Hello, I'm Seally-Go-Round the seal.

Today, I'm reviewing accommodations and attractions in the Eastern region, as usual. I can't escape this region because my house is in Pattaya.

Instead of traveling long distances, I decided to find a nearby attraction to save time and effort. Since I have limited vacation days, I didn't want to waste time driving long distances.

This trip is heading straight to "Chanthaburi" province. The goal of this trip is

We won't be focusing on activities much, just relaxing in the lush forest, cool and refreshing water, escaping the sweltering heat of the city.

Although Pattaya is a seaside city, the sea breeze that blows feels like hot air from a large hair dryer, as hot as fire ^^'

The seals had to flee into the forest to find a cool, refreshing place to live.

It's incredible that there's a place in Chanthaburi that perfectly meets our needs!!!!

From what I've heard, most people who visit Chanthaburi stay near the beach (I was initially eyeing Sand Dunes at Chao Lao Beach, but it wasn't as natural as I wanted) or at a homestay in the mangrove forest near Khlung (I stayed at Khlung River Homestay once before, but I wanted to change it up. I wrote a blog about it a long time ago, you can read it again by following this link.

http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=vassaire&month=04-2012&date=08&group=2&gblog=43

But today we're going even further, heading towards Khao Soi Dao (drive a little further and you'll be at the gateway to Cambodia).

Our destination is called 'Baan Tung Phel', Makham District, Chanthaburi Province. Here, the Baan Tung Phel Community Enterprise Group has joined forces to open dozens of homestay accommodations along the stream for tourists to relax and enjoy nature. The stream in question is natural water that flows from the headwaters behind Khao Kichakut.

This area has a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, so you can find the perfect place to stay that suits your style.

This time, however, the seals chose a place to stay called 'Baan Pa Rim Tarn Cabin Creek', a contemporary wooden house designed by the architect family of Po Yokee Playboy.

A wooden house by a clear stream with a weir where you can sit and soak in the water, like a natural jacuzzi, surrounded by the lush greenery of the forest. It's so refreshing! Let's explore and see what the atmosphere is like. ^^

In addition to the accommodation at Cabin Creek, I also visited a few other places on my trip: Wat Khao Banchop (Thung Phel) / Chan Trophochan Restaurant (Chanthaburi city) / Kays Espresso Bar (Chanthaburi city) / Thung Porong Thong Pak Nam Prasae.

What will our 2-day, 1-night trip to Thung Pela be like? Let's go on an adventure together! ^^

::: Let's begin our journey :::

This trip started from my home in Pattaya, but I didn't actually head straight to Thung Phayao. In the morning, I made a quick detour to Koh Kham in Sattahip. However, the weather on the day I visited Koh Kham was terrible, with dark clouds and rain, so it wasn't very enjoyable. I'll have to go back another day when the weather is better.

After we crossed back from Koh Kham, we continued our journey to Chanthaburi. By the time we arrived, it was already quite late, around 5 pm.

Cabin Creek's owner, Uncle Preecha, called to ask,

...... Are you here yet, kids?.....

....The seals are here, Uncle!....

Getting to Thung Phel is not as difficult as you might think. Briefly, drive along Sukhumvit Road until you reach the Sam Yaek Pak Saeng intersection (Road 317 Chanthaburi - Sa Kaeo). Then turn left onto Road 317 and drive through Makham District. As you continue driving, you will see a sign for Wat Khao Banjob on your left. Turn left onto this road and follow it.

Upon seeing the sign, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. I wondered if I would be able to find the right place. In reality, almost all of the accommodations are located close to each other. However, to be safe, just follow the signs to Wat Khao Banjob. Baan Pa Rim Tarn Cabin Creek is located just a few hundred meters before Wat Khao Banjob.

The forest along the way is very lush, with beautiful and refreshing views.

As soon as I arrived, I parked the car and opened the door, the sound of the stream gurgling immediately came to me. It was very natural, shady, and lush. If I had come during the fruit season, it would have been even more enjoyable, because there are fruit orchards in the area, including rambutan, durian, and mangosteen. But when I went (January 2016), the fruits were not yet in season.


It was quite late when we arrived, around 5 pm. We quickly put our things away in the room and then went to play in the water before it got dark. ^^

Today, the booked cottage, named Prik Thai Cottage, charges 1,000 baht per person. It can accommodate more than 2 people, but not more than 5 people.

For two people, the minimum price is 3,000 baht. This price includes dinner and breakfast. But for two people, it seems a bit expensive. But there is food, so it's a good deal.

::: How to book :::

Check out the pictures of the houses on the Cabin Creek website http://cabincreekthailand.com/index.php However, the prices on the website are not updated. It's better to check the Facebook page of Baan Pa Rim Tarn. But for the most convenient option, add Line ID: Preecha507 to inquire and book the house. Once you have booked, Uncle Preecha will ask you to transfer money to confirm the booking.


Just behind the bamboo curtain on the right.

There is a dining table in front of the house, where they will bring food to eat at the front of the house.

This house is a wooden house with air conditioning. It has a private bathroom. The bed is comfortable and there is a stuffed dog to cuddle with.


There is another small bed in the corner where you can relax and play.

Perfect! Tonight, the seal booked this spot. It's the perfect size for its (short) body. ^^

TV, refrigerator, electric kettle included

The bathroom is open-air.


This one-and-a-half-story house has an upper level that can be used as a sleeping area, similar to an attic room.

This would be a fun climb for families with children. ^^

Climbing up, I was secretly scared of falling.

It looks like a good place to sleep.

Looking down from above, it's quite high. Be careful not to fall if you bring young children.


The room is so comfortable... But we can't sleep yet. We just arrived. Let's go for a walk and dip our feet in the cool water to refresh ourselves first ^^

::: Around the house in the forest - by the stream Cabin creek :::

This place is very shady. There is a stream of water flowing all the time, never dry. Even during the peak dry season, such as March, April, and May, this place has water all the time. This is probably due to the abundance of the upstream forest, which makes this place humid all year round.

**See, there's a forest, there's water. Nature has created it to be like this ^^

During the rainy season, the water flow is stronger, but not as strong as a flash flood. The best time to visit is probably around the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the cold season. The water level is high and the weather is cool.

From the guest room, there is a well-maintained path leading to the waterfall. All the houses are made of wood, and Uncle Preecha, the owner, is an architect who designed and built all the houses himself. Therefore, the houses here have a more distinctive design than other accommodations in the Baan Tung Plern community enterprise group in the same area.

It gives off a rustic cabin in the woods vibe, like something out of a Western movie.

The resort offers a variety of accommodation options, with the one I stayed in being the smallest. Most of the houses are large and have multiple rooms, making them ideal for large families to relax and enjoy the cool water and fresh air.



Let me soak in the water for a bit, just 5 or 10 minutes, before it gets dark.

The sky gradually darkened, bit by bit, until it was evening. It was a bit late to continue playing in the water, and it would be too hardcore to do so now.

Don't worry, we'll soak again tomorrow morning.

It's beautiful in a different way when it gets dark, isn't it? ^^

The walkways here are well-lit, making it easy to walk around even in the middle of the night.

Later, we will go inside the house to rest. For dinner tonight, Cabin Creek will prepare food for us in front of the house where we are staying.

(The seals came late, so the other houses have already finished eating.)

The meal consists of a variety of Thai dishes, including chili paste with boiled vegetables, stir-fried pork, stir-fried vegetables, omelet, and tom yum soup. It is served with steamed rice and fruit.

To be honest, the food wasn't really to my taste. It might be because I personally prefer strong flavors, and the clean flavors were a bit underwhelming. If the chef could make the dishes more flavorful, I think it would be a big improvement.


Full and ready for a bath before bed. The bed is very comfortable. The cool, refreshing air feels like a light drizzle, making me sleepy.

Some families who came in large groups had barbecues and chatted happily.

