Hello there!

It's incredibly difficult to get everyone together for a big outing, isn't it? The answer is yes! Everyone is busy with work, even scheduling a simple dinner can be a challenge, let alone a trip. (Haha, it's like I'm subtly teasing my friends here.)

But today is the day! The day we've all cleared our schedules to hang out again. 12 of us have come together, even taking a day off work, for a 3-day, 2-night trip to Chanthaburi province. With 12 people, it's bound to be fun!

Chanthaburi Province's Slogan:

  • Famous waterfalls, city of fruits
  • High-quality pepper, abundant gems
  • Chanthaburi mats, rich in nature
  • King Taksin the Great reunited his forces in Chanthaburi to reclaim the nation



All photos were taken with
Nikon DSLR + iPhone 5s
Processed with Lightroom CC

https://www.facebook.com/goodpong.folio/

Enjoy! :}



#1

We gathered early in the morning and waited until everyone was present before setting off for Chanthaburi. Along the way, we reviewed the program for the next three days. (The route is subject to change depending on the actual situation.)



The first stop was Pliew Waterfall. My friends would arrive around noon, but I would probably miss it because I was running late. I hoped to see pictures from my friends later. While I was following them, I said hello to see how they were doing. That Pliew Waterfall... My friend said it was raining! So I didn't go. Now I'm looking for something to eat and then I'll check into my accommodation. Well, I thought the rain would stop soon. It was only noon, so I told them, "Let's meet again in the evening at the Nang Phaya Viewpoint and Krung Wiman Beach to watch the sunset."

I hung up the phone. "Oh, the first place was already a flop."


1. Encouragement

At a red light, I saw an elderly couple. In the picture, the aunt is sitting facing out, holding the cart with her hand, but the cart is not attached to the motorcycle at all. I was speechless.

"I just feel that if we think we are having a hard time, it is not the case. Everyone has their own burdens, but let's look at it as encouragement.......... ."


English:


Note:

The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.


3. Sim27 Hostel

Once everyone had arrived at the hostel, we went to the living room on the second floor to wait for the rain to stop. The living room was very spacious, and even with 12 people, it didn't feel crowded. There was a PS4 to play, movies to watch, and books to read. With all these amenities, what else could we ask for? So, we decided to play some card games. Everyone showed off their skills, playing games like Pokdeng (a basic Thai card game), Slap, Poker, Dummy, and even Doraemon cards! (I still don't know what Doraemon cards are or where they came from. Even after returning home, I'm still confused about how to play them.)


4. Hostel Front View

As the rain stopped, I glanced at my watch and saw that it was almost 7 pm. It was time to go out and find something to eat. Oh, the hostel is called Sim27 Hostel, named after the 27-year-old owner. He's a young entrepreneur, just like me. (He looks really cool, doesn't he? Just kidding, don't judge me.)

Oh, Sim27 Hostel is a really great hostel. It's very clean, safe, and the rooms are of a high standard. I highly recommend it.


5. Poo Cha Seafood Restaurant

For dinner tonight, we chose Poo Cha Restaurant... "I'm here!" It's a seafood restaurant near Tha Chalap Pier. After suffering all day, we hoped this would be the last thing to make us happy. Stepping into the restaurant, it didn't seem too crowded, but almost all the tables were occupied. We then opened the menu and ordered food. The food came out one or two dishes at a time, and it was gone as soon as it arrived. I don't know if it was delicious or if we were just hungry, but personally, I think the taste was very good. If I come back to this area, I will eat at this restaurant again.

.........At least on a bad day, I got to eat good food, so that's okay. (Comforting myself again)


6. Hanging out in front of the homestay

We then returned to the hostel to hang out until one in the morning. The young man from Nong Khai started playing the guitar, and we sang softly. We hope that everyone in the neighborhood had a good night's sleep with our music.



Part I


7. Balcony view of room B4 Sim27 Hostel

I woke up with a start at 6 am before the alarm clock went off. I got up and walked over to open the curtains to check the weather. Wow, it looks like it's going to be a good day. So I quickly woke up my girlfriend and we got dressed to go visit the old town that everyone has been talking about... the riverside community of Chanthaburi.


8. The sun's rays burn away the mist.


9. Early morning, Chan

As we entered the residential area, we were still wary of the sky, which seemed to be alternating between rain and sunshine. However, we ignored it and continued our walk through the old town.

Note: The original text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

10. Early Bird Gets the Worm

Personally, I wasn't particularly excited. As a local, I've been familiar with the old riverside community since childhood. The only difference now is the architecture. People greeted each other with smiles, as usual. I found the community to be remarkably peaceful and quiet. (Of course it's quiet, it's only 7:30 AM! What shop would be open to welcome you at this hour?) I was starting to feel hungry.


This text is already in English and does not require translation.

If you have any other text you would like me to translate, please provide it and I will be happy to assist you.

