Sunday, 16 December 2018

2018 Thailand Year-end Couple Ride: 06 Samut Songkhram - Chumphon

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all - the risk of spending your life not doing what you want…” - Randy Komisar 

(A royal visit to Rajabakhti Park)

Day 06: 12 Dec 2018 (Wednesday)
Route: Samut Songkhram – Hua Hin – Singkhon Pass - Chumphon
Distance: 416 km
Hotel: Chumphon Nanaburi Hotel


Outside, the sky looked burnt out, all black char and thick grey ashes, heavy with rain. A promise of a cold and wet ride. Caution required...

We refuelled and had breakfast at a PTT outside of Samut Songkhram town. Carefully, we rode with minimal visibility on highway 35 then highway 4 to Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin. 

(A morning briefing before the ride)
(Riding in the rain with care)
(Passing through the town of Hua Hin)

Rajabhakti Park is one of Hua Hin’s attractions. It was raining heavily when we arrived at the park but it did not deter us from taking pictures with the giant bronze statues of the great Kings of Thailand from various era in Thai history. The impressive 14 meters giant statues stand in a line against a backdrop of forested hills. Each statue carries a plate with the name of the King and period of reign.

(The majestic bronze statues of the kings)
(Drenched wet in heavy rain)
(A group photo in front of the statues)

From Hua Hin we rode on highway 4 to Prachuap Khiri Khan and detoured to visit Dan Singkhorn Pass about 18km from Prachuap Khiri Khan. Dan Singkhon pass is a Thailand/Myanmar border crossing allowable only for the locals.

In our next trip here, we would like to venture into the Khao Hin Tern Park which lies between Dan Singkorn and Prachuap Khiri Khan, where one could take a hike and see some unusual rock formations.

(A detour to Thailand/Myanmar border)
(The gate to Myanmar)
(The Clock Tower of Dan Singkhon)
(Myanmar Coffee Shop at the border)
(Thanaka beauty products from Myanmar)

From Dan Singkhon we headed south to a new Thap Sake R&R about 40 km from Prachuap Khiri Khan. The R&R area is clean, complete with amenities such as toilets, Muslim praying area, food court and bazaar. There are many halal stalls with variety of delicious food to choose from.

(A new R&R area at Thap Sake)
(Ample parking space for cars and buses)
(Eating area for Muslims in blue)
(A Muslim Praying area)
(Well decorated clean toilets)

After lunch we rode direct to Chumphon and checked-in at Nanaburi Hotel at B800/night with complimentary breakfast. Tonight we had dinner at Fareeda Restaurant, a short walking distant from our hotel. After dinner the gang had an hour of strong Thai massage to relief tired muscle for only B200/hr.


No comments:

Post a Comment