From Lamtakong To Nakhon Phanom

In new year holiday last year, we made a short trip to Northeastern Thailand.  Drove from Bangkok, stop to had a breakfast at PB Valley in Khao Yai (Khorat), then stayed one night in Lamtakong Dam, and after that we continued our journey to our final destination which is Nakhon Phanom. 

Khorat (or formally called Nakhon Ratchasima) is one of my favourite place in Thailand.  It's more like Australian Hunter Valley of Thailand regardless their weather (nearly similar though, if you visit Khao Yai in winter season).  This province is full of vineyard and the country's winery.  There are lots of  western theme resorts (most of them inspired from cities in Italy) and nice coffee shops around there.  If the weather is friendly on that day, it would make a good trip here.  We didn't stay a night here this time, just a scrap of their yummy big breakfast with a view and enjoying morning breeze by the river.

Outdoor dining area, accompanied with calm morning sun and cool fresh breeze



Having nice breakfast at PB Valley with greeny mountain background

Then we keep driving further to the east for another 2 hours, until we reached our next destination, Lamtakong Dam.  We stayed for a night here, just to revive and indulge in the beautiful view of the Dam.

Lunch at Suan Muang Porn resort

Salad in a crispy bowl

I don't dare to swim in this chilly winter season, even though I really want it

The next day, after we had our breakfast at the resort, we continued our journey to Nakhon Phanom.  It took us another 7 hours drive including lunch break in Maha Sarakham.

 

Jaewhorn (e-san style hot pot)

777 Hometel, Nakhon Phanom

Local style breakfast (khai krata)

Nakhon Phanom is a small town in the Northeastern Thailand.  The city is bordering with Laos and only separated by the mighty Mekong River.  Their cuisine got a lot of influences from Laos and Vietnam.  The population in this town is only slightly more than 700k, make them very peaceful and less crowded. 

Things to do around this area are visiting Wat Phra That Phanom, Wat Phra That Renu Nakhon, Saint Anna Church, Indochina market and Mekong walking street or just chilling out by the river.

Wat Phra That Phanom

Wat Phra That Renu Nakhon

Saint Anna Church

Indochina Market

PB Valley Khao Yai Winery

102/2 Moo5, Mitraparp Road

Payayen Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30320

Tel: 081 733 8783

Suan Muang Porn Resort (Lamtakong Dam)

204/44 Moo 1, Mittaphap Road, Tambon Khlong Phai

Amphoe Sikhio, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30340

Tel:  044 323 263

webite (only in Thai language)

777 Hometel, Nakhon Phanom

75/4 Bumruengmuang Road

Naimuang District, Nakhon Phanom, 48000

Tel: 042 514 777

Koh Talu, Thailand

If you live in Thailand, you will know that there are heaps of public holiday in one year period.  Kinda top five countries in the world that have lots of day off.  Any public holiday that fall on Saturday or Sunday, the government will alter into following Monday.  That's why in a year we will have a few long weekend holidays.  In this short break, most of Thais love to travel within country.  And this summer long weekend we decided to spent our three days two nights in Koh Thalu.  We went with the whole family members, 6 adults and 2 toddlers.

Koh Thalu or Talu island is located in Prachuapkhirikhan which is about 5 hours drive from Bangkok.  Then another 20 minutes away from the coast by speed boat.  The island is privately owned and is all inclusive type of resort.  All meals, private beach, kayaking, catch and cook fresh squids, visiting the turtle nursery, and so on. 

Two bedrooms bungalow

Peaceful and quite private beach

Hmm.. What should we do now?

Kayaking

Soccer

Turtle nursery

3 buffet meals a day

Extra bbq at midnight accompanied with beers (on your own expense)

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall And Shilin Night Market

Previously:
Qingjing Farm, Taiwan

Today is our last day in Taipei, we just leisurely walked around Chiang Kai Shek and spend a good night at Shilin Night Market.  However, the weather wasn't be on our side.  Sprinkling nearly all day.  But we still can tried a few more Taiwanese cuisine and snacks.  Only covered a very little of Shilin Market, next time will definitely come back here again.



Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Taiwanese style lunch at one of the mall basement opposite our hotel

Taiwanese Douhua - silky soft tofu served with sugar syrup and topped with peanut and red bean

Shilin Night Market

Lu rou fan topped with floss pork

It is like a steamed glutinous flour with Chinese style stew minced pork, mushroom egg (top left on the menu)

At the Touyuan International Airport Lounge - unlimited lu rou fan (I have to maximize eating this dish before departing from Taipei - I will definitely miss this dish so much)

Thank you all to read my Taiwan posts.  Will see you again soon in my next journey.  You guys are rock!!  Octie Appetie...