Making New Memories

When I first came to Thailand in 2006, it was on a three month assignment, from November through January.  During that trip, I volunteered each night at the Baptist Student Center, which runs a language school, teaching English and Chinese to Thai students.  My duty was simply to show up and sit in the commons area and give students a native speaker to practice their English with.

The first student I met was New Chinnajuk, an outgoing young man who was determined to improve his English as he pursued his dream of becoming an airline flight attendant.  He introduced me to many other students and became a great friend,  Today, New is a flight attendant for Norwegian Airlines, flying all around the world, while still based in Bangkok,  We stay in contact all these years later and agreed to have an adventure together while I was back this time,  I was shocked to learn he had never been to the seaside resort town of Hua Hin, so we planned a trip there.  It was terrific!

First stop, Khao Luang, a wonderful cavern near Petchaburi.

From there is was on to Rajabhakti Park and the statues of seven of Thailand's great kings.  This park just opened a year ago, amid some controversy about accusations of corruption in the construction, but I can assure you this is a VERY impressive sight and a great living history lesson.

King Naresuan, one of Thailand's most beloved monarchs, was King of Ayutthaya.

King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V.  He modernized Thailand and kept the country free from western colonization.  

Tuesday night it was fresh... REALLY fresh sea food.  You pick it, they cook it.

Grilled shrimp... about 2 1/2 pounds of it!

No way we (and out driver) could eat all of this!  But it was fun to try!

After dinner, it was off to the Hua Hin Night Market to find some things to bring back for the nieces and nephew.

Starting our Wednesday at Khao Wang, the palace on the top of a mountain overlooking Petchaburi. It was built by King Rama IV and used as his summer palace.

Then on to Phra Ram Ratchaniwet, the palace built by King Rama V.  Unfortunately, he died before it was completed, so it was used by Rama VI,  This palace fell into disrepair after King Rama VI died, but has been somewhat restored.  Not much of the original furnishings are there, but you can still see what a wonderful building this was. The King's bedroom was so impressive.  This is not as big a tourist attraction as some of the other palaces, but it is one of my favorites.

Our last stop was Khao Yoi, where another temple cave is located in the side of a mountain.  Its not as big as Khao Luang, and the cave is not quite as huge, but this is one of my favorite places to visit.  Plus, you do get to see a LOT of monkeys, like Dexter (see my post from yesterday)!

HUGE reclining Buddha.

And what a great way to say good bye to Hua Hin and Petchaburi,  New and I returned to Bangkok, exhausted, but we made MANY memories and had a great time.