3 NIGHTS 2 DAYS CHUMPHON IS FUN!

In a conversation during lunch time. One of my friends Ple raised the topic that we did not have any trip together for this year yet. Then the discussion begins.

We are 7 persons in the conversation and our final discussion come up with Chumphon. One of us Pla cannot join this time as she is not available during 25-28 July. But how to make this trip for 6 friends more special. 

I suggested to go and back by overnight train. They buy my idea then we start find the train schedule to match with our long weekend and full pack of program.

We got a train number 32 leaving Bangkok at 22:50hrs (Express Train sitting with air-con) on 25^th July because we have long weekend between 25-28 July so 7 persons (six of us and one of friend take her son to join trip). There were 7 persons, Deer, Ping, Pii, R and her son, Ple and me. We booked ticket for round trip but on the way back to Bangkok we booked train number 39 which will arrive to Chumphon around 0050am of 28th so that mean we have 2 full days in Chumphon. That should be good enough!

25th July - we all came to office as usual, but we all left office at 17:00hrs. Departure time for our train was 22:50hrs from Bang Sue station, so we have enough time for dinner before going to station.

We arrived station around 21:30hrs and spent time there. Ping and Pii came from difference place so all of us ready there around 22:30hrs. So, we are 7 persons this time and there were R and her son, Ping and Pee, Ple, Deer and me. We booked 2 rooms to stay 4 and 3 persons each room

Our plan was taking a train to Sawee Railway Sation in Chumphon and then find local breakfast and then the home stay that we had booked will pick us up

The sitting train with aircon is not that bad. Comfortable seat and good space

The chair quite large with large leg room.

The temperature in the train is quite cool which was good for me because I love cool weather than warm

We all got seat close to each other. Sleep mode start when the train left Bang Sue Station........ 

26th July 

Sleep on the chair may not comfortable like bed. But we all slept quite easy and woke up once staff announced that train arrived at Chumphon station which is one station before Sawee station. From Chumphon to Sawee take around 30 minutes to prepare ourselves and our luggage.

0600am we arrived Sawee station. The small station outside city area. 

All washed our face and brush but the toilet at station cannot shower. 

There was a local restaurant for breakfast

And there was small market along the railway

We got table at restaurant and order our quick breakfast

While waiting for the food, some of us walked around the market and got some snack and drink

Pee Pueng (Pee = Sister in Thai) called me and informed that driver was ready at near the station so after finish breakfast we can get on the car

And this was our car for transfer from train station to homestay. All on the back and only Ping sit inside with some of our stuff

The weather was so good and along the road are green with palm plantation, coconut, fruit and small villages

It was around 30 minutes from train station to the homestay, and we arrive quite early

The room are not bad with large mattress

Notice that there are many houses on that bay and all houses have large terrace above the sea with stair at the end for getting on the boat

After checked in and left all luggage in the room. We changed to beach wears and swimming suite for the sea activities

We rent the long tail boat take us from the homestay to small island name Koh Kula

The sea today was so peaceful

On the way the driver show us the lion rock, yes it look like lion

The boat took around 20 minutes, we arrived to this island.

The weather at the island was great, some wave but still ok

And the first thing I did not get stamp from National Park as I never get from Chumphon National Park yet

And say hello to baby turtle which the park take care them before sending them back to the sea when they grow enough

Staff said there are 3 beaches on this island. So, we start exploring one by one

First beach on the south of the island has long sandy beach but with the low tide so we cannot swim. On the way to the south beach we saw lots of pupa stains on the tree. Pee was the most enjoying person walking and seeing these kind of nature

We just walked around and then continue to second beach. 

The way to the beach is a little bit adventure. The natural walk way good for soft exercise 

There are small flower, and difference type of tree. Almost area got the shades from the tree and made the temperature not too hot

The second beach is in the north, and we had walked up on the small hill and get down on another side

This beach with good sea level and good for swimming

We were enjoying swimming especially Ple and Tonnam (R's son)

Besides of the clean sandy beach. Some areas are full of beautiful small stone

The color of stone is so nice but to keep it for other tourist can visit and see their beautiful, so we did not pick any stone from the beach

Everyone enjoyed swimming, Tonnam and R also. Sometimes son on mother's back and sometimes mother on son's back. Tonnam is only 13 years old, but he has tall body so he can carry his mom and walk in the sea easily

We spent time at that beach around 30 minutes. 

