adventure

L’petite Europe: One day Khao Yai trip, Thailand (2152)

A little taste of Europe would be fine but Khao Yai topped expectation.

We had a family trip to Bangkok Thailand and did a sidetrip to a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Khao Yai.

The first time I learned about the place was months before our trip to Thailand. Khao Yai is located near Bangkok which is approximately a 3-hour drive from the center. Based on observation, there are only two ways to get to the site, it’s either you rent a car and drive yourself or book through klook, we picked the latter because neither Mom nor Pao was willing to try the traffic and the right-hand driving in Thailand 😀

There are tons of things to do and places to choose from in Khao Yai but our time only affords a day off from the city so we ended up visiting just five places within the area.

Here is the video I created for our entire trip in Thailand.

The colours of The Bloom (Flower Park)

First stop. We did not regret going to The Bloom first because it is beautiful during the morning. We availed a service vehicle (optional) to give us a complete tour of the land where we saw the accommodations that The Bloom offers. Yes! you can stay at The Bloom for a longer trip in Khao Yai, they have cool inns and container apartments. Do I need to pay 20 baht per person for the vehicle? I recommend not to do so if you are just interested with the flower park since the park is just 5 meters away from where we bought the ticket. 🙂 You can see the entrance right next to the ferris wheel (find photo below)

Entrance Fee: 100baht + 20baht for an optional vehicle

The green and grey Primo Café (Restaurant with view)

After the flower power, we went straight being coffee lovers – to the Pirom Cafe. I personally chose this café because of the view and structure of the coffee house, the greys and the greens of Khao Yai. Surrounding the cafe is the vineyard with good landscaping. There are few choices in the menu so we only had chicken wings, breaded maki, sausage and another chicken recipe which I cant recall anymore. We spent 700 baht for the snacks for six people which is not bad for a place with this aesthetic. The pictures were priceless also.

No entrance fee

Primo Piazza (Mini Italy Park)

Italy trip memories rush through as I walk inside the piazza with the mountains as backdrop of the Italian-styled structures – absolute plus. The place is really a must when you decide to visit Khao Yai. There are also activities inside, like climbing the super-windy-up-there tower and feeding merinos and alpacas.

Entrance fee: 200 baht per person

Sweet and dark Chocolate Factory (Shop and Restaurant)

Second to the last stop. Khao Yai brings out all you energy indeed. This is a place to relax and to find sweetness that is lacking from your life. Be overwhelmed by the different kinds of chocolates. Above the factory is where you can find the café which serves none other than chocolates. 😀 They have coffee and milkshakes too. The price is reasonable for all the products being sold here when I am expecting a higher price, because of the location. However, contrary to what we were expecting, people cluster here. Just a pro tip, buy instant chocolate drinks which costs 50 Php only but tastes exactly what you can get from the café.

No entrance fee

UK at Midwinter Green (Restaurant with view)

Experience winter at Midwinter when it’s not really cold, it just looks cold because of the ambience. The structure is my favourite but beyond it, you can expect a good view of mountains which are very prominent in Khao Yai. The mountains made it more beautiful, I promise. We dined here to finish our trip. We had a European dinner with (of course) bread, prosciutto pizza, steak and sparkling water 😀

No entrance fee but the food is pricey

We ended but not completed our trip in Khao Yai with new experiences to cherish and stories to keep in our hearts and in our smiles. I hope you got it too. All the best!

– Bads

When in Lake Pandin

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anon

For a start, let me share this travel post I published waaaaay back. This was in Pandin Lake with my travel mates/good friends. Quick info!! Pandin Lake is one of the seven lakes that can be found and enjoyed in Bgy. San Lorenzo, San Pablo Laguna. We got curious and took interest with the lake through an online source which described the place as El-Nido like paradise, I mean, El Nido? tell me this is not a good hook. The thought of El-Nido is very exciting so we immediately planned our Pandin escapade.​

As usual, planning is the hardest episode of group travels but I, being a pushy, managed to persuade. A week ahead, I contacted Ms. Tina through this number 09079952983 (in case you want a contact person, and if this does not work, try searching for pandin contact persons) to book our lake trip. Booking in Pandin lake means booking for bamboo raft “balsa” that can accommodate the group, so pre-booking is really important if you want to ensure a “balsa” for your group. Also, booking doesn’t include land transfers, which means that you have to google map your way to Bgy. San Lorenzo, San Pablo, Laguna (which is easy, btw) or just follow the steps Im about to give.

How to get to Pandin?

1.Ride a Jac Liner or DLTB bus bound to Lucena and alight at SM San Pablo (135 php from Kamias, 2 hours and 30 mins)

2. Ride a jeep to Bayan and tell Manong to drop you off at Simbahan (7 php, 10-15 mins; and I think this is the only Simbahan near the area)

3. Facing the church, walk ahead and keep right til you see the Ilog bound jeepneys parked at the side of 7-11. Tell Manong driver to drop you at Pandin (12 php, 10-15mins)

4. At the Pandin drop off point, kids are waiting to be picked as guides to lead you to the exact location of the lake (amount depends on your budget and kind heart, 10-min walk)

5. Search for your contact person.

Lets GO!
We departed from Kamias at exactly 9:30 AM and we arrived in Pandin Lake at 12:45 PM. I talked to Ms. Tina and waited (30 mins to 1 hour) for our “balsa” to be ready. A balsa rent costs 180/person, however, you can choose to add food/snacks (because you don’t want to starve yourself and rush the adventure) which will cost additional payment of 180/person. Basically, “balsa” without food costs 180/person and “balsa” with food costs 360/person. Easy.

My companions are the 1st three on the left and three on the right. Yes, there is sharing of balsa with strangers. Its good to make new friends tho. 🙂

Time check: 1:30 PM.
So, this is where the fun begins, our “balsa” started to move towards the picnic area and the next happenings are priceless.

Ronna Bella de Italia

We unleashed the photographers in us to capture the very sweet bonding with nature, its trees, its water, its freshness. TIP#1 – Frame the moments (you can never repeat the exact same moment ever again)

Mikki and Buko

We sipped some fresh juice. TIP#2 – No alcoholic beverages in Pandin, and pls, do not litter (not just in Pandin,this applies everywhere). Help the Nature in your own little ways 🙂

 We enjoyed the water. It has just the right temperature to enjoy, to the point that you would not want to get off if only you could. It is clean yes, however since this is a lake, it lacks direct exchange with the ocean so please do not expect a very clear water. Pollution is the primary threat to lakes so please do not litter. Also, natural sinkers do not go well with lake water so TIP#3 – As much as possible, keep your floaters on. Do not risk it, or you’ll be the annual sacrifice. 😉

Swinging Vien

We took advantage to be photographed with this cheap yet famous swing. Tip#4 – Be friendly to your neighbors always, you may need to pass through their “balsa” to use the swing. (True story)😀

The couple

We enjoyed our time together. Tip#5 – Do not be ashamed. Express yourself (Tin’s first swimsuit experience).

It was 4:30 PM when “The Kuyas” told us to wrap up and enjoy our final minutes on the lake. For the last ten minutes, we just swam, took photographs, jumped, laughed, swam and swam some more. Truly, it was a nice experience for us. 

Good game, well played Mother Nature. Not nearly El Nido but still kudos to the People of San Pablo for maintaining such beauty. May God bless Pandin.

*TIP of the century: Never be ashamed to ask questions. It is the fastest way to find the San Pablo highway :)))