Nestled in the heart of nature, amidst the lush forest and babbling brook, the environment at night is shrouded in darkness and tranquility, broken only by the gentle murmur of the flowing water. However, if there is any singing, dancing, or recreational activities, the homestay groups have a mutual agreement to refrain from making loud noises after 10 pm. On the day of my visit, I was a bit unlucky as the homestay next door (not Cabin Creek) had a large group of people who had rented several buses and were singing karaoke very loudly into microphones. However, they eventually stopped late at night (after 10 pm, unfortunately).

It would be great if I could relax in peace and quiet today, but oh well. Anyway, after being quiet, I slept well.

I'd rather cuddle with my dog and sleep. Snoreeeee z z z Z Z Z....

::: A new morning in the big forest by the stream :::

I don't know why, but whenever I come here to relax and unwind, I wake up earlier than I do on workdays. Haha. This morning, the sun isn't out much, and I can see a faint mist floating in the air. It's so refreshing!

Waking up to fresh air in the morning, it's truly refreshing. Let's go for a walk and enjoy the birds and the trees.

The other houses were still asleep in the morning. It was quiet and peaceful. All you could hear was the sound of birds and the waterfall in the stream.

At the large pavilion by the stream, there will be a wide open space for you to sit and relax. If you come as a group, you can warm up and exercise here.

Really enjoying taking photos

Crystal clear water, cool and refreshing, where you can see the fish swimming.

Relax

Can I use a jet ski? 555

Humidity Index ^^

We'll walk back to feed breakfast in front of the seal's house first, and then go into the water because the water is too cold in the morning. I can't help it.


This morning, food was served in front of the house as usual. It was fried eggs and rice porridge (also for this meal, the taste was too bland for someone who is used to strong flavors, like a cat). Let's just say that we're eating clean for our health, okay?

After finishing our meal, we continued walking to the edge of the stream. We brought towels with us because we were going to soak in the jacuzzi to relieve pain and reduce fatigue. Yay!

By chance, I met Uncle Preecha, so we had a casual chat. He is a kind and polite person, and he is also an architect. He was also involved in the construction of the temple at Wat Khao Banjob. We should stop by on our way back.


As far as I remember, the uncle said that the community group at Thung Phel has come together to develop the community into a tourist attraction to generate income and create jobs for people in the community. Therefore, the Thung Phel Community Enterprise Group was established and opened as a homestay. Nowadays, more and more people know about it and come to visit. The houses in the area are always full because there is water, forest, and abundant nature that everyone wants to stay in. The group also practices organic farming to use the produce for cooking. It's great that they are working together for a strong community. It's worth supporting. ^^


The most important thing is that we want the guests and the homestay owners to help take care of this beautiful nature for a long time. Please respect the rules and regulations of the homestay for a pleasant stay and relaxation with nature ^^

When the sun comes out, let's get out of the Gucci pool and go play in the stream.

Wow, the water is so cold!

Oh my god... it's so good...


The water was so strong in some parts, it felt like four people were simultaneously massaging my neck with pillows. Bam, bam, bam, bam.

Relax from office syndrome (Hey, you work as a chef, right?)

Refreshing, wide awake

Ohhhhh, the finale is amazingggg.....I want to soak more, but my hands are numb and my lips are chapped.

I'll go upstairs to take a shower and pack my things. We'll continue our journey then.

::: Summary :::

For those interested in accommodation, please contact Uncle Preecha at 081 854 5205 or Line ID: Preecha507.

Or visit the page of Baan Pa Rim Tarn https://www.facebook.com/cabincreekthailand/?fref=ts

Overall, I was very impressed with the room and the atmosphere. If I have the chance, I will definitely come back to play in the water here again!

The end of the rainy season, the beginning of the cold season, the weather is cool, there is a lot of water, the fog is down, it must be beautiful ^^

::: Khao Banjob Temple :::

Before leaving Thung Pleo, I went up to Wat Khao Ban Chon for a bit, just a little past Cabin Creek.

The heavy rain during my visit truly enhanced the atmosphere of the forest temple.

Wat Khao Banchop is a secluded forest monastery in the lineage of Wat Khao Sukim. Situated by a tranquil stream, it offers an ideal environment for meditation practice.