After swimming, then enjoying food. We brought some food for lunch and bring all garbage back to keep the beach clean as it was

We return to the middle beach where there is a pier for our long tail boat as well

Since we told our boat driver that we want to spend around 3 hours at the island so we time to walk along this beach

There were lots of crab, scaly giant clam but the size of the clam here not big may be just around 12 inches. 

I saw some of them in another sea in Thailand which much bigger

Finally, our boat driver came to pick us up from the island and return to the homestay. I forgot to say this homestay is at the fisherman village name AO KRAM

And the name of the house that we booked is Baan Ao Kram. The original homestay in this area. 

We arrived back to the homestay for refresh and be ready for dinner. 

While waiting the dinner time we spent free time and leisure at the large terrace with panoramic sea view. It is wonderful view

Shokun is one of the cats at homestay who is a social cat. He loves to come close and play with all guests

While 4 girls enjoy photo shooting. R's son was enjoying learning how to do fishing because Pee is profession fisher

And he got one fish

I like the weather and the sky at this moment

They also love too...

It was not easy to get both of them in the same frame because they are too shy :) 

Finally, dinner time started. 

There are local food and sea food

Tonnam enjoyed food but he just cannot express the feeling from his face..hahaha

We all voted this menu to be 1 of the best

And this one as well

However, all the rest also delicious but above 2 menus are extra delicious

They gave big crab for all of us but there was sone crab seem smaller than other then they compensated with another 10 big shrimp. The host is so kind

We finished everything and prepared for night tour and keep the special Durian to eat after night tour

We all get on long tail boat and the boat heading on the sea under the dark sky

There were lots of bamboo pole in the sea with the light in the middle. We did not know what they are. But when we get close to the bamboo pole and light

One of the boat drivers pull up the net which was under the water. There are lots of fish and squid. The fish dancing in the net while some of them jump into the boat

There was other tourist on the same boat with us. All were enjoying this kind of fish catching 

After that the driver took us to another area which darker where we saw the luminescent plankton shining under the dark water. Unfortunately, my phone cannot catch them

And when we looked up to the sky. There were lots of star, so bright because it was dark moon night

The night tour took around 1 hour then we return to the homestay

Shokun was at the pier to welcome us back again

The host offer us a pack of Durian which made Ple, Ping and R very happy. Deer, Pee, Tonnam sit away from them while I chose to take photos and vdo while they were enjoying eating

And the highlight of the night, I ordered the host to prepare cake because Ple birthday is on 31st so we took this trip to celebrate her birthday in advance. Besides of us the host also prepared another cake for her as well

It was very nice moment when we celebrate someone's birthday.  And the host served the sashimi squid which we got from the net tonight

After birthday cake moment. We continue with a small game before going to bed

The game is easy but fun and the winner is only one which is Deer. Looser was Pee and Tonnam and also R

Ping and Ple also got some lost

It was small and easy game but much fund

Since we stayed at the homestay, so we respected to the rule does not make noise after 22:00hrs. We back to our rooms, and say good night around 23:30hrs

The mattress is simple, but it was comfortable during sleep as well as their pillow.

27th July - 06:00hrs I woke up and came out to the terrace as I expected to take photos of sunrise (as always). 

But there were some peoples at the terrace prepared to go out to do sightseeing. Pueng who is the host invited me to join, and I say yes immediately.

The boat took us with around 9 persons to the small cave call "Chinese Monk cave" unfortunately there was high tide time so we cannot see the cave while the water level was too high. However the view from outside also good

Pueng the host of our homestay drove the boat for us, and she took us to see some fisherman bringing their net which they dropped since last night to get the crab and fish. This is the real fisherman life, the authentic fishing of real local people. The fishing which picking only what they can eat and keep let the nature live and grow on their way

After 30 minutes the boat return to the homestay. All my friends were ready for breakfast. The breakfast was boiled rice with dried squid and fish. Coffee and tea were there for self-services like you visit your friend's hometown

We spent around 40 minutes for breakfast. Me, Ple, R and her son move to change and prepare for kayaking while the rest prepared for packing

Me and Ple on one kayak and another one for R and her son

Kayaking is one of my favorite activities when travel to the sea

 this morning was so peaceful, clean and clear. The water not too deep but it deep enough to see lots of fish all area 

We paddle to another beach where no one living but there was a small hut. May be some people just come to standby like night watching 

We were enjoyed kayaking around one hour and then return to the homestay

Get changes, packing for check out. Some of us bought dried squid and durian chip

We say goodbye to the host and Shokun super cat.

