A traveller's reflection: Thailand 2016: Dams and Lakes Ride

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Saturday, 20 February 2016

Thailand 2016: Dams and Lakes Ride - Thale Noi Lotus Lake...

"Take a quiet walk with Mother Nature. It will nurture your mind, body and soul..." - Anthony Douglas Williams

(Beautiful blooming lotus flowers)

Day 03: 20 February 2016 (Saturday)
Route: Ratchaprabha Dam – Thale Noi
Distance: 266 km
Hotel: Chuan Chom Resort

By 2.00 pm we started riding from Ratchaprabha Dam towards Phatthalung and took the junction to highway 4048 from Amphoe Mueang to Amphoe Khuan Khanun to reach Thale Noi.

Thale Noi is located in Phattalung Province and is one of Thailand’s most important, and scenic, waterbird sanctuaries. Thale Noi, meaning Small Sea in Thai comprises of the northern limits of the large Thale Sap, the Fresh Water Sea, which stretches off to the south eventually connecting to the Gulf of Thailand at Songkhla Town. The northern end consists of freshwater marshes and lotus covered lakes that are home to a spectacular array of waterfowl.

We visited the Thale Noi Wetland Educational Complex and climbed the 5 story Thale Noi Tower for a panoramic view of the wetland.

Tonight we spent the night at the Chuan Chom Resort at B700/night inclusive of breakfast. The resort is a walking distance from the Tourist Centre and near the night market.

(The entrance to the Water Bird Reserve Complex)

(The walkway to the educational centre)

(The 5-storey high Thale Noi Tower

(Bird watching area)

(The worn-out signage of Thale Noi Tower)

(Interesting murals at the view point)

(Painting of local scenes)

(Another painting on the wall)

(The locals harvesting lotus stems and pods)

(The Water Bird Complex from above)

(Interesting bird figurines)

(Long-tail boats available for rental)

(A cozy resort near town area)

(A choice of chalets and rooms)

Day 04: 22 February 2016 (Sunday)
Route: Thale Noi – Hatyai
Distance: 126 km
Hotel: Hatyai Grand Plaza

After subuh prayers, we walked to the Tourist Centre and rented a long-tail boat and a guide for B450 to go for the bird watching cruise around the lake. It was still dark when we started our trip and had the opportunity to watch the beautiful sunrise on the horizon.

(On a bird watching cruise around the lake)

(The beautiful sunrise on the horizon)

(Peaceful morning tranquility)

(The lake is busy with visitors later in the morning)

(A herd of water buffaloes crossing the marshland)

Another attraction of this area is the many types of beautiful lotus that bloom during the summer. Some of the types of lotus that can be found here are the Scarlet Rose Mallow, White Water Lily, and the Sacred Lotus. Thale Noi is at its most beautiful from January to March because the lotus will be in full bloom. The Bird-watching Cruise on a long-tail boat is also the best during this time of the year. As we cruise on the lake we had the opportunity to see the locals doing their daily activities such as, fishing or gathering lotus pods or edible stems.

(The home for many species of water birds)

(Beautiful sight of blooming lotus flowers)

(Lotus lake, as far as the eye can see)

Later we took a walk on the wooden bridge that surrounds the district office and visited the Kon Le Noi footbridge community and watched the easy-going life of the locals making handicrafts or weaving grass mats, or drying fermented catfish on stilted platforms, a must- try delicacy of this area.

(The Visitor Center is under renovation)

(Wooden bridge that surrounds the District Office)

(Chalets on stilts are available here)

(Long-tail boats for rental)

(Visiting the footbridge community)

(Cemented pathway leading to the local dwellings)

(Some wooden bridge inter-crossing each other)

At noon we checked out of the resort and rode towards Hatyai. Tonight we stayed at the Grand Plaza Hotel and went for an hour of therapeutic Thai massage to soothe tired muscles.

Day 05: 23 February 2016 (Monday)
Route: Hatyai – KL
Distance: 533 km

After breakfast we started riding towards the border. Border clearance was smooth at the newly opened Immigration Complex. We made a few stops for refuelling and had a very late lunch at Mee Udang Pak Su at Changkat Jering.