Go chill, go taste, fan page

June 2017. On a Saturday morning, after waking up, I thought about where to go for a trip that was not too far from Bangkok. There were many provinces around Bangkok on my list, and we had been to almost all of them.

"Chanthaburi" was the first choice because it was a province I had never been to. The distance of over 200 kilometers was considered quite far. Having decided on the destination, I got up, showered, got dressed, and left the house without preparing anything, as I thought it would be a morning-to-evening trip. I drove from Bang Na to Chanthaburi via the Bang Na-Trat road.

After arriving in Chonburi province around 11:00 am, we stopped for lunch (which also served as breakfast) at "Yen Ta Fo Go Kio". This restaurant is ranked among the top spicy noodle shops recommended by many websites in Chonburi.
The taste is perfectly seasoned, requiring no additional condiments. The highlights are the restaurant's signature Yen Ta Fo sauce, fish balls, fried shrimp, and crispy wontons, which are must-orders for every table. Although the fried shrimp is pre-cooked, it remains incredibly crispy, as if it were freshly fried. The fish balls (fish balls, fish dumplings, fish noodles) are springy and chewy when bitten into, as they are made from real fish meat. The noodle soup base is also unique and different from other shops, with a fragrant aroma of dried squid, creating a distinctive and well-rounded flavor.

Large bowls of noodles with generous portions of toppings at an affordable price. Highly recommended! If you're driving, there's parking available behind the restaurant for about 8 cars. Alternatively, you can park on the street in front of the restaurant.

Location: "Yen Ta Fo Go Kiew - Original Shop at the Key Corner" at the entrance of Soi Baan Suan - Nong Khang Khok 8
Open 09.00-16.00 hrs.

After a satisfying meal, we continued our journey. A two-hour drive from Chonburi brought us to the "Immaculate Conception Church," widely considered the most stunning church in Thailand. The church was bustling with tourists and tour groups, all eager to capture its beauty.

After taking photos of the church, continue walking to the "Chanthaburi Riverside Community," a historic community that still maintains its traditional way of life, including the houses and daily routines of the residents.
From the bridge over the river, turn right and walk straight ahead. You will find the "Community Learning Center," which tells the story of the community from the past to the present through text and images that are available for tourists to view for free.

This community is primarily residential, with only a few small shops owned by local residents. If you are not interested in photography, you may not find much to your liking here.

Don't forget to try the "Mapeed" juice, or freshly squeezed lime juice with ice. The taste is sour and sweet, perfect for hot weather. It's sure to refresh you!

From the riverside community, drive along Route 3348 and turn right into Khom Lawapi. Head to the "Unique Dessert Community by Nong Bua Canal" to sample some unusual treats. Drive past the dessert vendors and park your car for free at the market. Then, walk back up the road.

This local bakery offers a unique selection of homemade treats, including the intriguing "Monkey's Fist" pastry, the "Jade Gem" dessert, the "Sticky Delight," and the "Forgotten Swallow."

The original "monkey penis" dessert can be found at this shop, "Monkey Penis" by Grandma Li. Despite her advanced age, Grandma Li still makes the dessert herself. This dessert is made from purple dough, rolled into long strips, boiled, and then tossed with grated coconut. It is sprinkled with sugar mixed with roasted white sesame seeds and has a soft, fragrant, roasted sesame flavor with a sweet and creamy taste.

I didn't try any other snacks because I was full from eating Grandma Liz's snacks (I got a little carried away). Walking back across the street, I found a stall selling grilled oysters. According to the sign, they were "oysters on the half shell." I bought one to try, dipping it in the spicy seafood sauce. The oysters had a chewy texture that was new to me. After walking around and taking pictures for a while, I checked my watch and saw that it was past 3 pm. I continued my journey to Laem Sing Beach.

The water at the beach was murky, resembling muddy water. Despite the strong sunshine, a steady breeze blew. After returning to the car, we retrieved a mat from the trunk and sat down to relax. As it approached 5 pm, we felt reluctant to drive back home, knowing it would be late by the time we arrived. We decided to search online for simple accommodations nearby for the night, planning to visit Pliu Waterfall the following day.

I found accommodation on Traveloka.com. The reviews seemed good, so I booked it around 6 pm that day.

Sim27 Hostel for 598 baht. Since I didn't prepare anything, I had to go buy clothes and necessities before checking in around 8 pm.

The two owners were very friendly and approachable. Less than 10 minutes after we booked on the website, they called us back.

The ground floor features a charmingly decorated lounge area. Access is controlled by a two-layer keycard system, ensuring security. Nighttime security is provided by a housekeeper, who is available 24/7 via phone. This arrangement fosters a sense of safety and security.

The room was spotless and appeared brand new. Amenities were plentiful, and the value for money was exceptional. However, it is important to note that smoking is strictly prohibited within the room.

The next morning, after getting ready, I took photos of the accommodation downstairs and checked out. I then traveled to "Namtok Phlio National Park." Before turning left into the park and the PTT gas station, I encountered this creature. It seemed to have been released, with one of its hind legs disabled.

He would run after every pickup truck that left the gas station, all the way to the front of the station, and then loop back around. It was a pitiful sight, and he looked quite dirty. We got acquainted with him over a skewer of grilled pork and a cup of 7-Eleven pork porridge. Then we parted ways, but he followed us to the car. I quickly closed the door, fearing he would jump in after us. I felt sorry for him, but I couldn't take him with me. I already have three Siberian Huskies at home, so my quota is full.

Turn left after exiting the gas station to enter the park. There are three parking areas: two near the entrance for 30 baht per car and one farther away for 20 baht per car. In front, there is a shop selling food, clothing, and clothes for rent to sit and relax in.

Entrance fee for Thai nationals is 40 baht per person. The trail is paved with cement and there is a golf cart service available for the elderly. The descent to the waterfall is via a convenient staircase.

This place retains its abundant natural beauty, with large and small trees providing shade and the sound of waterfalls echoing at intervals.

Visiting Pliew Waterfall, you will encounter numerous plump and fearless Pla Pluang fish swimming in the cool, refreshing water. Their presence and comfort around tourists suggest a familiarity with human interaction. Immersing oneself in the waterfall's refreshing waters would undoubtedly be an invigorating experience.

The last stop before returning was the "Naang Phaya Viewpoint". Despite the hot sun, many tourists came to admire the scenic view.

This impromptu trip was filled with unexpected detours, but we managed to complete it successfully. Despite the long drive from Bangkok, the breathtaking ocean views and the soothing sounds of the waterfall made it all worthwhile. The fresh air and lush greenery provided a refreshing escape from the city.