This is a temple, please do not play in the water here.

There is a suspension bridge on the side.

Enter the ordination hall to pay respect to the Buddha.

Very beautiful

The atmosphere during the rain is perfect for meditation.

The atmosphere is beautiful, peaceful and truly serene. If you are relaxing in the Thung Phlu area, don't forget to stop by and make merit and visit Wat Khao Banchop.

::: Lunch in Chanthaburi City :::

Leaving Thung Phlu, I swung by a friend's place in Khlung for a bit. All the way there, I kept thinking about what to eat. What should I eat?

Heading to Khanom, I was really craving some fresh seafood. Soft-shell crab sounded good, but the weather wasn't cooperating. It rained heavily the whole way.

This Sunday in Khlung District was very quiet, so I thought I should go find food for the seals in Chanthaburi town.

I've been around a few times, so I'd rather be safe than sorry. On Sundays, many shops are closed, so I'll stop by a famous shop in the city center.

Which is probably inevitable [ Chanthaburi Restaurant ] I stopped by here last time as well

Today I stopped by the old branch because I couldn't find a new, beautiful shop. I'm so confused with the roads here, so I just took the familiar route.

Today I ordered 3 dishes, and the one I can't miss is the stir-fried crab with Chanthaburi noodles. But this restaurant's version seems a bit dry. I prefer the juicy version I had at Khlung River. It's truly unforgettable and has left a lasting impression on me. ^^

Deep-fried spring rolls are delicious.


This menu item caught my eye because it was listed as a recommended dish. It's called "Dry Ginger Pork Curry."


I didn't expect it to turn out like this when I ordered it, but it's actually quite delicious. It's perfect for people who like spicy food, the flavor is intense and my mouth is burning!

It is similar to roasted chili paste, but it is not.

I'm full and would like to have some dessert, but I'm planning to visit a new coffee shop in Chanthaburi later, so I'll end my savory meal here.

Since we're already here, let's buy some souvenirs from here.

The aforementioned items are not just any ordinary things. A chef like a sea lion must buy ingredients to cook food and fish to live up to her role as a housewife.



These are rice vermicelli, deep-fried crab, and ready-made sauce for the Crab Fried Rice Vermicelli dish.

::: Stir-fried Crab with Curry Paste [Semi-prepared] :::

(This review is a complete recipe from Chef Seal, including 'eating', 'traveling' and 'cooking' ^^)

The main ingredients sourced from the 'Chan Trophojana' restaurant

These 3 dishes cost 230 baht, but the portions are large enough for 5-6 people.

The owner of the Chanthabhochana restaurant said that one pack of noodles is enough for one bottle of sauce.

::: How to do it :::

- First, soak the noodles in water until they are soft, about 15-20 minutes. Because the cat soaked for only 15 minutes, the noodles were still hard inside when they were stir-fried.

Soak the noodles until they are slightly hydrated, but not for too long, as they will become mushy and break easily when stir-fried, making them unappetizing.

  • Heat the pan and add the sauce. We used 1 pack of noodles, so we poured the whole jar in. Once it boils, add the crab and mix it with the sauce.

Add the noodles and stir-fry (add 1 cup of water if you like it juicy and soggy)

Taste it, if the taste is too light, add sugar and fish sauce. The spicy taste in the seasoning water will be a bit spicy already.

Stir until well combined. Taste the noodles. If they are chewy and firm, not hard and crunchy, then they are done.

- Serve with chives, raw bean sprouts and cucumber.

And then it became this dish.

Significantly juicier than the ones you get at the store. He likes it this way. If you want to eat it, you have to make it yourself ^^

After a savory meal, it's time for something sweet to complete the experience. Let's head over to KAYS for dessert.


::: KAYS ESPRESSO BAR :::

I've heard of this shop for a while now. Since I'm already in Chanthaburi city, let's stop by for a coffee and some snacks before heading back.

Spacious, modern and beautifully decorated.

The back is a European-style garden.


