Visiting Hua Hin in the Rainy Season: A Stop at Pa Rua Poo Pen Restaurant, Branch 2

As the rainy season transitioned into early winter, with an uncharacteristic absence of cool breezes, we embarked on a journey along the Rama II highway, heading towards our destination in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. En route, we made a stop at a PTT gas station near Samut Sakhon, where we indulged in the trendy Wing Zapp ice cream and the newly released French fries.

After having a bite to eat, we continued our journey and arrived in Hua Hin around 2:30 PM. We checked in at our accommodation, Initial HUAHIN, which we had booked in advance through Booking.

Upon arriving at the accommodation, heavy rain began to fall before we could unload our belongings from the car. As the parking lot lacked a roof, we opted to postpone bringing our belongings up to the room and instead went inside to rest. After reaching the room and opening the balcony curtains, we were astonished by the view behind the room. Mist descended and hovered around the foot of the mountain, creating a breathtaking scene. The actual atmosphere was far more stunning than the photos we had seen.

The room is spacious and well-equipped with amenities, including a refrigerator, electric kettle, coffee, and a rain shower.

The overall condition of the room was good and spacious. However, upon arrival, we noticed a small bloodstain, approximately the size of a five-baht coin, on the bedsheet that could not be washed out. We contacted the staff, who promptly replaced the bedsheet. (We couldn't help but wonder whose blood it was...)

The rain finally stopped around 6 pm, just in time for dinner. After researching seafood restaurants in Hua Hin, we decided on 'Pa Ruay Poo Pen', which was conveniently located near the Cicada market. We had originally planned to visit the Cicada market before dinner, but it was closed due to the rain.

Aun Rวย Poo Pen Restaurant has two branches. We visited the second branch, which is located on the roadside opposite the Cicada market. The restaurant has parking for 5-6 cars. Additional parking is available on the roadside.

Upon entering the establishment, customers must queue to place their orders with staff seated at a front-facing desk. Following order placement, a waiting period of approximately 10 minutes is to be expected.

After securing a table, we ordered 3-4 dishes. The first to arrive were our refreshing cold drinks. Ah… what a delight!

The next dish was a small plate of crab fried rice (the smallest size), which was still quite large and could feed about 3 people. It used crab claw meat and had a generous amount of crab meat, including eggs and whole pieces of crab. The flavor of the fried rice was mild, making it suitable for pairing with other dishes, as is typical of Chinese banquet-style fried rice.

Next up is the 'grilled scallop with butter', featuring succulent scallops with roe, grilled to perfection and散发着诱人的香味. Paired with a zesty seafood dipping sauce, this dish offers a delightful combination of buttery richness, creamy roe, and the tangy kick of the sauce.

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Next up, we have 'fresh oysters' with all the trimmings. The oysters are perfectly sized, not too small, not too big, and are served with roasted chili paste, fried shallots, acacia shoots, and a drizzle of seafood dipping sauce. Spicy and delicious...

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Moving on to grilled dishes, the 'grilled sweet clams' dish arrived with the distinctive aroma of grilled sweet clams hitting our noses. The restaurant thoughtfully provided toothpicks, which we used to pry open the shells and dip the perfectly cooked clam meat into the accompanying sauce. The clam meat was firm and chewy.

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'Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon' is a spicy and sour soup with a rich coconut milk base. The lemongrass is chopped into long pieces, unlike other restaurants that use finely chopped lemongrass. The shrimp is fresh and bouncy, with each piece as large as a spoon. The soup is flavorful and well-balanced, with just the right amount of spice.

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After finishing dinner in the evening, it started raining again. I had originally planned to try the famous papaya dipping sauce barbecue, but I didn't go because I thought the rain would prevent the stall from opening. Instead, I returned to the hotel to rest. In conclusion, I arrived in Hua Hin on the first day and still haven't seen the sea.

Another morning, I woke up and went down to have breakfast at the accommodation. They had set meals, including an omelet set and a fried egg set. The breakfast here was delicious. The omelet was still juicy and succulent inside, and the bacon was fried to a perfect golden crisp.

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In addition to the set main courses, there is also cereal, milk, toast, Nutella, peanut butter, butter, and dessert in the form of chocolate brownies. Fruits include watermelon. Oh, and there's also a Nestle coffee machine.

At noon, we checked out of our accommodation and went for a walk on Hua Hin beach. The sun was strong and it was very hot (it was noon, after all). We walked and took photos for a while before returning.

Continuing on to Khao Takiap Temple, we passed a fishing village along the way. The sight of boats parked there was too tempting to resist, so we stopped to take some photos. It was a true glimpse into the local way of life.

Upon arrival at Khao Takiab Temple, before ascending to pay respects to the Buddha's relics, ladies wearing shorts or skirts above the knee must don the sarongs provided by the temple to ensure proper decorum.

Before heading back, stop by Together Bakery & Cafe to savor their renowned **'young coconut cake'**.

The cake itself is a pandan-flavored chiffon, not too thick, topped with a layer of young coconut. The coconut is truly young, with very soft flesh. The lightly sweetened chiffon pairs well with the sauce on top.

Quench your thirst with fresh coconut water, stylishly served with a separate jug for self-pouring.

This trip was primarily focused on indulging in delicious food, with some relaxation and travel thrown in for good measure. The weather wasn't ideal, with frequent rain showers limiting our exploration. However, we embraced the opportunity to unwind, savor delectable meals, and enjoy the comforts of our accommodation. Our travel philosophy is to adapt our plans to the prevailing mood, weather conditions, and convenience. Ultimately, it's about embracing the journey and finding joy in the experience.