Gifu Prefecture 5 Days 4 Nights with Japan Airlines

It's always nice and convenient to fly direct to everywhere especially with full-fare airlines.  From Bangkok to fly to Nagoya directly took us around 6 hours.  We totally need this comfortable flight as our journey not only stop in Nagoya, we will then need to catch train straight away to go to Takayama and stay there for 3 nights.  The in-flight food was OK, but the best part is I could get the plum wine and sake to accompany me while watching in-flight movies.  

They only served breakfast menu the next day

We caught Mietetsu Line train from Chubu Centair International Airport to Nagoya then exchanged our JR Pass (JR Takayama-Hokuriku Pass) at the Nagoya station before catching the Hida Wide View train to go to Takayama.  Because our type of JR Pass did not cover the airport line.

This is the Nagoya station map 

Btw, for your information.  For the first timer of JR Pass users, you firstly need to validate the JR Pass at the JR information center then book your train timetable at the ticket office.  The office is located opposite each other.

Tonkatsu pork sandwich for our lunch

From Nagoya station took another 2 and half hours train ride to arrive at our destination, beautiful old town of Takayama.  It was a really exhausted and long day for us.  Once we arrived at the hotel, I honestly just wanted to take a rest or maybe NOT!!!! Who knows, how I feel like at that time...... Let's find out...

We went there around early of March.  And my purpose and hope, of course to still be able to see some left over snow.  In Nagoya, I could not see any snow.  Then after I woke up from my short nap on the train, it was somewhere near Takayama already, I opened my eyes and glared at this shining white covered grounds.  I was so excited and happy.  From there, more and more white covered the little town.

Best Western lobby hotel

We stayed 2 nights at this hotel.  The location is very close to the station, only 2 minutes walk from Takayama station and the staff has pretty fluent english.  The room is slightly bigger than any standard Japanese hotel with very western style decorations.  Although the bed is always to small for us couple with a young kid.  However, I still can walk comfortably after putting my luggage.

Best Western Hotel Takayama
6 Chome-6, Takayama, Gifu Prefecture
Ph: +81 577 37 2000


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
One Nice Evening in Takayama

Nana Beach Resort, Chumphon

Previously:
Suan Nai Dum (Garden of Black Uncle), Chumphon

On the last night, we stayed at the Nana Beach Resort, Chumphon.  To break the long driving journey to Bangkok.  It was a quite and peaceful resort by the beach.  Although not much activities offered from this hotel but just a nice stroll at the beach in the morning on your own and swim in the quite swimming pool were totally rejuvenated our soul and body. 

At that night, we ordered a room dining food to share with the family.  We had the range of authentic Thai dishes, such as pork basil, fried rice, omelette with minced pork, tom kha kai and pad see ew.  There were all delicious and big portion as well.   

In room dining with authentic Thai cuisine

Breakfast buffet

Like your own private beach

Immigration gate Thailand and Myanmar

Had a sip of Myanmar tea

Nana Beach Resort, Chumphon
10/2 Moo 8, Saphli, Chumphon
Ph: +66 77 622 999

Suan Nai Dum (Garden of Black Uncle), Chumphon

Previously:
Royal Taste Dim Sum, Krabi and Dinosea World Park, Phuket

This place is actually a coffee shop and plus plus, which is located on the Highway 41, Chumphon.  The toilet-theme cafe is more for people to resting while sipping some nice coffee and for toilet break as well.  There are so many styles of toilet from the normal to the fancy butt-shaped room.  It is definitely worth to see and so many to explore in this park.  They are actually famous for their luwak coffee.  Wile you were there, it is also good to have a look the OTOP products and souvenirs for gifts for friends and family. 

Kopi Luwak (Luwak coffee - hot for 199 baht)

Giant s*it  seat

Suan Nai Dum
Highway 41, Thung Tako, Chumphon
Ph: +66 7753 6338 9


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Chumphon:
Nana Beach Resort, Chumphon

Royal Taste Dim Sum, Krabi And Dinosea World Park, Phuket

Previously:
Knomjean Ko Choi, Krabi City

Early in the morning we had dim sums breakfast from one of the famous dim sum restaurant in Krabi city.  Pretty similar style with the one in Hat Yai but in here was less hectic and the service was far better.  We need to choose whatever dim sum we want, then the waiters will heat them up and serve them on our table.  Great range of choices from classic style dim sum like shaomai, bbq pork bun to more fancy dishes like chawanmushi (steamed egg) and mussels.  They also serve a delicious and herbally ba-kut-teh.  Warm and hearty spare ribs soup that goes well with a bowl of steamed rice.

bakuteh

After spent a short one night in Krabi City, we keep heading further down south toward Phuket.  On the way we stopped at the water theme park, called Dinosea World Park.  The theme park is decorated with soft rubber dinosaurs, some can even move and make a noise too.  The water park is so huge and is actually great for racing-like water sport competition.  We tried only for the junior one and it was already pretty hard for me who lack of exercises.  I even lost to my own son who only 5 years old at that time.  The challenge stages were too hard or I was just plainly unfit???

Dinosea World Park, Phuket

Adult zone

junior zone

The scariest challenge is this 6 meters jump.  Are you dare??

Royal Taste Dim Sum (Racharos Dim Sum), Krabi
Utarakit Roak, Pak Nam, Krabi Town
Opening hours: daily 6am-12pm

Dinosea World Park
90 Moo 11, Khok Kloi, Phangnga
Ph: +66 86 851 4499

Stay tuned for the next blog in Chumphon:
Suan Nai Dum (Garden of Black Uncle), Chumphon

Knomjean Ko Choi, Krabi City

Previously:
Namtok Ron (Hot Spring) and Sa Morakot (Emerald Pool), Krabi

This knomjean shop is very famous among locals.  Knomjean is Thai-syle thin rice noodle and usually accompanied with green curry on top.  This dish was flavorsome, a little spicy and very thick broth.  They also serve complimentary condiments on the table for us.  One more menu to try from this hop is definitely their fried chicken.  It is one of the best fried chicken I've ever had.  It was full of spice, the skin was crisp yet tender and juicy inside.  Great meal we had there.

Condiments

Two thumbs up for this fried chicken

knomjean green curry

Iced milk tea and iced coffee

Iconic Krabi city symbol

This hotel although the service was good and the room was clean and spacious as well, but there was a little bit confusing at the check in point.  Where we actually booked the rooms at Krabi city view hotel through Agoda and we expected to stay in that building but they let us stayed at the building across the road with the sign saying that Krabi Guest Hotel.  But they insisted that it is belong to the same owner and the room with the promotion is apparently in that building where instead of looking like 4* hotel, it was more like a hostel.  It was kinda weird but we gave it a try and look around the room.  It was quite a bright comfortable room (as per picture above), so no fuss and it was only for a night anyway.


Ko Choi (knomjean kaeng keaw)
Phet Kasem Road, Amphoe Nuea Khlong, Krabi City
Ph: +66 81 894 1932
Opening hours: 6am - 3pm


Krabi City View/Krabi Guest Hotel and Hostel
1-3 Maharaj Soi 2 Paknam, Krabi


Stay tuned for the next blog:
Royal Taste Dim Sum, Krabi And Dinosea World Park, Phuket