Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand December 2014 / January 2015 | Page 37

Life & Travel
there are traditional Thai pavilions
where you can relax and watch
the locals fishing. A couple of the pavilions are bars so you can enjoy
some sundowners—you’ll even find
a few imported beers on the menu.

See

KHAO SAM MUK
For splendid views visit Khao
Sam Muk or Sammuk Hill in the north
of Bang Saen, past Laemtaen Cape.
There are hoards of monkeys, which
you can feed with bananas bought
at the summit. (Be careful, as they will
try to snatch anything you may be carrying.) At the foot of the mountain
are a few bars and restaurants where
you can relax and enjoy the sea views.
The hill is named after an old love
story. According to the legend,
a woman called Sammuk threw herself
off the cliff after being broken-hearted
by her man. On the road around the hill

is a Chinese shrine, dedicated to Sammuk, where locals and visitors come
to worship.

BANG PHRA
RESERVOIR
Around 15 km from Bang Saen
is a beautiful, natural place to visit.
The Bang Phra Reservoir is approximately 40 km and is surrounded by grassland and woodland.
There’s a picnic area where you can unwind by the water and a pathway
that meanders through the woods
and around the reservoir. It’s a great
place for bird watching and observing
different species in their natural habitats, so bring your binoculars along!

CHONBURI
MANGROVE RESERVE
For respite from the city, head
about 6 km from Bang Saen to the
Mangrove Forest Conservation
and Study Centre for Eco-Tour-

ism. Take in the nature as you walk
along a wooden elevated path that
weaves 2.3 km around the reserve.
Find resident mudskippers and other
marine life such as fiddler crabs, cockles and oysters. Look out for plenty
of birds and a colony of fruit bats.
Open daily from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Admission is 10 baht.
Located just outside of Chonburi city
on Moo 3, Tambon Samet.

RELAX

Eat

One of Bang Saen’s oldest eateries,
Relax is located just past Laemtaen.
This spacious restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, as well
as a few tables on the tiny beach,
which can be reserved. There’s a good
range of Thai fare, and the menu
is in English. Prices start at 60 baht
upwards for fried rice dishes; 100+
baht for stir fries; and 180+ baht

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