ทะเลหมอก...หลอกให้รัก

เป็นทริปที่ต้องบรรยายเป็นภาษาไทยถึงจะได้อรรถรส โหด มันส์ ฮา (ขอบวกทรหดเข้าไปอีกหนึ่งข้่อ) เมื่อคุณนายแม่ลูก ต้องไปทริปแบบนอนเต๊นท์ แต่ความยากลำบากมันไม่ได้อยู่ที่การนอนเต๊นท์ มันอยู่ที่การเดินทางแบบออกจากกรุงเทพสี่ทุ่มครึ่ง กว่าจะไปถึงที่กางเต๊นท์ในเขตอุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งกระจานก็ปาเข้าไป ตีหนึ่งครึ่ง ง่วงโคตรๆ จนไม่สามารถที่จะดื่มด่ำกับแสงดาวที่มีให้เห็นเต็มฟากฟ้าทีเดียว (ก็ยังแอบเห็นนะ) ไปถึงก็รีบกางเต๊นท์ รีบนอน ข้าวของ กระเป๋าไม่มีการขนลง เพราะต้องออกแต่เช้ามืด ไม่มีซะล่ะที่จะมีใครมากังวลเรื่องการอาบน้ำแปรงฟัน น่าจะมีแค่คุณนายสองแม่ลูกเท่านั้นแหละที่ฝ่าความมืดเดินไปแปรงฟันกันจนได้... 

หลับไปได้หน่อยเดียว (เพราะส่วนใหญ่นอนไม่หลับ กระสับกระส่ายซะส่วนใหญ่) ก็ถูกหัวหน้าทีมเดินมาปลุกที่เต๊นท์ ไอ้เราก็เอ...ตั้งนาฬิกาปลุก 6โมงเช้าตามที่หัวหน้าทีมสั่ง ไหงมันไม่ปลุก...ก็มันเพิ่งจะตีห้า สี่สิบนาที มองออกไปจากเต๊นท์ทุกคนเค๊าไม่ใช่แค่ตื่นแล้วอย่างเดียว เค๊าเก็บข้าวของเรียบร้อย เรียกว่าพร้อมใส่เกียร์เดินหน้าออกเดินทางได้แล้ว.... ว่าแล้วสามคนพ่อแม่ลูกก็รีบตะบี้ตะบันตื่น ช่วยกันเก็บเต๊นท์เอาขึ้นรถเพื่อไม่ให้คนอื่นต้องรอกันไปนานกว่านี้ ... แค่เล่ายังเหนื่อยเลย...

"ทะเลหมอก หลอกให้รัก"

จากนั้นก็มุ่งหน้าสู่ยอดเขาพะเนินทุ่ง เพื่อต้องไปต่อคิวขึ้นให้ทันเวลาที่ทางอุทยาืนกำหนด จากจุดตรงที่กางเต๊นท์ของอุทยานก็ประมาณ 20 นาทีถึงครึ่งชั่วโมง ก็มาสู่ยอดเขาพะเนินทุ่ง พลอยได้หลับอีกตื่นนึง พอมาถึงถึงได้พอจะมีอารมณ์มาชมทะเลหมอกยามเช้า... หลังจากจอดรถ ก็เดินขึ้นจุดชมวิวเพื่อไปชมทะเลหมอกนี่แหละ...ก็สวยดี ดูฝันๆ แดดจัดมาก อากาศเย็นๆก็มลายหายไปพร้อมกับแสงตะวันที่สาดแสงแรงกล้าจนตาจะบอด... มันคงจะสร้างอารมณ์เคลิ้มฝันกว่านี้ถ้าอากาศมันเย็นๆ ชิวๆ และเพื่อนร่วมชมทะเลหมอกจะไม่ได้มากมายมหาศาลแบบนี้ !!!!

ดูเสร็จ (ใช้เวลาประมาณ 15 นาที บนจุดชมวิว) ก็ลงมา เตรียมหาที่พักกางเต๊นท์ ตอนนี้ก็เพิ่งจะประมาณ แปดโมงครึ่ง จัดการกางเต๊นท์เสร็จสรรพก็เริ่มทยอยกันอาบน้ำ ถึงตอนนี้เหงื่อก็ชโลมกายจนการอาบน้ำเย็นๆไม่ทำให้สะท้านได้เลย..  จากนั้นสมัครพรรคพวกก็เริ่มทำกับข้าวกินกัน เมนูหรูทีเีดียว มีการทำเกี๊ยวห่อใข่ (นกกะทา)... อากาศก็ร้อนขึ้น ร้อนขึ้น จนทำอะไรไม่ได้ จะไปนอนในเต๊นท์ก็ไม่ได้เพราะจะสุกเอา ก็เลยได้แต่นั่งทำกับข้าวกินกัน ดื่มกันตั้งแต่ตอนนนั้น....จนมื้อเย็น... เพราะมันไม่มีทีไปไหนเลย ตอนนี้แหละที่ทรมานที่สุด...

ว่างจนต้องกินกันทั้งวัน

ตกบ่ายแก่ๆ...จำนวนเต๊นท์ก็เพิ่มขึ้นเรื่่อยๆ จนแทบจะไม่เหลือที่เดิน Oh my god!!! มันสวยอะไรนักหนาถึงได้แห่กันขึ้นมากันขนาดนี้... สลัมบนยอดเขาดีๆนี่เอง...

สลัมบนยอดเขา!

ตกเย็น..อากาศก็ยังไม่ได้เย็นขึ้นซักเท่าไหร่เลย มาเริ่มเย็นจริงๆจังก็ปาไปประมาณ สองสามทุ่มโน่น แต่ด้วยความที่ไม่มีอะไรทำมาทั้งวัน ทำให้รู้สึกเหมือนซักห้าทุ่มมากกว่า ทั้งทีมก็นั่งกินหมูกะทะกันอยู่ในเต๊นท์กลาง อยู่ๆฝนก็เทลงมาอย่างหนัก บางเต๊นท์น้ำเข้าวุ่นวายกันไปเลย ที่แย่ไปกว่านั้นคือระหว่างฝนตกมือนึงถือตะเกียบกะแก้วเหล้า (สำหรับพวกผู้ชาย) อีกมือต้องยกชายเต๊นท์ไว้ไม่ให้น้ำฝนไหลเข้ามา ส่วนเท้าก็แช่อยู่ในน้ำเปียกๆ เย็นๆ  ก็มีตอนนี้แหละที่ทำให้รู้สึกว่้าอากาศเย็น (เป็นเพราะเท้าต้องแช่อยู่ในน้ำฝนเย็นๆ)....

หลังฝนตกพักใหญ่พวกหมู่ดวงดาวก็เพิ่งจะออกมาให้พลอยได้ยลโฉม..หลังจากที่พยายามส่องกล้องดูมาตั้งแต่พระอาทิตย์ตกดิน อย่างน้อยก็ยังมีตอนนี้ให้พลอยได้มีความสุข

วันรุ่งขึ้นเราก็ขึ้นไปที่จุดชมวิวเพื่อดูทะเลหมอกอีกครั้ง โอ้โห..พระเจ้าช่วย กล้วยทอด...ผู้คนไม่รู้มาจากไหนเต็มไปหมดเลย... เราก็ถ่ายรูปไปเรื่อยตั้งแต่ทะเลหมอก มาแมงมุม ไปจนถึงไรเคนบนต้นไม้... แล้วก็ขับลงเขามา... ที่เหลือก็ไม่มีอะไรมาก...

สรุปแล้วมันเป็นทริปที่ไม่ได้มีอะไรน่าประทับใจ ออกไปทางขำๆ ฮาๆ โหดๆ แล้วก็ร้อนโคตรๆเท่านั้นเิอง...

โหด มันส์ ฮา...

Gajapuri....Serenity I've Longed For...

"Ploy on the Beach"

Another family trip to Koh Chang. This time we're going with my girlfriends. It was meant to be a reunion kind of a trip, but I did bring my family too. It was nice to see and chat with my old high school girlfriends again. We didn't do anything adventurous at all. We stayed in a nice resort, talked about what has been going on in our lives - just wanna catch up, and REST & RELAX. All of us has been tired from our work/life balance in everyday life in BKK. Going out there in a peaceful island and relax in a wonderful resort, Gajapuri Resort & Spa, is just what the doctor ordered. I came back refreshed. I wished I had one more day to relax there.  

"Relaxed couple beside the pool in a quiet peaceful afternoon..."

"Beach front garden (top left), Walkways within the resort (top right), Main pool with jacuzzi pool attached (bottom left), Private pool in the Pool Villa (bottom right)"

"Oh..peacefulness I'm longed for..."

My husband and sweet little Ploy were also happy. It was probably one of the happiest trip ever for Ploy as one of my friend also brought her 3 children. They played together and my daughter just didn't get bored like when she went alone with us in other trips. This was so good as all parents do have time to spend with ourselves and really get RELAXED, I could even get to go out and sit at the "pool bar" and have some cocktails! How cool was that!  

