Better Late Than Never!

Friends, Dave and Ria, originally planned to visit us more than 3 years ago. And then the dreaded pandemic struck so their plans were abandoned. However, they promised that their planned adventure was merely a postponement and, sure enough, they finally made it!

It’s always a delight to welcome family and friends to The Land of Smiles especially when we greet ‘first timers’ to this great country. Everything is so vibrant and so different and there is always something new to experience, even for Nokky and myself.

A couple of days sightseeing in Bangkok is, of course, mandatory for ‘newbies’ who soon got into the swing of things albeit ‘gently’ as advised!

Dave and Ria were, I think, slightly overawed by the sheer number of temples and Buddha images – of all shapes and sizes – throughout the country. In the west, we tend to think of religious artefacts as being old. In Thailand, however, new statues and temples are being built all the time.

This one was only completed a couple of years ago although it sits in the grounds of a temple that has existed for more than 400 years. It is made entirely of copper and then painted gold and stands a majestic 69 metres tall. Spectacular!

Despite the seemingly endless number of things to do and see in Bangkok, it was good to get away from the hustle and bustle (and sadly, pollution) and head south to our home in Hua Hin where we continued our friends’ adventure trying to balance time spent chilling out by the pool with being more adventurous exploring some of the many sights, sounds and cultural experiences that Hua Hin and the surrounding area has to offer.

The Artists’ Village – less than 10 minutes from our house – is always worth visiting , even for Nokky and I as the displays are ever changing.

I was tempted to buy this little chap to help me with my ongoing battle against noisy pigeons but it wasn’t for sale!

Slightly further afield and away from the searing heat (35c+) a slow amble through the Pranburi mangrove forest is always full of interesting sights and sounds,

leaving shadeless sightseeing to later in the day when the temperature dips by a massive couple of degrees or so!

85 km south of Hua Hin is, we are told, the best wild elephant watching spot in Thailand, the Kui Buri national park which covers an area of close to 1000 square metres. It’s just wonderful to see the majestic animals roaming free, even from afar

and occasionally, a little to0 close for comfort!

For sure, Ria and Dave will take home some splendid memories of their first trip to Thailand and perhaps none more so than the sheer number of close to empty beaches there are around here.

All good things come to an end, though, at least for them as they changed into warmer clothes and headed back to the airport and onwards to their home.