Kaew Cave stalactite and stalagmite haven in Sam Roi Yot natinal park

Mountain biking is a nice and healthy way of getting around in Sam Roi Yot

A trip to Tham Kaew or Kaew cave is a nice outing for cave lovers and especially for those that fancy stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is located on the road leading to Ban Pu the start for the hike to Tham Phraya Nakhon. Entering the Kaew cave through a hole in the ground you continue through small passages that lead into the bigger inner cave halls where stalactites hang majestically from the cave ceiling. Stalagmites are pointing up from the limestone cave floor like ancient stone soldiers on guard.

To enter it is necessary to bring a flashlight as natural light soon disappear while descending deeper into the cave. After exiting the cave it may be refreshing to hike up the mountainside where some really nice views of the surrounding prawn farms, mangrove forest and green limestone cliffs of Sam Roi Yot national park are waiting.

Kaew Cave entrance descending into the darkness

Mighty stalactite in Kaew Cave

Drop shaped stalactite in Tham Kaew

Another limestone stalactite

Nice views of the surrounding landscape from the mountainside above Kaew cave

Mountain views from the mountainside above Kaew cave

Secluded virgin beaches of Sam Roi Yot national park

View from the promontory cape between Tham Sai and Tham Phraya Nakhon. Hat Laem Sala to the far left and two virgin beaches stretching out to the south, only accessible by boat or wild jungle trekking.

Yesterday after a mountain bike ride to Ban Khung Tanot I set up to climb the odd 300 meters to Sai cave when discovering a path heading north over the mountain ridge supposedly leading to Tham Praya Nakhon. Following a shaded flat path the track soon climbed up the mountain side becoming more challenging. Once on the mountain side however some really nice views of the opposing green lush mountains teeming with birds, monkeys, goat antelope and other wild animals was offered.

Climbing further up the mountain side and gaining some height Ban Khung Tanot became visible with the clear blue sea stretching out behind. But the real treasure chest here became evident after passing the mountain ridge. Looking down the winding track following the high mountain top on the other side of the ridge a virgin beach only accessible by boat or wild jungle trekking started to emerge from behind the green shrubbery. Some thoughts about trying to descend for a swim passed but as there was no path and becoming late afternoon continuing along the beaten track seemed like a wiser alternative. This turned out to be a choice not to regret when reaching higher up unto another mountain top located at the promontory cape jutting out from the coastline. Fabulous 360 degree views of the surrounding sea a mountain scenery appeared.  Lingering to behold the views at this fabulous point it became to late to continue further to Tham Praya Nakhon but the views experienced during this trek were well worth the outing!

The first view of the green lush mountain tops from the path connecting Tham Sai and Tham Praya Nakhon.

Mountains teeming with monkeys, birds, leopard cats and other wild animals.

The sea becoming visible behind the mountains, Ban Khung Tanot located just to the left of the red white radio mast.

After passing the first mountain ridge this beautifully located virgin beach became visible, accessible only by boat or a very steep descent from the the hidden path.

At the top of the view point extensive views reaching as far as Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Primates in the trees along the path.

 

Ring trap fishing at Dolphin Bay – Sam Roi Yot

At the inner harbor – Preparing tackle and landing nets for the fishing trip

A few days ago I had the privilege to join my neighbor Ao and his brother Noo for a fishing trip in the waters just outside Sam Roi Yot beach. The weather was splendid, clear sky and a light refreshing breeze coming in from the gulf. We sailed off around three o’clock in the afternoon from the little canal where Ao keeps his traditional long-tail fishing skiff. After meeting some fellow fishermen out in the bay and exchanging the usual pleasantries we continued south down Dolphin Bay.

Discovering some shoals of fish Ao throws the leading buoy resolutely into the water and Noo steers east towards the open sea to commence the circling trap with the long nets. Finishing  the first closed circle a second intersecting circle is formed creating an almost hermetic seal around the unknowing prey. Fishing take place on shallow waters where the nets reach from bottom to surface. At this stage Noo circles around inside the trap while Ao starts beating the bulwarks of the skiff with a wooden stick to create sound waves down the water  frightening and driving the fish towards entanglement in the nylon nets.

Fishes are going crazy at this step jumping high above the surface trying to  escape capture. Some lucky individuals manages to jump out and outsmart the fishermen’s genius trap. But still after spending about twentieth minutes scaring up the fish about 100 kilo of Pla Tu, Spanish mackerel and other varieties is trawled in by the two brothers.

Returning to bay after about one and a half hour its time to tend the nets and bring the afternoons haul to market.