"Ploy in the jacuzzi pool with Daddy"

The resort itself is "one of a kind." I don't know about others, but I do like it very much that I have to write about it. At Gajapuri, there are not much to do, but that was all I, we (and I think a lot of people) would need: Clean, nice and big room with big screen plasma TV and DVD player in each room. The resort also provides tons of movie (very updated too) for guests to borrow. The bath and dressing room combined into one hugh room with jacuzzi inside was perfect. Ploy loves it very much. I guess the space design for the room is excellent. 

"Spacious living area and bath rooms with shower and jacuzzi"

The breakfast is also good. There were some different items that I didn't expect to find in a usual hotel/resort's breakfast that comes with the package. Besides regular bread, croissant, ham, salad...there were also Spaghetti Carbonara, nice hash brown, Vegetable stir-fired with butter, etc. And all tasted good. I'm impressed.

Now, the best part for me is The Spa. The lady who massaged me was very good. Plus the 20% discount offer, it's even make this one of the best experience. (sorry, I was so enjoyed that I forgot to take picture of the spa.) The resort provides a little "sala" at the beach front for guests who like to get massage and treatment along with the sea breeze. I meant to try having another massage at beach front sala, but didn't have enough time. Till next time, then.

But the best part for Ploy is actually the pool. It is not so big that it scares small children, but not too small either. There is a nice jacuzzi pool that we all sat in and just relaxed with the jacuzzi massage. The kids played in both pools and had a lot of fun - while, of course, I and my friends were sitting at the pool bar sipping wine and chatting... 

I didn't have much to write on as we didn't do much at all. Like I said, this was a really "RELAXED" trip and we pretty much just enjoyed the stay at the resort. I will definitely go back there again...soon.

'Till next time...Gajapuri...

A Birthday Getaway

A birthday get-away this time was simply an escape-from-life days for me and my husband. We knew that the place is not a family destination, but we’ve longed for the peacefulness like this. We heard about this resort for quite some times and had been interested. So, we took my Birthday as the opportunity to explore this place and experience the serenity, with hopes to calm down our everyday hectic lives.

"A very happy kid..."

So, we packed up a lot of art supplies, including a lot of my most-reserved rubberstamps for our daughter – so she couldn’t get bored. I thought we could open a mini art studio there with the amount of supplies we brought with us. ;-D And it proved that it was the right decision. Without those supplies, Ploy would have been bored so badly.

"Enjoys the ride"

Another great decision was bringing her bicycle. She had fun with it a lot. The weather in the morning was fresh and she enjoyed the ride, even it was a short ride within the resort.

Speaking about the resort, I think it’s worth mentioning about it. Eva Avataar Resort & Spa was a real peaceful place for adults only. For those seeking quiet moments to just relax, read, swim, and be with yourselves, it is a perfect place. The serenity is in the air. It is situated in the midst of small mountains. When we woke up, we just went out to the personal terrace behind our room and experience the peaceful-mountain view, with beautiful fishes in the ponds next to the terrace itself.

The swimming pool was great (for adult only, definitely not for small kids). In the pool, I felt like I was hugged by the mountain surrounded and it gave me a great feeling that I can’t explain. It just felt so peaceful. (I’ve been using this word a lot, but it just fits perfectly with my feeling.)

"The hillside pool"

The bicycles are available for guests to use within the resort. It also gave me a childish feeling riding it. I just wished the road to ride was going and going with no ends.

"Bicycles for resort guests"

"A serene morning"

The morning ride with Ploy was fun and peaceful (again) at the same time – how can that be? But it was. It seemed like Ploy enjoyed being with herself as well. She just enjoyed it very much.

"My birthday cake"

A surprise from my hubby and Ploy came when we had dinner. They had made arrangement with the resort staffs to find me some cakes. The cake was so-so in taste (probably was the left-over from what the resort served during lunch time), but for me, it was perfect. I couldn’t ask for more. We brought the cake back to our room because a lot of bugs were bugging us and the “Took-Kae” (a big lizard-like animal) was present to scare the daylight out of my husband. We ordered two tasting-good Latte to peacefully sipped while we had cake on our bed watching TV. What a perfect birthday night. That’s all I’ve asked for, really. Thank you very much both of you for loving me. I love you too, very very much.

"A peaceful moment"

เที่ยวไทยครึกครื้น เศรษฐกิจไทยคึกคัก...