The menu here consists of coffee, hot and cold drinks, ice cream, and honey toast, which also comes in charcoal dough.

I was really looking forward to eating charcoal ice cream, but it's sold out.... T T Oh well.

Instead, I ordered a drink [iced green tea] which tasted normal.

This glass adds a touch of green to her ^^

The coffee part, I ordered a Piccolo Latte, but I've been waiting for a while. I think they might have forgotten about it. There are quite a lot of customers.

The coffee itself wasn't particularly impressive, and I was a bit confused by the chocolate sauce on top. I'm not sure if they were trying to do latte art that didn't turn out well, or if there was another reason for it.

As for the dessert, the one I was planning to eat was sold out, so I couldn't eat it. I ended up looking at the food on the table next to me, haha.


And the other person's cold berry water that was sitting on the counter.


Overall, KAYS restaurant

- Beautiful shop, good atmosphere, lots of seats, suitable for hanging out with friends.

- Affordable drinks

- However, when it comes to coffee, it doesn't quite live up to its name as an Espresso Bar. This is because most customers, who tend to be families, prefer to order desserts, iced tea, and iced coffee.

If you're passing through Chanthaburi, come and hang out here.

::: Thung Prong Thong | Pra Sae :::

Leaving Chanthaburi in the late afternoon, I originally planned to stop by Suan Lamai in Rayong on the way back. That week, strawberries were in season, and I was looking forward to picking some beautiful ones. However, after calculating the distance and time, I realized they would probably be closed by the time I got there. And with the possibility of getting lost, I decided to change my plans. I didn't want to go for nothing and waste time.

...So what should I do now? I have time to spare, it's not dark yet, and I don't want to go back to Pattaya yet.... So I just kept driving, wondering where to go....

I saw a sign on the side of the road that said something about "โปรงๆ ทองๆ" (which I think means "shiny gold"). I did a quick search and found...

Ohhhhh....it's Thung Prong Thong in Prasae, who else!!!!

Turn into the sky, let's go!

Drive towards Pak Nam Prasae, then turn into the small alley next to Wat Takhian. Follow the signs, and you will eventually reach a wooden bridge leading to the Thung Prong Thong mangrove forest.

This place is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM with no entrance fee. You can park your car in front of the entrance, but you have to park in a double row, which makes it difficult to get out because the space is narrow and there are few parking spaces.

If you want convenience, you can pay 20 baht to park in the large parking lot in front.

As I walked in, I was greeted by a vast expanse of golden mangrove trees as far as the eye could see. It was truly beautiful.

As I walked in around 4-5 pm, the light was starting to slant, not too hot anymore. The sun hit the golden pothong leaves just right, making them glow a brilliant gold.


It's a real coincidence, I swear I didn't intentionally wear an outfit that matched the theme of the golden pothong tree.



Taking photos was really fun because I already loved the green and gold colors (as you can see from the costume I wore). The colors of the golden mangrove field really met my expectations.


This scene gives off a very chameleon-like vibe, adapting its tone to its surroundings.

In addition to the golden mangrove field in front, this wooden bridge will extend to the mouth of the Prasae River, with a length of almost 2 km.

Along the way, there are mangrove forests with stilt roots, which give a different feeling from the golden meadows we just saw.

There are also dark series like Mangrove Roots to watch.

Sprouts


I walked halfway and had to turn back because it was getting dark and I was afraid I wouldn't make it out in time.

But from this angle, the trees have a beautiful form.

Before the sun sets, let's drive to see the Prasae Warship. They say the sunset is beautiful there.

Relaxing by the water, with a cool breeze blowing.


The sun is setting.

Nature is amazing!

The sky is dark now. It's time to go back and prepare to work again the next day.

This trip was only 2 days and 1 night, but it was filled with happiness from nature.

Let's find some free time, even just 2 days, to soak up the atmosphere that nature has given us.

See you again next trip ^^

Follow the page "Mother Seal Kitchen Seally-Go-Round" that will take you to travel - stop by to eat - and then invite you to the kitchen to cook together.)

Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/seallygoround/?fref=ts


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