11. Tim Hipster

Take a leisurely stroll and take photos while waiting for the noodles at Auntie Eed's shop.


12. Riverside Community of Chanthaburi, a Popular Spot


13. Riverside atmosphere of Chanthaburi


14. On the way to the church


15. Auntie Eid's Shop


16. Special bowl 100.-

9 am sharp, we were sitting at the restaurant, Jeed. The shop looks like a normal alleyway shophouse. We were greeted by the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Rio from the TV. So I ordered noodles and watched TV while I waited. Ah... it looks good. After the shopkeeper brought it to the table, I took the first bite of the squid, which looked fresh. Followed by mantis shrimp, shrimp, alternating with the soup and noodles, going around. Hmm, it tastes salty. Why is the tom yum soup salty? I guess it's probably because the shop just opened and the soup isn't ready yet. Personally, I think the seafood is good, fresh and delicious. But the taste of the soup and noodles is just so-so, ordinary. Oh, the noodles are quite spicy, I can eat them comfortably. But if you don't eat spicy food, don't forget to tell the staff.


17. Junction before reaching Krung Wiman Beach

After finishing at the riverside community of Chanthaburi, we headed towards Krung Wiman Beach. At this point, my friend said he wanted to go see the dolphin show, so we parted ways. However, we agreed to meet up later at the homestay. The journey from the riverside community of Chanthaburi to Krung Wiman Beach took over 40 minutes.


18. Krung Vimarn Beach

This stunning beach boasts a unique landscape of small and large rocks scattered across the shore, set against a backdrop of dramatic storm clouds and peculiar rock formations. Photography enthusiasts would likely be eager to capture the sunset here, but unfortunately, time constraints due to a 1.30-hour travel to the next accommodation prevent such indulgence. (A moment of silent disappointment). The beach is remarkably peaceful and serene, especially during the morning hours, offering a tranquil escape without the need to wait for shops to open.


19. The Tree's Perspective

We hear the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the rocks in rhythm. Swoosh... Swoosh... The water droplets touch our faces and bodies, adding a chill to the air. The scent of the sea breeze invites us to take a deep breath, mixed with the smell of rain falling in the distance, in the middle of the sea...

" I think these things can give your heart a break for just a few hours, which I think is slow living. Just being with yourself, opening all your senses, and experiencing everything around you more deeply.

When you walk on the sand, feel your feet sinking into the millions of grains of sand. When you wade in the water, feel how the water flows between your toes and how cold it is. When the wind blows, feel it tousle your hair in the air. When you breathe, be aware of what you are smelling... That's enough."


20. Path

21. Scenic Viewpoint of Nang Phaya Hill, the People's Corner

Next is the scenic viewpoint of Nang Phaya Hill, not far from Krung Viman Beach. The air is getting hotter, just like the increasing number of people. Many people took turns taking pictures at the popular corner, including myself. This road is a beautiful road that winds along the beach, making you dream of the sunset in the evening. The light and lines of the road would be a beautiful sight to behold. ... Cut back to the present, I'm sweating like a pig now. I was just daydreaming.

Hot... but keep walking.


22. His shoulder


23. Rock People

This corner is located below the rocky viewpoint. Little crabs scuttle around (or flee), and locals sit patiently with their fishing rods, waiting for a bite.

When the heat became unbearable and thirst threatened to overcome us, we returned to the parking lot where a food and beverage stall awaited. After quenching our thirst and hunger, we headed towards Kwan Samutr Sea Home Stay. Coincidentally, our friends had just finished watching dolphins, and we happened to be passing by. We stopped to greet them and waited together. Ah, entertainment returned once again. (Oh Eh Sea World is a place to watch dolphin shows.)


Breakdown:

  • <p>: This HTML tag indicates the start of a paragraph.
  • <br />: This HTML tag inserts a line break within the paragraph.
  • <em>: This HTML tag indicates the start of emphasized text.
  • </em>: This HTML tag indicates the end of emphasized text.
  • <hr />: This HTML tag inserts a horizontal rule, visually separating content.

Conclusion:

The provided text is a simple HTML snippet containing a paragraph with a line break and emphasized text, followed by a horizontal rule.


Part II


24. On the way to the homestay


25. Sea Bridge

It was a real struggle to reach the homestay, especially the last 10 kilometers. The road was rough red clay with potholes all the way. If you have a low-riding car, be prepared to shed some tears.

The overall impression of the homestay was good. There was a pond that helped create a nice atmosphere, and it was also right on the beach. However, we ended up with a room that wasn't very good. It was the worst room in the homestay after we walked around and checked them all out. It wasn't terrible, we could sleep and shower there, but for 1500 baht per person, and with 8 people in our room, it was just not acceptable. At that point, I almost didn't want to pay the rest and just go stay somewhere else. Four of our friends got a much nicer room, it was like they gave us the absolute worst room they had. I'm just saying, if the rooms are full, don't try to find a room that's not as good as the others and charge the same price. (The name of the place was something like "Bamboo House", if I remember correctly.) But we just tried to forget about it and stay there.

