This was a trip planned and prepared in less than a week because what we wanted to do had been on our minds for a long time. The destination was a place we had visited frequently and were familiar with.

However, due to the short notice, it is difficult for us to find members to join us on this trip, as most of them have already made prior arrangements. Additionally, many people still do not understand what we are going to do and where we are going.

We understand and will translate the sentence from Thai to English, maintaining a simple and concise tone.

Here's the translation:

"We don't mind, because wherever we go, we'll go together. Let's start small, so our journey isn't just about having fun."

All members are ready, and everything is prepared. When the time comes, we will go. On Saturday morning, we will meet at the Victory Monument at 8:00 AM to take a van to Ko Loy.

As a long-distance commuter, I have to wake up at 4:30 am to allow for the best possible travel time. I get dressed and leave home to catch the van at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Ladkrabang Campus at 6:30 am.

We arrived at Victory Monument earlier than expected, around 7 am. So, we decided to grab breakfast at a roadside stall before heading to the van terminal. We opted for a simple meal of chicken rice, one plate each.

I cannot disclose the name of the restaurant. However, I would advise against trying it. While the taste may be good, as evidenced by the popularity of the establishment, it may not suit everyone's palate. In our case, the three of us found it to be unsatisfactory.

The seven members arrived on time as scheduled. Oh! When we went to buy tickets, the ticket seller told us that if there was a traffic jam and a lot of cars, they might not take us to the Ko Loy pier. They might only take us to Robinson Sriracha (I could only smile faintly without any response, because usually they took us to the pier at first, but lately they haven't been doing it so often).

We can only wait for the time being, chatting and complaining. It's the taste of life on the road, and we're not in a hurry. At 9:00 am, the bus arrived at the station. We ran to the bus faster than the speed of light (because we were afraid we wouldn't be able to sit together ^^). However, it wasn't until 9:30 am that we were able to leave Saovari because of the heavy traffic, which made the driver start to complain.

"The man then shouted at us, asking where we were going. Our group replied, 'Koh Loy.' The man was silent for a moment, and we tried to tell him, 'There are seven of us, uncle.'"

Two more people in the back asked to get off, so the uncle said he would take them. It was convenient and they didn't have to transfer buses.

The car drove on the motorway for a while, passing Techno Ladkrabang. The sun was getting stronger, and my eyes began to close slowly. Just as I was dozing off, I was startled awake by the driver's announcement: "We're changing routes because there's an overturned car on the motorway ahead. We'll head to Chonburi first and then take the bypass back to Si Racha."

"Yes!" one of our members responded. The car drove up the side road, then down, turning left and right. Many people fell asleep, swaying with the movement of the car. However, as we approached Si Rat Road, the traffic became heavy and started to slow down. But the atmosphere inside the car was cheerful because the driver was in a good mood, teasing everyone, making us, the passengers, laugh along.

The uncle drove us to the Koh Loi pier. As soon as we got out of the car, we rushed to buy tickets for the ferry to the other side, as there was a trip leaving at noon. The ferry was leaving in 10 minutes, but the seats were full. The next trip wouldn't be for another hour. The ticket seller, recognizing us (we are fans of Uncle U, the owner of Boonsiri Homestay, where we often stay), arranged a special seat for us with the boat driver (normally not allowed). The space was large enough for the nine of us to sit comfortably (we met two more people at the Koh Loi pier). We chatted with the uncle all the way, and before we knew it, we had arrived at Koh Sichang. As the boat docked, the pier was bustling with tourists and vendors. Those who had arranged transportation left first. Those who didn't could rent vehicles at the pier, including motorcycles, songthaews, and skylabs.

Our group had already arranged for a car, but we stopped to take photos and waited for the crowds to disperse. Our two Skylab cars then headed to our accommodation, Baan Puen Si Chang. After dropping off our belongings, we walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch. It was a small place, and since it was late afternoon, everyone was starting to get hungry and tired. We had passed this restaurant many times before but never stopped in. However, after this visit, it will definitely become a regular spot for us. The crispy pork was amazing! The shrimp and squid were also worth the price, and the rice was served in generous portions. We were full and energized, ready to continue our exploration.

Start by paying respects to Chao Pho Khao Yai (Chulachomklao Temple), which requires climbing stairs. However, there is a small tram available for those who cannot climb. You can donate money to the box according to your faith. On the way up the stairs to Chao Pho Khao Yai, there is a fork on the left-hand side that leads to the top of Phra Chulachomklao, where there is a replica of the Buddha's footprint. If you are fit, you can try this path, as the sign indicates a distance of 268 meters. However, we decided to take the skylab up.

From this vantage point, we are treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of Koh Sichang Island, stretching far and wide. We lingered here for a while, savoring the stunning vista.

Next, we will continue to the Chuthathuj Rachathan Palace, the summer residence of King Rama V. There are many important places in this palace, such as the Atsadang Bridge.

