For Chinese New Year this year we decided to take our babymoon (as they call it) to Thailand. It is supposed to be a last big trip before the baby comes! We had such a blast. We ended up in Hua Hin, it was the easiest to get to for us since we booked our tickets about 3 days before we left. You fly into Bangkok and then drive down the coast about 3 hours. We had a driver pick us up and take us so that we didn't have to rent a car. It was easy!
Our first day we got in late afternoon and had time for a quick dip and walk on the beach after we checked into our hotel. We stayed at this beautiful Hyatt resort and were able to stay club level, meaning we had breakfast included as well as tea time (which we never did) and happy hour (which we did every night!). Our first night was no exception for happy hour, the club was so nice, it was open air with koi ponds and great food and drinks. Totally worth it! After a few snacks and drinks we grabbed the hotel shuttle for about a ten minute ride into the main part of Hua Hin for dinner and some shopping at the night market. We ate dinner at a Thai restaurant (of course) that was so good, and it was also up on the second level of a building overlooking the night market so we could watch the shoppers down below as we ate. It was a great first day and night in Thailand, we knew we were going to love it!!
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| First dip in the water! |
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| View of the baby bump. |
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| The tide came up in the afternoons to the bottom of the stairs leading to our hotel. |
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| Browsing the night market. |
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| First dinner, complete with a frilly drink! |
Our second day in Hua Hin started with breakfast at the club and then off to explore for the day. We hired a van, sort of on accident, but we really enjoyed our driver! His name was Mister John and he decided that he was going to take us around for the day. He had an old pickup truck that he had put benches and an awning in the back so it wasn't too bad of a ride! We went to two different floating markets where the food and kitchens are on boats. They were pretty cool, but we heard that the big one you have to see is in Bangkok so maybe on our next trip! After a morning of shopping we headed back to the hotel to rest and maybe have lunch but after contemplating the prices at the Hyatt we decided to take our chances in town. So off we went back into town and had the best meal of our trip. It was this open air, very crowded restaurant with lots of locals. We knew we were in the right place! After lunch we explored and did a bit of souvenir shopping before heading back to spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean. Joel was also invited for a game of volleyball so I went and watched for a bit before retiring to my beach chair with my book. For dinner our second night we went to a different night market than the one previously which we also really enjoyed. Our dinner was from a cart and it was so good! We had way too much food and Joel had a beer and it was about $4. Lol.
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| Look at all that delicious food! |
We took a very colorful tuk tuk back to the hotel after dinner which was really fun!
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| Tuk tuk home. |
Our last full day in Hua Hin we we had a lot left to do and see so we set out early in the morning to finish some shopping and to see the big food market. Our first venture was to a basket store that we passed every time we left the hotel that I really wanted to shop in. I may have gone a little crazy with the basket buying but we were able to get them all back so I guess that is all that matters! After we took a cab to the food market. We only lasted about 30 seconds at the food market because of the smell. Note to self, do not go to a really smelly market when you are 5 months pregnant!! We then took a stroll back to the pier for a drink over looking the water. It was such a nice spot, we could have stayed all day! But we decided to grab some lunch and then head back to the hotel for some beach time. I forgot to mention earlier that I am not the biggest lover of swimming while at the beach, I would much rather spend my time lounging and reading but Joel bought me a floaty to convince me to get in so I did, several times. It wasn't so bad! Joel even went and had a massage while I lounged on the beach (no certified prenatal massages in Hua Hin so I skipped it).
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| Proof I got in the ocean! |
Our last night Joel surprised me with flowers, which caught everyone's attention at the club during happy hour. The next day was Valentines so he got a jump start on it. So Sweet!
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| With my flowers! |
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| Playing games a the night market. |
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| Dinner at the night market. |
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| Last night on the beach! |
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| Beach! |
Our last day in Thailand we had a full day but decided to spend it in Bangkok. We had to go there anyway to fly out but our flight wasn't until midnight so we thought it was worth seeing the city. We took the Hyatt shuttle from Hua Hin to the Hyatt in Bangkok where we were able to drop off our bags and have a quick lunch. We took a cab to see the palace but decided not to go in. So we walked and explored and did a little shopping around the city. Our favorite thing we did, which made Bangkok worth seeing was a boat ride through the old canals. We got to see the locals homes and a part of the city you normally wouldn't. If you even find yourself in Bangkok add a boat ride to your must see list!
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| At the palace. |
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| Oh my, so much traffic. |
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| On the boat! |
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| Boat. |
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| Giant Lizards! |
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| Last pic of the trip! |
After exploring we took a tuk tuk back to the hotel, which was one of the most miserable experiences. The traffic in Bangkok was the worst I have ever seen and riding through the smog in the back of a tiny car when it is really hot was not my idea of fun. Luckily we made it back in time to grab some dinner before heading to the airport and saying goodbye to Thailand!
Here are a few videos from our trip:
