves to be a bit more mainstream than the jungle food we had last night and sets us up for an afternoon's exploring. The theme of the day is to continue looking for a parcel of land. The journey takes us further east along the Mittraphap Highway. Further east again is the Lam Thakong Reservoir while to the south we are in view of Khao Yai National Park. However, Pak Chong lies in a broad valley which although undulating has only distant mountain views. It's obvious that this areas with its pleasant views is also the most coveted, and we soon discover that the price of land here is just out of the reach. Even land without views is more than I'd care to pay. I should note here that while there are estate agents in Thailand eager to attract your attention the best way to find out about available land is to ask local people and that's precisely what we are doing right now. To break the afternoon up we arrive at a rather pleasant attraction with gorgeous views towards Khao Yai.
Audrey Hobby Farm....... Audrey Hobby Farm is described as a Farm, Restaurant, Cafe. It's just one of numerous examples of private enterprise exploiting the nature of rural Thailand. Khao Yai of course, is an attraction in itself but so many enterprising businessmen have realised how profitable setting up a coffee shop here can be. However, competition is still fierce and you have to go that extra mile to be successful. Here at Audrey Hobby Farm they aim to create a paradise for young lovers: So much so that many people dress up for a photo shoot as if attending a wedding or other glamorous event. The props set up here in the shade and out in the open are a photographer's dream. It's not for me or the doctor either; We are more likely 7-Eleven people but that said this is exactly what many Thais love to do, to be expressive in a way that's hard to comprehend in the West.
We continue to explore and complete a four-hour round trip but the doctor and his wife have evening duties, and we secure some groceries allowing Katoon to conger up a glorious dinner for 8.00 pm which to my mind is far more enjoyable than the meal we had last night.
So what can I take from today's tour around Pak Chong District? Well not a lot actually. There have been three guides and only one customer today. I've had no part to play at all. The consensus is what I expected all along that the price of land in this area is either too expensive or of little appeal. This of course, is not the end of the searching; we can continue tomorrow but I'm still looking at the bigger picture and wish to explore other areas of this vast country. I bid farewell to my in laws for now as we return to Baan Payai Hotel. Tomorrow we will be returning to Bangkok.
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