Bankara Ramen

Bankara ramen at Sukhumvit 39. For those who love Ramen and do not have times and money (like me) to go to Japan, try the ramen at this eatery. Be aware that it might be a long line waiting for an available table.

Krabi Province

First place to visit for today is at Noppharat Thara Beach (หาดนพรัตน์ธารา)

Hat Noppharat Thara (Noppharat Thara Beach)
Located 6 kilometers from Ao Nang is a famous 3-kilometer long white sandy beach lined with dense casuarinas and coconut groves. The beach, paved with tiny seashells, was formerly called "Hat Khlong Haeng", which means dried canal beach by locals, because the canal dries up during low tide and the area turns into a long beach

Next place is สุสานหอย. But it is the “high tide” time of the day so I don’t see much of the shell graveyard.


My brother, a sponsor of this trip.

“Nemo” at a small Marine Fish Reservation

We stop to have lunch at Ban Ton Kao “บ้านต้นข้าว” which offers a great land view. I would rather recommend to come for dinner since the area would be cooler for walking around and taking a picture.



Our menu includes Stir-fried crab with eggs and curry powder (ปูผัดผงกะหรี่), Traditional spare rib soup (ต้มซี่โครงหมูโบราณ), Simmered Fish หลนปลาอินทรีย์ and Spicy Ban Ton Kao Salad (ยำบ้านต้นข้าว).

Wat Tham Suea, which literally means tiger cave temple, is located in the Khiriwong Valley amidst lush forests and mountains with large trees over a hundred years old approximately 9 kilometers northeast of Krabi Town. Aside from being the site of a meditation center, the compound is also a place of archaeological and historical interest as excavations have uncovered stone tools, pottery remains and Buddha footprint crafting molds. In addition, a cave in the compound has what appears to be tiger paw prints in the stone.

Our next place is at “พิพิธภัณฑ์คลองท่อม”
Wat Khlong Thom Museum
The Museum exhibits various artifacts discovered during excavations of an area called "Khuan Luk Pat" or a bead mound behind Wat Khlong Thom. Unearthed artifacts include stone tools, bronze implements, metal coins, pottery shards, ceramic and stone decorative art and colored beads that are over 5,000 years old.

In the same district is “น้ำตกร้อน”. If I had known that we can enjoy pool, I would bring my T-shirt and shorts to enjoy outdoor on-sen.

Namtok Ron Khlong Thom (Hot shower waterfall)
The waterfall, located quite near to the Emerald pool, is in a shady forest area with numerous hot springs. The hot springs and cool streams converge on a slope to form lovely cascades of warm water with a temperature of 40-50 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit is from 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Near the waterfall is the famous Emerald Pool where we have to walk very fast since it is almost a closing time.

Emerald Pool
This hot spring originates from a warm stream in the lowland forest of Khao Nor Juji which is supposedly Thailand's last piece of virgin and fertile forest. The intensity of the pools turquoise colored water varies according to the light and time of the day so visitors determined to see the real emerald color should plan to visit at dawn or early in the morning.

Last stop before heading to the airport is at Ku-sa-ra-ka-sai “กุศลากาศัย” eatery. Here I tries the boiled local seawater snail “หอยชักตีนลวก” which is Krabi specialty dish.

Other dishes include Fried Fish with Turmeric (ปลาทรายทอดขมิ้น), Local Thai Vegetable Soup (แกงเลียง), Stir-fried Sator with shrimp (ผัดสะตอใส่กุ้ง)

Krabi Province

With the complimentary from my brother, we visit Krabi Province during the weekend.

At the Krabi Sheraton.

The corridor to the dining room. Nothing particular about it, just that I like the perspective of this picture.

After check into the hotel and have lunched, my mom and I decide to visit the ธารโบกขรณี.
Than Bokkhorani Located near the park’s office, Than Bokkhorani is a stream formerly known as Than Asok, where Asoka or Asok trees in Thai were grown. Its topography sees various flowing streams on their journey to numerous pools of different cascades among a shady forested area.

Dinner at the beach.

Sunset

Wang Nam Khieo

Our honorable chefs for American breakfast in the morning.

Pe Pao, another honorable chef, is preparing fried eggs (ไข่เจียว) with the helpers all around her due to the strong wind. Boiled rice is another choice for this morning breakfast. Therefore I have both. 555



My gang, investing only the tents not the property, hope to visit Wang Nam Khieo again and be invited to stay and enjoy fresh ozone at this property after the toilet facility is set up. Or Pe Norm may finally decide to rent the property and build a small hut, apart from buying two tents already. We can see the vineyard nearby.



We drive around the Wang Nam Khieo district for a while before heading to “Jungle Hut View” for lunch. The last time that I and Mer visited this place for an accommodation, it was full. So I didn’t have a chance to taste the food here. However, our lunch turns out to be good. We all enjoy the meal and so full that we skip dinner for that night.





The Beer is so good that even the nuns also enjoy it.

Driving back through Khao Yai area, we stop by to have Ice-cream at Primo Posto. Very charming place with colorful building.

Toscana Valley Golf Club which is exclusively for the land owners.

Last place to stop is Grande Monte vineyards. They offer us the wine tasting.

For many places that we visit in this trip, I am not sure because of the rainy season or the bad economic together with the skyrocket oil price, there are very few tourists comparing to the last time that I was in this area. Anyway, we all enjoy the trip and plan to visit Wang Nam Khieo again.

Wang Nam Khieo

Heading to Wang Nam Khieo by route 304 via Chachengsao Province, our first stop is at “Num Heang” restaurant for dinner.
Nam Heang is a small eateries at Kabinburi Intersection. The place is discovered by my former TISCO boss, Pe Daeng. Food are prepared by two lady owners; no waiters, no frills. Diners must prepare to help oneself with drinks, etc. However, all the dishes are excellent and I would definitely include it into my itinerary if I ever happen to be in that area again.

My recommended dish: Fried pork. Since the dish is so simple, one can tell the difference when finds the good one. The meat is thin and crispy, made from the “ชายโครง” portion of pork.

Deep-fried minced shrimp (ทอดมันกุ้ง)

Steamed Fish in lemon sauce (ปลาเนื้ออ่อนนึ่งมะนาว)

หมูป่าผัดเผ็ด

ผักกระเฉดไฟแดง

กุ้งเผา

Spring roll (ปอเปี๊ยะทอด)

Chao Phraya River Cruise

A Birthday party for Dr. Sumet and Khun Bundit on the Chao Phraya River Cruise. The night view is beautiful and the Italian food prepared by La Buca is excellent.

Gang of violet shirts on Saturday night.

Enjoy our dinners.

Wat Phra Kaew.

Wat Arun.

Rama VIII Bridge