Photos: Thankful That We Could Celebrate Nana's Birthday Camping at Hat Chao Mai, Trang, Thailand

It Is A Paradise | Bulon Island Satun

Bulon island is a castaway paradise in the Andaman ocean of Satun Province, South of Thailand. If we had not gone beyond the coastline of Satun, We would have not discovered the existence of this beautiful island. 

GPS 

We had visited Lipe island before but Bulon island amazed us the most. This is an unspoiled island with long white sandy shoreline, crystal clear seawater, and tall trees canopying. Without a doubt, this should be a perfect place to relax or do camping with our friends and families. 

Saigon Family Trip 2018 | Reflection

By Ianpassion

Vietnam is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that is very rich in history. Even just in a short period of time,  I got to know more about this country when we were there with my family in October 2018. 

What I learned from my history books back in my school days became more imaginative when we finally visted those places that brought us back to the horrible Vietnam war (1955-1975).

Reflection: Train Ride from Hatyai to Hua Lamphong Bangkok

By Ianpassion

Train riding is a wonderful experience, especially for our children to try when visiting Thailand.  

In the year 2013, we took the first-class sleeping cabin expecting that we could have a good rest. Nittie that time was pregnant with our first child, Nana. It was not a good decision. 

Reflection: Astonishing Satun Geo Park

(Credit: Satun Geopark)

"Will you still go back to Davao?" a friend asked.

I paused for a moment before responding, "Satun is already my home; it is where my heart belongs, and where I believe I will die."

Satun has a lot to offer a person who enjoys wild adventure and a laid-back lifestyle, with its beautiful beaches, amazing waterfalls, green forest, delicious food, diverse culture, and ethnicity.

Thai Local Rice Pounding With Amazing Skill

By Ianpassion

Traditional wooden pounder is a common agricultural tool in a rice farming communities. We also had this tool back in my parents' house in Mindanao, Philippines. 

Back then we grew our own rice, after some months waiting we harvested the grain and spread on a mat to expose directly to the heat of the sun for drying. When the grain was dried enough then this is dehulled by continues raising and dropping of a heavy wooden pestle in a mortar. 

Honeymoon 2013 | Lipe Island Satun, Thailand

By Ianpassion

I think it is not too late to write about our trip after our wedding on April 8, 2013. Actually, we planned to go to Vietnam but the Father did not allow this to happen. We went to Lipe island in Satun instead. 

Koh Lipe is one of the most famous islands in the south of Thailand located in the sea of Satun province near the border of Malaysia. Our trip to this island after our wedding turned out to be one of the remarkable moments in our lives as a newlywed couple.

Night Market Manang, Satun, Thailand

By Ianpassion

Manang is one of the most beautiful districts in Satun Province. It is known for its towering mountains, dazzling rivers, turquoise waterfalls, virgin forest, indigenous tribe, and the largest cave in Asia. 

I have stayed in Manang district for 5 years now and have seen its fast development. It used to be a town that if you want to go shopping and pay your bills you need to travel to the city.

New Year 2018, Last Day in Langkawi, Malaysia, Cenang Beach, Fireworks Display, and Street food

By Ianpassion 

New Year 2018 in Langkawi, Malaysia, we were in Cenang Beach to see the countdown and fireworks display. Many travelers were there. Almost the 3 km shoreline of Cenang Beach was covered with tents, benches, mats, and people standing. 

Most of the crowd rounded the huge bonfire which was the main area of the beach. Everyone looks so excited. Minutes later the countdown began, followed by a fireworks display. It was beautiful to see the dark sky lightened as fireworks pierced up and popped like iron dome rockets. 

Family New Year 2018, 1st day to 2nd Day in Langkawi Malaysia, from Satun, Thailand

By Ianpassion

Langkawi is an island just 40 minutes by ferry from Tamalang, Satun, Thailand. It is located in the most northern part of Kuala Perlis, Malaysia, and the most southern part of the western coast of Thailand, this island is as the Jewel of Kedah.

Our decision to spend our new year 2018 in Langkawi turned out to be a remarkable one. December 30, 2017 (Saturday), at 10:00 am, we arrived at the harbor of Tammalang, Satun, Thailand.  Staff in the ticketing section told us that there was no ferry available anymore, they only had the long-tail boats but taking this would be so risky for our two little kids because of strong and high waves. 

Amazing Furniture Museum (Ban Rak Mai), Manang, Satun, South of Thailand

By Ianpassion

Hidden in the village of Ban Papon, Manang, Satun, South of Thailand, there is a museum, furniture display made from roots and trunks of very old and large trees. The said place is called in Thai "Ban Rak Mai" or "Tree Roots House".

While on the road we were amused by tropical green nature. From towering mountains, rain-forest, rivers, and wooden Thai houses all were caught by our eyes. Simply they were beautiful. 

Reflective: Hatyai- Satun Road Trip, South of Thailand

By Ianpassion 

Most of the time I travel alone Satun to Hatyai ( or vice versa). On the road may take one and half an hour but if you are commuting, it takes more than two hours considering several stops for refreshment.  

One day the weather was cold with a little rain shower. I was speeding from Hatyai back to Satun. I did several stops to see what Hatyai –Satun highway could offer to waken me from my heavy-eyed due to lack of sleep the night before.

The 5 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Satun, South of Thailand

By Ianpassion

Waterfalls are beautiful. And Satun has much to offer which I am always proud of. Here are the following:

1. Wangsaithong Waterfall is a limestone waterfall located in Langu district.  It has a pool where adults and children can enjoy swimming and jumping. Get a shower on its streams fall from each limestone stairs. This waterfall connects the mainstream called Wang Sai Thong River with a total distance of 8 km fenced with big trees providing shades to kayakers. It is impressively pleasant for rafting, feel like in Amazon. If time is not enough, there are bungalows available nearby. But if there is a hammock or tent available, sleeping facing the waterfall is best as well. Read more. 

GPS: 7.089795, 99.909769

Wangsaithong Waterfall @ Langu District, Satun, Thailand

Reflective Trip to Songkhla, South of Thailand

By Ianpassion,  breakfast at Songkhla Morning Market, South of Thailand

My wife told me that she had a conference to attend in Songkhla Province, South of Thailand, and then I had to look after our kids. “Ok no problem, I will take care of our children," I said. 

Songkhla is two hours’ from Satun.  There is no direct transport from Satun to Songkhla. So you need to commute two times by bus or by van heading to Hatyai, then from there, take a tuk-tuk (a jeepney) or a van to Songkhla. 

Very Beautiful Place in the North of Thailand, Chiangmai

By Ianpassion

This picture was taken at the strawberry farm, peak of Doi Mon Jam,
Chiang Mai, North of Thailand

Chiang Mai is around 1,600 Km from Satun and more than 2 hours by plane from Hatyai International Airport.  It is located in the North of Thailand. When we arrived at the airport,  we were welcomed by Ajarn Nuch's family. They took us out for dinner then after to our room. 

On this trip, I was hoping to meet my friends from Davao City. Good that brother Roger was available on Saturday, so together with him and Ajarn Nuch’s family we went to the hill called Doi Mon Jam. It was 40 minutes drive away from the main town. The road going up had lots of sharp turns and steep curves.