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There is no end of activities for those who want to keep active. Classes are available in a broad range of activities including Thai language, cooking classes, yoga and even Thai boxing classes. Dart & pool leagues, bridge clubs as well as the Hua Hin Hash Hound Harriers are some of the fun organizations springing up for the year round residents. Other sporting activities available include jet-skiing and water sports up at Baan Thai Resort in Khao Takiab, kite boarding near the Hyatt Hotel, martial arts at Grand Sport and all the fun of karting at JWS Motor sport near the airport. Tours and courses are available in golf, water sports, and fishing. Scuba diving is available in the coral reefs just 2 hours away in Bangsapan. Many companies offer great packages especially where Golf is concerned. Whether the classes are for beginners or someone wanting to take some instruction from the pros to improve their score there are no shortage of options. Put together a group of 4 students and try the 3 day player camps. For about 15,500 Baht, the lessons will include 5 hours of full golf, nine playing lessons each day, range, balls, transfers to and from golf course plus rental equipment. All playing lessons are exclusive of green fees, power cart, and caddy fees. Contact “Hua Hin Golf Tours” for more golfing options and current pricing. 3 day kite surfing clinics are also available. The course includes all the equipment and training you’ll need to get started. “Kitesurf Instruction and Equipment Hire” offers courses March – April, for beginners through to advanced. The classes are taught in waist deep water and costs about $256 USD but please call for current schedules and pricing. For about 2,000 baht full day fishing tours can be booked. Mini buses will come to the hotels for pickup and drop off and provide all the equipment you’ll need. Generally, a couple of different fishing areas are toured. The tours will also usually include a restaurant lunch and a bit of swimming. Some of the fish often caught in the waters by the “Sam Roi Yod” National Park area can include snapper, sea bass, grouper, barracuda and other kinds of tropical fish. Most hotels, car rentals and tour companies will offer the standard tours. Prices, options and schedules vary greatly so best to check out a few before deciding on a booking. The tours usually are either half or full day and most will require a drive of two to three hours outside of Hua Hin. Many of the tours will start in the morning, which is wise due to the heat factor in the afternoon. They generally will include taking in a few attractions, and are designed that way due to proximity and timing. The Floating Market will close by noon so is sure to be a first stop in the morning. It is very close to Nakhon Pathom, the largest Buddhists temple and the Rose Gardens so you will often find these combined in a full day tour. Initial prices are high at the Floating Market as bartering is expected. A suggestion might be to begin bartering at 50% of the asking price. The tours of the Sam Roi Yod National Park, generally includes stops to see wildlife habitats, local rice fields, sugar palms, pineapple plantation and prawn farms and fishing villages as these are along the way. Another National Park is the Pal-U Waterfall. Kaengkrachan is the biggest national park of Thailand and has a stunning array of nature and rainforest. It is habitant to hundreds of different butterflies and animals. As it is close to the border of Burma, by crossing a bit of jungle and a river it is possible to visit the Hill tribe people of Karen. As well you will pass by many fields and plantations, which sometimes will become lunch and tour stops. The River Kwai Tour is quite popular. On this tour, you visit Japanese prison camps and the museum. Often a boat ride is taken up to the famous bridge over River Kwai. You can take a train trip through the jungle, have some lunch and then visit the elephant village. On the way a stop by the war cemetery where more than 7000 allied soldiers are buried. Closer to town are the half day trips, you will find tours that will take you out for a raft or elephant ride. There are also tours of the Elephant Village, Monkey Island, Crocodile Farms or the Bat Caves. Numerous tours of temples and the King Palaces and tours of pottery factories are readily available if you’re looking for a short morning tour. If you appreciate beautiful surrounding, you will want to visit the palaces. They are surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in Thailand. Likewise, the temples are always set in very serene mountain top locations so can be an ideal photo opportunity. Be careful with feeding any of the monkeys as they can be very aggressive especially after the treats have run out. Although walking between the monkeys may be nerve wrecking, especially if you have some fruit in your hand, the underground cave with 170 Buddha images will be worth the challenge. For those who want to spend the day in Hua Hin, try taking a cooking class. The tour can be a great glimpse into the Thai Culture and often includes field trips to local markets to collect your ingredients. You are also familiarized with local herbs, customs and desserts. Lunch is always included, but of course you do have to cook it yourself. Spent the morning buying and cooking your lunch? Now you're tired? Then relax and take in the Exhibition Shows of Thai Performing Arts and Music. SASI Garden Theatre (Sasi's ba Bar - Pub & Restaurant) offers a 2 hour show starting at 7:00 pm daily and for 750 baht/person a set meal of fine Thai Cuisine included. If you decide you want to lounge out on the beach, there is still lots to do. Food and drinks, towels and lounge chairs are sold and rented on the beach as well as other services such as horse rides, hair-braiding, pedicures, massages and henna tattoos. With all these beach services it is important to negotiate a price with the vendor first. Tours out to Koh Talu can either be day tours or up to 3 days. Koh Talu is a great area for snorkeling or scuba diving as it has crystal- clear water and an abundance of marine life and corrals. The fish are so tame they will come right up and nibble the food from your fingers. Often you can find inexpensive accommodations close by. Feel free to send me emails with your questions, comments and concerns and we will answer your emails as best we can. |