To avoid ruining the mood, we pulled out some cards and drinks and had a party before the sun went down. It was a way to cheer ourselves up after what we had experienced. It wasn't even dinner time yet, and things were already a mess.


26. Bread


27. Atmosphere of Talay Kwan Samut Homestay


28. Food preparation and cooking zone

After having fun, we started to feel hungry, so we decided to wait for dinner. The restaurant arranged the food to welcome guests at the entrance, which was a good way to whet our appetites. The food was delicious, flavorful, and we could refill it as much as we wanted because it was a buffet. We ended with two kinds of fruits, which were also delicious.

Instead of going back to the accommodation to hang out after dinner, we saw a karaoke set up in the middle of the food zone with a projector on the wall showing music videos. It felt very homey, like the old days when we went to camps or trips with adults. We always sang songs together during or after dinner. These childhood memories came flooding back. We sat waiting for a group of brave people to open the floor. At first, we sang along with them, clapping and cheering.

Later, when there were only two tables left, my table and another table, we started competing to open the floor. We sang songs from Christina, Tata, to Jay Jetrin. It was so much fun. There are not many times when we get to sing karaoke in a homey way, old songs with friends. It's an activity we don't get to do often. (Most of the time when we go to karaoke with friends, we hardly get to sing......... Wait! What kind of karaoke is this?)

We sang and sang until the lights went out!! Oh my god, what were we singing that the lights went out? Haha, but it wasn't because of our singing. It went out because of the heavy rain. (Again) This time, the lights went out for a long time. I felt funny about life. It's rare that we get to get together like this, but there are always things that go wrong. It's as if we're being called to get together again to make up for it. (Oh)

To be continued... When the lights went out and the rain was heavy, we couldn't go back to the accommodation, so we just sat there. Everything was dark except for the light from our mobile phones. There was music from the table next to us, who were still there to keep us company. I leaned back on the table and closed my eyes, listening to the music, the sound of my friends talking, and the sound of the rain hitting the roof. It was a bit cold. (Hmm, should I just sleep here?) But I felt warm knowing that my friends were still talking beside me. I closed my eyes and slept until the sound started to fade and disappear..........



Is there anything else I can help you with?

#3

The last day... I have to go back to my normal life.


29. Raindrops

The sound of rain greeted us this morning, accompanied by the peaceful atmosphere of nature. We took care of our personal needs, packed our belongings, and enjoyed a simple breakfast at the homestay before checking out.


Morning Atmosphere at the Balcony

Original Text:

30. บรรยากาศยามเช้า หน้าบานพัก


This image captures the serene morning atmosphere on the balcony.

31. Hunting for sport or hunting for food

The first stop of the day was Ao Kung Kraben and a walk through the mangrove forest. In my heart, I prayed that the rain would stop falling so that we could continue our trip as planned. But no matter how hard I prayed, it was in vain. Since I didn't want to risk another storm, I decided to change our destination to the Chalermphrakiet 60th Anniversary Aquarium.

Aquarium Tunnel

The aquarium is not very large, but it does have an impressive tunnel that provides a unique perspective on the marine life within.

33. Underwater World

After visiting the aquarium, it was already past noon. Going back to the city to eat and then returning to Bangkok would be a waste of time. So we decided to return to Bangkok and eat at a restaurant in Kanchanaburi on the way, which seemed like a better use of our time.


34. Chaolao Beach

The rain continues to fall.


35. Mae Phim Beach

We arrived and chose to have seafood at this beachside restaurant called Nong Nooch (as recommended by a friend). We were not disappointed with our last meal. The food was delicious and the taste was really good. If we have the chance to come back to this area, we will definitely stop by here again.

...

A short and painful trip because it rained the whole time.
- Sim27 hostel is very good. It is clean, safe, and seamless. I slept soundly (just kidding).
- Khao Kwan Samut Homestay has good service, a good location, and delicious food (if I could sleep in a new room, I would be more impressed).
- Krung Wiman Beach, I personally like the naturally occurring rocks.
- Nang Phaya Viewpoint is a beautiful road that winds along the beach.
- Riverside Community of Chanthaburi is different only in its architecture.
- Chan Na Ja, if the storm hadn't hit, it would have been much more fun.

Since I didn't stay at each place for long, I couldn't absorb as much as I should have. So I took what I saw and felt at first glance as my starting point.
Thank you for following along or watching the pictures.

Goodbye :}



The following is a translation of the provided text:

A lingering memory from a photograph.


36. Church

37. Plus


38. Krung Vimarn Beach


39. Riverside Village

#chanthaburi
Comments