L'écrivain de singapour: Hua Hin & Bangkok (2-8 May 2016)

This year, three of my family members (Mom, Aunt M and Uncle K) celebrate their 60th birthday at various months. To commemorate the special occasion, we went on a family trip to Hua Hin and Bangkok.

Hua Hin is a laidback beach town located in the gulf of Thailand, approximately 200km South-West from Bangkok. The airport at Hua Hin does not receive scheduled flights. It is opened exclusively for private jets, and thrice weekly domestic Kan Air flights from Chiang Rai. An average traveler could get to Hua Hin via rail or road. Friends advised us to take a bus from Victory monument (VM). There are various bus companies at VM which offers transport to Hua Hin. The average bus fare is THB 180-200/person. For convenience and comfort, we chartered a 10-seater mini van from Suvarnabhumi Airport for THB 3000 instead. (We later learnt the average fare is approximately THB 2500) The ride was smooth, it took us 3 hours to arrive at our accommodation.

Additional note: We purchased a SIM card with unlimited data for the week in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi airport. The counters are located at the arrival exit. The counter staff will readily help you set up the sim card in your mobile devise at no additional cost. The regular providers are AIS, TRUE and DTAS. The wifi connection at various accommodation may not be consistent. The data connection helped us navigate around and contact each other easily.

Boathouse Hua Hin

Beach front pool at Boathouse

The stayed at the Boathouse service apartment. The unit we rented had 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms which could accommodate 6 adults as one of the couches in the living room can be converted to a double bed. The unit was equipped with a small kitchenette. We used it to prepare breakfast for the next 3 days. I love the swimming pool. It winds through the estate like an endless river. Whilst the location is tranquil and peaceful, we needed to hire transport to get around Hua Hin. The company we engaged charges THB600 for a 2-way trip or THB2000 for 8 hours of travel to 4-5 sites/attractions of our choice within Hua Hin. The quoted price was for 6 pax.

Contact: Jong 0803011075

Before arriving in Hua Hin, we read about several attractions that were recommended on Trip advisor. We shortlisted afew places to visit, bearing in mind various likes and dislikes of each individual in our group. Needless to say, we didn't go far with 4 elderlies and 1 pregger. We chartered the transport for a 1 day tour around Hua Hin. I strongly recommend visitors to do their "homework" before visiting any sites in Hua Hin. Due to differences in culture, the local guides may not know the attractions that suit your needs and expectations. It helps to know what you prefer to see before consulting the local guides for directions or similar recommendations.

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

When Tim and I got married, we wanted to serve wines from Thailand as a gesture of support for South-East Asian enterprises. Back then, we could not find a supplier that imports Thai wines and had to do otherwise. I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the vineyard this time.

The journey to the vineyard took approximately 1 hour from our accommodation. The ride was bumpy but scenic. We spotted numerous pineapple and aloe vera plantations along the way. The guide told us that Hua Hin is also famous for its pineapples. (I had many pineapple smoothies after that)

Apparently, the grapes harvest season in Hua Hin is in March. You could pay THB100 per person to ride through the vineyard, but we decided against it since the harvest just ended and because of the sweltering heat (It averages 37 to 40°C). Wine tasting is available at the restaurant in the vineyard. For THB300 per set, you could try a white, rose and a red wine produced there. The restaurant serves fusion Thai-western cuisine with reasonable prices. The lunch bill amounts to approximately THB2000 for 6 persons.

Outdoor dining space at the vineyard restaurant

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

Indoor dining space at the vineyard restaurant

Local produce - Grape juice, wines, grape jam, etc.

Hua Hin Hills wine

Wine tasting set

Hua Hin Railway Station
Dubbed as the most beautiful railway station in Thailand, we didn't want to miss it. It was constructed during King Rama VI's reign in the 1920s. It is still in operation and we learnt that Hua Hin gained popularity as a holiday destination for royals and Bangkok's elite in its heydays. It was nice to learn alittle about Thailand's locomotive history. There is no guided tour service at the train station. It is best to read up the history of the place before visiting. That way we could appreciate the place better. It took us just 10 - 15 minutes to finish touring the place.

Plearn Wan, Santorini Park, Venezia and FN Factory outlet

For the rest of our day trip, the guide recommended Plearn Wan, Venezia and Santorini park as places we should visit. We later found out that these three sites were theme parks, and ended up having coffee at FN Factory outlet instead. The prices at the factory outlet aren't much cheaper than regular retail stores, but the in-house cafe serves good coffee and pizza.

Our folks wanted to take an afternoon nap in the service apartment, before resuming the tour in the late afternoon, but the guide didn't allow that arrangement, thus, we proceed to market village and the night market shortly after.

FN Outlet

Market Village and Night Market at Thanon Dachanuchit

Market Village is a modern and large shopping complex. We did most of our grocery shopping at the there on our first day at Hua Hin. The older folks in our group enjoyed shopping there and went to one of the spas for massage before we headed to the night market at Thanon Dachanuchit at 5:30pm for dinner.

Our guide recommended "K.O Seafood Restaurant" for fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Dinner was approximately THB2200 for 6 dishes and beverages. If you're not a fan of seafood, try Koti Restaurant located nearby. Our guide told us it is one of the oldest restaurants at Hua Hin which serves authentic Thai food.

The night market was relatively small. Most stalls offer street food, souvenirs or handicrafts. We bought mango sticky rice and grilled corn for dessert/supper.

K.O Restaurant - Thai style squid

Garlic butter scallops

Stir-fried morning glory

Tomyum soup

1kg grilled lobster with butter herbs

Stir-fried vegetables

Wide array of seafood at one of the restaurants

Night market

Bangkok

The next morning, we took chartered a mini-van to leave for Bangkok. The transport cost THB 2500. We checked out and left the accommodation at 9:30AM and arrive in Bangkok at 12:00 noon. (2.5h journey) Perfect time for lunch. We stayed at City Point hotel located just a 5 minutes walk from Asok BTS Skytrain station and opposite Terminal 21 Shopping mall. Uncle K and Aunt M haven't visited Bangkok in the last 10 years. We brought them to some of our regular hangouts. On the first night, we explored the Central World together.

The next morning, we brought the folks to Yaowarat - The heart of Bangkok's Chinatown. This has to be one of my favorite places in Thailand - messy, vibrant and exciting. It's hard to find another place like this elsewhere.

One of the alleys in Yaowarat

At Yaowarat - "Kee-chang" seller

Dried goods shop. Fish maw, shrimp, dried fruits and vegetables, you name it they stock it.

Assortment of local dim sums

Our fav wanton mee shop.

Wanton mee lightly seasoned with garlic & shallot oil and soy sauce.

Dim sum

Local fruit seller

Handmade pouches

Yaowarat street

We spent the rest of the days shopping at various places in Bangkok. On the last night in the city, we brought our family to the infamous Somboon seafood restaurant for dinner. The food was incredible.