Leaving the canal and coming out to the open sea of the Gulf

Fellow fisherman at Dolphin Bay – Sam Roi Yot mountain range tower aloft at the horizon

Throwing the buoy

Laying the ring trap

Striking the bulwarks – Beating up the haul

Brigning in the haul

Haul landed

Return to the canal

Proud ship at harbor

Tending the nets

December promotion – Mountain Breeze Villa

10% off for stays over 2 nights during the period 28 Nov – 31 Dec, 2012

Pale Bourbon Rose – Floral drink with great look, smell and taste

Ingredients for a Pale Bourbon Rose - Bourbon, Dry Vermouth, Crème de Cassis, Lime. Serve in old-fashioned glass.

The other day after some heavy cycling down by the Dolphin Bay I decided to try a floral Bourbon drink. I was very positively surprised by this refreshing drink whilst enjoying it in the terrace watching the sun set behind Khao Hua Thom.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Bourbon
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz crème de cassis
• 1/4 oz lime juice

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled old-fashioned glass with some ice cubes.

Enjoy outside whilst watching the sunset!

Dolphin Bay – Seaside exercise at Sam Roi Yot Beach

Dolphin Bay – Sam Roi Yot Beach, Monkey Island, Ko Ku Ram in the background

Dolphin Bay in Sam Roi Yot named after the pink Irrawaddy Dolphins that inhabit the bay engulfed by the Sam Roi Yot Beach is the main beach in Sam Roi Yot.  The 5 km long beach start from Baan Nong Khaem Noi in the north and ends at Baan Phu Noi in the south.  The asphalt road that fringe the beach is perfect for jogging or cycling and the Municipality has recently invested in a small beach promenade with public gym stations along the south end of the beach. Especially the bars are perfect for all around exercises. You can exercise your whole body with bar exercises. And at Dolphin Bay your workout is hopefully accompanied by a Dolphin view.

Dolphin Bay – Fishing skiff waiting on the beach

Dolphin Bay – Public gym station at the Sam Roi Yot Beach. Exercise here or why not rent a kayak and take a trip to monkey island in the background

Dolphin Bay – Bars by the beach. Ready for some exercise?

Huevos ala Mexicana – Delicious and strengthening breakfast

Huevos ala Mexicana - A splendid start for a perfect morning

Huevos ala Mexicana – Delicious and strengthening breakfast

In honor of the Easter holiday this will be the first post in eggs for breakfast. Mexican eggs or Huevos al Mexicana is rustic Mexican dish well suited for a nourishing breakfast. Normally these scrambled eggs are served with corn tortillas but in this recipe I modify the original recipe a little and serve them with garlic toast. Also I choose to fry the onion for longer than normal, caramelizing it giving a subtle and nice sweetness to the dish. Another important thing is to cook the whites thoroughly and adding the yolk just in the end to make the dish creamy but still having all the egg whites well cooked.

Ingredients (for one person)

• 2 Eggs
• ½ Onion
• 1 Tomato
• 1 Serrano chili
• Fresh coriander
• Sugar
• Salt, pepper

• 2 Whole wheat toasts
• 2 Garlic gloves
• Butter

Preparation of the eggs

Chop the onion and fresh coriander, seed the tomato and the Serrano chili and chop into small pieces. Fry the onion in butter on low heat until transparent and soft. Sprinkle a little sugar over the onion and let it caramelize. Put in the tomato and Serrano chili and fry for a few minutes adding salt and pepper to taste. Meanwhile separate the egg white from the yolk. When the tomato has softened but is still springy add the egg whites to the stew. Let the whites coagulate and then stir them to pieces. Turn off the heat and add the egg yolks and coriander and stir gently.

Preparation of the toast

Chop garlic and fry in quite a bit of butter. When brown remove the garlic with a perforated ladle and keep it for later. Gently fry the toasts in the garlic butter browning them on both sides and letting them absorb the garlic butter.

Presentation

Serve the Huevos ala Mexicana on the toast. Sprinkle with the browned garlic if you like. Enjoy with a cup of brewed coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Pranburi Forest Park – In the bosom of the Mangrove forest

Pranburi Forest Park – Sea of green (Mangroves)

The Pranburi forest park is indeed worth a moment of your time. In this green sea of lush, tropical Mangrove forest you will certainly relax at the bosom of nature. Mangrove forest tidal water crabs with eyes set on long bone needles inhabiting the nutritious sea floor and feasting on sticklebacks and snails at the roots of the Mangroves. This fabulous little fairy tale world is preferably enjoyed together with an agreeable group of good friends from the old days.

Contact us at Mountain Breeze Villa for arrangements of your trip to Pranburi Forest Park.