ร้อยแปด พันเก้าภารกิจเที่ยว...แรงบันดาลใจแบบใหม่สำหรับการท่องเที่ยว

Just Three of Us at Khao Yai

Another happy family fun day! After a long while and not be able to finish my japan trip's blog... I just felt like writing up another blog to actually be a long last memory. Today's trip was just so worth the effort and time.

Starting the day with 2 hours driving by our lovely dad to Nakornratchasrima (Korat) with the first destination at ChokChai Steak House. We arrived at the farm and restaurant around noon so there were "TONS" of people. Ploy counted 12 humungous tour buses, plus around 100 or so passenger cars. The line for seating in the restaurant was ridiculous. This just turned us down completely. We gave up the steakhouse right away, headed back to our car, with one pineapple pie for Ploy as she started to get hungry.

With help and suggestions from our everything-guide friend, Noi, we headed towards Khao Yai with new destination of the restaurant within the winery called: The Grand Monte. We finally found it. The restaurant situated among the winery and next to a lotus pond. Yes, this was worth the drive and the wait. It's the real serenity (for me) and great food for everyone. The T-Bone and Cognac sauce was good, and so was the soft shell crab salad and the fusili  salmon with fresh cream sauce. Fresh grape juice was so nice and refreshing. 

After lunch, we didn't leave the winery right away. We decided to check out the serene surrounding and wasn't disappointed. We found a perfect spot -- very nice and peaceful "sala" right next to the extended lotus pond (ศาลาริมน้ำ) Daddy was the first to lie down and doze off. Ploy was walking around picking up flowers from the ground. I was sitting in the sala, couldn't move as my lovely hubby was napping on my lap. But that's OK. I was happy just like that. It's all I needed. (Well, it'd be better if I have a book to read.) 

The peaceful sala

After being interrupted by a noisy family, we took off. Heading back to Primo Posto, a newly hip cafe and restaurant with a Tuscany atmosphere. It would have been really nice if there weren't a lot of people, which kinda destroyed the whole Tuscany feel. The place was so beautiful. We called it a complete architectural success! because it is the architecture that sets the whole Tuscany mood & tone among the winery in the back and the valley surrounding it.  I liked it a lot. I had plan to go there during the weekdays sometimes, so there won't be too many people. 

Ploy was having so much fun with everything, actually. She enjoyed taking photos and posting for mom and dad to take photos of her. It was very nice.

We left the restaurant around 3pm. We drove back on a different route, which was much nicer. It actually reminded me of Route 10 in Connecticut, U.S.A. I told my husband that when Ploy grows up, gets her own job and her own family, we should retire here. And by "here" I mean that route we were on, literally!  It'd have been really nice.

Ploy felt asleep almost as soon as we left the restaurant. She was tired, but I did believe that she had a lot of fun. It confirmed my decision on going out of town. I wanted her to learn the world outside of Bangkok and all those fancy department stores. I myself wanted (so badly) to spend time, quality time, with my husband and Ploy, and also going to see the greens upcountry. Well, I achieved my objective today. Thanks to my lovely husband for driving. 

Final word, I had a very good time and I am very very happy. Thanks to my husband and Ploy for being a part of my happiness today. Without you, this wouldn't happen or complete as I had hoped.

I love you.

Fabulous Japan: Part III Achi Lake - Shinjuku

...Day 3...

Started the day with photo taking on the most beautiful spot on the trip. From the hotel we stayed last night, we could actually see the Fuji mountain from our room. After breakfast, we left the hotel for about 15 minutes to arrive at the picture perfect spot. There was the Fuji in the background with frozen lake in front. We took pictures. It was gorgeous......and cold.

After a little fun with photo taking, we headed off to Achi Lake. The lake was formed by the lava explosion from the Fuji mountain around 3,000 years ago. It was a very beautiful sight.

We cruised in the pirate-like ship. The weather was nice and clear. However, with the wind, it got very cold. Ploy couldn't take it. She took a couple of pictures then draged her dad to go inside the ship. I was still outside taking more photos with my friends. I was cold too, but it was OK for me (of course, I had all winter clothes on, including the gloves). I just didn't want to miss any moments here as I didn't know when I could go back to visit Japan again. I just wanted to take in all the happiness in the air and not to miss any molegule.


We cruised about 20 minutes. Then the ship arrived at another port where we got onto the cable car lifting us up to the top of the Owakudani valley. Once arrived on the top, we had lunch. It was a bento-like lunch with hot plates for kinda stir fried beef. It was not great, but nice. After lunch, we had to walk up to the top of the valley - about 500 meters, I guessed. Here there was a sulfur hot spring that could boil an egg with almost 100 degree (celcious) heat. It was believed that if you eat one of this boiled egg, you will live 7 years longer. Of course, everyone had to go up there and eat a sulfured-smelled boiled egg... (yike...) Ploy enjoyed the white-egg. She enjoyed eating it. Actually, she had two. She didn't eat the yolk though.

After finishing with the egg(s), we walked down through the same path we walked up. From this very high spot, we could still see the Fuji mountain again. (Some people didn't get excited anymore, but I still did.) The mountain was a really beautiful background.

Now, we were ready to take off. Heading off to Tokyo. We actually had plan to stop by the Asakusa Temple prior to the Shinjuku. However, the traffic into Tokyo was just like Bangkok. We decided not to stop by the temple and went directly to the Shinjuku for shopping.

Shinjuku at dusk

Here came my personal shopping spree. My lovely husband agreed to take Ploy with him just so I can go shopping with no worries. Oh..I loved my husband. He knew me so damn well for my shopping habit. I got pretty much stuff I want and what I was asked to buy for some people. I went to Mutsumoto drug store to buy cosmetic. (Now I wish I had had more time in that store.) I was hoping to get more stuffs - stuffs that are hard to find or more expensive in Thailand. However, the girls in the stores (in every stores in Japan) couldn't speak much of English so I was so hard to get explanation for the usage of particular cosmetic items. I ended up got what I planed for with a little bit out of plan. I did well that day. I went also to the 100 Yen store. It was nice thought I didn't get much stuffs. Guess I have to mention here that I of course did make a stop at the sex shop. he.he.he..I got 2 strawberry sticks and a box for Ploy. The strawberries really needed to be mentioned about because it was so sweet and big too. They were really nice. I could eat much much more.

We re-grouped again around 8pm. I and my husband were right on time. He also got a nice Adidas sneakers and a big box of toy for Ploy. Apparently, she behaved so well that her dad couldn't resist buying what she wanted. I would do the same as I already saw that Ploy was a wonderful kid and I could take her to any trips. She was so good and well behaved all the time.


We had japanese ramen for dinner. It was so so. I didn't excited as I was not a ramen kind of person anyway. I preferred sushi, seaweed and tempura. After dinner we just went to the hotel and rest. Ploy was still excited for the day. She didn't want to go to bed even though she was real tired (after walking in Shinjuku for 3 hours). She was talking and talking and talking, with real excitement. She drew some pictures before I finally got her into showering and to bed.

Gosh...only a couple of days left. Oh..my dream Japan. I didn't want this journey to end. I was so happy.

Ooh..lovely couple... eieiei

Fabulous Japan...Part II: Fuji Mountain

...Day Two...

A fresh morning with breakfast in the hotel. Food was OK. Then, we headed off to the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) Hamamutsu station to go to Chizuoka station. It took about 20 minutes. After lunch, we headed off to the Fuji Mountain, the landmark we couldn’t miss. It took so long to get to the mountain, but once we got there, it was worth it. We could also got a preview of the mountain along the highway. We were so lucky that the weather was so good. Clear blue sky, no rain, no snow. It was picture perfect.

We went for the snow sledding. Great fun. Ploy went with daddy only on the first round. After that she wanted to go alone and didn’t feel scared at all. What a character. She enjoyed the snow very much. After a while, she got bored with the sledding. She just wanted to play with the fresh snow. I taught her to make the “angel”. She was excited. The Fuji and the snow had put on smiles on my angel's face.

Leaving the Fuji Mountain with a lot of fun and wonderful memory… we made a stop at Kotemba Outlet. I got what I had planed: a new Nike Air. That’s about it. After shopping from a lot of great outlets in the US, this outlet didn’t excite me at all, especially when it doesn’t have “NINE WEST” store.

That night we stayed at the Yamanakako New Star Hotel. We had to sleep on the mattress, Japanese style. The hotel provided the “Onsen”, the Japanese natural hot spring. We didn’t go in as – for the Japanese culture - we couldn’t wear anything… I just couldn’t bring myself to be naked with other people. (Maybe if I was in shape, but I was SO NOT)…

Forgot to mention that we stopped by a supermarket and get some fresh sushi and sashimi. We brought them and ate in the hotel room with the Plum sake (I think). Ploy was excited again with the setting and atmosphere (even though it was not comfortable at all.)

That’s all for day two. Only 3 days left.

(I started to feeling sad then.)

Stay tuned…