Tag Archives: Leisure

Thailand: A Beach between Chumphon and Surat Thani

Posted on July 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

Early this morning, we left Pak Tako to Surat Thani.

A long road and little sleep the night before. Along the way we stop to have lunch on a desert beach. A seafood restaurant (picture 2): too bad for me, I do not like seafood, lol! Huts and threatening sky. Stray dogs and cats and too many mosquitoes! I decide to explore lonely one side of the beach.

Fantastic light giving an emerald reflection to the sea, the tide is low. On land, post card’s palm trees and conifers. Far away, empty canoes ripple on the surface of the water. Opposite, a small fishing community. I have the feeling of walking into a movie set. Light wind, the sky is covered like waiting for an impending tropical storm.

Always impressive, the sky turns black at once, no rain yet. I go to the boats first (picture 3), and then to the fishermen sitting in a large hut covered with palm leaves. Men, women and children are busy unraveling the threads. Exchange of smiles, I show my camera to ask if I can take pictures and portraits.

I appreciate when people photographed are complicit and forget my presence. Sometimes there are meetings and great energy, as in this group. As always the best meetings are those due to chance. I barely had time to make some shots that other journalists arrive (!). It starts to rain, I have to leave in the direction of the restaurant. Many thanks to this small community for their hospitality!

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND and Twitter. You can also discover my other pictures in the Facebook of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Facebook of the Royal Thai Embassy in Belgium. ENJOY!

Thailand, Amphawa: Romhub, the unusual market of Mae Klong

Departure to Thailand: Sawadee Ka Bangkok!

DESTINATIONS

Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon

Posted on July 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

For the third day I am in Chumphon.

During my first trip to Thailand, I have already stopped to Chumphon on my way to Koh Samet. This time I woke up at dawn to get to the estuary Pak Tako. A 5 minute drive from Tusita Resort & Spa.

The beach is large, palm trees, a wreck and low tide. Some pictures and mosquito bites, waiting for the traditional boat in which we visit the estuary. Timidly the sun rises. Beautiful light with golden reflections through threatening clouds, the sky cleared. This is the beginning of the rainy season. And the bottom of the air is already heavy, tropical weather.

The boat is late (ahora misma, lol). Finally sat in the front “seat”, I gradually discovered each bank. Pristine luxuriant nature on one side (pictures 5,8 & 10). Fishermen’s wooden houses on stilts, boats, fishing boats and warehouses on the other side. Gently life resumes and we meet here and there a fisherman or older women drinking tea (pictures 4 & 6).

No noise except for few boat engines. I like watching the conch of traditional boats. Everything seems immutable, like a ritual that is repeated again and again, reassuring. Time slows down. A peaceful feeling without crowds or tourist. The estuary is small and the boat is fast enough. And we decide to attend the return of fishing in the warehouses. We reach them by road in less than 5 minutes. To be contunued…

Thaïland: On the road from Amphawa to Chumphon

Thailand, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Tusita Resort & Spa: A Charming Hotel in Chumphon

Posted on July 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

By late afternoon, after a long long road we finally stop

at Tusita Resort & Spa in Chumphon. This is a good option for those who decide to rent a car and drive from Bangkok to Phuket or the south of Thailand in general. The entrance of the hotel is awsome, with a Thai traditional decoration.

In my room, the decoration is also really nice. Too bad that many details are outdated. Undoubtedly, the whole has a certain charm, but deserves a little refreshment to add a modern touch (pictures 1 & 2).

The bed is very comfortable and honestly it was SO hard to leave it in the morning! This is a good point (LOL!). The bathroom is large and clean, with a big shower and no bathtub. Not a problem for me, I don’t use bathtub. As I only stayed here one night, I did not have the time to swim, or just relax by the pool (picture 3).

Could you imagine, having a pool in front your room and not using it? The setting is very relaxing and exotic, with the profusion of plants, palm trees, teck furnitures and decorative elements with elephants carved in stone (pictures 4 & 5). But it was impossible to enjoy it, mostly because of mosquitoes massive attacks!

I had the same problem in some places in Poland! Quite amazing mosquitoes in Poland, isn’t it? For ending this review of the Tusita Resort & Spa: the other asset of the hotel is its proximity to the Pak Tao estuary, to visit the fishermen in early the morning. And watch the return of the fishing : maybe see you there? To be continued in my next post …