Pranburi Forest Park – A somewhat tired group of friends relaxing in the bosom of nature

Pranburi Forest Park – Tidal crab, retracted bone needle set eyes

Pranburi estuary – Skiffs awaiting the nights haul

Underneath a little factual information for interested spirits:

“Pranburi Mongrove Forest Park located in Klongkao-Klongkob National Reserve Forest, Pranburi Distrtict, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province contains 3.17 sq.km. It is built on the Forest Development Plan of Pak Naam Pranburi in accordance with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit™s wish. The area has been declared a forest park by the Royal Forest Department since September 30, 1982.

The main water resource of the district is the Pranburi River, with a mangrove forest (the protected Pranburi Forest Park) at the mouth of the river where it flows into the Gulf of Thailand, further boosting the areaโ€™s scenic, natural appeal.

A one-kilometer stretch of beach is fringed by pine trees and there are several mangrove nature trails for adventurous visitors to explore. The main beach is fronted by a small road that extends south from the estuary of the Pranburi River to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.

This coastal national park is undoubtedly Pranburis star attraction,with an area of 98 square kilometers. Limestone Mountains, caves, mangrove swamps, beautiful beaches and various kinds of local and migrating birds make up the park€™s main appeal.”

Pranburi Forest Park consists of mixed forest and mangrove forest. It has naturally beautiful sceneries and beaches. Pranburi River also runs through the middle of the forest plants in the area are for instance pine three, Casuarinas, mangrove swamp, cycad, copper pod, Aloe, Australian wattle and tropical almond. The animals in the area are small-size animals such as hare, porcupine, squirrel, chipmunk, and many kinds of kingfisher and reptile.”

Kite Surfing – Action sport in Sam Roi Yot and Pranburi

Gaining speed at the kite board, Pak Nam Praan, Pranburi

Kite surfing has flown up as a very fashionable sport down at the west coast. Specifically in Sam Roi Yot and Pranburi where the wind conditions are the best in south-east asia. It’s full action from start to finish. Giant kites are used to sail at speeds up to 100 km/h on a kite board, resembling a wake board but thinner and more versatile. In the late summer of 2009 the kite boarding world cup was held in Hua Hin just 30 km to the north of Sam Roi Yot. After 2009 several competitions of varying standing have been held in the area.

Dolphin Bay at Sam Roi Yot is the ideal bay for beginners to the sport to practice. The shallow waters make for a level surface even during strong winds. This is truly the Mecca of kite boarding for all skill levels, from the professional to the absolute novice. A number of kite boarding schools dot the beach road between Khao Galok (Skull Mountain) and the little genuine fishermen’s hamlet of Pak Nam Praan which both justify their own post if full right should be given to their spirits. If you want to learn kite boarding Sam Roi Yot and Pak Nam Praan in Prachuapkhirikhan is the place to go!

Try one of the following for kite surfing lessons or contact us at the Mountain Breeze Villa for help with arrangements:

KBA: http://www.kbapranburi.com/
Kite Zone: http://www.kitesurfingpranburi.com/
Airstylers kite school: http://www.airstylerskiteschool.com/

Taking the wind at Pak Nam Praan, Pranburi

Preparing to kite at Pak Nam Praan beach

Kites in the air, kiters in the water Pak Nam Praan beach

Phatra Marina – Pak Nam Praan – Grand marina, fishing harbor and reminiscences of the Pequod

Phatra Marina – Yachts and great wooden sailing vessels

The Phatra Marina at Pak Nam Praan (Thai for Pranburi estuary) is a great excursion to study grand visions that slowly acclimatized with the local environment of the fishing village of Pak Nam Praan. The origins of the Phatra Marina are covered in shadows, but according to some sources entrepreneur Viroj Nualkair, at the time chief executive officer of Thailand’s Phatra Thanakit Finance Company was one of the originators.  In any case Phatra Marina is a hidden treasure for any boat fanatic.

A visit here mirrors in miniature scale a common sight in Thailand where modern development often stand in stark juxtaposition with traditional culture. In Bangkok modern office towers rise beside old wooden Thai houses, at Phatra Marina Thaksins Azimut 43 comingle with large wooden sailing vessels, Thai customs military boats, home designed tour boats and traditional Thai fishermen ships.

The Marina itself is a little derelict and lacking in maintenance probably because of inadequate funds. My guess is that as the Marina could not find enough high end customers to fill up the over 100 berths they resorted to taking in the local fishermen ships for extra income. If the wild mixture between modern and ancient at Phatra Marina is advantages or not is up to the beholder to judge. However a visit here will certainly stimulate your fantasy, you will experience something very Thai! and perhaps you will get an impression of how the Nantucket scene of the Pequod really looked like!

Phatra Marina – Thai traditional fisherman ships

Phatra Marina – Thai customs will nab any smugglers

The protecting deity of Phatra Marina and Pranburi estuary – The infamous mountain crocodile of Pak Nam Praan

Pranburi estuary – Colorful traditional Thai fisherman ships