The car picked us at 10:00am and we continue for sightseeing around Chumphon because our train will arrive around 00:50am on 28th July

Our driver's name X. He drove good and safe, and he knows where he should take us to

We stopped at the beautiful beach which do not have any accommodation. The long sandy beach with blue sky and cotton white cloud. That view is amazing. We left the beach and continue to the city

The second stop was a temple where there are the black stone canal. I saw this place from internet and seem look nice. The name is Kong Hin Dam or Black Stone Canal. We arrived in that area but a bit late so there were many people around the canal. And it was shower raining. So, we just walk around on the top but did not go down.

We return to the car and continue to the temple which X recommended

On the way, I notice there was an ice-cream on motorbike  .X was so kind to stop the car for us to buy ice-cream. I love coconut ice-cream

We finally arrived at the temple

The name of temple is Wat Prathat Sawi. X told us that this temple is old temple with long time similar with other famous temples in the south of Thailand

There was some area closed for renovated so we visit just some part. It was good that this trip was close to Ple's birthday so she has chance to pray and make a wish the temple during the trip

They have small museum, inside the museum keep many antique pieces. But we are not much interest in the museum, so we spent not long time at the temple then left to next stop 

But Tonnam hungry so we changed plan to go to restaurant for lunch first

The restaurant was recommended by X. The name is Yai Puad, the location of restaurant . This restaurant famous for Thai local food. And here is the menu that we order

I like this menu the most. Eggplant boiled and top with coconut milk eat with chili paste

This soup ordered by Tonnam and the taste is not bad

Fish in spicy soup was my order. Taste is the right what it should be

We were enjoyed all food and also enjoy shopping souvenir. They have lots of snack made by banana. We left the restaurant for next stop at the Deer Island. 

There are lots of deer on this island and they built the wooden bridge around the island. Tourist can feed deer with banana and some vegetable 

Tonnam was the most enjoy this feeding activity

But some of them enjoy to be model

We left that place around 30 minutes later to next stop which is the viewpoint

Before going up to the viewpoint. X suggested us to visit the Chumphon ket Udomsak Monument to pay respect as same as tourist from other provinces come here to do 

We came down from the monument and bought some lotto. All together one set to be memory and to see if we have good luck together if we win

We continue to the viewpoint. The name of the viewpoint is KHAO MATSI

The place where you can see the city, river and another side is the sea

We got lots of nice shots from this view point

Couple photo

Mother & son photo

And this one is MVP photo, Ple

I forgot that I should take at least one photo to my memory as well, but it was ok I can see other friend photos took by me

Left the view point and heading to the restaurant for dinner

As our train is after midnight so we should have some dinner

X recommended the restaurant name Mae Mai. This one is seafood restaurant

We order many dishes, but the prices are so cheap 

Finished dinner and paid only around 1,200 Baht

Our program run out so we heading to the train station. However, there were still plenty of time before train arrive

Some say go to local market, some say go to shopping, but Deer said how about to see movie at the theater. This idea was accepted then Deer checked the schedule. We got 19:30hrs then we turn to the theater and buy ticket immediately

This is additional activity, which was not in our original plan, but it made it more fun

The movie finished around 21:30hrs. X picked us up and sent us to the train station

We all refresh ourselves, wash our face and change cloths. Ping was ready with pajamas. 

R and her son enjoy face mask 

We spent around 2.5hours at the station until our train arrived

Get on the train and get our bed. We booked overnight train with bed and aircon 

We say goodbye to each other and then close the curtain. They do not have door but use curtain to cover each bed

28th July

Only 30 minutes later I slept and woke up around 6am as always. The rest room still not crowd so we washed our face and came back then enjoy the view along the railway to Bangkok

Finally, arrived Bang Sue station. The station which we started this trip.

Our trip finished with million memories in these 3 nights 2 days 

No matter how long the trip is, no matter where you are going. Have a trip with your good friend you can collect hundreds of good memories same as me

All good friends spent time together, eat, walk, talk, swim together

And this memory will be last long. Until the new trip begin, this trip will be in our daily topic!