A popular spot for pre-wedding photoshoots, this location is often visited by couples about to tie the knot. Surrounded by an aura of love, the area boasts a variety of frangipani trees adorned with white and pink blossoms.

The water level had dropped significantly when we visited, revealing rocky outcrops teeming with oysters. Several people were foraging for them, so we decided to take a closer look. It turned out they were searching for cowry shells nestled among the oyster shells, most of which were empty. We joined the search and eventually found one. Reaching in to grab it, I got cut by a sharp oyster shell, drawing blood. We stayed there until around 5:30 pm.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

The group decided to take a car to watch the sunset at Khao Khad Viewpoint (Isariyaphon Channel). Everyone enjoyed themselves, taking photos until the last light disappeared over the horizon. However, when they got in the car to return to their accommodation, they stopped to order dinner at Auntie Noi's restaurant. The seafood was served in large portions, but the restaurant was very busy, so they asked for their food to be delivered to their accommodation.

Many people were waiting to shower because the food was late. However, we ended up taking our food to Uncle U's homestay (which has a treehouse) to eat. We ate and talked until almost 11 pm, and then we walked back to our accommodation and went to sleep.

Early Sunday Morning: A Journey to Cleanse the Khao Khad Channel

On a crisp Sunday morning, we stirred from our slumber at the crack of dawn, eager to begin our day of environmental stewardship. As the clock struck five, we roused ourselves, washing away the remnants of sleep and preparing for the journey ahead. By six o'clock sharp, a vehicle awaited our arrival, ready to transport us to the Khao Khad Channel, our designated site for a day of dedicated waste collection.

After distributing the equipment, we walked to the end of the road and then slowly collected garbage all the way back to the Wachiravuth Bridge. Fortunately, the sun wasn't too strong today, so we were able to collect garbage steadily until almost 9 am. We then walked back to find breakfast near our accommodation, where we had rice porridge and pork blood soup.

At 9:30 AM, the Skylab car picked us up and took us to the lower pier to board a boat for a tour around the island and collect garbage. After a while, some people started to feel seasick.

The waves here are strong, but the view is different from what we've seen before.

When the boat reaches the back of the island, near Tha Ya Tim pier, not far away is Bat Island. When the water recedes, you can walk from Tha Ya Tim to Bat Island.

(This is something I haven't seen with my own eyes yet, so I'll definitely have to come back again.) By the time we get back to shore, it will be noon, and we'll still be walking around the market and shopping for food for a while.

After returning to the accommodation, I took a shower and had lunch before the car picked me up around 2 pm.

Arriving at the pier, we had to wait until three in the afternoon. However, if the boat was full, it would depart earlier. At around two o'clock, the boat set sail. Many passengers were asleep, while others continued to admire the scenery.

Three people requested to return separately before reaching Ko Loi. The remaining six people walked to the roundabout because the van did not pick them up at Ko Loi.

Six people crammed into a three-wheeled taxi, then waited over an hour for a van to take them back to the capital, where they went their separate ways.

Looking forward to another fun and rewarding trip!

The destination is not the only thing we encounter when we travel.

Engaging with strangers can lead to unexpected friendships.

The people we already know will become even more familiar to us.

The journey is just as important as the destination.

Volunteer Travel: More Than Just a Trip to Koh Sichang

This sentence describes the concept of "Volunteer Travel," where the goal is to provide travelers with an experience that goes beyond simply visiting a destination. The example given is a trip to Koh Sichang, an island off the coast of Thailand, using a map created by "May Macro."

Here's a breakdown of the translated sentence:

• อาสาเที่ยว: This phrase literally translates to "volunteer travel," highlighting the focus on contributing to the local community while traveling.
• แค่อยาก: This means "just want," emphasizing the desire to offer more than just a typical tourist experience.
• ให้คน: This translates to "give people," indicating the target audience for this type of travel.
• ไปเที่ยว: This means "to travel," reinforcing the core activity involved.
• ได้อะไร: This translates to "get something," suggesting the intention to provide travelers with valuable experiences beyond sightseeing.
• มากกว่า: This means "more than," further emphasizing the desire to offer a deeper and more meaningful experience.
• แค่: This means "just," reiterating the focus on exceeding a basic travel experience.
• ไปเที่ยวแผนที่เกาะสีชัง: This translates to "go to the travel map of Koh Sichang," providing a specific example of how this concept can be implemented.
• ฉบับเมย์ มาโคร: This means "May Macro's version," indicating the source of the map and potentially highlighting a specific approach or perspective.

Overall, the sentence conveys the idea that "Volunteer Travel" aims to provide travelers with an opportunity to contribute to the local community while gaining valuable experiences that go beyond simply visiting a destination. The example of Koh Sichang and the map created by "May Macro" offers a concrete illustration of how this concept can be put into practice.

Concise Travel Guide: From Transportation to Expenses

This guide provides a brief overview of travel essentials, including transportation options and estimated costs.