Thailand might look small on the map, but it is HUGE!

A long (and in some parts skinny) country, with a coastline that leads to Cambodia, where we just stayed in Pattaya.  We have wanted to travel to so much of Thailand, be to see it all is impossible.  So we have started with the places closest to Bangkok.  Places that are by the sea and that feel relaxing.  First, we headed to Pattaya, and now we want to start to travel down to Hua Hin.

Getting There

In Pattaya, the Dusit Thani Club staff helped us to organize getting to Hua Hin. The lady on the Dusit Club desk was wonderful!

A mini-van came and collected us (and our luggage) and drove us to the van manager’s office.  We were quoted one price when she called, but of course, the owner tried for some extra TB (Thai Baht).

Stacking our luggage on the seat next to me, the van owner insisted we buy an extra ticket as the bags took up a seat, and then on top of that, he also tried to charge us the equivalent of $20 AU extra to drop us ‘out of the way’ to our next hotel.

Of course, I haggled.  However, no sooner than I’d paid, the bags were moved off the seat, and into the back of the van with other passengers luggage! Oh well!

We were off and had a lengthy ride. What was meant to be a three and a half hour journey, then turned into five and a half hours as we were caught in a massive traffic jam on the outskirts of Bangkok city on the motorway

There was nowhere to stop, even if I could have communicated with the driver.

The longer we sat in traffic, the more I regretted drinking my second cup of morning coffee, and I needed the restroom so badly in the midst of a traffic jam I thought my face went purple-blue! It was torture.

I sat and prayed, and the next thing the driver is ‘zooming’ down the emergency lane! He did this style of ‘I’m sure less than legal and speedy driving’ for about half an hour.  Oh, thank God!  He was fabulous!  His driving skills were the answer to my prayers.

We pulled into a petrol station and I barely let the van stop, and I dashed off!

We finally get to the Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel, and of course, it is NOT out of the way. In fact, the mini-van has to drive right past it before it enters Hua Hin.

We arrive at Dusit Thani Hua Hin, and I have never been so pleased to drive up the driveway, and into the grand entrance as now!

Grand Lobby

Once known as a Polo Club, the European feel to this elaborate hotel is very evident.

Dusit Club

We go to the reception and are then ushered on upstairs for the ‘Executive Dusit Club’ check-in.

Here, on our arrival, they take ours (and other guests) photograph.

This is for 2 reasons.

• One of the staff all gets to know your name as your photo is circulated.
• And two, they presented us with a lovely photo card in our room.

I thought this was a great touch.

Also, a bit of trivia.  Dusit Thani Hua Hin is quite famous.

The Thai Royal Family have stayed here, and there is even a Princess Suite. So it exudes class and opulence.

We are thankful for the Dusit Club, and as it is time for Afternoon Tea.

I enjoy scones and cream with an iced coffee (I think it was the best-iced coffee I’ve ever had too!), and Explorason has some sandwiches and an iced coffee. These become our favorite drinks during our stay here.

Our Room

We feel a LOT better – in fact, very refreshed after the Dusit Club, and the staff then show us to our room.

Explorason has a few treats especially for him, including a lovely platter of fresh fruit.

It is late afternoon and we are ready to go to the Dusit Club for ‘Happy Hour’ when the staff come in and prepare the room for the evening.  I love the fact we get a flower on the bed – these little touches make us feel special.

Happy Hour

We head to the Dusit Club and find most of the guests on this particular evening are from England and Wales, and it is lovely chatting with them.

We all sit around in style sipping wine or beer, and nibbling on ‘finger food’.

We meet one couple who have been here to Dusit Thani Hua Hin once before and loved it so much they returned.  And another couple who spend between one and three months of the year here each year!  (This couple tells us they even get their name on a plaque on their hotel door, and extra treats because they are return customers.)

Sunrise and Sunsets

Next day I wake as the colors change in the sky right in front of me. The sky lights up before me as my friend Harvey says ‘God paints the sky’.

Explorason had set the alarm too early at 4:00 a.m. as he wanted sunrise photos, but he hit the ‘snooze’ button so many times, he ended up being too tired to take the photos.

I sit and have a coffee on the balcony and my quiet time of thankfulness, and then go for a lovely walk on the beach.

I’m particularly thankful to God for the peace and tranquility of this property. The birds are chirping, and the morning is otherwise still and quiet.

Quiet Beach Walks

It is a quiet and secluded beach and I am pleased I have it almost to myself as I stroll along.

Over the course of a couple of days, Explorason and I go for several walks, and we collect broken pottery.  Asian plates and bowls now lay broken on the edge of the sea, and the mix of Wedgewood blue and white pottery is lovely. In fact, I wish I had collected more pieces.

Breakfast

Most mornings I am up early so that gave me a chance to get to breakfast before many of the rest of the guests.

Because there is indoor and outdoor seating, it seems like a huge area.

For the Dusit Club Members there is a separate two room area off the main dining, so we get to choose from an exclusive selection, or a general option as well.

There is even some ‘bubbly’ to start the day with should one desire to partake of it.

I’m not that adventurous in the mornings, and a good cappuccino does it for me. In fact, the cappuccino is so good, I sit and have two. It is so relaxing here!

Swimming Pools

This is a resort-style hotel, and I watch people lay their towels out and get ready for a day relaxing in the sun.

There are two pools to use here and a jacuzzi.

But because we are leaving Asia in just over a week I have a lot to plan. So I am stuck in our room for part of the day before we head to the pool.

I do find it comical to watch one chap so busy taking ‘selfies’ that he wanders into the pool with his phone still in his hand! But that doesn’t stop him.  He bops up and down on tippy-toes all around the

But that doesn’t stop him.  He bops up and down on tippy-toes all around the pool and continues to take his ‘selfies’ (without a ‘selfie stick’) with his new iPhone 7.  One splash and it would have all been over. When don’t people put down their phones and just relax and have fun these days?

Before we know it, we are playing volleyball with an Italian, a Russian, and two others from different countries – including a girl my son’s age.

We don’t finish playing ball until the sun goes down.

They were such nice people and we had loads of fun, even though we were total strangers!

Fabulous Italian Dinner

That night we enjoy a fabulous ‘design your own pasta’ dinner.  I selected a pesto sauce, and the chef created a magnificent dish for me.

Probably the best Italian I have eaten outside of Italy.

We could also create our own salads, and the desserts were a chocolate fountain!  It was a really great night.

There are many other restaurants here, but this is my favorite one.