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Hiking at Ko Si Chang and Italian Food in Pattaya

Posted by Stuart at 06:02 PM on August 03, 2008

We got an early start today, as Piyawat had an early flight to Phuket for a business trip. I dutifully took him to the airport, and then hit the road to do some sightseeing for the day.

And let me just say this: Highway 7 that starts at the end of Rama 9 road and goes past the airport and on towards Pattaya is without a doubt the best road in Thailand. It's so nice to drive at normal "highway speeds" and not worry about noodle carts or dogs or chickens or little children to run out on front of your car. The two 30-baht (US$1) tolls I had to pay were well worth it!

My first destination was the island of Ko Si Chang, which is located off the coast of the town of Si Racha, about 100 kilometers from Bangkok. The island was the favored get-away resort of King Rama V, who ruled Thailand from 1868 to 1910. The King built a huge golden teak palace here. After the French took the island in 1893, he ordered the palace to be dismantled and moved to Bangkok, where it is now called the Vimanmek Mansion. According to various websites, it is the largest golden teak building in the world. I can't imagine how many millions of dollars it would cost to build today.

I learned all of this from museums that are setup in various 100-year-old Victorian style buildings spread around the palace grounds. I had had a great time exploring and reading about the turn of the century (1900s, that is) royal family.

I continued on my hike up and down the mountainous terrain of the island, visiting a few beaches along the way. I more or less walked continuously from reaching the island at 10 AM until I left at 5 PM. And I have to say that the island was much more beautiful and peaceful than I expected.

It was a very cloudy day, so I also was not expecting to get a sunburn on my face and neck. I stupidly forgot to wear the hat I was carrying around, and only later in the evening did I realize my mistake. I am definitely kicking myself for that!

There was more that I wanted to explore, but around 3:00 PM (after five hours of hiking the mountains) I started getting very tired and decided to head back to the mainland. I bought a 60 baht ($US 2) ticket for the ferry and asked when the ferry was leaving. I was told 4 PM. Perfect, I thought. I'll go rest my weary legs and drink a beer to ease the pain.

I was back at the pier feeling much better at 3:50, only to be told that the boat had already left. The next boat was at 5:00. Feeling energized (or is it numbed?) by the beer, I decided to visit the huge Chinese style temple on top of the mountain next to the pier. And I have to say I am glad I had the chance to go, as it was an interesting temple and had the best views of the island.

Not taking any chances, I was back at the pier at 4:40. But when I showed my ticket I was told that it was for a different boat company. Their next boat left at 6:00. But if I wanted to go now, I would have to buy another 60 baht ticket. By this time I was really ready to go, so I just smiled and shelled out another 60 baht.

And unbelievably, the boat left the pier at 4:45 -- fifteen minutes early. So, if you ever go to Ko Si Chang, make sure you buy the right ticket, and make sure you are at the pier early!

Eventually we made it back to the mainland, and I drove another 30 kilometers to Pattaya, where I ate at my all-time favorite Italian restaurant in Asia. Their specialty (or, at least the dish I always order) is Pasta Carbonara and it is absolutely heavenly. It is so rich that there's no doubt I went back to Bangkok a few kilos heavier.

I left Pattaya at 9:30 and was back at the airport to pick up Piyawat by 11:00. (Again, thanks to that awesome highway!) I was exhausted and sore and sunburned, but so very fat and happy after a great little day-trip.