Discovering Hua Hin

Okay, so the vibe in Hua Hin is completely different from Phuket, and I have to say it is more my speed. Fewer tourists, a little more authentic feeling, and a slower pace. The beaches and landscape are not as beautiful as Phuket, which I knew, but I have discovered some pretty incredible spots that I’m excited to share with you.

Though I don’t live directly on the ocean here, I am a short walk from the beach. I still take the opportunity to go for my morning or afternoon walks. There are horses on the beach frequently — a group of about six — and I was very surprised to find that they are almost all stallions. I’m not sure what breed they are, but they are smaller, probably about 14.2–15 hands, with a round outline, and they appear to be well cared for. I pass the field where they live, which is in front of a large Catholic church. The herd has a run-in shed, and they are all turned out together. It’s amazing to see these horses walk quietly and willingly through absolute city conditions — across the busy four-lane highway, with their riders often in sandals or barefoot. I will say, whatever breed these horses are or whatever training system they use, they seem very quiet, willing, and not stressed.

Hua Hin has a handful of impressive resorts that have beach clubs on the water, and I would say they are comparable to the beach clubs in Phuket. What I find much more intriguing are the coastal homes along the beach. Some of the architecture is gorgeous. Not the same as in Palm Beach, Florida (my home for many years), but they still lend a special feeling. I have loved going for extended walks not just to enjoy the ocean but also the homes. Many of the coastal homes here seem to be of slightly older construction, with well-established landscaping. Remember, Hua Hin is the vacation destination for the Royal Family and has been a beach vacation destination for Bangkok’s elite for many years, so the architecture is a little different from the new modern villas being built on the islands.

The Cicada Night Market is really in a league of its own. It has a much more upscale, artisan feel than any other market I’ve been to in Thailand. I spent well over an hour just browsing the paintings and artwork — there were some incredible pieces. The food court is impressive as well, with live music and plenty of seating around the stage. The vibe and ambiance were on point.

The main strip of Hua Hin has every store, beachfront café, and restaurant you could ask for, but here’s where I find it gets really special. Only about a 15-minute motorbike ride south and the beaches get extremely quiet, almost private. I walked for almost an hour the other morning and didn’t pass another human.

If you drive 45 minutes south from Hua Hin, you’ll come to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park — some of the most stunning landscape set along the ocean. I am going to write a blog post on this park and share photos with you. I am going back next week and will bring my camera with me, not just my iPhone. It’s one of my favorite spots yet.